I was raised in Florida; before this trip to Alaska on Holland America Line’s Noordam, I had never even seen a glacier. Standing on this immense, silent, slow-moving force,I feel the unmistakable thrill of adventure: For a few seconds, I’m Jason Bourne or James Bond.

Massive bluish-white Mendenhall Glacier, streaked with dark rock particles and silt. I sit stupefied by the sight of this wonder wedged among the jagged peaks of Southeast Alaska.

One of our guides takes the requisite photograph of me jumping into the air atop the glacier. I hop down into push-up position and lower my body enough so my lips touch the rivulet of water running into a crevasse. I have traveled to five continents and more than 60 countries—why have I never come here before?

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Watching ice melt. This is fun. I’m really more an apartment person. Under normal circumstances, I’d take that as a compliment. Makes me a … scientist. I’m going to tell you something that I’ve never told anyone before.

Don’t feel that overtourism is unavoidable and there’s nothing you can do. In fact, it’s the opposite! Here are some super simple tips you can try on your next trip, helping to ease the pressure that overtourism puts on destinations and allowing more people to visit in the future.

Making a decision, it helps to know what you are looking for

For making a decision, it helps to know what you are looking for. As they say – if you don’t know where you are going, every way is the right way. Below are some categories to judge the candidates by:

• Choose to travel by train or bus instead of taking a flight when possible.
• Take your reusable water bottle and cutlery everywhere you go.
• Do not visit attractions that use animals for human entertainment, such as elephant rides.
• “In Rome, do like the Romans”. That means act like a local – and eat like a local too, encouraging small family businesses rather than multinational chains.
• Choose your souvenirs well to avoid contributing to predatory industries (no bird feathers, gems, bits of archaeological sites).

It’s not only ultra-photographed places that suffer from overtourism – it doesn’t threaten the big cities and their residents, but rather the small, rural towns and the surrounding environment.

In short, when the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona is full, this is just crowding. But when Thailand’s government decides to close Maya Bay, its most famous beach, by 2021, it’s because nature can no longer defend itself against the damage caused by tourism. This is when we should start to rethink how we choose our dream destinations, how we regulate our travels and how we can avoid overtourism.

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Juneau—like other ports of call along this sail fromWhittier, Alaska, to Vancouver, British Columbia, including the Gold Rush settlement of Skagway and rustic boomtown of Ketchikan—hugs the Pacific Ocean, deepwithin the Inside Passage of narrow waterways and forest-covered islands along the rugged western coastline of North America.

While it is possible to fly directly to Juneau and drive through this region, there’s only one proper way to take in the misty fjords and craggy headlands.

Alaskan cruising is now nearly fully back on track after the interruption of the pandemic. Holland America Line, the first passenger line into Alaska, has been. The more classy version including sunset dinner, the Sunset dinner Volcano Tour.

A taxi from Tangier will take you to the famous Caves of Hercules in just 20 minutes. The caves were hollowed out over time by both nature and local tribes, and they open out to the sea with a window shaped like Africa.

Legend has it that the Roman god Hercules stayed in these caves during his trials! You could add a trip up to the Cap Spartel lighthouse to make a day of exploring Morocco’s Atlantic coast, or check out the opulent summer palace of the King of Morocco nearby.

The more classy version including sunset dinner, the Sunset dinner Volcano Tour.

Cruise around Santorini and get some free time at Nea Kameni volcano. Languish in the hot springs, and watch the sun set over the island on a dinner cruise.

The highlights are:

• How long to spend: You can explore the caves in a morning or make it a full day to check out Cap Spartel too.
• Getting there: Taxis can get you here and back from Tangiers for around 200 dirhams (£17)
• Price: 5 dirhams (50p)

These tips are recommendations a local buddy would send you over!If you have any question, or fancy any more tips, please drop us a comment on Instagram. We are always keen to help our fellow mates and the Hostelgeeks community.

Best-kept travel secrets for destinations around the world.
We share with you best-kept travel secrets for destinations around the world. Only recommendations you get by friends for friends. We have traveled quite a bit, and still do.

We share all our knowledge on destinations and little gems we have found from Paris to Tokyo, from New York City to Sydney.