Most overrated destination you’ve visited?

[Rnm62]

Just that really..

Only places I’ve been disappointed in were in Britain.
The Eden Project, such rude staff. Overpriced garden.
The New Forest walking holiday, wading through mud and horse poo more like it.
in Britain never been disappointed with anywhere in Scotland, Wales, Cornwall , Somerset.
Love Paris, Venice, Rome, Nice, Lourdes, Barcelona for different things and in different ways.

Depends which audience they want to attract I suppose

@OMG12 yes, absolutely! If I had the opportunity to have another stay in Paris for 6 weeks of course I would jump at it!

I literally can't wait and am busy planning what I'm going to do on this trip.

I also love Rome and would happily spend 6 weeks there too if that opportunity arose..

Alot of what people are complaining about just sounds like culture shock to me. Of course if you visit certain places traders will be in your face and haggle. That's how they do things in many countries. Often what to us feels rude or aggressive is just how they communicate.

Many tourists seem to expect people and places to be just like Britain but warmer.

There have been some interesting articles recently on the impact of tourism on countries and it isn't all positive.

I hope you have a lovey time.

Cairo

Horrible for female travellers

Noooooo!! We loved LA! I agree about Las Vegas and San Francisco is a dump too.

I think the common theme with LA and New York is the following:

• Americans rant and rave about the areas, they are even referenced in every other song.
• We have misconceptions of the areas based on what Americans have depicted in their films, tv shows etc.

I know that the reality didn't live up to my expectations of NY most probably for the reasons above. I also didn't rate a lot of their food which again Americans love to brag about - corndogs, cheetos, Gatorade, twinkies...all gross! Was severely disappointed with pretty much everything Americans boast about. Even their supposed "amazing customer service" which apparently warrants the massive tips didn't exist.

New Forest, to be fair I wasn't sure what to expect, I love that bit of the country, but New Forest just seemed a bit like driving to a nice pub to eat rather than being spectacular in any way.

That’s why the thread is such a personal opinion

I have been to Paris many times for about a week at a time and agree with you.

Find the atmosphere rather than evil to be exciting and romantic and so much to see and do … but can appreciate why some wouldn’t like it at all

Yes, I rather loved Naples but then I had read up and knew what to expect 're dirt (occasionally human faeces) and noise. Had the most wonderful ice cream there.S
Was wandering around southern Italy at the time and apart from the absolutely amazing architecture I was quite bored with it. The landscape was dull and food was awful! Was surprised in Italy how little they used garlic or herbs in their pasta. Ended up eating out of supermarkets a lot rather than pay exorbitant prices for shitty, dry pasta diashes.

@NewShoesForSpring This is exactly how I feel. I too love art and culture and history and food (and wine 🍷🤣) and always find something of interest in every city I've been to.

We have just come back from Turin which was the most amazing place with so much to see and experience. I had no idea that the Egyptian Museum in Turin holds the largest collection of artefacts in the world outside Cairo. Or that their outdoor market is the largest in Europe

We also try to do a 'free' walking tour on the first full day we spend in every new place. They are usually fabulous and tell you so much more about a place than you would learn by wandering round on your own or reading a guide book.

I love Paris as well and never get the negative comments here. But I expect the staff in cafés to be a little aloof so I'm not surprised by it. I know men in other countries may stare more directly at women so I'm not surprised by it.

Venice was one of the most underrated places to me. I knew it was meant to be lovely but hadn't expected to find it so magical at night - a clear and cold empty St Mark's square in February. And no cars just the sounds of people's footsteps during the day. Places to get lost, using water buses. All of it gorgeous.

One place that didn't live up to what I hoped to find was Whitby. Admittedly, it was pissing down when we went but I really wanted to like it but it's on the 'no reason to go back there' list.

