Cities I Don’t Want to Visit Again

I went to Orlando begrudgingly with family to see Disney. I always said I would never visit “O-Town”, but with kids I got trapped into a trip…and hated it!

Loud, obnoxious and filled with chain restaurants. I swore to my wife that I would never go back.

As for an LP book, I am planning a trip to Ireland, so I would love one on either a city or the entire Emerald Isle.

Yeah can’t say I am a fan of Orlando. If I have to see Disney with my little one, it will be the California version, which I happened to like.

Andrew! You’d never return to Buffalo based on a 24-hour stint in mid-winter? You pretty much have it right though, I think. Best thing in Buffalo is the road leading to Toronto. I jest. I jest. Or do I?

Consider the feathers ruffled.

Very much in agreement with you on Philadelphia. Can understand Cancun, too, but I did have some fun times at Senor Frogs.

But Rome?

I will concede that in Rome, you NEED to get away from the tourist areas. I love neighborhoods like Trastevere and the Jewish ghetto. And Rome in the heat of summer is amazing — I think that’s when the city is at its best.

But you spent weeks there and still didn’t like it?!

Kate – I spent 8 days in Rome and while it was great to see all the sights and taste the food, I would much rather spend my money and time going to check out southern Italy or go back to Florence. What LP guidebook would you like?

Daniel – I think I got a lot done within that one day stint…and was really ready to get going. Dullsville. The only reason to visit is to maybe check out a Bills game, but even they might be leaving for Los Angeles soon.

While Rome would not make my top five, I do agree that Rome is probably one of the most over hyped cities in Italy. Yes it has amazing history, but there are just soooo many better places to visit in that country. Amalfi Coast anyone!?

I would love a NYC guidebook as I plan on going there this winter.

Exactly Marie. I did not hate Rome at all. But plan on never going back to it unless I am perhaps passing through on the train.

I don’t ever want to visit Sarajevo again. Although a lot of recent history there, it is very depressing, not much to do, and not comfortable for a woman traveling alone. Asked to see where the Archduke Ferdinand was assassinated, and there is not even a marker (because he was killed by a Serb).

As for Rome, it can be great, or maddening, depending on your mood. Food is great, but touristy areas are too touristy. Hard to get around, unlike Paris or London.

Another great point. I was mobbed in Rome yet had plenty of room to get around in Paris and London.

Ugh, Vegas. It’s like prom night — the reality can never live up to the hype. It’s overdone, garish, expensive and filled with incredibly rude, thoughtless tourists.

For sure, Vegas would have easily made my top 10.

I was disappointed with Paracas Peru, and I’m not sure if the drive over to Pisco or Nasca would have been much better but that is left for another visit. It had bad beaches, no nightlife and a few activities to see and explore. I saw the Islas Ballestas and the national park but that was all. I wouldn’t recommend more than a day trip there.

I would love a LP of Japan I’m heading there for 3 weeks in December, and while I have friends who can show me around I’m sure I’ll want to explore and get lost on my own in Tokyo and other places.

A monkey on his own in Japan? Sounds like a good blog post. Have a great trip!

As much as I hate to admit it, I’m not a fan of London. And yet it’s the only city abroad I’ve been to twice. I just found it to be a boring place with not many exciting attractions or restaurants.

Not much happening? We have a list of 20 top picks for June weekends in Philadelphia… and there are only 4 weekends in Philadelphia! Think Philly Beer Week (with 900 events), the Roots Picnic, the Bike Race…

Rome? Sistene Chapel, catacombs didn’t do anything for you? Actually I can see what you mean, when I go back to Italy I’d explore Sicily and the southern region that I didn’t see the first time around before going back to Rome.

My once and done is Athens. Kind of how you feel about the Rome ruins, seen the Parthenon, ok not much else and it’s the filthiest city I’ve ever been to.

I’m also a native New Yorker but went to college up in Buffalo and ended up really liking the city. Sure if you go downtown on a Sunday afternoon it feels like touring a ghost town, but it’s really a friendly city if you give it a chance.

If you like chicken wings, definitely hit up Duffs in the northern suburb of Amherst, the best wings I’ve ever had. I lived off of those and Wegmans’ chicken finger subs for my final 2 years. There’s a nice artsy neighborhood called Elmwood where the cute streets are lined with unique clothing stores, bars, bookstores and cafes.

Buffalo is a real city and does not try to be anything else than what it has to offer. I hope you return one day to give it a chance.

My least favorite city in the US that I’ve visited to this point would have to be Baltimore, MD. Aside from the awesome aquarium I was bored in the Harbor area and had an unpleasant experience with a homeless man while leaving a parking lot.

As for the LP guide, I’d appreciate Amsterdam, as I am visiting there and Paris in a little less than a month.

Great layout btw!!!
- Pete (TravelingNYRfan)

@ The Jetpacker – I actually hear that a lot from people. No idea why London gets the shaft, maybe bc it is so popular and people that visit have high expectations that can not be met. I liked London, would go back.

@Caroline from Philadelphia Tourism. If you ever want to show me a good time and prove me wrong, I am willing to give your city another shot. Until then…you’re on the list.

p.s. I do love your cheese steaks with cheese whiz.

@Laurie – I have zero interest in seeing Athens and have heard from many people how dirty the city is. But I do love Greek food.

@Peter J – Give Buffalo another chance? Eh, maybe if I am driving from NYC to Toronto someday. I can see your point with Baltimore lacking something, but I liked the city. The aquarium like you stated is absolutely fantastic. Also loved the sea food restaurants and a baseball game at Camden is great. But outside the super touristy/family friendly harbor area is a pretty rough hood. Enjoy Amsterdam and Paris!

good to sightsee but negative experiences :
casablanca, morocco – being hounded by touts endlessly
nagarkot, nepal – didnt acclimatize well enough, was dizzy and nauseous the whole time
kandy, sri lanka – not a lovely place at all

and oh, i love rome!

