Instead of avoiding these places, let's teach people how to travel responsibly, and encourage them to go in the off seasons, which are often less expensive and always less packed. I understand your reasoning behind avoiding these places, but as someone who's been to 7 of the 10 on your list, I can attest that there are _reasons_ why each of those places is so popular. True, there are ruins scattered all over Italy, but nothing compares to the Forum and the Colosseum in Rome. And all of Spain is amazing, but where else can you experience Gaudi's architecture but Barcelona? I think you _must_ visit these places, but do it responsibly so you're not a burden on the local infrastructure.
Teach people to travel responsibly? I think that is very naïve of you, especially if you are such an avid traveler as you say you are and have seen tourist out in the world.
@@ArchieStiglitz Not naive, Archie. That's what my UA-cam channel is all about. Teaching people where to go, what to do, and how to do it, responsibly. And people who care actually listen.
I agree with most of the recommendations here. However, it’s easy for me and Lexie to say having visited most of these places already. It’s easy for me to say, “Don’t bother visiting Rome, it’s over crowded and touristy” when I’ve already been there and visited all the tourist spots.
Yeah I agree, the experience of going to these places is still rather necessary. Imagine spending your whole life having gone to France multiple times but you've never been to the capital :/ it's hard, you don't wanna contribute to the mass tourism but at the same time, you can only travel so much during the year with work and all that, you wanna make sure you see the most important things regardless if going to another city would be a better experience. It's really hard, I personally would say to maybe go to Paris for like one day and then go somewhere else, instead of spending all your time there and really really contributing to overcrowding. But it's really hard :/ I understand where Lexie is coming from and I totally agree, but I also understand why people do it haha
@@annaskellington1 100% agree with what you’re saying. I’ve never been outside of the US and agree with all of her reasons for not going to this place or that one but I can’t imagine going to Italy and not getting to see Rome or Venice.
@@annaskellington1 That's my plan. I dream to go to France, I take French in school and would like to get my certificate of literacy in French before I graduate. Therefore, ofc I want to visit the country! But I wouldn't want to stay in Paris, I'd like to visit for a day or two.
I think the amount of tourists also needs to be put into relation. Of course Rome has more tourists in total than Verona, the other example she mentioned, but Verona is also a much smaller city in population and area. So there would probably be the same amount of tourists percentage-wise compared to the percentage of locals. Also since the city is smaller than Rome, there are less sightseeing spots, so all the tourists would still be all in the same places and not spread out through the city so much. I've been to so many cities in Italy already and the sights are packed with tourists everywhere. Unless you know a local who will show you less known places, I don't think it makes a difference if you visit popular sights in Rome or in any other Italian city.
@@Alexx8353 Good point, according to Wikipedia, Verona has less than a quarter of the population, but in 2017 had double the foreign tourism (which is really surprising to me). en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Italy
There’s a reason the touristy places are popular and if you’ve never been there it’s hard to pass on the opportunity to visit them. I would definitely go to all the popular places as well as the outlying areas. I just make sure to be responsible and respectful. I think it’s unfair to say go somewhere less popular when you’ve already been to all these places. Just don’t be a jerk and litter and if you’re on a cruise, support the places you visit.
It's so easy to say this when you've already been and visited these places. I don't think people should entirely avoid visiting famous landmarks because there's so much value in experiencing these places, however I completely agree with encouraging people to be respectful of those that live there and supporting local businesses.
I don't know about the big cities, but i am from santorini and in fact my familys income comes from tourism. The truth is that this is also the case for most families in the island. Most of the locals are either owners of small touristic businesses or work for one. When tourism struggles we struggle. The past year has been especially challenging because of the pandemic. Some businesses didn't work at all and some (including us) had to work without being able to afford paying employees so we had to do almost everything on our own and our employees had to find somewhere else to work for this season. My father sead if this keeps happening we will have a very big problem. The point is less tourism doesn't necessarily help the district. Tourism doesn not only benefit big companies but local families too. The solution isn't not visiting these places but actually trying to travel ethically(Staying and spending money in small businesses and also thinking about the environment while you explore and do activities on the island. Talking to and respecting the locals is also important.)
Also santorini is a beautiful small island with some things you don't see often. A volcano that with it's past eruptions has shaped the hole island resulting in a unique landscape with magical views (plus the wine). So i might be biased but I would want to visit this place. Coming off season is a very good advice though.
That only works for people that have already been to those places. I would love to go to Rome or Paris, because I have never been there, but once I go, I probably won’t come back and other options will be great for me.
They are also actually amazing to visit. I just wouldn’t go on typical guided tours etc. I’ve visited Paris four times, usually to visit friends who live there. We did touristy and non-touristy stuff and it was all great. Yeah, the queues can be long and the Mona Lisa is underwhelming but visiting Paris is still a big go.
Rome was one of the most beautiful cities I have ever been. Barcelona as well. They are shouldnt be avoided if you havent ever been. And if I get a chance, I will go to Rome again for sure
Researching places to visit outside of common tourist destinations can feel overwhelming for a lot of people, and they might not know where to start. I think it would be great if you could do some videos offering more detailed examples of alternatives to popular destinations. Offers people somewhere to start their research :)
A hot tip: research where locals from that area go for vacation. Where do Londoners vacation in England? Where do people from Washington DC go to relax? Etc. Gets you some cool places, and you’ll be surrounded by locals and few other tourists!
1:30 I got to see Mona Lisa around 8:30 in the evening on a Wednesday in April 2019 with barely any tourists around. Huge tip to go to the Louvre in the evening, it's gloriously lit up with this warm light and has this eerie feeling, plus zero queue to get in.
I agree 👍 Tourists are all queuing at the same time hitting the same spots just so they can say been there done that ✔ ...i have a picture of my daughter alone with Mona Lisa etc we always go in the afternoon...when there are all gone going for early diner...i never queue for Louvre, Eiffel Tower, musee d'Orsay etc...and we go often...same in Italy 😉 Berlin, London etc ..Enjoy nice late morning breakfast go do something else than sites and museums by mid afternoon most tourists have gone...Enjoy these beautiful places they are worthy of visits otherwise they wouldn't be so popular year after year! Remember Enjoy yourselves 😊😇🥰
When I went I was able to get a photo with it and there were hardly any other people in the room. I just went right when it opened and went straight to the Mona Lisa. There are ways to avoid the crowds.
"don't go to Machu Picchu. Go to this other place where you have to hike 4 days to get there and 4 days to come back " 😂 would've liked to see alternatives to all the spots and cities you mentioned!
