21 Comments

Was just writing about this topic myself. Great minds! Seriously, though, it's an incredibly important and I'm glad so many travel writers are addressing it.

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Excited to read!

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Adding another article to your reading list! Just after I posted this, I saw this excellent piece about overtourism in Naples. https://substack.com/home/post/p-144665860

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May 19Liked by Rebecca Holland

Hello brand new here! Would love a post on Puglia. Visiting Giovinazzo this year. Thanks!

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Welcome! Ok, I haven't been to Giovinazzo, but I LOVE Puglia. Here are some favorite spots nearby (second half of the linked post). Have an amazing trip! https://beabettertraveler.substack.com/p/how-do-travel-writers-afford-to-travel?utm_source=publication-search

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May 19Liked by Rebecca Holland

Thanks for addressing this! <3

I'm traveling to San Diego, LA, Vancouver BC, and Paris over the next four months!

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Fun! My brother lives in San Diego. Such a great city! I haven't written much about it but will try to put together a guide of the things I've liked there.

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Welcome to Veneto, I am so glad you are here! Thank you for the mentions.

Have you watched Odio il Natale (also Netflix)? It is only vaguely Christmas themed, but it is set in Chiogga and while it is light and funny and sweet, it also explores complicated questions about love and relationships and family.

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Excited to finally meet up soon once we get our life in order! And I haven't seen it but am adding it to the list. Sounds right up my alley.

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May 19Liked by Rebecca Holland

I LOVED Bringing Up Bebe. Read it before Kayla’s first. Your mom would love it I’m sure. So happy for u!!

Also big fans of touring Europe off season. Gives you a chance to connect with locals and not be crushed for tourists.

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It's so good! And yes, definitely. Best of both worlds--cheaper and less crowded.

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That's totally right! I loved the one about taking the same photos, I think that the often destinations are driven by this: the goal is to take the same photo seen on Social media, people were searching for something they saw in a post rather than appreciating the place itself. I wrote about this in my first post here in Instagram. It start to be a problem. Thanks for your travel tips :)

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Just read your post on this. So true, and so sad! Thanks for reading. :)

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The "same photo as everyone else" is such a weird thing i travel (and I definitely am guilty of it). I live in brooklyn and work near THE shot of the brooklyn bridge in dumbo and it's wild to watch people try and get photos.

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Yes! It's so bizarre. I'm guilty of it sometimes too though. Sometimes it's hard to even realize you're doing it!

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Great post! I’m writing about this issue in Como and same as you, trying to point to positive actions to take instead of screaming “stay away!” Ok, I do that sometimes too. ;-) Netflix is a great way to learn Italian. You can also watch English-speaking shows with Italian subtitles or with Italian audio and English subtitles. Great way you can learn slang - I watched Orange is the New Black that way!

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All great ideas! Also how lovely to be based in Como.

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Appreciate the practical suggestions to battle over tourism. Will def check these off the next time I plan a trip.

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May 22Liked by Rebecca Holland

I just wrote (sorta) about this very same thing! I just came back from three weeks in Italy (Umbria, Marche, Emilia-Romagna) and flew in and out of Rome so I only spent about 4 days there total. But that was quite enough. I was stunned at the crowds! And before the height of tourist season. (I appreciate I am part of the problem.) I’ve been to Italy about 5 times now, and I’ve never seen it as crazy as it was in April and May. 🤯

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I think it's going to be a crazy year! I love Umbria though. Got married there. :) Hope you had a great trip!

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Oh, Italy’s always fabulous. I’m already planning my return (in the off season 😁)

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