Nothing.
I saw a post on another group defending the “well-trodden” path while also portraying negatively anyone that challenge that. It shouldn’t be an either-or mentality. It is totally fine to want to follow that well known tourist trail. It should also be fine to want something that differs from that.
“Well-trodden” vs “Off-the-beaten” Travel
As a travel planner, not native, but local living in and traveling around Portugal for 10 years I also approve of visiting the main sites and popular places, they are popular because they are worth it!
Its never about making someone feel bad for visiting these places, its about making people realise they don’t have to follow that same path and that there is more to Portugal than only these destinations. It is never about shaming people who choose to follow the usual, and best-tested route. It’s about recognising there is more than one type of traveler and sometimes people want to know what the other options are and how feesible it is to take a route not so known. Its 2026, and we can scout every inch of the country digitally, very few places are untouched by tourism or can really be considered as hidden-gems any more but there are places that feel less overwhelming to visit for first time travelers or those that don’t enjoy the sometimes hectic cities.
Sustainable Tourism in Portugal – Think Outside the Map
Additionally, and more importantly, it’s about sustainable tourism, sharing the wealth and protecting the culture- if the same places get all the tourism, the rest of the country misses out on the benefits that come with that.
Constantly pushing the same itinerary and sites, creates one view and one personality of Portugal when there are actually multiple.
Its about steering some of the huge numbers we have visiting Portugal to some lesser-known areas. Spread the love, share the culture and support local businesses in areas not only on the main tourist trail. While doing this we also protect those main sites from becoming overrun.
Human Travel Planning. No AI here.
What you see & read here is REAL. I don’t use ChatGP or other AI to write my travel guides or design itineraries. Travel is a human experience that requires all of the senses. It is impossible for AI to replicate that. Working with a human travel planner means working with someone who understands that travel is a highly unique and personal experience, not a ‘copy and paste’ job. All travel guides have been written by me from my own personal experiences. All the photos on this website are taken myself during my own travel. Nothing has been created using AI so you can trust what you are seeing actually exists.
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