Note from Audra – I’m so thankful to have a Travel Talk article this week from Daneille. She hasn’t written one in a while because she’s been so busy planning vacations. Be sure to contact her well in advance if you need help planning a trip. She’s currently working on 2018 Christmas trips and 2019 Spring Break and Summer trips! Remember, I’m serious when I say I wouldn’t plan a trip without her!
OVERTOURISM….WHAT IT IS AND HOW TO AVOID IT!
By Danielle Garrett, PlanIt Itineraries
Summer is almost upon us and for many families that means it’s time to take a family vacation. This could be as simple as a low-key beach trip to the Panhandle or as complicated as a 2 week vacation to Europe. For those that are doing something outside of their comfort zone whether it be to Europe, traveling to Alaska or Hawaii or the Caribbean you will possibly experience a new term that is being talked about a lot in the travel world….overtourism! What does it mean and how does it affect you?
Overtourism occurs when there are too many visitors in a destination, basically it’s being overrun by tourists. More and more people are traveling and with the help of the internet, traveling to a new destination is just a click away. Studies are showing that the younger generation of 18-34 year olds prefer experiences over material things.
If you have been to Venice, Italy in late July you know exactly what overtourism looks like. Does this mean we stop traveling to those places? Absolutely not!! However, there are many ways to avoid the effects of overtourism and become a more savvy traveler!
1) Many destinations have very convenient neighborhoods that are still considered city center. Figure out where the locals hang out, as they are definitely not hanging out in the touristy area. For example, in Venice the Dorsoduro neighborhood is much quieter and less crowded, but still only a 15 min walk to the Rialto Bridge and 20 min walk to St. Mark’s Square. Staying in a neighborhood like Dorsoduro is a much more authentic experience as well.
2) Use a professional guide. This does not mean spend an entire day with a guide, but do a 2-4 hour tour. Guided tours allow you to skip the long lines and be ushered through in a very efficient way avoiding the crowds when possible. Local guides give great tips on off the beaten path gems that no one knows about unless you live there full time.
3) Many galleries and museums have late night hours or offer tours before opening hours. Outsmart the crowds by opting to go during these times. Make sure to check the hours, as these are not offered every day.
4) Travel during off season. This is not always possible for families, who can only take longer vacations during the summer. And some destinations that are less touristy in the off-season are either closed or cold. Who wants to go to the Greek Islands when it’s cold!!
5) If you know of a site you want to visit, like the Vatican in Rome or Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, buy your tickets in advance. The more you think ahead, the less time you will be stuck in crowded places with other tourists!
6) Rent an apartment. This is a great way to feel like a local, less like a tourist! Read through the reviews and pick an apartment with great reviews. Look for the hosts that go above and beyond.
7) My final and most important tip, talk to the locals! For one, they can give you great inside info on something cool to see or do. Talking to the locals can create an experience that could end up being the highlight of your trip…and certainly help you feel less like a tourist. This happened to my husband and I this past summer and we will never forget it! And yes, it was one of the highlights of the trip.
My family was visiting Lake Halstatt, Austria this past July. Everyone had gone to bed and since we were not adjusted to the time zone yet, we decided to take a walk. We had seen a small local beer garden that had been set up by locals to raise money for their church (how funny is that!). We decided to check it out. When we arrived, the music and the festivities had just ended. But the few locals that were left invited us to sit down with them. It was an older set of parents with their son and daughter in law who were in their 30’s. The older parents spoke very broken English. They insisted on us trying their local beers and wine….ok fine, if we have to!! 🙂 We had so many great laughs, interesting conversation and lots of Trump questions! Then they invited us back to their home. We ended up on their front porch overlooking the most charming square you can image way past our bedtime. We felt like old friends, not tourists in their charming yet “overrun by tourists town”.
Safe travels to everyone this summer!
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