What is the most overrated destination you have ever been?

[Meltinthemiddle]

Mine is Dubai l.

Have you seen the size of Turkey as a country? Worth considering where and how you travel.

My parents came to London and hated it first time - went to tourist areas of West London and stayed in Paddington area. On their next visit, after my insistence, they stayed in cool hotel in East London, ate out at restaurants I recommended, went to all less touristy areas, parks, walked on the canal - and said they love it )) some parts of London are horrible, depends where you go. Of course, tourist parts should be avoided, same as everywhere.

We live near the Cotswolds and feel abit sorry for the tourists that flock to one village by the coach load drove past at the weekend they sort of stand around as there’s nothing to do unless you are a proper walker which they are not.

Exactly, i'm not after a AI beach break - we'd do a road trip but I worry about seeing stray cats & dogs in distress, it would ruin it for me. I tend to avoid places where thats rife and Turkey seems to have a major problem with it.

Yes, I had an excellent 3 day walking break in the Cotswolds with a friend. We did the Winchcombe Way. It was very hot but we stomped miles and saw lots of pretty views (and ate lots of ice creams!). I'd worried that it would be too chocolate box and full of tourists but it absolutely wasn't.

Yes, I used to live in London but still visit, and I make a point of staying in a different neighbourhood each time. We've stayed in Chelsea, Marlebone, Richmond, Bloomsbury, Shoreditch, Kings Cross. My next target is Hampstead. Seeing London as a series of linked villages to explore is definitely the way to do it.

That’s because they are all in one village!

Stonehenge (small, boring, overpriced)
Manchester (grim and rough)
Winnipeg (not rated by most I guess but an awful place - it was -35 when I was there - ridiculous weather)

"Yes, I used to live in London but still visit, and I make a point of staying in a different neighbourhood each time. We've stayed in Chelsea, Marlebone, Richmond, Bloomsbury, Shoreditch, Kings Cross. My next target is Hampstead. Seeing London as a series of linked villages to explore is definitely the way to do it."

Yeah this is much better. Even the touristy places are ok as long as you avoid the super busy bits. Covent garden is crazy around the market but the side roads and china town are cool. The Southbank is nice as long as you stay away from the area near the London eye. Go East from Waterloo instead. Avoid Oxford Street it's bloody horrible but Regent Street is bareable. Best Christmas lights are in Carnaby Street or Leadenhall market.
I live in South London and I love it here. Check out Crystal Palace or Greenwich or Brixton.

Also people like to say Londoners are unfriendly but I think that's because they're meeting them in horrible places. Nobody wants a chat on a busy tube when you're stuck with your face in an armpit! And in rush hour people are in a hurry to get to work and it's busy. They're going to be irritated by tourists walking slowly and stopping at the bottom of he escalator, and generally getting in the way. You have to remember it's not just you they've encountered on that journey. There have probably been 20 others they've had to pass doing the same thing.
But if you're stuck or lost people will help you. They'll usually give up a seat on the bus for people that need it more, they'll chat to you at the bar. And Londoners accept anyone 😊

Absolutely amazed at Pompeii being described as a shithole and boring 😂

You have to pay to go to Stonehenge?? Since when? 😮

Just asked the family this question over breakfast. Much debate as the validity of one of these places as a destination.

Abersoch

Disneyland Paris

American Museum of Natural History, New York.

Wetherspoons

I have memories in the early 90s of being a primary school kid on a school trip running between the Stone Henge stones and touching them all. I loved it.

Haven't been since, as I’m not it’s like that anymore.

It is an English Heritage site with visitors' centre although members of EH and NT(iirc) enter free. You can still see it from a distance free,

I have memories in the early 90s of being a primary school kid on a school trip running between the Stone Henge stones and touching them all. I loved it.

Haven't been since, as I’m not it’s like that anymore.

They were roped off in 1977.

I think that is a very good reason why you may hate some locations. I have to admit several countries I’ve visited have had a huge problem, but the worst for poorly looking animals was Sri Lanka. Contrast that with the many (many, many) dogs in the streets in Peru, but they looked like pets in health terms (although not all I’m afraid).

I found cats were worse in Turkey where we were (not AI) and I think cats is more of a European issue.

It’s a tricky thing as very few countries are as animal centric as the U.K. When I travel to countries that have certain issues, I ensure I have contact with a charity aligned to my values. I feel it’s a positive action that allows me to be a positive impact traveller. It’s not a one way street (I’ve stayed in some great places, undertaken fantastic activities!), but a win win. Women’s charities/refuges, community cooperatives, eco projects, locally run homestays to name a few. I expect animal charities would operate in most locations and offer visits for donations.

Cornwall

Could they have made exceptions at times?

I've only been to SH once and really do remember touching the stones.

New York

I guess everyone has different perspective and I am sure everyone went to one place with different expectations so it's difficult to justify however for me the worst was

Dubai ( too expensive and it's just synthetic feeling. Everywhere there are buildings.. and more buildings.. and shopping malls...........) traffic is horrible....

Yes, thank god I have no desire to visit either Sri Lanka or Peru. You're right, in fact the last time we went to Rome (soooo NOT a shithole as so many here claim it to be 😂 ) we twice visited the Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary and handed over some hefty donations. What a wonderful job they do there and a must-visit for any animal lovers visting Rome!

https://www.gattidiroma.net/web/en/

I shall be giving Turkey a miss I think.

Can’t believe someone put Lisbon it’s one of the nicest capital cities I’ve ever been to really lovely a bit of everything.

@PinkPondQueen dog ownership is not a thing in some parts of South America, there are sort of communal dogs and everyone and no one sort of owns them. It means you can just take one when you want it and leave to roam if you're busy. It actually works quite well.

I find Rome baffling- I thought it was amazing!! Loved the area over the river-