Ah, the “tomato tourists” – once a symbol of humble but genuine vacations, now the butt of jokes and criticism! Remember the days when people went to the seaside carrying a jar of ajvar, a head of black onion, and a kilo of beans? Yes, those were the real vacations, where people didn’t chase luxury but enjoyed with soul and smiles. Milica L. from Serbia sparked a fiery debate on the popular Facebook group Grčka Info about how our tourists have changed and what happened to those old, modest holidays.
Today, paradoxically, “tomato tourists” are mocked for bringing sandwiches or making their own coffee on the beach. Is it really shameful to be thrifty? Or have we just forgotten what a real vacation is? Milica reminds us that those same people used to fill apartments, buy local products, and leave childhood memories, not arrogance.
But today? Instagram is the main judge, and vacations have become a contest of who has the priciest cocktail and the best filter. People complain about crowds, water prices, and poor signal, forgetting that the sea smells the same whether you’re in a tent or a five-star hotel.
Milica’s post triggered a flood of mostly nostalgic and emotional comments. People wonder if we’ve really progressed or just lost our compass. Maybe the problem isn’t the tomato tourists but that we’re ashamed to be modest.
So next time you see someone with a full market bag or a pot in their apartment, remember – maybe that tourist has the best memories of the sea. And you? Are you still a true tomato tourist or lost in the Instagram world? Share your thoughts, maybe you’ll remind us what a real vacation is all about!
