Most Overrated--Your opinions?
Sep 19th, 2005, 06:40 AM
#61
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There is a little book for backpackers that you could get in many establishments around here. It consists of advertisements for services and accommodation that backpackers would find helpful, all in a very funky guise.
In any case, this little book had the following gem (quoted from memory, so it will not be correct):
You were there on a Wednesday and loved the place, I was there of a Tuesday and hated it. Things change, people change and not every day is the same.
Words of wisdom.
You sometimes just have a bad day when travelling and nothing is nice. Other days you see what would have been a tacky tourist trap and love it because you had fun and you were there with a special person or in a fun group.
That being said, there definately are things that are just not as special as you thought they would be. I am trying to think of any now, but can't.
Paris was great and I would love to go back, but I did not find it particularly romantic, so that was a bit of a let down.
Cathedrals. I was awed by them for the first 20 or so cathedrals, but now they all kind of look the same to me. I have seen some pretty amazing ones - Koln, Reims, Saint Chapelle, Ulm.
Must say that reading up a bit before the time and knowing the significance of the place you are seeing can go a long way to uplifting something from the mundane to special.
In any case, this little book had the following gem (quoted from memory, so it will not be correct):
You were there on a Wednesday and loved the place, I was there of a Tuesday and hated it. Things change, people change and not every day is the same.
Words of wisdom.
You sometimes just have a bad day when travelling and nothing is nice. Other days you see what would have been a tacky tourist trap and love it because you had fun and you were there with a special person or in a fun group.
That being said, there definately are things that are just not as special as you thought they would be. I am trying to think of any now, but can't.
Paris was great and I would love to go back, but I did not find it particularly romantic, so that was a bit of a let down.
Cathedrals. I was awed by them for the first 20 or so cathedrals, but now they all kind of look the same to me. I have seen some pretty amazing ones - Koln, Reims, Saint Chapelle, Ulm.
Must say that reading up a bit before the time and knowing the significance of the place you are seeing can go a long way to uplifting something from the mundane to special.
Sep 19th, 2005, 07:11 AM
#62
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1. Sistene Chapel. I saw plenty of better stuff, even in the vatican.
2. I agree with people who don't Madrid. No history, no scenary, so-so food and wine. The Prado was a complete bore.
3. Spain's white towns. Boring, boring, boring.
4. Lucca has absoluterly nothing to recommend it. It's like a quiet Florence suburb.
Pisa, the town was rather a drag. The Tower was great and would be a very impressive building, even if wren't learning. I don't understand the complaints about the vendors. You don't have to go anywhere near them since they are all set up in a neat row away from the Tower and Cathedral
2. I agree with people who don't Madrid. No history, no scenary, so-so food and wine. The Prado was a complete bore.
3. Spain's white towns. Boring, boring, boring.
4. Lucca has absoluterly nothing to recommend it. It's like a quiet Florence suburb.
Pisa, the town was rather a drag. The Tower was great and would be a very impressive building, even if wren't learning. I don't understand the complaints about the vendors. You don't have to go anywhere near them since they are all set up in a neat row away from the Tower and Cathedral
Sep 19th, 2005, 12:31 PM
#64
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Per Las Vegas, sweetie. The gondolas are at the Venetian Hotel, not the Bellagio. I must say that the Dale Chilhuly glass sculpture on the ceiling of the lobby of the Bellagio is spectacular.
The Prado is a bore? You are being tongue-in-cheek, darling, aren't you? Some of the world's most important and beautiful paintings (The Maids of Honor by Velasquez) are in the Prado. Metallus, you are just so droll.
The Prado is a bore? You are being tongue-in-cheek, darling, aren't you? Some of the world's most important and beautiful paintings (The Maids of Honor by Velasquez) are in the Prado. Metallus, you are just so droll.
Sep 19th, 2005, 01:01 PM
#65
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Another vote for the Champs-Elysées here. I'm sure it was something back in the day...but now it's just another place to find a quarter-pounder w/ cheese (pardonnez moi...un <i>Royale</i> avec fromage).
