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What to know about overtourism and Europe protests

What to know about overtourism and Europe protests

Travel Weekly2 days ago
Clockwise from top left: Tours editor Brinley Hineman, Miriam Martinez of Revigorate and Folo host Rebecca Tobin talk about overtourism concerns in Portugal, Spain and elsewhere in Europe.
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It's July, and despite what we're hearing about close-to-home travel, Americans are still headed to Europe in large numbers and to tourism hot spots like Venice, Barcelona, Greece and Lisbon. Many of these places have also been the sites of protests over tourism - in Barcelona, for example, protesters were again using water guns to spray visitors in an attempt to make their concerns known.
Travel advisor Miriam Martinez of the travel agency Revigorate, who works with and advises American clients, joins tours editor Brinley Hineman and host Rebecca Tobin to talk about whether travelers are concerned about overtourism protests and anti-tourism sentiment; how advisors and tour companies are packaging and selling lesser-visited destinations to travelers; and possible solutions to overcrowded cities.
This episode was recorded June 30 and has been edited for length and clarity.
Episode sponsor
This episode is sponsored by National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions
Related links
In Europe, tour operators and advisors plan around overtourism
Protesters spray tourists with water guns in Spain
Cruise industry navigates a new wave of port taxes
Revigorate
Previous Folo episodes
Is the term 'overtourism' being overused?
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Savoring a visit to Lyon, France's capital of gastronomy
Savoring a visit to Lyon, France's capital of gastronomy

Travel Weekly

time2 hours ago

  • Travel Weekly

Savoring a visit to Lyon, France's capital of gastronomy

The city of Lyon hosts the Lyon Street Food Festival every June, the largest culinary festival in France. The good news for foodies like myself, though, is that you don't need to attend that annual event to indulge in great cuisine -- it's on the menu in the city year-round. I learned that on my visit in March, which coincided with the Rendezvous en France trade show. Atout France, the marketing arm of the French Government Tourist Office, hosts it every year in a different part of the country to give travel industry partners a chance to get to know the various regions of the country. In the case of Lyon, the city's reputation precedes it. Known as France's gastronomic capital, Lyon boasts a whopping 17 Michelin-starred restaurants out of some 5,300 eateries, including the traditional bouchon Lyonnais brasseries, where authentic fare is served in cozy, unpretentious settings. In short, bring your appetite. Bocuse, a legendary French chef who was based in Lyon, is venerated in this food-centric city. Photo Credit: Felicity Long I started my culinary exploration of the city at the Halles Paul Bocuse, named for the iconic chef for whom the Bocuse d'Or championship -- think of it as a Super Bowl for chefs -- is named. Technically an indoor food market, the Halles is a destination in its own right, with 60 or so merchants selling everything from cheeses, oysters, baked goods and charcuterie to specialty foods and wine. There are restaurants in the Halles, most with just a few tables -- reservations are strongly encouraged -- and tiny shops filled with high-end, food-related souvenirs. Back in city center, I took advantage of it being shoulder season by dining at various spots in the city without a reservation, including snagging a sunny outdoor table at L'Institution for a long lunch. For visitors looking to try a local bouchon -- probably not the best choice for vegans, since meats and cheese feature heavily in the cuisine -- there are so many that the local tourist office suggests making sure the one you choose has Les Bouchons Lyonnaise certification. The Lumiere Museum, a little outside of the city center, is an homage to the brothers who created what is arguably the first motion picture 130 years ago. Photo Credit: Felicity Long Step away from the table As the capital of France's Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region, Lyon has so much more than great food to recommend it. Located at the junction of the Rhone and Saone rivers, the city's history stretches back more than two millennia, which is reflected in its art, culture and, most notably, its architecture. Probably the best way to explore it all is with the Lyon City Card, available for 24, 48, 72 or 96 hours and valid on virtually all modes of transportation and for entry to local museums and attractions. I used it on the funicular, which brought me to the ancient, hilltop Roman Amphitheater des Trois Gaules; on the easy-to-navigate metro, which took me from the medieval and Renaissance architecture of Old Town to the Confluence District, where the rivers meet; and on the bus for an exploration on the newly renovated Lumiere Museum. Film buffs will recognize the Lumiere brothers as the creators of what was arguably the first film 130 years ago this year. Called "Workers Leaving the Lumiere Factory," the 1895 film simply shows a steady stream of people walking toward the camera; but for viewers of the day, the technology was revolutionary. For a completely different side of culture, the Museum of Confluences on the Presqu'ile, the peninsula formed by the confluence of the two rivers -- eye-popping as much for its crystal-like exterior as for its exhibitions -- is marking its 10th anniversary with four new exhibitions. Don't miss the giant mammoth of Choulans, discovered in 1859 and said to date from the ice age. The Roman amphitheater is a reminder that the city's history goes back more than 2,000 years. Photo Credit: Felicity Long Hit the pavement A key attraction for visitors who like to do their sightseeing on foot is the network of traboules, covered passageways between buildings in Vieux Lyon, La Croix-Rousse hill and Presqu'ile. There are some 500 such passageways in the city, about 80 of which are open to the public from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. despite being privately owned. You can tour some of the most picturesque with a guide or go on your own with an app, but either way, the traboules offer a unique look into the behind-the-scenes life of the city. The city's menu of walking tours also includes visits to the historical canut district in the La Croix-Rousse section of the city, where in the 19th century, silk workers plied their trade in workshops that supplied some of the great fashion houses of the day. The Maison des Canuts is open to visitors and offers guided tours and weaving demonstrations. The Basilica Notre-Dame of Fourviere is accessible via funicular and dominates the city's skyline. Photo Credit: Felicity Long Sleeping in history You can tour the Grand Hotel-Dieu, a former hospital that dates from the Middle Ages and managed to survive and serve the wounded in two world wars. And overnight guests will find that the InterContinental Lyon -- Hotel Dieu offers more than just luxurious accommodations. The five-star property has various room and suite categories to choose from, most of which offer views of either the Rhone, the historical courtyard or the gardens. The property features a tony Cinq Mondes spa and fitness center, the Epona restaurant and Le Dome bar, both helmed by chef Mathieu Charrois and set in ornate interiors, courtesy of one of the largest private restorations of a historically classified site in France that took from 2013 to 2019 to complete. The property also features a location convenient to both Bellecour Square, where the tourist office is located, and Tete d'Or Park, billed as France's largest urban park. Getting to Lyon Most travelers visiting Lyon will likely transit through Paris, and while connecting flights are available and fairly frequent, the TGV InOui rail service only adds about an hour to the trip and is a lot more convenient and less expensive. The train departs Lyon from the downtown station and deposits travelers at the Gare de Lyon railway station, right in the heart of Paris.

