From Los Angeles to Dubai, the worst places on the planet 1) LA was one of the biggest let-downs for holiday-makers.
Travelers expecting Hollywood glitz and glamour were shocked to find what they called a run-down, dangerous and dirty urban sprawl.
Many said it was concrete and “uninteresting,” believing there was little more to it than the tacky Hollywood Boulevard (with homeless people sleeping beside the Walk of Fame). 2) *** The Pyramids*: ‘Stayed 15 minutes’**
Egypt tops many a bucket list, particularly for the world-famous Pyramids of Giza.
But you may think twice after you read reams of horror stories of stolen belongings and garbage-strewn streets.
The wondrous pyramids themselves “can be seen from Pizza Hut,” and are so close to the city you cannot imagine them away from the noise and chaos, visitors said.
Many said they were constantly harassed by locals trying to sell them things, and one said it was a “kick in the stomach” to find that the inside of the central chamber “looked like a cow shed.”
*3) Stonehenge: ‘Very anticlimactic’
The ancient English monument is a major disappointment for tourists.
It’s small, you can’t get very close to it, and it’s really not worth the rather long journey from London, many agreed.
One commenter said his wife was back in the car before he had reached the second information board.
Many were confused over what a “henge” even was, with one asking if it was “Latin for tourist trap.”
An archaeology student pointed out that nearby Avebury Henge was much better — “bigger and you can walk right up to it.” 4). Paris: ‘Worst city on earth’
The French capital comes in for plenty of criticism from the naysayers, mainly thanks to the reported rudeness of the locals.
While some said this was down to tourists’ failure to attempt the language, others called it a general air of superiority.
'I couldn’t order a fing coffee, in English or in French, without a disdainful look from any cafe employee,” became a familiar story.
Other accusations levelled at the city were that it was overpriced, dirty and “smelled of urine.” 5. Venice: ‘A gigantic tourist trap’
While Rome and Naples also got votes, picturesque Venice was most frustrating for visitors.
Many thought it was sad to see how it had declined because of tourists, making it impossible to find affordable food and drink in central areas.
“The famed canals are horribly polluted and filled with garbage,” said one visitor.
Others said it was crowded and full of scammers, and worth a weekend visit at most. “Disneyland for middle aged American yuppies,” was the verdict. 6. Dubai: ‘Smoke and mirrors’
The UAE’s massive, expensive land of giant malls and skyscrapers hit the wrong note for many visitors.
Tourists slammed it as “overpriced, superficial, fake and unfriendly.” with others left feeling empty at the lack of culture.
Many hated the intense heat, coupled with scenery of “malls and slums.” while others objected to what they saw as a sexist culture.
The large buildings were “cool to see for about 45 seconds.” 7. Jamaica: ‘I will never go back’
Jamaica came up frequently for being full of opportunists looking for “tips” for doing nothing.
Even beauty spots like the Duns River were dismissed as no more than “tourist traps.”
Some found that local vendors were aggressive or hostile, and even said they felt physically threatened by people who were simply after their money. 8. Bali: ‘Every beach sucks’
Lucky for Australians, our country only came up a few times, with a couple of complaints about Uluru being dull and one black traveler saying they had “never felt more ostracized or aware of my skin color.”
But Aussies’ favorite holiday destination — Bali — was a crushing disappointment to visitors from further away.
One said the infrastructure was so bad they wanted to “run away and hide” so as not to contribute to the “degradation of culture.”
Others said Bali’s beaches were filthy, touristy and full of scammers; certainly not the paradise they had flown around the world to see. And the rest…
From Philadelphia to Florida, Tunisia to Turkey, the long list of shattered dreams shows that bad trip can really stick in your head.
The over-hype of world-famous landmarks from Niagara Falls to Times Square to the Taj Mahal has inevitably left us asking: “Is that it?”
Dirty streets, conmen and crowds of tourists were repeat offenders for ruining holidays, although the influx of visitors ruining popular resorts seems a self-fulfilling prophesy.
Reassuringly, for every negative comment there was someone who loved a place, recommending off-the-beaten track secrets and nearby hidden gems.
and here I thought I would visit some of these places for fun and enjoyment!
Re: The Most Disappointing Travel Destinations on Earth!
Hmm, but if you decide to visit Times Square....it would be naive to not expect dirty streets and a crowd, no? You'd have to look beyond these things. I wonder if less renowned/hyped places would make for better holiday visits.
Re: The Most Disappointing Travel Destinations on Earth!
It seems like people ruin it for tourists and otherwise capitalists have ruined it for heritage seekers and heritage protectors have ruined it for consumers ... well you can't please them all ...
history lovers are not the same breed as glitz and glam lovers ...
Dumb tourists need to stop looking so "touristy" look I'm new - exploit me !!!
Blend in ... be self-sufficient and organised ... people will leave you alone ...
Re: The Most Disappointing Travel Destinations on Earth!
The LA one I completely agree with since that's the only place I have visited from the ones mentioned. I never understood the appeal before I went there and didn't understand it after I visited LA either. Most of LA is not exactly safe. Tbh, I liked the nearby city Pasadena a lot more.
Re: The Most Disappointing Travel Destinations on Earth!
The list is stupid. If you travel to some place with some per-conceived notions about it, then you will be disappointed everywhere you go. Yeah, so LA was a disappointment coz there were homeless near Hollywood? Come on! Any big metropolitan city in the world will have poverty and homeless. You go to Dubai and complain about heat? Go to population centers and complain about people? If all this bothers the list-maker he/she should just take a cruise to their own bathtub and write about it.
Re: The Most Disappointing Travel Destinations on Earth!
Do you realise what you wrote? Or am I the only one taken aback by this staement?
You are right Awam ki Awaz this statement is distasteful and unquoth!
I am sure more people noticed, but the Mods seem to have ignored it!
I checked what Wiki had to say about Mr Wolmers passing away!
Jamaican police announced that they were opening a murder investigation into Woolmer's death. In November 2007, a jury in Jamaica recorded an open verdict on Woolmer's death, after deciding that there was insufficient evidence of either a criminal act or natural causes.
Re: The Most Disappointing Travel Destinations on Earth!
I have visited LA, Dubai and Paris. I loved LA,Dubai was good and yes, Paris was dirty but not terrible.
What did you like about LA? i hated there. Like yo..i have visited Wisconsin, Chicago..i considered..them to be better place. Ah..actually not that much of Wisconsin. But Chicago..boo yaa!
Re: The Most Disappointing Travel Destinations on Earth!
Only good thing about LA for me it's the mediterranean weather, since I was born/raised in the middle east, reminds me of home. Like the hilly look of the city, nice homes etc. Both times on my trip I stayed in the West LA; visited friends in the Orange county/Anaheim area, so I can't speak about the 'not so safe areas'
To be honest I won't be going back soon though, since I have children now, At a bathroom in a very posh mall I saw a girl shooting it right up and then leaving her bloody needle on the toilet seat. That scared the hell out of me. I was literally off guard at what I had seen. Sorry went off topic here, but hey if anyone wants to see LA go right ahead, the food/farmers markets/shopping are AH-MAZHINg :)