Although i do agree with you, i think the reason why she didnt say the name is because she didn't want to exploit the place because if this blows up people will know of those places and they'll get exploited and that's what she wants to avoid
@@louiebeatty8837 My friend, I have lived in Phuket, and have many friends over there. Although, mass tourism does cause some problems, the economy of these places or countries are really dependent on this. The more people that go to these places more money they are generating. Take a look at the Butler Model, these places that she mentioned are mainly stagnated, they will either decline or rejuvenate. Each place has its own carrying capacity and locals should determine what are the best policies, Venice, Machu Picchu, some beaches in Thailand already have limitations and policies to tackle that. New places are going to be explored and get more involvement, but you can just tell or suggest people not to go somewhere. I am pretty sure, she's already been to all of these places. After all there is a reason why these places attract many tourists.
Guys, as someone who has visited most of central and northern Italy and lived myself in several different Italian regions, don't skip Rome, there's a reason why it attracts so many tourist, you would be missing out one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Verona is sure beautiful but let's be real, Rome is incomparable. If you have the possibility visit both, but if you must chose one I would never recommend trading a visit to Rome for Verona. Besides, since Verona is a much smaller city and with way fewer landmarks, going by the numbers presented by Lexie (10M/yr Rome, 3M/yr Verona) and my experience, the density of tourists in Verona is actually much higher than in Rome. So, Verona doesn't really suit the example and it's far from being a hidden gem, but it's actually more tourist-packed. In Italy, I dare to say, there is only one city that truly suffers from being overly touristic in some determinate periods of the year and during events, and that is obviously Venice. If you want better advice, here is a list of some cities in Italy worth a visit: in a somewhat subjective order (not to be taken too seriously) starting from what are in my opinion the absolute must-see destinations and going to the ones one that might have a lower priority in an itinerary planning. Keep in mind that due the limitations of my experience, I'm leaving out a lot of beautiful cities especially in the south. * Rome, Venice, Florence, Naples, Assisi, Porto Venere, Verona, Orvieto, Sestri Levante, Civita di Bagnoregio, Siena, Lucca, Amalfi, Bologna, Genova, Padua, L'Aquila, Pisa ... * (Notable left-outs that come to mind but that I've never been to: Palermo, Catania, Bari) Please feel free to correct me or point out some notable omissions!
I grew up going to south terolia a lot which is absolutely beautiful. I also really enjoyed Milan, and it was cool to see the city as a New Yorker. Also, Sicilia was amazing, 10/10 would recommend going to the fish market and eating raw minnows.
Yes people should 100% visit Rome. It was the heart of the Roman empire and has so many beautiful, historically important, architecture. It’s important that people learn more about the city and look past the trevi fountain, spanish steps (but they still should visit them!)
I agree, I’m Ecuadorian and the Galapagos are very well taken care of but its really hard for locals and authorities to keep it that way with the tremendous amount of tourists that visit each year. Ecuador has lots of great places to go to and lots of fauna and flora to explore if that’s what you’re looking for. I think the main thing is to open ourselves to more experiences, maybe not as popular but just as fulfilling.
Went there for new years 2 years ago. I love animals. The people were incredible and very kind, and it saddened me to hear how many people try to exploit the beautiful land just for profit (every few years you see a headline about somebody smuggling out baby turtles)
Ecuador has a lot to offer. Beautiful cities (Quito and Cuenca), great indigenous culture (Otavalo, my favourite), jungle and nature (in and around Banos) and beautiful coast line (montanitas and up). Leave the Galapagos alone.
I'm from a town near Venice called Vicenza. The whole of the Veneto region is so beautiful, not just Venice! Amazing architecture and art everywhere, beautiful landscapes, and lovely friendly people too! ♥
as someone who has been to Rome, Barcelona and Paris as well as many other different countries and "tourist hotspots", I would never recommend you not to go. I would recommend you to respect the culture, the businesses, the land and the locals. these are popular places for a reason, full of history and beautiful sights. still go. just be respectful. dont litter. eat at local restaurants which are less crowded than the "toursit ones" to boost family owned businesses' profit and shop at small family businesses. do your part, learn the culture, but definitely experience it.
A little unfair to make people feel guilty for wanting to travel to these places especially if you've seen them yourself. Some of them are popular for the underlying significance or history behind them (like Galapagos, Machu Picchu, Mt Everest). This is what inspires a lot of people to travel to these sites and it's not easy to feel the same sense of wonder for a similar looking site that doesn't have the same story. Major cities like Rome, Paris and Barcelona are all worth seeing as well and it's not like a person won't get the chance to visit the rest of the country if they visit these cities - they'd most likely be flying into one of them anyway so may as well explore it. I'm all for sustainable tourism though so may be worth focussing on how people can travel more responsibly or else they may just ruin other less touristy parts of each country.
@Jordyn Bebus it just comes across a bit harsh though when the title of the video is 'you must avoid at any cost' and the thumbnail is "Don't travel here". I definitely agree that there is more than just those places but they shouldn't be avoided and people should still feel excited about visiting them. Enjoy your time in Paris and Venice!
Lexie, I totally understand your points, but this looks like double standards, you've already seen all of those places and now you're suggesting others who haven't seen them not to visit because of overtourism, it would be great if you would lead as an example. :)
She’s simply stating that if you want more authentic experiences, then avoid these places. She’s simply sharing her experiences and guiding us. I appreciate her advice because you get cheated out of a completely different experience if fall into a tourist trap. Some may prefer touristy places, so treat this video as places you may want to go if that’s your cup of tea.
The choice is still yours to visit those places, if you want, just be aware of being overcrowded with other tourists and that can affect your travel experience.
i was lucky enough to go to hawaii to see family earlier this summer. the locals i met personally were so proud of their culture and happy to share it with me, all i can say is travel with respect for the people, animals and land, and go to random places you find or drive past, not the popular famous spots!!
It’s true that Santorini doesn’t feel like a Greek island. The sunset is incredible but the streets are so crowded that you can’t get an authentic experience. Wonderful alternatives are the islands of Milos, Paros, Naxos☺️
For Europe, I would say go in the off season. I have been to Venice in winter and in summer--winter was beautiful and unforgettable and summer was a human traffic jam.
I love your approach to travel and experiencing the world. Most people think about themselves when they travel rather than how their travel can make where they are going a better place by distributing your money to as many local businesses as possible.
