I recently came across this short piece on escapehere.com, in which the author provides his perspective on the 10 most overrated travel destinations in the world. It’s worth a quick look. While I agree with a few of them, I’m surprised to see listed some of what I consider to be travel gems.
I’m curious what others think, and if there are over- and under- appreciated places you’d like to note. I’ll list a few:
There are so many but for me a disappointment was Versailles, King Louis XIV grand extravaganza. Despite all its grandeur, Versailles and I never clicked. Underrated places? Stopping at just about an small town anywhere. I love going on a road trip and walking into a small diner or pub and seeing how the folks live and interact, and if they let me, joining them for some conversation. Whether it’s in the Midwest, the Great Canadian plains or a small town in Ireland, I find the least visited places often give the most.
It’s easy to make a crotchety list of over-rated things, but also important to remember that one man’s meat is another’s poison. I have no argument with some of the items on the list, but I’d like to speak in defense of some, too.
To dismiss Las Vegas as a theme park is to miss the point. It IS an adult theme park, and its wonderful tacky self is why I like it. That and the fact that it’s a cheap landing point for Death Valley and the Grand Canyon/Boulder Dam.
Never been to Loch Ness, but the beautiful and quiet air of the picture in the list lead me to think I’d like to take a day there sometime, hopefully undisturbed by aquatic monsters.
Prague is another case in point. Certainly many other cities in Europe have beautiful and unique old architecture…note the word ‘unique’ because similarity and difference is part of what keeps me on the road. In Prague’s case, there is also the old Jewish cemetery and related buildings which are a thicker survival than nearly anywhere else.
What would I add to the list—my own crotchets? Definitely Orlando. I’ve no interest in the assortment of theme parks there. I’ve been to professional conferences there, and found the area lacking in walkability, reasonable non-chain eating options and general tone. But I also have to admit that my feelings keep me from returning to see if perhaps I have under-rated it!
Prague is one of my favorite cities anywhere! Can’t believe it made this guy’s list.
Agree with Orlando, except for families. It’s a great place to go with children. As a mature adult, it definitely has lost most of its appeal (so many other places to see).
Funny both of mention mention Orlando because after the resurgence downtown in the last few years , I’ve really enjoyed it, and that’s skipping the amusement parks
http://www.usatoday.com/story/…wn-orlando/19320023/