I don't do much pre-planning these days when I travel. Information is usually readily available upon arrival 
I've been on package tours & stayed in resorts in the past. They were fun, and I'd probably do more of them if funds permitted. I think of "travelling" more as having to get from one place to another, by whatever means of transport is available.
At other times, I go to places merely to lead an enjoyable & comfortable existence in another location ... a change of scenery
I travel like Dave and Rich most of the time, but last year I was a typical tourist on my trip to the Mauritius. I like the thought of not always being a tourist, but also of not always being a 'traveller'.
I've been a bit guilty of the snobbynish towards tourists myself.... but I think I've gotten over that very shortsighted approach 
Soapsuds has got the best definition and outlook on Travelling as opposed to touring and sightseeing and is worth hanging on the wall of all our offices (when we are there!): -
"The traveler sees what he sees. The tourist sees what he has come to see." -G.K. Chesterton
I think a traveller is somewhat like a nomad. Someone who goes more than sight-seeing. Someone who really wants to learn more about a place than what's in the brochures. A traveller takes no map - they go where they go.
I want to be a traveller... not a tourist.
To me travelling is meeting the people, taking the time to get to know them and understand their lifestyle and to enjoy their company, learning from them about their wild-life, and their country, then all to soon leaving with fond memories that last forever.
Thanks Bob! Got your PM btw...
Imagine if TravellersPoint was called TouristPoint?!!?? It doesn't sound right to me!
Actually, upon further thought, this seems rather obvious to me.
A traveller is quite simply someone who travels.
A tourist is a type of traveller that is more likely to be on tours (hence the term tourist). They prefer things to be looked after basically.
Other types of travellers include 'business travellers', 'ecotourists' or 'independent travellers'.
I think some people try to exclude tourists from the 'traveller' group, because they don't like the stereotype of a tourist.
This topic goes hand in hand with a previous one though; 'What kind of travel snob are you?' Basically, depending on what kind 'snob' you are, you probably will accuse that kind of person of being a tourist.
I don't like it. I'm a traveller and so are tourists. I'd classify myself as an independent traveller if anything, because I make most arrangments myself. But, pretty much anyone on this site is a traveller. And that's why this site is called 'travellerspoint', because we're not excluding any types of travellers. Well, there's my 2c
I think you may have hit the nail on the head Peter!
Not only is this site called Travellerspoint rather than Touristspoint, but the accompanying picture is of a guy with a backpack!
On the flip side, staying in a hostel and having a backpack does not necessarily make you more of a traveller than your average tourist. Plenty of backpackers are just walking alcoholics with too much time on their hands, whereas plenty of tourists have a "travellers" state of mind but have time constraints.
Nice definition Peter. I have been In Italy off and on since last Nov. Living in an apt. in Sestri Levanti. I have visited a large number of places on day trips and checked out the tourist attractions. Churches, museums, etc. I also visit with friends who live in Italy. Next month I will be visiting friends in Greece then travelling around Croatia. Anyone have a Recomendation as to a good base of operation. A place to rent an Apt. for a Month and then travel around the country.
George
george - try europe forum with your enquiry.
isadora - I often wear a hawaiian shirt and bermuda shorts when travelling. Doesn't much matter what you wear (or not) - more important are your attitudes what you do.
A positive mental attitude is what it's all about