Fuck the Eiffel Tower
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This email is NOT about Erika Eiffel and her marriage to the Eiffel Tower in 2007. People do be weird but to each their own. But it IS about super-popular tourist attractions. And here's the thing: they’re often like overhyped movies. Sure, the trailer looks great, but when you actually show up, it’s often just crowds, chaos, and a lingering sense of disappointment. Take Erika's spouse: the Eiffel Tower. It’s not Paris’s most romantic spot; it’s a stress test. You’ll wrestle your way through overpriced souvenirs, dodge a sea of selfie sticks, masterfully avoid a couple of organized scams (yeah, those ball and cup games are a scam run by an organized Romanian gypsy mafia), and stand in line so long you’ll start questioning your life choices. By the time you reach the top, the view barely feels worth the hassle (especially since it’s missing the one thing that makes the skyline iconic—the Eiffel Tower itself). All countries have their own super popular tourist attraction and in my limited experience, they never live up to expectations. A big reason is mass tourism and the fact that an unprecedented number of people travel in this day and age. But that's a topic for another day. I recently wrote an article about Hoi An - one of Vietnam's most famous towns. While it's undeniably charming - it's also such a lousy experience. Wall-to-wall tourists, relentless tailors trying to sell you a custom suit, overpriced everything, and scams galore. I experience severe cognitive dissonance - I want to recommend it so badly but I know it does not match the hype. I've scaled down my visits to popular attractions. They are never my most memorable moments. They are never the best a country has! In Hoi An, for example, venture just a bit outside the main drag, and you’ll find serene rice paddies, peaceful riverside cafés, and local markets that feel a world away from the chaos. The point? While the big-name spots might be on every bucket list, the best travel experiences often lie in the quiet, unexpected corners. Let the crowds have their Eiffel Towers and Hoi Ans, I will take hidden gems for 500. Happy wandering, Simon P.S. Visit Hoi An’s ancient town at sunrise. Fewer people, better photos, and a chance to see its beauty before the tour buses arrive. As for the Eiffel Tower: admire it from afar with a bottle of wine. Less stress, more vibes. My top travel resources:
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