A woman unknowingly backs up onto my foot to get the perfect shot of Palazzo Vecchio. In the middle of the road, a couple adorned with two big backpacks clutches a map and stares into the blue sky, looking for answers to the question, “where am I?”. Lines of people snake around streets more so than cars do. Prices rise on restaurant menus in the city center. It is tourist season in Florence.
All around the world, locations invade with tourists, willing and ready to explore somewhere for two weeks of vacation. The tourist versus traveler debate is a ridiculous one. As much as I complain about these tourists, as much as my feet ache from that woman ripping off my sandal, I am one of them. I am just staying a bit longer. I still can’t shake the attitude engulfing throughout me. Traveling in tourist season is really not so bad.
Prices rise. Hotels and hostels book up. Museums, galleries and concerts pack with people. Getting a moment’s peace in a tourist destination seems hard to come by. In Italy, Rome, Florence, and Venice become “pieno di turisti” or full of tourists, in particular this year with a plummeting euro. No one knows his or her way. Everything is looked at in wonder. After living in Florence in the low season when streets are deserted and lines dissipate, I have seen the two extremes. Which is better? You would think traveling in the low season. While I love the solace of Florence in winter and early spring, the tourist season of summer is really not so bad. If you are traveling this summer to a tourist spot or live in one, here are some reasons to embrace these people rather than complain of their existence.
1. You can always feel comfortable snapping photos.
I doubt I would be in the minority in saying that I don’t enjoy pulling out my camera and looking like “a tourist”. There are countless things I want to capture, but often times I shy away and resist. In Florence this summer, I am no longer shy when it comes to taking pictures for everyone around me is doing just that. Moments I have throughout the city are easily captured for all of the tourists doing the same mask my introverted tendencies.
2. You always fit in.
With the varying characters in Florence, passing in and out throughout June, July and August, everyone looks foreign. With bright red hair and pale skin, I tend to never be confused for an Italian or anything other than American or Irish. Regardless, I don’t stand out as much as I do in winter or spring in Italy. The city dresses with people from all walks of life, all skin colors, hair colors, and clothing choices. No one blends in so we all blend in. With all of the tourists, I don’t really feel out of place in the city that is not my home, just my temporary residence.
3. You are never alone.
Battling bouts with solo travel loneliness my first week here, I left my apartment and headed down the road. After a few minutes, I was met by hordes of people filling the streets. Restaurants and cafes were bursting. Piazzas teamed with people. Suddenly being alone left my mind. With so many visitors, I know I am not alone. Standing in crowded Piazza Signoria, the thrill of all of the people around me, bumping me, pushing their way around could be seen as annoying. However, with so many people in Florence, the city feels alive to me and I am a part of it. My solo travel loneliness takes a back seat.
4. You rediscover travel wonder all over again.
As I trailed behind a couple holding a map and looking lost, I creepily observed their faces. Every turn of the corner, every building, they stopped to admire. Sure, some don’t know what they are looking at, but if you live in a historical or noteworthy place, you may become immune to noticing just how remarkable the city is. Look at the faces of tourists. They are most likely ones of wonder and awe. They are appreciating what they see. I casually pass by the Boboli Gardens everyday. The massive Palazzo Pitti sits just down the road. Looking at tourists stop and stare makes me stop and stare at something I already have noticed. Travel involves revisiting places and revisiting the wonder that fills throughout those destinations. With tourists, I tend to not lose my travel innocence.
What do you like about traveling during tourist season? Anything?
Great Post, Suzy. I worked in Niagara Falls for the summer season which was a blast, but there were parts of town locals would try to avoid because the crowds of tourists were too big. But, that’s what made it fun.
Great points! However, I have to admit that I’m still a shoulder/off season traveler at heart. I’d rather deal with not-perfect weather, shorter opening hours and reduced schedules in order to avoid jacked up prices and mobbed everything. I also find that the locals begin to run out of patience the deeper one gets into tourist season and I’d rather be in a place during a time when the locals are happy to see a traveler, not dreading another influx off the bus. I guess that’s why I’m in Merida during the heat of summer!
What a great post! I’m also the sort of traveler who doesn’t really mind the tourist season in most places. I mean, sure, you’re going to sacrifice certain things traveling in the high season (time, money, etc.), but being “a tourist” isn’t always a bad thing. Sometimes all I want to do is go somewhere that’s ON the beaten path to try and appreciate it like everyone else.
I don’t buy into the whole traveler/tourist debate — as long as you’re getting out there and seeing new places and trying new things, then you’re a traveler in my book, no matter how you choose to go about it.
I guess what I like the best with traveling in tourist season is the weather. The weather is always the best in high/tourist season! 😉
I never knew about the traveler vs. tourist debate until I got into travel blogging, and I find it the most petty and pretentious argument next to “my dad is better than your dad.”
I don’t like to think of myself as a traveler or a tourist (if there really is any distinction, which, in my book, there isn’t)… rather a world explorer. I like to go to new places, eat new foods, meet new people, see new sights. That’s exactly what both travelers and tourists do. Let’s embrace it.
I still am a shoulder-season person. It is often too hot for me during the high tourist season and noone is around during complete off-season. Point 3 is the biggest reason for me to travel as close to the edge of the season as possible. I like having people around. People to talk to, to meet, to share stories with, even to travel alongside.
Ohhh how nice to find a post that actually PRAISES being a tourist! Love it!
Fantastic opening paragraph!
One, I love the redesign 🙂 Two, I totally agree with the photo thing. Whenever I feel embarrassed about pulling out my camera, I tell myself that everyone already thinks I’m a tourist–might as well live it up! Funny thing is I totally (inwardly) laugh at tourists who take pictures of their food at the restaurant where I work…and then do the exact same thing at a new restaurant!
Hi Suzy. This was a really interesting post. It never occurred to me to actually see the good in the fact that everywhere is crowded with tourists. A really interesting take on the tourists vs tourists idea. I put it in my Friday five segment as one of my favourite travel reads this week.
http://www.withsparkles.com/friday-five-my-favourite-travel-reads-this-week/
Hope things are lovely in Florence!
I loved this post! Something about traveling during tourist season is so exciting because there are so many people. We’ve been noticing all the things/clothes/activities/ expressions that tourist have and many times we are totally doing all of those things too. At some point, everyone is a tourist. We’ll be in Cinque Terre the first weekend in July if you want to take a train from Florence and meet up!! just saying- tourist season on the beach!
Good angle Suzy! We can get caught up with the whole tourist vs traveler debate, or just accept that both a foreigners looking and exploring a new place.
I’m totally with you on the camera snaps too, I always feel like everyone is watching me, thinking ‘what a tourist’ when I pull out the camera, especially the flash! But honestly, who cares, you’ll be the one to care later if you missed that memorable moment you wanted to capture.
Nice post. It certainly makes sense to see the good in it since you are there in high season, and all your points make perfect sense. I spent 2 Januaries in Florence and loved it in the winter. Sometimes we were the only tourists around at certain sights. On the other hand, it’s obviously cold and it gets dark early. At least in the summer you have more daylight hours to enjoy the city. Also, I went there in July once and it was a different place. One thing I liked was the street artists and more lively activity that I didn’t see there in the winter. Florence is what it is, so it’s better to embrace it no matter the number of tourists!
Good points! I live in San Francisco, and tourists are everywhere here all the time. Why not? SF is the most beautiful city in America!
What makes me HAPPY is knowing money is being spent in SF to help the economy.
Hope to see you around my site one day!
Best,
Sam