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I’m painting with a broad brush here. I know there are many exceptions on both side of the pond… you know who you are.

Europeans understand “Holiday” in a way Americans just cannot fathom.

• First, they have the time-thing down. It’s not uncommon to run into someone from an EU country that has been traveling for over a month and yet they are sad because they only have two weeks before they have to get back to work.
• Second, they call-in their connections: Family, friends, people they just met yesterday…they network week long accommodations like we exchange zucchini bread and Christmas cookies. I’m not entirely certain this is done just as a cost savings, although it is huge for that. A local host can help the traveler avoid the mundane tourist traps and focus on the truly important and most interesting aspects of an area. They also afford entry into suburbs and localities which aren’t typically available to foreigners. Another plus is the building of life long (and often generational) friendships which comes with mutual exchange and hospitality.
• Finally, there is the food thing which Americans also have trouble with. Most Europeans have no problem existing on bread, cheese and sausage. Cucumbers and tomatoes suffice as “salad” and cheap wine (excuse me, I mean “table wine”) and local beer provide variety. Restaurants are a splurge and pubs are as much about meeting and thinking as eating and drinking.

Americans come up short and everybody knows it.

• We make hotel reservations for a week because that’s how long our vacation is – period. We’d never think of paying $300 a night anywhere in the States, but hey, we’re on vacation and the brochure says it’s “in the heart of the city” or “spectacular view.”
• Then we cram as many tourist concessions as possible into each day. It’s just the way we rationalize such short trips.
• We don’t want to do anything that lasts too long. It’s not that we don’t like to languish in the presence of art works from the masters, or admire the grand architectural accomplishments that have withstood the centuries, it’s just we are resistant to the idea that it might interfere with meal time. Some people mistakenly think that food is actually the main reason Americans travel. I’m here to tell you it’s just not so. We’ve already taken all the best food from every culture and made it even better. If you don’t believe me spend week in Seattle.
• Ultimately, Americans are truly fascinated with what travel has to offer. We are drawn to natural beauty, history, people and culture as much as anybody else on the planet; unfortunately we don’t make the time to fully experience that fascination. Our Bad!

Authors Note:

There, now that I have trashed the American way of travel I have this to say… our freedom of expression is important to us (show me a country with more)…whether in politics, religion or culture we can, and often do critically evaluate ourselves. That is why we are still the best country to travel to and live in. Travel on Dude!