Travelling without the Internet, possible?

[pwa]

The Internet seems to encroach on every aspect of life nowadays, and it is a superb tool when travelling. But is it even possible to travel without using the Internet nowadays, or has the Internet made it harder for people to travel "old style" as most organisations try and push us to use online methods.

You can still use a navigation device without being online at the time of use, and you can book accommodation ahead of time, so yes, you can tour without being online at all during the actual tour. I have done it, a couple of years back, and it is nice.

[Ron]

and you can book accommodation ahead of time,

For some of us it would take the excitement out of touring if we knew in advance where we would sleep that night.

[pwa]

and you can book accommodation ahead of time,

For some of us it would take the excitement out of touring if we knew in advance where we would sleep that night.

You like the tension?
Try touring in Carmarthenshire and relying on mobile coverage to book something at the last minute. That'll make you tense when you find no signal for mile after mile. I once had to find a phone box that no longer took cash, then reverse charge because my mobile got no signal.

[Blondie]

Absolutely still possible. You just have to be the sort who doesn’t worry about not finding accommodation at the end of each day. In many places they still have a tourist office. You pop in, ask about accommodation. They ring round and make booking for you. On you go. Otherwise just turn up in a place and see what’s available. Outside weekends and tourist hotspots still plenty of vacancies for solo (or couples) travellers just turning up.

If you are travelling with a tent as backup it’s even simpler.

[SprokenBroke]

A compass can be useful to point you in the right direction. Sometimes I wild camp in woods and the next day I can't remember what direction I need to go in. Or a compass app for your phone.

[nirakaro]

Otherwise just turn up in a place and see what’s available.

A huge amount of what's available, though, is invisible in the physical world, and only discoverable online.

[Jdsk]

A compass can be useful to point you in the right direction. Sometimes I wild camp in woods and the next day I can't remember what direction I need to go in. Or a compass app for your phone.

How does a compass help if you can't remember which direction you need to go?

Thanks

Jonathan

[Jdsk]

A compass can be useful to point you in the right direction. Sometimes I wild camp in woods and the next day I can't remember what direction I need to go in. Or a compass app for your phone.

How does a compass help if you can't remember which direction you need to go?

Ah... is it that you know that you need to go N (say) but you can't remember which direction that is on the ground?

Jonathan

[SprokenBroke]

A compass can be useful to point you in the right direction. Sometimes I wild camp in woods and the next day I can't remember what direction I need to go in. Or a compass app for your phone.

How does a compass help if you can't remember which direction you need to go?

Ah... is it that you know that you need to go N (say) but you can't remember which direction that is on the ground?

Jonathan

Right. While you're heading North a good camping spot might present itself on the left or the right. I find that I easily forget which way I was going especially if it's a featureless, tree lined country lane and it's dark when I find the spot. I can sometimes tell if it's on a slope by looking at my gears.

Also, if you get lost it can point you in the right direction.

[Jdsk]

How does a compass help if you can't remember which direction you need to go?

I don't think that I'd ever spotted the ambiguity of the relevant words. "Which direction?" could mean "Which bearing?" or "Do I go to the left of the spinney or the right?".

Is this a well-known problem in teaching people how to navigate?

Jonathan

[eileithyia]

I never planned tours in any detail and used to buy maps as I needed them from book shops or tourist info. offices but as more people have adopted electronic facilities there are fewer of these around and the ones that are left have a more limited range.
I rolled up at a campsite in Germany and wasted a lot of time after finding the reception desk was not staffed, there was just a phone number to call, but no phone there to make the call with! Eventually someone with a 'phone got me in contact with the camp chief who just would not believe that I had no mobile 'phone.
So, yes it is possible to tour without modern communication technology but it is becoming ever more difficult as the years go by.

Am intrigued why you needed to contact the manager? I've turned up at campsites that have been unmanned and just set up camp and got on with it..... on one of them some workmen turned up for the evening, did some work, left the toilets open, disappeared, returned the next day... and never once asked us to pay. Always very difficult to know what you are supposed to do when you don't speak the lingo.....

[Vorpal]

Am intrigued why you needed to contact the manager? I've turned up at campsites that have been unmanned and just set up camp and got on with it..... on one of them some workmen turned up for the evening, did some work, left the toilets open, disappeared, returned the next day... and never once asked us to pay. Always very difficult to know what you are supposed to do when you don't speak the lingo.....

I don't know about Germany, but it's common in Norway that, especially out of season, you register at the site by ringing someone. Generally, they want people to register as being on the site, even if there is no fee to pay. There are generally signs that say so in English, as well as Norwegian (and sometimes other languages).

[Jdsk]

Am intrigued why you needed to contact the manager? I've turned up at campsites that have been unmanned and just set up camp and got on with it..... on one of them some workmen turned up for the evening, did some work, left the toilets open, disappeared, returned the next day... and never once asked us to pay. Always very difficult to know what you are supposed to do when you don't speak the lingo.....

I don't know about Germany, but it's common in Norway that, especially out of season, you register at the site by ringing someone. Generally, they want people to register as being on the site, even if there is no fee to pay. There are generally signs that say so in English, as well as Norwegian (and sometimes other languages).

Similar at some French sites, including municipal sites where we were asked to 'phone the Mayor. And one where the answer was that it was closed and we were welcome. : - )

Jonathan

[Vorpal]

I don't know about Germany, but it's common in Norway that, especially out of season, you register at the site by ringing someone. Generally, they want people to register as being on the site, even if there is no fee to pay. There are generally signs that say so in English, as well as Norwegian (and sometimes other languages).

Similar at some French sites, including municipal sites where we were asked to 'phone the Mayor. And one where the answer was that it was closed and we were welcome. : - )

Jonathan

They don't have municipal sites here, but many places have 'friluftsområder' which translates literally as 'free air area', but is in practice more like a country park. These often allow camping & the use of the toilets for free (or a freewill donation). If they have showers, you normally have to pay for those. They are normally unmanned, but often want anyone staying overnight to register. If so, there will be a sign with a number to call.
Usually it's just the mobile number for the site caretaker. Once, I called the number, and found myself speaking to a confused junior security person at a central depot some distance away. They had no idea what I was on about. I assumed it was a language issue (my poor Norwegian). They called me back a few minutes later to say that the supervisor had explained that they were just supposed to take the car registration & how many days (max 3) I was saying. When I told them I only had a bike, I befuddled them again.

[simonhill]

Some sites in Japan insist on you booking at least a day in advance. I've just read a guide to touring in Japan that reiterated this and cited one tourer who was not allowed onto a site even though it was only 3 quarters full because she hadn't booked.

Plenty of unmanned b&bs Airbnb etc that require you to ring when you arrive so someone can come and meet you. I even had it to open the door in a large hostel in France.