It’s true with the exception of maybe war zones or crime ridden neighborhoods I can’t think of any place that is bad to visit but lately there have been a lot articles about how this place sucks or don’t ever visit here.Take a look at some places listed as overrated by the likes of Huffington Post and Tru TV
First we have Colorado, in which the author states that Denver sucks, Vail sucks, and get this; one of the most popular ski areas is too far up a mountain. What the hell? I am not a snow skier but I have seen it on TV. Seems I remember they were skiing down the mountain. I believe to do this you need to be up the mountain. The author goes on to say pretty much every city in Colorado sucks and the only good thing is the State legalized marijuana. Maybe the author should quit getting stoned and asking “Dude, where’s my car?” and open his eyes. Let’s see, numerous historical sites, Mesa Verde National Park, along with four other National Parks, Three National Monuments, one national monument and preserve, 11 national forests, 40 state parks and three national recreation areas. Not to mention, outdoor sports, historical towns and more. Wait, your right, there is nothing to do here might as well avoid this place
Next on the hit list Costa Rica. Well why not? We have avoided a State so might as well take on a country. The author suggests Hawaii instead. From what I gather it is because Hawaiians speak English instead of Spanish and the roads are better. Well I am pretty sure Cedar Rapids has those qualities also, so I say, Screw Costa Rica, let’s all go to Cedar Rapids. However, if you must go to Costa Rica then you will experience a place that is estimated to contain 5% of the world’s biodiversity. That’s fancy language for plants, animals and other critters. Also other boring stuff like diving, surfing, volcanoes, forests, outdoor activities, pre Columbian old stuff and oh that’s right, people speaking Spanish.
Next the Caribbean. Why stop at States and Countries? Let’s avoid a whole damn chain of countries. In here the author states the islands are expensive, depressingly violent, corrupt and dysfunctional. Really, all the islands suck? White sand beaches, clear blue water, lots of booze, good food and girls in bikinis. This guy is hard to please. Let’s see if I remember my Geography. Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Barthelme, Saint Martin, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Aruba, Curacao, St. Maarten, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, Turks and Caicos and Puerto Rico. Forgive me if I forgot a few. But if you cannot enjoy even one of these islands then I don’t think they are overrated but maybe you have a problem. That’s like going to a Vegas buffet and saying all the food sucks and there is nothing to eat.
But it’s not just one guy who likes getting stoned saying this.
Lots of people are on the overrated bandwagon.
TruTv decided that Prague looks pretty much like every other European city but it is dingy, drab, has pickpockets and, no here it comes, wait for it, Tourists. For a minute I thought they were talking about New York City. Unlike New York, Prague has a couple of pretty cool castles. Prague also has some great outdoor cafes, Jewish area founded in the 13th century and other boring old architectural buildings. I spent about a month in Prague and had a blast. I used it as a jumping off point to see a lot of the Czech country side. Maybe I am just not as worldly as some.
Last but not least we have the Pyramids. According to the author there is no need to brave political uprisings and ride a camel just to see some big triangles. I have nothing to say about this. What do you say to stupid?
Reading these articles had led me to believe that there are no bad places just bad tourists. Really dumb, bad tourists. It’s as if some people expect to be catered to and entertained every minute of the day. Last time that happened to me I was in a crib with one of those plastic mobiles over head.
Great article. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder 🙂 Surely people that write things like that are just inciting an argument?? Anyway, it made me laugh, especially the one about the pyramids – go figure!!
Thanks Victoria, appreciate the comment.
WOW. The sheer stupidity/ignorance of people never ceases to impress me. You are totally right, Colorado offers a wealth of both scenery and activities. Along with California that state is one of the best places for locals and tourists alike. Costa Rica is also very tourist-friendly as well. Plus I just had my first taste of the Caribbean this year and it was a blast! How can anyone simply write off a whole chain of diverse island nations so callously?
While I have not been to either of the last two locations, I have definitely heard and read good things about Prague. One of the many places still on my list..
Let me know before you head to Prague so I can warn them. The town will never be the same.
Hi Bob:
Nice piece and I agree with your article – but not your conclusion. It’s not the tourists denegrating those wonderful and popular sites, it’s snarky “overly cool” travel journalists, who think they’ve seen it all and make hay making fun of places. However most people have enough sense to know what they want, and take the Huffington Post et. al with a grain of salt. By the way, you forgot the US Vigin Islands – St. Croix is great!
Agreed. It is easy to write an article about over rated places. But what I think may be over hyped the next person enjoys. There are things about everywhere I have been that I did not particularly enjoy but the overall experience was good. If the traffic sucked I avoided it. Pick pockets on the train, then I was vigilant and didn’t let down my guard, crowded attraction then I went early or late. It is easy to go negative and negative attracts readers. Personally I prefer to highlight what I enjoyed for the most part. Thanks for stopping by and the comment.
Bookmarked this a couple of weeks ago, finally had the chance to read this…
Oh! I am partly guilty here. Of all the places that I’d been to, so far there is only one I said I will never go back again – that’s Bangkok. I know Bangkok is the #1 tourist destination in SEAsia. Maybe I was just at the wrong place, talking to the wrong people that time. I am not good with haggling, I hate dealing with scalpers, and people who want to take advantage of the others. I’m Asian and look like them. But the moment I spoke English, they already knew that I could be one of their victims. Just had a traumatic experience. Oops, I don’t have idea how my fellow Filipino countrymen treat foreigners. At least in the islands and provinces, I know people are nicer. Not sure in the city/Manila…
But hey! With those places in your list above, I am now more eager to visit them. I have just added them to my list. #justcurious =)
I enjoyed Bangkok for about a day, then I had to head out to the beach. In some ways it is similar to Manila or New York or any large city. Some will try and take advantage of tourists but once you get out of the major cities and see the rest of the country, well then that is where you really get to know the place.
Yea, right. I enjoyed Phuket though and other nearby cities. Maybe if I got a complete package (including airport transfers) but it wasn’t my thing. Love it DIY most of the times. 🙂
There have been particular things about a place that have annoyed me but doesn’t travel mean accepting the bitter experiences and absorbing the pleasant ones? I remember an instance where I traveled to a town on the Western coast of India called Gokarna. Now, I being an Indian was literally insulted as Indian travelers frequent this town less than the westerners but that doesn’t take away the beauty of untouched, fairly non commercialized beach town. Thanks for the insight. 🙂
I find that when people travel they’re looking for a sanitized version — what they see on Instagram or highly edited travel shows. They don’t realize that any place they visit has its problems, and since it’s not some dream version of their rose-colored ideals they miss out on a truly enjoyable experience.