Anonymous wrote:I would invite everyone to consider the possibility that if you find somewhere overrated, it is because you are doing it wrong. Eg going in peak season, going to see shat all the tourists are seeing rather than quieter bug still interesting places etc.

People who blithely dismiss cities like Rome, which contain some of the greatest treasures of art, architecture, and history that the world has ever produced, as “overrated”…

I agree, pp!

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Anonymous wrote:what about Moscow (not in the winter of course)? anyone not like it?

Moscow seemed bleak and cruel to me. Maybe I'm projecting. It was also November and very cold. St. Petersburg on the other hand is a beautiful city. Wouldn't go to either for the foreseeable future.

November is the worst time to go. I am surprised you managed to like St. Petersburg in November.

I dunno, March is pretty rough too.

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Anonymous wrote:Paris, Barcelona, Madrid, Rome, Venice, Florence

All of those are overrated, really?

Seriously. I admit my third and last visit to Rome had me thinking that I had probably "done" Rome, but I'd go back for a visit focused on ancient Rome and set up private/small tours for more of a deep dive.

Haven't been to Madrid, but Barcelona has always been fun with great food. After the first time in Paris I planned subsequent visits to see more out of the way things and stayed in different arondissements to get a different feel of the city. I expected Venice to be cheesy, but found that I loved it. Florence is crowded, but beautiful.

If you think all of these are terrible, maybe just stay home?

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Anonymous wrote:what about Moscow (not in the winter of course)? anyone not like it?

Moscow seemed bleak and cruel to me. Maybe I'm projecting. It was also November and very cold. St. Petersburg on the other hand is a beautiful city. Wouldn't go to either for the foreseeable future.

November is the worst time to go. I am surprised you managed to like St. Petersburg in November.

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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.

They’re Northern European FFS! The Dutch are very nice and friendly, but reserved. It’s a cultural difference you should learn about before visiting the country.

Oh please. Reserved and rude are different things. I did not expect a welcoming ceremony in my honor or did not to come to make friends (I was visiting mine), but I did not like the experience as a tourist. Sure, it'd be a different experience to live there, but I was not looking to move either.

Anonymous wrote:what about Moscow (not in the winter of course)? anyone not like it?

Moscow seemed bleak and cruel to me. Maybe I'm projecting. It was also November and very cold. St. Petersburg on the other hand is a beautiful city. Wouldn't go to either for the foreseeable future.

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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.

They’re Northern European FFS! The Dutch are very nice and friendly, but reserved. It’s a cultural difference you should learn about before visiting the country.

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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.

I don't agree with you re Italy. Phenomenal art, great food, lovely scenery, historic city centers. I don't know what you were looking for.

I love the Mediterranean. I'll agree it's not the same as the Caribbean but it's a gorgeous sea and I always have fun swimming in the Mediterranean. There's nothing in the Caribbean that offers the combined blend of scenery, food, historic towns and water activities that, say, the Amalfi coast or Sardinia or the Greek Islands or Sicily do. By contrast the Delaware and NJ beaches are nondescript and staring out at brown water. If you want to park yourself at a resort and do nothing but walk on sand, I can see your point re the Caribbean. But for a varied trip, it's hard to beat a Mediterranean vacation.

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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 in Amsterdam in early June to catch the end of the Vermeer exhibition. I do have varied thoughts on the city. The very center (let's think of it as the area within the first canal ring) is trashy, dominated by mass market tourism attracting vulgar tourists and a seedy red light district that was more pathetic than alluring. Some of the main streets were pulled up for repairs. I did enjoy the outer rings of canals lined with old Dutch houses. Place was certainly packed with tourists. Had a great day on a rented bicycle cycling around the city. On the whole, it's not the prettiest place in Europe once away from the charming canals. Food is expensive and not the tastiest, although the Dutch apple cake is fantastic. I don't care about locals being cold or not, that wasn't the point of visiting Amsterdam. But can very easily see why people visit and leave not impressed.

Anonymous wrote:what about Moscow (not in the winter of course)? anyone not like it?

Are you a troll or just stupid? Moscow was never a popular travel destination, to begin with. Also, who would want to go now, when Russia is viciously and senselessly attacking a neighboring country? Finally, how are you planning on getting there now?

That said, Moscow was amazing, more so in winter, but it will never be the same for me with blood on its hands.

what about Moscow (not in the winter of course)? anyone not like it?

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Anonymous wrote:Hawaii-

Can you share more about what you found overrated about Hawaii? I’m considering a trip there next year.

Which islands were you underwhelmed by ?

I just feel there are equally amazing beaches/tropical destinations easier to get to from the East coast.

I’ll bite. What tropical destination equivalent to the Na Pali Coast or is easier to get to from DC? Genuinely asking, since I love Kauai but no longer live on the West Coast.

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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.

King Charles III is the king of France and Germany. It’s been that way since World War II when England defeated both countries.

Oh, you ARE that stupid. Wow.

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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.

Umm... no. I've been in Amsterdam for 10 days, and have seen enough "mystery" to render an opinion on the place. It's OK if you like Amsterdam. For me, it has been disappointing. We've had fun doing many of the museums, had wonderful Dutch guides for tours, etc., but it is a place that I've now visited and have no real desire to return. Those moments of joy have been equaled by moments of disgust and hassle.

And if I walk around a city for 10-12 hours a day and then spend a few minutes on DCUM at night, that doesn't make me less of a traveler than you...

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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.

King Charles III is the king of France and Germany. It’s been that way since World War II when England defeated both countries.