Hi Lexie, great video. But this video is more relevant if we're not in a global pandemic. Right now in Bali the areas of the center of the tourist crowd is like a dead city
Alternatives for France: Instead of Nice, go to Menton, Eze or Antibes. Instead of Marseille, go to les calanques/cassis/la ciotat. Instead of Bordeaux, explore the Arcachon bay area. Instead of Lyon, go to Annecy / Massif de Chartreuse/ Le Puy / Clermond-Ferrand. Dont miss out on Arles (+Camarque, flamingoes if you are lucky), Nantes (+ Trentemoult if you like colored houses + St Nazaire), Semur-en-Auxois or St Malo. Do NOT go to Le Mont-Saint-Michel and do not only visit Paris for the main tourist attractions. =)))
@@sophiesterren5374 Ive been there right after lockdown, believing I could escape the crowds but it was overcrowded. Impossible to normally walk around which killed the experience for me.. Do not wanna know how its like when all tourists are allowed back into the country. I think Etretat would be a better option (totally my opinion though)
The best way to avoid the masses is to stay home. Wonderful places stay crowded because they are so wonderful and should not be canceled just because everyone else might be there. After all, there is a concept called "off season."
In Canada, the tourist hotspots are Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Banff, and Niagara Falls. The less traveled and off-beaten paths are Ottawa, Quebec City, Victoria, Calgary, Winnipeg, PEI, Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia.
All these places are popular for a reason. Personally I enjoy seeing major landmarks and world wonders and I don't mind crowds (as long as I can still move). I've lived with locals in another country before but that isn't what excites me about traveling. I don't get people's obsession with being in a place with hardly any people. I live in Saskatchewan. I already have that 😄
hey lexie! I’m a local resident of hawaii and found your videos as I want to get off the island to become a solo female traveler myself. You stated everything perfectly and I’m really impressed by how respectful you were when mentioning locals living in these extreme tourist bound areas. The influx of tourist have been a huge problem and only getting worse here “post-covid” I hope to become a budget traveler who supports local businesses and gain genuine experiences with locals outside of the over populated tourist attractions.
I have been to many of these places. I loved Rome, but I didn’t go there during the peak season, I went off the beaten path to buy water and food, instead of the crazy prices for stuff close to the Colosseum, and I always try to learn the language (at least general phrases and questions), and be polite. It also helps not to dress very American (dress a bit more local), and don’t overdo it with photos, because you don’t really go back and look at thousands of photos anyway. Just take pictures of really important things for you, and moments. Don’t waste money on a ton of souvenirs that will end up in boxes. Only get maybe one or two things from a country that have meaning for you and are a bit better quality. My best times traveling were unexpected and with locals, just having fun and experiencing life. They were SO much more fun than the big tourist destinations, although you should at least see something like the Eiffel Tower or go to Venice once. I don’t have Lexie’s experience, but I was in the military, and I’ve been to 36 countries, and I totally agree that you should never travel on a tourist bus or as part of a group. Maybe a friend or two, or significant other, but not a big group, rushing through everything. That isn’t nearly as fun, and sometimes ends up being more expensive.
You are so right about Paris, and to visit with this city with locals...There are beautiful cities in France : Lyon, Strasbourg and so on . And beautiful regions like Normandy, Bretagne...
I am currently studying in Hawaii for the semester and I can definitely agree with what you have to say, locals don't really like the tourists, and rightfully so. I have been doing everything I can to minimize my footprint on the island and spend time learning about the culture volunteering with sustainability organizations.
Fun to see some of the ideas from my Sociology of Tourism project in this video. I'm writing and presenting on the impact of tourism and traveler presence on the environment
I think it’s better to travel to the famous cities during their “off season” instead of not going at all! Because you can’t miss out on places like Paris or Rome. That way there are less people than usual and you still get to see the landmarks and cites. But I agree with Hawaii, the indigenous are struggling so much in their own land
Here in NZ they have cheap package deals to Bali and Phuket. Well pre covid anyhow. So it makes it easy for the general public to book. Personally I love doing more indepth research and booking my own out of the way air bnbs and trips. It's one of my favorite parts of the travel experience rather than being hand fed a deal.
Same here in Finland, you can get very cheap deals to Phuket. I personally don't buy package deals because I too like to plan my own trips, but I understand that some people find them very convenient if they just want to lay on the beach for 1-2 weeks straight 🙈
Hi Lexie, Hi guys ! I'm a college student in Paris and I can definitely tell you that Paris is not the only beautiful place you can go to when you visit France ! Our train system is pretty good and within two hours you can be in Normandy which is one of the most beautiful region of the country :) And visiting Paris with a local is for sure the best way to discover the city ! Thx for this video !!
On Hawaii, Hawaiian people have literally said stop coming. Currently they are cutting off water from locals to compensate for the tourist (on top of that they do not have enough hosptial beds for the potential risk of covid and they continue to have relics and cultural sites vandalized).
For anyone with Peru in their bucket list: Machu Pichu is great but she's right. Another alternatives to Macchu Pichu (inca or pre inca ruins) could be choquequirao (as mentioned in the video, you have to walk for days to get there though), Puquio (Puno), Chan Chan (Trujillo), Tucume (Lambayeque), Wari (Ayacucho), Kuelap (Amazonas), Chavin (Huaraz), Pachacamac y Caral (Lima). All of these have easy access (road of a quick walk) and can be visited in a day. Finally, the images she showed are huacachina (Ica) and one of dozens lagoons in Ancash region if anyone wanted to know.
I love this so much!! I've definitely found that big tourist cities are so overwhelming for me when travelling and I have much better experiences travelling to places nearby that are smaller and less touristy. I'll often take maybe one or two days in the big cities just to hit the major bucket list items but spend the majority of a trip far away from lines and selfie sticks!
As a person who lives In Paris, I do agree with what Lexie says here, we are not saying not to come here, however maybe try too also visit other places in France, like Bordeaux, Strasbourg or the alps. This is a win win situation you visit more and we get less intense tourism.
The reason why Bali is so popular and not another indonesian island is also religious; Bali is the only non muslim island so its much less headache for everyone in terms of rules etc. It will not be easy to just trade Bali with somewhere else within Indonesia.
Love this video! You mention that there are many other islands to go to in these countries but you should do a video on those specific places you are talking about!
Santorini made the list. Yep. Im from Greece and have never visited Mykonos or santorini. Most people that visit there are not Greeks. There are very beautiful places to visit in Greece. And just so you know , Greece isn’t just some islands
This is great advice. And while I know the pandemic has negatively affected tourist spots economically, I have to believe the people in those places have also been given an appreciation of a year to move freely and breath again in their cities and towns without the overcrowded tourist influx. It would be nice if a balance could be found.
Thank you for talking about Venice! I lived there for my studies and it just brooke my heart seeing her like that! The tourism is swallowing the city and if I felt the struggle I know for sure that the inhabitants feel it too.