I'm a Travel Writer From Rome, and Wearing These 10 Things in Italy Makes You Look Like a Tourist Without Fail
I'm a Travel Writer From Rome, and Wearing These 10 Things in Italy Makes You Look Like a Tourist Without Fail

Travel + Leisure

time4 hours ago

  • Travel + Leisure

I'm a Travel Writer From Rome, and Wearing These 10 Things in Italy Makes You Look Like a Tourist Without Fail

Growing up in Rome, I've naturally spent a lot of time around tourists. After all, the Eternal City is one of the world's most popular cities, and I've gotten used to sharing my home with the millions who visit it every year. That said, it's easy to spot the first-timers when I'm out and about, as they're usually making the same packing mistakes over and over again. While every Italian city is unique in its own ways, there are a couple of ways to avoid being marked as a tourist on your next trip to sample La Dolce Vita. To help you prepare for your next trip to the boot-shaped country, whether it's to Rome or elsewhere, I've compiled a short list of the 10 things not to pack, and what to bring instead to ensure a safe, comfortable, and memorable trip. Luckily for your vacation budget, these travel writer-approved picks start at just $28. Buon viaggio ! Wearing oversized backpacks is a big no-no in Italy. 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It's pretty common in the United States to wear shirts repping your favorite team, university, or hometown, but this isn't exactly common in Italy, with the exception of soccer jerseys. On your next trip, skip the logos and opt for something neutral yet breezy (psst: the easy-to-match tone makes it versatile to wear multiple times on your trip). Linen is the unofficial fabric of the summer, and both Italian men and women wear linen clothing during the hottest months of the year, whether they find themselves at the beach or in the city. This flowy option from Uniqlo is bound to keep you cool when sightseeing, and it doesn't hurt that it's pretty stylish, too. Running shoes may be comfortable and provide needed arch support, especially when sightseeing, but they're not exactly the most stylish option. Instead, you should opt for a more chic alternative that will still give you the proper support needed to walk 10,000 steps or more. 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There's no doubt that fanny packs are useful travel bags, but they're not always considered to be the most fashion-forward option. If you're traveling to Italy, you're going to want to invest in a compact yet stylish bag that can be worn both during the day and at night. One of my favorite handbags is the Ayoma Bag from sustainable and Travel + Leisure -loved brand Lo & Sons. The buttery-soft sheepskin leather bag is featherlight and can be worn three different ways: by a shorter top handle, over the shoulder, and as a crossbody. It has plenty of internal organizational features, including a zippered exterior pocket large enough to store an iPhone and even a small water bottle for easy access. The purse is also spacious enough to fit a smaller, compact digital camera, perfect for when you're sightseeing. Its sleek look is an elevated option to wear when sipping on a spritz at a rooftop or going to a nicer trattoria for dinner. In winding cities like Rome, you're going to want to have access to Google Maps on your phone to avoid getting lost. If you need service to stay in touch with friends and family or to navigate the city you're visiting, I recommend investing in a portable hotspot. The Simo Solis is one of T+L's favorite portable hotspots that we've tested for a couple of reasons: it includes a life plan of 1 GB of global data per month, works in more than 140 countries with no SIM card required, and features a compact and travel-friendly design. I've used this hotspot in Ireland, Cambodia, and Thailand, and it's always been reliable and speedy. Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.

