When you search for advice about where to go and what to do, you find thousands of voices ready to tell you what they loved. They show photos. They write passionate reviews. They say things like this is a must do or you absolutely have to see this. And they mean well. They want to share. But what they are really sharing is not a recommendation. It is a reflection of what worked for them.
Not for you.
The internet is full of confident suggestions that lack context. You do not know the personality behind the post. You do not know how they travel. You do not know if they value the same things you do. But you follow their advice anyway. Because they sound sure. Because they say it changed their life.
And then you go. And you feel nothing.
You stand in the same spot. You take the same picture. You try the same food. And it is fine. But it does not move you. You start wondering if something is wrong with you. Or if you missed the point. But really, the only thing you missed was alignment.
Because their travel was built around their needs. Their emotions. Their story. And unless that story overlaps with yours, their advice will always be off.
It is not bad advice. It is just not yours.
What travelers need is not more opinions. They need relevance. Not what worked for most people. What fits you. And that starts with asking better questions.
What are you hoping to feel on this trip? What kind of energy do you want around you? Do you need space, stimulation, structure, surprise? What kind of people do you enjoy being around? What kind of moments give you joy?
These are not things you can search for on a review site. They come from conversation. From being seen. From someone caring enough to understand your rhythm before offering a plan.
Most platforms skip this. They go straight to recommendations. Because it is faster. Easier. Scalable. But what you get is not tailored. It is convenient. And that is why most travel advice ends in disappointment. Because it was never about you.
Travel should not feel like living someone else’s script. It should feel like discovering your own version of a place. One that matches your pace. Your mood. Your priorities.
So the next time someone tells you where to go or what to do, ask yourself: is this about them, or about me? And if the answer is them, take it with care. Because good advice is not just about passion. It is about perspective.
And the best travel happens when someone helps you build your own.