Most disappointing destination/holiday

[Forgottenmyphone]

For me, it was the Norwegian fjords. Not because they weren’t beautiful (what we saw of them, they were!) but because it was cold, rainy and foggy when we went. One town known for being very pretty was ridiculously busy and there was a cruise ship blocking the view from the restaurant we booked. We knew the prices were going to be high, but expected good quality… when you pay over £100 for a train ticket, you expect there to be toilet roll and soap in the toilets!

where have you been that was disappointing?

Dubai.
So Americanised, yet the people were so rude.

I’ve been twice and the most magical experience - can’t wait to return 🥰

That’s one for the French tourist board.
Been to NYC three times and found the people to be absolutely lovely and the service to be far superior to anything here. We stay with family though so probably slightly different.
Loved Barcelona but again, my DD was working there and knew where to go.
Love Corfu - NE coast is beautiful.
Had a scary taxi ride in Naples on the way to Ischia …
Been to Santorini and had a lovely time, Oia was a bit crowded but we didn’t stay there and could escape. Loved Crete, particularly Chania.
Wouldn’t go to Dubai, Turkey, Egypt, Morocco if you paid me. Out of interest, how did people THINK they treat women?
On the whole I think places are what you make them. Being friendly, polite, interested and using a bit of the local language does wonders.

'Dublin, grey, grubby, unfriendly'

Yes why is it sold as such a great place it's just a typical boring town centre I much preferred Belfast.

I can't believe all the Paris hate, I love it, my favourtite city in the world.

I used to live and work in the ME, Dubai was used a quick weekend trip as they had bars and stuff. It was ok for that use as a brief let your hair down weekend. Not a chance I'd go from the UK as the high end destination it's viewed as now, it really isn't.

Blimey someone's an ambassador to the Maldives

Everyone likes / hates different places. We love anywhere with art galleries (I know nothing about art but like what I like) and anything to do with archaeology is fascinating. However, we get bored with beaches. Hated Stockholm after a waitress insisted that the bread roll she gave me was gluten free. It wasn't. I spent nearly every day of our city break in bed and straight to the surgery when we got home! Never again!

Pisa - yes it has the famous tower, but was very scruffy, men everywhere selling cheap knock off stuff and following us. DC needed the toilet and in McDonald's they wouldn't let a child use the loo unless you paid them.

Greenwich - could happen anywhere. Went into a cafe for coffee and cake. The horrible owner shouted at us to get out as we didn't want a full English breakfast and 'we can't just come in here only for coffee and cake' Never been so embarrassed in my life. Went to a chain - who gladly served us.

Cannes. Loved the architecture but encountered some of the most ill mannered, rude staff I've ever encountered anywhere.

I used to work with a woman who would go and visit her brother who lived and had a business there…she’d say about going and be like “I know you’re all really jealous” and I’d just turn away as didn’t want to lie. There’s few places I’d like to go less 🙄

Sam I love Paris, spent an amazing few days there in depths of winter, snow on the ground and finding bars up side streets to drink wine and keep warm!
didnt like Marrakech would have left earlier if I could have got an earlier flight home. I felt so unsafe and as if everyone was trying to get ,only from me or rip me off!
but love Turkey!

I haven’t been to Melbourne but this reflects my general view of Australia. I went expecting to love it but found it totally soulless and devoid of history (with the exception of Uluru and King’s Canyon)

No I'm just realistic ! " oh I went to France and they all spoke French" or " I went to the Caribbean and I didn't know it would rain " or " I went to Dubai and it's all new buildings" or " I went to Central London and it was full of tourists" or " I went to Venice and it's full of canals " . Ignorance.

La Sagrada Familia?

Thank you. I've looked at images but not quite the same as being on the edge of the Caldera.

You aren't missing a thing.

The funny thing is, the person was trying to make everyone jealous because she didn't like the answers she was getting to her idea to go away on holiday with her husband and their daughters and leave her son behind with his father. Had it been Dubai she was planning for that break, I'd have told her to leave behind anyone she cares about rather than subject them to that sterile goldfish bowl where character goes to die.

@WondererWanderer la sagrada familia, casa milà, park guell, palau guell, casa battlo, casa vicens……..

Same.

I went in my 20s and loved it. Went in 2019 and it was horrendous. Really poor for disabled people.

It's not just ignorance that makes people not like holidays. I went to the Maldives knowing exactly what was on offer, thinking I'd really enjoy the peace and quiet (and views of course). Turned out I was bored as hell. Nothing to do with a lack of research, I'd just never had that sort of trip before.

I agree that overtourism has ruined so many places in Europe. Even 'B list' cities like Valencia or Pisa are massively overcrowded, which makes everything a chore and takes away from any sense of authenticity.

And yes, I too am part of that problem.

Forgot to say Dublin.

Busy, dirty city. Shared a cab back to the airport with another couple (we didn't know) only for the driver to charge both parties full fayre!

We were so glad to leave we couldn't be bothered to quibble about it.

Is Warner bros world not in Abu Dhabi (Yas island)?

@3678194b Dublin just confused me, it didn’t feel like it had anything particular to it. Broadly speaking most capitals are instantly recognisable for their architecture and landmarks, but Dublin was just… there.

Maybe it’s good for a night out but I found it very scruffy in the centre.

Jerusalem some 15 years ago, I was attending a conference. I remember going out for a walk in the morning and being harassed constantly by men (I was in my early 30s, reasonably attractive) of all religious groups. There was a constant feeling of tension , and of course Israeli are notorious for being pretty rude - starting from intrusive airport rummaging through your suitcase to hotel employees. The conference was great and Jerusalem stunning but I was stressed the whole time.

Also resorts in Fiji's Denarau near Nadi. No beach, just a lot of hotels with pools full of Aussies and Kiwis, meh food. We made a mistake going there (trusted the advice of friends and didn't do own research). But we managed to salvage it by booking excursions inland and to the islands and my children, small at the time, had fun (their kids club are lovely and Fijians are famous for being great with children) so it was not a total disaster.

I have heard that a lot re Maldives being boring. To be fair on @onehorserace i do think people need to manage their expectations regarding what’s on offer there… it kinda is what it says on the tin! I don’t think I could go there for 2 weeks, but I’d certainly love 5-7 days there. Dreamy!!! Helps that I love the ocean, water sports, snorkelling, scuba diving etc. I think it varies depending on the resort/island you go to as well in terms of what’s on offer. However for a relaxation trip, it seems like heaven to me.