Santorini tourism: Instagram vs. reality. On Assignment | ITV News

[@TBrl8]

When the reason to go somewhere becomes your instagram feed, we have truly lost our way as a human race.

[@ynissim]

don't worry, soon those will consume some advanced AI combined with enhanced VR and take selfies while sitting on sofa eating chips. this is when those who really travel without Instagram account will roam the beautiful places on the planet.

[@TBrl8]

@@ynissim that should reduce the crowds on Santorini, I’m all for it.

[@Normalhumman]

I mean my philosophy in life is to not take any pictures at scenic places. It’s so freaking sad that best camera (eyes) are seeing nature through phones instead of seeing the damn thing without any tool. Drives me crazy

[@peterbutler256]

@@Normalhumman One of my hobbies is photography and it's something that I do when I'm hiking. However, I will see a beautiful spot and take some photos but then put the camera aside and enjoy the place for itself. I don't think I'm doing anything wrong by doing both. BTW, I take photos for my own pleasure and don't use social media

[@bambinaforever1402]

@@TBrl8yeah, they will search for food in hotel dumpsters then. Tourists is their only source of income

[@RainRemnant]

My favorite holiday is to get away from all that...

[@benconnolly4258]

🙌🏻

[@ghosthdel3098]

my brother have a greek gf and she have a small 2 bedrooms apartment in central santorini. For the month of June and july July she raked in around 4000E each month for renting it out. Thye both saving up to buy a villa in Thailand

[@RDCFemmes]

May be off season

[@astroboirap]

and sit at home in your own stench

[@luly2323]

My favorite holiday is to stay home and relax!

[@kristi9475]

Living your vacation through a damn screen. What a waste.

[@maureenparker4721]

So glad I went to Greece in 1979. No cellphones, no crowds. It’s all about the selfie these days instead of living in the moment and enjoying where you are.

[@moniquebrown9813]

i can so relate.....i was also there in 1979...perhaps we crossed paths....i had just arrived from from Paros....went to Santorini....up the other side on the cliffs by donkey.....and yes before cell phones......we sent beautiful postcards....i still have them....Wow....they were the good time.....

[@iphone8fan1]

Yet you commented on a social media website called KZbin makes no sense and ironic at the same time.

[@nueat6]

@maureenparker4721 sucks to be you Santorini was built in 1980. So you actually never seen this place in real life.

[@maureenparker4721]

@@nueat6 I did not go to Santorini. We spent most of our time on Rhodes. .

[@saythankyou111]

@@iphone8fan1it makes sense…I went to a concert last weekend,and people filmed it on their cameras but didn’t enjoy the event without the screen ….so to me they didn’t see it in real size.🇺🇸

[@Sepa234]

Airbnb has a lot to answer for. It’s too easy. The same patterns all over the world. Community displacement, availability of housing stock, affordability, tourism overloads etc etc

[@Mr.DudeLebowski]

100% agree. House prices and availability are going out of control.

[@blackmantis3130]

Airbnb doesn't force the house owners to sign up to their platform. Blame them

[@Mr.DudeLebowski]

@blackmantis3130 Not blaming the home owners because why wouldn't you with the prices they get. There needs to be more strict rules from a govt level as airbnb is basically allowing places to run like a hotel but without having the costs of a hotel. In Australia the prices airbnb are getting is crazy

[@blackmantis3130]

@@Mr.DudeLebowski again let repeat. Airbnb isn't forcing the home owners to sign up. They're exploiting the market due to their own greed . If they ignored Airbnb and simple maintained the prices there wouldn't be a problem.its the same logic as only fans.

[@Mr.DudeLebowski]

@blackmantis3130 again repeat not blaming people. People are generally greedy these days in a capitalist society. As I said I believe govt needs to step in but of course they won't because airbnb is a big Corp and governments work for them not the people now

[@Books-and-coffee0]

As a Greek, honestly there are far more beautiful islands, full of natural beauty and not destroyed by overtourism. I'd recommend the Ionian Islands although it's better to do your own research and find a place that suits you, not mindlessly following the crowds.

[@Mr.Eeeeeeeee]

Agreed. Crete is my favorite island. There are many smaller ones that are beautiful and low key.

[@tpop3723]

Shhhh🤫

[@holmes5517]

​@@tpop3723Exactly

[@chamlo11]

So true (won't tell you the other Greek Islands I love...will keep that to myself 😆).

