I've been to the Cotswolds many times, but don't get the hype. As a Brit, I suggest visiting these 5 spots instead.

• The Cotswolds in the UK is popular with America's rich and powerful, from Taylor Swift to JD Vance. • The picturesque rural area is dubbed "the Hamptons of the UK." • Rachel Hosie is British and has visited the Cotswolds — but thinks other spots like the New Forest are better.

When my husband and I were deciding where to go on our minimoon, we thought the Cotswolds would be perfect.

The rural area to the west of England is known for its quintessential countryside charm: brown stone cottages, cosy pubs, and rolling hills. We'd both visited a few times and enjoyed it.

But when we found ourselves struggling to move for tourists with selfie sticks (apparently still a thing) and paying £16 ($22) for a coffee and a very disappointing grilled cheese, we realized the area might have becom