Generally speaking, I try to look on the brighter side of things most of the time. However, as I sit and read many of the great stories about favorite cathedrals, restaurants, etc., I often wonder what some of the disappointments were. <BR> <BR>I went to Europe for the first time last fall (Sept. '98). We did Brussels, Paris, and London. I was thrilled with the trip overall but was surprised at the "Disney" feel of Paris. (And no, we did not go to EuroDisney) It seemed that there was some type of vendor or merchandiser every 10 feet. I loved Paris. It was beautiful and I'll go back. I just wasn't prepared for the feeling that I was at Disneyland overpaying for everything. <BR> <BR>I would have loved to have seen it 20 or 30 years ago when it was probably more like my mind had envisioned it. <BR> <BR>I loved going to Europe and can't wait to get back and see more. Please tell me what experiences were not quite what you expected, I'm sure there are many people who share the same feelings. <BR> <BR>Happy Traveling! <BR>

Hello Lynn, For me, this one is easy. <BR>We have enjoyed 14 trips to Europe and <BR>each one has had it's minor faux paus. <BR>We recently spent a fabulous 20 days in <BR>Greece, but the major disappointment was <BR>Athens itself. It is a big dirty crowded <BR>city with too many people and tour busses. We fell in love with Greece, but <BR>typical of many BIG cities we could skip <BR>Athens and not miss it.

Land's End, at the tip of Cornwall in Britain, is a great disappointment. I understand that an American owns this place and he is the one who turned it into a honky-tonk. You have to pay to get out to the final view of the cape, past ice cream stands and candy floss shops. Otherwise, the coast moorland is quite beautiful in its own bleak, windswept way. It's just a shame that crass commercialism has stomped so severely on this famous site.

I agree with Bob regarding Athens. I was disappointed with it due to the smog and overcrowding. The Greek Islands, on the other hand, were definately not a disappointment! <BR>

<BR>Hello Lynn, we have been to Paris at least three times and have never had that feeling you experienced. However, having alot all over, I can tell you that most big cities have the same type of street vendors all over. So maybe I'm just used to seeing that and it doesn't bother me. However, on our first trip to Rome, I remember feeling a bit ticked off or offended about the vendors we saw right outside entrances to churches and cathedrals, complete with t-shirts with the cathedral on them etc. I was kind of surprised they allowed that so close to the churches. <BR>

Lynn: Isn't it funny - our pre-conceptions and our impressions? Before making my maiden trip to Paris this summer, I'd been feelinig like, 'Oh, I missed the best part -- should've done it 30-40 years ago....' And when we got there, we were enchanted! I loved how very old and beautiful it is, and how, for miles and miles, you feel like you are seeing, "...the Paris that has always been." I too am mystified at your dismay about the vendors. Saw some in a few places (and even made purchases) but nothing to an extent that could take away from the overall beauty, charm etc. <BR> <BR>Now...returning to England and hoping to repeat our first so-thrilling and pleasurable motoring excursion of a decade ago --- THAT was a disappointment. Over-priced, dreary B&B's (where were the charming spots we'd found last time?), getting hopelessly lost, breaking down -- a definite downer, to be sure. But I've come to the conclusion that travel is a lot like childbirth labor -- after a while the awful parts fade, and the wondrous, enjoyable stuff sticks in your mind...and makes you start planning the next trip!

I agree to the people who said that Athens was a dissapointment. I did not see much of it but what I saw was nothing to brag about. I would still go if in the area though to see the Acropolis. I stopped in Athens on my way to Iraklion, Crete which was really dirty as well. <BR>

