You won't believe what I did this weekend - I went to an amazing Laotian New Year celebration! The street food vendors were serving up the most incredible dishes, and the whole celebration had such awesome energy! 🎉

Right here in my own backyard in the USA - who knew we had such cool cultural events!

Now I'm super excited to visit Laos someday - seeing this small taste of their culture made me want to experience the real deal!

There's a new travel trend I'm not sure you've heard much about — detour destinations. Instead of going to a major tourist hotspot like Paris, people are choosing to visit nearby cities that are less touristy and more authentic, like Reims. The goal is to avoid the chaos and get a more authentic experience.

I know travel means a lot to you. A trip can cost several thousand dollars, and the memories we make while traveling stay with us forever. That's why we want to make sure every trip is special.

So here's my take on the trend:

There's a reason why places like Paris are frequently visited. They have something worthwhile to see. So, I wouldn't necessarily assume that just because a place is touristy, it's bad.

But I get it.

Though popular spots often have sights worth seeing — they can feel inauthentic. At times, the experience may seem too fabricated, too polished. And let's not even get started on the crowds. Sometimes, I feel like an animal going to the slaughterhouse, just another number in the queue. While it's great to visit these sights, they rarely represent how people live.

However, things aren't always that simple.

On the other hand, don't think a place is automatically great just because locals hang out there. Take Kensington in Philly, for example. There's a good reason tourists stay away from that neighborhood. Sure, you'll get an "authentic" Philly experience — but maybe not the kind you're looking for. Keep your valuables at the hotel for that adventure!

So while detour destinations are great for seeing how locals really live, they're not the whole story. It really comes down to which areas you check out — and if you skip the popular spots completely, you'll miss out on some pretty incredible sights!

So, the big question is: how can I see amazing sights while still maintaining authentic experiences?

Which leads me to my next point.

Do both.

For those who know me personally, you might be thinking, "That's so Andrew," but hear me out.

Prioritize the touristy spots during the week, and visit the detour destinations later in the week and on the weekends.

Though still crowded, tourist spots will have fewer crowds and less chaos on weekdays. And things may actually be cheaper, like lodging.

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And stack on some other tricks, like choosing the shoulder season, going early, and getting reservations.

As the hordes of tourists invade during the weekend, you head to your detour destination to get authentic experiences.

Side note: Also, I found that going to these detour destinations during the weekend is better because the locals are off work. During the weekdays, these areas can be dead because they're working. Doesn't it sound nicer to enjoy the weekend with the locals?

Another side note: During planning, make sure everything you want to see is open during your visiting times.

In conclusion, things don't have to be mutually exclusive. You can do both. You can have authentic experiences while seeing amazing sights.

Just remember to visit touristy destinations during the weekdays when there are fewer crowds.

Keep traveling, 

Andrew

Have you ever visited a detour destination that surprised you more than the main attraction nearby?