The problem was never the bad pasta. It was what I expected before I sat down.
You Didn't Get Scammed. You Got Confused.
I have a sixth sense for tourist traps.
Not because I'm smart. Because I've been burned. A lot.
You know the feeling. You sit down, you order,
and somewhere between the menu and the bill a little voice goes off. Something's not right here.
For years I ignored that voice. Then I started asking why. That one habit taught me something I didn't expect.
The tourist trap was never the problem.
Tourist traps aren't bad at their job. They're great at it. We just misunderstand what they're selling.
They're not selling food. Food is the excuse. They're selling location. A table where the crowd already is. A view of the famous thing.
That's a real product. And sometimes it's exactly what you want.
The problem isn't the trap. It's the gap between what you expected and what you actually paid for.
Let me show you what I mean.
In Vienna there's a market called Naschmarkt. At the front, waiters wave you in. Big photo menus. "Traditional" food printed in five languages. It looks lively. It feels easy. You're paying for the spot and the buzz.
Walk a little deeper and everything changes. Lower prices. Better food. That's where the locals eat.
This is great!
I ate deeper in. Same market, a few minutes of walking, a completely different
meal.
Now here's the surprise. The front row isn't always wrong.
You've been on your feet all day. You're tired. You just need a bite and a place to sit for ten minutes. In that moment, the easy table with the view is a great deal. You're buying convenience, and convenience is worth
paying for sometimes.
The mistake isn't eating at the touristy spot. It's sitting down expecting the meal of your trip and getting a microwaved letdown.
So make the trade on purpose. That's the whole game.
A few quick tells, so you can read the room in seconds.
Someone waving you in from the sidewalk.
A menu that's mostly photos in five languages.
A spot right next to the landmark.
Not a single local inside.
None of these mean run. They just mean know what you're buying.
Want the local version? Use the two block rule. Walk two blocks off the main drag. The crowd thins, prices drop, and the food usually gets better. The good stuff almost always lives just past where everyone else stops.
The goal was never to avoid every tourist trap. It's to always know which one you're choosing, and why.
Sometimes you want the view. Sometimes you want the meal. Both are fine. Just don't let the place decide for you.
Pay attention to that little voice. It's smarter than you think.
Keep traveling,
Andrew
Be honest. Have you ever loved a touristy spot anyway? Which
one?
Cocktail of the Week
The Vieux Carré cocktail originated in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the 1930s, named after the French term for the "French Quarter," the city's historic district. This cocktail reflects the city's rich cultural blend, combining elements of French, Spanish, and American traditions, making it a classic representation of New Orleans' vibrant cocktail
scene.
Ingredients:
3/4 oz rye whiskey
3/4 oz cognac
3/4 oz sweet vermouth
1/4 oz Benedictine
2 dashes Peychaud's bitters
2 dashes Angostura
bitters
Lemon twist (for garnish)
Instructions:
Fill a mixing glass with ice.
Add the rye whiskey, cognac, sweet vermouth, Benedictine, Peychaud's bitters, and Angostura bitters.
Stir well until chilled.
Strain the mixture into a chilled Old Fashioned glass filled with ice.
Garnish with a lemon twist.
Random Travel Thought
You can never have enough USB cables.
Follow me on Instagram.
The Plug
Cheap flights:
Going.com: This might be the only discounted flights website you need.It’s a paid service that sends you notifications when deals become available, but they expire in a couple of days so Act Fast!!
Secret
Flying
🤫: This website emails you about free flight opportunities and even better… it doesn’t cost a thing!!
Skyscanner
:
An older, but still reliable website that’s also *FREE* so there’s no reason not to use it. Use the "Explore the World" feature and set your departure date to "Whole Month" to find the cheapest deals.
Insurance:
Safety
Wing
:
I use Safety Wing as my travel insurance because the plans are flexible. You can easily insure a 1-week trip for like $11 dollars which is less than the cost of a cocktail at the bar.
Travel Gear
Compression socks: Sitting for extended periods of time is not good for the body, so keep yourself healthy enough to go on more trips.Link
Apple AirTags: Consider getting Apple AirTags for the peace of mind of always knowing where your luggage is. Link
Smart Phone holder: It's a foldable sheet that can be used as a stand for your iPhone or iPad.Link
Packing cubes: Having a separate container works wonders for keeping
clothes wrinkle-free. It also makes packing/unpacking much easier.Link
Donut Power Strip: Power outlets are always in demand, but sometimes they're in weird spots. I use this bagel because it's lightweight, and I don't have to think about it.Link
Travel Case Organizer: Cable organizers can be a pain, but this is what I use to keep my cables organized. Link
Backup batteries: I like these backup batteries because they have three important components for me: 1. They have enough power to recharge my phone multiple times at once, 2. Are small enough to put in my pocket, and 3. Are sturdy enough to survive a fall. Link
Yoga Mat: I use this thin mat to get my stretching in even when I'm traveling. Link
Jump Rope: It's so easy to bring a jump rope with you for exercise because it
weighs almost nothing and takes up no space. Link
Liquid IV: Great for hydration to keep you from dying. When you're traveling, it's time to live it up! Link
*Above are Affiliate links at no additional cost to you.
