Backpacker warns against travelling to these ‘expensive and overrated’ popular holiday destinations – but does she have a point?
An Australian backpacker has revealed two popular travel destinations that she says are overrated.
Alex, 26, passing by @alexinsummer on TikTokis a travel content creator who documents her backpacking journey on social media.
She told viewers: 'These are the most overrated travel destinations. I'm so sorry if this ruins your travel plans, but I'm just here to help.”
Read on to find out which places TikToker thinks are overhyped and where you should go instead.
Alex, 26, who goes by @alexinsummer on TikTok, is a travel content creator who documents her backpacking journey on social media
El Nido, Philippines
Alex explained, “The first is El Nido in the Philippines. Don't get me wrong, I love the Philippines.
'It's beautiful, it has some blue water, but it's busy and to be honest it all looks a bit the same.
“It's also expensive, I think people who go to the Philippines are like 'oh my God', it's going to be a super cheap holiday just because it's in South East Asia.”
The Australian added: “Every person I have spoken to who has traveled to South East Asia has said that the Philippines minus Singapore is the most expensive South East Asian country they have ever traveled to.
“I'm so glad I went to the Philippines first, like a long trip in March, because I thought, these prices are kind of wild for what you get.”
But if you do go, she recommends exploring Coron via El Nido and is “really excited to go to Sirgoa”: “I heard it's just the most incredible place ever, so I'm definitely planning on going there to go.'
Alex, 26, who goes by @alexinsummer on TikTok, is a travel content creator who documents her backpacking journey on social media
One viewer commented: 'How different are the prices compared to Thailand, such as dining activities, bike rentals, etc.?' to which she replies: 'Thailand is much cheaper!'
Another added: “Currently in Siargao and unfortunately think it's super overrated.”
Meanwhile, someone else wrote: 'Personally, I really liked El Nido. Prices were good too'.
Paris, France
In the second video, Alex talks about the city of love: Paris.
She told viewers: 'Now I actually lived in Paris and this place still has a strange, healthy place in my heart.
'But it's not this beautiful, idyllic, romanticized place that many people assume.
'In winter it is grey, cold, windy and in summer I would say it is very beautiful, but it is completely packed.'
She added: 'There's no air conditioning, so have fun on the subway – there will be some interesting smells in the air and yes, of course it's dirty, it's a big city.
'I would say that Paris, like London, is going to give you a very different experience depending on how much money you have.
'Like I said, I still love Paris and I definitely recommend going. If you go, go in September or October.
'It's not too cold, it's not too hot, it's not that busy. It's really beautiful, so definitely go there, but don't be disappointed if everything you've imagined isn't in your head.'
It comes just after Paris was placed bottom of the table in the Which? overview of Great Britain's favorite European city trips.
The consumer champion asked more than 1,600 members to rate their experiences in 31 popular cities across Europe to compile the list.
Each venue was rated out of five based on seven criteria: food and drink, accommodation, cultural sites and attractions, shopping, ease of transport, lack of crowds and value for money. An overall customer score was calculated based on overall satisfaction and likelihood of recommendation.
Paris ranks low, scoring 79 percent in joint 12th place with Athens, while Krakow, Poland and Valencia, Spain share the crown with their 'impressive' scores of 92 percent.