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Original poster

What is the most overrated destination you have ever been?

809 replies

Meltinthemiddle · 04/09/2023 18:24

Mine is Dubai l.

OP posts:
OvaHere · 04/09/2023 21:07

I've seen Santorini mentioned a few times in this thread. It looks so beautiful in photos but I've wondered if it might be a bit boring as a destination once you've taken the obligatory OMG this is gorgeous photos. Hence why I've considered it a few times but never booked.

Is that why people are underwhelmed by it?

PinkPondQueen · 04/09/2023 21:07

I think sometimes the magic just doesn't happen for some people. For me Australia was overated, have close family there so visited a lot over the years & my opinion was still 'meh". However the last time I went we were sat on the grass eating the very best fish & chips I have ever tasted with a few bottles of beer when all of a sudden a dolphin started frocklicking in the estuary in front of us, a short while later hundreds if not thousands of parrots rocked up to settle in for the night in the trees around us. It was magical and something you can't plan for and made me fall in love with Australia for the first time in 25 years!

Ozgirl75 · 04/09/2023 21:08

NaselHazel · 04/09/2023 19:44

Sydney.

I absolutely see how it’s a really lovely place to live and work - beaches, sunshine, the sea - but there is absolutely nothing to DO there as a visitor and it’s a pain to get around. You look at the view of the Harbour, Opera House and Bridge, have a tootle out to Manley on the ferry, pop to the beach and that’s that! Voila, you’ve done Sydney in a morning. The Opera House show was Mamma Mia….

I was there a few years ago and Sydneysiders talked about the restaurants which were fine, but not better than my home town.

This is hilarious. How about the Museum of Contemporary Art, Art Gallery of NSW, there are multiple stages at the opera house, other theatres, the Powerhouse, Rocks, Rocks museum, Susannah Place, Vaucluse, Watson’s Bay, boat on the harbour, Maritime Museum, Newtown, cafes, a sports match at the SCG or Olympic Park, walk along the headlands?

Equally, surely no one expects that much of Bondi? It’s just a beach and not even the nicest on that particular bit of town.

Allthatwegotisthispalebluedot · 04/09/2023 21:08

It is absolutely not the done thing on mumsnet but I actually enjoyed my holiday to Dubai after arriving with very low expectations. I thought I was going to hate it but I have nothing but fond memories! It was a winter sun type holiday after Covid, and I did find it interesting. The Middle Eastern food was DELICIOUS and so cheap (everything else was hideously expensive!) and there’s quite a lot of things to see/gawp at. The view from the top of the Burj Kalifa is really quite something - you can see the city and then miles of nothing.

i also see why people might hate it, but it is an interesting place. I’ve never been anywhere quite like it (and I have travelled a fair bit!).

Notjustabrunette · 04/09/2023 21:10

Lands end.

Applesaarenttheonlyfruit · 04/09/2023 21:10

FettleOfKish · 04/09/2023 19:54

Rome, but largely because we went in July (invited to a wedding, not our choice of date) and it was hotter than the sun. I'm sure it's lovely when you can breathe, and step outdoors without being fully drenched in sweat.

LA. Only there a couple of days but saw nothing much to like about it.

Don't shoot me those who live there, but Manchester. Visited for the first time last year, have heard tons of brilliant things, but encountered several very angry shouty people (starting with our taxi driver from the station) and just felt a bit on edge all the time.

Sad about all these mentions of Bali, we're going there and to Singapore next month for the first time Sad

Bali is a big island and I loved it. We cycled around paddy fields, climbed mount Batur for sunrise, visited temples and markets, visited local cooperatives and cooked local dishes. We also stayed in the most amazing hotel. We loved it, but as part of a bigger trip. I think people have set expectations and then it’s not what they think.

I’ve travelled widely and think the only place that left me a bit flat was Brussels, but even then I enjoyed it.

I think people get culture shock and then it mars their time.

Notgoodatpoetrybutgreatatlit · 04/09/2023 21:10

North London. Its like a weird alternate universe version of South London rinsed entirely free of character.
Also I loved Blackpool. Nottingham was also very exciting, I have never seen so many proper fights with actual punching.

