How to avoid huge tourist overcrowded destinations?

[CaptJCool]

I often do little sister because they are often (not always) intrinsically more interesting

EG: I love Antwerp and have spent lots of time there /never really busy and lots of good food/laneways to explore/gorgeous buildings and squares including the station. Brussels not so
much

Yes love Antwerp
D finitely Not the tourist trap


Plus Caffeenation in Pakt

 

[MARTINE]

We also have our three rules about restaurants:
- We dont eat on a main road
- We dont eat where you are manhandled to come in by a ‘concierge’
- We dont eat where there are plastic pictures designed last century

 

[pangwen]

EG: I love Antwerp and have spent lots of time there /never really busy and lots of good food/laneways to explore/gorgeous buildings and squares including the station. Brussels not so
much

Although this only goes so far - I've heard you should avoid the "baby sister" (to extend the metaphor a bit) city of Charleroi.

EDIT: Googling a bit found me this video. Perhaps I'll visit one day just for kicks.

 

[CaptJCool]

Well the Trevi fountain is a real money-spinner Kaching kaching

https://www.news.com.au/travel/destinations/europe/italy/insane-amount-thrown-into-trevi-fountain/news-story/e1fbc57baf7db36fd7542050528bf48b

 

[burmans]

Yes agree with this.

The other thing, is to broaden the options to less overtouristed alternative towns and cities.

There's lots of YouTube videos about less travelled hidden gems in Europe.

Ignore the clickbait headline, but this is a good example, that suggests alternatives

Yes, I’m unsure of the actual links (you can probably google it) but I have chanced recently on a number of ‘where to go instead of xx_x’ sites which provide good advice.

 

[burmans]

My over riding rule js that in most places you can wander away from the main “drag” or main sites and within a few minutes you’ll be free of the (tourist) crowds and often have a more interesting experience anyway.

Absolutely and this is even true in Rome. We were there mid October 2022 and I found it quite easy to find peace free of crowds without venturing far from the main streets/sites. In particular we had a hotel in one of those backs streets. We went for a wander one day and found we were just two blocks from the forum but the side opposite the main drag. Whereas on the other side you’d be amongst large crowds approaching from the back there were about 2 other people.

Quite amazing! I’d note this is always my theory on restaurants and bars too, just a couple of hundred metres away from the main streets and I usually have success in finding cheaper/better value/less touristy/more genuine/authentic places.

 

[prozac]

Absolutely and this is even true in Rome. We were there mid October 2022 and I found it quite easy to find peace free of crowds without venturing far from the main streets/sites. In particular we had a hotel in one of those backs streets. We went for a wander one day and found we were just two blocks from the forum but the side opposite the main drag. Whereas on the other side you’d be amongst large crowds approaching from the back there were about 2 other people.

Quite amazing! I’d note this is always my theory on restaurants and bars too, just a couple of hundred metres away from the main streets and I usually have success in finding cheaper/better value/less touristy/more genuine/authentic places.

A funny thing happened, ...

 

[Catweazle]

Great idea for a thread @latawiec . I'd like to ask in this thread how people choose a hidden gem? How do you find them, how do you decide to go there etc. Really interested in this topic.

For one thing, don't feel compelled to only go where others have been or to places that have been Instagrammed. Do venture off the beaten path. In other words, follow the passions, interests and curiosity of your own heart. Sometimes the best places are not widely blogged or posted about online.

Back in 2012, there seemed very little on the Azores until RyanAir finally launched cheap-cough flights there after we went. I just liked the pictures but couldn't find anything in Lonely Planet at the time. No doubt this has since changed.

Likewise, I found almost nothing about Palm Island in QLD so just went to find out for myself.

I booked a hotel that became a favourite in Argentière, the next town up the valley from Chamonix. It was not listed on any hotel booking website whatsoever, but I did happen to notice it when zooming in on Google Maps.

The isle of Barra looked stark and remote in a captivating way that only Scotland does and that meant a flight landing on the beach. That was enough. That, and the fact that Dad's Army's Frazer was from there only added to the fun.