I lived in the south of France and let me tell you... Summer there is a living hell. You can't walk fast on the streets if you're late. The food shops are full, the parking lots are full, the beaches have no more spots for lying down and overall is noisy and crowded. I would say to visit in either spring or fall as there's way less tourists and weather is better (summer is too hot in there). Winter is completly empty in there but it's too cold for the beach. In case you don't care about the beach winter is the best time to visit
I'm greek and I totally agree with the Santorini point. There are millions of sites in Greece, you don't have to go to Santorini to see the beauty of Greece
Great video! I would love to see your top most underatted or hidden gem travel destinations. Another viedo idea is ways to respects the locals and the area when traveling
People want to visit these places because they’re unique and iconic. I think it’s possible to visit Paris or Barcelona and not be overwhelmed by crowds, provided you choose carefully the time of year and things you see and do. When in the Louvre in Paris, for example, you’re only likely to be able to get a glimpse of the Mona Lisa because of the crowds, but most of the other treasures there can be viewed much more comfortably.
Thanks, Lexie, I think respecting the culture and the country is the most important topic when traveling. And thanks for the list of destinations that are too touristy. One of my dreams is to go hiking in Hawaii and I will now even more try to find locally owned hotels/bed & breakfasts and of the beaten path places.
Santorini and Mykonos are indeed stunning and the most popular but there are many beautiful greek islands for all tastes, Corfu, Zante, Milos, Hydra, Thassos, Crete, Rhodes, Andros, Symi, Paros, Patmos, Kos, Chios, Spetses and many more! 😊
Something that can cause an issue is these places now thrive on tourist industry. I think of cancun and how covid 19 really impacted tons of locals who work in the hotels or bars and how they THRIVE on the industry. I understand there are some people who don't like it who may have lived there for generations, but when the majority of the people have made it their livelihood it's important for them to continue receiving tourists. I agree that off the beaten path places are sometimes the best. I loved Tulum way more than chichen itza (even though tulum isn't secret haha). But, overall the communities need tourism (for the most part).
The Nepalese porters appreciate the money, and one need not go to the summit of Mt. Everest. You can hike for about 10 days and go to Everest base camp, then come back. Myself, I wouldn't bother as I think that mountain needs to be off-limits for a while. Have people clean it up and leave it alone. But Kara and Nate made a nice series showing the hike to base camp. Hawaii has been talking about wanting to leave the US for years. I say let it go. I'm in California so I get to visit beaches, mountains, deserts, and cities. Nice video.
Another place that has really risen in tourists over the past few years is Skye in Scotland. They have had to start limiting the amount of cars going onto the island because of the fact there is a almost one way system route around the island and most Scottish people that cant afford to go abroad that would travel to Skye every year on a summer vacation cant go there because all the places to stay have been booked up or are too expensive now.
as a Dutch person, I would like to remind people that Amsterdam is just one of many cities in the Netherlands. We have more cities and towns that are worth a visit than there are days in a year.
This is very great advice! There are so many great hidden gems out there in every country. One example I did was when I went to Austria back in 2018. Although I did visit Vienna and Salzburg, I also went into the Alps to Saalbach-Hinterglemm. It is most popular in the winter for skiing, but I went in early October that year, and I had breathtaking views of the mountains all to myself! If anyone does go to heavily touristed areas, I agree that people should go to the more local spots and respect the culture.
The irony though for places like Venice is that people want to visit before it disappears. And while tourism is a major part of its disappearance, so is climate change and it would still disappear without tourism. I understand wanting to see it before it's gone. It's experiencing history
I’m a local from santorini! Did u ever thought that people in santorini leave from tourism? 98% of the annual income is depended on tourism! So maybe it’s to busy some months but locals are always nice and happy to welcome people to our tiny island! I think your title is kind of mean!
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Neat video! I have seen a top ten video similar to this, but not a whole lot of alternatives! Thanks for the tip!😁👍❤
Just wanted to say that you’re a badass for being the youngest person to travel to every country on the Earth. That’s really cool.
Thanks for this info👍😊
do u do topless pics in yur newsletter?
@@tc7009 go and find out
Instead of avoiding these places, let's teach people how to travel responsibly, and encourage them to go in the off seasons, which are often less expensive and always less packed. I understand your reasoning behind avoiding these places, but as someone who's been to 7 of the 10 on your list, I can attest that there are _reasons_ why each of those places is so popular. True, there are ruins scattered all over Italy, but nothing compares to the Forum and the Colosseum in Rome. And all of Spain is amazing, but where else can you experience Gaudi's architecture but Barcelona? I think you _must_ visit these places, but do it responsibly so you're not a burden on the local infrastructure.
Well said buddy!
The ruins, abandoned or dying villages of Italy is a sadness...still a part of beautiful Italy though.
Teach people to travel responsibly? I think that is very naïve of you, especially if you are such an avid traveler as you say you are and have seen tourist out in the world.
@@ArchieStiglitz Not naive, Archie. That's what my UA-cam channel is all about. Teaching people where to go, what to do, and how to do it, responsibly. And people who care actually listen.
@@PerfectLittlePlanet The problem is that not enough people do care. But I hope I'm wrong and that you do well.
I agree with most of the recommendations here. However, it’s easy for me and Lexie to say having visited most of these places already. It’s easy for me to say, “Don’t bother visiting Rome, it’s over crowded and touristy” when I’ve already been there and visited all the tourist spots.
Yeah I agree, the experience of going to these places is still rather necessary. Imagine spending your whole life having gone to France multiple times but you've never been to the capital :/ it's hard, you don't wanna contribute to the mass tourism but at the same time, you can only travel so much during the year with work and all that, you wanna make sure you see the most important things regardless if going to another city would be a better experience. It's really hard, I personally would say to maybe go to Paris for like one day and then go somewhere else, instead of spending all your time there and really really contributing to overcrowding. But it's really hard :/ I understand where Lexie is coming from and I totally agree, but I also understand why people do it haha
@@annaskellington1 100% agree with what you’re saying. I’ve never been outside of the US and agree with all of her reasons for not going to this place or that one but I can’t imagine going to Italy and not getting to see Rome or Venice.
@@annaskellington1 That's my plan. I dream to go to France, I take French in school and would like to get my certificate of literacy in French before I graduate. Therefore, ofc I want to visit the country! But I wouldn't want to stay in Paris, I'd like to visit for a day or two.
I think the amount of tourists also needs to be put into relation. Of course Rome has more tourists in total than Verona, the other example she mentioned, but Verona is also a much smaller city in population and area. So there would probably be the same amount of tourists percentage-wise compared to the percentage of locals. Also since the city is smaller than Rome, there are less sightseeing spots, so all the tourists would still be all in the same places and not spread out through the city so much. I've been to so many cities in Italy already and the sights are packed with tourists everywhere. Unless you know a local who will show you less known places, I don't think it makes a difference if you visit popular sights in Rome or in any other Italian city.
