【Sightseeing English-15】When to Avoid Popular Tourist Destinations (何時避開熱門旅遊目的地)

When to Avoid Popular Tourist Destinations Nobody plans a trip thinking they'll regret it, but the wrong timing can ruin even the most incredible place. This year, some of the world's most iconic destinations might just be the worst ones to visit. So in this video, we're breaking down five must-see places that, for one reason or another, we think you ought to avoid in 2025. Starting with Rome, Italy. 2025 is the year of the Catholic Jubilee, also known as the Jubilee of Hope. This year-long celebration marks the 2025 anniversary of the Incarnation of the Lord. It begins in December 2024 and ends in January 2026. Rome is the epicenter of this event and estimates suggest that an additional 20 million tourists will descend on the city in 2025. That is on top of the already massive crowds you would expect to see in Rome on any regular year. Legendary sites like the Pantheon, Colosseum, the Forum, and of course the Vatican will all be packed beyond capacity. And while the city is taking steps to prepare for the influx, crowds of this size are just bound to feel suffocating and it's almost certain that prices for accommodations, flights, and even meals will skyrocket. Rome is absolutely worth visiting but you may want to wait until 2026. Next up on our don't travel list for 2025 is Paris. I know, I know, hear me out. New research from Global Data predicts France is going to be the most visited country in the world next year. Why? Well, the main reason is Paris hosted the Olympics in 2024 so everyone avoided Paris in 2024. Tourism took a massive hit. Air France and Delta reported below-average summer travel. Both Airbnb and hotel occupancy rates dipped severely and when destinations experience dips like these they can see a huge surge in visitors the following year. COVID taught us that, but that's not all. Notre Dame is set to reopen after its devastating fire five years ago and the reopening is likely to attract massive attention. While it's hard to predict exactly how busy it's going to get, anything this historic and long-awaited is bound to create significant crowds. Paris is an amazing destination you should definitely visit, but we think for these reasons, you should put it off. However, if you're planning any international travel in 2025, don't put off figuring out how you'll get cellular data abroad. Your phone is essential for navigation, messaging your Airbnb host, or sharing your adventures with friends back home. But without a plan, you're going to pay out the wazoo in roaming fees. Now you could go with your home carrier's international plan but those are often pricey or you could buy a local SIM card but that can be a time-consuming hassle. That's why we recommend an eSIM. eSIMs have physical SIM cards but you don't have to go anywhere, talk to anyone, or physically put anything in your phone. Our eSIM of choice is Olafly which offers eSIMs in over 200 destinations worldwide with no roaming fees and over 150 of those destinations offer unlimited data. A 10-day trip using Olafly's Europe plan costs $37 versus $100 via Verizon and there are no hidden fees or data caps. The setup takes just a couple of minutes. Download the Olafly app, choose your plan, install the eSIM, and you're good to go. If you're ready to get started with Olafly head to the link below and use the code AWAYTOGETHER for 5% off your eSIM purchase. Thanks, Olafly for sponsoring this video. Kyoto is one of Japan's most beloved cities, but in 2025, it might be worth avoiding. Overcrowding has become a serious issue, especially in historic areas like the Gion district. To combat the strain, local officials have introduced measures like banning tourists from accessing certain streets and installing barriers to block popular photo spots. No knocking these restrictions, honestly. I think they're a necessary step to protect Kyoto's cultural traditions and the daily lives of its citizens from the negative effects of how overwhelmed the city has become. Unfortunately, it's not just Kyoto. Honestly, there's an argument to be made for avoiding Japan altogether in 2025. Overcrowding has reached record highs and a weaker yen has made the country a magnet for international visitors. It breaks my heart to say this, but Valencia is one of the destinations you may want to avoid in 2025. As you may know, on October 29th, 2024 the city suffered catastrophic flooding. The deadliest and most devastating in decades. The damage to Valencia's infrastructure is severe. Roads, railways, and sewage systems will require extensive repairs, and the region's agriculture, such a crucial part of its identity and economy, has been heavily impacted. Tourism is an important source of income for Valencia and while visiting may feel like a way to support the city, it's worth considering the strain that tourists could add to the region still in recovery. Repair efforts will likely continue throughout 2025 and the local economy particularly farming and tourism may need years to fully bounce back. If you're interested in donating to recovery efforts, we've linked a couple of resources below. This mention is for everyone from outside the USA. When we ask most of our international friends where in the United States they visited or would like to visit, the top two responses are almost unilaterally the same and unfortunately, they should both be avoided in 2025. New York City and Los Angeles. Here's why. Both cities are undergoing major construction projects in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In New York, these updates include stadium improvements, significant infrastructure work in Manhattan, and upgrades to the city's aging subway system. Times Square, one of the most heavily visited areas in the world, is also undergoing renovations that will likely create additional headaches for travelers. Over in LA, the story is much the same. LAX, already one of the busiest airports in the world, is in the middle of a major expansion, and with ambitious metro line updates on top of the city's infamous traffic congestion getting around LA in 2025 is going to be a serious challenge. Both New York and LA are incredible destinations but the disruption from construction projects will likely make 2025 one of the worst years to visit. I would hold off until 2026 when the upgrades are complete or even later because you know busy. Even if you avoid these destinations, if you're planning any travel in 2025, there are several new rules and regulations and in this video, I break down the five biggest changes travelers need to know going into 2025. Thank you so much for watching and happy travels!
