Disappointing places; is it your fault?

Me not enjoying Athens was partially my fault (not scheduling enough time there to begin with) and partially mother nature's fault for delaying me 2 day on Paros. It left me with one miserable, rainy, grumpy, rushing blur of a day.

*edited for typo

I think we're 100% responsible for setting and managing expectations. If you set them to reasonable (or even low), you are unlikely to be disappointed. I don't know who else or what else can be blamed for our own expectations (and places not living up to them). Even if a place is not like we thought it would be, it's hard not to find something redeeming about it that makes it not disappointing. It's too easy to blame something else (even our travel partners or some external force) for our expectations coming short, but is that really fair?

We had a disappointing time in Rome, because we went in August.

Maybe. I'm rarely disappointed, though, so I tend to think not. I do have a particular dislike for crowds--and that is my own fault, I guess, as an introvert and a short person (I often can't see anything but other people's shoulders in a crowd). Because of that, I take good care to do my research and avoid the crowds when I can, but sometimes, and in some places, it's unavoidable.

I've been to every Disney Park in the world, with the exception of Shanghai now, including Disney World twice and Disneyland in California three times. I've even been to the only Disney Sea in the world (Tokyo). I've always had a wonderful time, even during our first trip to Disneyworld which was during Easter break, Spring Break (not always at the same time as Easter, but it was that year), and Passover. We used some strategies to avoid the most crowded times, and didn't even realize how crowded it was until breakfast on the day we were departing, when we had breakfast later than usual. We'd go to the parks very early, go on the most popular attractions, leave by late morning, have a swim and a rest at our hotel, and head back to the parks towards dinnertime. We'd see families looking miserable and exhausted, probably having spent most of their time waiting in lines, while we'd be fresh and ready for fun.

So, I don't think it's a planning/research issue for me. I definitely know how to do that, although, I admit, I didn't realize just how very busy London would be on a bank holiday weekend, so there's that. As for Barcelona, it's one of those places that is trying to find ways to control the hordes of tourists. We weren't there during peak season (shudder), so I can't even imagine what it would be like then. We did our research and booked the Gaudi sites in advance. But some places are crowded no matter what. I don't know what we could have done differently. I did really enjoy the times were were in less popular areas, but I still didn't love Barcelona. It may have been partly expectations for me. People told me I would LOVE Barcelona. Ditto Florence. I loved neither.

We have always said, "We have never had a bad trip." We have enjoyed everywhere we have traveled. Sometimes it was not as exciting as we thought it might be?, could be ?, should be ?. But in the end we always found something that we enjoyed --- However, the difference could be that we are very, very flexible travelers. We could not tolerate nor find it pleasant -- for us -- to engage in the level and detailed planning that many of you do. And, of course, many of you will be driven nuts if you had to following our planning (mostly lacking of planning) -- especially no or limited reserved hotel rooms. But it works for us. And after 50+ years of travel we probably will not change -- opps -- we have a little. Now using rolling carry on bags.

I don't know, maybe it relates back to our first trip in 72. Decided to go to England on a Wed evening, didn't have passports, and stepped off a plane in London on a Sunday morning. The only thing we knew was we had to catch that plane back to the US in ten days. Our first exposure to European travel worked well and set the tone for most of the following trips.

I think sometimes we build up what a place is like in our minds and when it doesn’t meet our expectations it is a disappointment. My first visit to Stonehenge while a teenager was a disappointment. I had built it up in my mind as a massive structure on a Hill top dominating the landscape, whereas it was dominated by the landscape and seemed so much smaller than I imagined. At least at that time one could wander through the stones without restriction.

The same thing happened at the Giza pyramids…..these structures I had dreamed about for years seemed so much smaller at first but once I started exploring the site and getting up close they literally grew on me.

I think some places suffer by comparison to other places I've been. Edinburgh was ok but I much prefer London. On the other hand, I had no idea I would love Vienna so much.

Yes, thank you! That conversation made me think of this a lot as well. Objectively, in Paris, we had good food, met nice people, and saw mostly beautiful and interesting things (save the massive and overly familiar rat by Shakespeare and Co, lol) but none of us are eager to return, though not unwilling. (I am "eager" in the sense of being interested in how I would process it differently, but I don't know if the brain is very good at prioritizing second impressions above first ones. Confirmation bias and all that.)

The more I consider our last trip, the more I think the reason I could see myself living in Rome is because we spent the most time there. The more I read, the more I see short stays correlated with dislike and disappointment. Runners up may be bad weather and "rude" people?

