cricketfieldclarets wrote:Hamburg is the biggest anti climax of a place ive been. Heard such good things couldnt wait to visit.

Was like a grottier, less fun Amsterdam.

Mad, I found Hamburg to be a way better night than Amsterdam!

Dublin is pretty ****, temple bar is a rip off and full of c u next tuesdays.

I forgot Dublin. One of the world's biggest sh*tholes

I didnt mind Dublin. See I suppose its all subjective. And perhaps a bit of luck with when you went, what was on, who you went with etc

There isnt much to do other than drink in Dublin. But thats much the same as Newcastle

Hamburg I went in winter, it was freezing and snowing (not necessarily a bad thing) but just found it a bit miserable and especially grotty. Didnt like the reepeebhan at all and the christmas markets werent up to much either.

Im not a huge fan of Amsterdam (although having been 5 times there must be something about it) but I definitely preferred it to Hamburg.

Absolutely love Germany in general though. One of my favourite countries. Maybe I just expected too much of Hamburg or went to the wrong places.

Noel Edmond's Blobby Land in Morcambe. They turned my beloved Happymount Park into a pink and yellow spotted nightmare.

Luckily (and obviously) it did not take off so it's back to being awesome now.

.

I was in Los Angeles for a day and a half, which was about 35 hours too long. If you don't like films, there's nothing; even if you do like films, the sights are too far apart. The other time I was passing through, I had 4 hours while changing trains, so I had a look round outsdie the station. The oldest house in LA is worth a very brief look, but it was built in 1839 or thereabouts - anyway, I couldn't help thinking that American history is not what you go for, because my own house is older and in better nick.

Worst ever? Las Vegas. Many people won't agree, but for me it's too hot, too noisy, too full of gambling losers. And before you ask, I was only there for 1 day at the end of a Grand Canyon tour. Now that was worth doing - stick it into the "best holidays" thread.

Of seventy odd countries visited I'd definitely put Panama at the top of my sh1t-list; though to be strictly honest the worst experience was three days in Rumania when Nicholy Ceaușescu ran the place, but I'm prepared to bet that thirty years on, that's much improved.

Though best/worst is hard to report, in that India, Egypt and Australia would probably get onto both of my top & bottom ten lists.

Lisbon. Went as a teenager in early 2000's and saw a lot of addicts injecting themselves in public etc. It's a nice city but that didn't provide me with the best impression of the place. I believe it was the heroin capital of Europe a while back but has since cleaned itself up.

Also dislike the British resorts on islands like Lanzarote and always try to stay in a more authentic place.

Pstotto wrote:Bangkok

Nothing wrong with Bangkok.....fantastic city.....

Jesus. I thought this would cheer me up on a Monday morning but I’m off to Lisbon this week for a stag and then Hamburg in 2 week’s for another. Not sure if I’ll bother now!!

Another for Dublin.....a pretty nondescript place after all the hype I'd read (prefer Belfast by a distance btw)....if you want to watch gatherings of p!ssed up english hen and stag do's puking around the place trying to pretend they love the overpriced Guiness (which they'll never touch again) and standing 3 deep at a bunch of average bars, paying U2 prices to watch 3rd division covers bands and second rate Dubliner tributes, then go for it.

Benidorm for architecture- truly horrible what was allowed to happen to a Spanish seaside resort in the name of tourism. However I have had three good weekends there on stag parties.

Rileybobs wrote:Jesus. I thought this would cheer me up on a Monday morning but I’m off to Lisbon this week for a stag and then Hamburg in 2 week’s for another. Not sure if I’ll bother now!!

Haha, I don't have experience of Hamburg. I've heard good things of the place though. People I know who've been to Lisbon more recently (my experience is 15 years ago) really enjoyed it.

without a doubt Faliraki. 2 weeks in that hole was the worst 2 weeks of my life. people trying to get in your hotel room every night, couldnt sleep due to this and because of the heat and noise and full of chavs. this was 1999 btw might have changed now.

Singapore is painfully dull.

Palermo and most of Sicily, the volcanic Islands are brilliant but the main island is a dump.
On the other end of the scale, the Greek islands - Santorini, Kefalonia and the rest are absolutely mind-blowing.

Cheshireclaret wrote:In this country, Madame Tussaud’s. I often use Baker Street tube station as part of my route round London when I’m down there on business and I simply can not fathom what anyone gets out of visiting that place - even more so at the eye watering admission prices - yet there are always dozens of tourists flocking there.

Abroad, Lloret de Mar by a considerable distance. I went in 1996 just after the Euro’s finished and just before I started uni with a bunch of mates and the place is horrendous.

Lloret is even worse now as it's populated almost entirely by Russians, all the shops have Russian signs and you can hear trashy Russians shouting at each other in the bars during the day. It's just up the road from me and I sometimes pop up there to go to the English shop to grab some Branston Pickle. Tossa de Mar, about five miles further up is still amazing though and I've got a bit of a soft spot for Calella

Rileybobs wrote:Jesus. I thought this would cheer me up on a Monday morning but I’m off to Lisbon this week for a stag and then Hamburg in 2 week’s for another. Not sure if I’ll bother now!!

Im off to lisbon (and porto) in 3 weeks and heard nothing but good things. Although heard the same of hamburg and it was me who didnt rate it...

Bakersfield California .

Goodness may not fit into the tourist area map so to say but what a hell hole .

Cleethorpe was it raw sewage or a beach.

Blackpool

dsr wrote:I was in Los Angeles for a day and a half, which was about 35 hours too long. If you don't like films, there's nothing; even if you do like films, the sights are too far apart. The other time I was passing through, I had 4 hours while changing trains, so I had a look round outsdie the station. The oldest house in LA is worth a very brief look, but it was built in 1839 or thereabouts - anyway, I couldn't help thinking that American history is not what you go for, because my own house is older and in better nick.

