In your European travels what has been the most over-rated, over-hyped attraction?

While I love Ireland and the Dingle Penninsula in particular, my pick is the Gallarus Oratory. So it's 1300 years old and the roof doesn't leak. Big deal, as if it's some great mystery how they made a roof that doesn't leak -- they kept jamming rocks into the roof until it stopped! There's no artwork of any kind and it's utterly devoid of historical value. Lots of buildings in Europe are older, still in tact, with lots of artwork and historical value -- and with leak-free roof.

The Golden Roof- Innsbruck.
What's the big deal?

The Mona Lisa at the Louvre in Paris. The Lourve is fantastic. The well protected Mona Lisa is something we have all seen so much, it becomes a letdown.

As far as cities, London comes to mind as being overrated. Of course, if you're into royality and mindless tabloids constantly "discussing" royality, you'll love the place.

well, I agree totally about the Mona Lisa but disagree all the way about London. I think the Leaning Tower of Pisa was kind of a let down. I peaked around the corner, took a look, and headed for a cafe. I feel that somehow I should not be confessing to this maybe?

Kissing the Blarney Stone

I was 20 years old. I did it. It was slimy. And I got a blister on my lip the next evening.

Lichtenstein. When the most exciting thing about an entire country is their postage stamps, that should have given me a clue.

Ha Ha!
Lichtenstein!
Twice the size of a postage stamp...
and half as interesting!

crefloors, the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

My daughter climbed to the top, and fell going down bless her heart. Thankfully she was not hurt. Her Dad went with her on the climb.
I went into to the Duomo and Bapistry.

So, two of us can confess the Tower was not a "big deal".

There are a few more places that did not send me into orbit but I will keep them to myself as I would probably get blasted if I listed them here.

Kissing the Blarney Stone!! You deserved that blister!! Seriously though, everyones phlegm is all over that stone, and to line up to kiss that disease ridden artifact, well I'd be spraying disinfectant before I gave that chunk of limestone a snog.

LoveItaly: I was there in 1999 and it hadn't been fixed yet so you could go up to the top...not that I would have. Hope your daughter didn't hurt herself.

One more vote for the Tower of Pisa.
And another one for that pityful A'dam RLD.

How different perceptions can be! Down under in NZ, I often think back to visiting the Gallarus Oratory and its enduring quality and how it is just so right in its setting. Probably the most 'right' place I have visited! They did what they could with what they had to hand at the them. Please dont be put off going there, just go quietly and enjoy it for what it is! It will endure long after Edward2005, I think!

Frankly, on some days I think the most "overrated" site is this travel board.

The Eiffel tower.

It's an eyesore. It ruins the skyline. You can't get away from it.

Stonehenge. It was fascinating for about 15 minutes, but the trip down and back took up a half day I would have rather spent having fun in London.

Another vote for the Blarney Stone! I literally got to the top of the castle, took one look at that blackened greasy spot I was supposed to kiss and the frail old man who was going to hold me as I leaned backwards, and decided I wanted no part of all that, and turned around and went back down....

I liked Lichtenstein! We drove from Zurich to Innsbruck and stoped in Lichtenstein to get our passports stamped and to use the rest of our french francs. the people were very nice
and the river there is a very beautiful
blue color.

Stonehenge.

total waste of time.

oooooh, rocks. Big deal.
Not worth the better part of a day.

The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam- They charged full price for a very truncated under-renovation museum. I might give it another try when it is fully open, but I felt ripped off.

Notre Dame in Paris- great building, totally ruined for me by swarming, rude tourists who don't understand the concept of "no flash photography". Thanks for helping to ruin the 800 year old art, jerk.

Hey QC were you not a tourist too?
When I was there of the 100's of tourist
I only saw 1 person take a flash picture
and the guard ask him to stop.