Most overrated international destination?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I disliked Seville. I didn’t get why people go there. I loved Barcelona though.

I also found Lisbon overrated, and Costa Rica.

Maybe to get a haircut ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do the people who say they went to places in France, Italy, Spain and other countries generally very well known for good food, but then say that the “food sucked” ever think that maybe they just… went to the wrong restaurants?

Or previously reliable eats are now going downhill fast. We are seeing it everywhere.

The fact that you refer to food in France as “eats” tells me all I need to know.

Good catch. I prefer to refer to the food in France as "joyeux festin".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree with those saying Costa Rica. We stayed 2 weeks, in 5 different locations, and they all felt way overpriced for what they were. I'd rather go to Hawaii any day. Better beaches, better food, same adventure opportunities but safer/cleaner.

Everyone was nice, but I definitely have no desire to return. The rainforest/jungles in Peru were way better IMO, and the beaches are better just about everywhere in the US.

Costa Rica is much cheaper than Hawaii, though, and a much quicker/cheaper flight from the East Coast. Of course Costa Rica is rougher around the edges. That's like saying Paris is better than Montreal or that Bali is better than the Florida Keys. Duh.

And Costa Rica has an incredible amount of biodiversity for a country its size. If that's interesting to you (and it is to my kids), it's a lovely destination.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The thread is a joke. The idea that people living in DC of all places are qualified to pass judgment on their superiors around the globe is hilarious.

Would like to see a Venn diagram of posters on this thread, regular Disney visitors, and regular Delaware beach visitors.

?

Because having a beach house in Bethany while having traveled extensively throughout the world means I’m not equipped to form an opinion on destinations that are overhyped but not my cup of tea?

You sound like the travel snobs who can’t afford a week oceanfront in Bethany or a week at Disney and instead save up for a European vacation in an Airbnb eating most meals at home and dragging your kids into museums because it’s more highbrow.

Did I say anything about Bethany homeowners? I wrote “regular Delaware beach visitors.” Homeowners are not visitors.

I do own an oceanfront house in New England so I don’t go to Bethany. I suppose you might say I’m a “travel snob” because I sometimes do things like hike or bicycle in Europe, but to me a real travel snob says things like “I’ve traveled extensively throughout the world” lol.

I admit I am laughing at ppl who visit a single city and say a whole European country is a “dump.” Or people who say categorically that *all* the food in a European city is “awful.” Maybe something wasn’t to my taste, or I was underwhelmed because I thought a place would be like it was in a movie, but I’m not likely to dismiss an entire country or even city on the basis of a single very brief and limited experience.

You are assuming people just visit one city in Italy and erroneously label the entity country a dump?

Disagree.

Few people only visit one city in Italy. It’s far more common to spend a week or two running around the country. And the touristy destinations simply aren’t luxurious by American standards.

Many of us do not travel in search of luxury.

Americans are very good are wasting money and being ripped off in the service of experiencing luxury…but that is a whole ‘ other conversation.

Perhaps luxury wasn't the best word.

Rather, most Americans prefer cold drinks, legit air conditioning, clean restrooms, the absence of trash, high quality food when paying a premium, good service, not having to brace yourself for pickpockets, etc.

I think the summer crowds are shocking to most and put a damper on the overall experience...plus the heat and cost.

RE: beaches - you won't find a beach experience in europe or the Med that is better than the US or the Caribbean. Apples and watermelons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was in Amsterdam last month for a few days. Have been many times...always liked it.

This time the city seems much dirtier. Trash everywhere. The train station was horrid.

Can't see us going back anytime soon.

Sad to see.

In Amsterdam now... totally agree. It's disappointing.

Serious question: Could it be due, in part at least, because you are spending too much time on your computer while travelling abroad ?

Much of the excitement and mystery of travel is gone due to the internet which alters expectations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The thread is a joke. The idea that people living in DC of all places are qualified to pass judgment on their superiors around the globe is hilarious.

Would like to see a Venn diagram of posters on this thread, regular Disney visitors, and regular Delaware beach visitors.

?

Because having a beach house in Bethany while having traveled extensively throughout the world means I’m not equipped to form an opinion on destinations that are overhyped but not my cup of tea?

You sound like the travel snobs who can’t afford a week oceanfront in Bethany or a week at Disney and instead save up for a European vacation in an Airbnb eating most meals at home and dragging your kids into museums because it’s more highbrow.