I don't deny the existence of (sometimes exceptionally) rude people. (There's a special place in travel purgatory for those that travel with two rollies and stroll through the airport with one on each side, both arms extended to max wingspan while they obliviously weave around, blocking a large terminal walkway, lol). I prepared myself for all the rudeness in Paris, but never found it! I did find different priorities, lots of which make sense. I found that the French do not move aside on sidewalks. I've noticed many travelers gripe about this no matter the country, but I did not find it to be at all malicious, simply a matter of course... a traffic pattern, if you will. In Italy, if you, a young person, are oblivious to an elderly person boarding the bus, that person will put themselves in very close proximity to your seat an look right at you til you take the hint. But, in that culture, it seems your youthful, oblivious rear end in the seat is the rude one, no?

Meanwhile in Paris, it seemed it was rude for young people to stand up on metro, holding onto bars and jostling about and chattering and taking up space. They ought to sit down, for pete's sake!

My daughters were appalled at the comfort Italians had with "staring" (what I would call, simply, "looking"). In the US, it seems if you gaze at someone, you will get a scowl or even a "What are you looking at?!" They dissolved into giggles when someone would walk by and actually turn their head as they passed to continue looking at someone.

I am interested in the aspect of sheer alchemy in which people give places their time and attention, but find they simply do not connect, or even more, when some deep invisible connection is formed. I don't feel like it gets discussed as much as people think it does, because it seems it usually boils down to bad weather and rude people, lol.

ETA: I find I quite agree with Agnes, but counter with the idea I mentioned about confirmation bias. It's awfully hard to like somewhere you have already decided will disappoint. The mind seems to corroborate your decision. Low expectations with a sunny outlook might just be the ticket?

We didn't find Athens too appealing. It was a sea of white stucco 3 stories buildings as far as the eye could see. I understand the rest of the country is different. We did enjoy some of the islands and Crete, however. We'll be back there the first week of June, however.

Of all the major European cities we've been to, we enjoyed Dublin the least. And we found Ireland in May to be pretty boring--watching the sheep grow. We drove down to the southwest corner, and it was just so quiet. Even the town's pub has been turned into a sports bar with a dozen locals watching "football" on a big screen tv. I guess the world has changed with the advent of satellite television--few pubs even exist.

Forgive my chattiness. I'm stuck in a convention center lobby for the foreseeable future...

I suppose "crowds" should be included in "rude people" in my analysis and I do have to say that, after being cooped up for many years, I think we were horribly spoiled on this last trip. From the photos I've seen and accounts I've hear, we had Rome and Cinque Terre virtually to ourselves by comparison to previous times. (Venice and Florence were busier, but we were also in city center much of the time. The biggest crowd we saw in Florence was hundreds deep, clamoring outside the Swatch store for the "Omega X" release.)

The weather in Rome was chilly, but clear and beautiful and the only thing we missed because of lines was St. Peter's. We had the Hall of Maps in the Vatican to ourselves, the Raphael rooms as well. We strolled through Sacro Bosco, only spotting two other couples. One could say "If only it were always like this!" But then, many of those places would be inaccessible, unfunded and in ruins, or nonexistent without the crowds.

I think my girls will be in for a rude awakening when they travel solo later on... we went at an opportune moment.

I think I have to side with Agnes on this. And I have a problem with the idea that someone or something must be at fault if we are disappointed in a place or thing. There absolutely may be a reason for disappointment, even many reasons. But sometimes it's nobody's fault.

I was supremely disappointed the first time I tried bouillabaisse. I'd heard so much about this iconic dish, and couldn't wait to try it on our first visit to the south of France. And I really disliked it. Nothing wrong with the way it was prepared. So who was at fault? Was the restaurant? Clearly not Was it me? Was I in the wrong because I didn't like the taste? No. Were my expectations too high in this case? I would say so.

Another example: I positively hated my first exposure to Rome. It was mid May and it was HOT. It was horribly crowded. There were traffic jams all over the city. It was hard to get a seat in a restaurant. Turns out the Pope was performing 3 beatifications that week and there were motorcade by heads of state plus a huge influx of the faithful for these ceremonies. Was Rome at fault? Was the Vatican? Was my tour company? No. There were reasons for my lack of enjoyment, but no one was at fault. (And I did return to Rome and fell in love with it the second time around).

Sometimes disappointment is just a mismatch between our expectations and reality at that point in time and space.

Research is my best friend and it makes a difference. I loved the Vatican, but my wife hated it. She's 5'0" and was constantly staring into someone's armpit. Perhaps family genetics are to blame, but also a lesson learned. We will be back, but we will plan for a time where we may be able to take advantage of lesser crowds.