[@teanns.7819]

please tell... help me out ! I am looking for a relaxing place , good beaches and nice resturants

[@RatluBoogerbag]

Imagine being so unsure of yourself that you have to spend thousands of pounds on a trip there just to seek validation from strangers on the internet.

[@eduardbernhuber6481]

So true👍

[@benconnolly4258]

Not everyone but I swear most people go away just to say to their followers I’m here 🙄look at me. Just enjoy it your surroundings, take the picture but you don’t have to take the photo and post it right away.

[@Pikestnt]

True! I went somewhere in India and took a photo. The person I was with offered to take another photo with me in it “in case people don’t believe you were actually there”. ….It was a motorcycle factory in Chennai. Who’d make up something that dull and if they don’t believe me, why would I care?

[@benconnolly4258]

@@Pikestnt definitely🙌🏻 That’s the thing in a 2024 world if you have no proof of where you went and have been it didn’t happen. I miss the late 1990s and early 2000s with the click 📷and you had to wait to come back from your holidays to get developed.

[@Pikestnt]

Yup - And of course another difference is that we rarely talk to someone in person - we mostly look at their social media feeds as a poor substitute. When you talk to someone directly, you can usually determine whether they really have been to the Arctic and seen the penguins 🤔. But people don’t. They just look at pretty pictures on FaceTok or InstaBook. Social media is a bit like sitting in a solitary confinement cell and tapping on the radiator to the person next door. It’s communication but nothing like the real thing. Still, if it’s making some Californian stupendously rich, it must be a good thing…🤔

[@lizabrown6458]

Airbnb - ruining local areas all over the world!

[@Answersonapostcard]

This video is more about people being unable to think for themselves.

[@bubblewrapvillain]

Social media and its consequences have been a disaster for the human race.

[@Bestofthebest383]

I am a private photographer for my wife . I am tired of this , I hate instagram

[@leedsman54]

Beautiful place but honestly, what’s the point when it heaves like that.

[@Liz-in8lu]

Totally agree. It loses its charm. Like Rome too I think.

[@djpeekay25]

we went in October, it wasn’t packed

[@JuliaSochnikova]

@@Liz-in8lu I's heartbreaking to see what Rome is now

[@razamughal4582]

​@@djpeekay25was it warm enough in october? and was it lively?

[@HabitualLine-Stepper]

@djpeekay25 You are still a part of the problem... You simply travelled when it was probably cheaper for you.

[@Gwenzzzfrifz]

These days it’s best to avoid popular areas in general - so many hidden gems around the world and even in your own country to be explored

[@elipotter369]

I agree. Though one day I want to take my family to see the islands I come from - and now I have to think about what days are the cruise ships going to be in and the summer crowds.

[@kiskaloo6843]

In you are around West Wales head to Newgale for the most incredible sunsets. The colours are stunning and best of all, there is hardly anyone there.

[@LeaTom-z1i]

@@kiskaloo6843So why are you telling everyone about it!!? 🙄

[@everithingoes7715]

@@LeaTom-z1i😂😂😂😂

[@fringe_minority]

​@LeaTom-z1i how else are we going to find about it?

[@spiritualmatterscda1309]

Sooooo sad for me to see this! I stayed on that beautiful island for several days in the mid-80s, and I can tell you that there were few tourists. It was wonderful to stroll down the streets, talk with the shop owners and drink wine in the evening without a care in the world. The Greek people were so lovely.... Breaks my heart to see so many travelers.

[@Beebee192-j7i]

It's a shame but it's a problem caused by the Greeks themselves. Selling their houses to become hotels or air bnb's and destroying their community and taking in huge fees from ships anchoring. If they were that intent on preserving their country from over tourism, measures would have been put in place to stop this kind of thing. They are too fond of the €€€ to stop this.

[@AlanSmith88888]

They need to ban cruise ships. It should be mandatory to stay overnight at the islands accommodations otherwise dont come.

[@lunatigannie8860]

Why

[@del_ecuras1836]

@@lunatigannie8860 to many people coming off the ships thousands

[@lunatigannie8860]

@@del_ecuras1836 but they spend so much right

[@nmpls]

@@lunatigannie8860 Cruise ship tourists spend very little money. They don't pay for accommodations and they eat/drink very little.

[@Bennybigballs24]

They need to ban humans. Be a grand spot then

[@half_dahlia3768]

As a Greek, I can tell you there are plenty other places in the country (and I say places because it could well be not just islands) where you can get "that" sunset.

