I'm a bit against getting rid of all elements of grinding in an mmo (yet no one complains about the stupid Tomes every single expansion ever). Yeah its a tiny bit of a chore but it makes you explore and get some quests done. In terms of an RPG there's nothing unreasonable or even time consuming about it... and it has a purpose with a large reward.

Obviously a personal preference, but I don't know why people are so driven to speed through everything just to end up sitting in a city all day. Enjoy these beautifully crafted zones while you're "forced" to. You'll almost have zero reason to go to any of them again quick enough.