Thanks for the comment Andrea. A bad time in Morocco? I have heard nothing but good things.

i love essaouira! and enjoyed walking around tangier and fez and the sights and markets at marrakesh. but casablanca didnt quite make it on my list. it was good that i wasn’t on solo travel in casablanca otherwise, i would have panicked and stressed myself out handling touts in casablanca. i reported my bad experience to the tourism office in casablanca.

Oops, forgot to add — Lonely Planet Sri Lanka would be lovely. Thanks!

I’m originally from Sacramento, and while I have love/hate relationship with my hometown, I absolutely agree that the nightlife is awful. However, the great part about Sacramento is exactly what you stated–its location! We’re two hours from the beach, the mountains, San Francisco and wine country.
Totally agree with you about Rome–I went once and have no desire to go back. After a week in Berlin, I don’t really feel like I ever have to go back there again either!

@ Christine – Glad to see you agree with me on Rome. I must repeat that I did not hate the city, as much as I have little to no interest of going back.

As for Sacramento, location might be ideal, but two hours away from SF doesn’t work when you want to go out to a bar at night.

I really want to see Berlin…and of course drink lots of beer there.

If I never set foot in Branson, Missouri, or Gatlinburg, Tennessee, again, I will be a happy person.

Branson looks like Vegas if the church was in charge. They nicknamed themselves the “Live Music Capital of the World.” Not sure Austin, Texas would agree.

I once had to go to Valparaiso, Chile for a cruise to Antarctica, and that city was horrible. Dog poo everywhere, the whole place was smelly, dirty and falling apart, nothing to do… The Amazing Race was there the first episode of the most recent season, and they referred to it as the San Francisco of South America. I couldn’t stop laughing at how ridiculous a comparison that was, being hilly was the only thing they had in common.

@Andrew ~ I do like Vegas though. In fact, I call it home.

Aww I’m a Rome fan but I would add Tampa and Baltimore to the cities I’d be quite content to never see again.

Ugh Tampa…forgot about that lame city. Just a bunch of Scientologists and gun owners hanging out by the beach.

I would add Athens to the cities I would be happy not to see ever again!

Glasgow, hands down, is a city I would never like to visit again, aside from it being a jumping off point for island travel. They’ve tried really hard to bury any history under modern city stuff, and it could be any city anywhere, in addition to just being a loud, drunken locale. Bleh!

Otherwise, I always seem to find something cool about anywhere I go, even Vegas (which I actually love!), Philadelphia, and Casablanca!

I’d love an LP of Turkey!

Wow Glasgow…really? I was just there in February and loved it. Was only in the city for 48 hours, but thought it was filled with nice people, interesting architecture and a somewhat decent nightlife.

I can’t say that I wasn’t warned about Monaco.

I had seen photos of the former Loews (now Fairmont) hotel stretching out its concrete tentacles along the historic waterfront. Who allowed such a thing?

Nevertheless, nothing prepared me for the concrete wasteland that much of modern Monaco has become. Usually I find considerable upliftment and inspiration in wealthy neighborhoods—these are the people who can afford the great architecture, the great gardens–but not this one.

Think of Monaco as the tax haven that it is. Using an office in Monaco saves big bucks, Euros, or whatever, even if you actually live in a far more picturesque town nearby. This in turn feeds an even greater demand to pave over the entire small country.

True, the pretty palace gardens remain, as well as a pleasant desert garden above the town. It’s just that you may find the air rights above these sold to developers at any moment.

In fairness, I haven’t visited Monaco at night. As with Las Vegas, night may be when Monaco shines. Darkness and appropriately placed lights hide many sins. However, I won’t be making any effort to find out.

The French Rail routes east and west of Monaco show the potential of this coast. It can be absolutely stunning.

I have little to no interest in checking out Monaco (especially after reading your great description).

I echo your sentiments about Sacramento wholeheartedly. I recall deciding to just drink at the hotel with friends because it was livelier than anything going on anywhere else. So bad, I have blocked out any other details.

I would probably add Dallas to my list. Incredibly disappointing after visiting the fun Texas cities of Austin and San Antonio.

If selected I’d love the Lonely Planet Japan Guide.

Hi Andrew,

I totally hear you about Sacramento and Cancun. I grew up in the Bay Area and now live in SF, and yet I have only visited Sac once (this past December, and only for a marathon, not to explore). Its version of a hip neighborhood, Midtown, has some sense of charm with its Victorians and sidewalk cafes, but it’s dreadfully boring compared to anything in a real major city.

As for Cancun, I wished I’d booked a hotel in Playa del Carmen instead. PDC is only about a half-hour away, but so different — and better!

–Cheri

@Maribel While I have never visited Dallas, I was told by friends that both that city and Houston are extremely dull. Austin is awesome, as is San Antonio.

@ Cheri – Thanks for the comment and for sharing my disdain with Sac Town. Cancun tourism in recent years has been trying to show people that they are more than Spring Break, but with so many other amazing Mexican options, I shall pass.

It’s only about an hour away, but I don’t care much for Louisville, KY. I’ve been there a few times, but other than the event that I attend for, or perhaps a random restaurant that I enjoy, I don’t care to go back.

As I want to keep exploring the USA, that’s the travel guide I want.

Nairobi, Kenya without a doubt. I totally love eastern Africa but it seems to be that the bigger the cities, the dirtier and scarier they are. Nairobi was the one place that I’ve been to where I truly felt scared for my life. The taxi driver being beaten (some said to death) outside the front door of my hotel room one night pretty much summed the city up for me.

Never again.

If I’m lucky enough to win, I’d love the Southern Africa guide.

I would say Orlando/Kissimmee, FL. It’s just so commercial, and totally built just for tourists. Nothing of cultural, historical, or architectural interest. Ugly.