[@wilsel1394]

Lead a life you don't need a holiday from.

[@jamesMartin23]

Holidays are not just taking a break from life. I feel its more about getting a different experience and just seeing the rest of the world while you have the chance.

[@jamesMartin23]

@marcosphilip8347 This is very true, which is why you should not take the slightest financial opportunity lightly.

[@LouisBane-g8v]

@@jamesMartin23 I agree with you, I had the opportunity to make an investment with mr. Christopher Scott, I'm so glad I didn't waste this opportunity because it changed my life.

[@NicoleAmmond-iw5ds]

Hello everyone, sorry to bother you, I can't leave without saying something, I am also in the financial market but unfortunately I never make a profit, Please comment. Can I get in touch with him?

[@LouisBane-g8v]

@@NicoleAmmond-iw5ds CHRISTOPHER SCOTT TRADING

[@johannesnicolaas]

I was once on Santorini, it was like hell. The whole island is covered with tourists houses and apartments. The original environment is destroyed beyond measure. So sad.

[@damnjustassignmeone]

There is over tourism, but saying it’s like hell is going a bit far. I was there last year. Not sure I’ll go back soon, but I did enjoy it. Too many cruise ships though.

[@Beebee192-j7i]

It's a shame the locals are happy to do that to their island,. It's like in Cornwall or Anglesey. Locals sell houses to the highest bidder, quite often outsiders. Then complain about how the entire area and culture has changed. Personal responsibility eventually needs to kick in.

[@bioold8925]

​@@damnjustassignmeonedo they still use donkeys to carry tourists up? Or have they finally built lifts in the rocks?

[@damnjustassignmeone]

@@bioold8925 Just donkeys I think. Don’t recall seeing lifts.

[@wintdkyo]

​@@damnjustassignmeonethey have lifts now, and most people take the lifts or, if they are energetic, walk all the way up or down.

[@catherinevane2958]

But not one mention of how the donkeys on the island are abused, for the sake of tourism 🥺

[@a.rivera4080]

What a disgrace to abuse animals 😢shame on them

[@goodgamewellplayed1165]

Won't somebody PLEASE think of the donkeys!

[@sequoyayosemite2771]

Ban Airbnb!

[@chronic2023]

Ban cruise ships.

[@bellosjt]

Ban left wretches

[@deanyoung7632]

@@sequoyayosemite2771 ban Instagram!!!

[@greyLeicester]

Ban both already!

[@damnjustassignmeone]

I stayed there for a few days last year. It was obvious that the biggest single issue was the cruise ships. They just overwhelm the island.

[@ocelotjazzz]

I worked in the Full Moon Bar, Perissa, Santorini summer of 2000. Best summer of my life!!!! Went back in 2014 and the island was swamped. Will go back again but will be off season for sure.

[@nolisarmiento1719]

1:22 "getting a holiday snap isn't just something you do when abroad...the photo is the thing...the whole reason for making the trip".......this is indeed true for many people....unfortunately many people nowadays travel just to impress others

[@timothyplatt3300]

The fact that someone can create a whole business around being a Instagram photo guide is a sad thing

[@amandahall4992]

Charging a fee hasn’t improved Venice. The answer everywhere this is a problem stop or limit airb&b and influencers.

[@vmoses1979]

The fee is too small. Raise high enough and many will stop coming especially daytrippers.

[@phosoa8965]

just like the London congestion charge, didn't improve anything

[@aidanoconnor7299]

I was in Santorini for a week. We stayed in Imerovigli and didn't see the need to go to Oia. Fira got uncomfortable when the cruise ship tours came in but had a great vibe in the evening. We got beautiful sunsets in Imerovigli as it's on a height but no crowds. There's plenty more to do on the island. Glad they showed the wine; we took a tour. And the historic sights are great - Akrotiri was unbelievable.

[@simmi7824]

I stayed in the same area and had the best sunset views, of the actual sunset!

[@dianapeek6936]

@@simmi7824 Doesn't the sun set in your country, it does in mine!!

[@evanr1784]

My family and I stayed at imerovigli as well for a week ,perfect view of the sunset and caldera but the area is expensive. The problem with crowds in Santorini is the cruise ships that come in with thousands of people disembarking at the same time and all doing the same thing . One day we drove to walk around Oia at around 2 in the afternoon and it was so crowded because of 1 cruise ship that all the streets and alleys were packed like cans of sardines. All the garbage receptacles were filled and overflowing. And there are days when sometimes up to 5 cruise ships arrive in the same day. Only good thing about the cruise passengers is that by late afternoon they are all gone . The best solution to prevent overcrowding is to severely limit the amount of cruise ships or ban them outright from docking in Santorini.

