10 Popular Tourist Destinations You Should Actually Skip
There’s nothing wrong with getting caught up in those glossy Instagram photos and travel guides telling you where you must go, but sometimes reality doesn’t quite live up to the hype. All this will leave you feeling more stressed than satisfied, as you are pilled into crowds, overpriced attractions, and lack authentic experiences. Some spots look dreamy on the surface but when you actually get there, they’re not worth the hassle.
In fact, some of the most famous travel destinations can be really disappointing. If you’re not a ticking box on a bucket list type of person, you’ll want to know which tourist traps to avoid. Let’s talk about those places that sound great in theory, but are better left off your itinerary.
Venice, Italy
Venice, the city of canals, and the city of romance. Sure, but wait until you’re wading through the sea of tourists and paying too much for a regular coffee at a café and the magic disappears quickly. Sure Venice is stunning, but it’s also drowning with tourists. Plus, it’s a traffic nightmare to navigate crowded alleyways and gondolas. If you want a more authentic feeling Italian experience, try and visit a smaller less crowded city such as Verona or Bologna.
Times Square, New York
Although Times Square is a symbol of New York City, it’s also an overstimulating tourist vortex. It feels more like giant advertisement than a place to actually enjoy. It’s noisy, packed with people trying to sell you something. If you’re in NYC, take a walk through Central Park, or visit the city’s various neighborhoods for a taste of the real Big Apple.
The Great Wall of China (Badaling Section)
While the Badaling part of the Great Wall is certainly impressive for its human engineering, it is also undeniably the most touristed (because of its closeness to Beijing) and commercialized. Imagine hordes of tourists, vendors selling relentless souvenirs and more selfie sticks than it seems possible. However, if you’re not up for a wall filled with sometimes rude tourists and traffic jams, you can try visiting a less touristy section of the wall like Mutianyu, where you can actually enjoy the scenery of the wall itself without feeling like you’re in the middle of a traffic jam.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame
Let’s be real: The Hollywood Walk of Fame is nothing more than a sidewalk with a bunch of stars on it. Don’t expect glitz and glam, because you’re in for a letdown. It’s not glamorous and once you’ve taken a photo with your favorite star’s name on the ground, there’s not much else to do. Instead, you’re better off exploring some of LA’s lesser known gems, like Griffith Observatory, or the Getty Museum.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa
Aside from that quirky photo op, Pisa doesn’t have much to offer. Tourists crowd around the Leaning Tower, the experience is a fast stop on a conveyor belt of photo ops. Instead, go to Florence nearby where art, history, and culture blur into one enjoyable rollercoaster.
Stonehenge, England
The problem is that although Stonehenge is shrouded in mystery and history, you can’t get close to the stones and the experience is usually ruined by the sheer number of tourists and buses. And unless you’re really into ancient rock formations, you’ll probably find the whole thing a little… underwhelming. If you don’t fancy dealing with crowds, visit Avebury, another nearby stone circle where you can get up close and personal with the stones.
The Blue Lagoon, Iceland
The Blue Lagoon may look like a dreamy, natural hot spring, but it’s actually a man made spa that can be painfully crowded. Once you’ve arrived there, you’ll see that the experience isn’t so serene, in fact it’s more like sharing a giant bathtub with dozens of strangers. There are plenty of other natural hot springs in Iceland where you can soak in peace, without a premium attached or a line.
Peru: Machu Picchu (In Peak Seasons)
Machu Picchu is, without question, breathtaking, but visiting during peak season can feel more like you’re visiting a theme park than an ancient wonder. It’s hard to fully appreciate the site’s grandeur with the crowds. If Machu Picchu is on your list of must sees, go off season or check out other Inca ruins like Choquequirao, where you’ll get the same experience without the crowds.
Santorini, Greece
Santorini is a bucket list destination for many, with those iconic blue domes and whitewashed buildings, but the island’s popularity can make it feel less like a paradise and more like tourist trap. In peak season, the streets are crowded with tourists and prices on everything jump. If you want to chill out in a more laid back Greek island setting, then Naxos or Milos are your best bet — beautiful beaches and cute towns, but no chaos.
The Pyramids of Giza
While the pyramids are one of the most famous historical sites in the world, visiting them can be a little less than exciting. Dodging aggressive vendors and tourists, you’ll barely be able to take in the ancient wonder. It can feel rushed and chaotic and not the awe inspiring moment you had hoped for. If you prefer a less hassle experience, the pyramids of Dahshur are a good alternative, you get to enjoy the history in a more peaceful way.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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10 Best African Photo Safaris You Must Experience
Even if you’ve been on a safari in the past, an African photo safari is something you want to experience or at the very list add to the top of your bucket list.
But first, what is a photo safari? The phrase “photo safari” is not a common sentence structure but its meaning can be deduced easily. An African photo safari in general context means going on an adventure with the sole purpose of taking high-quality pictures.
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