I do have an affinity for Philadelphia. Such history, and a variety of things to do downtown such as the Franklin Institute, Avenue of the Arts, South Street, Italian Market, City Hall, Reading Terminal Market. I just love it, and miss working there. Oh, and I want to check out the Eastern State Penitentiary.

Andrew,
many cities in south and central Florida, from the stuffy (Bradenton) to the flashy (Fort Lauderdale) –I grew up in the piny wood hills of *north* Florida and the southern part of the state seems like a whole other country, and one I’d gladly pass on visiting again. except maybe for the ‘Glades.

I love Glasgow though — fantastic music, lovely people, and I find loads of history too. been there many items and going back.

Exactly Kerry. The music was great one night when I went to a piano bar. The people were super cool and friendly. Plus the history is everywhere you turn. Loved touring Glasgow University.

Sao Paulo. I had a good time there because I was with good people, but without a bunch of money to spend on fancy restaurants, there’s not much to do.

Julia,

That is a great point you bring up. I have had a good time in not so good places due to the people I was with on my trip.

I am with you on all (Buffalo, ew. Gross) but Philly & Rome. I do see your points tho for sure on why they are not high on the list for returning… but still… Philly is like a little break from the city for me and Rome, well, its Rome. Great post!

Diana

whoops, and I forgot to mention… I could do without Detroit ever again. That city is going thru some tough times, but still–scary!

Dakar, Senegal is the top one on my list. We began our visit of the city by checking into a hotel that doubled as a brothel. Fortunately our rooms were in the pay by day, not by hour section, but going to reception was not much fun. Having unpacked and just read that we need to look out for pickpockets, guess what happened, wallets were stolen by some guys who grabbed our arms and distracted us while someone else did the lift. We then tried to drown our sorrows in a bar over some G&Ts, only to find some dirty old European men in there getting it on with some hookers. Needless to say we left the next day!

Casablanca, Morocco. It was just kind of a big dirty city. It didn’t have the interesting culture of other Moroccan cities, like Fez or Marrakech, but it still made me feel just as on edge!

I detest Clearwater and St. Pete, Florida. Pinellas county is the most densely populated county in Florida and there are no major highways leading across it from the Tampa airport. Not only does it take forever to get across but when you do you find the beach crowed with trashy people and young kids. Terrible restaurants and old boardwalks with a million cheesy souvenir shops. Its dirty and just plain annoying. I don’t understand why people flock there when there is Siesta Key beach an hour south of there in Sarasota, which is a cleaner, better beach and much less touristy.
Also, being from Buffalo, I have to disagree with you on the snow…its not 11.5 months. And its not the snow that is annoying there, its the old fashioned culture and small minded people. Sadly its a city full of amazing architecture from the last turn of the century, rich in arts and culture but full of empty run down old factories and employed people. If Buffalo had been governed better it would not be on your list because it has so much that it could offer that the snow would not matter.

Rome!!! Wow first time i have heard that!! Julia: thats what i have heard about Sao Paolo, I was planning on going there next year Im thinking about skipping it all together

@ Diana – I actually want to check out Detroit. Yes it is a bit rough around the edges these days, but something about the history of the Motor City (and that abandoned train station I keep reading about) that makes me want to go for a day.

@ Joanne – That sounds like one awful trip. Cant say Dakar is on my short list of places to see anytime soon.

@ Sarah – Wow surprised to see so much Casablanca hatred in the replies. But Marrakech is 1000 times more interesting.

@ Marie – Couldnt agree with you more about Clearwater. I have family there and still do not visit. Just a lame city full of gun shops and Scientologists.

Andrew, you disappoint me with Rome! But, each to their own I can’t comment on the other cities because I’ve been to none of them…yet.

As for a “never-again” city, I was suitably disappointed by Cairo – tourist-ridden, dirty, traffic-from-hell, lots of harrassing. I’m not sure I’ll say never again, part of me wants to give it another chance and part of me says “Tough luck, you had your chance”.

I liked Rome…just saw it…and said “next!”

I will never return to Daytona Beach, FL. I had a great room on a beautiful beach overlooking the ocean lifeguarding world championships. But – after my first walk around the town, I refused to leave my room for the four days we were there. For most of the world-wide competitors, this was their first time to the United States. I was so embarrased for them. Daytona Beach is the armpit of America. Racist people selling confederate flags at dumpy tourist stores. The only place in Florida I would ever return to is Miami. The rest in just the deep south.

Agree 100% w/ Philly and I currently live there. I’m more than happy to add Freeport, Bahamas and Binghamton, NY. Freeport was a major disappointment, as it isn’t that beautiful (it’s the industrial hub for the Bahamas) and it drove me nuts that fresh fruit wasn’t available anywhere – not even in the market. I don’t mean apples and bananas. I was craving star apple, sour sap, etc.

Binghamton, well that should be self explanatory. For an upstate NY city, they are never well prepared for snow. Roads are closed and not cleaned until 10 a.m.

Andrew, as a former Detroiter (who pines for the city on a regular basis), I say definitely visit. Yes, it is going through tough times and it is rough around the edges, but I think that makes the brights spots all the more interesting. The city is home to some really talented musicians, artists, writers, and chefs, and the history is astounding. It’s easy to kick Detroit and make it the butt of the joke, but there’s so much more to it.

As for places I’d happily not return….Albuquerque, San Antonio, Toledo, Orlando, and Costa Rica.

here’s a city for your list: my own hometime of Vicksburg Ms. It maybe home of the civil but it’s the most boring place to live. Nothing to do. Just google it and check yahoo travel about it.

I can do without Richmond VA. Just not that appealing to visit.

Monastir – Tunis .. Just had a bad experience with a carpetseller chasing my mom!! I was just a little kid. Some experiences will have a real impact on you, only it was one bad happining troughout the whole vacation.