[@passionatesingle]

My first trip to Santorini was in 1979,my second in 1987 and since 1990 I have been another 12 times but never in August. You just need to avoid certain months if you don't mind not swimming or sunbathing. I have even been in winter. Only difference is you cannot sit outside in the evenings after late sept till early may.

[@joane24]

you cannot sit outside sep - may because of the weather or because it's not allowed?

[@apollonialazou6404]

What are you talking about? You can absolutely sit outside in the evenings ! I was there early Oct sitting outdoors everywhere. It was around 25c every day - I was in summer clothes the whole time

[@Answersonapostcard]

Don't you want to go and visit somewhere else though?

[@Kowsilla]

uu o no no 😅œ no no no​@@apollonialazou6404

[@del_ecuras1836]

Could never go there so sad it’s far to crowded

[@passionatesingle]

You go off-season.

[@chrysalis4126]

It wasn't that crowded when I went ten years ago and that was in the July. May would be a lovely month to go, less crowds and still warm and sunny.

[@astroboirap]

try going to the bathroom first you filthy animal

[@chamlo11]

Visit for a few days, ideally off-season. Santorini has a huge issue with daytrippers (cruise guests), but if you stay after sunset, there are fewer people, but still beautiful.

[@KD-xo2fx]

shocking that Instagram can create such a vacuous population.

[@Herbert-dy1uf]

I went in the winter time. It was very cold and windy and many of the shops were closed; a bit like a ghost town. But it was peaceful, there were clear blue skies and there was hardly anybody there. I got to watch the most spectacular sunset without all the insta-junkies crowding around desperately trying to get the perfect selfie for the gram. After seeing this, I'm grateful for going in the winter instead of summer. Was no doubt cheaper too.

[@mashenka6189]

Ban Airbnb. Problem solved

[@astroboirap]

no

[@e.taylor8677]

Tour ships are much worse. Drop off 1000s just for an afternoon walk.

[@pathnottookforkintheroad]

@@e.taylor8677airbnb’s complicate the availability of housing for locals though.

[@Answersonapostcard]

That won't make people think for themselves again

[@iphone8fan1]

What if someone started a online petition to unban AirBnb what will happen?

[@waddon1]

I did some of my university work on tourism in Santorini and can definitely say that mass tourism has taken over these islands and the size of crowds are ridiculous. Potentially dangerous due to the position of these areas on the cliffs. One day there is gonna be an accident and people will die.

[@del_ecuras1836]

@@waddon1 ban the cruise ships

[@astroboirap]

who cares

[@richarddutchholland4780]

I live in South Wales and I visit West Wales in the winter, I walk the beaches and cliffs in the cold and rain and I love it, no crowds and no problems

[@ritadonnelly8820]

sounds lovely ❤

[@richarddutchholland4780]

@@ritadonnelly8820 it’s incredible to walk empty coastline in the winter, especially if the sea is rough…

[@dianapeek6936]

Does it have the bloody sunset they all clamber for. I think not, but who cares.

[@richarddutchholland4780]

@@dianapeek6936 I’ve been lucky enough to have travelled the world when I was younger with work, still to this day the best sunrises and sunsets I’ve ever seen is on my journey to and from work. I’m lucky enough to commute every day to work on the A4061 and A4107 over the Bwlch Mountain….

[@xx-wp3mq]

Are you crazy? The Pembrokeshire coast is rammed in the summer. Parking charges for many beaches still have people queing for places like Blue Lagoon.

[@WahChingU]

I recently visited my old home town on the other side of the world, which is now a cruise ship destination. Speaking to shopkeepers I was shocked to learn that shoplifting goes up hugely when the ships are in port

[@neillambert8713]

I went to Santorini in 1983 and it was crowded then. Not the instagram generation but still very busy.

[@Hedgehogsinthemist123]

Really? I went in 87. There was hardly anyone there.

[@GKP999]

I rarely take photos if myself when I go on a holiday because I rarely look at the photos. Even when I do, after sometime, I fordet about them. Life moves forward. While I have the urge to capture the moment, I know it is more meaningful to experience the present.

[@AlexM-t6h]

When you get old, you will probably want to look at old photos and memories, and you will regret not taking photos.

