We’ve all heard the stories, someone flies halfway across the world, wanders into a famous landmark, and suddenly hears their name being called. They turn around, and there’s an old friend, a former coworker, or even a distant cousin grinning back at them. 

It’s happened to me, on the steps of Sydney Opera House, where I bumped into an old college friend, and again in Washington D.C., while wandering around the Air and Space Museum. What are the odds? Well, higher than you might think.

The thing about the world’s top travel destinations is that they are, by definition, magnets for people just like you—curious, adventurous, and eager to soak in the sights. Whether it’s the Eiffel Tower, Times Square, or the Great Wall of China, these places attract millions every year. If you and your friends share even vaguely similar travel dreams, it’s not so surprising that your paths might cross in one of these iconic spots.

Think about it. Travel is often dictated by a handful of factors—school holidays, peak vacation seasons, and well-worn routes recommended by guidebooks and influencers. When you consider that most people take trips during long weekends, summer breaks, or major holidays, it becomes even more likely that someone you know is wandering the same bustling streets or snapping a selfie at the same lookout point.

Social media has also played its part in shaping our collective wanderlust. A well-timed Instagram post of Santorini’s blue domes or the sunrise over Angkor Wat can send a ripple effect through your social circle. Before you know it, three of your acquaintances have booked their own trips, each unknowingly setting themselves up for a coincidental reunion abroad.

But here’s the best part—none of this happens if you don’t put yourself out there. You won’t have a serendipitous encounter in the Piazza San Marco if you never leave your living room. You won’t bump into your college roommate in Tokyo’s Shibuya Crossing if you never take the plunge and book the flight. Travel isn’t just about seeing the world—it’s about being in it, fully immersed, and sometimes that means reconnecting with familiar faces in the most unexpected places.

So, if you’re hesitating to plan that trip because you think the world is too vast, take this as a sign. It’s big, yes, but it’s also small in the most magical ways. Pack your bags, set off on your adventure, and don’t be too surprised if, somewhere along the way, you hear a voice calling your name in the middle of a crowded street in Rome. It’s just one of travel’s little reminders that we’re all more connected than we think.