Although I truly loved Paris, I didn't find the natives very accommodating. My greatest disappointmement was finding a hotel specifically for the purpose of being near the Louvre. When I got there , I felt just like Chevy Chase in National Lampoon's Vacation. The Louvre was on strike the entire time I was in Paris. I agree with you Lynne as far as overpaying; I had a very small baguette and an Orangina at a small outdoor cafe and after I figured out the exchange rate, I found that I paid almost $15.00. On the upside, I thought the city was incredibly beautiful and very clean.

Zell am See. <BR> <BR>In the fall of 98, I looked forward to going there. I did and was underwhelmed. <BR>Maybe it was because I have seen many alpine lake towns so this one did not seem special. Maybe it was that the BnB I had looked forward to staying in was closed for the season, and I had to look for another in a town when a lot of construction was going on and traffic was a mess and my bladder was full. <BR>(I did find a great replacement, the Hotel St.Georg, beside a gurgling mountain stream, it was the saving grace of the 24 hrs I spent there). Or, maybe it was russian communist I talked to that evening, or, perhaps all the kitsch in the aldstadt. <BR> <BR>Maybe it was me, maybe it was Maybelline (who, alas, I did not meet!) But it was a definite nadir on what was, otherwise, a fabulous journey. <BR> <BR>Peace

Since prices are posted, and exchange rates can be easily determined in advance, one can only wonder why you walked into what you later determined to be a bum deal. And, it's always prudent to make reservations in a place you look forward to staying in - as they may be booked, whenever open. So, to all of you have been disappointed, it's not MAYBELLINE - it's YOU!

I hope this doesn't post twice, but you know this web site: <BR>To paraphrase DR. JOHNSON, "When one has tired of London, one has tired of Life." <BR> <BR>Personally I can see virtually no comparrison between the rather small, overcrowded, relatively dangerous smudge- pot that is NYC in relation to a 630 square mile giant of culture and history that is London. And that's the point, not everyone likes the same things in life, nor would we want them to. If that were the case everyone everywhere would be trying to live in just a select few spots. Whereas London is my second favorite place on the planet, right behind Bath, I can fully understand that others of my friends and family might not like it in the least. <BR> <BR> As much as I like London I'm sure I would like it more if I had 20-30 thousand dollars to spend while there. But I don't, so I make adjustments and I keep going back anyway. Life is disappointments, almost daily, but we all hold on because even disappointment is necessary to weave the fabric of our lives. I think it's a great topic and admire Lynn for posting it in the first place. Bon Voyage.

My biggest disappointment? <BR> <BR>Parisians. Not Paris itself, but many of it's citizens. I'm a very outgoing traveler. I smile a lot, start almost every conversation with "I'm sorry I don't speak your beautiful language well, could you please help me with...", etc. Despite these efforts I have never run into more rude, arrogant, smelly and down-right mean people than while in Paris. <BR> <BR>Were there exceptions? Sure. But for the most part I was very disappointed in how we were treated from the hotel clerk, to waiters, to taxi drivers, museum staff or a guy on the street sending us in the opposite direction when we needed help finding our way. <BR> <BR>Beautiful city, amazing art, wonderful food - RUDE people.

The holiday Inn sunspree resort Orlando, not cheap and totally ghastly in every respect when we were there. Not child friendly but puerile with cartoons and silly messages on every wall and counter and a horrible restaurant that even our young son thought was uncool and which remidned us of a British motorway stop off i.e. vile. [we fortunately escaped most nights to the nearby shopping cetnre which had a great range of cheap and cheerful places that we really liked and were ideal post disney but would have preferred to havethe option of eating in] A direct contrast to the second stop of our stay in Florida the Registry Resort in Naples. Simple fab, a hotel that welcomes and caters for children whilst also making the grown ups in the party feel seriously spoilt. Their sunday brunch is to die for.

We were disappointed with Venice. I like "old", thats why I wanted to see Europe, but Venice was almost too shabby and dreary for me. And I cannot understand the tourists fascination with all those horrid pigeons in St. Marks Sq. I would like to see it when it is pigeon-less!! Many people have told me to give Venice a second chance, and I probably will someday. I did love Murano and Burano.

Whistler. <BR> <BR>Too crowded. <BR>Too expensive. <BR>Too "here-to-be-seen" <BR>Too over rated.

