Have you ever traveled for hours to a destination only to wait another hour in line fighting the crowds and then experiencing enormous disappointment? Some attractions are simply overrated. Travel portal Gadling.com presented a list of hot candidates for destinations not worth traveling. Brought to you by Tourism-Review.com.
TOP 7 OVERRATED TOURISM ATTRACTIONS
Anna Luebke
- Nov 7, 2011
Eiffel Tower, Paris
The Eiffel Tower or La dame de fer (The Iron Lady) is definitely a global icon of France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world. Built in 1889, it is the tallest building in Paris and the most-visited paid monument in the world; Almost 7 million ascend it every year, 75% of whom are foreigners. However, as to the view your photos of the city will look much better with the Tower in them. Notre Dame on the other hand is the place to be for a nice view and pictures of Paris’ skyline.
Oktoberfest, Munich
Running from late September to the first weekend in October, Oktoberfest, is one of the most famous events in Germany. Held since 1810, it is an important part of Bavarian culture and the world's largest fair, with more than 5 million people attending every year. Many visitors however are disappointed with high prices of beer as well as food. Besides, the fair is basically for those enjoying getting drunk with a bunch of foreign tourists.
The Blarney Stone, Ireland
The Blarney Castle and its Blarney Stone are a popular tourist attraction. The Stone is a block of bluestone built into the battlements of the Castle and a legend says that kissing the stone endows the kisser with the gift of great eloquence or skill at flattery. No wonder that the stone has been attracting visitors from all over the world. However, what luck can come of kissing a nasty, germ-infested piece of rock?
Cancun, Mexico
Cancun in southern Mexico underwent a remarkable transformation over the course of few years. Originally a fisherman's island surrounded by virgin forest and unknown shores, it is now, along with Acapulco, the most renowned Mexican resort in the world. It is also the gateway to the Riviera Maya and the Yucatán interior, which has numerous archaeological sites, as Chichen Itza, Cobá and Tulum. No wonder Cancun is crammed with tourists and according to many no different than, let's say, any other beach city in the U.S.
Stonehenge, United Kingdom
One of the most famous sites in the world, Stonehenge, is a prehistoric monument located in the English county of Wiltshire. It is at the centre of the most dense complex of Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments in England, including several hundred burial mounds. Visitors however cannot get close to the monoliths anymore and many are disappointed by the view of a major highway running right by the monument.
The Atomium, Brussels
Originally built for the 1958 Brussels World's Fair, the Atomium is a steel monument in the shape of a unit cell of an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times. The tubes enclose escalators connecting the spheres containing exhibit halls and other public spaces. The top sphere provides a panoramic view of Brussels. However, many visitors deem the whole construction “boring”. There is no real reason to visit it other than to take a couple of pics and say you have been there.
Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy
The Tower of Pisa is the freestanding bell tower of the cathedral of Pisa. After the restoration works performed between 1990 and 2001, the tower now leans at about 3.99 degrees (in contrast to 5.5 degrees before that). This means that the top of the tower is displaced horizontally 3.9 meters from where it would be if the structure were perfectly vertical. The tower now is cabled up so it won't lean any further. Get ready for crowds of tourists posing for photos where they pretend to hold it up.
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Ive been to all but three of you so called dissapointing attractions. I disagree with all but Pisa. Pisa sells tat in poor stalls on the lead up to the beautiful tower and hawkers surround the area. The council has done nothing to keep the interest of the tourists to other town offerings. I was unimpressed by the town but impressed by the tower itself. They are living off the tower and offering little else.
Nicola, gurl. You better check yo comment. 'I've been to all but 3'. That insinuates that you ain't been to all 10 gurl, maybe go back to school for a math or class or two. Personally, I've been to ALL. And think that this is a faux statement.
I don't agree with the fact that the Blarney Stone is overrated. It's a great thing to do and yes, of course, thousands of people have kissed the Blarney Stone which might not make it the most hygienic stone in the world to kiss, but it's a fun experience and that's why people go there, for the experience. And it's better than kissing a frog, isn't it? :)
I had been so looking forward to standing on the rock featured in so many films - eg Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice - where the heroine stands on the rock with her cape billowing behind her and looks wistfully out over the wild Derbyshire moorland.
However, when I visited there 3 years ago and climbed up (and it's a hard climb) I was so disappointed to find that in one direction it overlooks a town and in the other an ugly opencast. quarry. Talk about shattered illusions :-/