Lei-ing it down at Old Lahaina, Maui’s most popular luau 

Do you ever stop and marvel at just how amazing this world we live in truly is? Endless amounts of jaw-dropping natural wonders, intricate architectural gems, and mind-boggling ancient treasures that leave you breathless and itching to experience as much of this awe-inspiring world as you possibly can. Those praise-worthy destinations around the globe that make those long security lines, multiple-leg journeys, and dreaded attempts of trying to sleep in uncomfortable upright positions totally and utterly worth it.

And then there are those other places.  You know the ones. The destinations that are perpetually featured on countless must-visit lists that don’t quite live up to the hype and certainly aren’t worthy of their accolades.

Below are the top ten places around the world that don’t deserve to be on the top of your bucket list. This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t visit them, this is simply a declaration to consider tempering your expectations.

 

BLARNEY STONE

 

Even the most seasoned travelers can make poor amateur decisions. Like that one time I made my husband wait in line with me for well over an hour just to be held upside down by total strangers and twisted and turned so that I could kiss a cold slab of stone that thousands of other strangers had also already kissed. Don’t be like me. Sure, go ahead and visit the Blarney Castle, as it’s a really beautiful medieval castle and is worthy of devoting a few hours of your Ireland itinerary. But forgo the bacteria-infested tourist trap that continues to lure innocent, albeit easily excitable travelers like me.

To read all about our wonderful trip to Ireland, click here.

 

BRUGES

 

Less than an hour from Brussels by train, Bruges is easy enough to get to that you can be there for breakfast. We thought Bruges would be a love-at-first-sight kind of place. We had such high expectations for this fairytale town filled with historic buildings, crisscrossing canals, and cobblestoned alleyways. And while Bruges is undoubtedly charming, we also found it to be incredibly boring. After less than three hours of exploring Bruges, we were over Bruges and couldn’t wait to leave. It’s so picture-perfect that it almost seems somewhat contrived and staged. The other thing that was off-putting? People. Everywhere. The streets were teeming with tourists. The vibe here just wasn’t for us.  If you’re looking for a wonderful day trip from Brussels, try Ghent instead!

Gorgeous Ghent

To read more about why I give the clear edge to Ghent over Bruges for a day trip from Brussels, continue here.

GREAT WALL OF CHINA

 

Like so many other travelers, the Great Wall of China has always been high on my Most Wanted Travel list. It never escapes me just how fortunate I’ve been to visit so many incredible places around the world, and this ancient wonder is no exception. But that smog though. In and around Beijing, it’s practically inescapable. It drapes over the city like a wet blanket, causing everything within its reach to utterly disappear. You know those amazing photos where you can see the never-ending snake-like Wall wind itself through the towering majestic mountains? Well, those elusive photos are clearly reserved for the world’s chosen travelers. The luckiest of the lot. Sadly, I was not one of those people. My visit was characterized by pervasive smog, an inundation of tourists, and the inability to see just about anything beyond the twenty yards in front of me. Is the Great Wall worth visiting? Of course. In fact, I’d even venture to say that it’s my most recommended place to visit on this list, if anything for just how remarkable and impressive its design and construction really is. Just keep your expectations in check. And if you happen to score some epic photos here, don’t forget to thank the travel Gods above and express gratitude for being one of those chosen ones.

To read more about my Great Wall of China adventure, continue here.

 

HAWAIIAN LUAU

 

Attending indigenous dance and theater performances are one of my favorite aspects of traveling abroad. From the spellbinding Whirling Dervishes in Turkey to Bali’s entrancing Kecak Fire Dance, learning about a culture’s history, religion, and plight through art and movement can be as powerful as it is moving.  A Hawaiian luau, on the other hand, is anything but that. Inauthentic, gimmicky, and let’s not forget to mention, ridiculously expensive, this poor depiction of Polynesian culture is not only lame, it’s insulting and disrespectful. My advice? Save your money, restore your dignity, and skip the luau.

For more information about our amazing time in Hawaii (particularly on the lush island of Kauai, read this. A detailed Maui travel guide is coming soon!

HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME

 

Michael Jackson’s star– my favorite part of this overhyped strip

Perhaps the most quintessential tourist trap on this list. Don’t feel bad, I fell for it, too. The avenue is living proof that not all of Hollywood is glitz and glam. Think seedy, crowded, dirty and uninspiring spots like a wax museum and Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum. One more thing: contrary to popular belief, it’s highly unlikely that you will actually encounter a celebrity on the Walk of Fame. What you will encounter is an abundance of striving and probably starving actors dressed up as superheroes and the like. Steer clear of the Walk of Fame and instead spend that time strolling the historic Santa Monica Pier, breathing in that Pacific Coast sweet and salty air while taking in some spectacular views.

