JMM

I can honestly say that I have never been disappointed in any highly touted place I have visited but then my expectations have always been realistic and I went to places I was sure would interest me. I suspect some people travelling expect everything to be some sort of peak experience and are disappointed when stuff turns out not to be what they have built it up to be.<BR>For example my hubby was very excited about seeing Stonehenge for the first time. He really thought he would be blown away. I had seen it years ago before and I tried to prepare him for the fact that there would be lots of fellow tourists and that approaching closely was not likely. He was terribly disappointed - not so much with the stones but with the tour buses,the parking lot, the souvenir shop,the whole amusement park atmosphere. Also when going somewhere highly touted, it is good to do some research to see if the reasons something is recommended would make it attractive to YOU. If you don't like art - why go to a famous art gallery? If history is not interesting to you - why go to a palace or a castle or a historic town ?

CalgirlSusan

I agree that Carcassone, France was one of the most disappointing places I've been to. <BR><BR>I also wanted for years to go to Mount St. Michel and see that island surrounded by water, but the tides were low and there was never any water around it while I was there. It was just a big mound stuck in a huge flat of mud.<BR><BR>Also any place that claims to be the Venice of ________(insert anything in the blank) is bound to be a huge disappointment.

PaulR

Basel.

Renata

I am planning to travel to Nice and Sienna as part of my trip. For those that did not like it may I ask why?<BR>trying at this point to understand the &quot;musts&quot; and the &quot;nots&quot;

Renata

sorry what I mean is the must sees and the not needed sees

Giovanna

I found it interesting that this thread has drawn 44 posts and except for a few, every poster was disappointed by one or several places. Perhaps we are easy to please or not very discerning, but in all our travels (Mexico, Caribbean, Bermuda, about 8 European countries, and a fair amount of the US) I can't remember anyplace that was ugly, waste of time, total disappointment, etc. Obviously we liked some places more than others, but we always found something redeeming about all our destinations.<BR><BR>Have some of you become so jaded that a place has to be sensational in all respects? I was also appalled by the comment that Stratford should be torn down and rebuilt. That's what we do here--one of the reasons I love Europe so much.<BR><BR>Don't mean to preach--I guess I just don't get it.<BR>

Sue_xx_yy

I think everyone is entitled to their feelings, and to their disappointments. I also note that the thread specifically requests disappointing experiences. That said, people's goals when traveling vary. For example, those looking for 'people watching' experiences would probably enjoy a beach holiday on the Riviera; those looking for peaceful solitude probably wouldn't. <BR><BR>Since our goal is always simply to see what is there and learn what we can, we rarely come away disappointed. We're also careful not to invest too much time commuting to a place or more than a few nights there, which helps keep our expectations in check. However, bad weather, a cold, or the odd grumpy person in the tourist industry can sometimes put a damper on things, which is why we probably need to give Siena, Italy and Appenzell, Switzerland another chance some time.

julies

I started this, and I guess I should throw in a few more comments. <BR><BR>I always try to rely on guidebooks that are highly opinionated, and I think (for me anyway) that has helped us avoid some disappointments. Plus, we kniow exactly the type of experience or place we are looking for and I think that has helped steer us either to or away from some places. Finally, we have done quite a bit of traveling, and the list of places that didn't really call to us isn't that large. <BR><BR>In our just completed 2 week trip to Spain there were only 2 places (towns)that we planned to devote an afternoon to that we didn't really like, so it wasn't a huge waste of time or effort to get to them. But, on the other hand, if anyone asked me, I'd tell them what I thought of these towns, and IMO not to visit these places.<BR><BR>The other piece which I think is critical is, what is your basis for comparison? Obviously, if you have never seen a European cathedral you are going to be more wowed than has someone who has visited a hundred cathedrals. So, perhaps in a way the more we travel we do become a bit jaded. But, on the other hand, maybe having visited a lot of places we also are able to make more realistic evaluations or judgments.

Grasshopper

Something must be wrong with me... I can't think of anything that disappointed me. Well, maybe Las Vegas.

Bob1

Reply to Giovanna: I made the comment about Stratford being torn down and rebuilt. <BR><BR>What I meant to say was that all the new junk they have build around the old historic buildings should be torn down...not the historic areas. <BR><BR>They have turned what was probably a quaint, historic area with Shakespere's home and the river into a joke with trinket shops, tshirt vendors and fish and chips. <BR><BR>I am all for keeping the old and historic. I am all against ruining these towns with junk shops and that is what Stratford has done. <BR><BR>People will still go there because of the name and the city fathers know that. But you only need one visit....unless you need another Willy Shakespere coffee mug or sweatshirt.