@@Alexx8353 Good point, according to Wikipedia, Verona has less than a quarter of the population, but in 2017 had double the foreign tourism (which is really surprising to me).
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Italy
There’s a reason the touristy places are popular and if you’ve never been there it’s hard to pass on the opportunity to visit them. I would definitely go to all the popular places as well as the outlying areas. I just make sure to be responsible and respectful. I think it’s unfair to say go somewhere less popular when you’ve already been to all these places. Just don’t be a jerk and litter and if you’re on a cruise, support the places you visit.
I totally agree, I think as long as you mindful and respectful, I think traveling there is perfectly fine
PREACH!!!
I agree - except for the cruise. Don’t go on a cruise, never ever. It is so environmentally damaging
It's so easy to say this when you've already been and visited these places. I don't think people should entirely avoid visiting famous landmarks because there's so much value in experiencing these places, however I completely agree with encouraging people to be respectful of those that live there and supporting local businesses.
I don't know about the big cities, but i am from santorini and in fact my familys income comes from tourism. The truth is that this is also the case for most families in the island. Most of the locals are either owners of small touristic businesses or work for one. When tourism struggles we struggle. The past year has been especially challenging because of the pandemic. Some businesses didn't work at all and some (including us) had to work without being able to afford paying employees so we had to do almost everything on our own and our employees had to find somewhere else to work for this season. My father sead if this keeps happening we will have a very big problem. The point is less tourism doesn't necessarily help the district. Tourism doesn not only benefit big companies but local families too. The solution isn't not visiting these places but actually trying to travel ethically(Staying and spending money in small businesses and also thinking about the environment while you explore and do activities on the island. Talking to and respecting the locals is also important.)
Also santorini is a beautiful small island with some things you don't see often. A volcano that with it's past eruptions has shaped the hole island resulting in a unique landscape with magical views (plus the wine). So i might be biased but I would want to visit this place. Coming off season is a very good advice though.
That only works for people that have already been to those places. I would love to go to Rome or Paris, because I have never been there, but once I go, I probably won’t come back and other options will be great for me.
They are also actually amazing to visit. I just wouldn’t go on typical guided tours etc. I’ve visited Paris four times, usually to visit friends who live there. We did touristy and non-touristy stuff and it was all great. Yeah, the queues can be long and the Mona Lisa is underwhelming but visiting Paris is still a big go.
i agree, they’re places definitely worth going to at least once
Both cities are amazing, more than well worth a visit.
I love Rome and have been there many times.
Rome was one of the most beautiful cities I have ever been. Barcelona as well. They are shouldnt be avoided if you havent ever been. And if I get a chance, I will go to Rome again for sure
Researching places to visit outside of common tourist destinations can feel overwhelming for a lot of people, and they might not know where to start. I think it would be great if you could do some videos offering more detailed examples of alternatives to popular destinations. Offers people somewhere to start their research :)
A hot tip: research where locals from that area go for vacation. Where do Londoners vacation in England? Where do people from Washington DC go to relax? Etc. Gets you some cool places, and you’ll be surrounded by locals and few other tourists!
1:30 I got to see Mona Lisa around 8:30 in the evening on a Wednesday in April 2019 with barely any tourists around. Huge tip to go to the Louvre in the evening, it's gloriously lit up with this warm light and has this eerie feeling, plus zero queue to get in.
I agree 👍 Tourists are all queuing at the same time hitting the same spots just so they can say been there done that ✔ ...i have a picture of my daughter alone with Mona Lisa etc we always go in the afternoon...when there are all gone going for early diner...i never queue for Louvre, Eiffel Tower, musee d'Orsay etc...and we go often...same in Italy 😉 Berlin, London etc ..Enjoy nice late morning breakfast go do something else than sites and museums by mid afternoon most tourists have gone...Enjoy these beautiful places they are worthy of visits otherwise they wouldn't be so popular year after year!
Remember Enjoy yourselves 😊😇🥰
When I went I was able to get a photo with it and there were hardly any other people in the room. I just went right when it opened and went straight to the Mona Lisa. There are ways to avoid the crowds.
"don't go to Machu Picchu. Go to this other place where you have to hike 4 days to get there and 4 days to come back " 😂 would've liked to see alternatives to all the spots and cities you mentioned!
Although i do agree with you, i think the reason why she didnt say the name is because she didn't want to exploit the place because if this blows up people will know of those places and they'll get exploited and that's what she wants to avoid
@@bob-cc6xf She certainly did say the name: 07:01 she clearly says "Choquequirao"
@@Eikenhorst ah welp my bad, earphones have ruined my ears smh but i still do stand by what i said
Another issue with alternatives is that people will go to that other place and trash it just as well as the other one.
@@louiebeatty8837 My friend, I have lived in Phuket, and have many friends over there. Although, mass tourism does cause some problems, the economy of these places or countries are really dependent on this. The more people that go to these places more money they are generating. Take a look at the Butler Model, these places that she mentioned are mainly stagnated, they will either decline or rejuvenate. Each place has its own carrying capacity and locals should determine what are the best policies, Venice, Machu Picchu, some beaches in Thailand already have limitations and policies to tackle that. New places are going to be explored and get more involvement, but you can just tell or suggest people not to go somewhere. I am pretty sure, she's already been to all of these places. After all there is a reason why these places attract many tourists.
An underrated Italian city: Lucca, Tuscany
Agree😍! I grew up there and it has some really incredible places!! Lexi you should come visit when possible!☺️
Also Bologna
I swear every city is Italy is sooooo beautiful and so many underrated ones too - Bologna, Verona, Sienna, Pisa, Positano and more, just to name a few
Cinqueterre and Florence were breathtaking
Ahhh lucca is beautiful, so is Pietrasanta
Guys, as someone who has visited most of central and northern Italy and lived myself in several different Italian regions, don't skip Rome, there's a reason why it attracts so many tourist, you would be missing out one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Verona is sure beautiful but let's be real, Rome is incomparable. If you have the possibility visit both, but if you must chose one I would never recommend trading a visit to Rome for Verona. Besides, since Verona is a much smaller city and with way fewer landmarks, going by the numbers presented by Lexie (10M/yr Rome, 3M/yr Verona) and my experience, the density of tourists in Verona is actually much higher than in Rome. So, Verona doesn't really suit the example and it's far from being a hidden gem, but it's actually more tourist-packed.
In Italy, I dare to say, there is only one city that truly suffers from being overly touristic in some determinate periods of the year and during events, and that is obviously Venice.
