I planned my holidays through TikTok for two years and it was a disaster
EVEN though I write about travel for a living, TikTok is often my first port of call for holiday inspiration, like any other young Millennial or Gen Z holidaymaker.
But after a string of underwhelming trips, for my 2025 resolution I've resolved to wean myself off using the social media site when it comes to trips inspo.
On a recent jaunt through Europe, I was tasked with getting from Leipzig to Vienna.
While I could have jumped on a direct Flixbus between the two cities, I plumped for a 48-hour pitstop in Prague because of TikTok.
In the months leading up to my trip, I was fed with videos showcasing the Infinity Book Tower in Prague.
The site's algorithm certainly played into my two main interests, reading and travel... touché, TikTok.
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Before I knew it, I'd committed to a two-night break in the Czech capital.
When I arrived in Prague, I made a beeline for the Municipal Library of Prague where the Infinity Book Tower is located.
Despite being a cold weekday in November, there was a huge queue of other easily-influenced tourists waiting to pose for photos next to the tower of books.
Somewhat naively, I didn't think there would be a queue to get inside because such a thing hadn't been broadcast in any of the videos I'd watched on TikTok.
A quick Google informed me of a 40-minute wait, something I wasn't willing to do in the cold.
Instead, I returned the following morning just before the library opened at 9am.
A mirror on the floor of the library makes the tower of 8,000 books seem never-ending.
But after about a minute, I'd had my fill and decided the tower of multicoloured books was both pretty and overrated, especially when compared to other attractions in the Czech capital like the Petřín Tower.
Later when I went on a free walking tour with Prague Walking Tours, I quizzed my guide on other bookish attractions and he recommended visiting Strahov Library.
My trip to Prague wasn't the first time TikTok had influenced my holiday planning.
Then back in 2023, I visited Bratislava after watching a video about its Blue Church, officially known as the Church of St. Elizabeth.
The church, which was a short walk from the city centre, was closed when I arrived.
Perhaps I should've planned my trip better because without being able to head inside, I was only outside the building for about one minute and this was to purely pose for photos for my socials.
I've since learnt the Blue Church isn't a tourist attraction, instead prioritising its primary function as a place of worship.
It means its opening hours are rather limited, something I wasn't prepared for in my heady TikTok-induced travel rush.
Other places I've visited because of the social media platform include Meatballs for the People in Stockholm and Trattoria Zà Zà in Florence.
While both restaurants served top-notch grub, they were packed with tourists.
I know I was one too, but I often pride myself on visiting food joints that are off the beaten path.
Trattoria Zà Zà in Italy felt like it was catering to American holidaymakers with its huge portion sizes.
The restaurant was decorated with al fresco paintings, another aesthetically-pleasing trope, and I'd much rather have gone to a small family-run restaurant packed with Italians.
While each TikTok-famous attraction or restaurant had been aesthetically pleasing, they were all certainly overhyped.
It's safe to say I'll be heading back to the guidebooks for my next bout of travel inspo.
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Five TikTok travel tips worth their weight in gold
While TikTok might not be the best place for travel inspo, there are several travel hacks that do the rounds on the platform that are actually useful.
- Using Google Flights to track fluctuations in air fares
- Avoiding hefty luggage fees by stuffing clothes into a neck pillow
- Sending flight numbers via text messages, so friends and family can easily access flight details
- Calling hotels for cheaper deals also known as 'hotel hedging'
- Ordering liquids over 100ml to an airport Boots to save money on the shop's inflated prices
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