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Travel Perspective & Experience Is Unique To Individual


I recently read the article, 22 of the Worst Travel Destinations That Everyone Still Visits (http://www.placesyoullsee.com/22-of-the-worst-travel-destinations-that-everyone-still-visits.) Personally, I don’t deem the author was explicit enough to support the commentary. My goal is not to discredit the author nor the article, but to offer you a different perspective on some infamous travel destinations based on my personal journeys. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder ~ Oliver Platt.

Essentially, let’s establish that everyone’s interests are unique. Some people like adventure, partaking in local customs or prefer to just relax with no set schedule in mind. I’m definitely not the latter. I prefer to immerse myself in local customs and experience new things. I’ve never taken an all-inclusive vacation although I’m not against it in my near future. Quite frankly, I’m pretty sure I would go stir crazy sitting by the pool or ocean all day. Personally, to dub some of these destinations as “the worst travel destinations” is an injustice to what many of these destinations have to offer. Of the “22 Worst Travel Destinations,” I’ve had the pleasure over the years of visiting 12 of the said locations.

First, Dublin, Ireland is #2 on the list. After missing my connecting flight back home from Italy to the good ole USA, I was put up for the evening in Dublin. There was no point in sulking over missing my connecting flight. My hubby, the adventurous one, concluded that we need to see what Dublin is all about. We have less than 14 hours in Dublin, limited clothing and spent our remaining euros in Italy, but when in Ireland, do as the Irish do! It may be stereotypical of me to assume that all Irish people visit the pubs specifically on a Tuesday night, but that’s exactly what we did. Dublin is more than a pint of Guinness. As a matter of fact, I was able to order a tasty vodka cocktail at every pub we visited; hence, it’s not all about the Guinness. The ambiance goes deeper than thinking everyone is getting drunk on Guinness. We visited a few pubs and just about every pub had live local two -man bands. Some Irish songs, some American songs but the genre is not the highlight. Listening and experiencing the patrons sing along to many songs, you would have thought you were in a musical. The positive energy and cheerfulness was contagious! To partake in locals singing, drinking, laughing is never an unhealthy craze.

Number #3 on the list is Cabo, Mexico. Ironically, I just returned from there less than 2 months ago. I haven’t been on too many vacations in Mexico, so my degree to compare it with similar destinations is slightly skewed by my personal experience. I went to Cabo over Christmas with a group of friends. Trust me Put in Bay, Ohio is more “frat boy” than Cabo. Cabo has more to offer than pools, cocktails & Sammy Hagar. Cabo is what you make of it. If you want to sit by the pool, then do so! Cabo has numerous water activities to choose from. I went deep sea fishing, fed sea lions, and enjoyed a sunny morning whale watching on a catamaran just to name a few. Others in the group went jet skiing, shopping and tequila tasting. The local art & food is pretty impressive and reasonably priced too! Personally, I enjoyed the historic ruins in proximity of the Riviera Maya over Cabo, but if you enjoy waking up the sunsets over the Sea of Cortez or watching fishing boats sail into the marina flying their fishing flags proudly, then Cabo may be for you.

Number #4 on the list is Nassau, Bahamas. It’s been a long, long time since I’ve been to Nassau. Maybe things have changed since then. The weather & beaches are reason enough to take a relative short trip from the US. Personally, I don’t think I’d ever visit Nassau again unless my best friend chose it as a destination wedding. Generally, I didn’t care for the haggling of the locals in Nassau. Nassau has a number of beautiful resorts that you may never experience local haggling or cruise ship influx.

The Empire State Building and Liberty Island go hand-in-hand. Do you dare go to New York without seeing both? I visited New York in 2001 less than a week prior to the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001. Although, I didn’t go up in the Empire state building, I did take full advantage of the sites New York had to offer. At first, Liberty Island was not on my list. My hubby was busy with work all day and I wasn’t sure I wanted to logistically maneuver seeing the Statue of Liberty solo, but I’m a trooper and gratefully did so. Especially, after the government closed Liberty Island for a period after 9/11, I was humbled to realize I was able to experience all it had it offer not knowing if it would ever reopen to the public. Plus, my grandparents came thru Ellis Island, so it was humbling to try and get some sort of perspective on what they went thru almost a century ago. “One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller

Hollywood, notable as the home of the U.S. film industry, including several of its’ historic studios. Everyone I know has seen a movie so why not explore where, why, and how they originate in infamous Hollywood? Why not go star gazing and try to find you favorite actor or actress or snap a selfie in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theater, the most photographed movie theatre in the world? Furthermore, if you enjoy people watching, then Hollywood is right up there with Las Vegas. Personally, I didn’t experience the streets of Hollywood in the evening to speculate whether it’s as seedy as they portray it to be.

