What is the most overrated destination you have ever been?

[Meltinthemiddle]

Mine is Dubai l.

Salcombe.

I saw a negative Trip Advisor review of some natural hot springs in Iceland, because towels were not provided and the reviewer didn’t think to bring his own. 😆

May be Blackpool is underrated 😂

@Cattenberg unlike others I liked Marrakech. Yes it did have the hassle factor but I just learned to ignore it- I did however love the jacaranda trees, the call to prayer, the lovely riadand hotel we stayed in, the atmospheric big square, the mint tea (terrific) and we had some of our best meals in the world here for bargain prices. It isn't immaculate and does have a unique er'smell' of a cross between donkey piss and mint- but I found it atmospheric and not sterile- much preferred it to Dubai - even allowing for the hassle factor. I liked Istanbul too for similar reasons

@CherryMaDeara Istanbul is one of my favourite cities we have been too- great food too

The 18 year old who hates Carmel vibes sounds like someone I would avoid at all costs.

See this is what I imagined it could be like with a thousand tourist shuffling round the edge and a coach park.
My friend just came back from there and showed me a few selfies on her phone. my word it looked spectacular and really unspoilt. Nothing like Ithought.

LA - awful place

Times Square was like hell on earth in my opinion with advertising and people dressed as naked cowboys walking around,

How does one dress as a naked cowboy?

Fellow-walker, as overheard on the summit of Scafell Pike:

'It's freezing, there's no cafe and there's no toilet. It's rubbish!'

I had assumed this was jokey sarcasm, but on reading this thread I'm now beginning to wonder ... 😂

Cowboy boots, cowboy hat (usually pink), otherwise completely naked and holding a guitar

@Londoner89 i mean. That sounds quite fun imo!

The problem with threads like these is not the destinations themselves, rather the expectations of the visitor.

New Zealand being meh - is just about the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. It is the most awe inspiringly beautiful place I have ever visited. Seriously - if you didn't find the South Island spectacular, this says more about the visitor than the destination.

Other places are not like England, for sure but that's the beauty of travel. The middle eastern ones are a good example - some may see dirt, chaos, begging - yes there are those things. There are other things though, history, culture, architecture, food, allure of something different.

The AI and package holiday has a lot to answer for.

Paris and LA

I guess people just aren't as sophisticated, cultured and broadminded as you.

Vegas!

@IcedPurple that's a bit nasty. I agree with that poster. I think the honest thing is many people just want clean, disneyfied and like the UK but with better weather. The reality is they are destined to be disappointed in large parts of the world. I'm partly guilty of this too, although I did like Marrakech and Istanbul and Athens a lot- all of which can be a bit gritty in parts.

Not sure how it's any more 'nasty' than someone suggesting that people don't enjoy the same places as her because they only go on AI package holidays to Benidorm.

I've been in all sorts of places as a solo traveller but I still find certain destinations overrated. Nothing to do with them not being like Britain or being too 'grimy'. Often the exact opposite in fact.

@IcedPurple you made my day...

Cultured, sophisticated. There's a first.

#picksfingernails

New Zealand is a paradise, provided you don’t expect decent newspapers & TV and can put up with some smug New Zealanders yarping on about how nasty Europe is.

Not quite in the same vein, but, MerryHill Shopping Centre in the West Mids!

Rio. No-one mentions the massive 6 lane road running along Copacabana Beach.

Please tell me why Mauritius is overrated! Thank you

I can't @Nubnut, we loved it! (Even off season with mixed weather).

Thank you