Some places just aren’t what you hoped for. Well, that’s according to our readers, anyway! We asked the gang at Aunty Acid to tell us their absolute nightmare places that they’ve visited, and some of the answers are genuinely shocking. San Francisco? Really? Really! Let’s check it out.
Washington State
You have to be built a little different to reside in the Pacific Northwest. For Dawn, living up here (I’m in Vancouver, Canada, but it counts) was not the vibe.
RELATED STORIES
”I lived in Washington state for four years. I almost grew webs between my toes because if all the rain. Itold my husband if he EVER got stationed in Washington again I would be waiting for him in TEXAS!!”
The entire ocean
This one made me laugh. BJ does NOT like the ocean and is not afraid to pop off about it.
“The Ocean !! I don’t care which or where, it smells, I didn’t like the sounds and I did not enjoy the stay. I am a RIVER person!! Love the scenery, the sounds and the water.”
Can’t relate, but I love the energy! Enjoy your rivers, BJ! Don’t go chasing waterfalls!
Athens
Surprisingly, Americans ruined Denise’s trip to Athens. “Athens, got sick and tired of all the haggling over prices, vendors trying to sell us a load of old tat. If we were talking to each other we soon had hangers on often Americans trying to sing strumming their guitars basically wanting us to pay them to go away.”
Now how are you supposed to live out your Mamma Mia fantasy with your fellow Americans up in your face and singing at you? Wait. I think I just described a good chunk of the plot of Mamma Mia.
New York (New York)
“New York, we stayed in a really lovely hotel, in a good area and I still felt threatened every time I went out, not to mention the smell!”
I’ve always felt quite safe in New York, so I can’t attest to that – but the smell? Yeah. If it’s 90+ degrees outside, it’s gonna stink a bit. Ah, the big apple.
The Yucatán
This one is pretty heartbreaking. Janie shared:
“The Yucatán. It was beautiful, serene with gorgeous beaches before Cancun was developed.
After they stole the properties from the Mayans and over developed it into wall to wall hotels, it lost its appeal for me.
From what I read it’s now a place for the wealthy Americans and Europeans.
I went back once in 1973, and was so disappointed in what it was turning into. I am reminded of Joni Mitchell’s ‘Paved Paradise and put up a parking lot!’”
This makes me so sad! All that history, lost to development. What a shame.
Literally one random hotel in Cozumel (not Cozumel itself!)
“A hotel in Cozumel. I don’t even remember if it had a name! It was seedy, rundown and the pool was half filled with blackish water. Our room started out with five beds in it. Each time we came back a bed was missing.. There was salt water in the bathroom both out of the vanity tap, and the shower.. Nothing like a refreshing swim, followed by a shower and washing hair in salt water! Our window air conditioner barely worked. One couple in our party had a big hole in the wall, where the air conditioner should have been. we can laugh now but at the time it was infuriating! PS Cozumel Itself was wonderful and that’s where we spent most of our time,” Jone said.
Uh. That hotel sounds like a crumbling biohazard that someone tricked people into thinking was a functioning hotel. And showering with salt water? That’s a pass from me. I enjoy having hair that isn’t tangled in a knot 24/7.
Rome
Edwina said, “Rome, Italy. Graffiti was on EVERYTHING! It absolutely was all that consumed my brain while we toured other beautiful cities in Italy. I don’t ever want to go back to Rome!”
That’s such a shame! I’ve never been, but have always wanted to go (and still will one day).
Glastonbury
Sounds like smell ruined Carrie’s trip to Glastonbury! “Although I want to move back to Somerset one day, this place literally gave me a bad headache after a few hours visit. We didn’t enter many shops, but the smell coming out of them was so strong, we felt ill when we got back to the car park. Great place for some, but not for us again,” she said.
Hawaii(?!)
“Hawaii. The worst spent money ever. I was ready to come home on day 2, Monica said.
Laura agreed. “Me too, Oahu was just a tourist trap, Maui was nice, very pretty but lots of car threats.”
I’ve been lucky enough to visit Maui quite a few times in my life, which is why I cannot imagine not liking it or any part of Hawaii. It’s beautiful, with a rich history and completely unreal scenery. Be kind to the locals, listen to their advice, respect their traditions and customs, and you’ll be fine!
(Not sure about the car threats – I’ve never had that experience!)
Florida (and Texas)
Besides the second to last one on this list, an overwhelming amount of people named both Florida and Texas as the last places they’d ever visit again.
”Florida…ugh. Just too humid. I feel slimy the whole time I’m there. And Texas…same reason.” JimandAnne said.
National Parks
Diane is not a fan of the modern national park system. “Most national parks…over crowded, over priced and like being in a cattle call. Have to have reservations to do anything.”
That DOES sound a bit frustrating! I’ve learned that the days of doing things on a whim are long behind us, but it’s not fun to remember those times and how much easier things were to do!
London
“London. Not that I didn’t like it but it was a bit overwhelming with the amount of people. The crowds were hard for me and it was off season November and I still found it crowded. Also very large and hard to get around when you are mobility challenged. Didn’t feel that way in Paris as it’s more compact.”
I’ve only been to London once, and it is a bit jarring if you’re used to North America! I definitely felt a bit claustrophobic to me, but it was still an amazing experience that I wouldn’t trade for the world.
Paris
Quite a few of our readers named Paris as their top place to never return to. I’ve been twice, and I think twice is enough!
Daniel explained: “[The French are] just rude. We turned up to our hotel for the time we had booked and was told to go away because the room wasn’t ready.
We then asked to leave our luggage somewhere so we don’t have to lug it around with us and was at first told no.
I told them we had turned up on time to a room booking and are being turned away miles away from home and we just got eye rolls and attitude.
We got shouted at by a shop owner for taking too long to choose a soft drink (didn’t know we were being timed at 12pm their time), and a similar thing happened whilst getting on a bus.
Just made to feel unwelcome everywhere we went.
We will not be returning.”
San Francisco was not Erica’s cup of tea
”Sadly, San Francisco used to be so wonderful. So beautiful. Went there many times. Now it’s become a toilet.”
I had an amazing time the last time I visited San Francisco! Travel is funny like that – everyone who does it has a totally unique experience that is personal to them.
Donna added: “that depends on where you go in San Francisco. Our daughter lived there and she took us to all the great places. We loved every minute of it.”
So true, queen!
Toronto (but just the airport)
”I’ve loved everywhere I have traveled but the airport I will never go to again is the Toronto airport. Worst airport ever. The city is wonderful, the airport is the worst,” Sherry said.
As a Canadian who has been forced to endure the very specific chaos that is the Toronto International Airport, I endorse this message. That airport is cursed for all eternity.
Atlanta
People had a lot to say about Atlanta and the absolutely insane traffic it has.
“People will intentionally try to run you off the road. I hate Atlanta most of all!” Charlotte said.
“So agree in regards to Atlanta…hate is a harsh word, but so is Atlanta..traffic was horrendous,” Gwen added.
Is it really that bad in Atlanta? I’ve only ever been to the airport!
But really, it’s all in the eye of the beholder – or visitor
“Nowhere. Each place evolves and changes therefore never the place you left and disliked,” Margaret so tactfully put.
She’s right! Your least favorite place is guaranteed to be someone else’s idea of paradise. That’s one of the coolest parts of being a human – we all have different tastes, experiences, and ways of having fun!
Where was your least favorite place to visit? Tell us why in the comments!
