5 destinations you should avoid this summer

Are you not sure about your next travel destination? There are several highlight lists Top destinations of the yearBut there are also those who tell us where not to go! Overtourism, pollution, political instability, natural disasters… here are some places you should avoid traveling to in the coming months!

1. Paris, France: Beware of the Olympic Games

It will come as no surprise that the City of Lights will host the Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer, which will cause many headaches for tourists and residents alike. This unique event, which is expected to attract more than 11 million visitors, will make travel complicated and, above all, will guarantee additional expenses for your vacation in Paris.

First, increased security around popular attractions and the possibility of last-minute closures are expected. You'll also need to get a free QR code, a 'Games Pass', to access certain areas, unless of course you have a ticket to the Olympic events. We are talking here specifically about the banks of the Seine, from the Trocadero through the Grand Palais, the Champ-de-Mars, the Champs-Élysées, the Eiffel Tower, the Invalides, and many other places.

Then you will notice a tourist tax on the final bill for your hotel stay. Although this is usual, the amount for the latter has tripled for overnight stays during this period, which means a higher bill.

2. Bogotá, Colombia: Water shortages

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The Colombian capital located in the Andes mountain range is the most interesting to visit; However, for several weeks, severe water shortages have forced residents and visitors to reduce their consumption. In certain areas of the city, outages are so numerous and long that a tanker truck supplies water to establishments on demand. This failure is due to the El Niño climate phenomenon, which causes a significant decline in the capital’s reserves. Recently implemented measures result in water being cut off every 10 days in different areas of the city until levels return to normal, significantly impacting visitors and residents.

Other cities in Latin America and some popular islands around the world, such as Koh Samui in Thailand, appear to be suffering from the same type of shortage on a fairly widespread scale.

3. Venice, Italy: Too many visitors every day

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The famous and picturesque dog city, Venice, has been in the news for several years due to excessive tourism causing widespread discontent among its residents. In an attempt to counter this phenomenon, a new tax is being tested this summer for a selected 29 days between April and July. The entry fee applicable to the historic center of Venice is €5 and applies to day visitors. Authorities hope to reduce the number of tourists on peak days and encourage people to stay longer in the city. Also note that since 2021, cruise ships have been banned in the lake and must now dock in the artificial port.

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4. Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland: Intense volcanic activity

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A volcanic eruption is a magnificent natural spectacle and Iceland has seen more than one eruption, particularly on the Reykjanes Peninsula. There are 33 volcanoes considered active in the Land of Fire and Ice, with 6 eruptions in 3 years. Although the population is prepared for this type of phenomenon that is preceded by strong earthquakes, the recent volcanic eruption in February 2024 caused the closure of several roads and the famous Blue Lake.

Iceland remains open to tourists who want to explore its natural beauty, but the reality is that your trip may be disrupted by unexpected closures, flight delays and cancellations, and evacuations, if that becomes necessary.

5. Ibiza and Mallorca, Spain: The party's over

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Ibiza and Mallorca, popular party destinations, want to change things up. Since mid-May, the authorities have wanted to limit mass tourism and, above all, limit the numerous excesses caused by excessive alcohol consumption. In 2020, Happy hourWrite the activities Pub crawl 2-for-1 promotions on drinks have already been banned. The new rules now ban the sale of alcohol between 9:30pm and 8:30am, and also apply up to two kilometers from the coast, all with the aim of avoiding drunken parties on boats. Fines imposed on rebellious institutions or individuals range from €500 to €3,000. This may not be a reason to give up these wonderful islands, but the wise traveler deserves two!

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