Anonymous
Post 07/16/2015 08:07     Subject: Re:s/o Ever traveled somewhere and been disappointed by it?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Egypt.

I went there with my family just a few month before the Arab Spring. Was so disappointed by the pyramids - many of the painting have been 'restored' by essentially repainting them. Next to the pyramids they offer camel rides (for $50/person for a 10 min ride) with the saddest, abused camels you've ever seen. The airline (I think Egypt Air) tried to scam us when we arrived at the airport for a domestic flight by claiming they couldn't find our ticket - hinting that they were expecting a bribe - and when we were adamant that we had already paid and showed them our confirmation and receipt, refused to acknowledge it and made us buy new ticket for the next day (but still charged us for the original tickets). As a woman, I was completely ignored by taxi drivers, restaurant staff, etc. And EVERYWHERE we went we were asked for 'baksheesh' for the smallest thing - such as a security guard telling us 'American? President Obama,' and expecting a payment for knowing this fact.


Oh God, the baksheesh! Egypt was one gigantic toilet. Most of the people were awful and they seemed to really enjoy ripping off tourists. And this was twenty years ago.


+1 Egypt. When we were with friends it was interesting, but as tourists it was not fun. Just a lot of hassle.
Anonymous
Post 07/16/2015 07:45     Subject: Re:s/o Ever traveled somewhere and been disappointed by it?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Whole lotta fragile white people in this thread



This X1,000.


I guess I am. I don't want to vacation anywhere smelly, dirty or where locals are constantly trying to rip me off. So if that makes me "fragile" then I am guilty as charged.
Anonymous
Post 07/15/2015 21:57     Subject: s/o Ever traveled somewhere and been disappointed by it?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Italy-- crowded, mobbed with tourists.


Not all of Italy, but Rome for sure. Went back in 2012 after 30 years and was disappointed by how hard it was to get a decent meal near the Pantheon, how hot, dirty and crowded it was, and how everyone spoke English. I could barely practice my Italian. Italy is still awesome, but you have to go off the beaten path.

Yes, Rome, Venice and Florence are mobbed with tourists these days. Theyre all still well worth seeing but I'd include some off the beaten track places in my trip as well to balance it out.
Anonymous
Post 07/15/2015 21:43     Subject: Re:s/o Ever traveled somewhere and been disappointed by it?
Anonymous wrote:Whole lotta fragile white people in this thread



This X1,000.
Anonymous
Post 07/15/2015 21:39     Subject: s/o Ever traveled somewhere and been disappointed by it?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Hong Kong and Bangkok were miserable.

But we were young backpackers and knew nobody there.


That's funny, because I went to Bangkok as a business traveler and kept thinking how much more I'd have enjoyed it had I been a young backpacker!


I've been to Bangkok twice and have enjoyed the gritty feel and energy. Lots of noise and traffic buzzing around. Just so unlike here which is quiet and tame in comparison.
Anonymous
Post 07/15/2015 17:23     Subject: Re:s/o Ever traveled somewhere and been disappointed by it?
Whole lotta fragile white people in this thread

Anonymous
Post 07/15/2015 17:08     Subject: s/o Ever traveled somewhere and been disappointed by it?
Anonymous wrote:Vietnam. Many Vietnamese are aggressive. The roads are terrifying.


The important thing to remember everyone's tastes and preferences are different. I loved Vietnam.

There are very very few places I've been disappointed by (I've been to 6 continents). The only ones that come to mind are San Francisco and Naples.
Anonymous
Post 07/15/2015 16:41     Subject: s/o Ever traveled somewhere and been disappointed by it?
New Orleans - Yuck. It's just gross.

Corolla - I love it. But I don't go there expecting anything except to go to the beach, drink, and relax.
Anonymous
Post 07/15/2015 16:29     Subject: s/o Ever traveled somewhere and been disappointed by it?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The San Francisco thread got me thinking. What other places have you travled that were disappointing? We traveled to Paris with friends recently and they were disgusted by the crime and filth there. They said it was nothing like they expected and would never go back. On edge the entire time thanks to crowds and agressive pick pockets.


I never heard of anyone being disappointed by Paris.


Have you actually been to Paris? I can see it not living up to the hype for some people. I love it, but to each their own.


Paris is not so good! Lots of teenagers wandering around aimlessly. Rarely any real French people. Most of the people you see are tourists or immigrants.


Immigrants? Welcome to Paris. ThOSE are the French people!!!!

Anonymous
Post 07/15/2015 16:09     Subject: s/o Ever traveled somewhere and been disappointed by it?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The San Francisco thread got me thinking. What other places have you travled that were disappointing? We traveled to Paris with friends recently and they were disgusted by the crime and filth there. They said it was nothing like they expected and would never go back. On edge the entire time thanks to crowds and agressive pick pockets.


I never heard of anyone being disappointed by Paris.


Have you actually been to Paris? I can see it not living up to the hype for some people. I love it, but to each their own.


Paris is not so good! Lots of teenagers wandering around aimlessly. Rarely any real French people. Most of the people you see are tourists or immigrants.
Anonymous
Post 07/15/2015 16:04     Subject: s/o Ever traveled somewhere and been disappointed by it?
Anonymous wrote:Disneyland. Went when i was 10 abd just found it nationalistic and overcommercialised. Havent been back, i think it is for the same kind of people that enjoy cruises.


How sophisticated of you.

Anonymous
Post 07/15/2015 15:58     Subject: Re:s/o Ever traveled somewhere and been disappointed by it?
I have a problem with cities that smell - Rio and Venice come to mind. Also cities where the male population ogles - like any city in Morocco, for example.
Anonymous
Post 07/15/2015 15:26     Subject: Re:s/o Ever traveled somewhere and been disappointed by it?
Anonymous wrote:Guadeloupe and Martinique - the islands are beautiful and the snorkeling was good, but the food was a big disappointment.
Martinique is supposed to have great restaurants and we couldn't find any. Traffic was abysmal - forget about try to drive anywhere in the mornings or afternoon.


Where in Guadeloupe did you stay?

Anonymous
Post 07/15/2015 15:18     Subject: s/o Ever traveled somewhere and been disappointed by it?
Anonymous wrote:St Lucia.

The contrast between the resorts and everything else was sad.

Not a major location, but I was so let down by Hershey Park, especially the "factory" tour.


Same with the Dominican Republic, Porto Rico, Jamaica or Mexico
Anonymous
Post 07/15/2015 15:05     Subject: Re:s/o Ever traveled somewhere and been disappointed by it?
Vieques. Yes, some unbelievably beautiful beaches and being able to be on one very far away from anyone else (or even all alone) is an awesome experience but it just was odd in a lot of ways, namely that there were very few Puerto Ricans on the island that we could tell! Glad I went once, would pick about a million other places to try though before going back.