Everyone who is planning a vacation dreams of unforgettable emotions and impressive shots for a photo album, especially when it comes to places that are on everyone's lips. However, not all tourist attractions live up to expectations - sometimes even the most famous locations are on the lists of disappointments. And not because they are bad in themselves, but rather because of the overly inflated hype around them and a reality that bears little resemblance to a picture from a booklet.
To understand which places can leave behind more bewilderment than delight, the specialists of the luggage storage network conducted a study, studying tourist reviews, the level of service in local hotels, the availability of international airports, security and even popularity on social networks. Based on this data, we compiled an anti-rating - a list of locations that most often cause dissatisfaction among guests.
Hollywood Walk of Fame: From Stars to Disappointment
At the top of this list was the famous Los Angeles Walk of Fame, the very place where more than 2,700 stars with the names of actors, directors and musicians adorn the sidewalks. In fact, according to visitors, the atmosphere there is far from glossy photos in guidebooks: dirty slabs, dubious street performers and persistent sellers spoil the impression of the walk very much. Even the stars themselves on the asphalt quickly get lost among the hustle and bustle and do not evoke the emotions for which people come here.
Oriental flavor that oppresses: the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul
Another popular destination is the famous Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. One of the oldest covered markets in the world is known for its fabrics, jewelry and oriental sweets, but those who have been there recently increasingly note that the romance of the old East has dissolved here in the importunity of sellers and the abundance of fakes. Prices are often absent, so bargaining turns not into an exciting game, but into unpleasant pressure. In fact, the market has turned into a tourist attraction that has lost its former charm.
Disappointment at the walls of the Taj Mahal
Even architectural masterpieces like the Taj Mahal can leave behind a feeling of understatement! The mausoleum, recognized as a symbol of eternal love, amazes in the photos, but in the place of travelers, a different picture awaits travelers: crowds of tourists, annoying sellers - and the feeling that it was not entirely justified to travel thousands of kilometers for this. The beauty of the palace, of course, remains, but the surrounding bustle and excessive commercialization greatly spoil the overall impression.
Theme parks are always a lottery
Theme parks were also included in the anti-rating. Complaints are especially common about parks in Asia and the United States. Florida's Bush Gardens, for example, received negative reviews for dirt and disgruntled staff, while South Korea's popular Everland and Seoul's famous Lotte World upset guests with long lines and outdated rides. Even Hong Kong's famous Ocean Park, once a must-see for nature and thrill-seekers, has no longer lived up to expectations: the same problems — crowds, worn-out recreation areas, and poor service.
Historical Places That Couldn't Handle the Hype
The list of disappointments also includes such iconic places as the Great Wall of China and Beijing's Forbidden City. Despite the historical value, the number of tourists on the wall is so large that sometimes it becomes problematic to move, the view from the sites is overshadowed by the impossibility of taking at least one photo without dozens of random people in the frame.
The Forbidden City, it would seem, should amaze with the atmosphere of antiquity and oriental grandeur, but according to reviews, the tour there turns into a monotonous walk around the halls and courtyards, which merge into a monotonous background. There is a lot of information, but the presentation is boring, and the inevitable crowds are tiring after half an hour.
Pier 39 and San Francisco - the former charm is gone
Not without the United States. Pier 39 in San Francisco used to be considered a place where it was pleasant to stroll, admire the view of the Golden Gate Bridge and listen to street musicians, but now this place is increasingly mentioned in a negative way: dirt, unpleasant crowds and a general sense of insecurity have made the waterfront not as friendly as before.
However, this is a common problem of the city: San Francisco is rapidly losing ground in tourist ratings, every year there are more and more complaints.
What popular routes turn out to be
If you look at the entire anti-rating, it becomes clear that most of the problems are not related to the attractions themselves, but to the way the infrastructure around them is organized. Crowds of people, lack of places to relax, low level of service and intrusive trade - these are the moments that most often spoil the impression. Even the most beautiful natural areas, such as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park or the famous "Magic Kingdom" in Orlando, receive negative reviews due to overcrowding and inconvenience for guests.
Should I give up the trip?
It is not at all necessary to refuse to visit these places, but it may be worth adjusting your expectations, studying the schedule in advance, choosing the least busy hours or less known sections of the routes. Because the place itself can be worthy of attention, but the impression of it largely depends on how the trip is organized and how comfortable a person feels in the crowd.
If you want to really enjoy the atmosphere of a city or a historical site, sometimes it is better to bypass the most popular locations and find something less known, but no less valuable. This approach allows you not only to avoid disappointment, but also to discover new places that few people know about yet.