[@GKP999]

@user-ii3eu6xd8h The way I see it is, I will recall the memories that are most memorable. The ones that my mind cannot recall, I just have to let them go. The most important thing is to try to live each day to the fullest and be honest with myself so I have few regrets in my life.

[@EaAsThailand]

Going to show this to my wife, not that she'll listen 😦

[@emilysharpe5865]

I’ve been to Santorini twice. The first time was 2021, a break in covid. It was fantastic. Me and my friend had an amazing time and truly fell in love with the island. Came back in 2022 and hated it! So busy, the food was so much worse, the staff were rushed etc. Now travelling is easier, I would ALWAYS recommend staying in other islands in the Cyclades. Syros and Milos are some of my favourites ❤

[@madhumithakumar5102]

Charging a fee isn’t going to deter these tourists. If they have the money to travel to another country, surely they have the money to pay the fee. Restricting numbers is the only way, not just in Greece but everywhere else too.

[@sutats]

Overtourism is a global problem and will only tick upwards with the ever increasing annual air passenger numbers.

[@dianapeek6936]

Cheap air fares, cheap hotels and cheap people. looking for cheap tatty odds and sods to take back.

[@jasminluckas]

Tourism should be limited in all countries!

[@holmes5517]

Banned would be better.

[@stevo8164]

with C02 buget🤣

[@iphone8fan1]

@@holmes5517don’t ban tourists countries need tourism to support local businesses.

[@filipepedro8272]

No. Thank you. Greece has far better and bearable islands

[@desertbluesplaylist7550]

Yes and beautiful

[@josephj6521]

True.

[@VonRix]

All these are cruise ship passangers. You are always going to have many people on the island, but those unbearable crowds whe talk about when the talk about over tourism, it’s always cruise ship passangers. So it’s the cruise ships that need to be curbed. Not hotels. Or airbnb. They are looking completely wrong direction.

[@josephj6521]

I noticed the same. Thira is unbearable but the other villages are almost deserted! Cruise ships are definitely an issue.

[@kar460]

Shouldn't be that hard to figure it out. Apparently, it is 🤦‍♂️

[@tracywyman9887]

I’m so glad I got to experience the island before the renovations, before instagram and overtourism.

[@___beyondhorizon4664]

It's good to see rick Stein in this report. I missed his Mediterranean cooking episodes, it was so well done, including the music! I was lucky enough to visit Santorini 3 times, first visit was September 2010, jan 2014 and May 2016. Each visit was off season, so i didn't have to fight the crowds too much. There was very few tourists in Jan, but it was raining for few days. Santorini is still my favorite island, but i also fell in love with Rhodes Island! Both are very different but so stunning. Crete also has it's own history and charm, Channa is like a little Venice. I refused to visit mikonos the party island.

[@dianapeek6936]

I love Crete, but were I stay is a secret!!

[@petek5523]

I’m so glad I visited the Greek islands in the 70’s and 80’s, wouldn’t dare set foot in there now, very sad state 😢

[@tyxeri48]

It's not like this on the shoulder period.

[@lizabrown6458]

Some Islands are still pleasantly calm and tranquil especially in shoulder seasons.

[@petek5523]

You gotta be careful that everything doesn’t shut down before you get there 😅

[@comet315]

There are still many more quiet, beautiful and unspoilt islands in Greece that nobody knows about. You just need to know where to go.

[@AnotherHipster]

I'm not sure entry charges would make a difference anywhere, everyone has €5 or €10 euros to spend on holiday or in daily life it just isn't a barrier for anyone and nobody would be phased by it

[@josephj6521]

Agree. It’s also the most expensive island to find accommodation! Making it more expensive will drive away more people so the wealthy can have their fun.

[@Santiaki.Santorini]

Im a local guide, and the problem is the misinformation around the island, to enjoy each place you must to go at the right time to each place

[@Answersonapostcard]

People have lost all individuality. They can no longer think for themselves, they can only be guided by social media and mainstream media.

[@jamesbissonette]

Same with all other popular destinations - capri, Madeira, Venice, Dubrovnik, Belgrade

[@xdrummer333]

Belgrade?

[@AlexM-t6h]

@@xdrummer333 Although Belgrade has seen a steady rise in the number of tourists year after year, it is not over-touristy, not yet.... so Belgrade is fine to visit.

[@xdrummer333]

@@AlexM-t6h that is exactly what I meant, I don't get it why it was included in the above list.

