Every novice traveler makes a list of places where he would like to visit. Most often, it begins with large cities located in the very center of the historical and cultural development of civilization, at its foundations. Experienced travelers, if they came across such a list, would laugh and offer to cut it in half: so money will be more purposeful, and there will be much more time to explore the world.
In our today's material - the most overrated big cities, attracting tourists from all corners of the globe to empty wallets, waste time and at the end - be disappointed.
Paris
The combination of brilliant architecture, half of the famous historical sights of Europe (okay, a third, the smallest is a quarter!), the coziness of cafes, restaurants and drinking establishments, the corporate romantic atmosphere, the Latin Quarter, boats, bridges, street singers, the creation of Gustave Eiffel - in this city there is something to be charming.
Behind all this blissful and caressing look and soul picture hides the usual garbage and dirt for a metropolis, a large number of Arabs (too!), hostile views of French citizens, especially if you do not speak the language of Hugo and Dumas. Plus (although minus) expensive accommodation, greedy taxi drivers and stuffed souvenirs and crowds of people, literally millions of people trying to get into the frame exactly when you are filmed as a souvenir against the background of the very tower.
Sydney
The famous sailing roofs of the Opera House in Sydney are undoubtedly the pearl of the city and the visiting card of the continent, capable of attracting thousands of tourists here.
However, if you are not a fan of constructivism and utilitarianism, there will be nothing more to look at in this city. Well, except for several universities that are part of the Sandstone League (this is an association of the oldest higher educational institutions of the continent - there are 8 of them, and the walls are built of this stone) and the buildings of the old city.
London
The British capital is a very pretty city, but it should not be forgotten that a date with it is accompanied by other features, in addition to the ancient Rome and the English crown with a thousand-year history: a colossal amount of industrial and automobile exhausts, foggy weeks and months, frequent rains, the ubiquitous Hindus and Pakistanis, as well as oligarchs with disgusting habits and morals. Nouveau riche in London is full, as well as modern buildings that overlap historical sights.
Shanghai
The real capital of China is Beijing, but it is in Shanghai that the economic, business and partly cultural center of this powerful East Asian country is located, challenging the primacy of the United States in the international arena.
Moreover, interest in Chinese culture, cinematograph and even literature (often in the original language; Mandarin Chinese has become the third most popular foreign language studied in schools in OECD countries, after French and English) is now on the rise, Asian corporations and bloggers set standards and form trends. Even music has taken its rightful place along with K-pop and the Japanese musical subculture.
Therefore, in Shanghai, life is in full swing, it is one of the most famous and desirable cities on the planet. However, once on the spot, guests most often do not understand what they were striving for: Asian urban individualism, rickshaws, bustle and hustle and bustle leave, replaced by the appearance of a traditional Anglo-Saxon metropolis with skyscrapers and highways.
Athens
The capital of Greece, where everything truly breathes myths and legends - according to travelers inspired by the great past and the basic role of Greek civilization in European development, it is impossible to pass a meter here without falling into the Olympian god, hero or some other character of the ancient bestiary.
In fact, the atmosphere there is quite different: ancient monuments lie in ruins, and at the service of travelers is the usual set of souvenirs and entertainment, familiar from Odessa, Sevastopol or Sochi. Except that with a monkey you will not be able to take a picture: the EU, you can not mock animals.
