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

[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.

^^Crazy post!

I spent time in Queenstown, and it (and the surrounding areas like Wanaka and Fiorldland) has to be the most beautiful place on Earth. The people were exceptionally nice to me. Most everyone was happy, cordial, helpful. Yes, there are lots of Asians, but I don’t see that as a negative.

There’s no way someone should fly to that part of thr woeld and skip New Zeland. PP, your insane.

^^Excuse my plentiful errors. That you would call New Zealand overrated has got me flummoxed.

[Anonymous]

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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.

People now travel for the same exact reasons that you did 30 years ago. Sorry some of us were 8 when it was "so meaningful"

Maybe your attitude reflects why once truly spectacular destinations are quite literally deteriorating and disappearing. You don’t deserve a damn thing.

OK so we are both being snarky arses. I'll own it. But let's be serious for a moment. Do you honestly think that people who are in their 30s and 40s today are just all a monolithic, vapid IG addicted hoarde? Is that American specific or does it extend to other nations? It seems like 30 years ago, the late 80s, was filled with all kinds of unsavory tropes as well. Democratization of travel is not a bad thing. Yes, some things are forever changed and ruined by humanity. But we did that as a whole, not to be blamed on people who are "late to the game" because of when they were born and just ruining everything instead of being this mythical, perfect traveller from 30 years ago.

Alas, perhaps it is Instagram that ruined traveling, but the behavior of people on planes these days is abhorrent, to start. In short, people tend to think they are better than they are - which makes me think they are not, by default.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:The Outer Banks. SO BORING.

+1,000! And that god awful dingy brown sand!

Dingy brown sand? What are you talk about, what is dingy about it?

I prefer my sand sugar white.

Other PP here, you know that is another good point about driving all that way for huge disappointment each time. No thanks. If I need a pool, I 'll stay here.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Disney. I seriously don't understand how anyone can like it.

What in particular did you not like?

PP here. The crowds, the commercialism, the heat, the disgusting food, and the prices! My family and I just aren't Disney people. We'll stick to our beach and city vacations.

+1

+1 never been to Disney and have no plans to. Much prefer Florida, the Caribbean, or Europe.

If you have never been, then how would you know if it was "hyped and a let down" like OP is asking?

We love Disney. We also love Florida, the Caribbean and Europe.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Disney. I seriously don't understand how anyone can like it.

What in particular did you not like?

PP here. The crowds, the commercialism, the heat, the disgusting food, and the prices! My family and I just aren't Disney people. We'll stick to our beach and city vacations.

+1

+1 never been to Disney and have no plans to. Much prefer Florida, the Caribbean, or Europe.

If you have never been, then how would you know if it was "hyped and a let down" like OP is asking?

We love Disney. We also love Florida, the Caribbean and Europe.

People like to pretend they are cultured, whatever that means. The new Louis CK special had a great bit about "visiting small towns in Europe" lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Disney. I seriously don't understand how anyone can like it.

What in particular did you not like?

PP here. The crowds, the commercialism, the heat, the disgusting food, and the prices! My family and I just aren't Disney people. We'll stick to our beach and city vacations.

+1

+1 never been to Disney and have no plans to. Much prefer Florida, the Caribbean, or Europe.

If you have never been, then how would you know if it was "hyped and a let down" like OP is asking?

We love Disney. We also love Florida, the Caribbean and Europe.

People like to pretend they are cultured, whatever that means. The new Louis CK special had a great bit about "visiting small towns in Europe" lol

I know that if I spent all my vacation dollars sitting in a no-name town in Belgium, I would be a sad person indeed, lol.

[Anonymous]

I love the small towns in Belgium! I wouldn't say Brussels is my favorite European city, but I enjoyed my day there.

[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.

Switzerland is amazing! It's my and my DH's favorite country hands down. But agreed that Geneva is not a good representation of the rest of the country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Disney. I seriously don't understand how anyone can like it.

What in particular did you not like?

