International Travel: Thinking Through Your Best Way to Visit the World
According to Rick Steves, there are three kinds of people on the move, tourists, travelers, and pilgrims. Steves is a globetrotter whoâs made the international world come alive to millions of Americans through his numerous TV travel shows, radio interviews and books. I am going to use his distinctions to organize my article, because while many of us just assume a trip means a quick tour, cool cuisine and a few post cards, journeying can mean much more. Using this discussion about the pros and cons of each type of travel along with a few resources, I hope you will be able to step out with confidence, wherever and however you decide to go. I have provided some additional information on international travel in my blog series.
Tourists
Since many people with international interests start with the most convenient way to go, with an organized group, I am going to devote the most time in this article to this means of seeing the world. Obviously, the web or any travel agent offers far too many standard tour packages to mention. But letâs look at some factors to consider if you are debating a cruise versus a land tour.
Cruises
On cruises, itâs relatively easy to get acquainted with the ship. After all, there are only so many ways to design one. Hallways are straight, decks are railed, and by sensing the waves, you will learn quickly which way is forward. Better yet, you will find that many standard features ranging from bars to beauty salons appear on specified floors. Most cruise staff are well acquainted with special-needs passengers, and they want to help. On a cruise, you have 100% control of how much time you want to spend quietly in your cabin, versus dancing under the stars, dressing up and dining, or venturing ashore or to various programs on board. By the way, if you fear seasickness, I can assure you the crew has ample means to help, from medication to meals delivered to your cabin.
A few additional advantages might seem obvious, but I didnât think about them until my first cruise. The biggest was that once I had unpacked, I didnât have to worry about baggage and being on the move again until the end of the voyage. It felt nice that I was able to set foot in five countries without even thinking about where my shoes were, or if Iâd forgotten that sweater at the last hotel. Additionally, cruises provide at least a glimpse of many places if you take advantage of the port calls. Most include local tours for an additional fee. River cruises often include such local tours as part of the package. And if you are scouting for somewhere you might want to visit longer later, cruising is a great way to cast your net and explore.
Group Travel by Land
Taking a tour by land offers its own advantages. Whether you decide on an overall sweep of Europe, or a deep dive into French cuisine, by contrast with the unpack and forget it aspects of a ship, group travel by land involves much more. If you want to maintain popularity with your group, being on time and keeping up are essential. Package tours usually provide a travel host knowledgeable about the places you will visit, with in-depth insights you will appreciate. However, standard policy for tour guides doesnât allow the pushing of a travelerâs wheelchair or other special-needs guidance such as walking together. Additionally, many travelers I have encountered on standard land tours did not expect the amount of walking, climbing steps or standing often expected on a group trip. Again, knowing your own physical abilities and asking the tour company or someone whoâs visited the destination is always a good idea. One resource I discovered while researching this article is the Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality. Professionals primarily comprise this group, but the site also appears to invite comments and participation from travelers with disabilities.
Some of my blind friends who have travelled in groups have brought along a travel companion. This may be as simple as asking your significant other âWant to come?â or working things out with a special trip with a grandchild or close friend. Most of my friends have paid part or all the companionâs expenses, mainly to thank the person for what is frankly the extra energy and thought it takes to be there when you need this person. In cases where you havenât spent a lot of time alone together, itâs very important to have a realistic talk with your companion about what you need, for example, âI want to take your arm when weâre walking steps,â or âYou donât have to tell me thereâs a bird singing, I know that, but maybe if you see the bird, you can tell me what it looks like.â
Something I like to call âsighted guide fatigueâ can enter a relationship between you and your companion. Simply put, most people are not used to looking around for two. Be sure as you plan the trip that you allow your companion some free time as you do other things. This just means allowing each person the space and time needed to relax and enjoy on your own.
Trips Geared to Special Needs
Several of my blind friends have also taken advantage of trips geared to special needs and/or nonvisual travel. Iâve heard nearly unanimous good reports on the following organizations:
Travel Eyes and Mindâs Eye run a few national and international tours per year that are easy to find on their websites. Often, the earlier you sign up, the better the deals.
