From: bakker@cs.uq.oz.au (Paultje Bakker)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: ****** The REC.TRAVELGUIDE ******
Date: 28 Sep 92 01:54:56 GMT
Reply-To: bakker@cs.uq.oz.au
Organization: Depts. of Computer Science & Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

Introducing.... The REC.TRAVELGUIDE !

A few people have suggested, over the years, that we should start
compiling a FAQ (frequently asked questions) file, to stop the
endless repetition of boring questions in rec.travel. ("What's the 
cheapest fare from X to Y? Anyone know any good CHEAP hotels in Z?")

Others have suggested that we draw on the knowledge of our vast
readership and compile our own travel guide. Sorta like Let's Go, but
with the authorship not limited to Harvard students.
The problem with this is, that the market is saturated with travel
guides. Anything we compile here is not likely to add anything new.

However, I believe there is a new angle we can exploit. I propose that
we compile lists, for any country or major city, of the TEN BEST
THINGS TO DO/SEE there. One rec.traveller would volunteer to
edit such a list, and would issue a call for submissions. 
Anyone who has been to that city can then send in a description of
something really funky or unusual they did there. I would envisage
perhaps a 10-20 line description. The editor then picks the ten best of
these, and posts the result. A central body (ie me) could keep track of 
who is maintaining each list, and post their addresses in a monthly FAQ file.
Readers can submit their own travel experiences to that list, or
request a copy of it if they are travelling there.

The idea is *not* to repeat what you can get out of a conventional travel
guide; it is to document interesting/useful/bizarre experiences by a wide 
range of international travellers. People who live in these cities/countries
could also contribute, adding a depth of local knowledge as well.

For example, say I was editing a list of the ten best things to do/see
in Amsterdam. I wouldn't expect stories about visits to the flower
market or the Damrak. I would rather have articles about:
- strange experiences in the Red Light District
- a visit to the Albert Cuyp market
- a Jewish reader's impressions of the Anne Frank house
- how to avoid being robbed at Centraal Station 
- How I ate 3 spacecakes at the Melkweg and survived
- A rundown on some of the best Dutch fast food
- A fantastic hotel/B&B I found off the beaten track
- where to get the best view of Amsterdam for photo's 
- scuba diving in the canals
etcetera.

The articles you contribute are not meant to be interesting to
everyone.. just interesting to YOU, and unique. 

As a trial run, and just to start the ball rolling, I volunteer to 
compile a list of the 10 best things to do in NEW YORK. This especially 
interests me, as I will be going there later this year. Please send all 
submissions to bakker@cs.uq.oz.au within, say, a month. If you want to 
compile a list yourself, send me email or just post a call-for-submissions
yourself. Perhaps all related postings should be prepended with
RTG to make them stand out.
eg

RTG : The ten best things to do in LONDON

If everyone participates, this should be an exciting project. 
Contribute! Contribute!

Paul Bakker
bakker@cs.uq.oz.au

I welcome any comments or suggestions on the above idea. Please
post your feedback to rec.travel... I'd like to know how much interest
there is.
--
(paul) bakker@cs.uq.oz.au     >  "Although the Australian accent does
computer science/ psychology  >   not lend itself as a pointer to
university of qld 4072        >   intellect, ... "
terra australis               >   The (British) Sunday Telegraph, 1992