1. Japan: dream trip or just too much?

Japan is everywhere right now: cherry blossoms, neon Tokyo nights, ramen, bullet trains, the works. It is on so many bucket lists.

When Japan is absolutely worth it

If you genuinely get excited by:

• Big, buzzing cities
• Food (and trying new things)
• Culture that feels very different to home
• Trains, moving around, and seeing a lot in one trip

…then Japan can be incredible. It is safe, fascinating and full of those “we will never forget this day” moments. With a bit of help on the planning, it flows beautifully.

When Japan might not be your friend

If you are already exhausted, hate the idea of changing hotels every few nights, or secretly just want to sit somewhere pretty with a drink and not do very much, Japan can feel like a lot. The flight is long, the choice is overwhelming, and the popular seasons are very busy.

If you love the idea of Japan but want something gentler

Ask yourself what is really pulling you:

• Is it clean, interesting cities you can wander?
• Amazing food?
• Efficient, easy transport?

If so, you might be happier (for now) with:

• Scandinavia: Copenhagen, Stockholm or Oslo give you that “this is so different to home” feeling in a calmer, closer‑to‑home way. Think waterfront vistas, cool design, coffee, food markets and very walkable streets.

You can absolutely keep Japan on your list for when you’re ready for a big, full‑on adventure and want to make it the star of the show.

 

2. Amalfi Coast: dreamy or just crowded and hot?

The Amalfi Coast (Positano, Amalfi, Capri etc.) is all over Instagram: pastel houses, tiny beaches, spritzes with a view. It is genuinely gorgeous, no question.

When Amalfi can be magical

• You love that glamorous seaside feel
• You are happy with hills, steps and boats
• You do not mind it being busy
• You are prepared to pay a premium for those views
• Ideally you can travel slightly outside peak dates

Done right, it can feel like stepping into a film for a few days.

When Amalfi can feel like hard work

• You hate crowds and queues
• You are travelling with young kids or anyone who struggles with steps
• You are on a tighter budget and want space as well as beauty
• You actually like quieter, more low‑key places

In July and August especially, it is hot, busy and often very expensive. Not everyone enjoys that, however pretty it looks in pictures.

If you want the Italian dream without the crush

If your heart wants:

• Sea views
• Italian food
• Pretty towns and little boats

…but your head says “I do not want to fight for a space on the pavement”, then two really good alternatives are:

• The Italian Lakes: You still get water, views and gelato, but with more space, cooler evenings and often easier logistics. Great for couples and families who like walks, boats and long lazy dinners.
• Puglia: Think whitewashed towns, olive groves, Trulli houses, beautiful coastline and amazing food, but in a setting that (in the right spots and seasons) feels more relaxed and more “lived in” than Amalfi. You can mix pretty towns, beaches and countryside without quite the same intensity.

You still get your “Italian summer”, just in a version that might fit how you actually like to holiday.

 

3. The Maldives: slice of paradise or not quite “you”?

The Maldives is the classic screensaver destination: over‑water villas, turquoise water, white sand, private decks. If you have ever searched for honeymoon ideas, it has probably popped up.

When the Maldives is completely worth it

• You want to do very little apart from swim, read, nap and eat
• You like the idea of one beautiful resort where everything is taken care of
• You are happy with a long‑haul flight and a seaplane or speedboat at the other end
• You are genuinely excited by “barefoot luxury” and do not mind being mostly on one island

In that scenario, it can be absolute heaven. Warm water, soft sand, and no decisions beyond “pool or sea first?”.

When the Maldives might not fit as well as you think

• You get restless if you stay in one place for too long
• You prefer having towns, cafés and local life to wander around
• Your budget is modest but your expectations have been set by ultra‑luxury Instagram resorts

It is also worth saying: two islands in the Maldives can feel completely different. Some are more couples‑focused and polished, others are barefoot, family‑friendly or activity‑heavy. Matching the right island to the right person is key.

If you want the Maldives feeling but with a twist

If what is really calling you is:

• Warm, clear sea
• Sand between your toes
• A beautiful place to switch off completely

…but you would like either more to do, more local flavour or a slightly shorter journey, then we could look at:

• Mauritius or the Seychelles: still that Indian Ocean magic, but with more scope for exploring, local culture and different landscapes on one trip.
• Certain Caribbean islands: the white sand and turquoise sea, often with lively towns, multiple beaches and a bit more variety.
• A villa or suite with a private pool closer to home: if what you really want is privacy, water and rest, there are lovely options in Europe that give you that feeling without long‑haul flights.

You are not “downgrading” if you choose one of these. You are choosing the version of paradise that matches how you actually live and relax.

 

4. South Africa: safari dream vs real‑life you

South Africa lives on a lot of “one day” lists: safari, wine regions, coastlines, cities, mountains. It looks almost too good to be true in photos.

When South Africa is amazing

• You are happy with a long‑haul flight
• You like the idea of a trip with “chapters” (safari, wine, coast, city)
• You are comfortable with early starts and spending time outdoors on game drives
• You want that feeling of “we have been somewhere completely different”

Done well, it can be one of those trips you talk about for years.

When it might not be right just yet

• You have very young children who may not enjoy or sit still on game drives
• You are nervous about long‑haul or being very far from home
• You are on a tight budget but hoping for ultra‑luxury lodges and private everything
• Deep down, you actually want a very simple flop‑and‑drop week somewhere closer to home

Safari is wonderful, but it is not a standard beach holiday. It has structure, early mornings and some big travel days around it.

If you want the feeling of South Africa but need something softer

Think about what is pulling you most:

• Wildlife?
• Beautiful wine country?
• Big, dramatic scenery?

Depending on that, you might be happier starting with:

• Canada or certain US regions for lakes, mountains and wildlife, but with a slightly more familiar feel.
• A European trip that combines coast, countryside and vineyards as a gentler “multi‑chapter” holiday before you go all‑in on safari.

South Africa is not going anywhere. It is OK to line it up for a year when it matches your energy and budget properly.

 

A few questions to ask yourself before you follow a trend

Before you book anywhere you have mainly met through Instagram or TikTok, it helps to quietly ask:

• Am I drawn to this specific place, or to the feeling it represents?
• What does my ideal holiday day look like, from breakfast to bedtime?
• Will I feel happier that I ticked off a famous spot, or that the trip actually felt like “us”?

Once we have those answers, it becomes much easier to see whether the trending place is genuinely your match, or whether we should borrow the vibe and find you a better‑fitting version.

 

How I can help you choose the right version for you

If you come to me and say, “We’re thinking Japan / Amalfi / Maldives / South Africa… what do you think?”, I am never going to just say yes or no.

We will chat about:

• Who is travelling and how you all actually like to holiday
• When you want to go
• Rough budget and comfort level
• What you are hoping this trip will give you (rest, adventure, reconnection, a big celebration, etc.)

Sometimes we will land on “yes, let’s do that destination, but in a way that feels manageable and right for you”. Other times we will realise that a slightly quieter, less obvious option will make you much happier.

Either way, the aim is the same: that you come home saying, “That was so us”, not “We only went there because Instagram told us to.”

If you have a trending place in mind and you are not 100% sure it fits, send it my way and we can talk it through properly. We can absolutely choose the trends when they work for you, and ignore them completely when they do not.