If you want better advice, here is a list of some cities in Italy worth a visit: in a somewhat subjective order (not to be taken too seriously) starting from what are in my opinion the absolute must-see destinations and going to the ones one that might have a lower priority in an itinerary planning. Keep in mind that due the limitations of my experience, I'm leaving out a lot of beautiful cities especially in the south.
* Rome, Venice, Florence, Naples, Assisi, Porto Venere, Verona, Orvieto, Sestri Levante, Civita di Bagnoregio, Siena, Lucca, Amalfi, Bologna, Genova, Padua, L'Aquila, Pisa ... *
(Notable left-outs that come to mind but that I've never been to: Palermo, Catania, Bari)
Please feel free to correct me or point out some notable omissions!
I grew up going to south terolia a lot which is absolutely beautiful. I also really enjoyed Milan, and it was cool to see the city as a New Yorker. Also, Sicilia was amazing, 10/10 would recommend going to the fish market and eating raw minnows.
Yes people should 100% visit Rome. It was the heart of the Roman empire and has so many beautiful, historically important, architecture. It’s important that people learn more about the city and look past the trevi fountain, spanish steps (but they still should visit them!)
I agree, I’m Ecuadorian and the Galapagos are very well taken care of but its really hard for locals and authorities to keep it that way with the tremendous amount of tourists that visit each year. Ecuador has lots of great places to go to and lots of fauna and flora to explore if that’s what you’re looking for. I think the main thing is to open ourselves to more experiences, maybe not as popular but just as fulfilling.
Went there for new years 2 years ago. I love animals. The people were incredible and very kind, and it saddened me to hear how many people try to exploit the beautiful land just for profit (every few years you see a headline about somebody smuggling out baby turtles)
Ecuador has a lot to offer. Beautiful cities (Quito and Cuenca), great indigenous culture (Otavalo, my favourite), jungle and nature (in and around Banos) and beautiful coast line (montanitas and up). Leave the Galapagos alone.
I'm from a town near Venice called Vicenza. The whole of the Veneto region is so beautiful, not just Venice! Amazing architecture and art everywhere, beautiful landscapes, and lovely friendly people too! ♥
😃 Also big HI from Vicenza 😃
as someone who has been to Rome, Barcelona and Paris as well as many other different countries and "tourist hotspots", I would never recommend you not to go. I would recommend you to respect the culture, the businesses, the land and the locals. these are popular places for a reason, full of history and beautiful sights. still go. just be respectful. dont litter. eat at local restaurants which are less crowded than the "toursit ones" to boost family owned businesses' profit and shop at small family businesses. do your part, learn the culture, but definitely experience it.
A little unfair to make people feel guilty for wanting to travel to these places especially if you've seen them yourself. Some of them are popular for the underlying significance or history behind them (like Galapagos, Machu Picchu, Mt Everest). This is what inspires a lot of people to travel to these sites and it's not easy to feel the same sense of wonder for a similar looking site that doesn't have the same story. Major cities like Rome, Paris and Barcelona are all worth seeing as well and it's not like a person won't get the chance to visit the rest of the country if they visit these cities - they'd most likely be flying into one of them anyway so may as well explore it. I'm all for sustainable tourism though so may be worth focussing on how people can travel more responsibly or else they may just ruin other less touristy parts of each country.
Definitely agree with you!
@Jordyn Bebus it just comes across a bit harsh though when the title of the video is 'you must avoid at any cost' and the thumbnail is "Don't travel here". I definitely agree that there is more than just those places but they shouldn't be avoided and people should still feel excited about visiting them. Enjoy your time in Paris and Venice!
You missed the point of the video.
@@Mrk0k044 the point is very clear but ok 👍
Galapagos was not touristy before, though...
Lexie, I totally understand your points, but this looks like double standards, you've already seen all of those places and now you're suggesting others who haven't seen them not to visit because of overtourism, it would be great if you would lead as an example. :)
Totally agree!!
She’s simply stating that if you want more authentic experiences, then avoid these places. She’s simply sharing her experiences and guiding us. I appreciate her advice because you get cheated out of a completely different experience if fall into a tourist trap. Some may prefer touristy places, so treat this video as places you may want to go if that’s your cup of tea.
It wasn’t clear to me, has she been all these places? She only mentioned specific experiences in a few.
Advising people not to make the same mistakes as you have is not double standards
The choice is still yours to visit those places, if you want, just be aware of being overcrowded with other tourists and that can affect your travel experience.
i was lucky enough to go to hawaii to see family earlier this summer. the locals i met personally were so proud of their culture and happy to share it with me, all i can say is travel with respect for the people, animals and land, and go to random places you find or drive past, not the popular famous spots!!
Thank you for sharing this information!!! I often say this: people don’t respect the locals when they travel! ❤️
It’s true that Santorini doesn’t feel like a Greek island. The sunset is incredible but the streets are so crowded that you can’t get an authentic experience. Wonderful alternatives are the islands of Milos, Paros, Naxos☺️
For Europe, I would say go in the off season. I have been to Venice in winter and in summer--winter was beautiful and unforgettable and summer was a human traffic jam.
I love your approach to travel and experiencing the world. Most people think about themselves when they travel rather than how their travel can make where they are going a better place by distributing your money to as many local businesses as possible.
That didn't look like Machu Picchu to me 🤣
Thought the same when she mentioned Machu pichu and the photo was not. so random!
Haha I noticed the same thing, oh well 😆
Hi Lexie, great video. But this video is more relevant if we're not in a global pandemic. Right now in Bali the areas of the center of the tourist crowd is like a dead city
THANKS SO MUCH FOR THIS! I LOVE THAT YOU ARE ENVIRONMENTALLY AWARE. THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR WISDOM ONCE AGAIN.
Brunei and Timor leste doesn’t really have much to do. How was your experience in both countries??
Paris, Venice, Barcelona, Santorini, Bali, Phuket, Mount Everest, Machu Picchu, Hawaii, Galapagos Islands
Alternatives for France: Instead of Nice, go to Menton, Eze or Antibes. Instead of Marseille, go to les calanques/cassis/la ciotat. Instead of Bordeaux, explore the Arcachon bay area. Instead of Lyon, go to Annecy / Massif de Chartreuse/ Le Puy / Clermond-Ferrand. Dont miss out on Arles (+Camarque, flamingoes if you are lucky), Nantes (+ Trentemoult if you like colored houses + St Nazaire), Semur-en-Auxois or St Malo. Do NOT go to Le Mont-Saint-Michel and do not only visit Paris for the main tourist attractions. =)))
Agree and I’ve been to most places but Le Mont Saint Michel is worth the visit
@@sophiesterren5374 Ive been there right after lockdown, believing I could escape the crowds but it was overcrowded. Impossible to normally walk around which killed the experience for me.. Do not wanna know how its like when all tourists are allowed back into the country. I think Etretat would be a better option (totally my opinion though)
Thank you for this.! I was just planning to visit France as soon as the pandemic situation settles.