I cannot fathom how Niagara Falls, one of the seven wonder of the world made the worst 22 travel destinations people still visit. I visited the Canadian side of the Niagara Falls in 2015 and was in total awe of this natural splendor. It’s one of those things you just don’t experience every day. Sparing no expense, we stayed on the Canadian side with a view of the falls. Who wouldn’t want to wake up each morning to a sunrise over the falls and watch the spectacular light show of the falls in the evening; simply remarkable. As the author states, “If Hollywood celebrities and their stars were waterfalls, then Niagara Falls would be Hollywood.” I can’t wrap my head around how the author came to this statement. I can only conclude that the author has never been surrounded by such a majestic natural wonder.

If you can’t appreciate Mount Rushmore than I doubt you’ll appreciate the structural beauty of the Golden Gate Bridge, one of the modern wonders of the world. Another motorcycle adventure for me and another wonder of the world down! I get it, it is just a bridge and if you can’t appreciate this marvel of modern engineering over an open ocean that began in 1933 amid the great depression, then maybe it’s not for you.​

Venice, one of the worst? I thought it was the city of love? As the article states, “You go here thinking it’s going to be high romance and gondola rides. What they don’t tell you about is the smell….” I had the trip of a lifetime visiting Italy approximately 2 years ago, and the smell of Venice was not something I noticed. First many cities, no matter what country has a high and low side. I’m from Chicago and yes, we have some gorgeous lakes, parks, architecture and yes, some areas that are less than desirable. Why would Venice be any different? I will admit I mainly used private transportation while there and stayed by St. Mark Square which is gorgeous and filled with history beyond what we have in America. I will admit, once I took public transportation around the island and it gave me a better perspective of what life in like on Venice. Most people don’t want to see how a city built on waterways runs, like how does laundry from hotels get cleaned or where does all the garbage go but hey, that’s life! Taking a ride around the island sure does put things into perspective and give you a glimpse of Venetian culture and if you can’t immerse yourself slightly in the culture, why travel?

I’m definitely a person who enjoys cultural experiences and new adventures. I’m not into huge crowds that tourists attract, but if your American, then Disney World is probably on your bucket list. For years, I battled my hubby on going there because A) I hate crowds B) I didn’t think my children would appreciate the financial strain it was going to cost to take our family of 5. Boy, did I have the wrong impression!! Ok, yes there were crowds and yes it was costly but, I was like a kid in the candy store. Adrenaline rushed through my body whether we were looking for pins for my son’s lanyard or having breakfast with Winnie the Pooh. Disney is magical and expensive, but if you have children or even a favorite niece or nephew take them! Seeing Disney though the eyes of a child are priceless. I can’t wait to take my grandchildren there someday!

Last stop, Vegas baby! I’m not an avid gambler but I’ve been to Vegas a handle full of times. Vegas is more than your stereotypical, booze, gambling and girls! At this point, I have compassion for the author who states, “Las Vegas is a theme park for alcohol.” So, sad the author really missed out on what Vegas has to offer. If I want to drink, I can go to my local bar. If I want to gamble, the nearest casino is less than 20 miles from me so why would I go to Vegas for those two things alone? I wouldn’t! I went to Vegas for the energy of the city, the great entertainment and yes for the scenery (the weather is a plus too). I’ve been to Red Rock Canyon and the Grand Canyon both while on trips to Vegas. How about zip-lining down Fremont Street or taking in a Cirque show? Neither involve alcohol. Vegas is not cheap; there have been trips that I’ve taken in a show every evening with no regret to my pocket book. Even if you’re on a budget, there is a great cantina on the strip that is perfect for people watching. I must admit, one of my greatest experiences is taking a helicopter ride to the Grand Canyon and experiencing the majestic wonder of this creation. I may have never done this if I weren’t in Viva Las Vegas!

As I stated in the beginning, everyone’s perspective best/worst travel destinations are unique to himself or herself. My goal is not to discredit the author, but to offer you a different assessment on some infamous travel destinations based on my personal journeys. Honestly, I have experienced some lifetime moments at some of the “22 Worst Travel Destinations That Everyone Still Visits” and I would hate for you to miss out on these experiences too.

If you have any questions regarding my travels to the above said destinations, please contact me at getabouttravels@gmail.com.


 

Get About Travels est. 2016

 

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