Hi, guys! We agree with Joanne & some folks out there,...as long as we can't find any Toy R Us, Ckleins, DKNYs & POLO Ralph Lauren shops, chinese cheongsams as well as simply anything or any places that resemble Asia & America [ oops.. sorry, folks, no offence but we seriously do like some states in America ] , it would be fine for us 'cos we get to EXPERIENCE new places, faces, food & whats-have-theyS.

Bravo Joanne!! <BR> <BR>I heartily agree with your statement that far more boring than any leaning tower, Mona Lisa or Berlin street is the parking lot of any subdivision, suburb or strip plaza in the U.S.A. I'm an Ohio native who now lives in Prague, CZ, and I can't tell you how flat and lifeless most of those "public" spaces feel compared with any similar space here. It wasn't always that way. I have photos of my hometown from years gone by (1920s, '30s, even '50s) that depict a remarkably vibrant and interesting place, filled with unique buildings, statues, monuments and people that reflect the city and its history. Sadly, most people don't seem to care anymore and would happily demolish the sad remnants of the city that remain for a chance to build yet another Walmart or Multiplex. After banging my head against the wall to get people to respect their history, heritage, architecture and environment, I decided to move to a place where people do ... <BR> <BR>Mark

I was disappointed in Amsterdam. It was one of the few places I've been where I didn't feel very safe in the evening. I didn't like being around the seedy looking "druggies" and the discarded needles and stuff in the parks was disgusting. I just didn't care for the canals, etc. Anne Frank's house was closed--the only real thing I was interested in visiting. I also was disappointed in modern Athens. How could the Greeks build such beautiful buildings in ancient times and build such ugly structures in modern times? <BR>

You see, Connie, the Greeks have an ancient superstition that it's a bad omen if your roof falls down while you're standing under it. Greece has more earthquakes than anywhere else in Europe, and those boring, reinforced-concrete structures are highly earthquake-resistant. Maybe eventually they'll be able to afford something both safe and aesthetic, but in the mean time, I'm not complaining. I went through a serious earthquake there, and probably owe my life to Greek re-bar.

Your Controversial Cowboy Correspondent and his wife are back after another junket. Sorry I stepped on sensitive Germanic toes with my slam on Berlin's KuDamm -- but such is life. Our nominees for dullest places has increased after this latest trip. Our general nominee: any major airport. First place as visually unattractive: (the envelope please...): Minneapolis with its acres and acres of dead-mouse gray carpeting. Second, as most confusing and least convenient: JFK with its dead-ends, noodles of driveways circling you to nowhere, and its couldn't care less attitudes. Most mysterious: any airport food. Most over-hyped: those Cinnabon counters with their marvelous odors and road-kill bits of gooey sweetness for $2.49. Most lethal: airport coffee -- cardboard-flavored coffee in cardboard-flavored cups. Biggest ripoff: any airport parking building with their miles and miles of unattractive, poorly lighted, and greasy ramps -- only a few give you color codes to help you find your car. America, what are you thinking!!!

<BR>I didn't have the nerve to say it before but after reading one of the previous messages I have to agree with the description of Amsterdam. It is pretty with its canals and flowers but it was shocking to see so many druggies, some even rummaging through garbage bins and there was dog poo everywhere. I guess all big cities have similar problems but we didn't expect it in this picturebook place.

We had a Dutch friend from The Hague who liked to poke fun at Amsterdam and its messiness. He said the canals of Amsterdam are 30 feet deep...10 feet of water on top, 10 feet of mud on the bottom, and 10 feet of old bicycles in the middle.

I have to agree with some previous posters...I've never been to a dull place in Europe (and I have been to Pisa). As a history and architecture buff, there is always something interesting if you try and find it. I live in Atlanta which is a beautiful city to live in, but not much going on. And as another poster said, have you checked out an American city and/or suburb lately? <BR>

I too was dissapointed but not sorry to have gone to Pisa.If pressed for time, would skip it. Although we had heard many people dissapointed my wife wanted to go. Saw main attractions in 1/2 day from Florence. Were in Milan for a day. Saw couple of sites but would use it as a "steppping stone". "Used" Milan to return to us.

Hey, hold on a second! Travelling isn't just about "the" sights, or the checklist of things deemed worthy of seeing! Travelling should also be about absorbing a place's daily routine, eating the same food that locals eat, relaxing, trying out a foreign language, talking to people, figuring out exchange rates, making your way through a menu where you don't understand a single word, or picking up a souvenir or two. <BR>If you look at it this way, you'll never be disappointed or bored on a trip, no matter how few "sights" there are! You don't just come to a city to see a few monuments, you go there to be there. It can be just as telling to see an ugly, peeling apartment block built by communists in the 60s as it is to see a flawlessly renovated facade in the tourist section of a city. It's the whole experience and the understanding of what life somewhere else is like, that you bring home with you. Why miss it just becuase there's only one "sight" in a city? (Poor Pisa, will anyone go there any more?) <BR> <BR>This is my opinion only, however, and I do understand that everyone travels with their own, individual expectations in mind.