The best way to avoid the masses is to stay home. Wonderful places stay crowded because they are so wonderful and should not be canceled just because everyone else might be there. After all, there is a concept called "off season."
In Canada, the tourist hotspots are Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Banff, and Niagara Falls. The less traveled and off-beaten paths are Ottawa, Quebec City, Victoria, Calgary, Winnipeg, PEI, Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia.
All these places are popular for a reason. Personally I enjoy seeing major landmarks and world wonders and I don't mind crowds (as long as I can still move). I've lived with locals in another country before but that isn't what excites me about traveling. I don't get people's obsession with being in a place with hardly any people. I live in Saskatchewan. I already have that 😄
i thought rainbow mountain was waaay more spiritual than Machu Picchu!
🤩
Puno and Lake Titcaca were magical for me.
@@rick-be Yes, I loved Puno and Lake Titicaca.
Also, Wayna Picchu was fun to climb.
hey lexie! I’m a local resident of hawaii and found your videos as I want to get off the island to become a solo female traveler myself. You stated everything perfectly and I’m really impressed by how respectful you were when mentioning locals living in these extreme tourist bound areas. The influx of tourist have been a huge problem and only getting worse here “post-covid” I hope to become a budget traveler who supports local businesses and gain genuine experiences with locals outside of the over populated tourist attractions.
Wonderful effort to make awareness about respect and compassion towards local community and ecosystems 👍👍👍
I have been to many of these places. I loved Rome, but I didn’t go there during the peak season, I went off the beaten path to buy water and food, instead of the crazy prices for stuff close to the Colosseum, and I always try to learn the language (at least general phrases and questions), and be polite.
It also helps not to dress very American (dress a bit more local), and don’t overdo it with photos, because you don’t really go back and look at thousands of photos anyway. Just take pictures of really important things for you, and moments. Don’t waste money on a ton of souvenirs that will end up in boxes. Only get maybe one or two things from a country that have meaning for you and are a bit better quality. My best times traveling were unexpected and with locals, just having fun and experiencing life. They were SO much more fun than the big tourist destinations, although you should at least see something like the Eiffel Tower or go to Venice once.
I don’t have Lexie’s experience, but I was in the military, and I’ve been to 36 countries, and I totally agree that you should never travel on a tourist bus or as part of a group. Maybe a friend or two, or significant other, but not a big group, rushing through everything. That isn’t nearly as fun, and sometimes ends up being more expensive.
Whoo..I did not expect this many likes...
Wonder what I've commented🙄
Imagine getting heart from world traveller
Subscribed to you ..
I'm from same place
Hi from Mars
@@nikostube5809 haha..😂
@@top12spanish78 thanku so much
You are so right about Paris, and to visit with this city with locals...There are beautiful cities in France : Lyon, Strasbourg and so on . And beautiful regions like Normandy, Bretagne...
I seriously couldn't care less about the Mona Lisa. I want to travel off the beaten path and see things most tourists don't get a chance to see!
But there's sooooo many other great works of art at the Louvre though, I've been there twice and I'd go a third if I could!
Really enjoy your Vids! Keep killing it!
Your videos just keep getting better and better. Thank you for all the information you share with us and I cannot wait to read your book!
I am currently studying in Hawaii for the semester and I can definitely agree with what you have to say, locals don't really like the tourists, and rightfully so. I have been doing everything I can to minimize my footprint on the island and spend time learning about the culture volunteering with sustainability organizations.
Thank you for mentioning Bali and the waste. Please be mindful wherever you all go ♥️
Fun to see some of the ideas from my Sociology of Tourism project in this video. I'm writing and presenting on the impact of tourism and traveler presence on the environment
I think it’s better to travel to the famous cities during their “off season” instead of not going at all! Because you can’t miss out on places like Paris or Rome. That way there are less people than usual and you still get to see the landmarks and cites. But I agree with Hawaii, the indigenous are struggling so much in their own land
Here in NZ they have cheap package deals to Bali and Phuket. Well pre covid anyhow. So it makes it easy for the general public to book. Personally I love doing more indepth research and booking my own out of the way air bnbs and trips. It's one of my favorite parts of the travel experience rather than being hand fed a deal.
Same here in Finland, you can get very cheap deals to Phuket. I personally don't buy package deals because I too like to plan my own trips, but I understand that some people find them very convenient if they just want to lay on the beach for 1-2 weeks straight 🙈
Hi Lexie, Hi guys ! I'm a college student in Paris and I can definitely tell you that Paris is not the only beautiful place you can go to when you visit France ! Our train system is pretty good and within two hours you can be in Normandy which is one of the most beautiful region of the country :) And visiting Paris with a local is for sure the best way to discover the city ! Thx for this video !!
i’m earlyyyy💪🏻
Could you please do a video on what you recommend traveling with, your must haves? Clothes- what to bring and not to bring? Thank you very much!
On Hawaii, Hawaiian people have literally said stop coming. Currently they are cutting off water from locals to compensate for the tourist (on top of that they do not have enough hosptial beds for the potential risk of covid and they continue to have relics and cultural sites vandalized).
1. Paris, France
2. Venice, Italy
3. Barcelona, Spain
4. Santorini, Greece
5. Bali, Indonesia
6. Phuket, Thailand
7. Mount Everest
8. Machu Pichu, Peru
9. Hawaii, USA
10. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
For anyone with Peru in their bucket list: Machu Pichu is great but she's right. Another alternatives to Macchu Pichu (inca or pre inca ruins) could be choquequirao (as mentioned in the video, you have to walk for days to get there though), Puquio (Puno), Chan Chan (Trujillo), Tucume (Lambayeque), Wari (Ayacucho), Kuelap (Amazonas), Chavin (Huaraz), Pachacamac y Caral (Lima). All of these have easy access (road of a quick walk) and can be visited in a day.
Finally, the images she showed are huacachina (Ica) and one of dozens lagoons in Ancash region if anyone wanted to know.
Most competent traveler lexi 👍👍
You're videos are really amazing 😍
I love this so much!! I've definitely found that big tourist cities are so overwhelming for me when travelling and I have much better experiences travelling to places nearby that are smaller and less touristy. I'll often take maybe one or two days in the big cities just to hit the major bucket list items but spend the majority of a trip far away from lines and selfie sticks!
Great video! 😍 I loved how informative and personal it was with your pictures and videos. Keep up the AMAZING work Lexie! 🌈🌻
As a person who lives In Paris, I do agree with what Lexie says here, we are not saying not to come here, however maybe try too also visit other places in France, like Bordeaux, Strasbourg or the alps. This is a win win situation you visit more and we get less intense tourism.
