by Timou

Created on: July 02, 2009

There is no definitive answer to whether an all-inclusive holiday should be preferred over a non-inclusive holiday. It all boils down to personal preference.

Does the vacationer seek to have all of his/her needs taken care of, from transport to lodging to food and administration? If so, then an all-inclusive holiday should be the preferred choice. All-inclusive holidays have everything planned out for you, including your travel itinerary, such that you will not need to worry about anything other than being pampered and enjoying yourself.

Or, does the vacationer seek an immersive cultural experience, to step out of the proverbial comfort zone, and to try new things that might otherwise be uncommon back home? If so, then a free-and-easy holiday is the best way to go. Such holidays require quite a bit of planning, and the level of enjoyment one derives very much depends on luck at times, especially for less well-travelled locales.

Perhaps I could share some of my experience with both types of holidays.

I went on an all-inclusive holiday with my family, and we stayed at a respectable hotel. It was by no means posh, but all our needs were more than adequately cared for. Meals were arranged by the hotel staff, whilst city and cultural tours were arranged by the tour guides. While the entire trip proceeded extremely smoothly, everything felt very mechanical. I felt very much that I had exchanged one form of scheduling back home at work, to another in the form of holiday itineraries. The food was repetitive, and honestly did not taste any different from what I could eat back home. Even the 'tourist destinations' we went too felt very sterile, and lacked the sense of authenticity that we as visitors craved to experience.

All in all, the travel experience, while pleasantly smooth, felt very fake, and at times, I felt like I was caged up while forced to view some roaming exhibits.

On another occasion, I went on a backpacking adventure with my friends in northern Thailand. Granted, it was hard work sourcing for our accommodation, settling the travel administration, and planning our places we wanted to visit. However, I can safely say that the work was well worth the trouble. We got to interact with the natives of the places we travelled to, and we experienced many unique sights and sounds that till then we have only read about in travel guides. The waterfalls were majestic, while the morning fog that covered the rice fields that surrounded the hill lodge we were residing in was mystical and enchanting. The food that we shared with the locals was foreign, yet so special and authentic to the culture that we were seeking to know more about.

Such rewarding experiences would never have been touched by any regimented tour guide or all-inclusive holidays. If your aim is to witness for yourself the true magic and cultural uniqueness of the place you are visiting, then exploring off the beaten track on your own is your best bet.

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