Most over-rated? Under-rated?
 

What was the one place or thing in Europe that you found most over-rated? And what about under-rated? Just curious.

This will be consider heresy by some on this forum, but London is overrated. I lived a couple of hours from NYC (museums, shopping, restaurants, theatre...), and London didn't do much for me... <BR> <BR>Under-rated?...Spain. There is so much amazing architecture, history, culture, etc...specifics? Leon, Santiago, Salamanca, etc, etc...

Maira, I agree with you on London, but I think London is a lot like NYC, but better. <BR> <BR>I'm sure you can't consider Bruges to be under-rated, however it's not the most popular city in Europe. I loved it. I went in more of an off season time so I didn't have to deal with all the tourists. The people were nice, the architecture was amazing, and it was so romantic with the canals. If you love chocolate, beer, lace, and waffles, you'll be in heaven. I don't even like beer, but I found Belgian beer to be better than anything I've had in the states. I stayed in a crappy, moldy hostel, but we had such a great time anyway. I doubt I would like it as much if I went in July or August. I like to travel when there are less of my fellow compatriotes around. No offense, I just like to feel like I'm in a foreign country when I spend all that money to go there. <BR> <BR>When I first went to Paris, I though it was over-rated, but after going back a few more times, it started to grow on me. I could live there. It has all the amenitites of NYC and it's completely different at the same time.

For me, it always strikes me as odd when I hear or read about people enthusing wildly about Budapest, saying how great it is in comparison to somewhere like Vienna or Prague. Having been to all three (Budapest and Vienna more than once), Budapest is streets behind the other two in terms of aesthetics and ambience (though not prices, admittedly!). Sure, the Buda half is very nice, and I like the city as a whole (even though the area around Keleti station is a dump), but better than Vienna & Prague? No way. No doubt I'll have annoyed a few people saying that! <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Over-rated: Most of the historical sites in Rome. How many times has that Coliseum been rebuilt? <BR> <BR>Under-rated: the brown cafes of Amsterdam. These bars are quainter and cozier than the best pubs in London. <BR> <BR>

Maira, <BR> <BR>I too live near NYC in New Jersey. And having lived my entire life South of the Mason Dixon line I expected NYC to be a vast, unfriendly ripoff full of antagonistic people. <BR> <BR>Much to my delight I have been to the "City" about 10 times in the past three years and have had marvelous times and have yet to have one single person be rude to me. Perhaps it is my Southern accent that elicits these responses of concern and help. As in "poor lost bumpkin" perhaps we shouldn't be too hard on him. Now, if they could just figure out how to be so friendly in New Jersey! <BR> <BR>However, despite the Met, the Guggenheim, the Whitney, Little Italy, the theatres and the wonderful restaurants...I'll still take London. <BR> <BR>There's just something about the history, the charm of the little neighborhoods, the class of Chelsea and Belgravia, the subdued British atmosphere and the realization that when you go into the tower, the Beefeater starts the tour with, "In 1066..." <BR> <BR>PS Most under rated.....Scotland. The most beautiful places with the friendliest people in all my travels! <BR>Munich is a close second. <BR> <BR>Most over rated...Stonehenge...nice pile of rocks, particularly if you're a 20th century Druid!

I have to disagree with some of the answers here. London is terrific in my opinion as is Stonehenge, while I really disliked Amsterdam where I found NO redeeming qualities.

Well, I thought Stonehenge and Rome more than lived up to their billing -- I enjoyed them a lot. London, Nice, and Athens were overrated. London theater is underrated (New York theater is overrated, but I love it anyway). The changing of the guard and "high tea" are overrated. Cambridge is underrated. The British health care system is underrated (don't ask). Ordering, and actually receiving ice in your beverage is underrated, and so is air conditioning. "British reserve" is overstated. Amsterdam is underrated. The Rijksmuseum is overrated. The Van Gogh museum and Anne Frank house are underrated. Italian bread was overrated (never did have a decent piece of bread in Florence, Rome, or Venice and can't figure out why). Train travel is underrated. Rainy-day picnics of french bread and cheese and wine on the bed in your hotel room are underrated. The Latin Quarter is overrated; the Marais is underrated. The Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe are overrated. The Bateaux Mouches are underrated. The "Mona Lisa" is overrated. The Musees Picasso in Paris and Antibes are underrated. Greek food is underrated. German efficiency is overrated. Being in Europe with your boyfriend: overrated (obviously I was with the wrong guy). Being in Europe with your mom: underrated (especially when a couple of years later she gets really sick and almost dies, and you're so glad you went to Europe together when you had the chance). <BR>