LocalHobo · 04/09/2023 21:11

Bahamas

Kneekneeknee · 04/09/2023 21:12

Dubai is unsurprisingly vile (not there on holiday). A lot of my work was in and around Las Vegas a few years ago, though - a lot of it is Strip and Strip-type tat, but there are sometimes interesting and beautiful places there as well. I actually fell pretty hard for the incredible landscape around it.

Katesdeadbehindtheeyes · 04/09/2023 21:12

Probably roasted for this but France. So smug and up it own ass can't understand the love for it on here.

SoosanCarter · 04/09/2023 21:13

The Andes. Lots of mountains and rain.
Reminded me of the Lake District but not as nice.

Museya15 · 04/09/2023 21:13

New york

Ozgirl75 · 04/09/2023 21:14

I honestly think some of you are seeing totally different cities. Barcelona?? It’s got the most beautiful architecture and loads to do. Barbados? Did you leave your AI hotel to actually explore? The west coast and St Lucy have these amazing windswept beaches and the people are friendly, welcoming and just lovely. Some of the most amazing fish I’ve ever eaten in restaurants there.
New York?? The most vibrant place with so much going on?
So odd.
I wouldn’t expect these places to all be perfect and pristine, they’re living cities and you have to take them warts and all.
And writing off the whole of France? Absolutely hilarious.

Riverlee · 04/09/2023 21:15

Eden project

Flamingos89 · 04/09/2023 21:15

Venice - far too crowded to the point I felt I was in a constant queue just walking down the street. However, I do think if it wasn’t so crammed full off tourists (like myself I appreciate) it would have been stunning. But the experience was ruined by the sheer volume of people.

itoldyouso1 · 04/09/2023 21:16

Second Goa.

WhatWouldJeevesDo · 04/09/2023 21:16

Grange-over-Sands

3peassuit · 04/09/2023 21:16

Marrakesh.

Bobbybobbins · 04/09/2023 21:17

Love Barcelona, Paris, Venice.

Been to SF a few times but wouldn't rush back. Found Dublin underwhelming.

Notjustabrunette · 04/09/2023 21:17

I actually really liked Dubai, i went to live there after having never visited there before. But I guess living somewhere is not the same as going on holiday there. Highlights for me were weekends camping in the desert, which I guess isn’t something tourist do.

mickgravey · 04/09/2023 21:17

LocalHobo · 04/09/2023 21:11

Bahamas

Oh no 🙈

Why do you say this ? We are going there in the new year

Serena1977 · 04/09/2023 21:18

Paris- so many beggars and street sellers, litter, dirty and smelt of wee.

Meowandthen · 04/09/2023 21:18

Anywhere full of annoying Brits.

i bet those who dislike Dubai have never gone anywhere apart from some hotels and malls. The UAE has its own culture and history but few tourists ever want to know about it or visit the older or less shiny parts of town.

Meowandthen · 04/09/2023 21:19

Notjustabrunette · 04/09/2023 21:17

I actually really liked Dubai, i went to live there after having never visited there before. But I guess living somewhere is not the same as going on holiday there. Highlights for me were weekends camping in the desert, which I guess isn’t something tourist do.

Exactly. Loads to do for those who make an effort.

Meowandthen · 04/09/2023 21:20

Ozgirl75 · 04/09/2023 21:14

I honestly think some of you are seeing totally different cities. Barcelona?? It’s got the most beautiful architecture and loads to do. Barbados? Did you leave your AI hotel to actually explore? The west coast and St Lucy have these amazing windswept beaches and the people are friendly, welcoming and just lovely. Some of the most amazing fish I’ve ever eaten in restaurants there.
New York?? The most vibrant place with so much going on?
So odd.
I wouldn’t expect these places to all be perfect and pristine, they’re living cities and you have to take them warts and all.
And writing off the whole of France? Absolutely hilarious.

100% agree. Too many refuse to embrace anything different.