[Originally published on 6 November 2013]

According with the Merriam Webster Dictionary:
. a tourist is «one that makes a tour for pleasure or culture»;
. a traveller is «one that goes on a trip or journey».

So, the difference seems to be “pleasure”. A traveller just travels while a tourist travels for pleasure.

But… is it really? Do we just travel, no fun, except if we go on tourism? And do we always get pleasure from tourism?

Well, there are some people that hate to be called themselves “tourist” but do love to travel. In fact, people that love traveling consider themselves as “travellers” and despise “tourists”.

“Tourists” go with guides and visit all the “must-sees” and recommended places. Then they arrive back home and show to all their friends the pictures they took next to the monuments they already know from guides and tv.

“True travels” are the ones who go and feel the country/ city, who breath the culture, who learn from the people they meet on the way, who get lost only to find places more amazing that the ones which are in the guides. The “tourists” call these people “adventurous” or “crazy”.

Check other articles related to travelling.