How My Family Fell in Love With Ireland's Grand Hotels, Falconry, and the World's Best Bread and Butter
How My Family Fell in Love With Ireland's Grand Hotels, Falconry, and the World's Best Bread and Butter

Travel + Leisure

time5 hours ago

  • Travel + Leisure

How My Family Fell in Love With Ireland's Grand Hotels, Falconry, and the World's Best Bread and Butter

The older I get, the less shame I have. I'll think nothing of, say, falling asleep sitting upright on a bench at Dublin's National Botanic Garden, the day after an overnight flight from New York. (Jet lag, my old enemy, slayer of vacations.) 'Is it okay if we leave you here to nap for a while?' my husband, Caleb, asked. He and his mom, Suzanne, a lifelong gardener, had some herbaceous borders they wanted to investigate. Caleb and I are in our mid 50s; Suzanne is 79. She had flown to Dublin nonstop from Texas, but showed no signs of flagging. For our first family vacation in years, Caleb and I wanted to take Suzanne to Ireland, a country we had visited before and loved. I put myself in charge of booking our accommodations, and picked splurgy hotels. I told myself that Suzanne, being older, would be gratified by the comforts of these high-end properties. But of course, when I fantasized about the trip, the person I imagined enjoying those thick mattresses, rainfall showerheads, and no-brakes breakfast buffets was me. From left: The entry hall of Dublin's Merrion hotel; the hotel's garden. After arriving in Dublin, we checked in to the Merrion , which occupies four 18th-century town houses in the city center. ('One of the greats,' a travel-writing friend commented when I posted a photo of the hotel on Instagram.) Guest relations executive Alexandra Gingell, whom Suzanne immediately befriended, gave us a tour. I was especially eager to see the Merrion's famous art collection, a near-comprehensive survey of Irish painters. (The hotel even has an afternoon tea with pastries inspired by the works on the walls.) Gingell pointed out highlights, including the visionary landscapes of Jack B. Yeats, the poet's younger brother, and the semiabstract still lifes of William Scott, a favorite of mine. Over the next two days, Gingell would stop to chat with us whenever we passed through the lobby, making sure we had everything we needed and giving us recommendations; by the time we checked out, she and Suzanne were exchanging hugs. Dublin is an inherently cozy city. Its Georgian streets look like they've stepped out of a Christmas movie, and the Merrion is similarly cosseting. But the hotel never feels stuffy or claustrophobic, thanks to a springlike palette and a garden courtyard that fills the guest rooms and public spaces with light. On our first night, the three of us met a Dubliner friend for dinner in the Garden Room , which overlooks the courtyard and its statue of James Joyce. The low ceilings, deep banquettes, and intimate acoustics made conversation easy for Suzanne, who has hearing loss. The gallery hall at Dromoland Castle. 'I love being taken care of,' she told Timothy, our waiter, as he offered her an extra cushion for her back. 'That's what I'm here for,' he replied. After two nights in Dublin, we rented a car and drove southwest, to County Kerry. This was the rural Ireland I had longed to return to: green (it's a cliché to call Ireland green, but is there a word more accurate?), tranquil, seemingly populated only by sheep, who'll move out of the road at their own pace, thank you very much. We pulled up to our hotel, just outside the town of Kenmare, at dusk. With its illuminated windows and pathways, Sheen Falls Lodge beckoned like a fairy-tale village. Caleb and I had a suite with French doors that opened onto a view of the namesake falls, where the river Sheen tumbles down layers of rock into Kenmare Bay. I stretched out on the sofa to read in front of the fireplace and within minutes had drifted off to the murmur of the water. The author, right, with his husband and mother-in-law. Sheen Falls Lodge is only a few miles outside the Ring of Kerry, the 111-mile loop that traces the coastline of the relaveragh Peninsula. The Ring is so spectacularly scenic that in summer the road is backed up with tour buses. It was now September, and we were pleased to be missing the crowds. Still, we inched along. It took us most of a day to make it only a quarter of the way around. Was this the best vantage from which to see the lorn, majestic island Skellig Michael (otherwise known as