Crow,,,just for a break....speaking of adventurous travel, over the past decade in Europe being in different places for study related travels as well as touristic visits, I came to realize that the most intrepid and passionate backpack travelers across Europe are Australians. I am recalling my observation of the past decade before the covid crisis hit thereby crippling the traveling scene at the start of the new decade. Of course one may have seen many adventurous backpackers in Europe from Europe,North America, Latin America, China etc but no one equals the Australians. Most of the Australian backpackers are fresh graduates from college who decide to tour Europe before settling in a job, though some backpack travelers could be making a trip taking time from their job. Having been in youth hostels in several place at different times to witness first hand, and also from what I heard and read from other people, I was amazed that these backpackers from Australia tour Europe at least for three months moving from country to country and from city to city. Some in fact used to come for 6 months straight and there was one story of one young adventurous lady traveler on the news ...I heard also of one Australian guy touring Europe I think for three years straight...it appears compared to others, these travelers on an extended time in Europe could be regarded as extending the legacy of the old 'grand tour' of Europe when British elites used to tour Europe for many years before settling down. Alas Covid has now messed the travel industry and the new decade may not be the same...
But what I observed about many young backpackers (i.e. in general from everywhere) is that though they may be keen in visiting some landmarks of a city and take some pics ,however they may not be that passionate in spending time visiting every thing that needs to be seen . Instead they choose to hangout with other international friends in pubs and hostels. I believe these youngsters would have benefited more with thematic visits like photography, architecture , art, cuisine, history etc...just as the old grand tour,..
A more treasure savvy traveler in a tour of Europe could actually contact some high end interior decorators and take a list of some pieces that these high end interior decorators desperately want for their clients, and check some flea markets and antique shops of Europe while all the same touring...if one finds these wanted decorative pieces he or she could ship it from wherever they may be and make some good money as some high end interior decorators cater for eccentric clients where money is not an issue. There are several ways like this to make such tours exciting ...But I guess most are only taken with the thrill of the moment ...and admittedly some spots in Europe are quite charming as for example I recall in Florence several years ago one summer night after dinner ,,,a guitarist was playing on the streets and many including myself were sitting by the roadside nearby listening to the music while gazing at the many public statues and renaissance buildings silhouetted in the dim lighting...the guy was playing the Chet Atkins rendering of the "Vincent" tribute song,,,it was quite captivating...
TT