Lisa, <BR>you're the first person I've heard say the Italian bread was overrated. And you're absolutely right. We rarely had really good bread. In one very good restaurant in Rome the bread was actually horrendously stale. <BR> <BR>I disagree about Athens, not because its great, but because I don't think anybody really says its great. The Acropolis is spectacular, the rest of the city well... <BR> <BR>I love London and the Roman Ruins, so disagree there. I think Venice is overrated. It was very nice, but I didn't find it as magical as others seem to. Too many tourists and associated tourist traps. <BR> <BR>Most underrated -- Greece outside of the Islands and Athens. The Peleponesse is beautiful, lots of great ruins, beaches, friendly people. Why does everyone do Athens and the islands and skip the rest of the country?

I love these things---it really points <BR>out the "mind of the beholder" thing. <BR>My humble opinion---most over-rated has <BR>to be Athens, and the under-rated is <BR>actually most of Portugal---the last <BR>place in southern Europe that is not yet <BR>somewhat spoiled by American TV culture.

After having just returned from Italy, I agree that Italian bread is overrated. They omit the salt - makes the bread last longer. But they make up for it with their wonderful pastas, sauces and young pecorino. <BR> <BR>One more thing that's overrated: pickpockets. They're just not as ubiquitous as some postings here would lead you to believe.

This Italian bread thing has touched a nerve. My wife and I loved eating everything we had in Italy (no we didnt gain 10 pounds)BUT hated the bread. If it is the salt as was suggested then maybe we all love the flavor of salt and not good bread...nevertheless, when eating great pasta ...you want bread that tastes great too. By the way...Thought Venice was great...so it is UNDERRATED

Briefly my opinions: <BR>Under-Rated: Turkey, Turkish people, Portugal, Spain, Spanish people, Munich, Brugge (what Venice promised but never was), French cuisine (I know its rated high, but I think its even better than that!), friendliness of (some) French people <BR>. <BR>Over-Rated: Greek Islands, Greek People, Italian Men (pigs), Venice (dirty, touristy, overpriced - no magic there for me), Eiffel Tower (very ugly), French Riviera <BR>

Lola, <BR>OVERRATED: London, the English countryside, Paris, the French wine country, European beaches, hotels in Venice (rip-offs, all) <BR>UNDERRATED: Spain, the Spanish countryside, Madrid (although Barcelona IS more beautiful), San Gimmignano in Tuscany, Milan <BR>Cheers, <BR>Bobby Ghosh <BR>Hong Kong

Another heresy: I was really disappointed by Florence. So many tourists, no cafe life, like being contained in some sort of museum amusement park. And it was the only place where I felt unsafe … and I've been alone in Naples! <BR> <BR>Underrated: Seville — beautiful city.

Sera- your're the first person I have ever read on this site that said Florence is overrated and I couldn't agree more. Very crowded, never really felt safe, and probably the only place in Italy that we were ripped off at several restaurants. However, the Duomo and the David are spectacular and I'm glad that I saw them. <BR>Underrated - Brugges. <BR>

The Cinque Terre (Rick Steves' fault?) is certainly overrated in this forum ... the Dolomiti, on the other hand, are just about all forgotten. <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR>

Underrated: Turkey and Spain <BR> <BR>Overrated: Athens, Copenhagen

I don't want to get in the middle of some of the back and forth, but couldn't hold back a comment on Italian bread. <BR> <BR>Go to any decent neighborhood bakery in Italy and you'll get great, fresh, cheap bread. <BR> <BR>Yes, you can get bread which is 'tasteless.' This is typically 'Tuscan' style bread which is used for dunking, bread soups, etc.

