Most disappointing destinations

[RSD]

Fiji would be mind unless you want to start a family on your honeymoon cause there is nothing else to do other than that and swim.

OK noted - make sure the resort has a swim-up bar!

 

[Horatio]

I agree with previous comments about Kuala Lumpur. But for me, even more disappointing was Santiago de Chile. We went there after spending quite a bit of time in Buenos Aires, and found it an all-round dud. A woman we were speaking to at a restaurant in BsAs guaranteed us we would be on a bus for Mendoza after 24 hours just to get out of there. We thought she was just doing a bit of cross-Andes rivalry, but she wasn't far off the mark. Even so, we stayed for the week as planned to give it a fair chance, especially given that it does get pretty good press.

In summary: very few interesting options, poor service, surprisingly inefficient and deplorable day-to-day food. I have no idea what a tourist would have done before the excellent Museum of Memory and Human Rights opened.

I've also been to Gibraltar. It's horrible but I can't put it on a list of disappointing destinations as I had no positive expectations. I think it's the best attitude to take to this boring little anachronism of a place.

Cheers, Horatio

 

[Rox]

Noosa used to be lovely until Sydney discovered it. So regretfully, now I agree.

 

[Sprucegoose]

The emphasis is on disappointing, not just bad. Otherwise we can put Harare and Mogadishu on the list.

I disagree with the list to the extent that they are simply overpriced. I don't think one is disappointed by paying too much - only if the value isn't there.

I think if I have to name my 10, they would be (in no particular order):
Paris, Frankfurt, Casablanca, Kuala Lumpur, Bangalore, Chicago, Toronto, Melbourne, Sao Paulo, and Taipei.

What was wrong with Chicago ???

 

[Simo]

Yep,

It is very popular destination and people would also over rate them because they build them up to be a great place and it is not...

 

[boomy]

Noosa used to be lovely until Sydney discovered it. So regretfully, now I agree.

Oz beach places I dislike? Noosa would be one. Sure, I've scored some classic surf there but trotting around Hastings St with all the pasty Melburnians is a real chore.

I lived in both Sydney and Melbourne so I guess it makes me a persona non grata in Noosa

 

[Simo]

IMHO,

Your accommodation also makes a difference to a place when visiting.

If it is a bad area or out of the way can leave a bad impression.

 

[drron]

There are certainly places I would not go back to but they were not disappointing because I was expecting problems.Two stand out-Pretoria and Port Moresby.I was expecting the worst but ended up enjoying the stays but definitely not enough to plan another visit.
Most of the disappointments are because of too high expectations.So in no particular order come-
Melbourne.For me has never lived up to the hype and weather too unpredictable.
Byron Bay.Again overhyped by the beautiful people.
Tarreleah,Tasmania.
Paris.
Vancouver.
Tijuana.
Hoi Anh.
Macau.

Possibly will think of others.
but all a bit pointless as we all have different likes,expectations etc so always will be a great diversity of opinions.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

I for one am not surprised to see that " Hollywood" made it on the list.

I think it's because all the "Hollywood" films that I've watched over the years , gives this impression the City of LA is some sort of luxurious Paradise, which clearly it isn't in real life.

Aesthetically, " Hollywood " really lacks the 'Wow' factor & is massively over-rated by some in the tourism industry, but in all fairness the Locals of L.A are extremely friendly & very welcoming particularly to anyone with an overseas Accent.

I really do think that a opinion of a destination is greatly influenced by the people you meet whilst visiting & the hospitality received.

Therefore, on many occasions those cities lacking Aesthetic appeal, make it up with Culture & the friendliness of the locals with Manchester, UK being a particular fine example IMHO.

 

[RSD]

Dar Es Salaam was disappointing the first time, then really bad every time after that.

 

[sampson]

coolcat is right on - it's the people who make the difference.

Why stay at a Hilton and eat McDonalds when you can live with the romans in Rome. Hollywood was fine and the people friendly. Vegas is meh for me: but now I don't need to see the real Eiffel Tower or a real castle or Venice. Same goes for Fiji - I can cross Mumbai off the bucket list.

I think I'll try Lake Eildon. Ah, the Serenity I heeard

 

[Pvcmenace]

I've always loved Florence, but detested Milan, could not wait to leave both times visited.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Tarreleah,Tasmania.
.

Thanks Ron, what was the nature of your disappointment here?

 

[drron]

The upmarket boutique hotel there promises the world and then decides to close.Presumably not enough bookings that week.

 

[Happy Trails]

I was going to say Broome, but then I remembered Eco Beach.

 

[Mattg]

I would wholeheartedly disagree with a couple of destinations mentioned in this thread... São Paulo, Chicago, Kuala Lumpur, Sydney & Melbourne come to mind as destinations I rather like!

But to add to the list of most disappointing;

Stuttgart, Germany - just another industrial town...

Paris, France - I was never really sure what Tony Hancock was on about until I went there. :shock:

Zurich, Switzerland - sure it was beautiful, but who wants to pay $35 for a bowl of soup?!

Pisa, Italy - What's there to see or do other than a tower which doesn't even stand up straight?

Canberra - you can see pretty much everything in a day, and even then you have to be at least 40 to find it interesting.

 

[Sprucegoose]

The upmarket boutique hotel there promises the world and then decides to close.Presumably not enough bookings that week.

Very Tasmanian......was it winter time ??

 

[Sprucegoose]

Canberra - you can see pretty much everything in a day, and even then you have to be at least 40 to find it interesting.

Intellectuals can spend weeks in Canberra without flinching !!

You can spend at least two days at the war memorial alone !!!

 

[leadman]

Introverted intellectuals maybe, extraverts 48 hours at best!! (that includes flight time in and out!!!)

 

[drron]

Very Tasmanian......was it winter time ??

Queensland winter weather!
But was early April.They were open the week before and the week after.