Greetings - <BR> <BR>I'm the Lynn who originally started this thread and I must say I was surprised to see it surface again. <BR> <BR>I'm glad because I have an update to my own post. Last Spring we went back to Paris with my husband's kids (almost 18 & 19 at the time) and I enjoyed it more the 2nd time around. I enjoyed it the first time but, as I said before, was just unprepared for a few things. This time, we knew where we were going, how much we needed to bring, and were prepared for what we would find. <BR> <BR>And, in response to "the turnip" above. Isn't it amazing the different experiences people have? For me, I only ran into 1 rude person the entire week. Sure, some of them have "extra" attitude at times but it wasn't a big deal. I just think that's how they are! I was actually pleasantly surprised at how nice several of them were without us even asking. <BR> <BR>It's really funny actually the different responses you'll get about various places and people. We went to Thailand, (mostly Bangkok), last November and many people had asked us why. They heard it was dirty, polluted, crowded, etc. Well, it is! However, it's also home to the nicest people I've ever met anywhere. The Thais are very kind and helpful. Sure, they want your money, but they are very nice about how they get it. You can get the best deals on lots of things, stay in style for 1/2 the price, and eat like a king for $10. And that's the expensive place! <BR> <BR>In short, as S.C. said, it just depends on who you are, where you're at, and what you want to do. Thank God we're not all alike! <BR> <BR>:-)

Hi! Just finished reading this site and was amazed that all this time I thought I was alone in my feelings about Venice. Full of tourists, mobbed, bad food generally, pigeons beyond belief etc etc. The other disapointment is Switzerland especially Zurich and Interlacken. Took a walking tour of Interlacken and it ended up in a "Swiss restaurant and show" The city is full of watch shops many with sushi outside for the Japanese tourist and Japanese staff inside to sell them swiss watches. It was also the most expensive vacation in Europe I have ever experienced after traveling there for 14yrs. The mountains are gorgeous but the prices are as high as the mountains. It felt good to be back in eastern Europe last year after trying someplace else. alan

We've also been traveling for over 25 years and one thing we were disappointed in was our return to Athens this year. 25 years ago we loved it and couldn't wait to get back. Now my question is were we less seasoned or has the city changed that much? Don't miss it if you're planning a trip to Greece but only give it minimal time. <BR>London -- however much it has changed is still wonderful for me. You can keep New York! <BR>My person travel disappointment was the Black Forest. It was a lovely area but I don't know what I expected . . . Hansel and Gretel and Gingerbread houses????

A reply to what Turnip said. Some of the problems he had can be helped by using a few French words. For example he would say 'I'm sorry I don't speak French, but can you help me'. You need to open in French, for example say 'Excusz-moi monsieur, parlez-vous anglais' which is 'Excuse me sir, do you speak English?'. In addition alway open a conversation in French. For example even if you know the desk clerk speaks good English, open the conversation with 'bonsour monsieur' then speak English. Also exit with 'au-revoir'. The same holds true when going into small shops, greet the store clerk in French and exit with 'au-revoir'. One more item, the French distrust people who smile for what they see as no reason. <BR> <BR>

I have to agree with Bob - there are ugly Americans abroad who shout in English - as if that will help the French understand better! Bob's tips are important to keep in mind in any country visited. I was told the same on my first visit to Europe years ago, and it has helped me through various situations. I was once complimented in Paris that I couldn't possibly be an American - that I must be British because I was polite. <BR> <BR>As for the original post, there are touristy areas in Paris - just as there are in any other city in the world. You must be adventurous and seek out the locals and 'unknown' spots. That's half of the fun. I'm not sure what your expectations were Lynn, but have a couple of conversations with Parisians on your next trip and they won't steer you wrong - you may find the Paris you are looking for. Good luck!

I think this is a fair and what's more, useful question. Disappointment implies expectations, and we all travel with some expectations. If the mis-fit between someone else's expectations and experience helps make our own expectations more realistic, that's helpful. <BR> <BR>A comment about "over-priced." It's really more complicated than Marcee would admit. Some cities are more expensive in lodging, others in food. Learning what to expect in an "average" restaurant can get you burned -- e.g., it took a while to figure out we'd eat better in a Parisian "salon de the" than a restaurant for the same price. The number stars or dollar signs next to the name in a guidebook doesn't explain whether you'll be charged $5. if you ask for extra bread. <BR> <BR>I've had the luck to visit Paris twice, once 30 years ago and once last year, so I have some basis for comparison. I found it now a cleaner but meaner city. I wasn't prepared for the utter misery of trying to get down the Eiffel Tower after sunset and before closing on a crowded Ascension Sunday -- astonishing no one has been forced over a railing yet. And yes, the cynical commercialism is sad, as is the antagonistic air about museum-closing, airport-crippling strikes. <BR> <BR>It seemed to me that it was like seeing an old lover after so many years -- fatter, richer, more venal, better groomed but less attractively dressed, and not nearly as happy. And THAT thought made me think that one could say much the same thing about a lot of places in the developed world of 2000. The hawked T-shirts depicting classical treasures are everywhere. The subway ads with mindlessly voluptuous models selling caffeinated sugary drinks are everywhere. The Florida Rodent's potemkin villages are everywhere, too. <BR> <BR>I could look past them better when the weather was nice and I wasn't spending half the afternoon scouting for restaurants where I could afford dinner. I could look past them when I had a quiet moment watching children stubbornly getting their shoes wet in Tuilleries puddles. And it certainly helped me to look past them if I knew ahead of time that they were there. So go ahead -- give me fair warning about Florence or Penzance or Athens. I'm tired of finding Disney every where and don't want to walk unwittingly into it yet another time. <BR> <BR>And that's my rant for today.