Thanks for the tips and also great video !!
The reason why Bali is so popular and not another indonesian island is also religious; Bali is the only non muslim island so its much less headache for everyone in terms of rules etc. It will not be easy to just trade Bali with somewhere else within Indonesia.
Love this video! You mention that there are many other islands to go to in these countries but you should do a video on those specific places you are talking about!
OMG. SHE SAID MACHUPICCHU AND SHOW THE HUACACHINA.
I really enjoy watching you. Please keep it up. ❤️
Santorini made the list. Yep. Im from Greece and have never visited Mykonos or santorini. Most people that visit there are not Greeks. There are very beautiful places to visit in Greece. And just so you know , Greece isn’t just some islands
As a local and if you want to try it during covid-time, for me the Louvres was almost empty last summer
Mykonos 🥰
I always love traveling to less populated towns, people there are more friendly and will help you every way possible
Loved the free sample of your new book. Super inspired to have a deeper approach to travel. Thanks xx
This is great advice. And while I know the pandemic has negatively affected tourist spots economically, I have to believe the people in those places have also been given an appreciation of a year to move freely and breath again in their cities and towns without the overcrowded tourist influx. It would be nice if a balance could be found.
Thank you for talking about Venice! I lived there for my studies and it just brooke my heart seeing her like that! The tourism is swallowing the city and if I felt the struggle I know for sure that the inhabitants feel it too.
I lived in the south of France and let me tell you...
Summer there is a living hell. You can't walk fast on the streets if you're late. The food shops are full, the parking lots are full, the beaches have no more spots for lying down and overall is noisy and crowded.
I would say to visit in either spring or fall as there's way less tourists and weather is better (summer is too hot in there). Winter is completly empty in there but it's too cold for the beach. In case you don't care about the beach winter is the best time to visit
I'm greek and I totally agree with the Santorini point. There are millions of sites in Greece, you don't have to go to Santorini to see the beauty of Greece
in this covid period, videos on travel is a dream
Your editing style and fast placed videos are so good. Please make more videos like this❤️🌟
Thank you so much for these useful information! It’s so important to spread the tourism 💕
Great video! I would love to see your top most underatted or hidden gem travel destinations. Another viedo idea is ways to respects the locals and the area when traveling
Great video I’ve been waiting for one on this topic
She's been to all of those beautiful touristy, must see locations so that we don't have to. How precious is she! 😅
Very interesting video. Thanks for sharing 👍
9:10 "Stay in local hotels"... or use hospitality exchange sites! Best way to meet locals and learn about hidden places.
You always have the best stories to tell, Thanks for sharing Lexie
People want to visit these places because they’re unique and iconic. I think it’s possible to visit Paris or Barcelona and not be overwhelmed by crowds, provided you choose carefully the time of year and things you see and do. When in the Louvre in Paris, for example, you’re only likely to be able to get a glimpse of the Mona Lisa because of the crowds, but most of the other treasures there can be viewed much more comfortably.
I enjoy this video, cheer from Japan.
It’s not just Hawai’i for the US... Puerto Rico gets a huge crowd of tourists which is great but it’s important to also be mindful and considerate 💕
Thanks, Lexie, I think respecting the culture and the country is the most important topic when traveling.
And thanks for the list of destinations that are too touristy. One of my dreams is to go hiking in Hawaii and I will now even more try to find locally owned hotels/bed & breakfasts and of the beaten path places.
Santorini and Mykonos are indeed stunning and the most popular but there are many beautiful greek islands for all tastes, Corfu, Zante, Milos, Hydra, Thassos, Crete, Rhodes, Andros, Symi, Paros, Patmos, Kos, Chios, Spetses and many more! 😊
Something that can cause an issue is these places now thrive on tourist industry. I think of cancun and how covid 19 really impacted tons of locals who work in the hotels or bars and how they THRIVE on the industry. I understand there are some people who don't like it who may have lived there for generations, but when the majority of the people have made it their livelihood it's important for them to continue receiving tourists. I agree that off the beaten path places are sometimes the best. I loved Tulum way more than chichen itza (even though tulum isn't secret haha). But, overall the communities need tourism (for the most part).
Well researched! Thanks Lexi 👍
love your videos!
Sometimes the best places are the ones that no one knows about... and when everyone tells you to go, it's probably too filled with tourists
Love from Bangladesh 🇧🇩
I can't get enough of this channel.
i love this so much your documentary is.very nice
The Nepalese porters appreciate the money, and one need not go to the summit of Mt. Everest. You can hike for about 10 days and go to Everest base camp, then come back. Myself, I wouldn't bother as I think that mountain needs to be off-limits for a while. Have people clean it up and leave it alone. But Kara and Nate made a nice series showing the hike to base camp. Hawaii has been talking about wanting to leave the US for years. I say let it go. I'm in California so I get to visit beaches, mountains, deserts, and cities. Nice video.
Thanks a lot for sharing your experience. Lots of love 💗 from India. Stay blessed.
You share a lot of important messages and lessons in your videos and I really thank you for that! We need more people like you Lexie 🙂
Another place that has really risen in tourists over the past few years is Skye in Scotland. They have had to start limiting the amount of cars going onto the island because of the fact there is a almost one way system route around the island and most Scottish people that cant afford to go abroad that would travel to Skye every year on a summer vacation cant go there because all the places to stay have been booked up or are too expensive now.
as a Dutch person, I would like to remind people that Amsterdam is just one of many cities in the Netherlands. We have more cities and towns that are worth a visit than there are days in a year.
This is very great advice! There are so many great hidden gems out there in every country. One example I did was when I went to Austria back in 2018. Although I did visit Vienna and Salzburg, I also went into the Alps to Saalbach-Hinterglemm. It is most popular in the winter for skiing, but I went in early October that year, and I had breathtaking views of the mountains all to myself! If anyone does go to heavily touristed areas, I agree that people should go to the more local spots and respect the culture.
The irony though for places like Venice is that people want to visit before it disappears. And while tourism is a major part of its disappearance, so is climate change and it would still disappear without tourism. I understand wanting to see it before it's gone. It's experiencing history
Yaaay, a Lexi video on a Friday night 😁 love from South Africa 🇿🇦
Very very meaningful video Lexie. 💖
Lexie I'm so glad you mentioned my hometown Verona ❤️
I’m a local from santorini! Did u ever thought that people in santorini leave from tourism? 98% of the annual income is depended on tourism! So maybe it’s to busy some months but locals are always nice and happy to welcome people to our tiny island! I think your title is kind of mean!