ThinGorjus

Renata, I did not HATE Nice(oxymoron?). I was just disappointed by certain things about it. I stayed at the Negresco Hotel, which was one of the best hotels in the world at one point. It was rather dim and worn. The beach, along the Promenade de Anglais, was all pebbles, no sand. There was also debris floating in the water. Overall, I would say that Nice has passed its prime. However, there were some things that I enjoyed, like going into the back alleys and finding great bistos and bakeries. I also found some great little shops. Nice is also convenient to use as a base to explore St. Paul de Vence, Eze, and Monte Carlo.

Iregeo

I understand the comments made above regarding the &quot;touristification&quot; of Stratford-upon-Avon, however, I'd like to suggest that it can be a very different experience in the evening than it is in the daylight. While there, we had the pleasure of attending a theatre production of Romeo and Juliet. Very little in the way of costumes, practically no set to speak of, but some of the most moving acting I've ever seen. It was an experience I will NEVER forget!

pakitty

Some places are highly touted and the more research I do, the higher my expectations. Being disappointed doesn't necessarily equate to hating them, just finding them ho-hum or less spectacular than other places I've been. <BR>Disappoints:<BR>Ireland<BR>First visit to London - I can only take big cities in small doses.<BR>Hidcote Manor Garden - but loved Kiftsgate Garden next door<BR>Avebury stone circle - it doesn't begin to compare with Stonehenge<BR>The white hill towns in southern Spain - they're rather dingy close up

LarryJ

Carcassonne. Got off the train in the late afternoon, walked to the old town. My first sight of the old walled town was from the bridge a half mile away, I thought it was breathtaking. Got inside and found a Disney type themepark with 1001 junk shops and cotton candy stands. Wish I had just looked at it from the bridge and took the next train to Arles.<BR><BR>Larry J

Giovanna

Bob1: Sorry I misinterpreted your post. We haven't been to Stratford for some time, so obviously have not experienced the &quot;Disneyland&quot; atmosphere you describe. <BR><BR>My niece gave me a silver pin that is shaped like a door handle of the Swan Theatre (looks like a swan's wing). I looked forward to seeing Stratford and in particular the theatre, but unfortunately time didn't allow us to get to the theatre. I do have a picture of my niece standing in front of the doors (she gave it to me along with the pin). Stratford was not what you describe when we visited. Again, sorry I misinterpreted your post.

pakitty

There's a lot more to Stratford than the dingy tourist shops. It's different when the tour buses leave, and I had a wonderful dinner there. The Swan Theatre has two separate stages, and during intermission you can stand by the river and watch the swans swim by. A train returns to London about have an hour after the last performance.

Snoopy

Giovanna,<BR><BR>I think your comments about being jaded, as well as those made by others who claim never to be disappointed or who just don't get the comments about disapppointment, are a little harsh and reflect an inappropriate rush to judgement. I said regarding Innsbruck (brownish smog filled the valley, truckers taking leaks along the frontage road from the south entrance into town . . .) but I had a great time there. People were kind and skiing was great!<BR><BR>I said regarding the Peak District (don't drive too fast or you'll miss it) but it was amazing that suddenly out of the flatlands there are mountains. The day was beautiful, around 70 degrees and cloudless. I have some great photos.<BR><BR>Paris - what IS the big deal here?<BR>

djkbooks

Brugges. I hate the word &quot;touristy&quot;, since no place would be so popular and crowded if it didn't have something special to offer. But, here, the mobs detract, the local tour busses ruin the best photo ops, and I've never seen anyplace even close for being chock full of almost exclusively &quot;touristy&quot; shops (souvenirs, lace, chocolate) and restaurants.

WandaLust

Nice and the French Riviera, yawn. 3 days.<BR>I thought my then-home Southern California beaches put it to shame. As much as I love the rest of France, I thought it was 'ze pits'. But then, I can't comprehend the see-and-be-seen buzz. I'd rather stare at Italian bus drivers for fun.<BR>I'd add Monte Carlo, but -wow!!- the coastline drive is not to be missed! <BR>

Deepa

Paris<BR>Cinque Terre (despite being a die hard Italiophile)<BR>Provence and the French Riviera<BR>Krakow<BR>Geneva