Traveling is one of life's greatest pleasures. There's no better way to meet different kinds of people, experience authentic cuisine, and remove yourself from the routine of everyday life.
While approximately 51% of Gen Xers and 57% of baby boomers prioritize relaxation when they plan their annual vacation, mental repose is not always the result while traveling. In fact, according to a recent report from Dupe Destinations by Cheapflights, many U.S. travelers have recently become fed up with the number of travel destinations overrun by tourists.
Of the 2,000 travelers who responded to the August survey, most agreed that overcrowding negatively affected their trip. According to the report, half of travelers cut their trips short because of overcrowding, 61% said overcrowding had a negative effect on their vacation experience, and 63% avoided peak season in the hope of skipping overcrowding. Three in five travelers even went as far as to say they're less likely to return to a destination if it was too busy during their stay.
So should you stop traveling to the world’s most beautiful places for fear of overcrowding? My vote is no and I have suggestions below to make your travel just a little more peaceful and a little less cramped.
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Stay Off the Beaten Path
When people from the U.S. travel, it's more likely than not they'll stick to the well-traveled spots with a tourist trail. While the most well-known tourist spots have positives like higher levels of safety and the likelihood of local workers knowing English, there's also a higher chance of overcrowding. If you want to avoid congestion on your next trip, try staying off the beaten path. While you might miss out on some of the more Instagrammable destinations, you'll also be more likely to discover some hidden gems and get a better feel for the local culture.
Book Your Trip in the Offseason
There's a reason most travelers book vacations in peak season—the weather conditions are usually ideal and more people have time off due to school breaks and holidays. But with peak season comes droves of people, and if you're trying to avoid that it might be best to go in the local offseason. While the weather might not be perfect you're more likely to get better prices and more tolerant locals.
Become an Early Riser
Roughly 70 percent of the population are considered "third birds" or people who are at their best during the middle hours of the day, according to Harvard. So, if you're one of the roughly 15 percent of people who are considered early risers, it's best to start your activities early before the majority of people are up and at them.
While congestion in popular spots is normal, the above tips can help you find ways around the crowds and help you to better enjoy your next vacation.
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from Men's Journal https://ift.tt/GQL3uXA
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