We, too, were completely enchanted by Paris. 20-30 years ago, you would have visited a city that was quite filthy, where people tossed their garbage out their windows and into the streets, and an en suite bath was rare and exhorbitantly expensive. In fact, in numerous photos of the Arc de Triomphe, for example, it is nearly blackened by exhaust fumes. We were astonished to find it (and nearly every other building and monument) sparkling clean! While we were there, they were working on the Pont Alexandre III, Hotel de Ville, and one of the other bridges - half before, half after, and you sure could see the difference! The residents and business owners pay enormous taxes (there was a piece on "60 Minutes" about this) for all of us to enjoy. I can't imagine a "Disney" feel in Paris. Where else are so many buildings centuries old beautifully preserved and/or restored? Overpaying? Consider that the residents pay the same prices you do. So, how do you define "overpaying"? Further, while coffee may be $3, rather than whatever you pay at home, it's the absolutely finest cup of coffee you could possibly enjoy. Chefs pride themselves in serving the finest and freshest ingredients, perfectly prepared and artfully and professionally served. And, where else is a $3 bottle of Coca Cola served as though it were the finest Champagne? I have found each trip to Europe to be an overwhelming learning experience. I can't remember the disappointments, but cherish the collection of moments: a breathtaking view, soaking up the local atmosphere, the attention to detail, that buildings, hotels, restaurants are improved year after year, rather than being torn down and replaced with quickly and cheaply constructed substitutes. The preservation of architecture, tradition, atmosphere of foregone eras is astonishing and ever so inspiring. If admission to the Louvre were $50, I'd consider it a bargain! While driving around stateside, my husband and I are astonished when we discover the rare town that is not full of fast food chains, Motel 6 and Super 8, and the ubiquitous Wal-Mart that has put all the family owned shops out of business. While in Paris, we hardly saw any street vendors at all, certainly not every 10 feet. Although, when we arrived at Versailles, we were a bit annoyed at the many vendors of accordian postcards in your face outside the entrance. However, we did buy one and treasure the beautiful collection of pictures which we could not possibly have captured ourselves. I'm totally guessing that, perhaps, you spent your time in Paris at Place du Tertre, the Champs Elysees, and other major "tourist" spots, rather than out and about in the neighborhoods.

My dear Lynn, whatever are you talking about? Paris is a marvelous city. One of the most beautiful and special in the whole world. I have been there many times and have lived there once. I have never seen many vendors and certainly never got a feeling of being in Disneyland. How strange you did. I've never heard of that reaction from anyone else. As for myself, I too found Athens a bit dirty but I enjoyed being there once (but will not return). I can't recall any real disappointements I have had in Europe on trips or when I have travelled about while living there. All travel is marvelous IMO. <BR>

This is SUCH a bizarre topic! I can't imagine remembering, much less recalling, one's "disappointing experiences". No matter where you go, surely the positive experiences completely overwhelm any "disappointing experiences". With the incredible wealth of resources available these days, a little research and planning results in knowing what to expect. "Overpaying"? What do you mean? One can only wonder why, if you "try" to look on the brighter sie, you "wonder" about disappointments. I guess that's the difference between trying and doing.

Poor Lynn! I guess this will teach you to post an honest but negative reaction on Fodor's. I think the difference is not between trying and doing, as Jody suggests, but between planning/imagining and actually being there. It's the difference that makes us get on a plane. My biggest diappointment was Venice, star of films, literature, and guidebooks. Even though I thought it was fine, it wasn't the magical place for me that it seems to be for so many people. I didn't want it to be just fine. I wanted magic, darn it. I think the food and people in the rest of Italy (well, from Rome north) spoiled me for anything less, no matter how scenic.

I'm with you, Martha. Venice can be picturesque, unique, crowded, filthy, smelly, overpriced, beautiful, noisy, and grasping. We've been there several times and have no urge to return. But the point of this web site is to post your honest impressions. I have often suspected that Pollyana-postings perpetuate rip-offs when starry-eyed persons believe they might be committing some kind of social error by "telling it like it is." We've been rambling around the globe since 1952 as a couple, and I can only say that some spots have become ever so much better and other spots have deteriorated enormously, largely due to becoming over-touristed (if there is such a term). Our duty: call the shots as we see them. IMHO

<BR>Oh my greatest dissapointment of my two trips to England this past year are easy to remember: having to get back on the plane and come home again so soon! What a wonderful place. Can't wait to go back.

