Travel writer Dana Kaplan, 52, sparked controversy with a viral Instagram post listing seven iconic destinations she regrets visiting: Rome, Mykonos, Cannes, the Grand Canyon, Miami, Bourbon Street in New Orleans, and the Louvre. She argues these places are 'famous for being famous' and recommends lesser-visited alternatives such as Milos or Naxos instead of Mykonos, and Bologna or smaller towns in Emilia-Romagna instead of Rome.
Overtourism crisis in Europe
Kaplan's stance aligns with growing concerns about overtourism. In 2025, Europe hosted more than half of the world's 1.5 billion international arrivals, and global travel is projected to reach 1.8 billion by 2030. Cities like Rome, Paris, and Barcelona are overwhelmed with crowds, litter, and traffic. Rome recently introduced a fee to see the Trevi Fountain, while Denmark experiments with sustainability incentives—allowing visitors to 'pay' for experiences by kayaking and collecting canal litter.
Responsible tourism alternatives
Kaplan emphasizes that skipping popular spots doesn't mean never visiting them. 'It's like walking through a living museum, but the same is true for so many other places in Italy, and they're not as crowded,' she told Metro. Regarding the Grand Canyon, she noted, 'There are so many amazing parts of the American southwest where there's not a line just to get through the gate.' She advocates for 'white space' in itineraries, avoiding packed schedules that leave no room for spontaneous exploration.
Expert tips for better travel
Yulia Safutdinova, travel writer and founder of Miss Tourist, agrees that structure matters more than destination. She advises staying overnight (ideally three nights) to benefit local economies, traveling during shoulder seasons, sleeping and eating outside historic centers, and visiting attractions at opening time. 'The Trevi Fountain at 7am is a completely different place from the Trevi Fountain at 2pm,' she said.
Mallorca, amid strong anti-tourism protests, plans to launch an AI-powered platform later this year to guide visitors to quieter times and off-the-beaten-track alternatives. Kaplan concludes, 'We need to stop checking off the list just to post that we went there.'