Dekuji Helena! <BR>I've been lurking on this one, but Helena focused my feelings on this topic. While there are so many factors that enter into our experiences, the biggest has to be our expectations. The posts here have described occasions when the expectations and the experience haven't matched. <BR>Sometimes I want historic, "fairy-tale" atmosphere. Some times I want to immerse myself in whatever I find. [Perhaps it is the tourist/traveller distinction we have discussed elsewhere on this forum.] <BR>One of my experiences: <BR>The first time I visited Brno, CZ it was for our Czech "daughter's" wedding. We were immersed in the preparations. We were open and accepting of whatever came our way. Our "daughter" left for the service from one crumbling soviet era aparment block and would return to a different one after their honeymoon. That block was our "daughter's" home. <BR>The next time I came to Brno it was simply to visit them and to see those things I'd missed in the flurry of the wedding. And while there are some very interesting [and important] things to see in Brno, this time I found the city depressing: dirty, unrenovated, grafitti etc... And the prevalence of skinheads made me feel less than safe when I was alone. <BR>Of course I will return to Brno, but different purposes make for different experiences. And BTW, I think it's OKAY to want the "fairy-tale" -- it makes a good break from suburban America, but remember that real people live there. <BR>

I think Pisa is taking a beating... Not deserved... I'll put my vote in for Berlin... I went there the summer of 1997 and was throughly dissapointed... I took one picture that will forever represent my view of Berlin... There are about 20 cranes in that pic... At the time I thought they should put up a big sign saying "Berlin - In Contruction, Come again in 5 years"... <BR> <BR>Just my two cents...

It is interesting to read all of your <BR>comments about places in Europe, etc. <BR>The funniest to me is to hear about your <BR>dissappointment with Pisa. I been there but guess what? I was so anxious getting out of our tour bus that I fell and hurt my leg so bad (scratches only) that I could not get to the tower. I only remember seeing a leaning building from a distant parking lot and waiting in a bus with my leg wrapped in ice. I agree with many of you. I love to go to new places and learn about the country. I certainly will return to Pisa. By the way, Lisbon was not what we expected, very dirty and to many cardboard homes.

Hi all, this is my first post. I have to tell you that I think that the key to enjoying any place on this earth is going there with your mind open and not relying on everyone else's impression of it to "decide" for you whether or not you will like it. Second of all, Berlin is my most favorite city in the world. I think a problem occurs when tourists run through cities in 2-3 days they only have time to see what the guidebook tells them to see, and yet feel that they have seen enough to get a complete picture of that city. From my experience, this is not the most effective way to enjoy a city. I have spent a lot of time in Berlin and have found that the people and language are the true charm of a the city, not necessarily the Ku-Damm, Wannsee, or Europa center. If you go and explore a city on your own, you will find that the things you will enjoy the most may not be in any guidebook you could read.

I found central Eire very dull. For a start the weather was overcast the whole time, the landscape flattish with nothing but stunted trees and shrubs and IT WASN'T GREEN, but a sort of khaki colour. The only things of interest every so often were the pointed lookout towers. FYI, this was the country between Limerick and Clonmacnoise (which was NOT dull). Happily we loved Clonmacnoise so much it made up for the dull trip to get there.

<BR>I'm going out on a limb here. I am one to expound on all the virtues of culture. The question here is what is the place you found most disappointing in Europe, not how politically correct you are. I am definitely going to say Pisa. I hooked up with another backpacker to go and stay overnight. We left Florence and came back in 5 hrs. I think that we spent an hour. How disappointing. I wasn't expecting Disneyland, I was just expecting less tourists lining up their hands pretending to hold the tower upright. After 20 minutes of watching these asses I had to get out!!!!!

Sending this one to the top... <BR>

Thanks Maira for bring this to the top again. I was away when this was being thrown backand forth in October. I was in Europe and I'm happy to say not bored or disappointed with any of it. I agree with Helena, a few posters back, her first paragraph said it all. No matter where I am, Asia, Europe or the islands, and now matter how wonderful the site, I end up watching the locals go about their daily lives and try the get a feel for their way of life. Denise

I enjoyed reading everyone's opinion in the topic. I am not an experienced traveler but am planning my second trip to Europe in June. I plan to stop and see Leaning Tower of Pisa. Maybe if my expectations are not really high, it will be a greater experience for me. I try to enjoy every moment in case I never get back to a certain location. I was not disappointed with Mona Lisa but a little surprised of the size. However, I am glad that I was there and saw it once. I will be one of the tourists trying to hold up the Pisa in a picture in June and I can't wait.

