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!

Agree re Cotswolds. Horrible aggressive speeding (and I suspect drunk) drivers in fancy cars made it stressful to drive anywhere. Phoney "country chic" type stores in the villages. Accommodation within the Cotswolds all add Cotswold-tax to their tarrifs. Only things to do are either pay-in or drink-driving related.

All shops like this: m.youtube.com/watch?v=1i4rgxOi73c
Empirer's new clothes land!

New Year Niki,

It was a good while ago when I were a lass. I'm sure it is much worse now though. Solo travellers do meet up with like minded people in hostels etc. I survived.

What has FGM got to do with it anyway? I can't stop it single handed and it doesn't just happen in Egypt.

Thanks for your support.

I found LA a total shithole.

expat

Totally agree. Awful place for a visitor.

But for the natives it is what they want and enjoy, vacuous as they are!

Tenerife really underwhelmed me
Niagara falls both under and over whelmed me. The falls were amazing and just like in films but all around was very underwhelming. According to some posters I should now discount both the US and Canada

I'm surprised at the pp who said chatsworth has lots of tat for sale close to the house. There are 2 shops - 1 in the stable block and one which is part of the house exit through the gift shop bit neither sell tat. Mostly over priced 'country lady' type stuff.

The spa in Bath , it's an expensive swimming pool.
Bath Spa is a hotel with a thermally heated outdoor pool. This has nothing to do with the Roman baths that have made Bath famous.

I find Cornwall so underwhelming that I lived just over the border (10 minutes drive) for 2 years and could never feel the motivation to go and visit. It might have a sort of rugged beauty but it's not a happy place. Everyone scraping by on sub minimum wage or feeling squeezed out by second home owners. There's a ton of resentment from Cornwall towards the rest of the country (witnessed by Brexit vote) and a very terse acceptance of tourism as it's the only thing that brings any money into the county. There's nowhere else in the UK with a more Royston Vasey feel.

Copenhagen.
Cold weather in July
I was expecting so much more.

New York, London, Rome, Amsterdam, Venice and Chicago brilliant.

What has FGM got to do with it anyway?

It is indicative of a countries general attitude to women where it is widespread.

Loved san fran, Edinburgh, japan, canada, cornwall, Scotland. Cant understand how people couldn't! I was surprised by how ugly most japanese cities are - everything is concrete and no town planning - but the whole country is so quirky and interesting, friendly, safe that its a fab place to visit.

Umderwhelmed by Singapore - not a lot to do and the zoo was depressing (polar bear was green with algae from heat). Also some bits of sri lanka - sadly we followed the tourist trail and had a very grumpy driver so suspect we missed out. It felt full of hgvs and pollution.

So much of an experience of a place is individual - weather, budget, companions, state of mind you're in etc - shown in such different takes on places. Lower expectations less easily disappointed!

Copenhagen.
Cold weather in July
I was expecting so much more.

This is where you are at a huge advantage if you come from somewhere with truly terrible weather. I visited Copenhagen in July and couldn't believe the heat. I got sunburnt. The locals were running round with their coats on though, so I don't think it was freakishly warm weather, just warm compared with what I was used to

We've had cold weather in UK in July, not that surprised that a more northerly country might have a cold spell in the summer.

@Tortycat

I think you were unlucky in Sri Lanka. DD2 had a 5 week trip there this year & loved (almost!) every minute.

(We were similar with Marrakech. I know there are several negative mentions here but lots of people do love it. There is some luck involved )

(NB we didn't love it - that’s not clear!)

Lapdance - everyone seems to love sri lanka except us! Dp was exceptionally grumpy there which didnt help. Also we touched down in the maldives next to an amazing beach en route there, and nothing in sri lanka quite matched it! There were some great bits but wish we'd gone elsewhere.

I loved Marrakech though!

I feel Scandinavia is closed to me as I cannot bear to fly north when for same flight in other direction it's warm and sunny. Feel the same about Scotland. Sure it's beautiful but if I'm leaving home it's got to be south.

We were pretty underwhelmed by a place recommended by friends called the Realm of Hades. We were told the boat trip on an underground river was interesting, but there was a very long queue and only one ticket collector who also the bostman.
We tried to pass the time by making conversation with others waiting in the queue, but they were sort of lifeless and unfriendly and simply refused to answer or engage. They all looked a bit odd and deathly pale but that may have been the poor light or the reflection from the river.

The other place we found underwhelming was a little island we came across when sailing some years ago. It was called Kirrin Island iirc, and although it was quite pretty with some old ruins and so on, the peace was shattered by four noisy children in very old fashioned clothes who ran around swigging ginger beer and shouting that they'd locked up smugglers in the dungeon of the ruins.
Their dog was out of control and jumped up and terrified dd.
We won't be returning there in a hurry.

Boatman not bostman

Oops, have asked MNtowers to delete post with photos - forgot to edit name out

Dapplegrey, did you bring a silver coin for the underground boat trip? I believe an obole is the standard charge. Also, something for the dog might be appreciated. But don't try any dognapping- they've had a lot of trouble with that over the years, so are understandably suspicious.

The island otoh is just grim. Avoid, avoid, avoid. The unfriendliest natives I have ever come across. And the crime rate is unbelievable.

Dapple

Did you catch sight of uncle Quentin?

Cory - yes, the other passengers had them in their mouths which we thought was a bit unhygienic.
Kerala - now you mention it, there was a strange looking older chap carrying what appeared to be scientific research papers. He sounded rather bad tempered.

@tortycat

Some pics from DD’s trip (in Sept)

Hotel on E coast, mountains in middle, kite-flying in famous place on W coast

Bloody gorgeous. I’d love to go but fear it’s a bit warm for me

Niagara Falls. Tacky and meh

Berlin. Scruffy