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Places you would never want to go on Hoilday

804 replies

JoeyBartonHanson · 13/05/2019 21:00

Can be anywhere

I will start
Magualf
Blackpool (I live in Lancashire)

OP posts:
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13
Frazzled2207 · 19/05/2019 13:43

@Wimbledonwomble totally agree. I never went on uk holidays as a kid but we've been on loads since we had kids and they have mostly been great. Off to Devon next month and can't wait.

SusanneLinder · 19/05/2019 14:11

Very few countries that I wouldn't visit. UAE, because we need all sorts of documentation and permissions to get DH's painkillers in and that is a complete faff because it's probably not my sort of holiday anyway.
Issues with several other countries for that reason too, inc Japan, Singapore and Turkey.
I have been to Poland, and loved it. Anyone who says they wouldn't visit a former Eastern Bloc country is missing out. Been to former East Germany and it was lovely.
Planning Hungary later on this year.

CountFosco · 19/05/2019 16:44

I don't like heat and lying on a beach all day is my idea of hell so that affects a lot of my choices, e.g. we honeymooned in Sweden (it was fab, wonderful food, lots of culture and beautiful countryside). I have been to Egypt many years ago and it was too hot for me (I got very ill and lost a stone in weight) but the sights were incredible. Cairo was relentless but Luxor was lovely and much more relaxed. So glad I went when I did, travelled with 1 male and 1 female friend and did get some hassle but having our male friend helped a lot, and we did try and cover up appropriately.

I think as long as somewhere is safe to visit and has lots of culture I'd be interested in going. So much of the middle east and north africa is culturally so rich that I'd love to see more of it if it was more stable (obviously some countries are but e.g. Iraq has incredibly archeological sites that I'm not going to visit any time soon).

Next few years we are going to spend our holidays taking the kids round the UK and Europe though so they get to know their own culture.

Wimbledonwomble · 19/05/2019 17:07

Next few years we are going to spend our holidays taking the kids round the UK and Europe though so they get to know their own culture.

Done loads of UK with the kids, lots of long-haul pre-kids and a bit with them but very little Europe (apart from beach/pool holidays where you could be anywhere). Need to rectify that and do a series of European city breaks now they're old enough to appreciate them!

CountFosco · 19/05/2019 17:28

Need to rectify that and do a series of European city breaks now they're old enough to appreciate them!

We did Paris last year with them (youngest was just 6) and had a fabulous time, we're upping the stakes this year and going to Florence so planning the itinerary carefully so we don't put them off renaissance art for life!

Iamnotagoddess · 19/05/2019 17:31

I would never go to Egypt - again.

MsTSwift · 19/05/2019 18:16

Agree Egypt equals hell hole. The British museum has good Egyptian artefacts without the constant sexist abuse and terrorist threat

MsTSwift · 19/05/2019 18:17

Best city ever - Berlin. Both kids insisted they were going to move there ASAP after our city break there. Go when it’s hot awesome massive swimming pools everywhere

HeronLanyon · 19/05/2019 18:31

I absolutely loved Egypt - only went to Luxor and Cairo. Would go again In a heart beat except for ongoing terror threat and now, today, again, reality.

thenightsky · 19/05/2019 22:07

I loved Egypt, but its a long time since I was there. And I spent most of my time on a dive boat on the sea with day trips out to Valley of the Kings (amazing) and a day at the Cairo museum and pyramids (also amazing). This was all 20 years ago and reading recent reviews it seems it may have changed. Yes, we were hassled in the shops, but no sexual stuff - and DD was a teen at the time. Not sure its coz we covered up... long trousers and sleeves and hoods to pull up.

iknowimcoming · 19/05/2019 22:29

The Isle of Wight - friend moved there, really tried to like it, but I just don't get the appeal, it's like all the worst elements of a run down British seaside town but more difficult to get to

OhDearGodLookAtThisMess · 19/05/2019 22:32

China
India
Las Vegas
Dubai
Any caravan park

UnRavellingFast · 20/05/2019 10:40

Btw Eastern Europe is wonderful for its nature. Being off the tourist track, you tend to get welcomed instead of tolerated! They take their cooking and house cleaning seriously as a rule so you stay comfortably and the food is lovely with fresh everything. Obviously this is generalising but I've spent a lot of time in those parts over many years and I'm rather glad they're somewhat undiscovered by masses of tourists yet!

