Comments on: Why Themed Trips Are Cooler Than You Think

By: Nik

Nik — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 12:35:19 +0000

Thats a great idea Amanda, and very inspiring. I’m starting to think about the various wacky things you can “theme” your trips on.

How about Fear Food theme! Hah, all those food they make you eat in Fear Factor are delicacies at other parts of the world… it’ll be cool to visit them and eat the food right with the locals!

Obviously, Lord of the Rings themed trips are all the rage now, judging from the numerous brochures promoting LotR tours when I was back there last Jan..

By: kazari

kazari — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:38:49 +0000

Most of my travel seems to be ‘themed’ recently. My husband loves rock climbing (and I enjoy it, too!) so recent trips have includes side trips to Castle Hill in New Zealand and Fontainbleau in France. I’m waiting for him to suggest a trip to Colorado, next…

Another wacky trip was a friend – she timed her honeymoon to coincide with a belly dance conference she wanted to attend in Cairo.

By: BDex

BDex — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 04:26:31 +0000

Great article! My first consciously themed travel was a wonderful experience: “Volcanoes, Ruins and Revolution” in Central America. Even with seven weeks, three themes was too many and I fell well short on Revolution. Still, I learned much more than I would have without specific interests and I have a theme waiting for me when I return

By: Amanda Kendle

Amanda Kendle — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 12:21:48 +0000

@ Skylab, music culture definitely sounds like a good travel theme. A few ideas spring to my mind already …

@ Rob, food and wine, sounds perfect I agree, a bit of extra planning and research is not a bad thing – in fact it’s half the fun! Enjoy your trip in September.

By: Rob

Rob — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 21:48:56 +0000

I agree 100% on theme tours, Amanda. To make a fun theme tour takes a bit of planning and research but that just adds to the anticipation of the big event.

I’m planning foodie/wino tour to Spain and France for mid-September. I feel as if I’ve already been there!

By: Skylab

Skylab — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 15:20:20 +0000

It’s great to have a theme. It gives you a goal. My theme lately has been exploring the music culture.

By: Kris

Kris — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 06:47:32 +0000

@NjClarke, I’m a huge Johnny Cash fan! I’ve always wanted to go to Folsom just because of the song. I’m from Tulsa originally, which is mentioned in the song. If you want some suggestions of places to see there let me know. There’s some particularly interesting roadside attractions there.

By: Amanda Kendle

Amanda Kendle — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 03:28:01 +0000

@ NjClarke, the Johnny Cash road trip idea is a great one! You should do it.

@ Antra, I’ve heard of that book but haven’t read it yet, it’s a cool idea. Good luck with your 55 things in 555 days!!

By: Amanda Kendle

Amanda Kendle — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 04:21:23 +0000

@ Kris, you should write a book. I like your blog! Nice idea.

@ Alan, ditto! Unique Indian restaurants sounds, well, what else can I say but unique?

By: Antra

Antra — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 18:54:02 +0000

I’m currently reading a book I found called “Four Letter Countries: The Zany Adventures of the Alphabet Traveller” where the author David Jenkins decides to visit the ten countries that only have four letters in their names. It is a fun read so far, so the idea of themed trips is getting out there!

As to my own trip that I’m in the middle of, I’m not sure if it is *themed* per se (does visiting every country in Europe count as a theme?), but before leaving I came up with a list of things I wanted to accomplish called “55 Things in 555 Days”. 131 days in, five completed, 14 in progress, but I’ve been fairly stationary for the past two months, so when I get on the move again, that list will improve.