I spent a day in Helsinki, Finland while on a Baltic cruise. While I certainly didn’t hate the city, it was deadly dull compared to the other stops on the cruise (Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, Gdansk, Tallinn, St. Petersburg). Maybe if I hadn’t seen it in such a situation, I would’ve been more impressed, but it didn’t have the color and the artistry and the amazing architecture of the other cities.

The Finnish people were great though. I would go back to Finland if given the chance, but I would likely skip Helsinki. It just didn’t do anything for me.

Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei … the most boring place i’ve been to! It was tolerable because we were on a family holiday so we spent our time laughing about how rediculously boring the city was. We booked for a whole day city tour and we were taken to the same spot morning and night. (the water village day scene and night scene. the biggest, newest mosque morning and evening scene.

Paris – Rude, tourist unfriendly and living in a timewarp of its own.People ignore english-speakers, which is what most non EU tourists will be. The restaurents are over priced and serve with a smirk to budget travelers. Beautiful and all, but hey, why compromise on basic expectations?

Never been above cities. But Rome and New york are the cities I want to visit if there is any chance in the future.
There are even many cities in my country i never visit so far.

For us Singapore was one of the worst – a big soulless shopping mall of a city with only Chinatown providing even a glimmer of personality. It’s boring, oppressed, expensive and did i mention boring?

D&S

Daytona Beach, Florida is a sputtering husk of a town, barely rolling along on its last wheel. For years, it got by on its racing pedigree and proximity to beaches. Today, it clunks along thanks to a few filthy bikers and some flashy strip clubs.

Tip to Daytona: time for a reinvention. Get rid of the scumbags and rebrand yourself as an eco-friendly, adventurous beach destination… or prepare to be tossed into the scrap heap of eternal memories.

Read through this, scrolling down nowt but gingerly as I was soooo expecting to see my beloved Cairo on the list. Very glad it wasn’t, but hope it’s not in the top ten, or maybe more likely, destined to bump off Cancun as you haven’t quite made it here yet. Before you do, get in touch so I can tell you how to make sure it does NOT end up on this list!!!!

@ Kim – I am surprised at how many Philly people that currently live there will not defend their city.

@Katie – I fully intend of getting to Detroit for the music and food. Too much history there to not visit.

I actually just got back from Buenos Aires & can safely say: never going back (if I can help it). While the trip was great because of the company I was with, the city itself left me really turned off. Certain neighborhoods were very pretty – we were in Palermo Soho, but the city itself was just too big & too crazy for us to settle in to & really get comfortable. We had to cab it a LOT, the traffic was horrible & we didn’t find the people very friendly. To top it off, the stray dogs EVERYWHERE were beyond sad…..

P.S. we got pickpocketed in San Telmo, or should I say San HELLmo

@Chuck – Do you work for the Vickburg tourism bureau? haha Now I have to check it out on my travels. Going in my notebook of places to check out.

@ Mark “Do without” sounds like you want it taken off the map. Haha…there are some places I feel that way about.

I did a short trip to Cambodia and Vietnam last Christmas. I adored Siem Reap and didn’t want to leave, but was also looking forward to Vietnam since I have a cousin who was adopted from there. Saigon wasn’t great, but it had enough in it to keep my interest piqued for the one day I was there. But Hanoi. Oh, Hanoi.

Someone puked on the plane in the seat behind me just before we landed, so I felt like everything smelled as we disembarked. Then the person who was supposed to pick me up from the hostel was late. Not only did the whole city just give me the creeps in general, but I saw two motorbike accident right in front of me and was almost robbed within an hour. This was after I’d read that Saigon and Hanoi were high crime areas so I’d done everything I could think of to keep myself from being a target. I spent most of the rest of my time in the city hiding out in the lobby of my hostel and waiting until I could get out of the city and into Halong Bay.

Tegucigalpa, Honduras. I only spent one night there, but that was more than enough to leave a poor impression. Hookers, pimps, cockroaches and gunfire — that was my experience from inside the only “safe” guesthouse in the city. The owner warned me not to go out at all after dark, and I didn’t. Yeesh.

@ Karyn – Really? Helsinki was boring? Kind of jealous to hear you visited Gdanks. I did a tour of Poland last summer with my wife who is from there and we did not make it to Gdansk. The next trip we will definitely check it out.

San Jose, Costa Rica

The rest of the country is beautiful with people full of energy and culture. However, the capital of Costa Rica does not reflect what I experiened on the costs. It was large, polluted, dirty and dangerous. I would travel to Costa time and time again but never again stay a night in San Jose.

Melaka in Malaysia. Totally bigged up in the guidebook and in reality the old town was small and dirty with no distinguishing features. Meanwhile the new part of town was filled with ugly shopping complexes surrounded by stinking open sewers. Nothing to really see or do. I’ve travelled quite a bit through S.E Asia and Melaka remains as the worst place i’ve been!

San Miguel de Allende, GTO, Mexico – It has a pretty centro but has very little to see. As a language learner I was frustrated by the amount of English that was constantly used.

Mine is Pattaya, Thailand. This is a small city actually but everywhere u see us only the “red district”. And the beach is not as beautiful as Bali. The beach is so dirty

Long-time reader, first-time writer!

I’d completely agree on Rome—been twice, and am hoping I don’t have to go back. Same with Pisa. Accidentally went twice. Meh.

Living in Taipei now, I’ve got to experience a few Asian cities, and of where I’ve been, I’d tack on Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia), Manila (Philippines), and Phuket (Thailand). They’re all nice and have their own good things going for them, but once I’ve done it, it kinda feels the same as everything else.

Sofia – Bulgaria. Our nickname for it – Ugly Sofia.

And Genoa – Italy. Also ugly, run down and a never ending maze of one way streets!

