agreed. root causation. that said, seems to me as a “professional tourist” (paid to fly places full time) that notwithstanding the eye popping and unsupportable population change, there was however the most dramatic change after the Covid isolation. That surge in tourism was (is) of epic proportions. But the press says it’s now shifting again, as folks like all us complaining about it on this thread are now looking elsewhere, sick of the crowds. so those of you with hidden gems, be careful, the hordes are coming for your gems! (or so i’m reading) I agree with the several of you that said that despite the masses in italy in the popular places, that there are still plenty of fantastic places to go there and not worry a wit about crowds. Shhhhhh…… Did a family reunion event in Norway in august, and Oslo was a bit crowded, as expected, but not bad. and then the fantastic solitude and scenery when leaving Oslo and heading to the “pretty” parts of norway (most of the country)…. awesome. hope that area doesn’t catch-on with the tourist hordes searching for less-traveled gems, as those roads and areas would not handle it well, and would be a damn shame. There were certainly more sheep than cars or people in the beautiful places we traveled with the (extended) family, which seems a proper ratio for me. Riding there, something i’ve always wanted to do, requires avoiding too much caffeine, given the low speed limits, long stretches of single-lane but 2-way roads, scenery, and loads of sheep. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk