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?

Umm, well, I have had my disappointments with Australia, but culture isn't one of them: biggest arts festival in the world (Adelaide), Mardi Gras (back in the nineties for me!), Sydney Opera House, great libraries, galleries, museums, markets, botanical gardens and parks. You have to pick your time and put the work in, I guess, it's not an old country where everything is laid out for you.

In Egypt it is often the money. The small notes can be very dirty and people forget to wash their hands after handling it. In resorts poor hygiene by other tourists (eg going in the pool while still suffering from diarrhoea) contributes to the spread.

My point exactly. It’s not an old country.

@IberianBlackout

Try Wells beautiful city with glorious Cathedral and Bishops Palace

Oh yes, Wells is lovely.

A day trip to the Falkland Islands.
Took 4 days to get there and back.….and there was no pool.
(only being slightly serious) 😂

@SpanThatWorld, I was wondering if anyone would mention Rio. I lived there and loved it ... it possibly takes a bit of practice! Visitors get blindsided by the beach, the music and the glamour, forgetting that it's a large, working city with plenty of problems. I was splitting my time between London & Rio so had my 'city head' on at all times, enjoying the different energies of the two capitals.

''@Ontheedgeofit

My point exactly. It’s not an old country.''

The Aboriginal population would disagree...

Aboriginal Australian culture is one of the oldest continuous cultures on Earth.

This thread really is the gift that keeps on giving.

Funny though. Most people who are complaining about the lack of culture completely overlook that though, that’s the irony.

I am from South Africa so I don’t need to be preached to about colonialism, I live the reality every day.

I'm a Londoner so city head is permanently on.

Just didn't like Rio

😂

I visited Tunis’s with a cruise ship with DS and loved it. Probably because we only saw the fabulous cultural bits and a market. We have “ Christmas Camel” we bought there and a cheap plate that they hammered DS name in. The blokes on the market were really nice and normal ( ie sense of humour).Having meet several blokes from Tunisia on my holidays or here in the uk I can believe a longer stay would have been different.

Venice is just a theme park. I’ve been three times over the years and whist interesting, doesn’t feel like a real city.

Austria is always feels a bit wrong to me. Skiing feels a bit sub par, food is meh, weather is odd.

The French aren’t bothersome where did I say they were - that’s your own prejudices showing. In 2020 the French borders were suddenly closed (issue for us at the time as we had planned to drive home through France) so they weren’t allowed to leave France hence another batch of European tourists not in Venice. Germans Dutch and English only countries not restricted then.

@SpanThatWorld my H did a few band dates in Brazil - he loathes Rio D j - thought it Mega grotty, unsafe and shit food ,

Venice didn't feel remotely like a theme park to me. Someone else said it was like Disneyland! What struck me was that it was a proper working city with boats moving goods along the canals and early morning fish markets. It was also quiet at night. I went in February, over 20 years ago now. It was cold and bright with clear starry skies. It was magical, no car noises, just the sounds of footsteps. I love Paris as well though.

The blokes on the market were really nice and normal ( ie sense of humour).
They are friendly and make an effort to make you feel welcome.
I loved Carthage.

LOL...well, I'm in a very Blue state in the Midwest and live in one of the largest cities in the country. And not the suburbs. The city. While I hear you that there are parts of cities that suck, there's so much that is wonderful. James Beard winning restaurants are in my neighborhood and it's very easy to find food that is diverse, fresh and mouthwatering. It's heaven on Earth during the summer and if you can stand the cold, we have some of the best winter sports in the world. Yes, if you eat at mid-range hotels or chain restaurants, you'll get too much cheese, but honestly, we eat as well here as my family in Europe. But we have a vibrant Farmers Market and countless restaurants.

I've been to London and felt as unsafe as I do in my city...but that's probably because as locals, we know where to go.

But many haven't...they cant have can they …’hated the Maldives, nothing to do but swim and sunbathe’...
Hated Maarakesh, too busy and hectic, hated Agadire, modern, built up, soulless.

Not much research gone into those holidays…

I always think I can find something to enjoy anywhere, even if it's just people-watching and imagining their lives.
Don't understand why Marrakesh has been mentioned so often. I adored it. I would love to spend more time seeing more of Morocco.
Fantastic food, friendly people with a really good sense of humour. I felt perfectly safe and unhassled.

The complaints are often things like the flight was far too long. Well yes, it was to the Caribbean/Bali/Thailand, what did you expect?

I agree about Miami. There are so many nicer, more picturesque and interesting places in Florida. We were not impressed.

We used to stay in a villa in Torrevieja. Last stayed about 25 years ago. It was a lovely place we thought and we hsd great holidays there. We partly stopped going because the area was sadly getting unsafe.

Paris. My dad took me there when I was 12, as he wanted to go to some car exhibition.

He dumped me on the street (in Pigalle of all places) at 7.30 in the morning with nothing but a métro pass and 20 francs. He said getting around Paris alone would be character building.

Pigalle was utterly rife with professional beggars and I was scared stiff. I spent the whole day trying not to cry.

What a disgusting comment. What does someone’s faith have to do with how well they can make a cocktail?

A country doesn’t have to be old to have culture