Comments on: The world’s most disappointing tourist spots and attractions

By: Julian

Julian — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 10:18:23 +0000

I once overheard some American tourists saying “Why did they build so many ruins?” (over here in Germany).

The enjoyment of a tourist attraction can only begin with the knowledge of its history. Many historical spots are just buildings that could nowadays be built with a bit of effort, so why all the fuzz about it?

In Rome, you can see two low, long hills running parallel to each other, which is not very impressive. If you have the historical knowledge and a bit of imagination, you can “see” the Circus Maximus before your inner Eye. Suddenly, you’re in the largest arena ever built (it held up to 350.000 people), and on the spot where you are now great victories were celebrated.

This just as an example.

Most tourists seem to expect to be entertained by superlatives that speak for themselves. This is wrong, and those folks can’t be helped. It’s just like that Gary Larson (?) Cartoon, where a tourist asks the Louvre guard: “Excuse me, where is the big Mona Lisa?”

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By: Emily

Emily — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 00:27:10 +0000

I’ve only been to a few of the places on the list and for the most part i found them all somewhat enjoyable. I try to find the best inevery experience. However, even though it’s not really a “major” sight, seeing the Plymouth Rock was a waste of my time.

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By: Tim

Tim — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 22:34:17 +0000

@Paul – a local Roman taught me a trick for enjoying the Sistine Chapel. The trick is to get to the Vatican museum early and ignore all other exhibits. Going straight to the chapel. Here is how it works. Queue up at around 7am for the vatican museum (it opens at 9). As soon as it opens head of the chapel. It is the last room on the tour so it will be wil be quite a hike and you will go past many tempting exhibits (ie the hall of maps and the Raphael rooms). Should take about 15 mins of fast paced walking. But when you get their you will get about 15 minutes of silence and near solitude before the first tour groups arrive. This will allow you to see the walls as well as the ceiling. To stand at one end and look at the whole of Judgement day uninterrupted. Sounds terrible to say that the only way to enjoy it is to queue up for two hours then sprint for 15 minutes. But in the end it will be worth it to have 15 minutes of clear and quiet view of that magical room.

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By: Paul

Paul — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 20:00:10 +0000

What I found to be the most diappointing, was the Sistine Chapel, although it was beautiful, it wasn’t nearly as serene as I thought it would be, not to mention the 1Km long line, I suppose I should have expected that, I don’t know if it would be any better in the off season, I do have to say the rest of Italy I loved.

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By: Melanie

Melanie — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 13:28:11 +0000

Wow – great comments! I actually loved the Spanish Steps in Rome.

Disappointing Tourist Attractions for me:
Waikiki – too busy and not very Hawaii
Empire State Building – NYC
I agree with Stonehenge – wasn’t so exciting – glad I saw it though

Overall I try to find the best in every experience

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