-
The London Daily Telegraph has released a list of the top 10 most disappointing tourist destinations, as determined by Virgin Travel. http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif
<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
The Eiffel Tower
The Lourve (Mona Lisa)
Times Square
Las Rambias, Spain
Statue of Liberty
Spanish Steps, Rome
The White House
The Pyramids, Egypt
The Brandenburg Gate, Germany
The Leaning Tower of Pisa[/list]
So my question---What was the spot that made you say--"That's it?" " http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif
I have two, Times Square, and the White Cliffs of Dover.
Times Square-- I don't really know what I was expecting, I guess seeing it in all those movies had me anticipating something fantastic, what I got was crowds, traffic, and guys pestering me to buy gold http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emotic...n_rolleyes.gif chains. http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif
White Cliffs of Dover-- Very disappointing.
Of course I did see it through windshield wipers, (it was pouring) maybe it needs to be seen on a sunny day. http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emotic...on_biggrin.gif
So non-revs lets hear it, what were your most disappointing destinations.
Keep'em flying
-
Of that list, I'd have to say the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Get off the train, make your way to the tower (I either walked or took a bus, can't remember), take some pictures, get on the next train out of town.
Genova Italy is just as bad. I had to crash there one night and was glad to get the heck out.
Las Ramlas, Spain was quite nice, except for my brother getting his camcorder stolen.
-
Las Angeles was disappointing to me. I was looking for the California I knew from TV and the movies the first time I went out there in the 80s and all we seemed to see was cars and traffic.
Paris was also a let down. I was expecting a WOW with art and culture. The city seemed restrained and dull.
-
[quote]Originally posted by CSSup:
Las Angeles was disappointing to me. I was looking for the California I knew from TV and the movies the first time I went out there in the 80s and all we seemed to see was cars and traffic. QUOTE]
Right you are Coyne, those televised 100mph freeway chases have given a lot of people the wrong idea about LA traffic. http://www.clicksmilies.com/s1106/au...smiley-002.gif http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emotic...on_biggrin.gif http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emotic...on_biggrin.gif
Keep'em flying
-
Obviously, the WHITE HOUSE. Especially now. (If you know what I mean.)
-
The last time I was at the White House was during the Carter administration when I was a kid, so I don't remember much about it.
I've never particularly liked Florida or Los Angeles. But with that said I have to admit that I'm quite contented to sit in a sidewalk bar on Venus beach watching the surf or in a cafe' in Ft. Lauderdale along A1A across from the beach sipping a Mojito when it's 20 below here in Chicago! So no complaints there!
San Jose, Costa Rica is a pit of a city. It's rather ugly, unkempt, congested and polluted. It does make a great base of operations for exploring the rest of the country but not much else. You should spend a couple of days and see their capital city but then get the heck out to see what the country really has to offer.
But in the end I don't really think that I've ever come away from a destination and said "That's it?".
-
San Juan - stayed in the downtown area once. It was busy and dirty and everyone wanted to gouge me with their prices.
-
Randy makes a good point about SAN JOSE but I won't go that far. To travellers there, I have heard his point of view on a few occassions. San Jose is definately not the prettiest of towns. But you can't really compare SAN JOSE COSTA RICA to alot of places. Costa Rica is a typical BANANA REPUBLIC kind of town, a third world Central American city. The infastructure is pretty good, lots of stores and things to do if you really know where to go. I am attracted by San Jose's surrounding mountains and cool not so hot climate. Crisp nights in the high 50's or low 60's year around. It does rain too much during raining season and it can pour hard. The city is congested and there is some crime. Not the cute little town it used to be back in 1974 when I first went there. Costa Rica has become a bit commercialized, lots of European backpackers and visitors. The big coffee plantations owned by foreigners and the land and fruit companies have been exploited by U.S. buisness throughout its history. (DOLE) But if you take Costa Rica for what it is, it is still a very beautiful place, and like RANDY says, particularily when you go outside of San Jose. The rainforest is pristine, the food and people for the most part are great. But Costa Rica isn't the only paradise place falling prey to exploitation, rising prices, overpricing of land and property. Look at neighboring PANAMA. It is shooting up concrete skyrises like crazy. It has changed drastically in the past 5 years. I was in SAN JOSE most recently in February of this year. I spent five days in October of last year with my wife, and she at first was not impressed until I took her outside of San Jose to VOLCAN POAS area. San Jose is better for the night life and if you live there, then you will absorb the extent of its good side. But for first hand viewers, San Jose is definately not the most impressive. Food is cheap, beer is cheap, taxi's and buses are fair. The nearby town of HEREDIA is quite a neat little town with surrounding mountains and all kinds of little stores and market place, right in the vicinity of nearby San Jose. The airport is in ALAJUELA which is actually another town and province. I think like 12 miles from downtown San Jose.
