Why I Unfollowed the Dream and Found Something Better
How Overhyped Destinations and Instagram Lies Almost Ruined Travel for Me and Here’s How I Got It Back!
Have you ever arrived at a “hidden gem” only to find it crawling with influencers, drones buzzing overhead, and a line so long you’d think they were giving away free Wi-Fi?
That was me, standing at a cafe in Paris, desperately trying to channel my inner Hemingway, only to realize I was more “Instagram vs. Reality” than a literary icon.
When Instagram hit the scene, I tossed aside my trusty (but painfully bland) Rick Steves and Lonely Planet guides.
The “Gram” became my new travel guru.
I was hooked planning trips entirely around influencer feeds packed with perfect waterfalls and Insta’-worthy sunsets.
Throw in a few so-called “locals-only” cafés, and I was basically building itineraries for Instagram, not reality.
But here’s the thing, every time I let my favorite influencer plan my trip, I didn’t feel like a traveler discovering something real.
I felt like a tourist stuck in someone else’s highlight reel.
The photos didn’t match the vibe, the “escape the crowds” didn’t survive “the crowd”, and I didn’t walk away with the transformative experiences I’d been promised either.
One particularly crowded trip to Paris taught me a hard truth though.
After waiting in line forever at a so-called “hidden gem” boulangerie hyped on Instagram, I discovered their “life-changing” baguette tasted exactly like the one from Carrefour.
That’s when it hit me, it wasn’t them, it was me.
I was chasing someone else’s dream.
If you’ve ever felt underwhelmed by overhyped destinations or exhausted trying to keep up with influencer-worthy itineraries, you’re not alone.
In this article, I’ll share how I broke free from the “influencer trap”, rediscovered the joy of authentic travel, and how you can do it too!
No drone shots required.
1. The Allure of Influencer Travel
Let’s be real, travel influencers are masters of selling the dream.
Perfectly filtered sunsets, breakfasts in bed with Eiffel Tower views, and beaches so blue they look like someone spilled Photoshop into the ocean.
It’s tempting to believe it’s all as effortless as they make it seem, book a flight, toss on a trendy outfit, and voilà, you’re living your best life.
But here’s the truth: those dreamy Instagram feeds are curated harder than a Michelin menu.
They skip the long lines, crushing crowds, and sky-high costs.
That “luxurious villa” in Santorini?
Probably a glorified closet.
And that gelato shot in Rome?
It melted while they spent 30 minutes getting the lighting just right.
I’ve been to Rome, and trust me, eating gelato while dodging pigeons and sweating through summer isn’t exactly Instagram gold.
Influencers sell a fantasy, a polished version of travel that feels “just” out of reach.
Try replicating it, and you’ll quickly realize the dream they’re selling is as real as their filters.
2. The Trap of Unrealistic Expectations
I learned this lesson the hard way on my first trip to Dubrovnik.
I had this awesome dream vision: walking along the ancient city walls, sipping wine in quiet cobblestone squares, and taking in the breathtaking Adriatic views without a care in the world.
Instead, I found myself stuck in a human traffic jam on the city walls, shoulder-to-shoulder with cruise ship passengers who clearly didn’t get the memo about personal space.
That little “hole in the wall” local restaurant I read about?
It charged me triple the normal price for a plate of fish so dry it might as well have been a souvenir from the 16th century.
And let’s not even talk about the Old Town at midday.
What should’ve been a magical step back in time turned into an elaborate obstacle course of overpriced Game of Thrones merchandise and dodging tour groups shouting in unison.
By the time I left, I was sweaty, broke, and seriously questioning whether King’s Landing was worth all the hype.
Chasing these influencer-approved spots doesn’t just empty your wallet, it sucks the joy out of traveling.
You spend more time waiting in line for “that shot” and fighting crowds than soaking up the history and beauty of a place.
Worst of all, you leave wondering if you somehow missed that Insta’-magic, even though you technically “checked every box.”
3. The Turning Point: Breaking Free from the Hype
My breaking point came during a visit to Lviv. I’d followed a travel blog’s guide to yet another version of their “hidden gems” in the city.
However, surprise, surprise! I found their so-called “undiscovered café” packed with tourists snapping photos of their lattes and tagging the same location I’d seen online.