PP here. The crowds, the commercialism, the heat, the disgusting food, and the prices! My family and I just aren't Disney people. We'll stick to our beach and city vacations.

+1 the insane crowding and rushing around. And very expensive.

+2 I feel like I need to maximize every minute we're there, which likely takes some of the fun out of it for the kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love the small towns in Belgium! I wouldn't say Brussels is my favorite European city, but I enjoyed my day there.

Brussels lacks a soul. Some of the small towns in Belgium are okay but in general, Belgium isn't great. It's like vacationing in Ohio or something.

I'm one of these a-holes that likes to vacation in small towns in Europe. In my defense, I also vacation in small towns in America as well. I like certain grand cities like Paris but I'm drawn to smaller places like Carmel and Napa.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People are trashing some fairly fun places. Vegas, LA, Disney. Come on, you can have a great time there if you have money to spend. Wayyyy better than any city or small town in most of Europe. I've been basically bored to tears traveling and living in Europe.

You see 2-3 eastern european castles and you've seen them all. Tons of poverty, sketchy gypsies and countryside folks, tourist traps left and right. Food is merely decent. Alcoholics everywhere. I'm talking Romania, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary (at least some spicy food in Hungary I guess).

The germanic countries are the most plain vanilla, boring places ever. Terrible food in Germany and Austria. People are so stiff everywhere. Not much interesting architecture thanks to getting bombed all to hell. Wow, Vienna has an opera house. Ok, never seen one of those before. Berlin at least is a somewhat "happening" city but probably the only one. Skiing in the alps is fun but you can ski in the US too.

London felt like America but with worse store and restaurant hours and an indian food restaurant on every corner. Wow a big clock tower. Amazing. The small towns throughout ENgland are snooze fests."Bed and Breakfast #253, coming up!"

Stockholm was almost as boring as a German city except they have that cool waterside amusement park. Some decent restaurants. But come on, Abba museum? Old town (brownish buildings with no personality).

Outside of smoking weed, Amsterdam and the surrounding areas are a letdown. Wow, you can bike! If I wanted to bike I'd do it at home.

Belgium I guess at east has liege waffles, strong beer, and jenever. Some nice architecture.

I'll give Paris and Rome a thumbs up because the food and things to see are quite good. I did legitimately enjoy these cities.

The greek islands are so-so. Tons of tourist traps but at least the weather and scenery is nice. The sea is waaayyyyyy too cold, though. Give me Hawaii or Puerto Rico any day over any European beach destination!

If someone gave me the option between Disney, Vegas, or Europe (Italy and France excluded), Europe would be my third choice.

Smh. No words. Enjoy fake culture in Vegas & Disney.

+1,000 how old is this poster? 12?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love the small towns in Belgium! I wouldn't say Brussels is my favorite European city, but I enjoyed my day there.

Brussels lacks a soul. Some of the small towns in Belgium are okay but in general, Belgium isn't great. It's like vacationing in Ohio or something.

I'm one of these a-holes that likes to vacation in small towns in Europe. In my defense, I also vacation in small towns in America as well. I like certain grand cities like Paris but I'm drawn to smaller places like Carmel and Napa.

I don’t think Dinant, Bruges, Damme etc are anything like Ohio!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Disney. I seriously don't understand how anyone can like it.

What in particular did you not like?

PP here. The crowds, the commercialism, the heat, the disgusting food, and the prices! My family and I just aren't Disney people. We'll stick to our beach and city vacations.

+1

+1 never been to Disney and have no plans to. Much prefer Florida, the Caribbean, or Europe.

If you have never been, then how would you know if it was "hyped and a let down" like OP is asking?

We love Disney. We also love Florida, the Caribbean and Europe.

Same here. I’ve lived on 4 different continents, have travelled all over the world and I STILL love Disney. To each his own...

[Anonymous]

I was underwhelmed by Amelia Island in FL. Cute and quaint but bo-ring. Snoooooze

[Anonymous]

Niagara Falls. Much smaller than pictured.