-
[quote]Originally posted by Randy:
I've never particularly liked Florida or Los Angeles. But with that said I have to admit that I'm quite contented to sit in a sidewalk bar on Venus beach watching the surf or in a cafe' in Ft. Lauderdale along A1A across from the beach sipping a Mojito when it's 20 below here in Chicago! So no complaints here! /QUOTE]
Uh-huh, the winter weather...reels in the tourists every time. http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif
BTW Randy, next time try Venice Beach, http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif better cafes. http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emotic...on_biggrin.gif
Keep'em flying
-
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by 29Palms:
Randy makes a good point about SAN JOSE but I won't go that far. To travellers there, I have heard his point of view on a few occassions. San Jose is definately not the prettiest of towns. But you can't really compare SAN JOSE COSTA RICA to alot of places. Costa Rica is a typical BANANA REPUBLIC kind of town, a third world Central American city. The infastructure is pretty good, lots of stores and things to do if you really know where to go. I am attracted by San Jose's surrounding mountains and cool not so hot climate. Crisp nights in the high 50's or low 60's year around. It does rain too much during raining season and it can pour hard. The city is congested and there is some crime. Not the cute little town it used to be back in 1974 when I first went there. Costa Rica has become a bit commercialized, lots of European backpackers and visitors. The big coffee plantations owned by foreigners and the land and fruit companies have been exploited by U.S. buisness throughout its history. (DOLE) But if you take Costa Rica for what it is, it is still a very beautiful place, and like RANDY says, particularily when you go outside of San Jose. The rainforest is pristine, the food and people for the most part are great. But Costa Rica isn't the only paradise place falling prey to exploitation, rising prices, overpricing of land and property. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Randy, 29 Palms, I have to tell you, Costa Rica ("No artificial Ingredients") is heavily promoted here; eco-tourism , great backpacking and golf packages are heavily publicized. Of course the beautiful couple running down the beach, with butterflies and birds in tow and the waterfall in the distance makes a nice impression too. http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif
Keep'em flying
-
Honolulu. Seriously. I don't know what I was expecting but it wasn't the crowded tourist trap I found. The other side of the island was great but I just didn't love the city.
Most places have something to offer and I thought Times Square at 11 pm was an awesome place to be. Very cool with all of the people and lights. I tend to find the good in anywhere I go. I have learned that I have to make sure I research a place first, however, to avoid disappointments like I got in Gustavus, Alaska. Had I realized what was there, I'd have gone to Yakutat instead.
-
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Migflanker:
BTW Randy, next time try Venice Beach, http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif better cafes. http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emotic...on_biggrin.gif </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Dang! I knew that didn't look right! http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif
-
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by MRSDS1DONNA:
I have learned that I have to make sure I research a place first, however, to avoid disappointments like I got in Gustavus, Alaska. Had I realized what was there, I'd have gone to Yakutat instead. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif Donna! Bite your tongue! I loved my few days in Gustavus! http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif
I do, however, agree with you that Waikiki is mostly a concrete pit. But then I fall back on my previous statement that when it's 20 below in Chicago I rather adore sitting on the beachfront lanai at the Moana for afternoon high tea!
-
It's rather unfortunate that Costa Rica has been "found" by the masses, but it still has much to offer and in spite of wanting it all to myself I would recommend anyone try it!
By the way Mig, I think AA offers 1 daily nonstop from LAX to SJO!
-
But keep in mind that you are really not flying to SJO. (SAN JOSE) You fly into ALAJUELA. SJO is another 12 miles, or 30 dollar cab ride to San Jose. (Bus is like a buck and they stop in front of the airport outside the terminal area.) I like COSTA RICA. It's definately a paradise to me. I highly recommend you make the trip. If you like nature and backpacking through beautiful rain forest trails, viewing volcano's, it's a definate winner. I find it hard to talk bad about that place. But like Randy mentioned. Don't expect SJO to look like state of the art Europe or Buenos Aires per say. But you will definately feel laid back, wear your sandals and Indian Jones hat. You will definately need an umbrella this time of year since it's rainy season, and if you leave yours at home, you may buy them on the street stores for a buck or two.
-
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Chris:
San Juan - stayed in the downtown area once. It was busy and dirty and everyone wanted to gouge me with their prices. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Do you mean SAN JUAN PUERTO RICO? Great place. Did you stay in OLD SAN JUAN? Probably not. That place is for tourist, but very beautiful and kept up nice. You must have stayed in a rough section of town. OLD SAN JUAN is very beautiful. It used to be enclosed with defensively placed walls and had two major forts there. CRISTOBAL and MORRO so the towns folk could hide during sea raids.