In Venice we planned around cruise ships to be at the Doge's Palace. Carcassonne was memorable because I was there at the crack of dawn and had the place to myself and got spectacular photos of the sunrise against the walls. We heard complaint after complaint after we completed a walk around the walls in Dubrovnik. Everyone said it was so crowded that they couldn't move, but we got there early and made the entire walk with hardly anyone else in site. I could go on, but the point is, if it wasn't as great as I'd hoped, I look into my actions first to figure out what I could have done differently.

Sometimes disappointment is just a mismatch between our expectations and reality at that point in time and space.

Very well said! I don't think I've been actually disappointed in something on a trip. I believe I have a responsibility to understand and manage my expectations of a place or activity, but also need to realize that flexibility is necessary. Sometimes the little things that go wrong can lead to something positive.

The only time I have really have been disappointed was when I visited Prague in 2017. It was April and rainy but jam packed with tourists. I had wanted to go there since I was in my 20s when it was under communist rule. I had read that the city was well preserved as it had escaping bombing during WWII. I had made it to Budapest, Dubrovnik, and Berlin among other cities while they were still communist and thus not very touristed.

But it wasn’t just the tourists. It was that the whole central area was totally given over to tourism-in a Disney kind of way. We had come from Vienna where the central area seemed much more authentic.

On the other hand, we had some really good food for less money than in Austria.

In the end, I got over my disappointment and found ways to appreciate Prague.

If a place turns out not to be meeting my expectations, not cracked up to be as I had anticipated, then I don't see that sort of thing as my fault. I don't concern myself with that. Twice , for sure, I got out to a place, once in Hamburg by taxi costing me 20 DM (pre-Euro days) to see this museum, only to be told by the guard at its former site that it had moved to Berlin.

Oh, well, that's that. Now what? We all stood and engaged in a conversation on the museum and its new location, the Mrs and I, the taxi driver, and the military guard. So, we spent another 20 DM on the return ride. Was I disappointed? Somewhat, but more concerned about wasting that 40 DM which could have been used effectively.

The 2nd time was far more of a disappointment...this time in France going out a village (the size of a pinhead on the Michelin map) with no train connection the village of Gravelotte near Metz to see the battlefield museum and explore the place. m We went there by bus from the Metz train station. Of course, the museum was closed, (yes, disappointed) , went to the Prussian-German military cemetery in the town.

Since no return bus was available for the next 4-5 hours, the Mrs and I decided to walk the next 5 miles to the next town which had a train connection.

Bottom line is if I would revisit a place found to be super disappointing or worse. I used to say no; now I'll say I might be open to that depending on how close I am to that place.

Encountering rudeness I find that on a trip as relative. It depends on what "they" (the locals, other tourist nationalities) regard as rude, if at all, and what one's own behaviour is at that moment, regardless of you what's going on. What you see as rude, "they" may not, or be totally indifferent to their actions, or just impervious. Of course, we all have seen that. Getting on and off a train with luggage in tow amidst a crowd is one obvious example you just deal with in the course of traveling.

"...as it (Prague) had escaped bombing...." Not only that but given a wartime situation, Prague had escaped the horrors of war and that of being militarily contested. It was not fought over, raked by artillery fire, etc...was spared all that.

A Russian "army" liberated the city, not the Soviet Red Army but a Russian force that had fought under the Germans, and whose commander decided to abandon the Germans, changed sides and go with the Soviets, in the course of which his "army" carried out
the liberation of Prague. Of course, the Soviets had him shot when they got to Prague.

I actually found Gimmelwald didn't meet my expectations. The hike down was very scenic and pleasant, but the tiny village didn't meet whatever my expectations were at the time. The Honesty Shop was clever, but the rest was a bit underwhelming. The same is true about Pisa. The tower is cool to see in person, but the town was a letdown compared to other villages and cities of Italy. Those are the only two which come to mind.

What I find is that I enjoy the towns more when I spend the night. Those I visit on daytrips seem less impressive. I'm pretty much in the "we've never had a bad trip" category, but I do notice the aforementioned distinction. I think if I spent at least one night in any of the town we've visited I would love them just as much as I do the others. Pisa might be the exception to this rule! I'm not sure I would ever overnight there!

The Alps were a disappointment, and not because I had high expectations. I didn't. I've spent time in the Canadian Rockies so the Alps - or at least the bits I went to (on an RS tour) didn't come close in comparison, not in beauty or majesty or wilderness. It annoyed me that as I hiked I heard cowbells 😂 I enjoyed the tour but I don't ever plan to return to the Alps. I'd go back for a third visit to the Canadian Rockies in a heartbeat.

