Before going abroad, many people produce a list of attractions that they want to go and visit (Paris isn’t complete without a trip to the Eiffel Tower, or, Oh my god, you have to go to the Louvre otherwise you haven’t ‘done’ Paris – you know the score). Days, or even weeks in advance, the guide books would come out and popular activities and locations would be circled, all of them making it to the final cut of the itinerary. And, yes, these things are great to see – who doesn’t want to at least see the grandeur of the Eiffel Tower in real life? But sometimes it feels like people look down on me if I have omitted a ‘vital’ tourist attraction from my itinerary. Yes, I have been to Paris three times but, no, I have never been to the Louvre. Sacrilege, right? Well, not in my eyes.
Away from the crowds
Paris for me is an extraordinary city with so much to see and do that it’s impossible to visit every single tourist attraction and, personally, I would rather sit outside a Parisian café sipping a caffe crème than trundle around the Louvre with hundreds of other tourists. Of course, I would love to go to the Louvre at some point in my life but, the thing is, I have seen and read so much about it that it feels as if I have already been there. Without a doubt the Louvre is a huge part of many people’s attraction to the city but does being stuck inside really offer Paris at its best? For me, at least, Paris is all about quirky street culture and people watching, and to do this I don’t need to queue for hours to hike up the Eiffel Tower staring at another tourists back the whole way. In fact, I could happily go to Paris, not see any of the ‘must-dos’, and feel like I’ve experienced more of the Parisian way of life than if I had. Because, at the end of the day, just being there is enough; experiencing a different culture, immersing myself in the city life unravelling around me, and just enjoying being somewhere different is a huge part of being abroad and I often think this is overlooked by the need to visit and take photos of prominent places almost as if they serve as proof that you’ve actually been there.
Of course, it’s nice to see attractions that you’ve heard so much about in the flesh as I believe you can’t truly experience something until you’ve seen it first-hand, but I think some people take this to extremes and spend their time abroad dashing from one hotspot to another and not really enjoying it. Sometimes I guess it’s good to just kick back, relax, and appreciate simply being somewhere different.
What do you think? Are you a hotspot dasher or is being there enough for you?
For me it’s a little bit of both. I like having excursions when I go on trips as opposed to vacations. My boots like to have adventures, but I’m also happy to relax and people watch. So I thinks it’s silly that you not going to the Louvre is considered sacrilege. I personally want to go because I love museums, but I don’t think the Louvre is a need-to-go. Actually I would prefer to go to places outside of Paris than the city itself. Paris and I did not get along well…. http://bootprintsinthesand.wordpress.com/2012/05/22/oh-paris-you-liar/
Thanks for your comment! I have just finished reading your post about Paris and, I just have to say, the first time I went I didn’t have a great experience either! (the post can be found somewhere around my blog!) I completely agree with you, it’s great to go and see things whilst abroad (drinking coffee outside a cafe can wear thin after numerous hours!), but usually I go abroad for a break which means I don’t want to spend my time worrying about whether I’m going to fit all of the attractions into however many days I have there. Luckily, the weather has been relatively nice to me the times I have been, which does make the whole experience a lot better – being inside the Louvre does suddenly start to sound appealing when it’s chucking it down outside!
I’m definitely going to search your blog for your Paris post, it’s nice to know that my sister and I weren’t the only ones who had some not great times in Paris. Makes it sting a little less. =P
And yeah, I think there is too much focus on the big attractions. Personally I think one, maybe two days could be spent on big attractions, while leaving the rest of the week (of course assuming it’s a week long trip) for little things and exploration.
While I was England I didn’t even think about the London Eye, Big Ben, or the Crown Jewels. So I think we have that in common.
Though I still want to do Tokyo Tower and Mt. Fuji again. They were awesome. =D
During our travels, the Viking and I choose places that look interesting to us. We usually end up at less touristic destinations, but sometimes “hotspots” are inevitable. As a rule we try to avoid crowds.
That’s the key I think – finding something you really want to do rather than doing something because you feel like you should (i.e. it’s in all the guidebooks/numerous people have told you that you simply HAVE to go there etc)!
Guidebooks can be useful though, because they can contain general information about public transport, food and so on. We usually choose places to visit that are hardly mentioned or not mentioned at all in the guidebooks
I totally agree with this post. I’d rather spend a longer time in a place, really get to know how the people there live and what the culture is like, than to feel rushed off my feet sightseeing. In saying that I have done my fair share of touristy activities, but that doesn’t mean that tourism is what I prefer. Also, with regards to the comment about not liking Paris, I’ve only been there once, but didn’t like it much either. I’ll go back though, I imagine its much nicer when its not close to freezing, and raining, and I’m tired of travelling
I agree, I have to admit I do like to see a good tourist attraction every now and again but I prefer just soaking up the atmosphere in a new place
Paris when it’s sunny and warm is perfect, there’s just such a nice feeling about it!
I’m both, again! lol Didn’t I say that about the tourist photos?
Haha yes you did! It’s good to have a balance between the two I think
I so agree with you post! Although for some people there are “musts” on a trip, I’d rather soak in the atmosphere and the vibe, wander, talk to the locals and try to “live” the city rather than just visiting (or doing) it
Oh, I’ve been to Paris, and to the Louvre. And it is truly great… but I’d only do it again if it rained. If the weather is gorgeous, I’ll probably be enjoying the Jardin de Luxembourg, les Tuilleries or walking along the Seine…
Great post!
I’m glad I’m not the only one!
Yes walking along the Seine in the early evening is one of my favourite things to do in Paris!
I took me two trips to Paris to visit the Louvre and three to check out the Orsay Museum. Great experiences for certain, but walking around the city and sitting at cafes is what I miss the most. I see I’m not the only fan of came creme.
Oh cafe creme is literally the best thing ever! I could drink it allllll day. Cafe culture is such a huge part of Parisian life.. one of the reasons I love Paris!
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I appreciate your reflection on simply “being” in a place you travel to. I agree that I is hard to do when you think it might be your only chance to be in a city and you feel the pressure to make it count. On a second or third trip, or on an extended trip, it’s easier to relax and spend time soaking in the surroundings. Great post!
My ideal scenario would be enough time to spend a day or two seeing the main sites and then a few days just enjoying the area. But if not enough time (too often the case) I do cut out some sites in order to have time to just sit at a cafe or write in my journal on a park bench and people watch.
Your ideal scenario sounds much like mine! Sometimes it’s nice (and important) to see why a certain landmark or attraction is so popular with tourists and how it contributes to the city/country. But, as much as it’s ‘nice’ to do this, travelling often needs to be a selfish affair in order for us to get the most out of it – and usually (although not always) I’d rather sit in a cafe watching the world go by!
Thanks for your comment!
I love having the time to immerse myself in the general atmosphere here in Australia, but of course the hotspots are hot for a reason. Sometimes all you need to do is make an overnight trip out of something which everyone else will be doing as a day tour with 6+ hours on a coach, and suddenly you’re getting the best of both worlds.
I completely agree – the popularity of these attractions puts the hot in hotspots! Like you say, sometimes it just takes a little tweaking – whether that’s visiting at an off-peak time of day, or make an overnight trip out of it – to make it much better experience. Thanks for you comment
I’ll confess I’m a bit of a hotspot dasher during the day when the major sights are open, but I like to stroll casually in the early morning, and evening when the tourist buses retreat to their suburban hotels. I think you get a great look at how the locals really live, especially at the dinner hour when people are out of work and headed out for dinner.