Hello to all Mediterranean friends from Croatia. I hope we manage to somehow reverse this trend and manage to preserve the beauty and peace of these beautiful places the way it was handed to us by our ancestors

[@lessismore6549]

The Cruiseship industry is the worst, absolutely not sustainable and polluting.😢

[@dbabini1]

As a truck driver I see beautiful sunsets all the time. As a matter of fact I saw one yesterday, it was a brilliant crimson red color. I felt blessed driving into that sunset, and I didn't have to spend $5k for it.

[@julierussell5773]

I'm so glad I visited and stayed on Santorini many times over 30 years ago. Back then it truly was a paradise. It is so sad how humans destroy everything we touch😢

[@solinvictus6587]

These days most of the people travel only to find a nice backgroundto their selfies. The level of narcissism today is beyond comprehension.

[@ClassicGolfSwings]

Was there 30 years ago. Nice and quiet 😊

[@realitychica5043]

I visited Santorini 30 years ago when it was quiet, other European cities as well. Glad I saw all of it b4 being ruined.

[@4seeableTV]

I've never wanted to be a lemming. The need to do what everyone else is doing. When I travel, I like to do so as a local in the area, avoiding the crowded tourist spots. Maybe I'll miss the flavor-of-the-moment photo op, but I'll sure as hell enjoy my vacation more than the lemmings did.

[@Hedgehogsinthemist123]

All those crowds of people. That’s just crazy and frankly, not very pleasant. I went there in 1987. There was nobody there. Had the place to myself. There was nothing much there. Just a few bars and restaurants. I remember standing there looking at the views on my own (and my hub) with a bottle of beer. It was lovely, but extremely basic. There were no posh hotels, just b&b pension apartments. The weather was spectacular. I’m glad I went then. Wouldn’t want to go now.

[@jkkchow74]

Hmm. I went in winter it was empty. Lol I enjoyed it

[@Onedayatatimewithmercy]

Thanks for making this video

[@AlanSmith88888]

Can confirm. Went there almost 10 years ago and it was already an absolute meat market during sunset. Both in Fira and Oia. Beautiful place though. But just try not to go during peak season and you might want to pay a bit more for a hotel with a view to avoid jostling with the crowds on the public street.

[@dianapeek6936]

What is so special about the sun. Its comes and goes where you live for crying out loud.

[@liam.mcdowell]

Make it harder to get to. No cruise ships; more expensive and less frequent flights. Push out the budget airlines and reduce international arrivals. Reduce frequency of ferries from Athens.

[@thepluggedinmama]

I live in the algarve portugal and in relation to long term property rental, we are experiencing the same thing ☹️🙃

[@benj6244]

After visiting last year, we were so glad we didn't book an apartment in Fira or Oia. We stayed in a gorgeous place far out of town and used an ATV to travel the island where you could visit the quieter spots. It depends on what is important to you as a holiday maker, the daft Instagram shot or actually experiencing the island. Unfortunately for most, it's the former!

[@fellspoint9364]

So glad I was there forty years ago when it was still unspoiled and beautiful.

[@Afficionadoh]

that's when we went; sadly I went down with a raging throat and chest virus. But it was such a beautiful island and setting.

[@dianapeek6936]

And had a bit of class????

[@hanyasvagytediszno]

This is why I became a kayaker 3 years ago. It immediately allows you step out of civilization and the hoards are unable to follow you, and I can access the most beautiful places few people ever have seen before. Fed up with mass tourism.

[@andrewwilson5722]

That looks like a nightmare to me not a holiday.

[@leechapman-ri9rb]

I spent a pleasant month in Santorini back in 2009. I never took a single photo nor did I take any interest in no sunset. I have my memories and they're very clear.

[@RockstahRolln]

This is just AWFUL. Instagram and social media have ruined travel.

[@Answersonapostcard]

people that use them have

[@peterbedford2610]

Went here in May...very light crowds

[@kiskaloo6843]

I've been going to Walt Disney World for two decades and it has become a theme park version of places like Santorini. Just look at the ages of many of those wandering around Santorini, young people who are only interested in social media likes, those photos, once on their Instagram or Facebook page become of zero interest to them, photos are no longer memories of a lovely day or trip. Going back to Disney, the amount of those young people with no children who come to the parks has exploded in the last 10 years, they come to create content for their social media and indulge in thoughtless, selfish and dangerous behaviour to get that 'money shot', Disney exploit that with 'experiences' that cost silly money while no longer providing the 'magical' experience. You pay $80 per adult to have a 'character' meal so you can have one or two photos with a Disney character and mediocre food. Many a time I've sat watching people treat a meal like a fashion shoot, all to plonk on their attention seeking social media for complete strangers to see. By the way, if you want to see a spectacular sunset just go to Newgale Hill in Pembrokeshire, park in the empty parking areas either side of the road and snap away to your heart's content.

