[email protected]
ROBIN ESROCK - BESTSELLING AUTHOR, SPEAKER, TV HOST
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • BOOKS
  • SPEAKING
  • BLOG
  • TV
  • PARTNERS
  • MEDIA
    • PHOTOS >
      • Favourite Photos
      • Esrock in Photos
      • Download Bio Photo
      • VIDEO
  • CONTACT

All Inclusive vs Doing it On Your Own

8/1/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Travel, like life, is all about the choices we make.   Where you go, who you’re going with, how much it will cost, how you’re getting there, and what you’re going to do once you arrive can narrow down a very large world to just a few key destinations.  So you’re heading to Mexico, or Barbados, or Cuba, and you’re thinking:  do I go all-inclusive?   Do I commit to a package, or do I research and do it all myself?  ​
All-inclusives come in budget and luxury flavours, and no shortage of benefits.   For starters, everything is taken care of.    Once you book your ticket, you can focus on the fact that you’re going somewhere warm, you’re going to spend most of your time resting and eating, and that’s about it.   All you have to worry about is packing the right bikini, and choosing a good book.   The peace of mind and ease of effort should not be underestimated, especially if your time is limited.    Next up are the obvious cost savings. All-inclusive resorts spread their profits across board, food and activities, and as a result you can find great hotels for budget prices.       All-you-can eat and drink buffet deals offer great value for your wallet (and inches for your waistline). The steady flow of tourists also usually ensures a good level of service from staff trained to be friendly.    Since guests are typically expected to spend most of their time in the resort, they’re often welcomed with daily entertainment, kids programs, a safe and secure environment, and tried and tested food options.  Less chance you’ll get food poisoning, less chance you’ll have to stress about worrying what to do.  Airport transfers are usually included, most resorts have private beaches and pools, and buffets offer excellent variety.   Make sure you read the fine print though.   Are the drinks included?  Are the activities free, or will you find them expensive and yet unavoidable to kill the boredom?   Are there extra taxes and fees?   Do your research, read online reviews, make sure your destination lives up to its website, and know that, ultimately, you’re heading for a week of relaxation, sleep, food, and sun.   Nothing wrong with that, but you might want to distinguish the experience from say, a travel adventure.   ​
​For many, travelling is more than just the act of going somewhere.  If your goal is to have authentic cultural experiences, encountering new music, people, food and landscapes, you might want to consider planning your own vacation.   All-inclusives offer price bargains, but they also limit you to one location, where chances are you’ll be eating in the same buffet-style restaurants, day after day.    It’s not uncommon to feel trapped after a few days -  by the surroundings, the lack of transport, the food, and the people that surround you (tip: never book a relaxing all inclusive vacation in Mexico during US Spring Break, trust me!)    You might be restricted to a tourist district, bordering other all-inclusive-type resorts, removed from the real world, the country itself.   To limit liability, and prevent “unfortunate incidents”, many resorts go as far as advising against eating street food, or visiting local restaurants.   Since you’ve already paid for a meal back at the hotel, you also trap yourself with your savings – why pay for another meal, even when you’re sick to death of the same-same but slightly different buffet?    Going it alone means finding your own accommodation, your own restaurants, your own transport and your own itinerary.  That been said, the Internet has made it easier than ever to plan trips, there are dozens of operators who can assist with transport, activities or customized itineraries, and there’s no shortage of spectacular hotels.   You’re likely to meet more locals, learn about their culture, and actually understand something about the country you’re in.   Sure, you’re also likely to be ripped off and occasionally frustrated, but budget that in and recognize that it’s part of the Do It Yourself Package.  The rewards of discovering a hidden gem, of meeting someone special, of finding yourself in a place you never expected to be, is the stuff you’ll remember and treasure forever.
Travelling is a personal choice. Let nobody tell you there’s a right or wrong way to spend your valuable vacation time.   You’re more likely to relax with a good all- inclusive, returning home tanned and fattened.   You’re more likely to remember doing it yourself, returning home inspired, and probably in need of a good holiday.  If you’re after both, consider splitting your trip into one half all-inclusive, and one half going it alone. My only advice:  Whatever you choose, know that you made the right choice, and never look back.   Wherever you are, is where you’re meant to be.
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Greetings. 
    ​Please come in. Mahalo for removing your shoes.


    ​After years running a behemoth of a blog called Modern Gonzo, I've decided to a: publish a book or eight, and b: make my stories more digestible, relevant, and deserving of your battered attention.

    ​Here you will find some of my adventures to over 120 countries, travel tips and advice, rantings, ravings, commentary, observations and ongoing adventures.

    Previously...

    April 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    May 2024
    March 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    October 2012


    Categories

    All
    Adrenaline
    Adventure
    Africa
    Airports
    Albania
    Alberta
    Anguilla
    Animals
    Antarctica
    Arctic
    Argentina
    Art
    Asia
    Australia
    Awards
    Backpacking
    Bali
    Beaches
    Belgium
    Belize
    Bike
    Boats
    Bolivia
    Books
    Botswana
    Brazil
    British Columbia
    Bucket List
    Bulgaria
    Cambodia
    Canada
    Caribbean
    Central America
    Chile
    China
    Climate
    Colombia
    Commentary
    Contests
    Cook Islands
    Costa Rica
    Croatia
    Cruise
    Cuba
    Culture
    Czech Republic
    Denmark
    Diving
    Ecuador
    England
    Estonia
    Ethiopia
    Europe
    Family
    Family Travel
    Finland
    Fishing
    Flying
    Food And Wine
    France
    Galapagos
    Gear
    Genealogy
    Georgia
    Germany
    Gift Guide
    Great Britain
    Greenland
    Halloween
    Hawaii
    Hike
    History
    Holland
    Hong Kong
    Horse
    Hotels
    Hungary
    Iceland
    India
    Indigenous
    Indonesia
    Industry
    Interview
    Iran
    Ireland
    Islands
    Israel
    Issues
    Italy
    Japan
    Jordan
    Lakes
    Laos
    Latvia
    Lithuania
    Malaysia
    Malta
    Mancations
    Mauritius
    Mexico
    Mongolia
    Mountains
    Movies
    Myanmar
    News
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    North America
    North Korea
    Norway
    Nunavut
    Panama
    Papua New Guinea
    Peru
    Philippines
    Photo Galleries
    Portugal
    Quirky
    Rafting
    Reviews
    Rivers
    Road Trip
    Romania
    Russia
    Sailing
    Saudi Arabia
    Scotland
    Ski
    Slovenia
    Snowboard
    South Africa
    South America
    South Korea
    Speaking
    Sponsored
    Sport
    Sri Lanka
    Sustainability
    Sweden
    Taiwan
    Technology
    Thailand
    The Netherlands
    Tibet
    Tourism
    Train
    Transylvania
    Travel Tips
    Tunisia
    Turkey
    Ukraine
    United States
    Usa
    Vancouver
    Venezuela
    Victoria
    Vietnam
    Volcanoes
    Water
    Weird
    Winter
    Zanzibar
    Ziplining

    RSS Feed

Picture

Subscribe

​
​Subscribe to my newsletter for infrequent inspiration
​

    Sorry about the hurdles, it filters out the $#!% spammers! ​

Subscribe

Coming Fall 2025

Picture

Quick Links


Books

About

Speaking

Media

TV

Photo

Contact

 Copyright Esrock World Media 2005-2024 

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • BOOKS
  • SPEAKING
  • BLOG
  • TV
  • PARTNERS
  • MEDIA
    • PHOTOS >
      • Favourite Photos
      • Esrock in Photos
      • Download Bio Photo
      • VIDEO
  • CONTACT