Your Travel Disappointment
Click here to receive FREE travel brochures from around the world Have you dreamed for years, of going to a place but when you finally saved enough money and had that dream come true, that it didn't live up to expectations? Sometimes our imagination is better than the reality. Have you been disappointed with somewhere that you finally got to visit? Share your disappointment here. Maybe someone else agrees with you, maybe they don't and found the same place to be very different to how you felt. When I was growing up, like any child, I wanted to visit that magical place called Disneyland. I finally got there when I was 32 years old. It is indeed a magical place but it was not as big as I thought it would be. Don't get me wrong, I was not disappointed, I had a fantastic time, it just seemed bigger on the tv. **Scroll further down the page to contribute your disappointment**
To help jog your memory, the following is taken from a book called "The Road Less Travelled: 1000 Amazing Places Off The Tourist Trail" with a forward by Bill Bryson. Let us know if you agree or disagree.
**STONEHENGE** The build up- Stonehenge is famous, its stones astonishingly huge and its setting dramatic. The summer solstice ceremony held by Druids and New Agers confirms it as a cathedral to mystical paganism. The reality- You can't touch it, you can't walk inside, you can't wander about its space and you have to pay an entrance fee to see it. Located in a bleak spot, the henge has no sense of intimacy and offers little shelter in bad weather. There is no museum that explores the significance of Stonehenge and visitor facilities are also limited. The alternative- Stonehenge is one of the world's most famous megalithic sights but nearby Avebury is much larger and has a much more accessible stone circle.
**PETRA** The build up- Rising out of rose-red sandstone in a hidden valley is the city of Petra, Jordan's top attraction. The impressive site was built in the 3rd century BC by the Nabataeans, Arab traders who created an empire based on the control of the highly lucrative trade in frankincense. The city comprises tombs, temples, storerooms and stables cut out of the rock. The reality- Firmly featuring on the itinerary of every traveller to the Middle East since the days of the Grand Tour, Petra is one of the most visited sites in the Middle East. The tourism village that has grown up around Petra, now threatens to outsize the ancient city itself. The alternative- The extraordinary rock-hewn monuments of Lalibela in Ethiopia challenge Jordan's Petra in number, artistic accomplishment and, above all, atmosphere.
**THE COLOSSEUM** The build up- American composer Cole Porter said it all when he said; "You're the top! You're the Colosseum" Tourists have been enthusing about the Colosseum since the 18th century Grand Tour of Europe, which the English elite had popularised. Even as a partial ruin, it can still take your breath away. The reality- Italy's most visited sight is often crowded and usually has long queues. The entire building is a traffic roundabout and the interior is too precious to host concerts. Your visit will be even more memorable if you fall victim to a pick pocket. The alternative- Rome's Colosseum, an ancient circus of death and glory, is a symbol of the city, but across the Adriatic Sea is an equally imposing and magnificent arena in Pula, Croatia.
**MACHU PICCHU** The build up- There's no doubt that Macchu Picchu holds its own as a premier tourist stop. Possibly South America's most promoted destination, it has held the top spot for travellers eager to see the majesty of the Inca for several years. The reality- The journey to Macchu Picchu is not pleasant and the entrance fee has risen to more than $50. Add to this the round-trip train fare to the village at the foot of the mountain, the bus fare from here to the site, plus the food and water you'll need during the day and you're well above $200 before you've even set foot in Macchu Picchu, that is, if you fall within the number of people allowed in daily. The alternative- Want to see the birthplace of the fabled Inca? Head for Bolivia's Isla del Sol, where this civilisation first rose to greatness.
**ANGKOR** The build up- Angkor boasts some of the most jaw-dropping Buddhist monuments in South East Asia. The dozens of spectactular temples here are crowned by the peerless Angkor Wat, the site's largest monument, in a memorably atmospheric setting. The reality- The temples are now firmly on the international sightseeing circuit, making it hard to appreciate their majestic architecture and profound religious significance in anything approaching peace and quiet. The alternative- Head to the equally spectacular but far less touristy Borobudur, Indonesia, one of the true wonders of the ancient Buddhist world.
Your Travel DisappointmentHave you been somewhere that didn't live up to your expectations? Share it with us here. Your DisappointmentClick on the links below to see reviews contributed by other visitors to this page who love travelling as much as you.
Craters Of The Moon much better
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