It annoyed me that as I hiked I heard cowbells

The cows were my favorite part of Switzerland!! 😊

The chocolate was mine :-) The fondue was good too.

I was most disappointed in Athens. We were there for three days during which a strike had some attractions closed including the Acropolis. I was so irritated that it colored my perception of the whole city—that’s my fault. It was also miserably hot (not my fault) and some of our interactions with local residents were less than stellar. I have no desire to return. I’ll accept the responsibility for my attitude but I still won’t return and remain disappointed that we missed out on seeing the Acropolis.

I had a brief visit to the Grand Canyon when I was in the 4th grade. My expectations were high. I was disappointed and underwhelmed. My next visit was when I was 28 years old. My expectations were low and I was gobsmacked. This had a great impact on me.

Now when I travel I look at things differently. I still have expectations, but I interpret my reaction differently. If I don't feel the thrill I expected, I look inward and try to figure out what exactly was I expecting to find and how did my experience differ. Instead of judging the site or place, I examine my interaction with it. Instead of saying "this place is trash and isn't worth visiting", I can always find a redeeming quality about it. In my view, the places or sites don't exist to please me. Their value isn't just how I feel about them. Of course, the idea is to visit places/sites that do thrill and by examining my reactions I may get better at predicting the best places/sites to visit next.

I would say to Nick who, in my opinion, judged Bratislava and Paris very harshly: "You don't get to judge Paris, Paris judges you". I would even say the same about Bratislava. I am wondering about the need to say such negative things.

Re Gimmelwald.
Back in 85 I stayed at Lena's hostel (5 francs per night) and loved it. Days of crazy 10 hour hikes, running out of hot water in the old shower and not having another coin. The light also would go out. A crazy bunch of slightly off centre travellers to talk, sing, cook with. Wandering up to Walter's for a beer or two or three or four or....
Great times.
I returned in 88 and it didn't disappoint. If anything even greater times.
Life changed direction in 1989 and I settled into family life, no more 3 month backpacking European trips. My poor wife and children had to put up with my endless stories of my past travels. Many of those featured Gimmelwald.
In 2014 I finally returned, this time with my wife.
As a middle aged man returning 26 years later I wondered whether it would disappoint? Would my wife be underwhelmed?
We spent a night at Stechelberg then hiked up in the morning (with backpacks). We were booked into Walter's rather than the hostel.
It was an emotional return as I wandered into the village. 5 nights at Walter's and long days of wonderful hiking. Lots of slightly off centre travellers and long discussions over dinner and wine. My wife loved it as much as I did.

Why was the poster above underwhelmed?
Well Gimmelwald was to me on all 3 occassion an experience. Walking down the hill and having a bit of a look around just won't do it. It is pretty and charming to look at but you won't fall in love until you have spent intimate time with her.

I would say to Nick who, in my opinion, judged Bratislava and Paris very harshly: "You don't get to judge Paris, Paris judges you". I would even say the same about Bratislava. I am wondering about the need to say such negative things.

The beauty of this forum is that opinions are opinions. Nick stated his opinion. Some will agree and others will not.

Chani said the Alps were underwhelming for her. Won't stop me from going again and again. However, I am now intrigued about the Canadian Rockies.

Don't take opinions of cities or countries personally. I actually like negative reviews of cities and countries. It's just like reading negative reviews of hotels and restaurants. I weigh them against the positives.

Why was the poster above underwhelmed?

I was underwhelmed because I did not stay in Gimmelwald as you did. If I used it as a base and slept there my experience, I am sure, would have been different. It just didn't seem like a place where I would like to stay as a base. I would prefer Murren or Wengen.

As I said, the hike from Murren was very nice and scenic. I just had a bigger expectation. Probably at the time RS had hyped it so much. I learned very quickly years ago that the RS experience is always different simply because he is RS. Sounds like you had a great experience staying there. In places that I have stayed where my hosts were very friendly were always more memorable than places I visited for a day trip. I think if someone wanted to stay in Gimmelwald they might have a delightful experience, but if you are just visiting for a few hours it might be different.

Somebody mentioned they were disappointed with Carcassonne (maybe on the other thread).
We were off to France in 2018. I had pencilled in day 3 as travelling from Paris to Carcassonne. The plan was to stay 3 nights so we could catch the finish of stage 15 of the tdf.
Just before we left I read a couple of negative articles about Carcassonne. One by an RS man, Cameron Hewitt.

