Sightseeing European Style

The differences between the tours that Americans take to Europe and those that Europeans take here are noticeable when examined. I noticed this a couple years ago while visiting Italy. My tour lasted 14 days and covered the entire country. A couple days in Venice, Florance, Rome, Sorrento, among other small towns. When an american tours they focus on ancient cities and areas of high cultural importance such as museums and archeological sites. European cities offer the distinct historical feel that American tourists long for. Italy attracts tourists looking to see architecture, art, and culinary examples. While I was travelling I had the chance to experience all these things. I visited the Coliseum

saw the statue of David and the Sistine Chapel 

The big difference between sightseeing tours in Europe and those offered by European travel agencies to the United States is that Europeans want to see primarily one city and all it has to offer. In addition to the single city approach to sightseeing is the addition of small local attractions that society offers. This is evident in one tour I found for Boston. The tour lasts 8 days and includes day trips to Salem and two days to visit Maine. I realize that this is a stretch from my overall opinion but it shows that Europeans want to see major attractions as well as simple small novelties.   Some other tours are surprisingly lengthy in my opinion, some are 21 days and include visits to many major cities but only for a couple days. In this regard they become similar to how Americans choose to go sightseeing. I feel that Europeans see the US as a great open landscape with metropolitan clusters. They see the US as having unspoiled landscapes and beautiful natural wonders. I can see where these notions develop from but don't feel that they are completely accurate. I ultimately get the impression that they come here to get away from over developed old cities and to visit more modern cities and see the sight that they hear about here. This is in a way the same as American tourist, we go to see sights that guide books point out or have heard about since we were young. This is why many tour companies offer nearly identical tours.

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