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Top ten overrated international travel destinations
Laurel brought us the US's top ten overrated travel destinations, and we thought it was time to go global. Here are ten international sites, in no particular order, that just aren't worth a two-hour wait in line, fighting the crowds, or covering long distances to get there: 1. Eiffel Tower, Paris
Seriously, your photos of Paris are going to look much better with the Eiffel Tower in them. If you feel like getting high, Notre Dame is a much cooler spot.
2. Oktoberfest, Munich
If getting drunk with a bunch of American college student is your idea of a good time, then be sure to hit up the Hofbrauhaus tent.
3. The Blarney Stone, Ireland
Don't do it. Stay away from the nasty, germ-infested piece of rock. Surely no luck can come of kissing that stone cold sore, right?
4. Cancun, Mexico
Crammed with spring-breakers and holiday makers, Cancun is party-central and really no different than, say, any other beach city in the States.
5. Niagara Falls, Ontario
The volume of water thundering over Niagara's limestone cliffs is arguably amazing, but the neon lights under the falls and Vegas-like cacophony built up around them are over-the-top.
6. Stonehenge, United Kingdom
Crowds jostle for space not to get close to the monoliths, but to capture them on film from a distance. That's right; you can't even get up close anymore. And amajor highway runs right by it, ruining any ambiance that might remain.
7. Hoi An, Vietnam
This little town popped up again and again among the Gadling crew as one that has shoved out any local culture in favor of coddling tourists - if "coddling" can also encompass aggressive selling.
8. The Atomium, Brussels
Another Gadling un-fave, the Atomium is, in the words of our esteemed editors, "boring." There's no real reason to visit it other than to take a couple of pics and say you've been there.
9. Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy
Here you'll find a tower thatis cabled up so it won't lean any further, and tourist posing for photos where they pretend to hold it up. It's not worth the journey.
10. Universal City Walk, Los Angeles
Not much more than an attempt to dazzle with bright lights and big screens, Universal City Walk is three blocks of cheese. There's shopping for "memorabilia" and whatnot, and lots of families vacationing. Skip it and spend the day at Disneyland.
Did we miss any? What places do you think are overrated?
[Photo Credit: Flickr user Al Ianni]
The volume of water thundering over Niagara's limestone cliffs is arguably amazing, but the neon lights under the falls and Vegas-like cacophony built up around them are over-the-top.
6. Stonehenge, United Kingdom
Crowds jostle for space not to get close to the monoliths, but to capture them on film from a distance. That's right; you can't even get up close anymore. And a
7. Hoi An, Vietnam
This little town popped up again and again among the Gadling crew as one that has shoved out any local culture in favor of coddling tourists - if "coddling" can also encompass aggressive selling.
8. The Atomium, Brussels
Another Gadling un-fave, the Atomium is, in the words of our esteemed editors, "boring." There's no real reason to visit it other than to take a couple of pics and say you've been there.
9. Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy
Here you'll find a tower that
10. Universal City Walk, Los Angeles
Not much more than an attempt to dazzle with bright lights and big screens, Universal City Walk is three blocks of cheese. There's shopping for "memorabilia" and whatnot, and lots of families vacationing. Skip it and spend the day at Disneyland.
Did we miss any? What places do you think are overrated?
[Photo Credit: Flickr user Al Ianni]
Filed under: Asia, Europe, North America, Vietnam, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Canada, Mexico, United States
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
nick Nov 2nd 2010 11:58AM
I'm fairly certain the under-excavation of the Leaning Tower has stopped the tower from leaning any further, and that there are no more cables holding it up. But as usual, don't let facts and research get in the way of another glib Gadling SEO post.
Steve Nov 4th 2010 12:21PM
I've been to many of these tourist spots and agree that I would not make any of them a destination vacation. However, some of them are well worth seeing and experiencing if you happen to be either in the area or passing by. For example, while traveling on the rails in Italy, we stopped for a few hours in Pisa and found the town to be very charming had a delicious lunch, great shopping and was surprised that the tower is surrounded by a complex of beautiful period buildings.
Harrison Nov 4th 2010 2:34PM
The views from up the Eiffel Tower, looking towards the Sacre Couer, are magnificent, so don't get the dis on Eiffel. It was completely cool climbing up the tower by foot. Universal City Walk is just the restaurant area leading to Universal Studios, which is much more fun for adults than Disneyland, which is more fun for kids. Nothing wrong with Universal Studios, there stuio tour is terrific and astounding. Universal City Walk boasts some nice eateries, I don't kno what the issue is there either. Niaganra Fall is legendary, iconic, and if you can still go under the falls, it's awesome to stand there as the water thunders by in front of your face. This article is just a bitchy dis of some great places a lot of people really love. I would further say, every place on this Earth is a new experience, worth tasting. I don't know what the deall is with these overrated lists, they're stupid.
TERRY Nov 3rd 2010 12:21PM
There's a GREAT reason for visiting the ATOMIUM in Brussels -- the thrill of zip-lining from a metal hatch at the very top down to the grassy fields below, to thrilling applause from tourists. Awesome.
Saadia Shamsie Nov 2nd 2010 1:37PM
I gotta agree with most, even to certain degree the eiffel tower, though as a BIG Paris fan I cringed on my first read. however, one should go up it once, well bc its the eiffel tower, but after that, theres no need to go up. Its so much more gorgeous starting at it in person.
stonehenge makes me sad -- such an iconic part of our world and ruined by rules and highways
leaning tower of pisa -- I don't know, I think if you are visiting in italy, you should go visit it!
