December 29th, 2008 - Traveling is an art pursued by the heart
Traveling can be pursued as a hobby, as an adventure, as passion or as the sustaining force of life. Compulsive travelers will tell you how it itches them to sit at home and look at furniture all day. The travel bug or the wanderlust; however you may name it does not leave them for a single moment and more often than not, they put on their spikes and start on that beautiful journey ahead.
While experiencing the beauty of a new place, it is important to get in touch with the locals. Though there are various city guides or geographic channels which tell you about the history, heritage, culture, ethnicity, cuisines, sights for a place yet it is the locals who add to the traveling experience. They know so much about a place that our traveling experience is automatically enriched once we take their help. These are the best travel guides at our disposal.
An example would attest it. Suppose, there is a mountain peak with a religious idol; a company guide will tell you all about the establishment of the idol, the height of the mountain and other things. The indigenous people will tell you all about the various folklores that are associated with the place. Travelers like being informed about small pieces of history. It adds to their feel about a place. Further, the locals know many additional roads that lead to certain unknown virgin places. No company guide will take a beaten road towards a hidden fountain to fulfill your traveling desire.
People seek various travel services looking for authentic travel experience. Post globalization, the world has narrowed down. Each place has many places in it. This adds to the multicultural feeling of a tourist place. A tourist is also attracted by the old world charm of a place.
Travel services or agencies generally provide with a bulk package. They take care of hotel booking and a complimentary breakfast. They will take you to various trips for sightseeing. Most of the sites would be renowned but very common. It is important to spend a little more and look for a customized deal. Be it trips or excursion, a tourist needs privacy and independent choice of traveling. This is where a customized deal proves better.
For instance, a bulk package will take you to an island and arrange for snorkeling or motor-boat riding. A customized deal will arrange for a scuba-diving experience. Now imagine what locals can add to the experience. They would know each trench and each part of marine life. So they know where the coral reefs are or where the sea anemones might be.
A travel agency charges heavily. Its better to take an accommodation and avail a local. He would take a pound and give you all that you deserve. Traveling is an art; its
