Places you've been underwhelmed by

[HannaPintura]

I just love going away and have really loved most places. One place in particular really Underwhelmed me...Gibraltar...just like Britain in the sun! I'm sure it has so much to offer, but I couldn't wait to cross the border back to Spain!

I love Florence and it’s easy for a partially disabled person to get around as it is mostly flat. I’m returning for a third trip this year. Lovely architecture and friendly people and some nice locally patronised restaurants near the hotel. Hotel is smallish and a gem with a roof terrace to relax on. Only a ten minute walk over the river to the Domo and the same along the river to the Pitti Palace. Cheap local bus up into the hills. So much history and art. No need to queue for hours or to pay high prices for the Uffizi etc.

An old friend who has done lots of travelling including swathes of Asia and South America said that the only time she felt nervous was in Jamaica. She was in an AI compound but the outside surroundings were intimidating apparently.

Louise I think lots of people go to places because they think it's the thing to do. I have heard people say they are going got Dubai to tick it off. You would have to pay me to visit that place for sooo many reasons.

I'm really enjoying this thread because it is making me feel like one of those people who sees the good in everything and is all flowers and sunshine and cuddly kittens. And I've always thought that I am a misery guts

I think disappointment comes when you have really looked forward to visiting somewhere for a long time, so mine are,

The Algarve.

The Eden Project, felt like a school trip.

The Statue of Liberty, DH said "There it is" and I said "Where?"

I was underwhelmed by Venice. I love visiting new places but for some reason it just didn’t live up to expectations. Our gondolier wore scruffy clothing and was very surly and officials were officious.

New Orleans - sleazy
Kuala Lumpur - got assaulted twice
Grand Canyon sunrise - was quite pretty but was so exhausted from the heat the previous day I wanted my bed more than I wanted the experience

Taj Mahal - smaller than I thought

Another one here for Dublin. Took my friends for a trip there and was so disappointed at the litter, drug paraphernalia, broken beer bottles, on the walk from Heuston Station to O'Connell Street. Overpriced and too many roadworks.

So you probably went through the north inner city areas, I wouldn't advise any tourist to do that. It's not an attractive area.

Mind you I'll agree with everyone that Dublin is overpriced and not as great for tourists as other places! I think it's quite easy to get sucked into areas like Temple Bar or others which are shitey. I would question anyone coming here now and eating just fish and chips - imo there's a good range of restaurants.

I found Niagara Falls to be a disappointment . Didn’t help that there was torrential rain all week. Apparently this was unusual for June

Tunisia total shithole

I've had two contrasting trips to Rome and really it was the staff and location of the hotel that made the difference. Oh and the weather.

MsHarry
I heard Oxford was supposed to be lovely and I just felt really underwhelmed by it, I think I thought it would be like Windsor which I love, but it wasn't, but like I said maybe I didn't see the best of it

I didn’t like Marrekech either. Was disappointed as I thought it would be mysterious and magical. Instead there were lots of creepy guys and it was dirty and smelly. Also the tagine was really gross and not at all like the versions I’ve seen cooked on tv. Essouaira was beautiful on the other hand.

Went to Jersey out of season and found it parochial and stifling.

But loved Barcelona, New York, Paris, Copenhagen and Lisbon. Maybe because I love walking round, people watching, eating out, museums and art galleries, all of which are plentiful in those cities.

As someone said, it may be the gap between expectations and reality that leads to disappointment.

Cheddar gorge. The gorge itself would be impressive but they've turned it into a big tacky touristy hole, and the Somersetians driving through don't care who they hit with their cars or motorbikes! The only good thing about it was the rock climbing and the icecream.

I thought Bath was very good though, especially the Roman Baths and the American Museum.

Amsterdam was very much a curate’s egg. When I go back I’ll know what to avoid.

Has anyone advice about what to visit in Scandinavia that will not force me to declare bankruptcy on my return home? Love Scandy tv series and really want to visit.

Franki I find oxford much nicer than Windsor which is sooo touristy.

I haven’t read the whole thread, but The Little Mermaid in Copenhagen. I thought it would be this massive statue in the middle of the river. Nope, a piddly little thing on the edge that you could easily walk past without even noticing!!

I think the moral of the story/this thread is do the research.

Yes I agree about Cheddar Gorge but oddly it still gave me a thrill to visit it having read about Cheddar Man etc. It had a vibe..in my head at least!

Melbourne....

I was so disappointed. Melbourne didn't offer anything you can't get better anywhere else in the world. History- try Europe; food - Tel Aviv,Jerusalem or for the ubiquitous 'fusion' go for the proper stuff across anywhere in SE Asia. Urban living - hit NY or Berlin; Lanes and Alleys - Brighton and Venice both have more charm and less over priced quinoa. You want green spaces?London has it covered; homeless crazies; San Fran is your city; Beach access? Barcelona or Valencia; St. Kildaa’s is Miami only fatter and more sunburnt. The CBD is grimy and gritty and has about as much charm as Plymouth and the street art is essentially NYC c.1980 complete with garbage bins and rubbish.

There are nicer areas such as Fitzroy and Carlton and South Yarra- but it’s just like Greenwich Village, DuPont Circle or Georgetown. Only smaller. And less nice. Don't forget to sell a kidney if you want to buy anything.

After some of the world's great (and less great) cities Melbourne just feels suburban, parochial and boring.

I can see how it might be a lovely place to live if you want second-rate international city, but honestly the only overwhelming thing about Melbourne was the prices.

I didn’t even like the coffee.

Rant over.

Still bitter about how much that holiday cost us.

I wonder how expectations play into this. I wasn't fussed about going to Paris, but we ended up going recently to meet family. I thought it was lovely, even in the rain. I didn't feel unsafe and I was glad we saw the Eiffel Tower despite my apathy towards it.

I'm American so I don't have the same perspective on places like SF. I thought Barcelona was quite nice and liked it a lot.

I can't think of any place that's totally underwhelmed me, but I probably don't build them up that much in my mind. Maybe the Cotswolds?

Beautiful Bruges - absolutely rammed, unable to see the beautiful buildings for the crush of people, so many tourist trap/tat shops, yuck.

Would just also say to people DO NOT go to Venice Beach. It was cool and alternative hipsterish in the early 80s. Since then the rest of the world has developed and gain alternative and cool places. What it did have is no longer unique, and what it has now is in no way desirable. It’s the worst kind of tourist trap with shops selling generic Chinese made slogan t shirts, woeful rip off food and a massive homeless camp and drug problem that’s visible in sight and smell. The area has de-gentrified to an absolute slum on the seafront. Full of chancers and scammers too. Avoid and take a trip to the upmarket vibey beach suburbs elsewhere in LA instead. Manhattan Beach, Huntington Beach are lovely to name but two.

India ~ horrendous poverty, corruption and filth. Had to avoid so much foodstuffs and drinks - and stick to hotel toilets. Hard to fathom how that country functions ~ or justifies pouring money into nuclear weapons.
Parts of India was just like what Britain must have been like in the Middle Ages.