Famous places are the things that pop up on “Must see” lists and top destinations articles. These places usually have a cool story for the fame or were a grand feat to build, don’t get me wrong, but you were way more stoked to meet Tim Ferriss over much more famous “celebrities” Why? Niche interests still apply to travel. Just because famous places are constantly vetted and reinforced by more people going to “see the cool thing”, take a selfie and mark it off of the checklist, doesn’t mean you will like it. Be brave enough to skip these when you go to a new place because most of the time, all it is is a cool sight, not an experience.
Remember the richness:
- Eternal Flame Falls > Niagara falls in Buffalo
- Beaten path hikes > Golden circle in Iceland
- Lagos > Lisbon
- Ronda > Sevilla
- Climbing gyms and the Mexican food shop > beer in Prague
The small things have often lead to a deeper experience. Of course there are exceptions, many of the famous sights are quick and easy to check off, worth it. but marching off with a checklist to a restaurant someone on Tiktok recommended will never hit as well as the street cafe you wandered into and fell in love with. Trust these experiences. They were more personal, intimate. Let them point you to better travels. Even if they don’t seem as grand, they will be all the more genuine.