Even though its my favourite place, I’d agree. I’d never give anybody advice to go there. Everything I like and Im interested in is there and have learnt to love it.

Las Vegas and Keswick Pencil Museum

'Nothing wrong with Bangkok'

Probably the biggest joke comment of the year. What about the traffic, for starters?

Wow, amazed Disney has not had a mention, worse for me though Juliettes Balcony in Verona, WTF is that about?

Niagara. not the falls which are simply breathtaking but Niagara the town on the Canadian side.

It makes Southend and Blackpool look like 5 star resorts.

Cheshireclaret wrote:In this country, Madame Tussaud’s.

I'm pleased someone else has suggested that. I remember going on a school trip once - just about everything I saw in London was an eye-opener. Except that place, it's like something you'd expect to walk through as you leave a provincial garden centre.

aclaretinstevenage wrote:Niagara. not the falls which are simply breathtaking but Niagara the town on the Canadian side.

It makes Southend and Blackpool look like 5 star resorts.

I can’t disagree, however they’re doing a decent job cleaning it up. Conversely, Niagara-on-the Lake just up the road from Niagara is a lovely vibrant little town. Go over the border to Niagara, New York…..now there’s a real s**t hole of a place.

Cant believe only one vote for Blackpool. What a dump.

joey13 wrote:Las Vegas and Keswick Pencil Museum

Saw these at Primavera last year. Preferred their earlier EPs.

starting_11 wrote: What made you go?

It might have been the Goat Curry

exilecanada wrote:I can’t disagree, however they’re doing a decent job cleaning it up. Conversely, Niagara-on-the Lake just up the road from Niagara is a lovely vibrant little town. Go over the border to Niagara, New York…..now there’s a real s**t hole of a place.

Exile.

Yes Niagara on the lake is really nice and such a contrast to the other place!!

Bournemouth....so many tourists!

IanMcL wrote:Bournemouth....so many tourists!

Are you a local?

Cyprus. The Greek bit.

Luxor, by a country mile - wouldn't go again if someone paid for me.

Three lots of police parading about - civil, military and tourist.

Full of cheats, thieves and vagabonds and, apart from the front, filthy and flee ridden sh!thole

Downright awful.

Magaluf simply awful and worst place have ever been, our youngest thought it was great, so many places do depend upon your age for what you like and memories good or bad

starting_11 wrote:Are you a local?

Salisbury. Used to work in Bournemouth.

Niagara Falls. A total tourist trap. Ask Joey 13 about it.

Niagara Falls, New York is an industrial city (minus most of the old industry), home of Nabisco and Carborundum. Even the American Falls are inferior to the Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side. Niagara Falls, Ontario home to Oneida Electroplating, but mostly relies on tourists. Niagara-on-the-Lake was original capital of Upper Canada. Queenston, on the edge of the escarpment, has the Brock Monument, a tribute to the man who saved Canada from the dirty, rotten Americans, and gave his life for his country and the Crown.

ontario claret wrote:Niagara Falls, New York is an industrial city (minus most of the old industry), home of Nabisco and Carborundum. Even the American Falls are inferior to the Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side. Niagara Falls, Ontario home to Oneida Electroplating, but mostly relies on tourists. Niagara-on-the-Lake was original capital of Upper Canada. Queenston, on the edge of the escarpment, has the Brock Monument, a tribute to the man who saved Canada from the dirty, rotten Americans, and gave his life for his country and the Crown.

As I noted in post #78, Niagara-on-the-Lake is a lovely little vibrant town, unlike its more famous, ‘Blackpool like’ Niagara Falls. Sure, it’s a tourist trap, but with more class. I’ve taken in a show at Shaw Festival a few times. However, the Falls never fail to amaze me, so much water………..an incredible sight which never gets old for me.

Pstotto wrote:'Nothing wrong with Bangkok'

Probably the biggest joke comment of the year. What about the traffic, for starters?

Bangkok is one of my favourite cities. It's alive.

Quicknick wrote:Bangkok is one of my favourite cities. It's alive.

Alive with what?

Not strictly a tourist location, but many pass through it.....Newhaven. I've never been anywhere on earth with such a feeling of souless doom about it...although the cafe, pub and swimming pool people were all nice and accomodating.

40 degrees heat and 100% humidity. You must have Finnish roots and were born in a sauna.

I notice that you don't mention St. Catharines, the largest city in the Niagara Peninsula, exile. I'm a grad of Brock University, and know St. Kitts quite well. It's where I met that German girl from Kitchener, Jerry-Lynn Ditmar. Funny place, St. Catharines. Still lots of GM and other industrial jobs, but generally quite a dour place. When I first got there in 1972, there was a hotel/tavern on almost every corner. The Mansion House (an old Brock student hangout) is reputed to be the oldest still-functioning drinking spot in all of Ontario.

I have to add that Majorca is beautiful IMHO. I admit that Shagaluf is horrendous but there are some stunning locations. I always stay at the Marriott Son Antem which is lovely

Las Americas is pretty grotty but for a real dump try Rhyl. I used to love it as a kid but it has gone to the dogs big style.

Billy Balfour wrote:Benidorm: The local tramps were better dressed, and washed, than some of the British tourists. Only spent 24 hours there and that was enough. It's true what they say - it's Blackpool with sunshine.

absolute nonsense

IndigoLake wrote:Lisbon. Went as a teenager in early 2000's and saw a lot of addicts injecting themselves in public etc. It's a nice city but that didn't provide me with the best impression of the place. I believe it was the heroin capital of Europe a while back but has since cleaned itself up.

You can't move in Lisbon without being offered drugs by North African types. Mars what is otherwise a really nice city.