Luke Durrell and his girlfriend didn’t expect them to cut their romantic getaway to Capri short, but the Italian island it felt less like an escape and more like a “stressful amusement park.”

The UK-based couple had planned a short visit to the Mediterranean island during their trip to Sorrento last May. They were delighted to see the iconic Blue Grotto and stroll through the charming streets. Since it was just before summer, Durrell knew Capri would be busy, but it ended up being “unbearable,” he told USA TODAY.

“The reality was completely different,” Durrell said. Cruise ship passengers were flooding the city and it felt like everything was packed and overpriced. “Even finding a place to sit seemed impossible,” he said. By lunchtime, the couple had had enough and took an early ferry back to Sorrento.

The experience completely changed Durrell’s perspective on travel. “Capri taught me that sometimes the hype isn’t worth it – and that peace and authenticity mean so much more than ticking off a postcard-worthy location,” he said.

Many travelers are fed up with destinations overrun with tourists. Half of travelers said they cut their trip short due to overcrowding, according to a newly released report. Duplicate Destinations Report by Cheapflights. Of the 2,000 travelers who responded to the August survey, 61% said crowding had a negative effect on their vacation experience, and 67% said too many tourists were becoming “the main source of stress” .

“With travel becoming more affordable and accessible than ever, some of the most popular destinations are seeing an increase in visitors,” Kayla DeLoache, travel trends expert at Cheapflights, said in a statement to USA TODAY. “It’s no secret that this popularity often leads to overcrowding, creating a challenge for travelers looking for a more secluded (and relaxing) experience.”

Think outside the box: How “detour destinations” offer you a new vision of classic travel

Instagram versus reality

These days, many people find their travel inspiration in these beautifully edited TikTok and Instagram posts. In 2023 investigation According to online travel agency eDreams, 48% of Americans said they visited or traveled somewhere after discovering it on social media. Not only does this cause an influx of visitors to the destinations – and blow up hidden places — but some travelers are realizing that the Instagram-worthy destination isn’t actually what it looks like online.

Charlotte Brown couldn’t wait to visit the Gili Islands during her recent trip to Bali after seeing it on Instagram — it seemed like “absolute paradise,” she told USA TODAY. She wanted to enjoy the beaches and see the many sea turtles that the islands are famous for.

It was a different story when she arrived. Instead of the romantic couple vibe she was looking for, the islands instead had a loud party scene. “The beaches weren’t as Instagram portrayed them either,” the London-based traveler said, adding that there was plastic everywhere. “It was built largely around tourists and has lost what I can imagine of its charm and travel appeal.”

Originally planning to stay four nights, Brown left the Gili Islands after just two nights, saying it was “a relief” to get away from the chaos.

“I would make sure to look outside of social media because it can cloud your judgment 100 percent,” Brown said.

How to avoid crowded destinations

Goodbye, Instagram. Now, Brown travels almost exclusively based on word of mouth, such as recommendations from friends and family, or after extensive research. She will also return to destinations she has enjoyed and “can count on.”

Durrell’s time in Capri led him to avoid must-see places, which matches the 63% of travelers who avoid popular destinations during peak season, according to the Cheapflights report. Instead, Durrell said he seeks out places off the beaten path or plans long trips to the same place “to really soak it in.”

Another option is to think outside the box. “One way to avoid crowds is to consider lesser-known destinations that can offer similar culture, scenery and ambiance to their traditional counterparts,” DeLoache said. “Not to mention, these hidden gems are often sold at a cheaper price. »

Here are some “dupe” destinations, according to Cheapflights:

• Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, instead of Lima, Peru

• Nuremberg, Germany, instead of Munich, Germany

• Liverpool, United Kingdom instead of London, United Kingdom

• Montpellier, France instead of Nice, France

• Philadelphia instead of Boston

• Memphis instead of New Orleans

• Boise instead of Colorado Springs, Colorado

• Durango instead of Anchorage

Planning a trip? Don’t let the destination fool you

This article was originally published on USA TODAY: Crowded destinations cause travelers to end their trip early