One vacation spot/ activity that was hyped and a let down

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Outer Banks. SO BORING.

+1

That’s the whole point of going there - to do nothing. If you want nightlife, museums, or fine dining go somewhere else. The Outer Banks are for relaxation - hanging out on the beach with a good book, taking long walks, spending time with family. You don’t go there to “do stuff”, you go there so you don’t have to do anything!

Agree. That's why we love Hatteras, there isn't much to do. A little beach time, sea kayaking, some fishing, books, a drink on the deck watching the sunset...sounds good to me.

Except NC beaches aren’t that great, the food options suck, and you see the same exact people as here. Besides, it is even hotter than here - last year we spent two weeks in an oversized house with a pool - we can do that here. There was also zero breeze, the sand was way too hot to walk on (literally), the water was so freezing that there was not one person who dared to go in - this was in July/August! We got wetsuits and tried to surf, but we couldn’t get boards or lessons because there was zero surf. No thanks, I’ll go anywhere else.

Not to mention, crossing a highway to get to the beach. So sad that some people’s points of reference are so few.

Why did you have to cross a highway to get to the beach? Did you stay on the sound side rather than the ocean? I’ve traveled extensively, but OBX will always be a favorite of mine. I’ve always had a great time there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Outer Banks. SO BORING.

+1

That’s the whole point of going there - to do nothing. If you want nightlife, museums, or fine dining go somewhere else. The Outer Banks are for relaxation - hanging out on the beach with a good book, taking long walks, spending time with family. You don’t go there to “do stuff”, you go there so you don’t have to do anything!

Agree. That's why we love Hatteras, there isn't much to do. A little beach time, sea kayaking, some fishing, books, a drink on the deck watching the sunset...sounds good to me.

Except NC beaches aren’t that great, the food options suck, and you see the same exact people as here. Besides, it is even hotter than here - last year we spent two weeks in an oversized house with a pool - we can do that here. There was also zero breeze, the sand was way too hot to walk on (literally), the water was so freezing that there was not one person who dared to go in - this was in July/August! We got wetsuits and tried to surf, but we couldn’t get boards or lessons because there was zero surf. No thanks, I’ll go anywhere else.

Not to mention, crossing a highway to get to the beach. So sad that some people’s points of reference are so few.

Why did you have to cross a highway to get to the beach? Did you stay on the sound side rather than the ocean? I’ve traveled extensively, but OBX will always be a favorite of mine. I’ve always had a great time there.

If crossing highway the highway to get to the beach is such a hardship, should have rented oceanfront or oceanside. As for the water temp, Nags Head and north to Corolla are usually cooler. Hatteras Island, where we stay elbows out into the gulf stream, which means if the wind is right you can get warm blue water.

That said, I'm not too picky when it comes to beaches. Even cold water beaches of Vape Cod and Maine appeal to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Great Barrier Reef

Was awesome and spectacular just 30 years ago - so glad I traveled then. Now, people are just looking to make lists of places they have been. Of course, the trips then lose most, if not all meaning - and the earth and it’s resources are depleted quicker with each airplane ride. People are not that smart.

You sound pretty dumb. I’m sure you didn’t walk to the GBR. You took a plane too, and STILL fly on them, I’m sure of it. Who do you think you are to judge others for doing the same things you do? You are absurd.

[Anonymous]

New Zealand

It has some phenomenal scenery but it is a loooong way to go to see nice views.

Many activities are geared towards young backpacker types (bungee jumping, anyone?)

I found many Kiwis to be a bit standoffish - in part maybe cultural but perhaps also due to foreign tourists everywhere.

They are cordial but not necessarily warm especially if their business has anything to do with tourism. It seems like it's all about the bucks which is typical for touristy places. But even getting "off the beaten path" it's amazing how often you run into other tourists; especially Chinese groups.

NZ has done a great job of marketing the country. Overly so, IMO.

If I were able to go that far again I'd spend all my time in Australia and skip NZ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:New Zealand

It has some phenomenal scenery but it is a loooong way to go to see nice views.

Many activities are geared towards young backpacker types (bungee jumping, anyone?)

I found many Kiwis to be a bit standoffish - in part maybe cultural but perhaps also due to foreign tourists everywhere.

They are cordial but not necessarily warm especially if their business has anything to do with tourism. It seems like it's all about the bucks which is typical for touristy places. But even getting "off the beaten path" it's amazing how often you run into other tourists; especially Chinese groups.

NZ has done a great job of marketing the country. Overly so, IMO.

If I were able to go that far again I'd spend all my time in Australia and skip NZ.

I'm having hyperventilations reading your post.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New Zealand

It has some phenomenal scenery but it is a loooong way to go to see nice views.

Many activities are geared towards young backpacker types (bungee jumping, anyone?)

I found many Kiwis to be a bit standoffish - in part maybe cultural but perhaps also due to foreign tourists everywhere.

