Kenav, Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra) is in Capri. I disagree with Anya, we loved it, the water was so clean, calm and blue. In the grotta was very dark but the water shined , looking like the sun was on the bottom of the lake.

I do not really understand the question about touristy places. Most of us are tourists, and the places that become tourisy are the those that most of the tourists like, because they have something intersting or beautiful to offer! What is wrong with this?

Carnaby Street.>>>>>

When was this - it's been done up and is pretty upmarket these days - all the junk stalls have been moved. You can't buy a teddy bear dressed as a beefeater anymore.

You can buy a £50 t-shirt thopugh.

I can't buy a £50 T-shirt. It's not the money; it's my psyche. I'd go to Oxford St for the £5 T-shirt, and spend the rest on a nice meal.

Most touristy place? Prague: Old Town Square, Karlova, and Charles Bridge.

San Marino by day - one of the most touristy. San Marino by night - one of the least.

There are a lot places like that.

hawaii even the tourist were taking pictures posing with other tourists..

How could I forget! Daytrippers at Mont Ste. Michel -- droves and droves of ice cream drippers, squawling kids, pimply teenagers in smelly gym shoes, and ever-so-many prams, bumping up and down those stone-step streets, blocking everyones' way.

Mont St Michel in August - extremely high heat,humidity, masses of people, sweaty, smelly, pushy people. I know its supposed to be awe inspiring but I just wanted to get out of there.

Carnaby Street's upmarket now? Wow. I wouldn't have thought it possible. I remember those bears well. I don't suppose there's a shortage of them elsewhere in town.

Ok, call me cheesy, but I LOVE a LOT of the places others have listed as "most touristy." I LOVE ROME. I love San Francisco and yesssss even Fisherman's Wharf. Venice is perhaps my fave place in the world! I LOVE Monmartre and Paris is another one of my fave cities, etc etc I can and do have fun and find adventure just about everywhere I do. Even if I think a place is "touristy" like WDW......I have a blast there! Or Honolulu which is "touristy" but there's still fun to be had....in my opinion. :) Melissa

Most touristy? The Fodors talk board for Europe. It seems everyone here is a tourist going somewhere! LOL

High on my list of places that seemed "too touristy" was Florence. Maybe that's just because there were so many tour groups all following leaders with umbrella or flag raised.

And of course places like Fisherman's Wharf or the Strip in Las Vegas totally exist FOR tourists, so I can't imagine any place getting more touristy than those.

And of course, you can't leave out places like Pompeii. Not a single person lives within the ruins, so obviously it is nothing but tourists. Not that that seems as "offensive" as some places where you expect to see more locals -- which brings me back to Florence.

I think I meant, by posting this question in the first place, if "most" touristy means some authenticity of the place you are in has been diminished because of, for example, the plethora of tourist t-shirt stores, and lack of locals, as well as crowds of tourists so that just walking and lingering is not enjoyable any longer. Has the experience you craved for in a city/area you're visiitng been diminished in some major way because of the tourists (yes, us) and/or businesses catering to tourists? Has it changed, if you've been there more than once?

This is not to be confused with "I thought the cathedral would be bigger, prettier, older" etc.

Well, I must say that Prague seemed greatly changed by the huge increase in tourism between our visits in 1995 and 2000. I understand the difference is even greater now.

In Europe?

Disneyland Paris (which I liked)

Mont St Michele (Which I hated until after five PM. NIGHTMARE of people, don't need to do that again!)

Mont St Michel was on my list to visit in July. Is it really that crowded? We're taking our 4 boys (14,13,10,5) and hot, crowded streets are obviously not what we want.

Keep a close eye on them. About a hundred artists are going to try to draw their picture, in order to siphon some money out of you. Easy enough to shake off, but maybe not for a kid who doesn't know what's happening. Unless you WANT a picture of your boys; it might be a fun souvenir.

I'd definitely go, though; it's a very lively place. If you really hate crowds, cities are always going to be a problem. Beware of the restaurants right on the Place, though.

Touristy AND cheesy - South of the Border, South Carolina!

Does South of the Border still exist ?????? If it does, that could certainly be in the top 5

Las Vagas and Niagra overall (yeuch!).

In Europe, I spent a horrible two days in Eurodisney at a conference - only place in France where I have had foul food :(

Also, as a kid, Blackpool - tacky, tacky, tacky.

Tower of London. I was enthralled as a kid when it was subdued and historical. I returned a year ago and thought it no better than a Disney side-show.

Tralee in Kerry is pretty awful, although the surrounding area is stunning.

Agree, Las Ramblas is dreadful.

Sometimes it depends on WHEN you travel. I loved Cairo and the Pyramids, but I visited not long after the German touists were attacked (God bless them) and in September (HOT) so it was completely empty and a wonderful experience. Rome in Winter is a great destination, but I could imagine it being a nightmare in high season. I was in Assisi in April and arrived early morning and was one of only a handful of visitor. By late afternoon is was bedlam.

Annasplit,
Yes, Mont St. Michel will be HUGELY crowded in July. We were there this past July, arriving at 6pm, and the crowds did not let up until late at night.

I recommend that if you go, try to arrive around 6 in the evening, sleep on the island, and leave by 9-10am the next day. I think that the boys would enjoy the experience of being on the Mount, and watching the tides coming in is an amazing experience. But if you find crowds overwhelming, you should consider skipping it. I also would NOT do a day trip during the summer.

Paule

TravMimi:

Heeeeeerrrrre's Pedro!

http://www.pedroland.com/