Quitting my reliance on curated travel lists exposed more genuine locales

I always booked trips around trending destinations from major blogs and influencers. After ignoring those and simply talking to residents, I ended up in coastal towns and mountain passes absent from any guide. What method have you adopted to uncover places that feel untouched by mainstream tourism?

3 comments

3 Comments

dakota16617h ago

Seriously, I've found that scrolling through regional subreddits beats any travel blog. You get raw recommendations from people who actually live there, not just curated highlights. Have you tried digging into niche online forums for your next trip?

the_hugo6h ago

Respectfully, I see it another way. Ngl, regional subreddits can still echo chamber popular spots after a while. My method involves striking up conversations in local cafes or markets during the trip itself. Tbh, you get real-time, unrehearsed advice that hasn't been filtered for an online audience. Honestly, that's led me to family-run eateries and hidden trails no algorithm would promote. It requires more spontaneity, but the discoveries feel truly personal.

the_kai15h ago

In Norway, my friend followed a fisherman's advice to a remote fjord unseen by tourists.