Also, Dublin locals love to talk up their beloved "Grand Canal". But...it's a ditch. Sorry.
Also, Dublin locals love to talk up their beloved "Grand Canal". But...it's a ditch. Sorry.
Sep 19th, 2005, 02:42 PM
#66
Metellus: Sistine Chapel? My goodness. I thought I was the only one that was a tad disappointed. The other rooms were just as mesmerizing. However, I found all those naked men on the ceiling very interesting. They framed the religious masterpieces and were larger. I wonder what the story behind those naked men is?
Sep 19th, 2005, 04:09 PM
#67
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M. called those male nudes the "ignudi." Originally the plan was to have angels there, but for whatever reason (unclear) M. changed his mind. Many think they are expressions of M's humanism and especially his love of Greek and Roman art (I agree). Two of them have poses based on the Laocoon, in fact, which is housed in the Vatican and was there in M's day. Legend says he was there at its discovery but that's probably just legend.
I have a favorite among the ignudi. He's a hottie and has the most gorgeous profile of just about any man in Western art. IMHO. ;-)
By the way, a REALLY good book about the Sistine Chapel is _Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling_ by Ross King (same fellow that wrote _Brunelleschi's Dome_). He's not an art historian (journalist I think?), but he's done his research very well; it's a good read too.
I have a favorite among the ignudi. He's a hottie and has the most gorgeous profile of just about any man in Western art. IMHO. ;-)
By the way, a REALLY good book about the Sistine Chapel is _Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling_ by Ross King (same fellow that wrote _Brunelleschi's Dome_). He's not an art historian (journalist I think?), but he's done his research very well; it's a good read too.
Sep 19th, 2005, 05:10 PM
#68
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The attitude of the French really ruined my visit to Paris 2 years ago. Not to judge an entire country because of an experience in one city, but I was there around the anniversary of the war in Iraq. There were protests all over the city, and several Anti-America demonstrations. As in all big cities, there's going to be protestors. (Washington DC is a perfect example.) But, everywhere we turned people were treating us rudely simply because we were Americans.
I know that American's traveling abroad often have the "Ugly American" reputation for being impolite travelers, but I feel that we made an honest attempt to adapt to the culture, speak French when necessary, etc.
One day we even had a cab driver kick us out of his cab because we were Americans! How short the memory is of some people...remember Normandy???
I know that American's traveling abroad often have the "Ugly American" reputation for being impolite travelers, but I feel that we made an honest attempt to adapt to the culture, speak French when necessary, etc.
One day we even had a cab driver kick us out of his cab because we were Americans! How short the memory is of some people...remember Normandy???
Sep 19th, 2005, 06:16 PM
#69
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I have to agree with SeaUrchin's take on the subject. This is a very negative post and although it may have had the intention of informing someone of where NOT to waste their time, I find that I am hoping noone takes it too seriously. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder folks! Therefore, with wisdom often comes an understanding and appreciation of what is truly beautiful. All of us have gone to see something or somewhere that has been hyped up in our minds and either due to our pre-conceived grand images or possibly pure ignorance we are let down. This is one post I hope noone finds "informative", but rather a bit of free entertainment at how absurd we can all be!
Sep 20th, 2005, 06:57 AM
#70
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"The Prado is a bore? You are being tongue-in-cheek, darling, aren't you? Some of the world's most important and beautiful paintings (The Maids of Honor by Velasquez) are in the Prado. Metallus, you are just so droll."
And you are so dull. Give it up, your shtick is boring.
And you are so dull. Give it up, your shtick is boring.
Sep 20th, 2005, 07:03 AM
#71
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"I hope I never get jaded and stop appreciating places for what they are. I think it is the practice of rating things that we get caught up in and thinking that some place will fulfill us, when it is our thinking that needs fulfilling."
