Overcrowded Tourism in Italy
Jan 5, 2025. From a High-Speed Train from Rome to Firenze
It’s been a hectic week of travel. I dislike flights and transit, but my doctor spouse helps manage my anxiety with sleeping pills. I’m in Italy with my family, and after they leave, I’ll stay for an extra week to focus on more photography. I've been capturing street photos while sticking to the family’s schedule.
Overcrowded Tourism in Italy
In 2012, I visited Italy, and it's shocking how overcrowded it is with tourists now, along with increased costs due to the Rand’s drop against the Euro. There's a difference between tourists and travellers, in my opinion. Tourists rush from monument to monument, often taking selfies and posting on social media. Admittedly, I find myself doing that too. However, in the last two days, I've enjoyed more peace and great photo opportunities in quieter streets. I walked about 40 kilometres (25 miles), and while my feet are sore, I'm happy. The best photos have come when I sit down and observe. Over the next few weeks, it’ll be more walking for me. I carry two camera bodies and switch between them depending on what I want to capture, which is a shift from my usual landscape photography style that can take hours or even days for one shot.
To me, a true traveller seeks to understand a place's culture, history, and people, immersing themselves in the experience rather than just taking photos. While my wife often reads about our destinations, the rush remains. Rome, in particular, has become overwhelmingly crowded, with feet bumping, bags colliding, and long queues as everyone searches for the perfect selfie angle.
When my family is gone, I’ll stay in one place and explore at my own pace. I'll focus on content creation and crafting stories for my next video. I don’t believe I will be a traveller, though!
So, who do you want to be on your next travel? A tourist or a traveller?
PS: The shot below is candid. I didn’t pose. We didn’t take ten photos, and I am not choosing the best one. I was standing in that style randomly, and a passerby took this photo and sent it via email. The universe is random! I am not a tourist either!
Quote of the week: “The worst thing about being a tourist is having other tourists recognize you as a tourist.” – Russell Baker
Video of the week: How to find purpose and change in your life. A video I created a few weeks ago.
Kind regards
Muji
