20 Overhyped Travel Destinations
Eiffel tower in Paris
Lucky for us, a post on the popular Ask Reddit page is here to help alleviate a bit of the sting. In it, user sidvatscse asked people to dish about the travel destination they hyped up "so much" but then, once they went, was a complete disappointment. I don't know if I agree with every opinion, but it's kinda curing my FOMO, so without further ado, here are some of the best answers!
"Plymouth Rock. It's tiny and in a cage, lol."
"Jamaica. The sexual harassment is off the charts. I'll never go back."
"Dubai. It's a fake plastic paradise built on slavery."
"Mt. Rushmore. It's much smaller than expected."
"The Hollywood Walk of Fame. I went to LA for a trip, and I was shocked by how disgusting the Walk of Fame, the famous Chinese Theater, and that general area were! It didn't feel safe, and I was out of there quickly."
"Cairo. I really love Egyptian history, so I was a huge fan of seeing the pyramids and the new Egyptian Museum, but man, that city is rough. I got harassed and catcalled a bit too much for my liking."
"Paris. I love it now, but the first time I went as a kid, the smell of piss everywhere wasn't really giving me the expected 'city of love' vibes."
"I loved Rome, but it was the single most crowded city I had ever visited."
"The Taj Mahal was touristy and somewhat fatiguing. I found out I have only so much desire to see vast quantities of marble. Weird fact: The bathrooms were free to tourists but Indians had to pay."
"Weird one, but Salem, Massachusetts. It's just a joke now, people marketing and profiting off the witch trials, but when you go it's like, here's an old house, it's old…they said witches lived here. There were no real witches, so in reality, it was just women who lived here. That's an old chair, that's an old bed...etc."
"Florida. Hot, ugly, bugs, and humidity."
"New Orleans. The food was amazing, but the condition the city was in just bummed me out. Roads and homes were in need of major repairs, and the smell of literal human shit while downtown was rough."
"Oh, definitely Venice. Everyone talks about how magical it is…the canals, the history, the vibe. But when I got there, it was way more crowded than I expected, super touristy, and honestly kind of smelled in some parts. It felt like a postcard come to life, but with way too many people fighting for the same photo spot. Not the dreamy escape I'd imagined."
"I love New York. I hyped it too much, though; it's definitely a great city, just not the same as the movies and how it was in my head. I still like the real New York, but was expecting more…"
"Amalfi Coast. A sweaty bus ride (as the traffic is awful and you can't park anywhere) to be shoulder-to-shoulder with people all the time and eat a €12 lemon sorbet. And the tiny beaches are very meh."
"Bali. The beach is not even great."
"Barcelona."
"The Alamo."
"My definition of hell would be to be stuck in Las Vegas forever."
"Didn't much care for San Francisco. Monterey stole my heart, though."
What are your thoughts on these destinations? Are they overhyped to adequately-hyped? Share in the comments!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
43 minutes ago
- USA Today
American teen pilot agrees to donation to suspend proceedings in Antarctica landing case
An American pilot and influencer who has been stuck on Chilean territory in Antarctica agreed to a deal that would see him make a large donation to avoid a trial on charges connected to landing on the continent, according to American and Chilean reporting. A Chilean court suspended proceedings against Ethan Guo, a teen influencer who intended to fly to all seven continents to fundraise for children's cancer research on Monday, Aug. 11, according to Chilean newspaper La Tercera. Chilean prosecutors alleged that the influencer had provided authorities with false flight plan data and "multiple national and international" rules regarding access to Antarctica, according to CBS News. Guo must make a $30,000 donation to Fundación Nuestros Hijos within 30 days and agree to be banned from Chilean territory for three years, according to La Trecera. Chilean television station 24Horas reported that the donation must be paid within 72 hours of Guo's return to continental Chile and that he must cover the cost of his plane's stay at a Chilean military base in Antarctica. He told the Associated Press that he was "relieved by the outcome" following the ruling. "I remain in Antarctica awaiting approval for my departure flight," Guo told the wire service through text messages Aug. 11. "I sincerely hope they give it to me soon so that I and my plane can continue with my original mission." Guo confirmed he remained on Antarctica in messages with USA TODAY through his Instagram account Aug. 12. A timetable for his return to mainland Chile is unclear, Guo said. Why was Ethan Guo on Antarctica? Guo began a "trip around the world" in Sept. 2024 to raise $1 million for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and documented the trip on his Instagram page. He had reached six of the seven continents in his Cessna 182Q before flying to Antarctica. He flew to King George Island, an island off the coast of Antarctica that Chile claims as its territory, on June 28 and was detained at the airport there, according to CBS News. Prosecutors alleged that Guo was cleared to fly to Punta Arenas but not continue onto the island, according to La Tercera. The newspaper reported that Guo's defense filed a letter pointing to WhatsApp communications between Guo and officials at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, where a "senior DGAC official expressly responds to Ethan Guo that he can land" at the airport on King George Island for "safety reasons." 'While already in the air, he began to experience a series of complications,' Karina Ulloa, one of Guo's lawyers, told CNN. She added that Guo was on an exploratory flight to ensure the ability to fly the route. La Tercera quoted another of Guo's lawyers, Jaime Barrentos, as saying, "the prosecutor's office made decisions with partial information provided by DGAC." Guo said hardest part of flying is 'paperwork' In a profile before the flight with The Patriot Ledger – a part of the USA TODAY Network – the Milton, Massachusetts native foreshadowed the logistical roadblocks he would encounter. 'Flying isn't easy. It's harder than driving a car, but the hardest part is the logistics and paperwork," said Guo, who told the paper that he would be submitting the necessary permits and documents for each country on the flight. Guo began flying at 13 and already holds a record as the youngest person to fly to all 48 contiguous states, a feat he accomplished at 17, not long after earning his pilot's license. Guo had attempted the flight around the world in 2023 in the additional hope of becoming the youngest person to complete the global trek. That journey, though, was grounded before it started. On his approach to the Memphis airport in September 2023, his plane encountered a partial power failure at 12,000 feet. Contributing: David R. Smith – The Patriot Ledger