I would add Montreal. Why bother? its JUST another city. People will rave about "vieux Montreal" (Old Montreal), yea not that exciting. Instead, drive the extra 3 hours and go to Quebec City if you want a true European feel.
Emland Nov 3rd 2010 8:58AM
I guess my family and I are just a bunch of Tacky Tourists. I loved the Eiffel and my daughter and I made it to the 3rd stage just at dusk. Glorious!
Niagara Falls also qualifies as one of our best family vacations ever. Lots to do, or not do. Reasonably priced rooms with a wonderful view of the falls (Canada side) was another plus.
handsome Nov 2nd 2010 6:48PM
Las Vegas! Other than the Atomic Museum and the Pinball Hall of Fame, this place is a giant cultural wasteland, trying to be every other place on the planet except itself. It really reminds me of the Wizard of Oz. Don't look behind the curtain or you'll be dissapointed.
JellyBellyS Nov 7th 2010 10:07AM
I DO have to agree with YOU, I just moved here! (& I don't see what the big deal is!) :(
Fiznatty Nov 2nd 2010 6:56PM
Agreed on Pisa. There's plenty more to do in Montreal than in Pisa. A complete waste of time.
Stateside the Grand Canyon is near the top of my list.
Topher Nov 2nd 2010 7:07PM
Leaning Tower: I was in Pisa last week and the tower is not held up by cables. While overrated, it's still worth seeing if you're in the area.
Stonehenge: You're entitled to your opinion, but at least get your facts right. If you have ever visited Stonehenge you would know it is not a "Major highway". Here's a link to google street view: http://bit.ly/a2tbsK
I also like to wear underwear on my head.
huh? Nov 4th 2010 9:39AM
whose underwear?
Randall Kelley Nov 3rd 2010 3:34PM
I'd say I felt about the Blarney Castle as you did until forced to do it with relatives on a trip I arranged. After that I have taken it back. It's one of the few places where you can actually ascend to the upper floors of this type of structure, and see what those passages, stairs, walkways, etc, feel like from the inside.
As for kissing the stone, there are plenty of other unsanitary things to get sick from. None of my relatives got sick. I doubt the kind of contact most people make with it will cause them to catch anything If they aren't licking it.
But if you don't catch something from a piece of rock so many have had contact with, then does that mean it DID give you luck?
sueP Nov 4th 2010 3:34PM
I too, climed the stairs at Blarney Castle. I did not kiss the stone. I did blow a kiss to it. Aftering hearing a coupole of stories of what it really was, there was no way I was going to touch it with my lipsPS: Saw the Cliffs of Moher in 2004 and returned to it in 2008. they have ruined it with all the safety walls and comercialization.
Any trip to Belgium is worth it just for the chocolate. Best on earth MMMMMMM
Shangoba Nov 4th 2010 1:26AM
Since Stonehenge being my favourite place, i always suggest my friends to visit it. It has so many facts which is quite interesting and you may be in love with it after reading it. I had a project on Stonehenge due to which i explored many things about it. http://www.traveleurope360.com/facts-on-the-stonehenge.html
Robert Bruce Nov 4th 2010 6:18AM
I've been to five of the ten and loved them all, so what do I know.
paintppa1 Nov 4th 2010 6:41AM
effiel tower is nice from a distance. notre dame was a disappointment in that it was filled with tourists and didn't feel like a place of worship at all (and I'm Catholic too.) as a city i love Paris.
Chicago in toto is a wasteland to me. if it didn't have lake michigan it'd be just a another big dirty crime-ridden city.
Zeibodique Nov 4th 2010 9:52AM
I beg to differ about Chicago. Rush Street, The Former Sears Tower, John Handcock Center, Museum of Science and Industry, Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, Wrigley Field, Michigan Avenue, Lincoln Park, Lincoln Park Zoo, Navy Pier, Buckingham Fountain, Clark Street...I could go on and on. Every big city has it share of crime. In Chicago you have things to do almost year round. Plus the fact of some of the greatest architecture not only in the city but suburbs as well. Sorry you don't find Chicago attractive, though there are many of us who find it to be a great city and travel destination.
BD Nov 4th 2010 11:26AM
I agree, Chicago has so much more to see and I have yet to see it all! Love that place. Crime is everywhere, like smog.
Dave Nov 4th 2010 6:57AM
I would put Avignon, France -- the walled city which substituted for the Vatican as the home of Popes for some 400 years -- on my list of over-rated destinations. While there is a certain charm to seeing the half-bridge all French students learn to sing about ("sur la pont d'Avignon ..."), le Chateau Neuf de Papes is a cold, dark, damp disappointment where photos are forbidden so you'll buy them in the gift shop. Pretentious, over-priced, mediocre restaurants, surly hotel staff ... the over-riding attitude seems to be that "We've got you, we know you're never coming back, so we're going to take you for all you're worth now." Certainly not worth making the trip, not even worth stopping in if you're passing by.
Motorpro Nov 4th 2010 7:28AM
Niagra Falls is amazing and well worth the trip. Found Paris dirty with rude people but thought the tower was great. As for Notre dame,Having gotten robbed there I would not recommend it.