Visited Rangitoto Island after looking at the ferry map in Auckland and picking a route at random. I didn't care where because I was just happy seeing the city from the harbour. The fact that Rangitoto had a few hiking trails meant that I knew I'd find it appealing.

 

[Quickstatus]

We also have our three rules about restaurants:

I look at the restaurant clientele, if tourists no, if locals yes.

 

[SYD]

I look at the restaurant clientele, if tourists no, if locals yes.

This is true but not always obvious!

 

[MARTINE]

This is true but not always obvious!

Then that rule is flexible - maybe they are respectful tourists.
If there is a table of 25 set and they are not speaking the local language — next!!!

 

[SYD]

Then that rule is flexible - maybe they are respectful tourists.
If there is a table of 25 set and they are not speaking the local language — next!!!

But that would be obvious.

You can be somewhere and the tourists speak the local lingo! It happens. A lot.

 

[MARTINE]

But that would be obvious.

You can be somewhere and the tourists speak the local lingo! It happens. A lot.

Yes… I suppose I am thinking if tourists speak the local language they are making an effort to immerse in local culture and more likely to be respectful (acknowledging no hard and fast rules). If we never ate where tourists ate we would never eat as we are tourists too.
I am often condemned by my own mouth however. Had a wonderful meal at a literary cafe in Oslo (where 20 bibliophiles were seated adjacent having a really interesting discussion and very respectful). However their driver eating solo at another table decided to pull out his phone and watch a movie at full volume

 

[CaptJCool]

There’s very few tourists here in Tangier

Well there was a whistle-stop cruise ship in and out In a day. Gone by sunset. Looked at various restaurants tonight up in the Medina and went with the really busy one.

And one street back you’ll always find the exploration is that much more unexpected, adventurous and surprising
Gosh you might even get a hint of …

 

[burmans]

This is true but not always obvious!

It is in some places in Europe, where the locals dress much more smartly than those of at least a couple of countries that provide many tourists. I’m sure you can guess what I’m talking about.

 

[Catweazle]

View attachment 406683

Are they all for you?

 

[CaptJCool]

Are they all for you?

My son and I ate them.

Coffee was like 20DH = 40DH
And the 6 pieces were first charged at 110DH = A$16.50. Way too expensive so I objected and 40DH was knocked Orf the bill - given that still was heavily overpriced IMHO given local prices.

Minimum wage here is 15DH PER hour = A$2.25 per hour compared our own over A$25 per hour
So I woulda had to work 4.5 hours to pay for them. Hence my reasoning of the “real price” - not the made up price for tourists

I’m pretty sure most places have two price guides - the English printed price list and the ‘local’ in the know price - that would probably be a good new thread

That said. If I judge based solely on value for taste. Wonderful well worth the A$1.50 per piece

 

[prozac]

My son and I ate them.

Coffee was like 20DH = 40DH
And the 6 pieces were first charged at 110DH = A$16.50. Way too expensive so I objected and 40DH was knocked Orf the bill - given that still was heavily overpriced IMHO given local prices.

Minimum wage here is 15DH PER hour = A$2.25 per hour compared our own over A$25 per hour
So I woulda had to work 4.5 hours to pay for them. Hence my reasoning of the “real price” - not the made up price for tourists

I’m pretty sure most places have two price guides - the English printed price list and the ‘local’ in the know price - that would probably be a good new thread

That said. If I judge based solely on value for taste. Wonderful well worth the A$1.50 per piece

Where was this?

 

[CaptJCool]

Where was this?

In Tangier Morocco

 

[Seat0B]

There’s very few tourists here in Tangier

Well there was a whistle-stop cruise ship in and out In a day. Gone by sunset. Looked at various restaurants tonight up in the Medina and went with the really busy one.

And one street back you’ll always find the exploration is that much more unexpected, adventurous and surprising
Gosh you might even get a hint of …View attachment 406682

View attachment 406683

Those pastries from the hard bakery look spectacular!