the home of middle-aged Luke Skywalker in Star Wars: The Last Jedi )? No, wait: the view was even better a few hundred feet down the road. Happily, there were plenty of places to eat and take bathroom breaks along the way—the Lobster Bar & Restaurant in Waterville, we discovered, serves a terrific seafood pie. But by late afternoon, it became apparent to me that it's possible to max out on beauty. On Valentia Island, I let Caleb and Suzanne take in what must have been our 19th cliffside stop while I waited in the car. When we got back to Sheen Falls, not a little exhausted, the attentive Brian Richards, a member of the concierge team, thankfully offered to drive us into Kenmare for dinner so we could avoid any parking hassles. It was a relief, the next day, when the three of us agreed not to do any sightseeing whatsoever, and to instead meld into our Sheen Falls surroundings and each pick an activity available on the property. Caleb and I spent the morning, a misty one, with resident falconer Liam Kerry, who introduced us to Archie, an African spotted eagle-owl, and Erin, a Harris's hawk. (No, I'm not really flinching in the photos of Erin landing on my glove, ready to rip into a piece of raw chicken, her enormous, muscular wings flapping a little too close for comfort. It just looks like I am.) Later, as Caleb did some bird-watching on the grounds, Suzanne hiked the property's winding trails, and I briefly splashed around the indoor pool before sinking into the Jacuzzi. We ended our trip at Dromoland Castle , in County Clare, not far from Shannon Airport. As Jane O'Brien, the hotel historian, told us on a tour of the property, the land on which the castle stands belonged to the O'Brien family, which traces its lineage back to Brian Boru, Ireland's high king in the early 11th century. A first castle stood on the site as early as 1014; the one we were staying in dates from the early 1700s. Caleb and I stayed in a two-story suite, where all the romance and grandeur of medieval life was intact: it occupied a turret, with a living room below and a bedroom above. There were also castle-y quirks, like the fact that the hallways twisted and turned so much I kept getting lost. Since I value my sleep, I avoided Googling the words 'Dromoland Castle ghosts.' I didn't want to know. Horseback riding at Sheen Falls. O'Brien showed us the property's walled Renaissance garden, ablaze with deep red and burnished yellow blooms well into fall. Even I, botanical-garden napper, was impressed. 'What do you think of Dromoland?' I asked Suzanne. 'It's a happy fantasy,' she said. As our tour ended, she ducked into the spa for a facial and emerged glowing. That night we put on our least rumpled clothes for a chandelier-lit meal at the hotel's restaurant Earl of Thomond. The food was inventive, and a little witty. My incredibly tender salmon came with a peeled zucchini; when I cut into it, I found that it had been hollowed out and filled with yet more salmon. (I confess that the food that eclipsed all others on this trip, in this and all the other restaurants we visited, was Irish bread and butter. Caleb and I are now Kerrygold converts.) On our last day we headed an hour north, to a rocky region called the Burren, where limestone emerges from the ground in wavelike formations. At the Burren Perfumery, a homey complex of cottages seemingly in the middle of nowhere, we stocked up on souvenirs—naturally scented soaps and lotions with names like Atlantic Coast and Lost Garden—then decamped for lunch in its sunny tearooms. The menu is built around smoked mackerel, which is caught by a local fisherman and, I quickly discovered, puts all other smoked fish to shame. Soon our table overflowed with plates: more sweet brown soda bread and Irish butter, Irish cheeses, pickles, rhubarb salad. The simplest meal of our trip turned out to be the best. Back at Dromoland Castle that night, we tried to decide which of our three hotels had been our favorite. It was a three-way tie: each had charmed us in its own way. Nine months later, Caleb was visiting Suzanne at her home in Fort Worth. She was eager to show him some new potted plants on her back patio. 'Those are the ones we saw in Dublin,' she said, pointing to three varieties of coleus. She had been inspired at the botanical garden—while I was sleeping. A version of this story first appeared in the August 2025 issue of Travel + Leisure under the headline 'The Full Irish .'

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