Did I say anything about Bethany homeowners? I wrote “regular Delaware beach visitors.” Homeowners are not visitors.

I do own an oceanfront house in New England so I don’t go to Bethany. I suppose you might say I’m a “travel snob” because I sometimes do things like hike or bicycle in Europe, but to me a real travel snob says things like “I’ve traveled extensively throughout the world” lol.

I admit I am laughing at ppl who visit a single city and say a whole European country is a “dump.” Or people who say categorically that *all* the food in a European city is “awful.” Maybe something wasn’t to my taste, or I was underwhelmed because I thought a place would be like it was in a movie, but I’m not likely to dismiss an entire country or even city on the basis of a single very brief and limited experience.

You are assuming people just visit one city in Italy and erroneously label the entity country a dump?

Disagree.

Few people only visit one city in Italy. It’s far more common to spend a week or two running around the country. And the touristy destinations simply aren’t luxurious by American standards.

Many of us do not travel in search of luxury.

Americans are very good are wasting money and being ripped off in the service of experiencing luxury…but that is a whole ‘ other conversation.

Perhaps luxury wasn't the best word.

Rather, most Americans prefer cold drinks, legit air conditioning, clean restrooms, the absence of trash, high quality food when paying a premium, good service, not having to brace yourself for pickpockets, etc.

I think the summer crowds are shocking to most and put a damper on the overall experience...plus the heat and cost.

RE: beaches - you won't find a beach experience in europe or the Med that is better than the US or the Caribbean. Apples and watermelons.

And nothing is wrong with that. We got all of the above and more in Costa Brava.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The thread is a joke. The idea that people living in DC of all places are qualified to pass judgment on their superiors around the globe is hilarious.

We’re the oldest and greatest country on the earth, we have the highest standard of living, and we’ve never lost a war, we can judge whoever we want!

Some of this is opinion but OLDEST? Not even close!

We have been a democracy since 1776, every man and woman has been able to vote for nearly 250 years! Some countries like France and Germany still have a king!

Please tell me you're not really this stupid? You can't possibly be. After all, you managed to learn how to type/read, presumably.

Only white land owning men could vote initially. Women not until the 1920s. Let's not even get started on POC and those (continuing) issues.
France hasn't had a king since 1790 when Louis XVI had his head lopped off. Germany hasn't had a King since 1918.

JFC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I disliked Seville. I didn’t get why people go there. I loved Barcelona though.

I also found Lisbon overrated, and Costa Rica.

Maybe to get a haircut ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was in Amsterdam last month for a few days. Have been many times...always liked it.

This time the city seems much dirtier. Trash everywhere. The train station was horrid.

Can't see us going back anytime soon.

Sad to see.

In Amsterdam now... totally agree. It's disappointing.

Serious question: Could it be due, in part at least, because you are spending too much time on your computer while travelling abroad ?

Much of the excitement and mystery of travel is gone due to the internet which alters expectations.

I was not on my computer when in Amsterdam. Some cultures/countries are warm and welcoming, but Dutch culture appeared to be cold and distant. I may have done it wrong, but even though we had traveled with the local hosts (great people who tried their best to show us the country), I felt like an unwelcome outsider.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I disliked Seville. I didn’t get why people go there. I loved Barcelona though.

I also found Lisbon overrated, and Costa Rica.

Maybe to get a haircut ?

Good one. That would be such an appropriate activity there

[Anonymous]

Costa Rica isn’t much cheaper than Hawaii, at least not how we did it. A meal at any restaurant last month was $30/pp, regular non resort hotels were $300/night. For a resort it was $800/night with nothing included—we paid for all meals and drinks. Snacks for my kids were twice what they cost in HI last summer. A bag of plantain chips at the supermarket was $6. Horseback riding was $80/pp, rafting was $70pp. These are American prices. Even the flights weren’t much cheaper than we paid to HI.

The shorter flight was nice, but that was the only thing I liked better.

It was okay, not a horrible trip or anything, but when I left Hawaii I was desperate to go back (and have returned multiple times!). Leaving Costa Rica I have no desire to return.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AMALFI COAST HANDS DOWN. ONE AND DONE.

Um no, spent three days in Ravello and was one of the best place we’ve been to. Itching to go back soon.

NP but what did you like about it? I've only seen pictures but it looks like the beach is very crowded and rocky, bring your own blanket/chairs/umbrella. Is the water nice?

