In OB i fastraveled a lot, mainly because I didn't have much of a choice. The world was designed around it. So, in Skyrim i'd prefer walking /riding everywhere, if the game doesn't punish me for it, but so far it seems it's still the OB system. that said, maybe a more interesting landscape will make it easier
I have never understood why anyone would feel forced to use fast travel. Or why they would think they could not just, you know, walk instead. I don't doubt that you feel this way but I just can't imagine why. I always felt that is't my game and how I play it is nobody else's concern. If I want to walk everywhere I go prior to using fast travel I can and I do. It has no effect on anyone else. There is nobody standing there telling me to fast travel or bite the bullet. If I want to walk around and look pick flowers or bring up the map and click on the next town because my character is weary and needs the rest I just do so and play my game how I please.
But then I am notorious for making self restricting rules at the onset of my game. My first time through Oblivion I did not allow myself to use fast travel until the entire map was uncovered and I didn't allow my character to waste animal products. So if she killed 10 wolves she had to walk to the nearest town and sell the pelts before she became over encumbered or leave them as an offering at one of the alters.
But yeah, it's a single player game which doesn't force you to even complete the first quest if you don't want to much less force you to use the fast travel system. :shrug:
I feel like I've lost my ability to be emphatic on this issue.