We are looking for some new, interesting non-European destinations to visit, so I figured where better to get feedback than from a bunch of people who are similar to us in that they really like Europe. Sometimes places that sound quite interesting in the abstract turn out to be not so great in reality. Please note, I'm talking about locations that wouldn't be covered on this European forum please. Would you also mind telling me why you didn't like the place?

Please don't name places you really like. I've started a separate thread for those places people realy like.

Thanks much.

Tunisia. Absolutely loved Morocco, so assumed I'd like Tunisia also. Wrongo!!

Why? Dust storms, really annoying men in souks, nasty attitude toward Americans, crappy/dirty hotels, persistent hassling by kids wanting to be our guides, to the point they would swarm in and on our rental car and grab stuff, scary traffic, horrid dung beetles everywhere, and just a kind of sour note about the whole place.

That's not to say there weren't some really interesting moments, but of all the places I've roamed over the years, that was my least favorite.

I haven't been anywhere I didn't like so far. Guess I've been lucky.

Tasmania. Cold, wet, not much seemed to be going on while we were there. Though I did enjoy the local animals.

Oooh--StCirq--Tunisia. It is a place I had been considering.

This is exactly why I started this thread so I could hear about places that I might be considering so I can reaevaluate. In fact, I just returned from the library with a book on Tunisia.

Actually this is encouraging that most people are pleased with their choices.

Like Julies, Tunisia is on our short list for an upcoming trip. Can you be more specific as to where in Tunisia? And how long ago was your visit? Sorry about your bad experience!

I was there for 3+ weeks. Tunis, Hammamet, Sidi Bou Said, Gafsa, Djerba, the Chott al Jarid, Khairouan, all over, really.

We loved Tasmania. We happened to visit during an unseasonably cold and wet few days also, but it was uncrowded and beautiful.

I guess I didn't really dislike Tasmania so much as found underwhelming.

Cradle Mountain was pretty, but I wouldn't call it stunning. And Hobart was pretty boring.

Like I said though, I loved the animals, and we went to a great animal park called Trowunna Wildlife Park.

Nova Scotia wasn't terrible, but we didn't find it especially interesting compared to many other places. Some pretty scenery, but not more so than many other places; nice people; limited museum/historical site presence; nothing special about the food (except choices can be very limited and preparation very bland in many locations). We love other parts of Canada.

I loved Tasmania! But then I'm really into outdoor sports. Tasmania is great for outdoor and nature activities.

Caracas with its barbed wire, though I liked other parts of Venezuela, s.a the plateaus and Margarita Island.

Las Vegas.

Dominican Rebublic, though the Club Med and the Melia resorts were OK.

Island of Grenada. Beautiful nature, but the main attraction was the island jail.

I do like Nova Scotia. We are planning a short detour from Bar Harbor this summer.

Malaysia. But then I was there when 9-11 happened. Constant warnings to contact the US Embassy (took me 2 days to get thru). English language Malaysian papers saying "US deserved it". Very uncomfortable situation.
And also got cheated by taxi driver who became very threatening when I called his scam. Doorman intervened and began to call police!
I guess it was unusual circumstances. But I still thought KL was crowded, dirty, and people were not very friendly. I had heard good things about Malaysia but saw none of it. Not a place I would ever want to return to.

Nova Scotia was out least liked place. We just didn't find it interesting.

julies, I can't add anything but I'm happy that you posted this. Like you we are looking at alternatives outside of Europe. So far we have only been to Japan (loved it) and will be going to Costa Rica come August. But we are considing a lot of places and love Europe so it will be interesting to see the replies you get....and I'm kinda hoping that someone will post on Peru because that's high on our list.

Tracy

Oops...I guess I wouldn't want them to post on Peru if its high on our list, although it would be interesting to see if someone doesn't like it and why.

Tracy

India. I loved the country, but I travelled at the wrong time of year. Went in May, 2001 and it was BLOODY HOT! 117F in some places. I also got terrible diarrhea despite being very careful about what I ate and drank.

You also really have to prepare yourself for the horrible poverty that is all around you. Many people are absolutely desperate. People think nothing of coming up and sticking their hands in your pants pockets.

Thingorjus

Interesting comment about Tunisia. I absolutely loved it and the people were absolutely great to me. I was around 26 then, am female, and traveled alone...no major problems. But, then again, I was an American there in 1981 or 1982. Smiles. Happy Travels!

West Africa, specifically Ivory Coast, but surrounding countries are not high on my list either. Why? War, famine, pestilence and the heat and humidity. Hey, I wasn't there for fun . . .

Williamsburg, VA. A big "So what?" for us. Most of the buildings are modern reconstructions. It's fairly expensive, especially the convenient hotels. The history lessons are good, though.

Playa del Carmen, Mexico. I love Mexico, but I've always avoided the coasts and the border. On our third trip we wrapped things up with a few days in Playa, suspecting that Cancun wouldn't be our thing. Well, Playa wasn't either. Cheap souvenir shops, streets full of touts hawking sub-standard restaurants and tours you can do for less by yourself. There are a few good restaurants. The snorkeling is good (but not as good as Belize).

Disney World, of course, but let's not shoot fish in a barrel.