Thanks for sharing Raye, really interesting read. With social media and a thirst for travel post covid, over tourism is becoming a real problem. It definitely leaves me questioning adding to the "noise" and problem by being a travel writer. But like you I hope to inspire people to explore somewhere a bit out of the beaten path, even if it's a popular city or destination. And documenting stories and experiences with a camera in hand, not in a performative way, but to use the act of photography to slow down, become more observant and intentional.
Thank you Janice. Absolutely, I think we can travel to larger destinations still as long as we’re responsible, humbled, living as local- best as possible. Love that & agree, documenting in a human, honest way, not in a performative or exhibitionist way. I think so many document it like another culture or country is to be observed and captured as an “other” and that ruins what travel is all about: connection.
Hi Raye, I’m Kelly - a former exec who walked away from corporate life to slow travel full time with my husband. We’re a year in now, living one month at a time in places like Lecce, Cassis, and the Lake District, and writing as we go. Your essay stopped me in my tracks. Not because it was provocative - but because it was true.
You wrote: “Traveling takes guts. Touristing just takes money.”
That line. It should be stamped on every passport renewal. You captured the discomfort and the reverence that make real travel transformative. The moments that are too quiet to post but too deep to forget.
We didn’t set out to escape anything. We were looking for health, connection, meaning, space. But even with good intentions, we’ve had to check ourselves - often. I wrote a bit about that recalibration here:
Retired, Roaming and Rooted
Grateful for your voice. You’re not just naming the problem - you’re inviting people into a better way. And I’m all in for that.
Oh man, this is the essay I’ve had inside me for years but never articulated so coherently. If I see another post about the 10 best places to drink wine in Portugal, I’m gonna throw out my toys. You know what I don’t see much of on travel Substacks? Stories about people one meets while traveling (And I agree—an elderly Greek woman handing you an olive with a smile doesn’t count). I’m craving that kind of content but it seems to be missing.
I had to come back when I had more time to elaborate on how much I appreciate this. I really love the points you brought up and the way you highlighted the differences between traveling and being a tourist.
I didn't have the luxury of traveling abroad growing up. My dad is your typical American that thinks camping is inconvenient. We spent summers at Myrtle Beach and I always craved something different. Homogenized hotel rooms were all I knew. I fell in love with Anthropology in school. I practically worshipped Anthony Bourdain. I dreamt of travel back when nobody would know if you went anywhere (except the people you showed your developed photos when you got home). You went because you wanted to, for you. Now everybody goes to Italy because it's a nice backdrop for their instagram photos. I miss the days when travel made you feel miniscule. Your life that felt so big and important back home, meant nothing to these people. I didn't have an enormous income in my 20's so each time I went abroad I stayed with a local. The aunt of my boyfriend at the time when I went to Italy. One of my best friends from college when I went to France. That kind of travel changes you forever. Taking the path of a local. Eating strange delicacies. Clutching cold water bottles to fall asleep when there was a heatwave in Paris. Only having the comfort of reaching my mom twice when I was abroad for the first time - once with a really expensive long distance call on a landline to let her know I landed safely and second when I found a cafe with internet to log on facebook (circa 2010) to message her and say I was still alive one week into traveling. Getting off on the wrong train stop and you're all alone and realize a second language is way harder to speak when you're under stress. Those "gritty" moments made me who I am. And getting to be a guest in another world with its own history, its own culture, its own flavors, its own heartbeat was always the greatest reward for whatever discomfort I handled.
Thanks for sharing Raye, really interesting read. With social media and a thirst for travel post covid, over tourism is becoming a real problem. It definitely leaves me questioning adding to the "noise" and problem by being a travel writer. But like you I hope to inspire people to explore somewhere a bit out of the beaten path, even if it's a popular city or destination. And documenting stories and experiences with a camera in hand, not in a performative way, but to use the act of photography to slow down, become more observant and intentional.
Thank you Janice. Absolutely, I think we can travel to larger destinations still as long as we’re responsible, humbled, living as local- best as possible. Love that & agree, documenting in a human, honest way, not in a performative or exhibitionist way. I think so many document it like another culture or country is to be observed and captured as an “other” and that ruins what travel is all about: connection.
Hi Raye, I’m Kelly - a former exec who walked away from corporate life to slow travel full time with my husband. We’re a year in now, living one month at a time in places like Lecce, Cassis, and the Lake District, and writing as we go. Your essay stopped me in my tracks. Not because it was provocative - but because it was true.
You wrote: “Traveling takes guts. Touristing just takes money.”
That line. It should be stamped on every passport renewal. You captured the discomfort and the reverence that make real travel transformative. The moments that are too quiet to post but too deep to forget.
We didn’t set out to escape anything. We were looking for health, connection, meaning, space. But even with good intentions, we’ve had to check ourselves - often. I wrote a bit about that recalibration here:
Retired, Roaming and Rooted
Grateful for your voice. You’re not just naming the problem - you’re inviting people into a better way. And I’m all in for that.
Oh man, this is the essay I’ve had inside me for years but never articulated so coherently. If I see another post about the 10 best places to drink wine in Portugal, I’m gonna throw out my toys. You know what I don’t see much of on travel Substacks? Stories about people one meets while traveling (And I agree—an elderly Greek woman handing you an olive with a smile doesn’t count). I’m craving that kind of content but it seems to be missing.
I had to come back when I had more time to elaborate on how much I appreciate this. I really love the points you brought up and the way you highlighted the differences between traveling and being a tourist.
I didn't have the luxury of traveling abroad growing up. My dad is your typical American that thinks camping is inconvenient. We spent summers at Myrtle Beach and I always craved something different. Homogenized hotel rooms were all I knew. I fell in love with Anthropology in school. I practically worshipped Anthony Bourdain. I dreamt of travel back when nobody would know if you went anywhere (except the people you showed your developed photos when you got home). You went because you wanted to, for you. Now everybody goes to Italy because it's a nice backdrop for their instagram photos. I miss the days when travel made you feel miniscule. Your life that felt so big and important back home, meant nothing to these people. I didn't have an enormous income in my 20's so each time I went abroad I stayed with a local. The aunt of my boyfriend at the time when I went to Italy. One of my best friends from college when I went to France. That kind of travel changes you forever. Taking the path of a local. Eating strange delicacies. Clutching cold water bottles to fall asleep when there was a heatwave in Paris. Only having the comfort of reaching my mom twice when I was abroad for the first time - once with a really expensive long distance call on a landline to let her know I landed safely and second when I found a cafe with internet to log on facebook (circa 2010) to message her and say I was still alive one week into traveling. Getting off on the wrong train stop and you're all alone and realize a second language is way harder to speak when you're under stress. Those "gritty" moments made me who I am. And getting to be a guest in another world with its own history, its own culture, its own flavors, its own heartbeat was always the greatest reward for whatever discomfort I handled.
Yes, thank you!!!!!
Thank you for reading!
Great read, very insightful. I love: “Traveling takes guts. Touristing just takes money.” You hit the nail on the head