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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.

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

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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.

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: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?

Ugh. Americans always want a Disneyfied experience, wherever they go. Can’t you just adjust to local customs?

Anonymous wrote:You can disagree with someone without calling them ignorant. Maybe you never learned that in school.

The Louvre has like 5,000 paintings. Most are not that well-known and are largely forgettable. I wish they would focus on the fraction that are among the most famous artworks instead of bundling everything together in a somewhat unsightly manner.

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Anonymous wrote:Paris. Filthy city, frequent public urination and even defecation, and some of the major tourist attractions like the Louvre are overrated. I had a great time and would certainly go again but I’ve enjoyed other European cities more.

The Louvre is not overrated.

Disagree. The volume of paintings is kind of overwhelming, especially since most are unremarkable. Seeing the Mona Lisa (and all the people crowding to take pictures) was unexciting, though the painting across the room (depicting the wedding at Cana) is a masterpiece.

I enjoyed Orsay a lot more, which has an extraordinary collection of well-known impressionist paintings.

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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.

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Anonymous wrote:Rome

Greatest city in the world.

Achingly beautiful, amazing food, excellent mass transit, 20 minutes to the beach.

from Rome?

By train - Ostia.

Not true. Pp said 20 minutes to the beach from Rome. The train takes 45 minutes so there is no “20 minutes to the beach” from Rome.

I have nothing to say about the beach, but Ostia is very cool.

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Anonymous wrote:Bali.

I have never understood the appeal -- it's such a long flight and there are so many other tropical destinations that are closer. It's just resorts. If I'm flying to that part of the world, I want to actually experience local culture a bit more than that. Just go to Hawaii.

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Anonymous wrote:Italy

Where did you go?

Rome and Naples. Total dumps

Naples is terrible, but if you think Rome is a dump you didn’t do it right.

Naples is fabulous!

Don’t think you’ve actually ever been to Naples.

Anonymous wrote: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.

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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.