After living in Tuscany full time for 12 years, brava! You nailed it and how the algorithm is shaping tourism—and also the country—in disturbing ways. #writelocal 🤣
This was enlightening. I'm a cranky old Gen Xer so I think I'm out of the reach of a lot of influencers and certainly not susceptible to any of these tricks and deceptions. I've always taken the safe approach and just kind of done my thing with very little input other than instinct and perhaps a guide book (which also, to an extent, can be misleading).
People are suckers, honestly. They fall for this stuff.
I like to call this the “Taj Mahal photo effect” — I’ve met many people who went to India expecting to get a beautiful, private photo of themselves in front of the Taj Mahal… only to find out that actually the place is extremely crowded, there are people everywhere, security screening, long lines, etc.
I think a lot of people don’t realize that when people like politicians and dignitaries go to famous destinations and share these amazing, pristine photos of themselves in these picturesque locations, they have security teams and handlers and can shut down a tourist location to the public and keep others out while they’re there.
Travel is so weird like that. The same goes for the Mona Lisa: I haven’t seen it either but I know many people who expected to go see it but gave up after finding out you have to stand in line for 5 hours or whatever.
“What? Other people had the same idea as me? I’m not the only one who wanted to come here? I’m shocked!”
I love this piece so much omfg. When people think about travelling to Italy, or any European city, at high season, suddenly all the negativity boils to the surface. Travel smarter not harder.
I'm disheartened each time I see another small bit of the Italy I fell in love with chipped away -- and people's ridiculous search for viral moments is doing a lot of chipping. I lived in the center for many years and two years ago moved a little further out, and sometimes I can't help but feel a little condescending when I have to go back and mix with the huge crowds.
I've got a few Substack posts in various stages of development and the at least half of them are related to this topic in some way.
After living in Tuscany full time for 12 years, brava! You nailed it and how the algorithm is shaping tourism—and also the country—in disturbing ways. #writelocal 🤣
This was enlightening. I'm a cranky old Gen Xer so I think I'm out of the reach of a lot of influencers and certainly not susceptible to any of these tricks and deceptions. I've always taken the safe approach and just kind of done my thing with very little input other than instinct and perhaps a guide book (which also, to an extent, can be misleading).
People are suckers, honestly. They fall for this stuff.
I just wrote a piece called La Dolce Vita doesn't exist and I am going to link this. It comes out June 15th.
Looking forward to reading it!
I'm intrigued as well.
I like to call this the “Taj Mahal photo effect” — I’ve met many people who went to India expecting to get a beautiful, private photo of themselves in front of the Taj Mahal… only to find out that actually the place is extremely crowded, there are people everywhere, security screening, long lines, etc.
I think a lot of people don’t realize that when people like politicians and dignitaries go to famous destinations and share these amazing, pristine photos of themselves in these picturesque locations, they have security teams and handlers and can shut down a tourist location to the public and keep others out while they’re there.
Travel is so weird like that. The same goes for the Mona Lisa: I haven’t seen it either but I know many people who expected to go see it but gave up after finding out you have to stand in line for 5 hours or whatever.
“What? Other people had the same idea as me? I’m not the only one who wanted to come here? I’m shocked!”
The last line of your comment is exactly it!!
I love this piece so much omfg. When people think about travelling to Italy, or any European city, at high season, suddenly all the negativity boils to the surface. Travel smarter not harder.
Glad it resonated, Sonia! As with most things, it’s usually the negativity that is the loudest 😒
I'm disheartened each time I see another small bit of the Italy I fell in love with chipped away -- and people's ridiculous search for viral moments is doing a lot of chipping. I lived in the center for many years and two years ago moved a little further out, and sometimes I can't help but feel a little condescending when I have to go back and mix with the huge crowds.
I've got a few Substack posts in various stages of development and the at least half of them are related to this topic in some way.