Blah, blah, blah. What a crock. Discussions like this are invaluable because the world is filled with pollyannaa and self-haters who find everytning on a trip wonderful, fabulous, etc. etc. And woe be to anyone who says anything different. You are bad person and so negative! Everything must be woinderful, wonderful, wonderful.
This board needs frequent realitity checks like this thread.
" have to agree with SeaUrchin's take on the subject. This is a very negative post and although it may have had the intention of informing someone of where NOT to waste their time, I find that I am hoping noone takes it too seriously. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder folks! Therefore, with wisdom often comes an understanding and appreciation of what is truly beautiful. All of us have gone to see something or somewhere that has been hyped up in our minds and either due to our pre-conceived grand images or possibly pure ignorance we are let down. This is one post I hope noone finds "informative", but rather a bit of free entertainment at how absurd we can all be!"
Yeah, then how come you've never spent a vacation in Bageledesh. Or Cleveland. What utter drivel!
Blah, blah, blah. What a crock. Discussions like this are invaluable because the world is filled with pollyannaa and self-haters who find everytning on a trip wonderful, fabulous, etc. etc. And woe be to anyone who says anything different. You are bad person and so negative! Everything must be woinderful, wonderful, wonderful.
This board needs frequent realitity checks like this thread.
" have to agree with SeaUrchin's take on the subject. This is a very negative post and although it may have had the intention of informing someone of where NOT to waste their time, I find that I am hoping noone takes it too seriously. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder folks! Therefore, with wisdom often comes an understanding and appreciation of what is truly beautiful. All of us have gone to see something or somewhere that has been hyped up in our minds and either due to our pre-conceived grand images or possibly pure ignorance we are let down. This is one post I hope noone finds "informative", but rather a bit of free entertainment at how absurd we can all be!"
Yeah, then how come you've never spent a vacation in Bageledesh. Or Cleveland. What utter drivel!
Sep 20th, 2005, 07:24 AM
#73
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I spent a vacation in Cleveland and lots of fun. It was one of the places I named in the 'where did you go that was better than you thought' thread. Went to the R&R museum, the other side of the river area, had a great meal in one of those factory buildings, shopped in a pretty mall. Fun, like beauty, is often in the eye of the beholder.
Me, Pollyanna? My friends would roar to hear that -- I have a reputation for being rather bitchy and judgemental (oh god, if I hear that one more time...).
Thinking everything is wonderful is simple-minded, I agree. On the other hand, so is crapping on everything.
Me, Pollyanna? My friends would roar to hear that -- I have a reputation for being rather bitchy and judgemental (oh god, if I hear that one more time...).
Thinking everything is wonderful is simple-minded, I agree. On the other hand, so is crapping on everything.
Sep 20th, 2005, 07:40 AM
#75
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I guess I am just rube enough to love every place! There are places to which I wouldn't necessarily return--Berlin, for example, but I didn't think it was "overrated." Just because I don't like something doesn't necessarily mean that it isn't fabulous for other people. 
Sep 20th, 2005, 08:04 AM
#76
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Before I begin, I will start by saying that I don't really believe that any place is overrated, just that we all have differing opinions on what is enjoyable/worth the effort and not. That being said, here are my few:
Florence was a beautiful city but after a day I had enough and was ready to leave. Way too crowded and compact for me. Again, I don't really think its overrated. It just didn't agree with me and I couldn't wait to leave.
Salzburg too was a beautiful city and I enjoyed my time there but I have to admit that I was a little let down. I saw everything I wanted to see in less than a day. I prefer to spend my time in the beautiful surrounding Salzkammergut.
Munich was an interesting city but I've been twice and didn't particularly care for it either time. Sure, the beerhalls are fun, but after that I'm done.
Bath was interesting but I personally found it very crowded and a little too touristy. I couldn't wait to leave.
Las Vegas - I agree with the tacky part.
Overall I think that I prefer the countryside to the big cities, hence the reason why my three "overrated" places in Europe are all cities.