Supposedly, Florentine bakers started making bread without salt because way back when there was a huge tax on salt. I don't think that's true everywhere in Italy; there's a line in Dante about learning how salty the bread of strangers is (or something like that). <BR> <BR>I didn't like Athens all that much, but I don't know that I'd say it's overrated: I've never read anything saying it's a city of much charm. And I loved Brugge, but it's pretty heavily touted. One frequent contributor to this forum is a Ghent booster--I suspect Ghent is overrated and would love to find out if I'm right. I think Belgium is generally underrated, or at least overlooked. <BR>I think Switzerland is overrated--if you want to hike in a beautiful setting, hit the French or Italian Alps so you can get some decent food at the end of the day, rather than a blob of melted cheese in one of too-few guises.

underrated: driving in France - it seems every tour book I found warned about all the dangers of renting a car and going off on your own. We loved every minute of it! The countryside was beautiful and we could stop whenever and for however long we wanted. We had an itinerary, but veered off of it occasionally - when it struck our fancy :) I had such a wonderful experience I'm moving to Montpellier in January!

Most overrated IMHP is Paul Bocuse's 3 Michelin Star restaurant in Lyon. The place is crawling with the epitome of haughty French waiters. When I dared to pour more of the overpriced red wine by myself, the Wine steward appeared from nowhere, gave me a disapproving glance and moved the bottle out my reach. While the food was good,I've had meals I've enjoyed a lot more.

OK, my .02 - <BR> <BR>Venice - every bit true about the worst hotels, yet despite being touristy it has a wonderful uniqueness, highly rated yes, but also somewhat deserved and on neither end of the spectrum (if you like art and didn't like Florence, the Doges Palace has a Tintaretto on every second wall, that's underrated) <BR> <BR>London - I too am in NJ and can't stand the dirtyness of NYC and the general hassle to get anywhere. London doesn't have that and it does make it better. Still I didn't think London was an overwhelming place for me, again neither over or underrated. (I think London theater has got the reputation now, so it's no longer underrated) <BR> <BR>Amsterdam - brown cafes are just another hangout place, if you liked it it's because you found some nice people, not the cafe itself. Amsterdam itself is probably neither under or overrated, the Art musuems deserve what people say. Underrated in Amsterdam - just riding the trams, can be quick a roller coaster. Overrated in Amsterdam - the red light district and being a tourist and getting within 100 feet of the Dam where drug hawkers bother anyonw that moves. <BR> <BR>Scotland - sorry to come from a Scot, but to my mind Scotland does have the reputation, and if you've been to Ireland I think you see why Scotland is nice, but Ireland is nicer. <BR> <BR>To my mind the overrated: <BR> <BR>Vienna - some nice things like the riding school is great to see, but just so little else is impressive, to me their cofee houses are just places to rest awhile (a good tea room in England way out does them), and the city itself seems just like a place to live, without an awful lot of interest to it. <BR> <BR>Cambridge - sorry to the person who said it was underrated, but that was one of my disappointments in England. Kind of nicely groomed grounds of the schools, but other than a quick stroll/punt up the Cam I found precious little else to do. <BR> <BR>Zermatt - maybe if you can't go to any other Swiss mountain town, it'd be OK, otherwise it's just *so* crowded, everyone of the crowd is a tourist, the hotel prices are way too high, and there are 20 places like it in the area. <BR> <BR>The vastly underrated: <BR> <BR>Rhaedo-Romansch area in Switzerland, what Zermatt should have been, quiet peacful yet as pretty as their Interlaken/Luzern cousins with bigger reputations. Davos/Flims/Arosa <BR> <BR>Iceland - biggest secret in all of Europe, riding pony sized horses (good when you're 5'2"), swimming in a natural made jacuzzi, snowmobile riding on a glacier, geysir's, one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world. Active volcanic activity. And the cleanest, freshest air. Something for everyone. <BR> <BR>

Lola, <BR>In Munich, the most over-rated beer hall is the Hofbrauhaus; the most under-rated, the Augustiner-Keller. <BR> <BR>Most over-rated festival: Oktoberfest. Must under-rated (and unknown) those in Ghent, Louvain and other Belgian cities and towns in mid to late summer. <BR> <BR>In the Netherlands, most over-rated tourist sites: Volendam and Maarken; most under-rated: Spakenburg. Most under-rated Dutch museum, the Kroller-Muller in De Hoge Veluwe National Park. <BR> <BR>The most over-rated European beer: Germany's (except for that of the brewery in the monastery in Bavaria's Andechs). Most under-rated: Belgium's, particularly its lambics. <BR> <BR>Most over-rated Swiss village: Zermatt; most under-rated Saas-fee. Most over-rated Bavarian villages: Garmisch, Rothenburg o. d. Tauber; most under-rated: Dinkelsbuhl, Nordlingen, Rottenbuch. <BR> <BR>In Austria, most over-rated: Salzburg and Hallstatt; most under-rated: Innsbruck, St. Gilgen and St. Wolgang and the Wolfgangsee. <BR> <BR>The one place I find most under-rated and unknown above all is the country of Belgium with a landscape ranging from seacoasts in the west through rolling countryside to the Ardennes forest in the east; with diverse cultures and languages, superb cuisine and beers; marvelous architectural wonders in Brugges, Brussels and Louvain; charming and little known castles throughout the land and emotionally moving reminders of Belgium's unfortunate history as Europe's battlefield from the times of the Hapsburgs through the Napoleonic era to the two World Wars of the 20th century.

The most overrated were the beaches of the French Riviera. Perhaps as an Australian I have been spoiled, but I'll take any beach in Sydney over Nice and Cannes. <BR>I found Sicily the most underrated place I have been in Europe. I knew nothing about Sicily except Mafia and bandits and the literature of Verga and Pirandello which I studied at University.Nobody said that there were more Greek ruins in Sicily than in Greece! Selinunte and the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento blew me away!

Most overrated - Paris and the Cinque Terre. <BR>Most underrated - Smaller Italian towns like Assisi and Orveito,in France -Strasbourg and the Alsatian wine route and French food.

While I don't agree with Deepa on Paris (I know a lot do though), I do agree on Strasbourg. In general, I think other French cities are quite overshadowed by Paris, and therefore overlooked by most travellers. Strasbourg is truly beautiful. I also think Bern, Switzerland is overlooked somewhat as everyone concentrates on the mountains and Luzern.

I am one who thinks, along with a few other posters, that Florence is overrated. However, it is interesting how many people will tell you that it is a must-see; perhaps for those who like art, etc. Also, I give that Halstatt and Brugges are beautiful, but I found them a little dull otherwise. Especially Halstatt, where I went on the recommendation of a few on this board. Man, the place shuts down at 9 p.m.; but it is spectacular to look at for a few hours. Never have made it to (not high on priority) the French Riviera, Athens, Venice and London; but I live in New York City, and a few posters have said that it is "better" than New York. Wow, I find it hard to believe, so I guess I better check it out for myself. <BR> <BR>As far as underrated places, I loved every place in Hungary that I went to, and I really liked Krakow, Poland. I read somewhere that it has Krakow has a "dark, yet trendy" feel to it; well put. I don't think Cinque Terre was every underrated, just unknown. I went there 4 years ago and I think it was little more off the beaten path than it is now; I hear it is inundated with visitors now. Also, I was not prepared for how amazing the Alhambra (Granada, Sp.) would be. Again, I don't know if ever underrated, but I think that Prague is the most beautiful city (especially at night) in Europe. <BR> <BR> <BR>

Overrated? Changing of the Guard, Montmartre, everydamnplace in Milan, the food in any over-priced restaurant. <BR>Underrated? French friendliness (whodathunk *I* would be saying that?); English food (no kidding, you can actually find really good cuisine - recognizable vegetables, meat that has NOT been boiled); the French countryside; Northern Ireland.

OVERRATED: <BR>Florence disappointed me greatly <BR>The Louvre underwhelmed <BR>Vienna slightly overrated <BR>Portofino seems overhyped <BR>I found Innsbruck too touristy and dull <BR>Harrod's <BR>Venice <BR>While Switzerland is absolutely beautiful, the people seem uniformly emotionless/distant/chilly...not that they're advertised otherwise <BR>High-end hotels in Europe don't match those in the US <BR> <BR>UNDERRATED <BR>Lake Como, hyped...but not enough <BR>Tuscan food, though well hyped, is occasionally otherworldly <BR>Munich <BR>Underground rail systems in London and Paris <BR>

I think along the same lines about Saas Fee. I stayed in Saas Grund because we could get a good apartment where we could drive up close and park for free. <BR>But we went "up" to Saas Fee several times to eat, take the cable lifts, and just poke around the stores. Food was excellent and the place was not overwhelmed with American tourists who assume the world speaks only English because that is all they speak. <BR> <BR>Now to touch off an argument. (I have duly donned my flak helmet and hockey goalie's protective gear because I ought to get some real zingers over this one.) <BR>I think the Louvre is over-rated. <BR>Granted, there are priceless treasures there. But throw out the junk and the Denon wing could hold it all. <BR> <BR>Hey! If there was a lot worth seeing there, why would the whole world be congregated at Winged Victory, Mona, and Venus?? Those 3 represent .0000000000000000000000000000000001 percent of the collection. <BR> <BR>Another under-rated place in Paris is Sainte Chapelle. Those gorgeous stained glass walls were unknown to me before this trip. But thanks to the astute contributors to this forum, I went to see them -- twice. <BR> <BR>And an under-rated violin player is Frederick Moreau, leader of the Violins of France, which is also under-rated. <BR>Wow! But those young musicians can play!!

Bob - at the risk of being called an art snob, I would have to disagree with your comment on the Louvre. I absolutely adored the Mediaeval Treasury section and the foundations of the older building under the Louvre, an earlier palace. Maybe the people "doing" Paris in 1-2 days on tours congregate around the "Big 3". My friend and I spent 1.5 days there out of 8 days in Paris. Also disagree with an earlier comment about the Colosseum. It hasn't been rebuilt, but has constantly been denuded for its stone since the fourth century - Constantine used some of it for his nearby basilica. <BR>Most overrated - cakes in Vienna. I found better in Switzerland and Germany; the cleanliness of Scandinavian cities. <BR>Most underrated - Sicily - a definite "must do", not just for the Greek remains, but the Arab-Norman architecture and the friendliness of its people.

Have to agree with Bob about the Louvre. Could not get out of there fast enough. The last straw was seeing a man videotaping his daughter posing next to the Mona Lisa. Ugh! The Musee D'Orsay is a vastly superior museum.

I wanted to add my own two francs on the Louvre, for what it's worth. I don't think the collection of the Louvre is overrated at all. Impossible. However, I would say that for all but the biggest art lovers, the experience is probably overrated. The museum just is not very user-friendly. I think most works there are probably quite important, but it is hard for many of the real masterpieces to stand out when there is just so much to see. This said, however, I think the size of the Louvre and its collection are what distinguish it from all the other art museums in the world. <BR> <BR>The Musee d'Orsay is about as user-friendly as it gets. I would say that the Musee d'Orsay is highly underrated, despite the attention it gets. My 1998 Fodors France guide does not even list it as one of the museums to see in France. Unless for some reason they did not want to include more than one museum per city, this is truly amazing to me (also, Notre-Dame was not listed for churches - huh?).

I am quite willing to take a few zingers over my Louvre comment. I willingly admit that there are treasures there. <BR>And, I have made trips in the US to see special art exhibits, so I am not an art hater. <BR> <BR>On the issue of the Swiss national persona: I have visited there now 3 times for more than 3 weeks, total. I still am not sure what to make of it all. The warmth-chill factor of the people you meet seems to vary with the location, season, amount of rain, and what it is that you want. Generalizations are difficult because I have encountered personalties that run the gamut. <BR>In Zinal, at Hotel de Trift, the owner and his chief attendant (waitress, bar tender, greeter, luggage carrier, etc.) were friendly and chatty. The chief attendant, named Kirstin, spoke little English but she was fluent in German. I could converse with her easily. The owner, Nicolas Guillhaume, was easy to talk with in English. His wife, although preoccupied with a new baby, was equally friendly. And the very old black dog wagged his tail happily when we spoke to him. <BR>In Saas Grund, our landlady spoke no English, and she was not sure at first that I could speak German worth a flip. We made the initial contact through a bi-lingual German friend of mine and finalized the rental deal through her son Adrian, who played high school football in Texas. After we disspelled the idea that I knew only English, she explained how to use her washer and came by for a chat -- such as it was. But we got the job done. In Lauterbrunnen, I quit going in one bakery because of the attitude of the old gal behind the counter, and went to another one down the street where the very elderly lady in charge would chat with me in German. I found out later that she owned both stores and that Lady Iceberg at the other store was her daughter. In Interlaken, Lady Iceberg's sister, Lady Deep Freeze, worked in the Tourist Information Bureau. I was a little shocked that such a negative personality was in the business of greeting the visitors. <BR>By contrast in Bern and in Luzern, the tourist office crews were helpful. Also in Bern, we stopped at a bakery and the elderly ladies who ran the place were most cordial although they spoke no English. (We used German.) In Lausanne, the fellow at the Avis desk was a hoot. But he was a gregarious Italian - Swiss who seemed to love everybody. So I am not sure what to make of it. I found all types. Perhaps the Swiss don't try mask who they are; what you see is what you get.

Bob, as someone who's reaction to Venice was "Yeah, so what?" I admire your willingness to take on the biggies, even if I don't agree in the particulars. <BR>I like Dan's distinction between the art of the Louvre and the experience of being there. The "Let's see the big three" crowd isn't the Louvre's fault.And frankly, I'm perfectly happy to have everyone cluster around Les Trois--it means I get a better look at Caravaggio and Vermeer. <BR>I doubt the Musee D'Orsay will stay underrated for long--it just takes a while for tourists to find out where to buy their Waterlily souvenirs.

Over- or Under-rated will always depend on the hype/expectations you have and whether they got met, which is why this is quite interesting. The food in Italy got hyped so much for me that it was a disappointment when I finally go to eat there. I enjoyed the Italian-owned Fiorentina's in Amsterdam far more than anything I had in Rome or Florence. My quick list: <BR> <BR>Overrated: Brussels restaurants around the Grand Place/Plaza (but not the square itself), the "shows" at the Glockenspiel in Munich and Old Town Clock Tower in Prague, Florence (over-hyped especially against Rome). <BR> <BR>Underrated: Santorini and Sounion in Greece (outstanding views), New Zealand (most beautiful country I've ever seen), the Kroller-Muller museum/sculpture garden in Arnhem, Netherlands, the city of Petra in Jordan, the Jewish areas in Paris and Prague, and how fortunate it is many of us can have opinions, even divergent ones, on all these wonderful places. <BR> <BR>Happy Travels - H <BR>

I know this is the "Europe" forum, so technically only 1/2 a city applies, but I still cannot believe how underrated Turkey is. Other underrateds: Stockholm, a revelation, and-for those of you spitting out your Italian bread in disgust-Greek bread. Next time you go to Italy, stop off at any one-donkey town in Greece and stock up! <BR> <BR>As for overrated, I'll side with those bashing London. It's time to ditch the US Anglomania and rewrite Samuel Johnson: "When a man is tired of London...he's ready to move on and see how much better travel can be!"

I guess it's time to contribute to this one! <BR> <BR>Overrated: <BR> <BR>Cannes - a boring, unfriendly, overexpensive hive of superficiality <BR> <BR>The Eiffel Tower - like the Empire State, once you're up it, it's not in the view! <BR> <BR>Harrods - yuk! <BR> <BR>Stonehenge - Avebury is much better and you can actually touch the stones. <BR> <BR>Seville - when I was there, the whole city stank of donkey dung! <BR> <BR>Monaco - see Cannes! <BR> <BR>Underrated: <BR> <BR>The Costa del Sol - the part east of Malaga around Nerja is beautiful and high-rise free. <BR> <BR>Madrid - an exciting, cultural city <BR> <BR>Brussels - forget the bureaucrats, the Grand Place is beautiful! <BR> <BR>Cardiff - so up-and-coming it hurts! <BR> <BR>the Lot valley in France - as beautiful as the Dordogne, but not overrun with holidaymakers! <BR> <BR>British cuisine - no longer an oxymoron!

Hi! Having just returned from the Czech Rep. I am probably still jet lagged but the Czech Rep. is a great underated country to visit. Did not go to Prague this time as we have been there before. Went to Kutna Hora for a couple of days, good castle and Cseske Krumlov. It was here that we found the most Americans. A beautiful city. <BR> Graz in Austria is also underated as is the Dolomites in northern Italy and the many small towns and passes there. <BR> The Tatras in Slovakia is up there also as well as Slovenia. we stayed for a couple of days in Piran, on the Adriatic in a very nice hotel on the water, VERY underated at that time by Americans. The Czech Rep. was very inexpensive. We stayed in a 4 star hotel in Kutna Hora for under $45 a night. Had breakfast for $1 for 2. <BR> On the other hand last year we went to Switzerland and while it is very beautiful it is very overated compared to other countries as far as hotels and food. It was the mountains that are nice but the cities were not nice except for Bern. Zurich was not too nice either and Interlacken dissapointed also. The prices were high for the value. I know that people will disagree with me but that is the purpose of the forum. alan