Americans looking for an exotic getaway often look overseas to Europe. Despite the push for independence of the country, its citizens enjoy going back to the old world from whence they originated.
According to the website www.go-today.com, their 5 bestselling vacation packages are "London at its Best," "Prague at its Best," "Paris and London," Budapest, Vienna, and Prague," and "Taste of Europe." The last package includes two nights in London, two in Paris, and two in Rome. Thus, of the top 5, London is included in 4 of them. Prague and Paris are both in 2, whereas Vienna, Budapest, and Rome are also destinations.
London has the advantage of an English speaking population, probably contributing to its popularity. The website points out its shopping districts and monuments, including the Tower of London. Another package includes Buckingham Palace and Parliament. As for Prague, the site describes it as "Cobblestone streets and old-world appeal makes this city one of the most delightful places in Europe... Few places in the world emit a fairy-tale charm like Prague." Paris has a much more cultural appeal, focusing on the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, as well as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier under the Arc de Triomphe. Both Budapest and Vienna are described as "Ancient" and "Historic" cities, where one can visit antique flea-markets and cafes. Rome includes a combination of the two, offering ancient history with the Colosseum and culture with the Sistine Chapel.
The major draw for American travels in Europe seems to be the allure of sampling history. Cities which have been around for centuries dominate the list and are frequently mentioned highlights. Cultural attractions stem from it, with well known artifacts anchoring the itinerary. Finally, the shopping experience seems to be a draw in London and Budapest, owing to their exotic appeal.
A German website focused solely on resorts, with locations ranging from Las Vegas to Orlando Florida and... little else, other locations featured being very close to one of the other two. www.touramerica.ie, an Irish website, features trips to New York, Orlando, Las Vegas, Miami, and Los Angeles. The common factor seems to be the great cities of the United States. Both sites focus on various hotels. I found sites from New Zealand and Australia which both largely pass up the United States for beach holidays in nearby places such as Fiji and the Cook Islands. The US is described on the Australian website www.travelscene.net.au as "large, loud and life-affirming, with some of the world’s most well-known attractions and recognisable structures in this beautiful, bold and bedazzling country." Destinations include Hawai'i, Disneyland, and various national parks. Once again, it is the hotels that are highlighted. In the example of Europe, it seems that its the destination and not the sites that matter.
1 comment:
"Large, loud, and life-affirming"! What fascinates me about that comment is that Australians have a similar reputation, but often with the suggestion--as with us--that that means they (and we) are crass, uncultured, and materialistic. Quite unlike the Old Wolrd of culture, history, and fairy tale quaintness.
Post a Comment