This is one of the best threads I've read around here. <BR>I'm baffled by the people that want to pretend that travelling is always wonderful and always exactly what you dreamed it would be and always something you can prepare for. Please---why would we do it if it was that way? <BR> <BR>I have fantasized about certain places my entire life (literally since I was a tot learning to read). Fact of the matter is every single place on earth has elements that aren't going to fall into place with that fantasy. While that can be a sort of disappointing reality, its part of the thrill of travelling too. <BR> <BR>What fun would travel be if it wasn't exploration. And by definition exploration involves risk of disappointment. And a traveller should be able to gain something from "disappointment" too.

Sorry but my earlier post wasn't very clear. I opened my french conversations in FRENCH saying albeit rather poorly in french "I'm sorry I don't speak your language very well." I made every effort to use all the French words I knew at every opportunity including more sorry's, please's and thank you's than you can shake a baggette (sp?) at! <BR>All to no avail. <BR> <BR>As for the French not liking it when you smile, give me a blinking break Bob! You're suggesting that people would have been more pleasant had I smiled LESS? Huh? <BR> <BR>My German was just as poor as my French but throughout all of Deutschland we met NONE of the rude arrogance of the Parisians. On the contrary, people had fun with our bumbbling skills and tried their very best to help us, regardless of how much German we knew or how much English they knew. <BR> <BR>I stand by original post. My biggest disappointment was the shabby treatment we received in a beautiful city. <BR>

London was the biggest disappointment for me. I will give it another chance though - we weren't there long and didn't have time for much - but I thought it was the most expensive place I've ever been. I adore Paris! No one has ever been rude to me there - and I butcher their language, but I think the point is that I try. In fact, no one has ever been rude to me ANYWHERE that I've traveled. Lynn is right about Bangkok - it may be dirty, but it is enchanting. I don't think a traveler should judge a destination on its cleanliness - life is dirty, people are dirty - a city can't help it if it's dirty - look beyond the dirt - there's always something interesting to see, hear, taste or smell.

No place I have visited for the first time has ever been a disappointment. HOWEVER, the Rhinefalls in Germany and the architecture in Helsinki certainly did not live up to my expectations (which were modest)......I know this is a European board but has anyone ever been to Pigeon Forge?.....Very mediocre.....

May I be so bold as to bring a bit of fresh air into this string of complaints? Paris, you will find, is filled with Parisians. Mostly just folks trying to get by in an over-crowded, over-touristed, and over-priced environment. Who bids up the price of things? Tourists. So get off the beaten track in France for a while. Prices drop dramatically. People actually smile. People have time to help you un-mangle their language. It's happened to us countless times. And we were heading back again this year. And our first trip there was almost 50 years ago. Now talk about change and deterioration--we must only look in our mirrors.

We arrived unexpectedly in Paris in March, 1995. While on a trip to Morrocco, my husband had a heart attack in Fez and after treatment there, we were flown to the Anerican Hospital in Paris. We were in Fez during Ramadan and very, very few people spoke any English. They tried to help me, but it was very difficult staying at a hotel and not speaking to or meeting any other English speaking tourists. Paris was wonderful. My daughter flew over to be with me, and help. The shop keepers, bus drivers, Doctors, nurses, and the concierge at the small hotel where we stayed were all wonderful. At one restaurant, the owner even opened the door early for us and offered bread and wine until opening time. We did not meet any rude people in Paris. A little old lady came up to us at a bus stop, and said--ooh, american--you sound like the movies, how are you? Thank God, my husband is now well and we are planning to return to Paris as all he saw was the American Hospital.