Place that didn't live up to expectations

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hawaii.

My own fault for poor research, but I was expecting something quieter and less developed...more exotic. Instead I got traffic jams and Walmarts. It felt like Florida with better scenery. Which makes sense since it's a state.

You should have gone to Kauai!

[Anonymous]

I love many of the places frequently dissed here: New Orleans is one of my favorite places ever, Savannah, NYC, Paris, Key West, LA, San Diego….I love them all.

I was underwhelmed by: the majority of places I went in Ireland especially Dublin; Chicago; much of Austria including Vienna (I still really enjoyed it but it wasn’t as interesting or beautiful as I had imagined); Milwaukee (although to be fair I wasn’t expecting to love it anyway but it was even more meh than I thought); Nashville (but I’ve always thought this as I’m from the South and visited there often…not just in the more recent “Nash-Vegas” craze of recent years); Atlanta; Dallas; Hilton head.

One of my favorite places that I was surprised I loved so much was Budapest. There weren’t tons of attractions I was interested in seeing there and the food wasn’t outstanding or anything..we went there kind of on a whim and found it beautiful, loved the bath houses, it was much cheaper and not as touristy or hyped up compared to much of the rest of Central Europe we visited on that same trip—Prague, Vienna, Berlin, Krakow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Which is better for a beach vacation with kids: Puerto Rico, DR, Aruba, Bahamas, or Mexico? Talking about staying at a resort the whole time and really want nice sand and clear water.

I like Saint John. Make sure to rent a Jeep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which is better for a beach vacation with kids: Puerto Rico, DR, Aruba, Bahamas, or Mexico? Talking about staying at a resort the whole time and really want nice sand and clear water.

I like Saint John. Make sure to rent a Jeep.

The problem with St. John is there really isn't a resort there to stay at the whole time. Caneel Bay is gone.

If the PP wants to hunker down at a resort the entire time AND wants clear water, then Aruba, Bahamas and Mexico are the best bets.

But:

Aruba is windy and the water has more waves (although gentle). Divi was calm, though.

Bahamas is crowded unless you go super high end (avoid atlantis unless you want to fight for lounge chairs).

Mexico is good if you stay upscale and avoid a mega resort. Mayakoba area is nice.

DR has crummy beaches; sand like dirt, water isn't clear; plus, bugs and weird plumbing issues.

We love PR, but we wouldn't hunker down at a resort unless it's something fabulous like Ritz Dorado. You should go to Old San Juan to eat and see the forts. Visit the rainforest. Explore beaches around the island. There are some lovely hotels like the Fairmont. Condos in the Isla Verde area. Wyndham. There are tons of threads on PR. You could stay at the Embassy Suites two blocks off Isla Verde beach for a very reasonable price.

[Anonymous]

I would be disappointed anywhere I was hunkered down in a resort. Blech.

So, Barbados. I didn’t feel safe there (and I felt safe in Egypt and China!). After a few horrid day trips we never left the (nice) hotel but it was boring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would be disappointed anywhere I was hunkered down in a resort. Blech.

So, Barbados. I didn’t feel safe there (and I felt safe in Egypt and China!). After a few horrid day trips we never left the (nice) hotel but it was boring.

What on earth are you saying? Barbados is super safe. We drove the whole island and had a grand time.

Any why wouldn’t you feel safe on Egypt or China? We loved both! What are you implying?!

How weird.

[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.

DC since Covid is dead because few people are downtown. But normally DC is beautiful! Rock Creek Park! The monuments and museums! The waterfront, great restaurants, beautiful residential districts…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People who like New Orleans - would you recommend going with tweens for a long weekend trip? What would be your suggestions for activities with 10-12 year olds? When is the best weather?

Definitely recommend. Things to do...

-Beignets at Cafe DuMonde
-visit Jackson Square
-WWII museum
-French Quarter
-St. Louis Cemetery
-Ghost Tour
-Swamp Tour (they have shuttles from hotels)
-Eat

New Orleans is fun. Yes, it's dirty and a little loud, but stay off of Bourbon Street later in the evening and you'll be fine.

There used to be a little place all about voodoo, like a museum. Wow. Most mystical city in the US.

[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.

DC since Covid is dead because few people are downtown. But normally DC is beautiful! Rock Creek Park! The monuments and museums! The waterfront, great restaurants, beautiful residential districts…

PP is right. Unless you get excited about visiting government buildings and museums, DC is just a tourist hellhole. The city is less than the sum of its parts - lacking in any real urban character or energy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Malta

Totally agree. I’ve traveled to many countries and found something to love about all of them—except Malta.

You are kidding. The photos look amazing.

[Anonymous]

I felt this way about Aruba. So, so beautiful. But culturally didn’t do much for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Malta

Totally agree. I’ve traveled to many countries and found something to love about all of them—except Malta.

You are kidding. The photos look amazing.

I found Malta charming and would visit again!!

[Anonymous]

Smith Island Md and Tangier Island Va. They are low and swampy and the biting flies are horrific.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love many of the places frequently dissed here: New Orleans is one of my favorite places ever, Savannah, NYC, Paris, Key West, LA, San Diego….I love them all.

I was underwhelmed by: the majority of places I went in Ireland especially Dublin; Chicago; much of Austria including Vienna (I still really enjoyed it but it wasn’t as interesting or beautiful as I had imagined); Milwaukee (although to be fair I wasn’t expecting to love it anyway but it was even more meh than I thought); Nashville (but I’ve always thought this as I’m from the South and visited there often…not just in the more recent “Nash-Vegas” craze of recent years); Atlanta; Dallas; Hilton head.

One of my favorite places that I was surprised I loved so much was Budapest. There weren’t tons of attractions I was interested in seeing there and the food wasn’t outstanding or anything..we went there kind of on a whim and found it beautiful, loved the bath houses, it was much cheaper and not as touristy or hyped up compared to much of the rest of Central Europe we visited on that same trip—Prague, Vienna, Berlin, Krakow.

The thing about Savannah is you really have to get off of the beaten track. Savannah truly is a hidden gem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Malta

Totally agree. I’ve traveled to many countries and found something to love about all of them—except Malta.

You are kidding. The photos look amazing.

Colorful landscape, but dull as hell. I agree, Malta was not worth the visit.