Thank you, Al and Martha! I thought I was the only one who was disappointed with Venice. My friends have torched me for saying that Venice was just "okay". <BR>Perhaps I had too many expectations about the place ... Anyway, those expectations came crashing down last summer. Venice was a nice place but it wasn't spectacular. <BR> <BR>St. Mark's Basilica was gorgeous and feeding the pigeons at St. Mark's Square was fun but ... the "romantic" canals reeked and the place was overcrowded (not just San Marco). <BR> <BR>But given all that, I would not have missed it for the world! <BR> <BR>I was also surprised at my first sight of Rome - dirty, decaying buildings, trash littering the streets and sidewalks ... oh, well, just another big city! <BR> <BR>

Did we hit a hot button? <BR> <BR>I think yes. Let's try to remember that just because we ask a question about disappointments, that doesn't mean we didn't enjoy the entire experience of our trip. <BR> <BR>Perhaps those of you that think I hated Paris and only remember one bad thing should read my original posting again. I loved Paris. And I'll go back. I have a list of things I didn't get to see in my 6 days there! <BR> <BR>I simply thought this was an intriguing question to interject among all the "oh how I loved this" and "oh how I loved that" stories. <BR> <BR>Happy Traveling...

A very valid question, in my opinion. By telling others what we found disappointing about places, we can perhaps help them enjoy their own experiences there more - if only by not creating too many expectations. For example, it might help that they go to Paris, Rome, or London with the understanding that they are indeed big cities with big-city problems, and not Disney-land type places. Hopefully though, they won't avoid these places but will go and form their own opinions to come back here and share. One thing I like about Rick Steves is that he shares these opinions with his readers. <BR> <BR>I also feel that my biggest disappointment is in getting on the plane to return. However, I did find some things a little disappointing, although not surprising because I had read about them - eg., Montmartre and Interlaken (the town itself, not the surroundings)- both were way too touristy. Still, I enjoyed them a lot more than being at home, and I am glad I went.

Martha, you said it well. I also side with Dan; this is a very valid question. We often forget that it is OK to have expectations when embarking on a trip and it is OK to DISCERN. That only make the journey the more memorable. I think it's balloney to say that EVERYTHING seen and done on a trip was just peachy...I believe that to have expectations, surprises, disappointments is an indication that you TRULY were there, done that... <BR> <BR>Disappointment for me: LONDON (Ok, I'm ready, shoot me!) Only reason I would visit again would be the British Museum, British Library and the Tower. <BR>For everything else, I rather go to NYC. Thank you very much.

I have to argue on behalf of Athens. Yes it is a huge, overcrowded, hot, dirty city. And I loved it. It is also has very beautiful neighborhoods, striking archeology, and great people. And you should see the white city gleaming in the sunlight from a sailboat! (Maybe I was so mellowed out from our sailing trip that I didn't notice the grime.) Anyway, I love Athens. <BR> <BR>My disappointment was Istanbul. Not the city, per se, although that is another huge, filthy, polluted, noisy city which I enjoyed. My disappointment was that there are hardly any women out and about in Istanbul. Islamic tradition puts a lot more men on the streets than women, and I really missed being able to learn about that part of the culture. <BR>

At the risk of being flogged, I figured I'd add my greatest disappointment - Interlaken. While the drive in and the surroundings were beautiful, the town itself was a big disappointment. Nothing but knife & watch shops & tourists everywhere. I'm sure that part of my disappointment stems from the vast amount of research that I did prior to leaving. I allowed my expectations to get too high based on the writings of those who obviously had very different perspectives than myself. <BR>Would I make alternate plans if I had the chance? Nah. Will I go again? Probably not.

Neuschwanstein - not nearly as grandiouse as the pictures I'd seen. A very rough walk/climb for a big disappointment. <BR>