Many Americans can probably find at least one of their eight great-grandparents who were born in Europe. Before you leave on your adventure, find out names of towns and villages in Europe where you have ancestry. They may not be listed in any guidebook or on a main rail route, but if you're willing to find them, you'll not only get an authentic local experience, you'll also gain insights that can tell you things about yourself. For example, if you're great-grandparents came from a tiny farming village, maybe you'll understand why you have an aversion to large noisy cities. Or if they lived high in the Alps, perhaps you'll understand why you have an inexplicable affinity for mountains even though you live on the plains of Kansas.
Ancestral memory is a powerful thing.
Take advantage of it in your travels. You may even open another Back Door for the rest of us to explore some day. Up Jennifer 's posting was one of many brilliant Back Door travel tips in April. You get to take in the ambiance of the hotel without spending a small fortune on a room. Lunch is usually relatively inexpensive but you still get the wonderful service that is accorded to the registered guest.