For example, I’m traveling to Portland soon, and did you know there’s a llama farm where you can take a llama for a walk? It’s those unexpected experiences that often become the best travel stories.

Maybe it’s a secluded beach, a locally owned boutique, or a café tucked away on a quiet street. Discovering those places feels like finding your own little secret and deciding when (or if!) you want to share it with others.

I think many travelers enjoy visiting famous attractions, but it’s often the unexpected discoveries that become the highlight of the trip long after you return home.

What Is a Tourist Hotspot?

A tourist hotspot is a destination or attraction that draws large numbers of visitors. These are often the places people feel they have to visit to truly experience a destination.

Examples include:

• CN Tower – Toronto, Canada

• Space Needle – Seattle, Washington

• Eiffel Tower – Paris, France

• Colosseum – Rome, Italy

Why Are Tourist Hotspots Popular?

Tourist hotspots become popular for many reasons, including:

• Historical significance

• Cultural importance

• Social media exposure

• Bucket-list appeal

• Famous landmarks

• Easy accessibility

For many people, visiting these places creates an unforgettable “I’ve finally seen it!” moment. Seeing something you’ve only read about in books or watched in documentaries can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Tourist hotspots are also great for first-time visitors because they’re usually easy to navigate and surrounded by restaurants, hotels, tours, and transportation.

Things to Consider

While tourist hotspots are popular for good reason, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Crowds

Some attractions can become extremely busy depending on the day or time.

For example, the Grand Canyon attracts thousands of visitors, but because it’s so expansive, the crowds often feel spread out. Compare that to seeing the Mona Lisa at the Louvre in Paris, where you may find yourself waiting several minutes or longer, just to get close enough for a photo.

Peak Season

Traveling during peak season often means:

• Higher prices

• Larger crowds

• Longer wait times

Some attractions also require reservations well in advance.

When I visited the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London for the Harry Potter experience, tickets were timed because of the attraction’s popularity. I purchased mine two months in advance to make sure I could visit during my trip.

Planning ahead can make a huge difference.

Limited Time

If you’re traveling with a guided tour, your schedule may be planned for you.

You might only have 10–15 minutes at each stop before moving on to the next destination. If it’s crowded, you may spend part of that time waiting for the perfect photo before it’s your turn.

What Is a Hidden Gem?

Hidden gems are lesser-known places that don’t always appear on travel brochures or social media feeds.

They might be:

• A favorite local café

• A scenic hiking trail

• A boutique shop

• A quiet beach

• A neighborhood restaurant

• A viewpoint most tourists miss

These places often have an “if you know, you know” feeling.

For example, a destination may be known for one famous beach, while another beach just a few miles away offers the same beautiful scenery with fewer people.

Benefits of Hidden Gems

Hidden gems can offer:

• Fewer crowds

• More authentic experiences

• Opportunities to support local businesses

• A slower pace

• Unique scenery

• One-of-a-kind memories

Things to Consider

Hidden gems can also require a little more planning.

You may encounter:

• More research before your trip

• Limited public transportation

• Fewer accommodations nearby

• Seasonal operating hours

• Language barriers depending on the destination

Planning ahead can help make these experiences just as enjoyable as visiting famous attractions.

Which Type of Traveler Are You?

Ask yourself:

• Do you enjoy checking destinations off your bucket list?

• Do you prefer relaxing over sightseeing?

• Do you enjoy exploring on your own?

• Are you comfortable venturing beyond tourist areas?

• Do you prefer a structured itinerary or flexibility?

Why Not Enjoy Both?

Personally, I enjoy combining tourist hotspots with hidden gems.

I rarely visit the same destination twice because I love discovering new places, but I think the best trips include a little bit of everything.

One morning might be spent exploring a famous landmark, while the afternoon is spent relaxing at a local café, wandering through a neighborhood market, or finding a quiet park away from the crowds.

That balance helps me experience both the destination’s famous highlights and its local character.

Some great combinations include:

• Paris + Giverny

• Santorini + Naxos

• Banff + Kananaskis

• Rome + Tivoli

• Tokyo + Kamakura

Final Thoughts

Every traveler is different.

