OK, so probably a strange question, but is there anywhere (in Europe, I guess, since this is the Europe forum...!) that you really DON'T want to visit? Why is that? Preconception? Political views? Bad reviews?

Just curious!

Portugal.

I am a dual national American, and Brazilian by birth, and have heard more than one Portuguese person speaking their version of the language. It made me cringe (and I'm sure my Paulista version of Portuguese has the same effect on them).

The thought of an entire country speaking The King's Portuguese that way would be some sort of overload for me, so I don't think I'll go anytime soon.

I do hear the country is gorgeous and different, and I might get over the language issue someday, but not yet!

Jules

I don't want to go to the former Soviet Union countries except maybe Baltic republics - no travel down the sad memory lane for me!

Hey Tallulah. Nice to see you're still around.

Turkey. Preconception for me. Photos I've seen. Stuff I read. It reminds me too much of Egypt.

I loved seeing the pyramids, King Tut in his home base museum, Dozer's pyramid, etc.

I didn't care for the almost constant assault of vendors, taxi drivers, camel & horse renters, etc. It really dampened my enjoyment.

Hi Indy! I'm a tough old bird, not much going to get rid of me - haha!!

I know what you mean about Turkey - though I really like the country (have been there twice) but the constant pressure to buy things and the constant lecherous behaviour of the men there (apologies to any Turks on the forum, just my experience) is quite...ummm...trying!!!

(By the way, I don't hold myself in overly high regard, it's just the way of Turkey! But it's worse in Belgium!)

I think this question was posted a while back. Not sure what I said then...
It is a tough question.

Maybe Wales. No reason at all really, other than I have been all over UK - lived in Scotland for awhile and love the whole area. It is so small that hopefully I won't miss a lot !!??

As long as it weren't dangerous, I don't think there is any place in the world I wouldn't go....at least for a week or so.

Heck, DH and I have applied for long term jobs in Saudi Arabia and Papau New Guinea. After living on such a small island for over a decade, I have always told DH that I would give just about anywhere one year. But, if I'm miserable after that...it's time to go.

In my almost-80 years I've been all over the world. There are few places I would like to avoid re-visiting. But since you ask, I would avoid Switzerland. Once, while there on leave from the Navy, I was picked up by the Swiss plainclothes police. Why? Because an American Army man had been reported to be on the loose and AWOL in Geneva, and the cops were too dumb to tell a Navy uniform from an Army uniform. They put me in a cell after manhandling me in the Geneva railway station, grabbed both of my arms, shoved me around, and held me for six hours. Without so much as a mumbled apology, they shoved me out onto the street. Days later I learned what all the rough stuff was about. Sure, they like you think Switzerland is full of lovely scenery, cheese, and Heidi-lookalikes. To my everlasting memory, the country bears all the marks of a brutal police state.

i lived in portugal for a year & the language was so difficult even tho i'm ok at french/italian /spanish.some beaches in the algarve are gorgeous but it is v. much aimed at british now, i do not think i would go back there again. i am british so am not trying to put anyone down, just it is not my cup of tea.....

Interesting....some people miss the most wonderful, gorgeous , interesting places on earth just because of preconceived notions OR one bad experience. Portugal is one of the very best places to visit (we lived there for 2 glorious years),,,, Turkey is a suprise jewel(daughter lived there 2 yrs), such friendly people and a very safe, beautiful place. And Wales "almost" surpasses the rest of UK with it's "more than green" green fields and hills, it mountains, it's interesting towns and villages and overall beauty.(though Scotland is our favorite)
Just my opinions...why be negative?, It WAS a question, however, so guess I will say (sticking to Europe alone) ..Poland, Bulgaria, Finland,even Spain perhaps..... and even those places I'm sure have their own style of beauty and interest!

I don't think there is a country I wouldn't visit, but there are places within countries that I will avoid. I will not visit any former concentration camps. And I've been to Pompeii twice, and I am NOT going back.

Scenes of great tragedy like the D Day beaches, concentration camps, Pompeii, and I could probably think of a few more; those are the places I would not visit.

It is not that I am against being moved; I go to many cemetaries, memorials, and things like that. It is just the scenes of mass death and horror that I won't seek out.

I know that a lot of people go to these places, and get something out of them, but they aren't for me. I don't consider myself a "frivolous" traveler, and I am very interested in art, history, and various cultures.

But I still want to enjoy myself and relax a bit, and also have a bit of fun on our hard earned trips. It's no fun at all for me if I am immersed in a nightmare. Pompeii totally freaks me out, and I can't even imagine what those other places mentioned would do to me.

I'm surprised about the negative comment on Turkey - it's the country that I've visited that is on the top of list when people ask me for my best. So much history, beauty, etc. Granted I was on a tour (which was terrific) and, sure there are a few pushy vendors (they're in Paris, too!) but it's a fabulous country.

It's awfully hard to think of any place I don't want to visit except where there is exceptional turmoil like the Middle East. I regret I didn't travel to Egypt several years ago. It spooks me a bit but may reconsider.

Spain. I don't know why. Probably something from my childhood.

I also have no particular urge to visit Belarus.

I'm surprised about Turkey, too. I thought it was absolutely beautiful, fascinating, full of incredibly interesting and helpful people, and oh! the food! I'd go back there in a heartbeat. But then, I don't mind that aggressive marketplace-type behavior. I love a good haggle.

I can't really think of anyplace in Europe I wouldn't want to give at least a week's shot at. There are places I'm not keen to go back to, though - most notably Spain. Not that it doesn't have some incredible offerings, I just don't warm to the place.

Curiosity would get the better of me and I'd give anywhere a go just once. A friend and I even plan to visit North Korea when we can afford it (and if they'd let us in).

Though I have to say I'd think twice about places with bad human rights records like Myanmar (luckily I went there in the 70s when it was still called Burma). Zimbabwe doesn't sound too great these days either.
Neither does North Korea come to think of it.

I would have to say Asia. OK, that is not in Europe, but it is over there.

Because I am tall and blonde and would feel terribly conspicuous, which is a feeling I hate. It has nothing to do with the people, per say, just the height thing. I think I would love the the Scandinavian countries.

Albania, even tho my children have relatives just over the border from Greece, I've heard so many of their horrible experiences. The relatives, not my children.

In Europe? Can't think of a country in Europe, that I'd be completely averse to visiting as a whole. Some areas though in any country wouldn't have any particular draw for me - beach umbrella sort of places; commerative battlefields; current war zones; McDonalds; Bulgarian biker bars; Paris

Outside of Europe, I can think of a few countries who's reputation, or lack of, cause me disinterest in visiting. But I do enjoy going to - or the idea of going to - unusual places. Romania, for instance, was both beautiful and fascinating, but it wasn't even on my radar until a photo of Sighisoara happened to come up on my computer screen one day. I am very glad now that skipped a first trip to Italy and went there instead. These days, I perceive that the Romania we visited will be gone someday, but that Italy will probably still be closer in a few years to what it is now.

I don't especially want to go to the "Benelux" countries, though I wouldn't exactly mind going.

Some of the places on others' "avoid" list are ones I'd like to visit for the first time or re-visit, e.g., Portugal, Wales, Spain. I loved Turkey. However, the very aggressive peddlers made me uncomfortable, so I can understand what repels Indy. I USED to want to avoid Germany, because of its recent history in the years before I was born, but I finally feel friendlier toward it now that it belongs to new generations. I used to have no interest in Scandinavia, but now it is starting to appeal to me as well, because of the scenery in Norway, Denmark's anti-Nazi postion, what I imagine to be an unusual quality of light in these far northern places.