Fraxion · 20/05/2019 10:52

I loved Egypt, but its a long time since I was there. And I spent most of my time on a dive boat on the sea with day trips out to Valley of the Kings (amazing) and a day at the Cairo museum and pyramids (also amazing). This was all 20 years ago and reading recent reviews it seems it may have changed.

We did similar but more recently (2015). The only thing we didn't do was go to Cairo sadly. We had no problems whatsoever. Fantastic diving in the Red Sea! Luxor remains one of the most amazing places we have been to, Karnak temple was incredible. Unfortunately I can't see us returning any time soon.

BarbaraofSevillle · 20/05/2019 10:57

Those of you who dived and did land trips, who did you book with?

I've been on a Red Sea liveaboard and will probably go again, but it was just diving. Which is fine, but a day or two on land to see a little of Egypt would really enhance the trip.

thenightsky · 20/05/2019 11:42

BarbaraofSevillle We always used to go with a company called Longwood who were middle east specialists, but I think they've collapsed now (since the decline in visitors I expect).

The last time we went to Luxor I booked with a local guide on-line. He was excellent and looked after us all day. I'll look through my very old emails and see what I can find for you.

thenightsky · 20/05/2019 11:45

Barbara I remember I left a review on trip advisor at the time... so I've found the company...

www.tripadvisor.co.uk/AttractionProductReview-g297549-d11454860-Private_Tour_Luxor_Day_Trip_from_Hurghada_Including_Valley_of_the_Kings_Hatshepsut.html

myusernamewastakenbyme · 20/05/2019 12:04

South Africa.....i value my life.

bumblingbovine49 · 20/05/2019 12:23

Devon
Cornwall
Western super mare
UK centre parcs
Great Yarmouth and 80% uk seaside towns.
Australia
Romania and most of Eastern europe
Most of South America
Usa but not Hawaii or Alaska
South Africa
Israel
North korea

Sorry this list has made me laugh out loud . Just something about the incongruity of having Devon & Cornwall on the same list as N. Korea, though I do appreciate they are on the list for different reasons

The only places I would never go are ones with wars or on the fco 'recommend against travel to' list.

RacheyCat · 20/05/2019 12:46

Initially I was surprised by how many people had written-off China, but for people with limited holiday allowance, the only realistic way for most would be a tour which rushed you through multiple "sights", and that's no way to see this beautiful country.

We'd lived here a few years before we developed the confidence to travel outside the most built-up areas, and we do rely on an ability to use Chinese apps on our phones, and speak and read some Chinese.

If people did want to travel here, I'd suggest choosing one or two neighboring provinces, probably in southern China, and really spending some time in a particular area, rather than rushing through the Beijing-Great Wall-Three Gorges-Chengdu-Shanghai tours most people end up on.

For me, I'm not keen to visit the US, or Australia, or other English speaking countries any time soon We're relatively young and hardy right now, so it seems worth doing the more challenging trips and saving the easier ones for when we're older.

OhMyDarling · 20/05/2019 16:36

Nah that’s not why I wouldn’t want to go to China.

Parker231 · 20/05/2019 16:49

@myusername - we were in Cape Town, the Garden Route and Kruger earlier this year - all totally safe, lovely people, amazing things to see and do. It was one of our favourite holidays - definitely one to recommend.

MsTSwift · 21/05/2019 06:25

No way would I visit South Africa. The violent crime rate is through the roof. Remember meeting some lovely South African girls who moved to Europe as soon as they could described their life there and the crazy restricted life they led due to crime risk ( their friend abducted between the taxi and her house she didn’t survive I won’t say more too upsetting). A family member went there recently and was violently mugged - both early 70s was very shaken but at least not physically harmed.

WhiteDust · 21/05/2019 11:07

Witches
I thought I was the only one who didn't like Cornwall. I've been several times with extended family (who seem to love it) and we've travelled around. Unpopular opinion but It's not really that 'beautiful'.

Oliversmumsarmy · 21/05/2019 12:35

WhiteDust

No you are not alone