Places people rave about but you don't really have any desire to visit

[nuitdesetoiles]

I know there's some element of judgement here but just based on what I've heard, seen on TV, types of people who go there, read about..

Dubai.. like plastic fantastic, cultureless and horrifically tacky

Thailand.... Looks like it's been ruined by all the tourists and those full moon parties look a bit dark and sinister

Australia.. some parts look lovely but just seems a bit British and dare I say it racist...

@bluebluezoo - I went on a theme park holiday with an ex which I’d never have chosen myself. Portaventura out of season - no queues. Fantastic.

Having said that, I haven’t been on another because I’m always seduced by new things and experiences over something I could realistically do closer to home. Shame time off and money are limited because for pure enjoyment it was right up there.

@Bubbinsmakesthree

Surprised about how frequently China is getting mentioned - one of the most fascinating and diverse places I’ve visited. Contrast between traditional way of life in rural areas with somewhere like Shanghai is amazing. The speed of their economic growth means that some things leave us in the shade - some of their modern airports for example make Gatwick look embarrassing. But this co-exists with traditional ways of life, cultural attitudes and government that is so very different from our own. Amazing food too, will never think of Chinese food in the same way again. Stunning landscapes and amazing history.

Culturally it was sometimes impenetrable and sometimes I felt a bit awkward and intimated - compared to some other places I have visited I felt there was less good humour towards the foreign tourist fumbling their way through (compared eg to Japan).

My DH was really unlucky I think as he said the food was terrible! It was one thing he was really looking forward to as well! They did have once decent meal in the final night but he said the rest was shockingly bad. I’m sure had he been further afield he may have had a different experience but he absolutely hated it.

I mean, we're literally not allowed to go across county boarders let alone a different country and people are being sniffy about other places... I'd happily go anywhere new at the moment!

@nuitdesetoiles We are vegetarian and go to Italy and the south of France regularly, also Spain, usually the Canary Islands. We can always find good food to eat there. Just keep away from any tacky, English-expat-type touristy places. Can't say I know about central or eastern Europe, though.

@PurpleFlower1983

Oh no, what a shame! One of the best things I ever ate was a £1 bowl of noodles in broth at tiny street cafe on a side street in Chengdu. We had no idea what we were ordering and just pointed at what someone else was eating and hoped for the best...oh my god it was amazing. I still dream about it!

[quote MadKittenWoman]@nuitdesetoiles We are vegetarian and go to Italy and the south of France regularly, also Spain, usually the Canary Islands. We can always find good food to eat there. Just keep away from any tacky, English-expat-type touristy places. Can't say I know about central or eastern Europe, though.[/quote]
DD is vegetarian, and the main issue she found in Italy is that a lot of their cheeses aren't vegetarian. We avoid places aimed at Brits as well.

One of the joys of our holiday in Sicily was that although it was very much a holiday resort, it was aimed at Italian holiday makers. There were very few Brits there.

One place we ate at was a little off the beaten track, and the owner was delighted that some English people had chosen to eat there.Their English was very limited and so was our Italian, but she insisted on giving us a free dish of caponata (which we all love anyway) to try as it was a typical Sicilian dish.

Happy days.

2 quite sensible friends of mine, one very well traveled the other fairly well traveled. One ‘hates’ Italy, the whole of Italy, I think he’s been to Rome and that’s it. Won’t go with his girlfriend to anywhere in Italy. The other one won’t countenance Spain, as far as she’s concerned it’s all costs del sol and brits. Nothing will change her mind.

I've usually found Italy and Spain ok like people say, if you stay away from tourist tat. It's France where I've found it a bit limited, ironically as I've lived and worked there. Lots of frites with tomato salad and cheese baguettes!

It's such a shame Spain has the reputation of does because of all those awful places on the coast. Lots of it is stunning and so rich in culture, even on the Islands like the villages in the mallorcan mountains and Palma cathedral.

I've been on hen dos to coastal resorts near Marbella that were beyond awful.

I couldn’t take anyone seriously as a traveller who thinks Spain is just the Costa deal sol 🙄. Embarrassed for her.

I was quite shocked when she said it, I thought she was joking at first. And she loves great food, cities, museums, nice hotels. Just has an absolute blind spot that Spain could offer her anything.

I’ve spent a lot of very happy times in Spain, Cadiz, Seville, and Malaga which was an unexpected delight.

Scotland. Wales. The Lake District. Basicially anywhere wet.

One ‘hates’ Italy, the whole of Italy, I think he’s been to Rome and that’s it.

I've been to Italy three times and I love it, would happily go again. But I'll be honest, my experience and general perception of Italian people in Rome was unpleasant to say the least and it might have put me off ever going back to anywhere in Italy.

@Fastedbrownie

I should mention, I have travelled all over central Europe, and would return if I had to, but it is certainly not at the top of my list of places I'd go off my own back for pleasure.

See, I love that part of the world.

Horses for courses eh?

The other one won’t countenance Spain, as far as she’s concerned it’s all costs del sol and brits. Nothing will change her mind.

This is absolutely my perception (and my personal, albeit limited experience) of Spain. One day, when I have more time and can afford to take a chance I will explore different areas and hopefully dispel those myths. But for the time being, Spain just isn't high on my list. I've seen enough TV programmes about Spain to think it's probably never going to really be my thing.

Australia
New Zealand
Dubai/emirates
China
Japan
Vast majority of Russia
South America
Any Disney
Indonesia
India

Too far or human rights abuses or perceived as dull or really economically poor for its citizens (so I'd feel like a rich Western twat)

On the other hand sustainable tourism which gives as much money as possible directly to locals is not a bad thing. In Ethiopia we stayed in locally owned hotels, used local guides, ate in local restaurants....

@nuitdesetoiles

It's such a shame Spain has the reputation of does because of all those awful places on the coast. Lots of it is stunning and so rich in culture, even on the Islands like the villages in the mallorcan mountains and Palma cathedral.

I've been on hen dos to coastal resorts near Marbella that were beyond awful.

There are some really nice places on the coast too, La Cala de Mijas is really nice for example.

Blue, loads of people have said that about theme parks, they are usually relating to some poorly thought out theme parks, concrete jungles with some rides chucked in.
Somewhere with beautiful theming and immersive experience is fabulous.. More than just the rides..

Dubai, will never go unless dc end up living there!!

Disney anything , Dubai, USA especially Las Vegas

Completely get that different folk are into different things but those saying the USA - how?! It has everything. I really dont understand.

Australia

This is such an eye opening thread. I am just... astonished...

Florida.

Cornwall! unfortunately I live here but I'd be very happy to never come back