Skibbe's VirtualTourist Home Page

I have used Virtual Tourist to help plan all my recent trips. Tips from other members have been very helpful to me and I hope others find this page helpful as well.

I only recently starting traveling--my first trip overseas was in late '97. But I've found that travel is completely addictive. If I'm not on a trip I always like to be planning one. It provides an education you just can't get otherwise and that is why it will always be a priority for me.

I believe in learning everything possible about a place before I visit. I eat the country's food, watch their movies, read their fiction and non-fiction books, listen to their music, follow them in the news, and get any taste of their culture for months in advance. Not only does this make the trip better but it has long term effects.Getting ready for Japan introduced me to foreign movies, which I've come to prefer to American movies. Preparing for Peru introduced me to Mario Vargas Llosa, who has become my favorite author. And I still listen to music from nearly all these places.

You may notice as you click through these pages that I tend to get lost a lot. I can't really say that getting lost is part of the plan but it doesn't bother me. I've seen more and had more interesting experiences from getting lost than if I'd ever gotten to where I was going when I was supposed to be there.

I also tend to be a solo traveler on most of my trips. It's not that I mind having someone with me or haven't enjoyed all those that have joined me on trips. But I never want not having someone to go with keep me from seeing a place I want to see. Plus, solo travel has its advantages. You have the freedom to do what you want when you want. You have more peace to take in what you're seeing. It is more of a true getaway. And it is easier to meet new people. I've been fortunate to meet a lot of great people in the places I've visited.