I travelled with my friend to Cairo. Lone female travellers and had no issues. In fact we had an old chap help us cross the street as we couldn’t get through the traffic. He took our elbows and guided us across, bowed, and went on his way. I loved it there. It was 30 years ago

Like several other posters, I don't quite understand the 'evil atmosphere' in Paris, I think it's not what it used to be even in the 90s (though I never thought it was perfect - partly due to all the street thieves!) - it's gone much dirtier and people are often dismisssive in their general manner.
But I'd love to hear from posters who feel the 'evil' what is it compared to London, Rome, New York, that makes you feel that?

L.A. It was noisy, dirty, busy with very little character. Could quite happily never go there again.

We flew to LA from elsewhere in the US - 3 hour flight - then spent 3 hours driving out of LA - terrible traffic, huge sprawling city.

Visited LA 40 years ago to stay with a relative who was living there then. Stayed for four weeks and had a fantastic time. Loved the place. But it has probably changed since then.

Was in LA last sept, yes its a sprawling city and bad traffic. But anyone that does any research or watch tv/films should know this all ready. I actually liked it. Even though people told me before i went that i wouldn't like it but i went with an open mind. It was easy to get around in and loads to do. yes parts like Hollywood a bit of tack and the homelessness is bad ( that is every where in America though, but to see places you have only seen on films etc was amazing. We did the Warner Bros tour and walked around where back to the future was filmed was unreal. Then watching over xmas and amazement to say we actually stood there where Marty stood to me was so cool. I didnt like San Fran, the homelessness was alot worse there and didnt feel safe. When you see supermarkets with half their shelves behind lock cages and you have to ask for them to open them to buy a tube of toothpaste - there is something wrong there. No where is perfect everywhere has its faults however go with an open mind

There are many beautiful, quiet places in LA. You have to know where to go and they tend to be off the freeway. Judging LA by a 3 hour drive through it is like judging London by the drive out of Heathrow to Slough.

My parents loved LA but DH and I knew all the botanical gardens, museums and sights to take them to, places like the Griffith Park Observatory, and Descanso Gardens which a lot of tourists don't know about.

@CatAndHisKit i wouldn’t bother with clarification re previous poster’s comment about Paris being “evil”. It was a highly distasteful and disrespectful remark - I’ve dealt with a few Debbie Downers in my time and the best thing is to just get away from them asap. I hope the posters travelling there are not put off by this deeply unpleasant remark.

Even trips that were occasionally difficult or even overall disappointing (Crete, a dull basic hotel in a tourist spot, “mea culpa” perhaps?), I learnt something or enjoyed something (accidentally coming across an orthodox Greek wedding in a grove next to a quiet lake).

Finally, though I am a tourist/traveller - I always try to respect the fact that I am a guest in someone’s country, someone’s neighbourhood. Even in beautiful Venice I’m aware that I’m impinging on their lives and community. Apart from one slightly expensive meal though I didn’t feel taken advantage of. Glad Venetians banned those awful cruise ships though. Many tourists are respectful but the sense of entitlement and self absorption some tourists display …

”Andiamo!” 😀

@CatAndHisKit i wouldn’t bother with clarification re previous poster’s comment about Paris being “evil”. It was a highly distasteful and disrespectful remark - I’ve dealt with a few Debbie Downers in my time and the best thing is to just get away from them asap! It’s a shame when it infects a thread though. I hope the posters travelling there are not put off by this deeply unpleasant remark.

As another poster said, often even trips that were occasionally difficult or even overall disappointing (Crete, a dull basic hotel in a tourist spot, “mea culpa” perhaps?), I learnt something or enjoyed something (accidentally coming across an orthodox Greek wedding in a grove next to a quiet lake).

Finally, though I am a tourist/traveller - I always try to respect the fact that I am a guest in someone’s country, someone’s neighbourhood. Even in beautiful Venice I’m aware that I’m impinging on their lives and community. Apart from one slightly expensive meal though I didn’t feel taken advantage of. Glad Venetians banned those awful cruise ships though. Many tourists are respectful but the sense of entitlement and self absorption some tourists display …

”Andiamo!” 😀

sorry double posted - glitch!

Costa Rica

Say more? Have always wanted to go there!