Accessible Journeys takes mobility needs into account. They also promise to find a travel companion, if needed. This would involve extra expense on your part, but also a reliable, accountable companion.
Responsible Vacation offers wheelchair accessible travel, as well as a philosophy of respect to local cultures and places they visit.
Travelers
Journeying without a tour package has its complications, but also its rewards. The beauty of traveling independently (whether alone or with a companion) is that you get to plan the duration, scope, and purpose of your visit. This gives you the opportunity to explore the sides of life not always posted on package vacation plans. For example, if you love churches, gardens, or music halls, you can make a point of visiting many in one area for as long as you wish.
If youâve followed my advice from part one of this series (link) and made some friends abroad, itâs likely you will have a willing person or family meeting you on the other end who will be delighted to show you around their home stomping ground. While for financial reasons it may be tempting to ask for accommodations with friends abroad, keep in mind that (1) they may have far more limited space than what we often take for granted in the USA, (2) your needs will be different than those of a sighted person and could create stress for your host if they have limited experience with you, and (3) if you ask, it may be very uncomfortable in many cultures to say no. However, itâs safe to say that if a friend abroad offers you a place to stay, you can accept. It will simply be important to discuss what role your host will expect to have when you come, ranging from just a roof to a tour guide devoted to spending much of your stay together. If you and your host agree, itâs cool. Most friends abroad will be offended if you offer money directly, but they often appreciate going out for dinner and having you handle transportation costs for them and other direct expenses.
With Airbnb and other non-hotel hospitality now available, it may be worth your time to research where you want to stay and sign up for this kind of accommodation. Often hosts of the apartments or rooms available through bed and breakfast facilities are eager to tell you about the best places to eat, pray, walk, or tour in their area and sometimes theyâll even take you there. Without asking directly, you wonât know this in advance. It is usually possible to hire an English-speaking guide for individuals or groups, though rates will vary greatly depending on your city or country of origin.
Of course, you can also research and contact individual hotels in advance, or, if you are really the fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants type, you can decide where you will stay on the spot. However, this option may leave you more vulnerable to those assuming your dollars are limitless!
Pilgrims
Before your mind races to monasteries and miracle sites, let me define âpilgrimâ for the purposes of this discussion as a traveler who wants to make a positive difference in our world. This includes opportunities such as faith-based mission trips, but it also embraces humanitarian projects to address issues as diverse as environmental clean-up, agriculture, education, medical or even language learning. The list of needs and what we can do is nearly infinite, so you can decide what area most closely fits your skills and interests.
It may surprise you how creative you can be in addressing needs. I once went to Costa Rica on a construction project, but with my skills in cooking and cleaning I was able to support our on-ground staff in the kitchen. So, itâs always a good idea to dissect a project deeply before assuming you can or cannot participate. Regarding humanitarian projects, itâs quite common for a group to go together, which allows you both flexibility in what you can do (like on that construction project) and a friendly team available to lend you a hand if you need it.
While such trips seldom offer the plush accommodations of a hotel or cruise, who needs that anyhow? What they do provide, unlike most other kinds of travel, is an in-depth view of life in another part of the world, often in a country lacking things taken for granted in other parts of the world. Trips can range from just a week or two for mission-focused service to over two years with Peace Corps, long enough to provide a close-up picture of realities you may not expect as you get to know the territory and make friends. And yes, nearly everyone who is a recipient of a pilgrimâs visit will show an attitude of gratitude and respect. By going with the flow and keeping your complaints and expectations to a minimum, Iâm confident you will represent your country of origin and the blind community with flying colors.
Additional Information
Travel as a political act DB102626
Read by Rick Steves. PBS travel show host presents his manifesto about ways to approach travel in order to expand your experiences and mindset. Highlights specific lessons and policies from countries including the former Yugoslavia, El Salvador, Denmark, Turkey, Morocco, and Iran. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2009
International Perspectives: Living and Working in Siberia As a Person with a Disability – VisionAware
Taking a Cruise Is No Longer an Item on My Bucket List – VisionAware