Saw a post from someone about Nairobi—lived there too, and while I had fun, I’d add that to the list, as well.

I was surprised not to see Detroit on the list (although it was in the comments.) Detroit is sadly rooted more in its suburbs than the other way around. I’m happy to see, though, that since the recession it seems like a lot of younger, art-type people are moving in. I’d even consider moving back one day.

If you go I would strongly recommend going with someone who has or does live there. There’s absolutely nothing to see if there’s no one to show it to you. But if you know what to look for, Detroit can be really interesting. There have been so many ups and downs in Detroit and there’s still evidence of all of its history, for better or worse.

I’m sure that most of the places on this list and in the comments similarly have their bright spots, but they might not be obvious. Even Cancun has a permanent population probably that experiences the city so differently from the hoards of spring breakers.

While traveling through northern Italy I discovered that Milan had a small church with a side ossuary made almost entirely of bones. That kind of thing always has me making a bee-line directly to it so while in Venice I began making plans to make my way to Milan. An acquaintance I was hanging with who was a resident of Venice asked me why I was going and for how long.
“Four days, ” I told him and mentioned the church.
“Four days, it is much too long for Milan,” he told me. “Go there, see the church and get out.”

I always disregard advice like this. For one thing, everyone’s experience is different, places I love others absolutely hate. And vise versa.

I had booked into a small hostel in Milan, one of the only listings I could find. It ended up being a bunch of beds crowded together in the room of an apartment. The first night there while the small group of people who had decided to brave the hostel tried to sleep a young Italian couple felt it was the perfect time to have a fight. Another man, who became agitated enough finally jumped up screaming.
“I have to work in the morning!” he yelled, “Shut the fuck up!”

Instead of begging our forgiveness and quieting down or taking the argument outside, the boyfriend instantly charged the man and the two began fighting as the manager finally came in to stop it. The girlfriend, feeling shunned by all of us trying to sleep continued making a scene screaming that none of us wanted her there and she insisted she sleep in the manager’s room with her boyfriend. To which the manager laughingly said no.

Why this short story about a bad hostel experience in Milan? Because Milan never got better than that. Would I go back? I probably would just to photograph that church again because it was pretty amazing. But this time it would be a day trip. In, photograph, back out. I’d stay in Venice or Parma. But really, skip Milan

Prague was so disappointing – the 2nd time.

First time was a magical wonderland, with friendly people, blindingly cold clear days, a fabulous castle, Christmas markets and amazing architecture that had survived wars.

The 2nd time it was August, hot, muggy and full of tourists following their Pied Piper with an umbrella, only interested in pushing through to take a photo and push on to tick off another site. Prague has been ruined and i won’t go back.

i’ll never go to Toronto again, never. it was very boring and had the same atmosphere you described from Rome. I also won’t be back to Rome, just had too many bad experiences there in the short time i stayed there.

@ Josie – “Ugly Sofia” is such a cruel yet hilarious nickname for a city. Love it.

Istanbul – the scene of Liverpool’s last European Cup Triumph…. Also a dirty, overpriced city full of people looking to rip you off at any opportunity. We took a cab, and were abandoned around 200m from our hotel, and charged around £40 – we took the same trip by tram the following day, and it came in at a much more reasonable £1 – small things like this have a big impact on travellers, which is why I always try to go out of my way to help travellers in my own city!

Totally agree with you about Cancun. I was scheduled to stay there for two days in between destinations, and I checked out early just to get away from that place.

I could stand not ever going back to Houston. Boring. From now on, I’ll keep my visits to the airport.

Alexandria, Egypt – As one of the oldest cities in the world, it looks like it. It was just so dirty and unclean. To its credit, I did get some great photos and it has a lot of history.

I also would not return to Costa Rica. The beaches reminded me of Galveston, Tx – brown water…not exactly what I was expecting.

Even though I wouldn’t return to these places, I still had a blast!!

Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Passed through to go backpacking in the Smokey Mountains, one giant tourist trap!

I’m with you about Cancun. I was there 2005 and it was enough. Bandar Sri Begawan, Brunei Darusallam and Ankara, Turkey are also on my once-is-enough-list.

Valparaiso, Chile. I thought it was just a wretched place. It could be because of the horrible hostel we stayed in or the grey, rainy weather we had, but it just didn’t do it for us. The people were not friendly at all, the city itself just seemed sketchy and dirty. We did have some great food, which is usually a vital part as to why we love a city, but even good food couldn’t make up for this disappointment of a city. The fact that we heard other travelers raving about it didn’t help.

Rome is on my list of cities I really want to visit! Now I’m wondering if I have too high hopes because Venice never did it for me (it probably didn’t help I was stuck there for nearly a day when the weather was absolutely terrible and the storm made it even kind of freightening to see all the water from the sea splash onto the streets)

As to answer your question: I’d like to say the incredibly small and boring rural village in the Netherlands I currently reside in that no one has every heard of or is able to pronounce. But to keep it a bit more general I’m going for New York which I’m sure is an unpopular opinion, but hear me out:

About 5 years ago I went backpacking through Canada for a year and had the most amazing time ever, never encountering an unfriendly face on my travels. Near the end of my trip I decided to cross the border to the US by bus (from Toronto) for a few week holiday to end my incredible year. Having basked in the stereotypical generosity and friendliness of Canadians for the better part of a year it was a wake up call that started as soon as we crossed the border and had a several hour delay because of the guys at customs demanding every single bag and suitcase from the passengers to be unpacked. Still i wasn’t going to let that get me down.

Arriving in NYC I stayed one night at the place of a lovely lady I found on a travel community. Unfortunately there were already several people staying at her house and I couldn’t stay any longer. That didn’t seem a problem since on my second day I met up with another woman I met online who offered me a couch (kind of like couch surfing before it was popular) in exchange for about an hour of housework each day. Sounded like a good deal to a broke traveller. Well, it wasn’t. She turned out to be an absolute pyscho (screaming at me at random times, threatening me, breaking a mirror in front of me), making me clean up disgusting things and taking up my entire days instead of an hour each day. I was young, alone in a city where I didn’t know anyone and she had $200 bond from me so I felt powerless.