References (optional) Overtourism is sometimes simply a case of numbers: there are too many people in a particular place at a particular time . But in some cases, taking a more responsible approach to tourism can mitigate the negative effects. Links 5 Travel Examples of Being at the Right Place at the Wrong Time What's the problem with overtourism? Overtourism - What is it, and how can we avoid it? Discussion Questions (Travel) (1) What do you like most about traveling? (2) What is the purpose of travel for you? (3) What different kinds of traveling are there? (4) What’s the best place you’ve ever been to? (5) Would you like to go traveling for a few years non-stop? (6) What are the good and bad things about traveling? (7) Where do you want to travel to before you die ( your travel bucket list )? (8) Would you ever consider a digital nomad 'travel blogger' lifestyle? (9) Lin Yutang said: " No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow ." Do you agree? (10) Elizabeth Drew said: " Too often travel, instead of broadening the mind, merely lengthens the conversation. " What does this mean? Do you agree? (11) What springs to mind when you hear the word ‘ travel ’? (12) Are you a traveler? (13) Is travel an education? (14) Would you like to travel in space or to the moon? (15) Would you like to work in the travel industry? (16) What are the pros and cons of traveling first class and backpacking? (17) Is travel helping the world? (18) What would make you wiser – traveling around the world for ten years or reading 10,000 books? (19) Mason Cooley said: "Travelers never think that they are the foreigners."  Do you agree? (20) St. Augustine said: "The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page."  What does this mean? Do you agree? Discussion Questions (Hiking) When was the last time you went on a hike? Do you hike regularly or spontaneously? Are there good conditions to go hiking in the place you are from? Is hiking popular in your country? What gear do you need for a one-day hike? When you are hiking, do you prefer staying overnight outdoors in a tent or do you book sleeping in a cottage? What equipment do you need if you want to stay outdoors overnight? Can hiking be dangerous? Do you always have travel insurance when you go hiking? Have you ever hiked any high mountains like the Himalayas or the Alps? How would you characterize hikers as people? Do you read any books, magazines, or blogs about hiking? Are you going to hike a mountain soon? Discussion Questions (Backpacking) (1) Have you ever been backpacking?
(2) What are the advantages of backpacking?
(3) Is backpacking better than taking a package holiday?
(4) What do you think when you see backpackers in your country?
(5) Have you ever stayed at a backpackers' or similar budget accommodation?
(6) Is backpacking generally something for younger people?
(7) Do you think backpacking is done only by those with little money?
(8) How do you think backpacking around the world would change a person?
(9) Is it better to go backpacking alone or with friends?
(10) Do you think backpackers are similar to hippies? (11) Which is better, a backpack or a suitcase?
(12) What are the negative points or dangers of backpacking?
(13) What are the essential items to put in a backpack?
(14) What is your image of backpackers?
(15) Who would you choose to go backpacking with?
(16) Would you prefer to go on a two-week luxury cruise or go backpacking for six months?
(17) In which countries would you most and least like to go backpacking?
(18) Is it OK for old people to go backpacking?
(19) Would you like to go backpacking around your own country?
(20) Why is it called ‘backpacking’ and not ‘rucksacking’? Discussion Questions (Walking) (1) What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘walking’?
(2) Do you like walking around your town?
(3) Is walking very good for your health?
(4) How much walking do you do every day?
(5) What useful things could you do while you are walking?
(6) What do you think of your walking style?
(7) Do you prefer walking on the beach, in the mountains, in the desert, or in the countryside?
(8) Would you like to go on a walking holiday?
(9) Raymond Inmon said: "If you are seeking creative ideas, go out walking. Angels whisper to a man when he goes for a walk." What does this quote mean? Do you agree?(10) Carrie Latet wrote: "Walking: the most ancient exercise and still the best modern exercise." Do you agree? (11) What do you think of walking?
(12) Are you glad we walk on two legs instead of four?
(13) What’s the longest distance you’ve ever walked in a day?
(14) What do you think of tightrope walking?
(15) Do you like walking around barefoot?
(16) What should happen on International Walking Day?
(17) Who do you like to go for a walk with?
(18) How would your town change if the center was walking only – no cars?
(19) Steven Wright said: "Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time." What does this quote mean? Do you agree?
(20) St. Jerome said: "To solve a problem, walk around." Do you agree?