Vacation spots your friends talked up but you hated

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another Hawaii disappointment.

Everything is so ... manufactured. The culture, activities, etc. it’s like a big Disneyland that’s just a little prettier. The nature was pretty, but not as incredible as I expected with a few notable exceptions. Too many tourists, too many resorts, and I always look for places off the beaten path.

Compared to places with stunning marine life (Fiji, Galapagos, Polynesia) it places with nice beaches or views (Zanzibar, Pemba island, Maldives, certain parts of Thailand), or compared to places with culture (Italy, France, Bangkok) or history (siem reap, Vietnam, most anywhere in Europe) or nice cities (Paris, Rome, Capetown, Quito, etc) it seemed like it it was short in all dimensions.

Sorry you didn't find the off the beaten path stuff. We Didn't stay at a resort we rented a cottage. We rented a car and found lots of stuff the other tourists didn't. My favorite was an unmarked beach with awesome snorkeling. Saw several green turtles!

[Anonymous]

I'm glad that I am not so jaded that I can't appreciate some of the most interesting places in the world. What a DCUM thread.

[Anonymous]

Please tell me about Ashville. I always wanted to go--and now I'd like to take my mom to the Vanderbilt Mansion and gardens. Suggestions? I don't have huge expectations, but I've heard it's lovely. I was surprised to see it on this list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please tell me about Ashville. I always wanted to go--and now I'd like to take my mom to the Vanderbilt Mansion and gardens. Suggestions? I don't have huge expectations, but I've heard it's lovely. I was surprised to see it on this list.

I was surprised by how much i liked Asheville. It had great restaurants and a laid-back vibe. It felt like a crunchy Charlottesville. 1-2 days is enough.

[Anonymous]

I find it funny how much this thread is really about expectations and research. Set both accordingly and I think these answers would be tempered.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NYC. I hate the place. It has really great museums and that is it. Even the restaurants are highly overrated and shopping is a nightmare and better done online. Forget using the subway if you care about your health or safety. I lived within 50 miles of NYC for ten years and did everything in my power to never go in the city if I didn't have to. I love to travel and I am not scared of big cities but I just hate everything about NYC. Why people com from Europe and spend days in NYC is a mystery to me.

I agree. It's just a big, dirty city that makes me feel claustrophobic. The buildings block out most of the sun, traffic is stop/start, and walking is a huge pain in the neck with the constant construction. I do agree, the museums are wonderful, and I also love Central Park. That's it, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NYC. I hate the place. It has really great museums and that is it. Even the restaurants are highly overrated and shopping is a nightmare and better done online. Forget using the subway if you care about your health or safety. I lived within 50 miles of NYC for ten years and did everything in my power to never go in the city if I didn't have to. I love to travel and I am not scared of big cities but I just hate everything about NYC. Why people com from Europe and spend days in NYC is a mystery to me.

I agree. It's just a big, dirty city that makes me feel claustrophobic. The buildings block out most of the sun, traffic is stop/start, and walking is a huge pain in the neck with the constant construction. I do agree, the museums are wonderful, and I also love Central Park. That's it, though.

+1

[Anonymous]

London.

Expensive and creepy. There were parts in London where I saw no sign English. Only Arabic. Women going around covered head to toes in black fabric (niqab). People were hostile (we were dressed Western-style). It was super expensive and the weather was depressing. Never again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn’t enjoy Barcelona. There were some nice moments but overall I was bored. I think it’s because I didn’t care for the architecture and that’s a big part of the appeal to many people.

What? Seriously? Did you leave the Hotel or the La Rambla? I have been there a few times and have to make myself sleep because there is so much to do and see. Even if you take the city bus tour and hop on and off it will take you a few days. Architecture? The Architecture in Barcelona spans from Roman to Gothic to Medieval to Moorish to a dozen others. You didn't like any of that or you don't like Architecture? Fine, there are museums, palaces, beaches, ruins, churches, sports, shopping, festivals, factory tours. How can anyone be bored in Barcelona?

Not the PP, but you do realize people have different interests and tastes, right? I found the architecture in Barcelona to be Disney-esque. Very gaudy ("Gaudi") and hideous. I couldn't wait to leave. But hey, if it's your cup of tea, then great!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Weirdly, Istanbul. The men were very aggressive there.

Where? In the market? In a night club? I found walking through the city to be very easy, occasionally someone would try to get me to come into their shop or buy something from a stall I was passing but otherwise I was not harassed by men. I didn't go to nightclubs so can't comment on that. You can't look like a easy mark tourist in any market culture city.

I found the men there to be very aggressive too- everywhere (didn't even go to nightclubs). Despite this, I loved Instanbul and Turkey.

Places that were disappointing- Alaska, Nevis, Martha's Vineyard/Cape Cod.

I didn't find the men any more aggressive than any other Arab or Mediterranean country. I do put off airs of don't F with me though.

My problem with Istanbul is that in recent years it has become extremely religious. You used to be able to have a glass of wine or beer in any little restaurant or street cafe. Now if the cafe is near a mosque you will not be able to order alcohol because owners are scared. On a trip three years ago a cab driver refused to take me somewhere because he said it was haram. Sadly, Istanbul is someplace I don't think most western women should travel to right now.

Which is to say, very aggressive. No thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NYC. I hate the place. It has really great museums and that is it. Even the restaurants are highly overrated and shopping is a nightmare and better done online. Forget using the subway if you care about your health or safety. I lived within 50 miles of NYC for ten years and did everything in my power to never go in the city if I didn't have to. I love to travel and I am not scared of big cities but I just hate everything about NYC. Why people com from Europe and spend days in NYC is a mystery to me.

I just don't get this.

I do. I never understand people who rave about NYC. Chicago? Sure. Boston? Yep. But NYC depresses the hell out of me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Miami. A freakshow of cartoonish looking people.

+1
And humidity of epic proportions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another Hawaii disappointment.

Everything is so ... manufactured. The culture, activities, etc. it’s like a big Disneyland that’s just a little prettier. The nature was pretty, but not as incredible as I expected with a few notable exceptions. Too many tourists, too many resorts, and I always look for places off the beaten path.

Compared to places with stunning marine life (Fiji, Galapagos, Polynesia) it places with nice beaches or views (Zanzibar, Pemba island, Maldives, certain parts of Thailand), or compared to places with culture (Italy, France, Bangkok) or history (siem reap, Vietnam, most anywhere in Europe) or nice cities (Paris, Rome, Capetown, Quito, etc) it seemed like it it was short in all dimensions.

+ 1,000,000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find it funny how much this thread is really about expectations and research. Set both accordingly and I think these answers would be tempered.

What I find funny are the people who feel they have to scold others who didn't like the same places. They're taking it so personally, saying things like, "You must not have gone ___" or "You just didn't do it right!" Hilarious that they can't accept people often have different opinions of the same place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:London.

Expensive and creepy. There were parts in London where I saw no sign English. Only Arabic. Women going around covered head to toes in black fabric (niqab). People were hostile (we were dressed Western-style). It was super expensive and the weather was depressing. Never again.

Agree completely. We used to love going to London. Not anymore.