Hi friend,

Before I commit to visiting anywhere new, I ask myself one question: "What story does this place actually tell?"

Not the version you see on Instagram - the real one.

I started doing this after too many trips where I checked off the highlights but left feeling like I'd only seen the surface. The picturesque town square. The famous viewpoint. The restaurant everyone posts about.

And that's all fine, but it's not what I'm looking for anymore.

Now I look for places with layers. Somewhere with history that's still visible, culture that hasn't been packaged for tourists, or even just a story worth understanding before I show up.

This is why I'm drawn to lesser-known destinations, historic sites and small towns people drive past on their way to somewhere "better." Those places don't perform for you. They just exist, and you either care enough to pay attention or you don't.

This shift changed everything - where I go, how long I stay, what I actually remember later.

If you're planning something this spring or summer, think about what story you want to experience. Not just what you want to see. (And if you need help finding those places - the ones with real stories - I'm here for it.)

See you at the next stop,
Yanitza

Just in case you missed these:

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