[@Answersonapostcard]

Disney seems really weird and hellish

[@Chezombie]

Perhaps the answer to this is to introduce a ticket style travel system for British citizens?. So there is a finite number of people who can fly to certain destinations in a certain time frame, once all the 'tickets' are gone, you have to wait for another slot at another time if you want to travel to certain places. So say no more than a certain number of tourists can be in that location in one week. Drastically restrict overseas 'holiday homes' and place restrictions on how often they can be let per year. I feel sorry for the people living in places like Santorini, imagine just going about your daily life and having to battle your way through throngs of foreign tourists.

[@karenmbbaxter]

Although I haven't been there myself, other youtubers have shown that you can still stay on this island fairly affordably as long as you are not seeking the sea view. There are Greek style villas with a lovely pool in the center of them that still have that casual style about them......THE ONLY DIFFERENCE is you don't have the sea view.......So considering visiting the town without actually staying there.

[@8888swatt]

We went in 2003 and again in 2023. There wasn't that much difference in building development that we noticed (other than a lot more use of white paint) but the massive cruise ships and passenger arrivals was a dramatic change - the cable car was doing a roaring business and consequently the town was choked with people. The other thing we noticed were drones being used during the sunset that distracted with their noise and spoiled the ambience of the whole experience.

[@Fuxser]

Im glad my family took me there in 2007 before the instagram era. Same with Bali in 2003, almost co tourists and now its stacked. Great memories that will not be possible again…

[@alextrevelian]

It was a day trip from Crete but we did our part, visiting the local maritime museum and a local restaurant. I would gladly had spend hotel, dinner and breakfast if that didn’t meant losing a hotel night somewhere else.

[@jfxvj-k2t]

thats really problematic for the locals cause of over tourism..😢😢😢😢

[@SimplySheilaB]

Antisocial media and influencer culture is to blame. 😢

[@Marianayellowbanana]

Ive been meditating and fasting more. Went to the lake today and for the first time didnt take one picture. I didnt realize it til we left. I was present in the moment and made some of my favorite memories today.

[@Nousmourronsseuls]

They are the sheep, the people with no imagination, no taste, no appreciation of beauty, narcissistic to the core. Fortunately, we are not all like that.

[@jenniferjuniper12]

I’ve been. It was quiet and romantic. It was not crowded like this shown here.

[@DeEmperor1]

YES. Too much of a good thing is bad. That's exactly why you saw Barcelonaians get mad at tourists.

[@AlexM-t6h]

They took it too far with the water guns, though.

[@bigg841]

I usually just use the airport but this year missed ferry and stuck overnight. The worst tourist trap ever . Horrible place.

[@paulgilliland2992]

Capri Island is just as busy as Santorini . I’ve travelled to both places in 2105 and 2017 . It was bad even then .

[@infjay8700]

Wow.. Time traveller ! 😂 was it still crowded?

[@ZZ-oc2eb]

I feel bad but then I just watched a euronews about a village in Greece’s. Over 80% of ppl left for big Greek cities, other European countries, or the US like 6 couples did. Greece needs to expand their economy and maybe leans towards an industrial base economy where companies come and set up factories or something. For something to alleviate the tourism economy and consequences of it.

[@suzanneblaylock9598]

Grateful I visited Santorini backpacking in 1986. It was empty and wonderful. I feel lucky.

[@Blue24Osprey]

Wow - it looks like the most hellish place to visit, like sardines in a people can. Never would go there.

[@davefish8107]

I was lucky enough to have been there 35 years ago. I thought it was crowded then but now it looks like hell

[@djchrisroxx]

I spent 4 days in Santorini this August, it wasn’t excessively busy. It was busy but comfortable. Visited to Crete right after for 3 days and it wasn’t busy at all. Go there if you don’t like crowds. Following Crete I went to Mykonos for 4 days and it was busy, but not to a point that it wasn’t enjoyable.

[@slamanilao125]

I was in Santorini a few days ago and to say that it is overrun by tourists is an understatement.

