So someone announces they are planning a trip to, I don’t know, let’s say Paris, and that they’re excited about going to the Eiffel Tower, and the Moulin Rouge Cabaret. Then almost like clockwork you hear a voice pipe up with “Oh, that’s so cliched! Why would you go there? Those places are overrun with tourists!”
... Indulge your personal desires later on!
These are the same cynics who read lists like our recent “World’s Top 25 Attractions” and turn up their noses. Their superior air suggests what? An insiders knowledge that we are sure not to enjoy ourselves? That we’re certain to be overrun by hordes of camera-toting Chinese on their first trip abroad? That we’re sure to be disappointed with the view, or the prices, or the experience in general?
Who are these people, and why do they want to spoil everyone’s fun?
See the big attractions first...
Look, there’s a reason why a place like the Eiffel Tower becomes a travel cliche: it’s simply amazing, and you just HAVE TO SEE IT! I mean really, who would visit Paris (anywhere, for that matter) and not see ALL the cliches? They becomes cliches for a very, very good reason: they offer visitors something they just won’t get elsewhere; something unique, special, sensational, sublime, wonderful.
And yes, they do sometimes become overrun with other humans, just like you, me and our cynical friends (who presumably visited these places in their day) who don’t want to miss the opportunity to take in the experience. If we’re smart we go early, or book skip the line tickets and we focus on the experience, not on how many others decided to visit on the same day.
But if we’re really smart, we don’t block out those cynics altogether. They do have a point… sort of. A really great trip — whether it’s Paris or London or New York or who knows where — has a balance of activities; some mainstream, and some that would really only appeal to a slim minority of visitors. Search those out too! Using our Paris example again, why not indulge your love of chocolate with the small group Chocolate Lovers Tour; or further your knowledge of French cuisine with a cooking class in a private apartment; or become a better photographer and see the Latin Quarter up close with a Photographic Walking Tour?
Balancing major attractions — the things our cynical friends call cliches — with specialized, small group experiences that focus on things that you really love is the best way to really enjoy a new destination. Viator can help out with both, and we suspect that if you cover both ends of the spectrum, you’ll enjoy your vacation a whole lot more.
- Rod Cuthbert
Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s Paris tours & things to do, Paris attractions, and Paris travel recommendations.
March 10, 2011 at 9:52 AM
Even though this is about Paris, I’m sharing this with my Boyfriend before we visit London. He’s been turning his nose up at the London Eye, and Tea at Harrod’s! Both things I’m totally excited to do!! This is great ammo for me!