If you’re visiting a destination for the first time, the famous attractions are popular for a reason—they’re often worth experiencing. Once you’ve seen those highlights, consider setting aside time to discover the lesser-known places that make a destination unique.

Before planning your trip, think about your interests and what you hope to experience.

For me, travel is about adventure, trying something new, and stepping outside my comfort zone. Whether it’s visiting an iconic landmark or walking a llama on a farm in Oregon, the most memorable moments often happen when you least expect them.

Give me a destination, and I’m immediately opening Google Maps, reading travel blogs, watching TikTok videos, and making a list of places I don’t want to miss. For me, planning isn’t a chore, it’s part of the adventure.

Whenever I plan a multi-day trip, I start by asking myself a few simple questions:

• What makes this destination unique?

• What experiences can I only have here?

• Which attractions are truly worth it?

• Where do the locals spend their time?

From there, I start piecing everything together like a puzzle.

I group activities by neighborhood so I’m not wasting time driving back and forth across a city. I compare hotels based on location, research transportation options, estimate a budget, and even look into things like parking, weather, and whether reservations are needed.

I’ll admit, I’m someone who loves staying busy while traveling. I always tell myself I’ll leave plenty of downtime, but before I know it, my itinerary is packed because I want to see and experience as much as possible. I’m not a big foodie, so as long as there’s a nearby ice cream shop, I’m happy!

That said, I also know not everyone travels the way I do. Some people want a packed schedule, while others want plenty of time to relax by the pool or wander without a plan. One of the things I enjoy most about being a travel advisor is creating itineraries that reflect their travel style, not mine.

Before every trip, you’ll usually find me with way too many browser tabs open, my Notes app full of ideas, and Google Maps covered in saved locations.

Some people love the spontaneity of travel, and I completely understand the appeal. But for me, researching a destination is part of the excitement. By the time I arrive, I already feel connected to the place because I’ve spent weeks learning about it.

That’s one of the biggest reasons I became a travel advisor. I genuinely love the planning process, and there’s something incredibly rewarding about helping someone create a trip they’ll remember for years to come.

How do you like to travel? Are you someone who plans every detail, or do you prefer to figure it out as you go? I’d love to hear your approach.

I’m such a nervous flyer that I often introduce myself to the pilots before boarding and ask what the flight is expected to be like. Most of them are incredibly kind, and every once in a while they’ll even pull out their iPad to show me the weather radar or point out where we might experience turbulence. They always sound calm and confident, which definitely helps, but I still let the flight itself decide whether I can finally relax.

Despite my fear of flying, my love for travel has always been stronger.

I love experiencing different cultures, trying new foods, meeting people, and stepping outside my comfort zone. My favorite trips are a mix of iconic attractions and places only locals know about. I even try to blend in when I travel, from the way I dress to how I explore a destination.

One thing you’ll quickly learn about me is that I don’t know how to slow down.

My itineraries are always packed because I genuinely want to see and experience as much as possible. Even at home, if I tell myself I’m going to spend the day relaxing, it usually lasts about five minutes before I’m searching for a new hiking trail, museum, coffee shop, or weekend adventure.

Exploring is simply part of who I am.

I also love the planning process just as much as the trip itself. I’ll happily spend hours researching destinations, comparing hotels, watching travel videos, reading reviews, and figuring out how to fit everything into a carry-on. It’s something I genuinely enjoy, and that’s one of the biggest reasons I decided to become a travel advisor.

I’m also the person constantly searching for fun places to take my niece and two nephews because I love discovering somewhere new instead of visiting the same places over and over again. Curiosity has always been one of my favorite traits, and travel gives me endless opportunities to feed it.

Through Scenic Route Getaways, I’ll be sharing destination guides, travel itineraries, honest reviews, travel tips, and behind-the-scenes of building this business from the ground up. My hope is that my experiences help inspire your next adventure, or make planning it a little easier.

Whether you’re planning your first big trip, looking for destination ideas, or simply love talking about travel as much as I do, I’d love to connect. My inbox is always open, and I’m excited to build this community one adventure at a time.

Thanks for being here.

— Carolyn