Santa Monica Pier

LEANING TOWER OF PISA

 

I visited the Leaning Tower of Pisa on my third trip to Italy when I was a junior in college. Even at the young age of 20 and at a time in my life where my travels were limited to visiting relatives in Italy and one spring break trip to the Bahamas, I knew that my time here would have been better spent elsewhere. Sure, the structural landmark is interesting to look at and photograph. For about thirty seconds. After that, there isn’t much to do here, other than be surrounded by countless tourists pretending to push the Tower in hopes of that perfect photo op, and being harassed by aggressive vendors and hawkers.  Just think of all of that extra pizza, pasta, and gelato you can be eating if you choose to skip this over-hyped landmark!

Time is of the essence. Eating pizza > Leaning Tower of Pisa

 

OSAKA

 

Osaka Castle

Osaka left me and my traveling companions confused. To be totally clear here, we fell head over heels for Japan. Tokyo was a feast for the senses, while Kyoto nourished our traveling souls. But Osaka? We practically couldn’t wait to leave.  If you’re coming from Kyoto, getting to Osaka couldn’t be easier, as it’s only a twenty minute train ride away. Sure, there’s the iconic Osaka Castle, which is certainly impressive, and the lively Kuromon Ichiba Market, where you can sample a delicious array of local and fresh food. But the castle is interesting for only about an hour, and the market is virtually the same as the markets we visited in Tokyo and Kyoto; like most things, even the most incredible places are subject to the mundane after they ultimately lose their appeal. The rest of Osaka, and I promise, we walked the city streets for many hours, was reminiscent of a cross between Times Square and Atlantic City—all in the worst ways, I assure you. We were all at a loss. Several friends had recommended Osaka to us, all experienced and trustworthy travelers. What were we missing? I guess we’ll never know. We left hours before our intended departure time, counting down the minutes to our return to our coveted oasis of Kyoto.

If you’re looking for a great day trip from Kyoto, a combination of Hiroshima and Miyajima is an excellent choice. Look out for a future blog post on this ideal day trip.

Miyajima: Shrine On Me

To read about our love affair with Japan: Tokyo and Kyoto.

NIAGARA FALLS

 

Disclaimer: visiting other majestic waterfalls around the world will inevitably ruin Niagara Falls for you.  Upon seeing the incredible Iguazu Falls that straddle Argentina and Brazil, Eleanor Roosevelt purportedly uttered, “Poor Niagara.”  We couldn’t agree more, Eleanor. Poor Niagara. But it didn’t have to be like this. There is no denying that the thundering falls of Niagara are awe-inspiring and imposing. It’s not so much the falls themselves that are overrated, it’s the surrounding area that’s overrun by greasy fast food joints, tacky souvenir shops, and generic restaurants like Hard Rock Café and Applebees that have ultimately led to its demise. Unlike Iguazu, which is a glorious haven of untouched natural beauty that’s void of commercialized businesses and chains, Niagara Falls is evocative of an aging and depressing amusement park.

Incredible Iguazu Falls: Argentina Side

But alas, I get it, visiting Niagara Falls is kind of a must-do. My advice is to spend an hour or two here and then head about 30 or so minutes north to the delightful village of Niagara-on-the-Lake for small town charm and abundant wineries.

Grape Expectations: Winery Hopping in Niagara-on-the-Lake with our friends Tim and Meg

 

STONEHENGE

 

If Osaka left us confused, then Stonehenge left us downright bored. Prior to our visit, I had visions of a blissful day in the English countryside surrounded by sweeping landscapes and historical monuments. The reality was blistering cold winds, a pile of rocks that are not nearly as massive and impressive as we had originally thought, and tour buses, a parking lot, and busy highways serving as our backdrop. Yes, this prehistoric architectural site and its mysterious powers are undisputedly a phenomenon, but after about thirty minutes here, we were more than ready to hop aboard our tour bus (yes, I recognize that we are part of the problem here), and head to Bath. Now, that’s a place worthy of spending a significant amount of time.

Click here to read about our wonderful day trip to Bath.

 

VENICE

 

Perhaps no other destination on this list is so predicated on the time of year you choose to visit than this one. Visiting Venice in summer can be pure agony. The combination of overwhelming crowds, sweltering heat, and putrid smells permeating the city streets and canals is enough to make your wander-lusting heart weep.  The deluge of tourists is nothing short of daunting, and navigating the city can quickly become an arduous feat.  There’s no mistaking that Venice is a captivating, romantic, and whimsical city. Just not in the summer. If at all possible, plan on visiting some other time, or skip Venice all together. I promise there is no shortage of breathtaking destinations in Italy to explore!

More about my complicated relationship with Venice can be found here.

Of course, this list is completely subjective and solely based on my personal experiences. What overrated destinations would you add or omit from this list? Regardless if you agree or disagree with my choices, I think many of us will agree that being able to explore this extraordinary world of ours is one of life’s greatest joys and gifts, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

 

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