The Peat Bog Train Tour. I know... call us rebels! Crazy young kids! What did we expect? I mean it was interesting for the first 15 minutes, but after the 45-60 minute long tour it got to be a little old. The high light of the tour was getting out into the muddy flats and cutting your own clump of peat. Not that you can take it home with you after all your sweat and tears. Time is better spent at Clonmacnoise which is very close by.

The earlier responses have focused on towers, paintings, and cities. Let me add one for the hikers out there. <BR>The so-called Okopfad above Saas Fee in Switzerland rates at least 4 stars (out of 5)for being both boring and dangerous. The trail starts downward at the Felskin lift station and winds valley-wards down the north face of the cirque in which Saas Fee is nestled. <BR>The early part of the trail is fine, but about halfway down it becomes severely steep and rough; it even has stretches where one hangs on by cable. The views are very limited most of the way because the mountain side blocks the view. So for a combination of high risk, limited views, and a slow, tedious descent, it gets my vote as one journey never to make again. True, ascent is usually less risky (less fear of slipping down), but the views are no better. A German couple we met who were hiking up described it as langweilig, felsig, und steil -- boring, rocky and steep. If you take it, don't go far beyond the mountain restaurant; turn back before you get into no man's land.

And here I was looking forward to going to Pisa because my friend loved it. My biggest disappointment was Greece. The food, the people, the scenery, even the colours were all a letdown. Having said that, I didn't hate Athens and saw the most breathtaking view I've ever seen in my life on a remote Greek Island...so there's some good in everything. My second biggest disappointment - Trinidad.

(Oops, this was supposed to be on Europe.) <BR>

I smiled when I read about the Changing of the Guard as being boring. Just got back from there, having seen it the third time (so my wife's family could say they had seen it), and I suppose the most entertainment I had was seeing a group of continental teenagers doing the most vulgar things to each other--I suppose they were motivated by the shock of the rest of us tourists! I have seen this twice before on the continent. I guess they are trying to make a statement about the sexual repression of us strait-laced Americans, but I get about as much enjoyment out of it as in seeing the barnyard animals on my grandparents' farm! Anyway, I guess the point is that when your in a boring place, look for the entertainment around you.

I know this is Europe-oriented, but those of us who write here are very international in outlook. I don't know if dullest in this context equates to appalling or not. But if we had an international competition among tourist attractions for the most of whatever, be it dullest, most disgusting, most overhyped, or most appalling, I award the booby [sic] prize to a place in the good old USA: Dollywood. <BR>

I have to second the nomination of Mont St. Michel. I was there last summer, and it was dreadful. The traffic leading up to it was congested and slow. The tiny streets were packed with people and junky little shops. And on top of that, the tide doesn't even go in and out- it's just a big puddle surrounding the place. Sure, it looks great from a distance, but take a few photos and just keep on driving!

Yes there is lots of construction in Berlin but there is also Alexanderplatz and the area leading to Brandenburg Gate and many quality museums (not to mention Potsdam a short distance away). <BR> <BR>I would call Berlin big, perhaps overhyped, but not really boring. <BR> <BR>I wouldn't call anyplace that you stay in more than one day really boring. You can always find something. <BR> <BR>The comment about the inside of Neuschwanstein castle struck a cord. (more unfulfilled expectation than boring).

Yes - Pisa was boring but we researched it before we went - drop in in the morning, parked, spent a couple of hours, and then carried straight on to Rome. I found Brussels to be quite boring (althought I loved Brugge). <BR>

Not be completely wishy-washy, but it all comes down to the individuals interests. I loved the National Gallery but found the British Museum and Nat'l Archeology Museum in Athens painfully boring. Those I was with (different people/different trips) loved these two museums. I thought the Costume Museum in Bath was a complete waste of time. I would have much rather spent it exploring this beautiful town than looking at old clothes. I also found the trash and pollution as a downfall in Athens. <BR>

Rick Steves has a list of his dullest spots. I am pretty sure Pisa is on it.I enjoy his opinions. <BR> <BR>I agree with Tony H.about Europe being a continent and not an amusement park and all the others who say it depends what your interests are. Further, I used to go to Europe to escape STARBUCKS SYNDROME, but now there are strong signs that it is spreading to the continent. <BR>There is an interesting article on the proliferation of chain stores in Paris by Christopher Hitchens in Salon. Armani A/X is all over. Not good news.... <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