[@stayuntilforever]

I'm so glad I don't have Instagram and travel to places where I want to travel, mostly away from people

[@iphone8fan1]

I wish you have a instagram page and travel the world and post it on the platform.

[@stayuntilforever]

@@iphone8fan1 nahhhh. I rather print my photographs rather than turn them to digital dust.

[@iphone8fan1]

@@stayuntilforever but it uses a lot of paper and paper came from trees and it is harmful to the environment.

[@stayuntilforever]

@@iphone8fan1 I think an iPhone creates way more damage to Nature, than a few paper prints.. The cost of Shipping, the plastic, batteries and waste etc 75kg of carbon emissions during an average lifetime of an iphone. That equals 1500 large prints on paper. Something I won't do in a lifetime. But most people have already gone through 5 iPhones.

[@CeravvvEgan]

So glad I got to go 14 years ago when it was not like that at all.

[@AlexM-t6h]

I visited Venice and Santorini when it was not as crowded...no social media or maybe Facebook was just starting back then... It was more pleasant.

[@blakeaaron5698]

Sad… what happened to just living and enjoying the moment? 😢

[@sun2020able]

I will avoid crowded tourists spots . period. If I don't find one,so be it and sit in home and relax in my garden

[@Banyo__]

Reminds me of New Orleans. We were in the Treme in an airbnb and walking to the Quarter, every single house for blocks were airbnb rentals which by law had to display notice in their windows, which is how we knew. Youve got a few people just buying up whole neighborhoods and the government saying as long as we get our cut who cares about destroying the fabric of the community. And they know what they are doing out pricing local hotels, so of course where did we book...part of the problem and no solution but hey free market is what everyone will default to.

[@lanehartwell]

I visited Santorini in the fall of 1993. It was mostly empty of tourists and we were able to rent one of the cute little rooms in the hillside with a patio that looked out over the water and the rest of the cliff. Occasionally some local with a brochure would tell us we had to go here or there to see this or that and we were like, no thanks, we just want to relax on our patio, watch the sun go down and relax.

[@exploreconmigo9090]

Great video! ❤

[@I_like_YT_lots]

The easiest to do is limit numbers plus implement visitors tax on them. The tax will be used to support local key workers for food and accommodations so the local people can still enjoy their well deserved services. Peak season, issue paying tickets (with time limits) in certain viewing spots to minimise crowding. I love the island and the people and a lot of seasonal workers depends on tourist to survive. All they need is some German like efficiency and organisation where the Greeks tends to be too relax about.

[@jmkdiditmyway3116]

I blame Rick Ross for my reason to visit. The background on his video was beautiful I needed to see the place myself

[@selini52]

We had booked an hotel with a pool at a time when primarily Greeks came for holidays. When one day the child of a Greek family did poo in the pool and I was shocked, the family screamed at me for being disgusted. We walked down to a natural beach where a nice Greek family was hiding from the sun. They told us not to go swimming, it was too dangerous, but offered us the little they had. Wine and olives. That was unforgettable to me!

[@paulrom446]

Thank you for being grammatically correct with an Hotel!

[@selini52]

@@paulrom446 how many languages do you speak, sometimes mixing up happens

[@paulrom446]

@@selini52 Oh just one! My late mom was an English teacher and I think that I inherited a penchant for using proper Grammar I always use 'an' in front of a word which starts with 'H' An historic moment as an example It gets me when Newscasters use improper Grammar Like Henry Higgins stated so pliantly and adroitly in the Musical 'My Fair Lady:' 'Why can't the English learn to speak!' My Hat's off to you for proper Grammar useage!

[@selini52]

@@paulrom446 oh thank you, for the explanation! I thought I made a mistake thinking of the French handling an “h” like a vowel! And I speak only German, Greek, Italian, French and English!

[@paulrom446]

@@selini52 Wow! I only speak snippets of Spanish and Italian which I find to be very similar! I've learned words and phrases in Italian by listening to Antonello Venditti videos on KZbin I don't know the terms for English such as Predicate Nominatives but I've trained my ear so I am attuned to the proper construction and syntax! I love 🐴🐴🐴! The different US Dialects! In our State alone we have 3 distinct Dialects and then sub Dialects Interesting 🤠!

[@Quahogger]

Pretty much the same thing where I live, Cape Cod and the Islands (Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket). No year round rentals, teachers leaving, doctors retiring or leaving due to inability to staff practices. McMansions going up and air bnb taking over any possible housing.