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Rail disruption as freight train blocks line
Dozens of trains have been cancelled after signalling issues led to a freight train blocking a line near Avonmouth. Disruption on the route between Clifton Down, Bristol Temple Meads and Severn Beach continued until 13:00 BST. Great Western Railway (GWR) said the train was moved by 10:00 BST though delays and cancellations continue to affect the service. Rail replacement buses in the form of 16-seater minibuses have been put in place but these will not run to the train timetable due to the extended journey time by road, GWR said. Train tickets are also being accepted on a number of local bus services at no extra cost. Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Related internet links Great Western Railway
USA Today
7 hours ago
- USA Today
American hidden gems: Travelers are sleeping on these 10 domestic destinations
Nothing can ruin a trip faster than running into too many crowds and being stiffed at tourist traps. When planning a vacation, many travelers consider the most trending or perennial destinations, only to find out everyone else had the same idea. As a result, their trip involves waiting in long lines or searching for a restaurant that caters to locals with affordable menu items. However, there are a slew of slept-on domestic destinations that provide the same level of activities, food, history, and arts and culture to enjoy – just without the crowds or high price tags. To help travelers decide on which hidden gem to visit next, the travel experts at luxury vacation rental service Wander released a ranking of the 10 most overlooked U.S. destinations. In May, the experts analyzed data from Google searches, TripAdvisor, Instagram and Numbeo to identify several hidden gems in the U.S., based on lists from media outlets like CNN and Yahoo. Specifically, the team analyzed the number of restaurants, museums, landmarks and more along with factors such as safety and cleanliness. From the arts and culture in Bentonville, Arkansas, to the slow-paced mountain town of Bozeman, Montana, here are the top 10 hidden gems in the U.S. 10. Springfield, Illinois Located three hours away from Chicago, Springfield is a history buff's paradise. Not only is the capital of Illinois set along the historic Route 66, but it was also the home of Abraham Lincoln when he became president. Travelers can visit places significant to the 16th President, like touring his former home at the Lincoln Home National Historic Site and seeing his final resting place at the Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site. 9. Williamsburg, Virginia Williamsburg offers more than just being the capital of colonial Virginia and the epicenter of the American Revolutionary War. While there are plenty of museums and historic attractions to visit, the city also offers theme parks like Busch Gardens, ghost tours and several art museums. 8. Bozeman, Montana Bozeman may be known as a gateway town to the ever-popular Yellowstone National Park, but it's a destination all on its own. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy the rustic city's endless adventures, such as hiking, fishing and mountain biking, before relaxing at the natural hot springs or one of the several locally owned distilleries. 7. Vancouver, Washington Not to be confused with the city in British Columbia with the same name, Vancouver, Washington, is a riverside city right above Portland, Oregon. As one of the first permanent settlements west of the Rocky Mountains, the city has a historic charm while also offering plenty of outdoor activities like hiking. 6. Bowling Green, Kentucky Located just 60 miles north of Nashville, Bowling Green is a vibrant city with the Southern charm Kentucky is known for. Besides exploring the picturesque downtown, travelers can enjoy some more unique activities, such as visiting the National Corvette Museum, where "America's sports car" is assembled, but also make a day trip out to the sprawling cave system at Mammoth Cave National Park. 5. Bentonville, Arkansas Bentonville has long been a beloved destination by mountain bikers for its year-round trail access, but it's quickly rising as an arts and culture hub. In 2023, The Wall Street Journal deemed the city "the new capital of cool" for its growing dining scene and numerous public art installations. 4. Helena, Montana As the second Montana destination to make the ranking, Helena draws in travelers for its charming downtown and slew of outdoor activities such as mountain biking and hiking. One of the biggest attractions is to take a boat tour around the stunning Gates of the Mountain, named by Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis and Clark Expedition but also known as the Missouri River Canyon. 3. Athens, Georgia Less than 100 miles from Atlanta, Athens is more than just a college town for the University of Georgia. "Athens prides itself on its rich performing arts scene, with live music events taking place almost every night, whilst constantly welcoming new experiences and creators," Matt Kowalewski, chief of staff at Wander, told USA TODAY in a statement. "From the botanical gardens to Sandy Creek Park, there's a wide range of activities and places to visit in the city.' 2. Eau Claire, Wisconsin Nestled right where the Chippewa and Eau Claire Rivers meet, Eau Claire is a vibrant city, especially for music lovers. "It's the hometown of the band Bon Iver and has a rich music and arts scene, with various festivals hosted in the city," said Kowalewski. "The spot is also the second-fastest growing major city in Wisconsin, so it likely won't be overlooked for long. Anyone hoping for a quiet vacation might want to get to Eau Claire sooner rather than later." 1. Tupelo, Mississippi "Tupelo, Mississippi, has been named the most overlooked off-trend travel destination in our study, with only 4,300 annual Google searches for the likes of 'vacation in Tupelo, Mississippi' – 150,000 searches less than the most searched off-trend destination, Rapid City," said Kowalewski. "This suggests that people often don't think to take a trip to the Mississippi city." Travelers may be attracted to the city for the legacy of Elvis Presley, but they'll stay for the vibrant nightlife and food scene.
