I'm one of the few who actually enjoyed BG1's exploration (vast, empty wilderness included, because that's what wilderness often is).
Larian simply go with the trend here. Game worlds aren't build like worlds, by demand they're build like theme parks. Even though logically it doesn't make much sense if everything is set just a rock throw apart. This started all the way back in BG2 btw. some.. one pleasant surprise in more recent times was playing Kingdom Come Deliverance. It's a game like the original BG1, not afraid to "bore" a part of its audience with long sequences of nothing much happening, just exploring pretty landscapes, and distances that make sense because that is what a landscape many times is -- something simply existing. (Numerous possible dangerous and curious random encounters still add some spice to it).
BG1 big time benefitted of the day night cycles and fluid weather transitions here too, alongside to the ambient FX, which likewise isn't this engine's forte.
Right, I liked the worlds of BG1 and Morrowind more than those of many other games.
It should be normal that ancient temples full of demons should not be a few steps away from the next town.
Having to search yourself to find places is the whole point of exploration.
Prof. Dr. Dr. Mad S. Tist 
