Aug 28, 2013

Travel Talk- Whats wrong in visiting touristy places?


Fountain near Spanish Steps Rome Italy

During my backpacking trip in India I visited few very interesting places. One of them was Khajuraho. I was amazed by the beauty of those temples, the stone carving and that amazing architecture. I kept wondering how grand it would have been during the medieval period when all these temples were functioning. It never occurred to me that I was in a 'touristy' place which is visited by thousands everyday. There were so many other tourists, domestic as well as international, who too were mesmerized by the temple complex. If you are one of those so called 'travelers' who say you dislike visiting 'touristy' places then you are missing something, IMO!

Fountain near Spanish Steps Rome Italy

The touristy places are popular places, they are popular because they are amazing, and because they are amazing everybody wants to see or have an experience there. So, whats wrong with that?! I love to visit remote places but, then I want to visit all other places too! When in Rome first thing I wanted to visit was Vatican City and the museum and the experience with that kind of art was amazing! In Florence I hated the crowd at Gates of Paradise. Also I was amazed by the number of visitors there- felt like whole Italy was there! When I was in San Francisco, during my first visit to USA, only one thing I chanted was Golden Gate Bridge!

Of course I do not like crowded places but, then I accept that everyone wants to see something that is amazing! I look for beautiful and secluded places But, I never dislike popular places. I dislike touts, travel agents and local people who think tourists are fools. But, that happens in remote areas too! It is part of the package isn't it? I try to avoid and ignore them and enjoy the rest. I do not go to pricy restaurants for authentic local food because that food is customized for outsiders and so is not authentic. Another reason I do not mind touristy places because I love to browse through souvenir shops! 

What is wrong with touristy places? What is your take on this? I ask you because I just don't get that!
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12 comments:

  1. There are good reasons why certain places are popular. You'd miss, for example, most of the National Parks here in the is..and as you know that'd be a shame. I agree about staying away from tourist-based restaurants and looking for where the locals eat tho! And I don't like to buy souvenirs at all, so I stay away from the gift shops.

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    1. Ha ha ... browsing souvenirs shops doesn't cost me much! The art makes me feel good :)

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  2. Fully in agreement with you. I can quote only example: The Taj Mahal is one of the most touristy places on earth. Can you ever give it the miss ?

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  3. I second that. I love touristy places. I cannot find a Taj Mahal or the temples of Khajuraho in some unexplored corner of the world. If I have to see the Statue of Liberty I have to be amidst the crowd. There is nothing wrong in that. But I also love the secluded unexplored places. Infact I love every place. :)

    http://rajniranjandas.blogspot.in/2013/08/mypadu-along-bay-of-bengal.html

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    1. >> I love every place
      Well said like a true traveler :)

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  4. Well written! I like the bit that said,"so called 'travelers' who say you dislike visiting 'touristy' places", I have come across quite a few and felt sorry for them. Yes, all of us wish to have the place only for us and in a tourist place, I am sure, every tourist wishes it! So we are not in the crowd, we are the crowd!
    P.S. The solution that I have found is visitng them in odd hours, for example, I cycled around London at 4AM on a bright summer morning! :) Happy Trippin'

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    1. Thank you.
      >> We are not in the crowd, we are the crowd
      Love that line! :)

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  5. Nothing is wrong with Touristy places. I'm with you on this, Kusum. It's always exciting to explore hidden pockets but it's really sad when you've gone someplace and have not checked out the 'must-sees' there. It's a shame to look down upon popular attractions.

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    1. Yeah, agree! We got to see all attractions. How could we say something is good anor not-good without even seeing it?

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  6. I don't like a lot of people around, either, but there's not a thing wrong with 'touristy' places. You can learn a lot of local facts and lore by visiting these places.

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    1. Thats right! We there is much at the touristy places.

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