Miami Beach France & Torino: Tour vs Off-Beat

Well ok, technically its French Riviera, but close enough.

So I won't lie, I was kinda missing France the 48 hours I was outta the country, so I was glad to make a hasty return.

I'm sure Switzerland's feelings weren't hurt.

Well,  hasty in the term of days, not so much hours. I took an afternoon train from Geneva (it runs once a day) that goes through the heart of the French countryside down to the coastline, totaling about a 6 1/2 hour train ride. I'd like to say I was taking in the beauty of the countryside during this time, wistfully staring out the window while taking pictures of the scenery. But I just mostly napped.

Google French countryside if you must know.

I did see quite a bit of the coastline towards the end, though:

After disembarkment from the train and following what ended up being the easiest directions to a hostel to date, (looking at you, Brussels) I was able to shuck my coat and jeans to boat shoes,  shorts and shirt. I wasn't quite sure what temperature it would be at night, but mid-70s was right up my alley.

The next day I got to explore a bit. Nice is pretty much French Miami Beach, but unlike Miami Beach, it had one touristic event that I couldn't pass by.

TOURIST TRAIN. OH THE SHAME.

So this kinda begs the question: Wait-a-second, isn't like, travel about off-the-beaten path / authentic experiences, and, you know, not doing the tourist-thing?

But technically its been beaten for hundreds of years...

Ehhh...yes...and no.

I do both, self-touristing vs. guided tour. This is certainly not an in-depth discussion of decision-making of any kind (I remember little of Decision-Making 101, sorry UW) or what's better than the other, but more of an outline of my views.

Let's talk about the PROS and the CONS of both, shall we?

PROS of a guided tour:

1. You don't have to stress about deciding where to go/what to see. (big plus)
2. Things are explained to you, (ie: This castle was built in XIX, versus 'Oh that's a nice building.')
3. Transportation is covered.
4. Best if you have less than 4 days, or in a large area with a lot to cover.
5. Getting to places you might not have known about/ able to go to on your own (without a car/language/map/etc.)

Nice beach, Nice.

CONS:

1. If you're in a bus group..well...patience is a key. Welcome to the herd.
2.  Potential of getting a packaged experience, versus this is what it's really like.
3. You get hustled from one stop to the next. Meaning, no time to stop and smell the roses. (Look at this! Ok, mas rapido chicos, venga venga.)

I'm still not over my Alhambra tour 6 years later.

Time, time, time. It's the discriminator in my decision-making-for-travel process. For Monaco, Monte Carlo, and Cannes I took an escorted van tour for the day.

More like Monaco Mega-Millions.

I think had I stayed self-guided, I would have only seen Monaco and Monte Carlo. It would have been cheaper, maybe less touristy, but I wouldn't have seen all this random stuff along the way:

This was in the South of Provence. Aww yeah.

This sounds like a promotional post for taking a tour, huh?

Not so fast. For both my own purposes and the purposes of this particular post, I took the alternate route in Turin, Italy. Meaning: Not tour-led.

And ended up going to the mega- food convention that is Salone del Gusto.

 Italian food. Italian food everywhere.

PROS of Self-guided Travel,:

1. You get to do what you want to do. 
2. You aren't limited by time.
3.  Going to be a cheaper option most of the time, as you aren't paying a tour guide.
4. Best if you have more than 4 days, or in a small area. (Looking at you, Geneva)
5. Off the beaten path experience is more likely.

Did I mention free food samples?

CONS:

1. You're left to your own to figure things out. Which can be a simple as getting a train...bound to Siberia.
2. You don't really learn anything about a place unless you do your research, or spend extra time there.  IE: reading a booklet, or spending a few days in one place.
3. You spend more time figuring stuff out that doing stuff. Which is time consuming. And you may end up seeing less.

You also might end up seeing less after Sambuca...this bar was particularly generous. Yikes.

I really enjoyed Turin, and my random 'going to an Italian International Food Festival'. Having never set foot in Italy, (and won't be back until December) this was a great introductory stop. Turin is famous for, you know...

SHROUD OF TURIN! Well, this is a replica. The real one isn't on display this year...nor could you take a picture of it anyway.

But aside from that, it's a good-sized city. It's not overwhelmingly big, and pedestrian friendly.

Not too big, not too small.

And is not too-touristed, (most people go to Milan) so you get more of an 'Off-the-beaten path' feel no matter what you do.

The locals were extremely friendly, (Italianos you are winning me over through your kindness), so I am very much looking forward to returning in a month.

And seeing more gorgeous churches. Nope, haven't gotten tired of them.

My only regret is lack of time. I only had a day to see Turin, and I didn't see everything. (Going back to the self versus guided discussion). But what I did see, I loved. Cathedrals, Museums, Plazas, and perfect nightscapes. Thanks for a brief peek, Torino. I'd add you on a return trip any day.

Next stop, TRANSYLVANIA! And a special guest...(which is perhaps not a secret anymore, but for the sake of drama, I'll pretend it is)

You have no idea how excited I am for this.