Place that didn't live up to expectations

[Anonymous]

Costa Rica. It was so blah in comparison to almost everywhere else I've been, plus a huge tourist trap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Costa Rica: felt like a cash cow, got robbed, much of the development looked like Atlantic City, food was OK.

Maine: I dreamed of Maine, but it’s not my cup of tea.

Verona: touristy and just OK

Loved:

Various places in Mexico (so much culture, so much beauty, so much everything), Paris (but had to live there to fall in love), Venice (a local guide took us away from the touristy paths), Various places in Greece (again, visited with a local who advised us on where to go).

That's how I feel about Paris. It left me cold when I first visited in Middle School. I probably did have those "Paris goggles" on, but I lived there 3 separate times afterwards and though I've lived in about 20 other countries, just LOVED my times in Paris. I would move back in a heartbeat now.

I am from NYC, however, so for the person disillusioned that it was a French version of NY, I can't say I disagree. I would say major metropolitan hubs might not be your jam if you can't find the charm in either. I would not compare NYC or Paris to some of these other more "vacation destination" places.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I thought people knew there aren't really natural beaches in the Keys. Saying you were disappointed by the Keys because it doesn't have nice beaches seems like saying you were disappointed by new york city because bit didn't have farms. The Keys is far south and warm with beautiful views of the water but it doesn't have natural beaches.

I was disappointed by Prague (the crowds!!) and Rome (dirty and bad traffic).

Similarly, I am a bit surprised when people comment that eastern europeans are not particularly friendly to tourists.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I realize this is a DC message board, but as a tourist visiting, I’m sad to say DC. There was just such a dead vibe to the place, such a lack of energy compared with other cities like NY and Boston. Sorry guys.

My children absolutely loved old town Alexandria though, where we stayed - the cobblestones, restaurants, shopping, waterfront.

I agree with this. DC is perhaps the most bland city in the country.

Native here and agree. Exciting times in DC is talk of GS pay scales and TSP returns. City also doesn’t have much character. All the natives have been priced out for condos and Whole Foods.

I think DC had more character 15 years ago when it was still a little gritty but there was less crime. Now so many parts have gentrified but crime is also up. It’s like the worst of both worlds. But it was never a NYC or a Boston or a anything like that. Agreed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Savannah - I got a very sad vibe from it. It was uncomfortably mournful.

I agree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I realize this is a DC message board, but as a tourist visiting, I’m sad to say DC. There was just such a dead vibe to the place, such a lack of energy compared with other cities like NY and Boston. Sorry guys.

My children absolutely loved old town Alexandria though, where we stayed - the cobblestones, restaurants, shopping, waterfront.

I agree with this. DC is perhaps the most bland city in the country.

Native here and agree. Exciting times in DC is talk of GS pay scales and TSP returns. City also doesn’t have much character. All the natives have been priced out for condos and Whole Foods.

I think DC had more character 15 years ago when it was still a little gritty but there was less crime. Now so many parts have gentrified but crime is also up. It’s like the worst of both worlds. But it was never a NYC or a Boston or a anything like that. Agreed.

Ha! Less crime 15 years ago? Um, you aren't from here.

Oh and NYC is disgusting now and has been for years and Boston is great to look at but the food sucks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:San Antonio, TX riverwalk....meh.....

It was awful. People were so excited to see it. I went on a business trip and was like ????

[Anonymous]

Some of these I get but many are so strange to me. I think it must be a question of expectations. You have an idea in your head and it’s not that, so you can’t see it for what it is.

I also think it’s easy to blame the place or the people for a bad trip. But often it’s the weather, your travel companion, your state of mind, some combination thereof.

I can’t imagine being disappointed by Paris or Hawaii. Seems impossible. The times I’ve been to Paris, the only thing I hated was leaving. Hawaii is so unique in terms of culture and topography (at least for someone who hasn’t been to other Pacific islands). I can imagine a bad trip both places, but I would never blame it on the locale!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I realize this is a DC message board, but as a tourist visiting, I’m sad to say DC. There was just such a dead vibe to the place, such a lack of energy compared with other cities like NY and Boston. Sorry guys.

My children absolutely loved old town Alexandria though, where we stayed - the cobblestones, restaurants, shopping, waterfront.

I agree with this. DC is perhaps the most bland city in the country.

Native here and agree. Exciting times in DC is talk of GS pay scales and TSP returns. City also doesn’t have much character. All the natives have been priced out for condos and Whole Foods.

I think DC had more character 15 years ago when it was still a little gritty but there was less crime. Now so many parts have gentrified but crime is also up. It’s like the worst of both worlds. But it was never a NYC or a Boston or a anything like that. Agreed.

Ha! Less crime 15 years ago? Um, you aren't from here.

Oh and NYC is disgusting now and has been for years and Boston is great to look at but the food sucks.

I am not from here but I was here 15 years ago and I don’t remember anything like what we have been seeing lately. Maybe I’m wrong. Do you like anywhere by the way?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought people knew there aren't really natural beaches in the Keys. Saying you were disappointed by the Keys because it doesn't have nice beaches seems like saying you were disappointed by new york city because bit didn't have farms. The Keys is far south and warm with beautiful views of the water but it doesn't have natural beaches.

I was disappointed by Prague (the crowds!!) and Rome (dirty and bad traffic).

Similarly, I am a bit surprised when people comment that eastern europeans are not particularly friendly to tourists.

We're not friendly with anyone period. No discrimination.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought people knew there aren't really natural beaches in the Keys. Saying you were disappointed by the Keys because it doesn't have nice beaches seems like saying you were disappointed by new york city because bit didn't have farms. The Keys is far south and warm with beautiful views of the water but it doesn't have natural beaches.

I was disappointed by Prague (the crowds!!) and Rome (dirty and bad traffic).

Similarly, I am a bit surprised when people comment that eastern europeans are not particularly friendly to tourists.

We're not friendly with anyone period. No discrimination.

Haha! I added the tourists caveat because I have found that some will become more friendly once you get beyond the acquaintance stage.

[Anonymous]

Paris, for a reason that hasn't been mentioned yet. There is a ton of racism against anyone perceived to be Arab or Middle Eastern there (which I'm not, but I look like I could be). I would never go back.

Mackinac Island. I thought it was boring AF, and it takes forever and a day to drive there from civilization.

Las Vegas. So tacky and gross and smells like cigarettes everywhere. Completely depressing to see all the compulsive gamblers feeding their money into slot machines. I thought there would at least be something redeeming about it, but I liked pretty much nothing about it.

The Berkshires. Boring. What is the appeal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dubai and Abu Dhabi. A larger scale atlantic city.

It’s more like Vegas without the sex and booze.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bad food in New Orleans? I can’t believe my eyes! What have you been smoking PP?

I love it when someone says they dislike New Orleans, letting me know upfront that they are not my people.

But bad food? That's a new one to me.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, I still have nightmares about the stuff I saw on the streets of New Orleans. So violent and disgusting.