I just read this on a post, and it got me thinking.
"Don't even think about (Cesky) Krumlov. Way too overcrowded, touristy and full of daytrippers."
As we roll in to Spring with the weather warming up, I thought those in the throes of trip planning might like to read about day trips people have taken that maybe didn't live up to expectations.
Places to avoid, strategies, tips, advice ?
I saw that thread and it 25 years of visiting the Czech republic have never felt the need to visit cesky Krumlov.
I suppose my style of travelling is a bit different from the many so I can't say I have been really disappointed in many places I visit though I was not that impressed by a day trip to Venice I took many years ago( Way too overcrowded, touristy and full of daytrippers) but that was one of the few trips I have taken with a big bus tour.
I once did a day trip by car from Liverpool to Ryll in Wales and that was just terrible basically the place was shut but that's my fault for not doing any research.
My wife and I visited Cesky Krumlov for a couple of nights (one full day) on our 2011 Hungary-Czech Republic trip. This was in mid-September and we did not find it overrun at all. Worst day trip was visiting Versailles on Sunday in early June 2010, against Rick's advice. Big mistake as it was entirely overrun and way too crowded for an enjoyable visit.
Tarragona, Spain (from Barcelona) - I expected "good" Roman ruins, not spectacular but interesting. There wasn't much and what there was, was not worth the trip. I did enjoy seeing the other sights in the town and the train ride along the sea shore was cool.
Not really a day trip, but attending the 8pm Last Post ceremony at Menin Gate a few days ago was a disappointment. It didn't feel very ceremonial. I respect the tradition and the effort and the intent behind it but it felt lacking.
Tigre, just north of Buenos Aires, is nicknamed the Venice of Argentina because it is a bunch of islands with large vacation homes and outdoor cafes but even more because it is a tourist trap -- my radar is sensitive to big group tours and I chose an outfit that claimed loudly it was van-size groups only, but turns out the vans all dump their dozen-or-so guests on to a dock where they pile into tour boats that hold more than two busloads each, for a narrated ride around the canals (swamps) with options to get off at well-greased eating and souvenir spots.
On the way back to central Buenos Aires many vans (and the scenic train) stop at an older barrio church with park space and narrow streets surrounding it, and that was more interesting than the Tigre tour itself. Madonna can keep Tigre to herself.
