I now completely sympathize with cities getting sick of group tours.

I just came back from 15 days in italy. And before I start i just want to make a few points

Yes ive taken some tours when logistics make more sense or something like the pre opening Vatican museum tour. 95% of my trips are organized and done solo

Ive been to the uk, Germany, Greece, France and Italy (twice).

I know tour groups aren't going anywhere. And tourism therefore groups are a very important portion of the European economy.

When I say this, I know it sounds full Karen, but I cannot believe the sheer inconvenience and lack of their surroundings tour groups have. Almost everywhere i was on my trip was filled to the brim with clueless and sometimes rude tour groups.

In ostia antica, the roman forum, pompeii, and paestum, groups climbing, sitting and slamming bags all over walls, buildings and steps.

Groups so thick in pompei that you couldn't walk anywhere along the main roads. Blocking sites and taking a brutal amount of time in buildings. I asked a guide if incould sneak infront since im one person, and even expecting a no, he pushes me out of the way and tells me to go away.

150 students on a tour in my flight all boarding before zone 2, despite the fact they all had zone 4 and 5 tickets, who took up the entire half of the planes over head bag space themselves.

Multiple times having groups of 20 to 50 people going to a resturaunt im at without a reservation.

Multiple groups blocking sites at museums for 10+ minutes and blocking entire pieces and gallary walk ways in museums. 3 groups stood in front of Venus di milo for 20 minutes when I was there. 2 groups stuffed themselves in front of the akhenaten tablet and the neus museum in berlin taking up the entire room.

Having 20 groups blocking the entire candelabra/tapestry/maps corridor in the Vatican museum.

Walking 5 people wide in hallways, sidewalks and streets.

All of this without zero control by the guides or site workers.

The majority of them were from cruise ships through 3rd party guides.

The worst part? Most of them have zero idea how negative of an impact they have on cities and others, through not understanding the impact, lack of self awareness or just plain old ignorance.

Not only are they ruining people's cities, theyre giving all people on vacation a bad name. Many sites and attractions already have attendance restrictions. However this just means more groups and less for individuals/families. I think its at the point there needs to be severe limitations for the number of tours groups and tour groups sizes. And maybe even time limits at major attractions or individual items in museums.

What do you think? Are your experiences the same?

Now I completely sympathize with the growing number of European countries and cities protesting tourism. And I completely understand why they feel the need to introduce new taxes and fees for staying there.