All politicians, even the most idealistic ones, are looking for money, sucking up to rich people.

The Japanese have perfected good manners and made them indistinguishable from rudeness.

... the grand tour is just the inspired man's way of heading home.

Now and then in travel, something unexpected happens that transforms the whole nature of the trip and stays with the traveler.

I hate vacations. I hate them. I have no fun on them. I get nothing done. People sit and relax, but I don't want to relax. I want to see something.

One of the upsides of tourism is that people begin to take themselves a little more seriously (and think their) culture is worth something. So rather than disparaging the local culture, they vitalize it.

Most travel, and certainly the rewarding kind, involves depending on the kindness of strangers, putting yourself into the hands of people you don't know and trusting them with your life.