They are cordial but not necessarily warm especially if their business has anything to do with tourism. It seems like it's all about the bucks which is typical for touristy places. But even getting "off the beaten path" it's amazing how often you run into other tourists; especially Chinese groups.

NZ has done a great job of marketing the country. Overly so, IMO.

If I were able to go that far again I'd spend all my time in Australia and skip NZ.

I'm having hyperventilations reading your post.

Are you going to NZ? I went many years ago. The locals do have a "coolness" about them in that they aren't very warm. That's just their personality. I thought the views were great though!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Asheville - have to drive to get to any hiking. So many people busking. Restaurants are small and crowded.

I grew up right outside of Asheville. What a phony "progressive" place. All the shops and restaurants are fairly similar and everyone acts so "woke" but would cut their grandkids out of the will if they brought a black guy home. Plus, the residential situation there is heavily segregated. It's like the white people only allow the minorities to play certain roles in their view of what Asheville should be.

[Anonymous]

Rome: I was unimpressed by the neighborhoods. Everything is brown, grey, and stone. Not a lot of color in the city. That said, the food is incredible. And you should definitely go there in the off-season before the tourist hoards arrive. I went to Rome in April and it was pretty empty of tourists - best way to experience the city.

Geneva: so boring, over priced, and just....blah. However, the rest of Switzerland is incredible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rome: I was unimpressed by the neighborhoods. Everything is brown, grey, and stone. Not a lot of color in the city. That said, the food is incredible. And you should definitely go there in the off-season before the tourist hoards arrive. I went to Rome in April and it was pretty empty of tourists - best way to experience the city.

Geneva: so boring, over priced, and just....blah. However, the rest of Switzerland is incredible.

We "are taking a cruise in summer 2021" and the day I wasn't looking forward to was Rome. It seems like such a long, hot day. I hope we still get to go for my son's sake but yeeesh summer in Rome looks exhausting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New Zealand

It has some phenomenal scenery but it is a loooong way to go to see nice views.

Many activities are geared towards young backpacker types (bungee jumping, anyone?)

I found many Kiwis to be a bit standoffish - in part maybe cultural but perhaps also due to foreign tourists everywhere.

They are cordial but not necessarily warm especially if their business has anything to do with tourism. It seems like it's all about the bucks which is typical for touristy places. But even getting "off the beaten path" it's amazing how often you run into other tourists; especially Chinese groups.

NZ has done a great job of marketing the country. Overly so, IMO.

If I were able to go that far again I'd spend all my time in Australia and skip NZ.

I'm having hyperventilations reading your post.

Are you going to NZ? I went many years ago. The locals do have a "coolness" about them in that they aren't very warm. That's just their personality. I thought the views were great though!

A lot of Kiwis are pretty reserved and have dry humor. I think a lot of people of British decent are that way.

But no matter where you are, if you're a tourist and only meeting people providing tourist services you're not going to get to know the people and culture that well. -NP

[Anonymous]

Rome, thanksgiving week 2014...incredible food, sunny/70 degree weather, and not crowded at all!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not that it's hyped a ton, but other than the weather I really don't like L.A. Found it really depressing.

+1 I'll add Palm Springs. I don't golf and there just wasn't much to do.

[Anonymous]

I agree with others who said Seattle is disappointing. Not great food, unfriendly people, very industrial. Meanwhile Vancouver was amazing and everything I had hoped Seattle would be.

San Francisco also isn’t a favorite. Too dirty, NIMBY, the worst homeless situation I’ve ever seen. However the nature around SF is amazing and I enjoyed Berkeley.

Also, Casablanca. Boring.

[Anonymous]

Vancouver. It's so hyped but it's really just boring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New Zealand

It has some phenomenal scenery but it is a loooong way to go to see nice views.

Many activities are geared towards young backpacker types (bungee jumping, anyone?)

I found many Kiwis to be a bit standoffish - in part maybe cultural but perhaps also due to foreign tourists everywhere.

They are cordial but not necessarily warm especially if their business has anything to do with tourism. It seems like it's all about the bucks which is typical for touristy places. But even getting "off the beaten path" it's amazing how often you run into other tourists; especially Chinese groups.

NZ has done a great job of marketing the country. Overly so, IMO.

If I were able to go that far again I'd spend all my time in Australia and skip NZ.

I'm having hyperventilations reading your post.

Are you going to NZ? I went many years ago. The locals do have a "coolness" about them in that they aren't very warm. That's just their personality. I thought the views were great though!

A lot of Kiwis are pretty reserved and have dry humor. I think a lot of people of British decent are that way.

But no matter where you are, if you're a tourist and only meeting people providing tourist services you're not going to get to know the people and culture that well. -NP

PP here. I traveled all over for almost a month. Took all kinds of public transport, stayed in local lodgings, went to local pubs, visited areas I thought were not going to be touristy, etc. Still left without feeling like I had any real kind of connection with the NZ people, no matter how brief. Closest I came was a public bus driver who was quite friendly and talkative during a bus ride through a remote area.

The friendliest, funniest and most engaging people I met in New Zealand were … Australians!