What is the most overrated destination you have ever been?

[Meltinthemiddle]

Mine is Dubai l.

I live abroad and travel a lot and researching for my holidays is one of my hobbies.

And I'm allowed to say that I won't go back to Venice for various reasons.

What I find odd on these threads is when people who are giving their opinions, because they've been somewhere and didn't like it, are shouted down by others saying they're wrong. Clue is in the word "opinion".

I didn't like Venice. I loved Rome. Not keen on going back to Barcelona, loved Madrid. Went to Majorca when I was 19, won't go back. Didn't like Seattle, loved Vancouver. Etc.

The difference is, I haven't belittled anyone's opinions which aren't the same as mine. I've just thought "oh, there you go, I loved it".

@SoIinvictus I've chucked in my pair of underwhelming destinations too. Dublin couldn't be helped - was visiting DS who was living there (and hated it but has since moved). San Francisco - I totally shouldn't have gone back, and should have known better, but we were living in the US and DH wanted to go.
It's not the odd place - everyone is allowed opinions as you say. It's just that there are some posts on here with loads of places listed. You'd think people would learn!

Honestly can't believe a PP said Lisbon and Athens! I love both!
For me:
Vegas
Niagara falls
Toronto (sorry)
Cornwall
Rome

Vegas keeps cropping up. I wonder what everyone was expecting? I went about 30 years ago. On my own, and en route between other places. I expected it to be tacky. And it was.

I live in Cornwall and kind of expected it to come up because most folk visit in August when it does tend to get overcrowded in certain places. The weather is often less than optimal in august too.
Last few days tho everyone has gone, and the sun has come out. But I get why a visitor who came to a honeypot spot in august would be disappointed.

@ElizaWinter I agree with this too- so many variables- travel partners- state of relationship- how much money you've got- etc

I hated the Algarve- but we had a pissing down week in September - which limits your options in that kind of place.

@Crikeyalmighty I agree. we picked the windiest month to go cycling in the Algarve (he windiest part of Porthugal). It was brutal! But totally our fault for lack of research. Upside is we have some excellent hard-cyclist stories to tell now.

Agree that’s there’s variables although I think most people like a place to have individuality and a local feel whilst they dislike heavy traffic, overcrowding and being ripped off.
For me it’s weather. Every time I’ve been to Amsterdam it’s pissed down. It’s not interesting enough for me without good weather.
I totally see why people are disappointed with Barcelona but I like it’s cheap to go in winter , you can swim in rooftop pool or the sea and it’s been sunny ( not hot) every time ( I’ve been over 20 times).

@Awittyfool I love Amsterdam! Honestly I don't see how anyone wouldn't. And thinking about it I've only ever been in autumn or winter. I think it just has a sort of cosy vibe 😆. I also love Paris though and loads of PP said the opposite. Oh and Stockholm except it was SO expensive.

@explainthistomeplease I think for me the reason I don't like Cornwall is because of the crowds in summer but also the weather has been disappointing every time I've been. I live in the south east and always seem to have left warmer weather at home when I've come. I think it's disappointing if what you're after is a beach holiday but I guess if you're looking for a different type of trip maybe not.
I also get that it's totally different depending where you go. As a local you probably go to completely different places to where I go.
I love London but I live there so don't really go to the tourist places. If I spent ANY time in Leicester Square or Oxford Street or Madame Tussauds I'd bloody hate it.
love the lake District BUT I've only ever been in autumn when it's been quiet. I haven't been hoping for good weather so haven't been disappointed.

Don't get the hate for Barcelona, been twice and I loved it! Stayed in a lovely hotel with a pool on the roof. Fantastic art galleries and museums, went to a fabulous flamenco dance performance and a very soulful flamenco guitar performance in an atmospheric church. Braved the cable card to go up to the old fort. And loved the whacky Gaudi house and park. Had some delicious food,, great shops, what's not to like?

No because it’s gorgeous 😁

@Splishsplashsplooshsplosh Yes that’s exactly the vibe! Also probably why I’m not a fan. 😁 ( I’ve only been in the Spring and Summer and not a fan of cosy cities, carbs and hot chocolate ).

I went to Menorca too early in the season once and we had torrential rain - however, DH and I took buses to Ciutadella, tried a million different cafes and bars and had a lovely time.
I do think going on a city break in the middle of summer is asking for trouble though. We went to Barcelona in February and had glorious sunny cold days and quiet museums, Gaudi park wasn’t busy, it was lovely.

I agree.

There's also a certain air of superiority. "Oh, of course you hated Paris because you insisted on going to the Eiffel Tower and all the other tourist traps. But I speak perfect French and spend all my time in these exquisite little neighbourhoods and bistros known only to the locals and terribly sophistiquee visitors like me."

Totally agree with you. Give me the Med over the Caribbean any day of the week!

Only halfway through this thread and some of the comments are gobsmacking, now pp are criticising the fucking MONA LISA! If you don't get it, maybe read some art history...🙄

Ha! @Appalonia I wasn't criticising it (and I love Paris) but actually now you point it out it was super disappointing 😆. The painting is small and there was so many people all round it you could barely see it. Actually I thought the Louvre was BORING. Sorry. I'm obviously uncouth 😁

@Zebedee999 I am going to assume you have white privelage. Walk in the shoes of a black person. 57% of BAME people are not employed for racial reasons. Grow up and smell the coffee. You are talking nonsense.

The Mina Lisa is smaller than you’d imagine and it’s badly displayed so that that’s always a big cried in front. It is an amazing picture but as the most famous painting in the world you can surely see why the experience could be disappointing.

The Last Supper in Milan on the other hand is more special than you’d imagine from the faded impression you see normally. . The whole process of going through the air lock doors i, being able to sit in the actual covent he’d have been in with just a small group for a limited time. Brilliant . And it’s absolutely massive!

Cornwall for me. I grew up close to the coast, and when I visit home now I think about how nice it is with respect to crowds, costal walks, beaches, traffic, costs … and it’s such much nicer than the two trips we took in Cornwall.

Thing is about ancient works of art, you can only really appreciate them if you take time to learn about what they meant at the time, and why they were revolutionary and influenced what came after them. Otherwise, we simply don't know what we are looking at, judge them by contemporary standards, and understandably feel underwhelmed. I admit I've been guilty of this myself, and now I do try and do my research beforehand, to get the most out of the experience. This is why the Mona Lisa was so influential. Sorry if you felt attacked, that was not my intention.
http://www.italianrenaissance.org/a-closer-look-leonardo-da-vincis-mona-lisa/

@Allthatwegotisthispalebluedot 100 per cent agree re Oz. Sorry folks! I went to Melbourne, stayed with friends, then drove round Tasmania in a VW bug, then took the Ghan from Adelaide to Alice.

It was a great solo adventure undoubtedly, but everything was a little bit underwhelming, with the exception of Uluru at sunrise.

Maybe it's to do with expectations, and the insane travel time. I missed wandering round the old parts as you would in a European city.

Feels awful admitting all this!

Otoh I love central Paris and Marrakesh, tho haven't been to either for about ten years so maybe they have changed for the worse.

Bali went in 1999 which was bad enough but dread to think what it’s like now