Eventually I found someone else online to crash whom I met and seemed absolutely lovely. The day I moved out of the crazy lady’s place (after 1 week) I felt super relieved as I was on my way to the other girl until she texted me to cancel…

I wandered the streets looking for hostels but they all required credit card payments (which I didn’t have at the time) or were full. As a last resort I contacted the lady from day #1 again and she eventually found me an affordable place to stay but after all that NYC just didn’t do it for me. It didn’t help that the contrast of the busy American city with the Canadian ones I had gotten used to was so huge; never a friendly face on the streets or anyone willing to help you out when asking for directions (I’m sure that’s not actually the way it is, but it did feel like that to me at the time). As soon as I returned to Canada (where already customs wasn’t as complicated and annoying as on the way to the US!) I felt like I had arrived back home.

Having said that; this trip really put me off from travelling to the US ever again yet I found myself in sunny California this Summer having a blast of a time. Guess one should never say ‘never again’, especially when it comes to visiting other cities and countries

Maracaibo Venezuela. Ugly, hot, extremely dirty, rude people, weekly kidnappings, water shortages.. I spent a few months there (in 2009) so I could go on and on…

Domestically.. I have to agree with Debbie on Daytona Beach – being a native Floridian myself it is so embarrassing that people flock to that dump from all over – Daytona Beach is so sleazy!!!

Algeciras, Spain…the armpit of Europe. Spent one night there waiting for the ferry to Morocco and was scared for my life (and health) the entire time. :/

Completely agree with you on Buffalo. Niagara Falls, NY is pretty bad too though, especially compared to the Canadian side.

Like you said about Rome, my response probably will ruffle a few feathers: I don’t feel the need to ever go back to Florence. The Duomo is beautiful, David is amazing, and Ponte Vecchio is incredible. But other than that, it felt like the least Italian city I’d visited. I was very disappointed as it was the one place in Italy I was most excited about.

I am SOOOOOO done with Paris. After numerous trips, a few too many colds, infections, and pneumonia in that gross, damp weather, and overpriced coffee, I’m ready to say au revior.

Manila, there was nothing to see, really. The old town wasn’t impressive at all, the beach wasn’t beautiful, there’s no distinguished culture to see.And at the end of the day, the nightlife was crappy as well.

I’d have to agree with Z’s comments above. I had a horrendously scary taxi ride in Mexico City late one night from the Norta bus station to the airport. To this day I don’t know if cab was illegal or not. A guy jumped into the seat in front with driver as we were pulling away from bus station. The driver got off the main drag and took backroads to airport. I had visions of them finding my body in a dumpster (maybe). I did get to airport eventually but driver dropped me off at the wrong end of terminal and charged me a fortune before giving me my bags. Thing is, I otherwise really liked Mexico City and the people. Rode the subway which was clean. Intercity transportation also excellent. Would go back in a heartbeat but need to improve my Spanish for my next Mexican adventure.

@ Francesca – I actually felt that way about Florence when I left it, but over the last few years the city has grown on me and I want to go back to see more. Maybe I will love it, maybe I will have wasted more time $ money there, but I feel like there is still something to see around those parts.

Dallas, oh my god, Dallas. I happen to live in Oklahoma City, and people here talk about Dallas like it’s some sort of shiny city of the future. Wrong.

It’s like a giant, beige suburb, where the only goal in life is to own an SUV, two golden retrievers and as many bedazzled shirts as possible (bonus points for metallic designs on those tees).

And the smugness, dear god – boasting about a “national” beer (because the state was its own nation for a handful of years) and that “everything is bigger in Texas” like that’s a desirable thing.

Okay, rant over. Just give me a compact, walkable city without brutal summers and fried food.

@ Jenny – Ouch…tell me what you really think of Big D. Suburbs should never be beige or any color close to it.

I feel the same about Rome. Lived in Florence for awhile and loved it so I had high expectations when visiting the larger city. It just didn’t have much character aside from the major architectural sites. Milan is kind of lame, too.

Also Montevideo, Uruguay was totally lame. I was there on a weekend expecting – as I had read – that there was a happening nightlife. Fodor’s South America guidebook was dead wrong. It felt like a ghost town. Definitely never need return.

I’m TOTALLY with you on Sacramento. I went to school in Berkeley and have to say that even Oakland, CA has more character and culture than our state’s capitol.

I have to say I wasn’t that into Venice when I went – and might not go back. It was so touristy and crowded and over-priced. While beautiful, I’d rather go off the beaten path when traveling.

I have to agree with you on Buffalo, although the only time I was there it was during an ice storm so that probably added to my distaste for it.

I really disliked my visit to Los Angeles. I know, I know – it’s the city of the stars, but I viewed it more as the city of the fallen stars.
It’s a concerte jungled mess of highway and high rise. Disneyland is fun but you feel like a sardine in a can. The Hollywood walk of fame is just dirty. The people are not friendly. The food is overpriced. I drove into the city at night expecting pretty lights and instead found so many homeless people tucked out of the way of the suited business people during the day… as a female who was almost out of gas, I was pretty panicky about my safety!

Three things I look for in cities I love are sophistication, a little bit of history and a thriving culture. I am sorry to say I found none of these in LA.
I did however love my time spend in San Diego which is a short freeway drive away – Go there instead!!!

I’m gonna say Singapore. The city seems so perfect in everything. It is too clean, the transportation is so eficient, the people obey the rules, the rules are so strict. It’s kinda boring.Come on…relax a bit Lion City…

Lattakia! I absolutely fell in love with the rest of Syria. But this hot and humid harbor town left me literally sick. I plan never to return there again.

