“Exclusive Travel Destinations Loved by Experts Exposed”
While Santorini remains a picturesque island, Beci Mahnken, the CEO of MEI-Travel, noted that the increasing crowds have made it challenging to fully enjoy its beauty. “The influx of cruise ships and social media has turned this once serene island into a bustling backdrop for selfies,” she shared with BI. “The enchanting cobblestone streets and caldera views can lose their charm when you’re navigating through crowds in Oia during sunset.” Greece has taken steps to tackle overtourism by imposing taxes on short-term rentals and implementing fees for cruise ship passengers. If tourists do decide to visit, Mahnken recommends focusing on local experiences such as exploring small museums and taking cooking classes with native chefs.
Venice, with its stunning vistas, can also be overwhelming due to the sheer number of visitors it attracts each year. Despite its romantic allure with canals and bridges, the city can feel more like a crowded theme park rather than a tranquil escape. Venice has been likened to popular tourist destinations like Disney World, prompting the city to enhance its tourist taxation policies until 2025 to manage the influx of visitors.
Miami is often associated with wild bachelor and bachelorette parties, overshadowing its vibrant nightlife scene. Stephanie Cavazuti from Fora advised against visiting Miami in 2025 due to its popularity among partygoers. She hopes the city will become less crowded to allow travelers to enjoy its beaches and atmosphere without the constant party vibe. In the meantime, she suggests exploring quieter beach destinations like Asheville, North Carolina, or Rosemary Beach, Florida.
Paris, renowned for its iconic landmarks, often finds these attractions swarmed by tourists. The Louvre, originally designed for 4 million annual visitors, welcomed over 8 million in 2024. The museum’s director described visiting the landmark as a “physical ordeal” due to the crowds and building maintenance issues. To experience a different side of Paris, Mahnken recommended researching off-the-beaten-path restaurants, activities, and sights to uncover the city’s hidden gems such as vibrant neighborhoods, cozy cafés, and lesser-known museums like Musée des Arts Forains.
Finally, St. Barts has become a popular destination, requiring early planning for those wishing to visit the island.
Saint Barthélemy is undeniably stunning, but the allure of the island extends far beyond the typical photo opportunities found in popular locales such as Nikki Beach and Shellona. Cavazuti expressed her concern that the influx of breathtaking Instagram posts may be luring an excessive number of tourists, leading to challenges in securing hotel accommodations and dining reservations. “You now have to plan so far ahead — especially during festivals and spring break — that the sense of exclusivity can feel overwhelming,” she shared with Business Insider. While she hesitates to recommend booking a trip for this year, given the current difficulty in securing reservations, she encourages future visitors to venture beyond the well-known tourist hubs. Her top suggestions include exploring the island’s lesser-known areas by renting a Moke vehicle and experiencing the quaint charm of the Gyp Sea beach club. To delve deeper into her insights, visit the original article on Business Insider.
