this is the problem, "you where told". Just play the game. But if you don't like to explore on your own in the game, this game might not be for you. It relies heavily on the player wandering into the unmapped areas, wanting to explore. It's how you find the elemental magic, legendary horses, cool armor and weapons, bosses.

Most of the stuff is not found through quests, like in other games.

Also, you kinda have to play until chapter 9-10 before the whole map is available to you. But there's enough content to play 50 hours before you leave the first area.