LIMA. never going back to Lima. The food was not particularly good (I had food that was 10 times better in Aguas Clientes and in Arequipa), the architecture was meh (it was like remodeled colonial buildings mixed with super modern high(er) rises) and the traffic was awful. It reminded me of LA with the sprawl and the smog and the smugness. I mean, as a New Yorker born and bred I love cities–I think they’re wonderful, lively places where people can come together. But Lima? never again.

Copacabana in Bolivia, worst place ever! and I had to spend 3 days there because there are no ATMs and the only bank opens whenever they want. Lesson learned, never cross a border if you don’t have some cash

Hate to say it because it’s homeland, but Turin. Unless you’re there on business, it holds remarkably little to offer. It’s an industrial town, and even the it’s famous shroud is on business hours. It’s like the Detroit of Italy. I mean, sure you COULD go there… but why?

My least favorite travel destination is Nassau, Bahamas. The city and surroundings are beautiful, and the food and drinks are good. The problem is the panhandlers. Everywhere you go you are accosted by drunk and/or stoned bums begging for beer/drug money.

In the US, my least favorite tourist city is Boston. The roads suck, there is no parking, and everything is ineffecient and expensive. It is really sad to see New England losing its sould and character. There is a lot of history in and (especially) around Boston. I usually spend my time in the area in the surrounding towns like Lexington or Concord.

San Jose California I felt my life force being sucked out of me every hour of the 18 hours I was there. Stayed long enough to sleep and visit Winchester Mansion.

@ Arepeace – Aw dont say that. Ever since the Amazing Race visited Singapore, I have been obsessed with visiting there asap.

Bangkok! Dirty, seedy, scary. Travellers are preconditioned to love it but I am not a fan, and I wasn’t even caught up in a protest / strike.

I have to say Naples, Italy. Perhaps it was the utter lack of traffic rules of ANY kind (I swear our cab drove over the sidewalk at one point…)..or maybe it was the food poisoning. Or maybe the rowdies in the hotel lobby at 4am who could’ve woken up dead people. can’t think if 1 good reason to return. Of course, if you want to see artifacts from Pompeii, going there instead of the museum here would be much better use of your time …now THAT’s something to see!
p.s. very surprised at your finding Rome unexciting…i loved it! and that’s even after being in Venice & Florence earlier in the same trip…ruins, Trevi fountain, Colosseum, Palatine Hill, Spanish Steps, Forum, and an easy train ride to take in Villa d’Este & Hadrian’s Villa. Glad I went

Sao Paolo – grey, humid, smoggy. Seeing all the barbed wire around the conspicuous consumption of the designer stores made me really aware of the gap between rich and poor.

I love Brazil, have visited a couple of times but the best thing about Sao Paolo is the (slightly 1970s) airport.

I wasn’t crazy for Buenos Aires either, but I think it was more the fact that it was the end of a long trip and I didn’t get to see all I’d hope, so I would go back. Palermo Soho was a nice little neighbourhood.

i was going to say Sacramento, but you beat me to it, so I’ll have to go with Chichicastenango in Guatemala.

@ Kendra – I did not find Rome unexciting. I ust saw it and have no interest of ever going back.

Brussels! It was gray and dreary and the best part of the trip was buying a train ticket to Luxembourg instead.

Oh, oh, no doubt it´s LISBON. Maybe because i got stuck there because of the Ejijeojojdwojeiijijij Volcano; maybe because of the not very easygoing people. Anyhow, no chances of Lisbon again. Traumatized?! Maybe….

For me:

Unfortunately it’s my capital, but Canberra… it’s just a big country town.

Didn’t really like Florence that much on my first visit, but second visit turned me.

I recently visited Rome, and aside from the filthy surrounds, I also managed to get food poisoning from a salad on the first night. It made those few days of swimming through schools of tourists and spray-painted, urine-scented streets that much more miserable. If I was able to eat, I wonder whether I would simply drink more wine to get beyond the blandness of the limited spaghetti, pizza, or ravioli options seemingly served everywhere?

When I decided to make the best of the trip despite this, I went to the Vatican the next morning. After touring the Vatican Museum, I stopped at the washrooms and accidentally forgot to flush the toilet after a ‘number 1′. The cleaning lady roared at me as if I had left the place a dirty protest – even after I went back to flush. She’s very lucky I didn’t feel a wave of sickness come over me as she felt the need to follow me with a bitterly-tainted Italian lecture the entire journey out of the ladies’ room.

Following this, the friends I was travelling with insisted that we stop for food just outside Piazza San Pietro. We paid an embarrassing amount of money for bland soup and a *cold* pizza. Apparently, they forgot to put it in the oven before serving it. No apologies, no discount.

Lastly, let us not forget the drivers. Recalling my maiden voyage in a cab to the apartment I was staying in, I felt compelled to say a Hail Mary as I was certain that imminent death or injury was upon me. On the flight back home, I was seated not far from two pairs of parents returning from a trial that saw the man charged with vehicular homicide sentenced for the deaths of their daughters who were struck and left to die on Rome’s streets while crossing a cross walk.

This eternal city has certainly left impressions on me with my first trip to Italy – sadly, many of them are signs of caution and provide no indication of my intent to return.

Williamsport, PA. What was once probably a beautiful northeastern/central Pennsylvania city, has turned seriously sour. The city of Williamsport once thrived on the logging business and the few remaining 100 something year old homes that line ¨millionaire´s row¨reflect this. Now, the only glue holding the dirty crumbling city together is a mix of two local colleges and the few unique businesses that survive from the faculty, staff and students. I love Pennsylvania, especially in the fall but when it comes to the aestheticness of this city, I´d rather go blind.

The deadline to leave a comment in order to be entered to win a free Lonely Planet Guidebook of your choosing has been extended until midnight EDT tonight. Thanks for all the great comments!