I actually enjoyed my time in Pisa. Sure, I never got around to seeing the leaning tower (funny story, but in the end we just couldn't find it) but I did stroll around the town and found it enjoyable. Many bypass the town for the leaning tower but I think the town is worth visiting as well.
Tracy
Florence was a beautiful city but after a day I had enough and was ready to leave. Way too crowded and compact for me. Again, I don't really think its overrated. It just didn't agree with me and I couldn't wait to leave.
Salzburg too was a beautiful city and I enjoyed my time there but I have to admit that I was a little let down. I saw everything I wanted to see in less than a day. I prefer to spend my time in the beautiful surrounding Salzkammergut.
Munich was an interesting city but I've been twice and didn't particularly care for it either time. Sure, the beerhalls are fun, but after that I'm done.
Bath was interesting but I personally found it very crowded and a little too touristy. I couldn't wait to leave.
Las Vegas - I agree with the tacky part.
Overall I think that I prefer the countryside to the big cities, hence the reason why my three "overrated" places in Europe are all cities.
I actually enjoyed my time in Pisa. Sure, I never got around to seeing the leaning tower (funny story, but in the end we just couldn't find it) but I did stroll around the town and found it enjoyable. Many bypass the town for the leaning tower but I think the town is worth visiting as well.
Tracy
Sep 20th, 2005, 08:17 AM
#77
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Normally I don't care for the negative threads and don't post on them. And this is rather negative. YET, "overrated" concerns marketing, hype etc. And some places or objects just DON'T jive with the copy on personal levels.
And also, some places just don't "match" with each traveler, exactly as the last poster describes.
I'm not putting Amsterdam "down" just saying that it was not a match or welcoming in anyway to me.
They ARE all opinions, and they ARE all absurd as well, being merely personal. But marketing does exist for these places as tourist advertising, if nothing else. And some just don't "wash" to anything closely resembly the promo.
And also, some places just don't "match" with each traveler, exactly as the last poster describes.
I'm not putting Amsterdam "down" just saying that it was not a match or welcoming in anyway to me.
They ARE all opinions, and they ARE all absurd as well, being merely personal. But marketing does exist for these places as tourist advertising, if nothing else. And some just don't "wash" to anything closely resembly the promo.
Sep 20th, 2005, 08:47 AM
#78
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So some thought Niagra Falls and the Grand Canyon were overrated? And some the Prado and Stonehenge? WOW, to be so jaded. To me these were very impressive. There isn't much I really can say I've been disappointed in except crowds and bad food.
ozarksbill
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Sep 20th, 2005, 09:07 AM
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Believe it or not, I am not always positive. But, I just get worried when I see a post asking for negative responses. My suggestion to newbies especially is to take the responses with a grain of salt. Nothing is all things to all people as previous posters have mentioned. For example, when you get on tripadvisor you will see a five star hotel rated as "my dream resort" right above "I wouldn't send my dogs there". i.e.. a person expecting a boutique hotel and getting a huge convention resort will not be happy and vice versa.
The question to ask is "Why" didn't the person like it? Look for consistancy. This post could be informative if everyone would kindly make a comment as to "why" they did not find the sight they are posting about enjoyable to them. I have just had so much experience with people saying things like "I don't want to go see that because I saw on the internet it was not worth my time".
Okay, the Mona Lisa is small and I was a bit shocked myself. But, when I go to Paris next month I am going to take my 18yr old who plans to be an art major, march up the stairs and wait with her to see the Mona Lisa if just to prove the point to her that SIZE really does not always matter!
The question to ask is "Why" didn't the person like it? Look for consistancy. This post could be informative if everyone would kindly make a comment as to "why" they did not find the sight they are posting about enjoyable to them. I have just had so much experience with people saying things like "I don't want to go see that because I saw on the internet it was not worth my time".
Okay, the Mona Lisa is small and I was a bit shocked myself. But, when I go to Paris next month I am going to take my 18yr old who plans to be an art major, march up the stairs and wait with her to see the Mona Lisa if just to prove the point to her that SIZE really does not always matter!
