The Not So Hot Spots

I did not click on your link. The daily mail is a questionable source for anything. Per wiki:
"The Daily Mail has been criticised for its unreliability, its printing of sensationalist and inaccurate scare stories about science and medical research,[17][18][19][20] and for instances of plagiarism and copyright infringement.[21][22][23][24] In February 2017, the English Wikipedia banned the use of the Daily Mail as a reliable source.[25][26][27]"

In Europe, I travel to places Rick Steves recommends!!!

Um, so this was by some luggage storage company and based in part from TikTok reviews. Color me unimpressed. The Taj Mahal and the Great Wall of China were included in that list. Why? Because they were crowded. Give me a break.

I'm not sure the actual content of the linked article was the main point of the post, but rather an opening for the topic of what makes you choose a place to travel to. The OP can correct me if I'm wrong about that.

As for why I pick the places I travel to, I agree with the OP - I pick places to visit based on my personal interests and my independent research, with some input from familiar people who have been there. I use travel guides (either persons or printed books) as part of my research but would never go somewhere simply because it was recommended by them, and that includes Rick Steves. I do share most of his reasons for and theories of travel to other parts of the world, but in my personal opinion some of his choices are overrated and I have no desire to go to those places.

And to the OP: I share your love of Great Smoky Mountains NP. When I first started traveling out of my home state (and that was many moons ago) it was on road trips (still a favorite mode of travel for me) Great Smoky Mtns was one of my first destinations and in my estimation it is a must see. But again, that's a personal opinion.

The Smoky Mountains are reportedly overrun these days; that's probably how the park ended up on the list.

I remember a few years ago an "influencer," who reminded everyone that she was a traveler and not a tourist, suggested that everyone should skip Rome because there were too many tourists.

The original post is full of contradictions. Not using others opinions for visit, then reading others opinions on the Smokies and disagreeing and then asking for others opinions.

David, it's the DailyFail. The article is just clickbait filler, we're not discussing the high art of journalism here but at least use a better source for a critique than Wikipedia.

I'm not sure the actual content of the linked article was the main point of the post, but rather an opening for the topic of what makes you choose a place to travel to. The OP can correct me if I'm wrong about that.

Um, so this was by some luggage storage company and based in part from TikTok reviews. Color me unimpressed. The Taj Mahal and the Great Wall of China were included in that list. Why? Because they were crowded. Give me a break.

Thank you Nancy.

And yes that's right it's a "top 10 list" sort of article based on the scrapping of poor reviews from social media which seems superficial. So, yes as Nancy pointed out my question was an opening to discuss why "you" might select a travel destination, but also, a question of "your" expectations. Is a person traveling to a destination because it's everyone else's must see, or the current popular/social media-popular hot spot. Or is the destination something that piques a personal interest. CJean -- right, Taj Mahal and the Great Wall are historically and culturally significant sites. I think we all understand that, but is that the case for every visitor? For those that complain about crowds, or it's too hot, the site/attraction is just average and so on, what was it that made "you" want to visit that site and what were "you" expecting?

Why does someone choose to visit Gettysburg? Is it because they have an understanding and appreciation for the importance and history of the battle and the site? The history of the 1863 battle? It's use as a WW1 training camp or WW2 POW camp? And when a visitor gives a poor review and is dismissive of the site, saying something such as, it was boring, crowded, just trees and fields so nothing to see.

Treemoss2 I'm having a hard time seeing your contradictions.