Cairo. Constant harassment, and mismanaged museums and historical sites. The food is great, but I will never ever go back.

CALGARY, ALBERTA (Canada).

Maybe it’s because I was born and raised in Edmonton, the real capital city of the province (despite what Calgarians tell you) or maybe because their hockey team blows…but it’s not someplace I would willingly return to, ever. Canada in general gets a lot of slack for having winter 8 months of the year, no where is this more true than in Calgary.

Calgary has one giant festival in the summer–the Rodeo–which somehow, because Alberta is called “Texas of the North” (no offense, Texas), makes every other festival Edmonton have pale in comparison: the Street Performers, the Fringe Festival, Heritage Days, Taste-of-Edmonton etc so on so forth. If you want to spend a week stomping around like a cowboy, fine, sure it could be fun….but you can do that in Edmonton AND attend the Grand Prix, watch Shakespeare in the park, eat a million elephant ears before you head to watch some people juggle.

Remember, despite what they tell you, Calgary is not the capital city.

Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. When I was 17 I competed in a national figure skating competition there, and spent about a week there training beforehand. While I was young and did not have the opportunity to participate in any nightlife there, I don’t think being of drinking age would have changed anything. The competition was held in an ice rink/barn with live in cows and horses. Enough said.

Agadir, Morocco.

It’s like the very worst part of London (extremely smelly and polluted) with a beach. The old city was destroyed by an earthquake in the 60s, unfortunately any history and charm was completely lost and replaced with the concrete monstrosities of a purpose build tourist trap.

It took until lunch time each day for the smog to burn off enough for the sun to come out. The 6 kilometre beach positions you well for being shouted at by the various traders touting their gear.

We got hastled every time we left the hotel by menacing locals offering my boyfriend varying amounts of camels in exchange for me!

All in all my week spent in Agadir was quite an unpleasant experience, one which I would never want to repeat.

I just came across this and being Singaporean, I’d like to say that Singapore is far from being perfect. I’m sure Arepeace does not know much other than the image of Singapre But it’s true I’d much rather have a safe and clean environment in Singapore (although I disagree with the latest rule about drinking water on the MRT) than constantly fearing muggers and crazy people in Paris for example.

Andrew, if you like and depending on when you intend to go to Singapore since I’m not currently there, I can show you around some places

Thanks Dorisa. I got your email and when I make it that way you can expect an email from me. =)

I completely agree with the list…I would add Cairo to the list too.

In reference to your comments regarding Buffalo, New York: I understand that while Buffalo is not necessarily an appealing tourist destination, you do not need to insult people who were born and raised there with your comment “If you live in Buffalo you are not a New Yorker, you are Canadian lost along the border.” I am from Buffalo, but now live in New York City. I never considered my self a “New Yorker,” nor does anyone who lives in Buffalo, as far as I know. That is not something that a Buffalonian claims. Also, I feel like it is extremely tactless to claim that people who live in Buffalo are any less American than people who live in New York City. I was never “lost along the Canadian border,” as you say.

I think it would be best if you kept your opinions strictly as that of one who has traveled there. You will never know what the experience of living there is like, so you should not make claims as such.

Michelle

thanks for the comment. Sorry if you took it as me insulting Buffalo residents but that was not my intent. The story is light hearted and not meant to be mean spirited. You say you’re a NYC resident now. Perhaps I could make up for it with a coffee or beer sometime.

Some fascinating choices. It’s kind of good that 4 of the 5 are restricted to the North American continent!! I can’t agree with Rome. For Europe I found Frankfurt disappointing (though great transport links) and for Asia, I found Kuala Lumpur disappointing (outside of the exceptional petronas Towers).

Caracas, Venezuela. Before embarking a friend told me that the people are the most hospitable to be found in any country. Very true. he also said that you’ll receive many invitations. Also true. He went on to say that if they make a date, they may – just possibly – (or possibly not ) – show up. VERY TRUE !

That first (and last) weekend, I was ‘stood up’ three times.

On my first night – at the Hilton – I decided to take a stroll. The doorman cautioned better advised to take a taxi. No misunderstanding due to language – I am a native speaker of Spanish.. I told him that I was merely out for a walk. Take a taxi, he said. (Not much of a walk to a tax-stand.) Being inquisitive, I asked the reason. “Last night a guest went for a walk after dark – was shot, robbed and died.

I went for a walk, regardless. Foolishly, perhaps, but encountered no problems.

The next day, after waiting four hours on a ‘no-show invitation’ – I went for a very enjoyable stroll to a fairly nearby park – avout 1/2 hour on foot – which would translate to about 7 minutes by taxi. After a leisurely and tasty supper – it was now about 11 p.m. I went to a taxi stand.

I was quoted $50 – for a 7 minute ride ! When I opted to walk back – the taxi-driver told me that I was taking my safety, if not my life, in my own hands – this part of town being a jungle after dark. Playing my ‘fearless act’ to the hilt, I turned to walk. After a couple of blocks, the driver pulled alongside. I ignored him.

Please don’t go – I’ll take you for free. For free ? ? ? ?. You are a stranger in my country and I don’t want your fate on my conscience. He was serious. Not for free, said I, When we arrived back at the hotel I queried him as to the normal fare for that distance. About five dollars, which I paid. After a warm thank you, a handshake and a wish for my safety, he drove off.

Now, Caracas is – or was then (a couple of years back) – no more dangerous than any other S.American cities, the weekend’s adventures left me with a sour taste . I left Caracas for Buenos Aires the next day.

Relating all of this to friend, he opined that it could always have been worse. How true ! Crime has become rampant and worse than ever.

Bottom line – when it comes Caracas Venezuela, I’ll take a pass.

I agree about Rome. I dont want either exprerience car drivers who dont stop at red lights.