the difference between "stroll" and "wander"

[chance22]

In a blank filling exercise, two words are given: The hotel in the small Caribbean port was overbooked. The holidaymaker was _______ round the streets, looking for a lodging and breakfast place, when he was arrested for vagrancy.
I prefer to use "wandering", but the answer is strolling. actually I don't see the difference between them. So which word is better, wander or stroll? How are they different?

 

[Rover_KE]

The alternative to wandering would have to be strolling, not stroll.

I prefer wandering as it implies a purpose to the walking around which strolling does not.

It's a poor test question—some sources give the words as synonyms.

Rover

 

[probus]

I agree it is a very poor test question.

To me, stroll means to walk slowly and leisurely. Wander, on the the other hand, means to travel with no fixed destination in mind.

 

[Tdol]

As the person was arrested, wandering (walking aimlessly) sounds more likely than strolling (walking slowly for pleasure) to me- it's a poor question.

 

[chance22]

Thank you all for the explanation. I also think "wandering" is better, and will stick to it.