Which city break did you NOT enjoy?

[pinkfishbluefish]

Where’s overrated, and why? Looking at making a 2023 travel itinerary and curious.

I wasn’t fond on Rome.

I would love to try Amsterdam but worried about safety: wouldn’t be interested in any of the ‘popular’ activities that folk do there, or the red light district. I more like the look of the food, culture, boat trips and museums.

Paris

Manchester
Munich

Yet to be convinced by Dublin. I'm back there this month visiting DS so we'll see!

Bologna - totally underrated and off most radars. Fabulous food, architecture and atmosphere but without the crowds. Also a great rail hub so a good base for Ravenna and other nearby cities.

Venice - never ever disappoints.

Berlin - hard work but worth it.

San Francisco - wish we hadn't bothered. Just made us feel anxious and disappointed.

Amsterdam - ridiculously beautiful. And the newly revamped Rijksmuseum is worth a whole day itself

Vienna was unexpectedly incredible. We went to low expectations and we're spellbound.

Masses more to critique. But it's very personal isn't it? One bad thing can put you off; and I expected delight can allow you to fall in love

What was the “horrid undercurrent”?

You sound a bit overbearing. People like different things - seems you aren't good at picking up tolerance despite your extensive travels. So many of the cities I love have been slagged off - but who would want everyone to agree on the best cities, they'd be overrun with tourists and completely lose their charm - some already have.

@EastLondonObserver I just didn't feel safe. I felt like I had to be on my guard all the time. Not nice.

Strange! I lived there for 10 years and never once felt like that and I was wondering around all kinds of neighbourhoods at all hours.

I've lived in other US cities and didn't feel the way I felt in New York. Not saying that's the way it is... that's just how I felt when I was there. Couldn't wait to leave...

100% yes to Bologna. Also Ferrara.

If you read travel guides on Barcelona it does mention pickpockets. On my second time to Barcelona with DB and his IL’s we warned DB’s MIL to be careful on the airport bus/shuttle, she ignored us and was pickpocketed.

I think the point is that there are some basic practical steps that can be taken and a mindset that can be adopted to maximise the chances of enjoying any travel experience.

Check out ‘The Art of Travel’ by Alain de Botton for some inspiration.

Meh - Amsterdam, Dublin, LA, Florence,

Loved - Stockholm, Bruges, Paris, Rome, Edinburgh, Manchester, New York, Venice,

You think this is news? Some people just want to go to a city for the weekend, they don't want to do homework - again - everyone's different.

You need to stop telling people that they are doing their holidays wrong, @EastLondonObserver It’s deeply patronising.

I do - it is clearly news to many posters who seem to dislike hugely vibrant cities with masses of things to do in them.

Doing a little “homework” (which might be as little as an hour or less of research) as you put it, means you’re more likely to not waste money and time on a trip you don’t enjoy.

Yes, in some ways we are all “different”, but we’re generally not different in seeking to enjoy city breaks we pay for :)

I think of it as helpful. If you disagree so be it.

Marrakech was an awful experience. The racism was tangible, I could barely find a restaurant that would admit me and had to rely on a white travelling companion to express interest to secure the table while I hid. Physically assaulted by a child and a man. Never again.

That’s terrible @Nomechanged 💐

Yes we did - Brooklyn & Williamsburg which I loved. Also New Jersey which I also loved.

Hated: NewYork, London, Cairo, Barcelona, Los Angeles, Malaga
Loved: Amsterdam, Berlin, Paris, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki

Wasn't a huge fan of Rome. Loved Budapest, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Bruges, Strasbourg, Nice (as a base for other places along the south coast). I think it depends a little on what you want out of a city break, the weather/time of year, where you're staying and who you are with to some extent.

I found Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin and Oslo quite depressing for some reason.

I love Paris and have lost count of the number of times I’ve been, although the criticisms are also fair, but I still find the place magical.

I loved Amsterdam the first time I went which bizarrely was to run in the marathon (which I hated). It was a beautiful autumn weekend and I felt like the city had such a good vibe.

Went back a few years later and it threw it down with torrential rain the whole time and it all felt a bit "meh".

I think my outlook on things is very much influenced by meteology.