[tayo42]

I actually travel a lot (compared to the typical person, maybe not compared the typical internet commenter that wants to one up me), and I kind of agree with you.

Going and just seeing things is a fairly shallow experience imo and leads to dull trips. Theres a lot more nuance to this then Im prepared to write about. I do think sightseeing is one of the shallowest things you can do and travel for, I think you are right for questioning it. Alot of people want to travel, but don't know how to do it and sight seeing is an easy default. I wouldn't be surprised that instagram and related are making this worse, where people just travel to see things because they don't know what else to do.

I went and read a bunch of Paul Theroux's books and it changed my idea of what travel should be. Travel and the destination you pick should have a purpose that's important to you.

Personally I find the beautiful nature to be a nice bonus to where ever im going. I enjoy a good hike, new scenery is cool to be in to some extent. If you plan a trip to lisbon, everyone guide will tell you to go to sintra, look at the castles. I found that to be one of the most underwhelming places Ive been, from the lines, to paying for everything, and the only thing to do was look at things I had no connection to, while being bussed around or walking. I got a few cool photos, but im not a photographer and no one cares about my photos.