Sad about Paris

[Anonymous]

I felt that way about Rome when I went some years ago. The first time I went was in 2010 and thought it was so magical & romantic. The second time I went was just completely overrun with tourists and people selling selfie sticks and other crap on every single corner, near every single moment. Its turned into Disneyland.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I felt that way about Rome when I went some years ago. The first time I went was in 2010 and thought it was so magical & romantic. The second time I went was just completely overrun with tourists and people selling selfie sticks and other crap on every single corner, near every single moment. Its turned into Disneyland.

I was just in Rome and it was beautiful and lovely and I didn’t see a single person selling selfie sticks.

[Anonymous]

My first trip to Paris was in ‘92 and my most recent was spring 2018. It was still Paris. Sure it had changed some but people and places evolve. I always enjoy Paris but I don’t expect it to be any place but the place it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, tourists should stay away but it is ok for you to go?

You have to admit there are tourist and then there are largely terrible tourist. Disrespectful, naracasistic aholes are a lot more prevalent thanks to social media. There is no denying it.

[Anonymous]

Interesting, I live in Paris and it's as glorious as the first time I visited in the early 2000s.

But I don't spend my days at the Louvre and Eiffel Tower so maybe that's why.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, tourists should stay away but it is ok for you to go?

This. It's the equivalent of the commuter by himself in his SUV complaining about all the traffic.

OP, you are part of the tourists that make places less special.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We go to visit 3rd tier cities now.

Or, if we go to 1st tier locations we go to 3rd tier sites.

We visited Venice in July of 2020 right before Covid struck.
We avoided St Marks Square and 1st and 2nd tier places mentioned in guide books. We visited off the beaten track churches and off the beaten track museums. We frequently were the only visitors at the 3rd tier sites and had a wonderful more authentic visit to Venice.

What now?

[Anonymous]

Please please tell me why you are sad. You really haven't articulated it well. Go back in your time machine? Sorry, that's not how life works. We all change, evolve over time. I still think Paris is magical as the first time I visited in 1986.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We go to visit 3rd tier cities now.

Or, if we go to 1st tier locations we go to 3rd tier sites.

We visited Venice in July of 2020 right before Covid struck.
We avoided St Marks Square and 1st and 2nd tier places mentioned in guide books. We visited off the beaten track churches and off the beaten track museums. We frequently were the only visitors at the 3rd tier sites and had a wonderful more authentic visit to Venice.

What now?

Yes, I was coming on to question this, too. Covid hit in March 2020. I highly doubt you went to Italy in July 2020.

[Anonymous]

It's you OP - you are older and wiser and have seen and experience more. Doing everything the first time is more exciting and fun. It's the same reason your old elementary school looks so tiny and shabby when you go back and visit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, tourists should stay away but it is ok for you to go?

You have to admit there are tourist and then there are largely terrible tourist. Disrespectful, naracasistic aholes are a lot more prevalent thanks to social media. There is no denying it.

This is true and sad but for many of us we don’t have a choice but to deal with these people if we want to see these places.

[Anonymous]

I agree that when you go back and visit places decades later, they just aren't the same. I'm fortunate to have visited Paris a handful of time between the mid-90s and 2012. I haven't been in ten years, but am planning my first solo trip and my first trip to Paris since my oldest child was born. I'm going to walk and walk and do what I want each day. I'm going to eat pastries and terrines and sip coffee in cafes. During my solo meals at lovely bistros, I will certainly be offended by the behavior of other tourists. And at least three Parisians will make fun of my clumsy French. Every day. And unless it rains for five days straight, IT WILL BE AMAZING.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I felt that way about Rome when I went some years ago. The first time I went was in 2010 and thought it was so magical & romantic. The second time I went was just completely overrun with tourists and people selling selfie sticks and other crap on every single corner, near every single moment. Its turned into Disneyland.

I was just in Rome and it was beautiful and lovely and I didn’t see a single person selling selfie sticks.

I actually had a much better experience in Rome a couple years ago than I did 15 years ago!

[Anonymous]

Paris is the central hub for both Asia and the US. 14M travelers each year. Paris airport is one of the largest in the world.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree that when you go back and visit places decades later, they just aren't the same. I'm fortunate to have visited Paris a handful of time between the mid-90s and 2012. I haven't been in ten years, but am planning my first solo trip and my first trip to Paris since my oldest child was born. I'm going to walk and walk and do what I want each day. I'm going to eat pastries and terrines and sip coffee in cafes. During my solo meals at lovely bistros, I will certainly be offended by the behavior of other tourists. And at least three Parisians will make fun of my clumsy French. Every day. And unless it rains for five days straight, IT WILL BE AMAZING.

This one knows what's up.