I'm more used to beach resorts where they have loungers and umbrellas set up and you can order drinks... are there place like that there?

This thread should be renamed: “which international destinations disappointed you because they were not like Disneyworld or a Ritz Carlton resort with 10 pools and a swim up bar?”

Hey, people like different things and that's okay! I don't like having to lug all my own beach gear including a shade out to the beach for the day. I could do that at OBX for much cheaper. I have greatly enjoyed enjoyed beautiful luxury beach resorts all over SE Asia, and I'm asking if the Amalfi coast is at all similar, or if not, what other factors make it a great destination?

Well, I think this thread is perfectly appropriate for the Travel Forum. I found out that I can save thousands of dollars by not spending a week in a European city full of graffiti, trash on the ground, traffic and weed smoke, when I could just go downtown for free. We have museums in DC, too.

[Anonymous]

I'm normally opposed to disinformation campaigns, but this attempt to discourage other people from visiting the great cities of Europe is okay by me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The thread is a joke. The idea that people living in DC of all places are qualified to pass judgment on their superiors around the globe is hilarious.

Would like to see a Venn diagram of posters on this thread, regular Disney visitors, and regular Delaware beach visitors.

?

Because having a beach house in Bethany while having traveled extensively throughout the world means I’m not equipped to form an opinion on destinations that are overhyped but not my cup of tea?

You sound like the travel snobs who can’t afford a week oceanfront in Bethany or a week at Disney and instead save up for a European vacation in an Airbnb eating most meals at home and dragging your kids into museums because it’s more highbrow.

Did I say anything about Bethany homeowners? I wrote “regular Delaware beach visitors.” Homeowners are not visitors.

I do own an oceanfront house in New England so I don’t go to Bethany. I suppose you might say I’m a “travel snob” because I sometimes do things like hike or bicycle in Europe, but to me a real travel snob says things like “I’ve traveled extensively throughout the world” lol.

I admit I am laughing at ppl who visit a single city and say a whole European country is a “dump.” Or people who say categorically that *all* the food in a European city is “awful.” Maybe something wasn’t to my taste, or I was underwhelmed because I thought a place would be like it was in a movie, but I’m not likely to dismiss an entire country or even city on the basis of a single very brief and limited experience.

You are assuming people just visit one city in Italy and erroneously label the entity country a dump?

Disagree.

Few people only visit one city in Italy. It’s far more common to spend a week or two running around the country. And the touristy destinations simply aren’t luxurious by American standards.

Many of us do not travel in search of luxury.

Americans are very good are wasting money and being ripped off in the service of experiencing luxury…but that is a whole ‘ other conversation.

Perhaps luxury wasn't the best word.

Rather, most Americans prefer cold drinks, legit air conditioning, clean restrooms, the absence of trash, high quality food when paying a premium, good service, not having to brace yourself for pickpockets, etc.

I think the summer crowds are shocking to most and put a damper on the overall experience...plus the heat and cost.

RE: beaches - you won't find a beach experience in europe or the Med that is better than the US or the Caribbean. Apples and watermelons.

And nothing is wrong with that. We got all of the above and more in Costa Brava.

Same in Liguria. Beach was nice and huge advantage of having all of the amenities within 3 blocks of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree with those saying Costa Rica. We stayed 2 weeks, in 5 different locations, and they all felt way overpriced for what they were. I'd rather go to Hawaii any day. Better beaches, better food, same adventure opportunities but safer/cleaner.

Everyone was nice, but I definitely have no desire to return. The rainforest/jungles in Peru were way better IMO, and the beaches are better just about everywhere in the US.

Costa Rica is much cheaper than Hawaii, though, and a much quicker/cheaper flight from the East Coast. Of course Costa Rica is rougher around the edges. That's like saying Paris is better than Montreal or that Bali is better than the Florida Keys. Duh.

And Costa Rica has an incredible amount of biodiversity for a country its size. If that's interesting to you (and it is to my kids), it's a lovely destination.

That is if you have a knowledgeable private guide or know what to look for. Not sure the most popular activities such as ATV tours or hot springs visits showcase that biodiversity. We were required to get a guide for Manual Antonio park (and almost paid for a fake one too. The guides broke us into groups of 20 or so, each group walked
10 feet behind another one, with us, tourists, taking turns to observe the same monkey or sloth through a spotting scope.