For those who've said they're going to Pisa despite the bad reviews, the Society for the Appreciation of Pisa (SAP) provides these answers to the question, "What would be left if the Tower fell down?" <BR>The wonderful Nicola Pisano pulpit in the Baptistry. And the font there by I-forget-whom. The frescoes in the Camposanto--badly damaged by Allied bombing in WWII, but there's still a great Last Judgment, if you like that sort of thing--and in the Museo delle Sinopie. Santa Maria della Spina--the interior's usually closed, but the exterior is a Gothic delight. San Paolo a Ripa d'Arno nearby, with a beautiful facade. Pretty arcaded streets between the Piazza dei Cavalieri and the Arno. Some other interesting old facades and a couple of museums. From the south side of the Arno, a lovely view across the wide, slow river to the ochre buildings, quite different from the Arno view in Florence. <BR>Okay, it may not be world-class or unmissable, but it is there. <BR>I'm still trying to think of someplace that I found totally, irretrievably, dull.

I'm astounded. Out of 70 responses so far, something like half dwelt on the dullness of (of all places) Pisa, which is overwhelmingly visited for like an hour on one of those dreadful package tours. And then all those unconsidered comments about the changing of the guard in London and the Mona Lisa. No wonder the responders were bored and/or disappointed! Their scope of reference seems limited in the extreme.

Peter, are you going to enlighten us or just criticize? I'm sure the art historian in particular would appreciate having her frame of reference broadened by a psychic capable of knowing how carefully we have considered our responses.

Oh thank heavens people find things dull; it means, as travelers, we actually SEE what's around us. I was lucky enough to see the Mona Lisa years ago when she just hung on a wall (I also saw the Pieta before it was assaulted and then stuck behind bullet-proof glass) and she's far more impressive without glass in between. And whoever said Milan...oh yeah...as our travel companion noted "do these people spend all their money on clothes and spray paint?" The Last Supper is still pretty impressive; too bad it has been damaged and has faded. I saw Pisa a LONG time ago, but I was a teenager so my impressions don't count. I thought it was just groovy, man. At the same time I thought the Partridge Family was groovy. And I'm with Arizona when it comes to JFK as the most aggravating place on the face of the earth (and I LOVE airports).AAAARRRGGGGHHH!!!! <BR>Ok dullest place on the planet: Palmer, Massachusetts

Mall of America

Gosh ! This one is long, I'm waisting so much time reading youall ! Kidding, I love you, americans, I'm so glad to hear Joanne is scared for what money is doing in the US, and that you're bored for exactly the same things as I am. <BR>Mona Lisa is wonderfull, but tourists make it awfull. <BR>DON'T GO to la DEFENSE. It's as interesting as downtown Dallas -ever wondered why Sue Ellen was always drunk ? <BR>For those who didn't like Mt St Michel, you came at the bad time : when the tide is up, and there's just a reasonable amount of tourists, it's puzzling. As our best-seller Victor Hugo wrote, it DOES GO as fast as a horse, like nowhere else in the world. Read about the dragon before you get there, and attend the monks'office, at 7 am. <BR>Also, we all forgot one place : Monmartre must only be seen from 1/2 km. Closer and it's ugly. But still the view from there is wonderfull, and eating on the hill is just parisian. The church itself has no interest (only that the white stone itself is a material that gets whiter through the years, even withthe polution in Paris !). <BR>I've never been to Pisa, but I don't think I'll go, except for a pizza. <BR>I disagree about Lisbon : it's a bit dirty, but people bear it, and it's lively. <BR>An other bad one : Versailles city itself. Well, coming from this side of the antlatic, it might look nice, but it's so boring ! Everywhere the same. Good that Louis made the castle, otherwise... <BR>Hey : the Mussolini quarter in Rome is a dull. And the typing machine too (Don't remember the name). But that's 2 among 1000 wonders. <BR>The new Opera, in Paris : that's a bad one. We are all ashamed of it, so expensive, already falling down, and it needed to destroy some very old nice stuffs for this piece of concrete...

I have to vote for Salem Massachuessetts. Lisbon was horrible - it was DANGEROUS. The Costa del Sol is also very, very disappointing.

Gregoire, <BR> <BR>I was in Paris ( about my fifth visit) a few summers ago and agree 100% with all you write. I love your Sue Ellen Ewing line! La Defense as Dallas, tres drole. <BR> <BR>

I went to la Defense (the part near the Arche) with some friends on a Sunday, and must admit that I found its very dullness kind of interesting. It was virtually deserted at that time and quite eerie, as if the neutron bomb had fallen, destroying all the people and leaving only the cold, sterile buildings. There actually was an interesting temporary exhibition on human rights in the Arche, so we had some justification for going. Once was enough, though!

Michele, <BR>The joke about Sue ellen is not from me, my boss told it to me first ! <BR>There's an other one, but it's very scarcastic, and more funny in French : if Kennedy was not shot, he would have shot himself in downtown Dallas...