I sat there, crammed between two Instagrammers debating filters, staring at an overpriced plate of “deruny”, and thought, What am I even doing here?”
That night, I made a decision, no more influencer-approved itineraries.
I closed the blog tab, tossed my curated map aside, and decided to let the city surprise me.
That’s how I found myself at a small underground pub with live music, chatting with locals who taught me how to toast with “Budmo!” as they laughed and shared their favorite Lviv haunts.
I left my Russian back in Kyiv (Western Ukrainians never took too kindly to those wanting to practice their Russian on them ) and finally let the locals teach me some Ukrainian…
Breaking free from the influencer hype didn’t just change how I traveled. it transformed it.
In Paris, I abandoned the Instagram bakeries and spent hours people-watching along the Seine with a baguette and wine from the corner shop.
In Lviv, I asked a local for a lunch recommendation and ended up in a tiny spot where the food was cheaper, the conversations warmer, and the vibe authentic.
When I stopped chasing someone else’s curated version of travel, I discovered something far more fulfilling: authenticity.
And no filter or blog post can compete with that.
4. Rediscovering Authentic Travel
Follow Locals Instead of Influencers
When I stopped scrolling through Instagram for travel ideas and started digging into local blogs, my travel experiences completely shifted.
Take Lviv on my second trip, as an example. This time, instead of chasing the influencer-approved “must-visit” spots, I went with the insider tips from a Ukrainian colleague who actually grew up there.
She even connected me with some of her friends, and that local touch turned my trip into an experience I’ll never forget.
That’s how I ended up in an authentic “hole-in-the-wall” borscht place that didn’t have a single English menu.
Take that Dubrovnik!
You can keep your “King’s Landing”, I was never a huge Game of Thrones fan anyway….
Sure, I accidentally ordered a side of pickled herring I wasn’t ready for, but I also got the best meal of my trip for under five dollars.
Be Open to Spontaneity
Some of the best memories come from the plans you didn’t make.
While wandering Lviv, I stumbled upon a street performer who was drawing a crowd with his violin.
I sat down on a park bench with some locals, who invited me to share their snacks (Veronika pastries, no less).
That afternoon, I didn’t see any “top 10 attractions,” but I connected with the city in a way no itinerary ever could.
Embrace Less-Photographed Destinations
I used to think the only places worth visiting were the ones with postcard-perfect views.
Then I visited Chernivtsi, a city that rarely makes it onto any influencer’s radar.
It wasn’t flashy or polished, but it was authentic, full of ornate architecture, charmingly uneven cobblestone streets, and a vibe that made me feel like I’d stumbled into a living history book instead of a curated Instagram shot.
Sometimes, the most meaningful places are the ones that don’t try to be anything but real, and Chernivtsi reminded me how much beauty lies outside the grid.
5. What I’ve Learned (and Why You Should Care)
When I stopped chasing influencer travel trends, something magical happened, travel became fun again.
It wasn’t about checking off lists or curating the perfect feed. It was about meeting people, trying weird foods, and getting lost in a new place without worrying about likes or hashtags.
The benefit?
You’ll travel with more purpose, spend less money, and create stories you’ll actually want to tell.
Instead of waiting in lines or re-creating someone else’s highlight reel, you’ll have experiences that feel authentic and uniquely yours.
If you let go of the influencer version of travel, you’ll rediscover the thrill of connection, discovery, and, most importantly, those unexpected moments.
Are You Traveling for the Photos or the Memories?
The next time you’re planning a trip, ask yourself: Is this destination calling to you, or is it just calling to your Instagram feed?
The truth is, travel doesn’t need to look perfect to feel perfect.
It’s the awkward language mishaps, the unplanned detours, and the quiet moments in untouristed corners that make a journey unforgettable.
These are the experiences that stay with you long after the likes and hashtags have faded.
So, are you chasing someone else’s idea of a dream trip, or are you ready to create your own adventure?
David Peluchette is a Premium Ghostwriter/Travel and Tech Enthusiast. When David isn’t writing he enjoys traveling, learning new languages, fitness, hiking and going on long walks (did the 550 mile Camino de Santiago, not once but twice!), cooking, eating, reading and building niche websites with WordPress.