Ever visited somewhere for the day and been really disappointed?

[Summerhouse2013]

We travelled to Yeovil in Somerset yesterday for the day, wow, we were so disappointed.

It was like a ghost town. Most of the shops were shut, only a handful were open. And towards the bottom area of the town most of the shops were completely closed down.

I'd always got the impression there was a lot more to Yeovil.

We left after an hour as there was nothing to do.

Umm.. it's not historic?!? It's a beautiful city!!

I live near Yeovil and over the years it has been run down The council are spending thousands of pounds to try and improve it but it has made it worse Masses of empty shops Less places to park for disabled people

So sad to hear this about San Fran. I went a few times (some work, some fun) in the early 90's and thought it was such a great city. Quirky, fun, great food, open and welcoming, cosmopolitan. I'm very sad to hear it has declined.

@Solonge I had a nice weekend in Brighton. Bit apart from the magnificent pavilion, it is over hyped. There are much nicer seaside places.

The Caribbean island of Tobago. Stopped off for there for the day during a cruise. Filthy beach, cockroaches in the cafeteria and taxis held together with string ! We all complained on our return to the ship and got a refund!

@OldHouseLover I guess it's more the vibe of the place or how beautiful it is to your individual tastes.

I love most of the places getting hate here - Paris, Edinburgh, Barcelona, Amsterdam - but I couldn't take to Dublin even though I really wanted to like it.
It wasn't pretty, it wasn't friendly, it wasn't clean, it wasn't cheap. And not even hot weather as a bit of a consolidation prize.

We went to the Tower of London over Easter. We absolutely loved all the history. Only had to queue once and that was for the crown jewels. The queue moved quickly, soldiers changed guard and we chatted to the lovely Canadians in the queue behind us. Dc really enjoyed it but I actually would say the jewels weren’t the best bit at all. So many periods of history within one small area.

i really felt disappointed by the shrek adventure. The cost v the experience just didn’t impress me at all but I know others who loved it. I wouldn’t say it was rubbish just not for me.

i visited Paris when dc were tiny and really hated the vibe - dirty, unsafe, covered in graffiti. Then we went last year just dh and I for a concert and we absolutely loved it. Same city, different time.

@FrostyFifi I agree. I really expected Dublin to be pretty. It is not. I felt I had spent a lot of money to go somewhere that is not as nice as lots of English towns and cities.

@Callipygion it depends a bit on what you like to do.

Views - go up Arthur's Seat or Calton Hill.

The art galleries at the bottom of the Mound are very good. Nice views across the gardens from the cafe on the terrace. Camera Obscura below the castle can be fun if it's your thing.

Old town - Royal Mile obviously but it's definitely a tourist trap. I prefer Victoria Street (the original Diagon Alley) down into the Grassmarket for casual pubs and a great view of the "back" of the castle. Or have a wander across the Meadows and up to Bruntsfield for some local independent shops/cafes.
Mary Kings Close tour is very interesting for the history of the plague.

New town - Stockbridge area for classic Georgian buildings and chi chi shops. Afternoon tea in the Dome on George Street or the Balmoral.
Brunch at Dishoom is insanely popular. Loads of places to eat and drink around George St/Rose St.

If you're going to Britannia try exploring some of the Leith waterfront area too. It's been gentrified a lot since I was a student!

If you're there during the Festival, the Pleasance was always good for spotting celebs having a post show drink.

The centre of the city is very walkable, have fun!

Dublin really pissed you off 😂

That can be found in any Caribbean island.

Mexico

Dublin is really bad

Well I live in Bath so I'm biased but I'm always fascinated where people who found it odd actually live themselves - as I personally love it but find many people stick to one very small area - I love the setting but it's much nicer on a nice day and with less tourists! So prefer it September to May on a sunny day!!

My own personal ones are Bristol- lived there- hated it - docks are nice as is suspension bridge but I find it quite threatening and hate the smell of weed everywhere and graffiti - and if I want decent shopping I go to Cardiff

Stonehenge- is that it I think was my first response!

Stratford on Avon - if people thought folks on Bath were a bit up their own arse( we def aren't all like that). Stratford was more so!

Margate- used to live in Canterbury and for a change from Broadstairs or Whitstable we went to Margate one day- what a depressing dump . Despite the PR you can't polish a turd- great beach though- I will give it that

Glastonbury - weird place with nothing practical- all crystals and broomsticks. Not even particularly nice coffee shops . Much better going to Wells- which is very pleasant

Rome. Though it was the people that ruined it for me.
People hassling me trying to sell me stuff. So aggressive. Coming up and putting bracelets on my arm

Turkey is another bad place

@ReadersD1gest It did! I have even had a nice weekend at Blackpool, so I am really not fussy.

@Mooshamoo Edinburgh isn't grey! Many of the buildings are warm brown sandstone fgs!

Cocoa Beach, Florida

Thanks. It's not often you get a genuine apology on MN. That says a lot about you.

The part I stayed in was definitely grey 😂😂😂.

You do realise Scotland is an entire country and you couldn't possibly have seen it all/tried all the food? care to be slightly more specific?
Scotland has some amazing food - from west coast fish/shellfish to highland venison, and so on. Tourist trails of haggis and fish n chips doesn't do it justice.

Agree, some incredible food in off the beaten track places.

I don't know why Scottish people are getting so defensive.

I'm Irish. People could come on here and say Ireland is a dump, and I'd agree with them!

You have to say that Ireland and the UK are not exactly the tourist destinations of the world. They are the same as each other, grey, bad weather and grim.

Of course they have their good points. But they're not somewhere you would go in holiday to first really are they. Italy, Spain, etc are much hotter and more beautiful

Yes, I saw it around 1990 and it was horrible, full of really crap waxworks.

Speaking of disappointing places for a day out - Madame Tussaud’s! Went there on the same visit (so around 1990) and most of the exhibits were dire. Charles I with a ridiculous bushy beard, nothing like how he wore his (as seen in all Van Dyck’s portraits of him), Henry VIII’s wives with loose, floppy dresses nothing like the rigid bodices of the day (and Henry sporting a codpiece the size of a watermelon) - lousy wigs, bodies out of proportion to heads, clothes that didn’t fit, the whole thing was dire. The one good model I remember was Dickens, he was remarkably well done.