Both my wife and I loved the place. We stayed in the town not in the Cite'. We visited the Cite' 3 times. Once in the evening, once in the early morning and once at noon. 3 different experiences but all very enjoyable. There was nothing disappointing or underwhelming about it to me.
But we also had a great time down in the actual living breathing town of Carcassonne. Restaurants good and bad (all part of the experience). Drinking Bulmers in an Irish pub in the middle of a French town, go figure!
Farmers market, 2d hand goods/clothes market. Some strange tasting foodstuffs. Some lovely old churches, a couple of cool museums, and of course the Tour de France. Wow!!!!

Francis, perhaps my primary memory of Rome is walking around with my daughter on my shoulders, sweating through my clothes and sweat stinging my eyes. It was hot as blazes and crowded as all get out. #notfun

However, I am now intrigued about the Canadian Rockies.

Threadwear, me too!!!! Plus, it’s a shorter flight. 😊

@Threadwear,

I am not taking it personally. I too am expressing a point of view. That view is that just because you don't enjoy a place doesn't mean you have to try to devalue it to the point of calling it a "dump". I am not judging the fact that he didn't enjoy Bratislava or Paris. I am judging his need to name call.

The Alps were a disappointment, and not because I had high
expectations. I didn't. I've spent time in the Canadian Rockies so the
Alps - or at least the bits I went to (on an RS tour) didn't come
close in comparison, not in beauty or majesty or wilderness.

I look to my right everyday on my drive to work and I get to see the Rockies. Because of that I've always wondered how much of a priority I should put on a trip to the Alps. Afterall, if you've seen one mountain, you've seen them all?? I was a bit underwhelmed on an Alaskan cruise 10 years ago. Everyone else was oohing and aahing, but for me it was another set of mountains. But something about the Alps calls to me; the lush greenery, the vast meadows, and the cowbells. I can't wait.

Carrie, the cowbells are an integral parts of the Alps for me, also!
AGAIN, I'm really enjoying this thread !!!

the cowbells. I can't wait.

Hahahahahahaha. 😂 Yeah, you wouldn't say that if you had to listen to them ALL DAY LONG. We had pastures behind our house in Bavaria. All. Day. Long from spring til fall I could hear multiple clank, clank cranks. It got old really fast.

The Sistine Chapel! This was many years ago and my daughter and I had never been to Italy before and we went to all the usual places in a whirlwind two week trip. We walked into the Sistine Chapel and saw all the people crowded inside and didn’t see anything else. We walked out the rear door where we encountered a security guard, and we asked him” Where is the Sistine Chapel?” He looked at us in astonishment and looked back at the door, and said “Didn’t you just come out that door? “And we replied, “That was it?” For some reason we both had it in our heads that the Sistine chapel was a dome. So we turned around and went back in and still were quite underwhelmed. It was so crowded and the ceilings are so high and you really do need binoculars. But I’m sure that security guard went home with a story that day about stupid tourists.

I am so thankful that all of us don’t think the same about each place - some dislike what that others love! Otherwise, some of my smaller city favorites would be over-crowded and lose their charm.

I agree with Janet's comment that it is important to spend at least one night in a town. I know that works for me and makes all the difference. We spent one night in Toledo and that was the best decision we made. If we had visited Toledo as a daytrip, which is very common, I think I would have walked away thinking "what's the fuss all about". There is something magical about seeing so many places at night when the town/city is illuminated and the bus groups have left.

We enjoyed Cesky Krumlov so much more because we spent 2 nights there. One of my fondest memories is having drinks outdoors in the evening with my husband and our daughters and enjoying the close-up views of the illuminated castle.

You get to know a place better by staying for at least 1 or 2 nights. A relative dislikes Cordoba, but Cordoba is one of my favorite places. We spent 2 nights in Cordoba, and I know I appreciated it so much more than if we rushed in and out to only see the Mezquita.

Not giving yourself enough time is a big one...
... thinking of the cities I didn't like nearly as much as I expected and didn't really enjoy and why...
- Amsterdam - I liked the fringes but the old city center was (not surprisingly) packed with tourists of the worst kind (day drunk, belligerent, bachelor and bachelorette parties), the Red Light District was the most depressing thing I've ever seen in my life (the way the men acted, which was revolting, the way the women were displayed as though they were cheap goods in store windows but human and therefore exhausted), and I was harassed a lot (traveling alone, young 20-something) by men who really wouldn't leave me alone before I knew how to dispatch with harassers... and the food was not to my taste at all. But now that I know Charlotte Salomon's work is there, I have to go back someday... I think I had too-high hopes for Amsterdam and underrated how much I hate party atmospheres.
- Madrid - Could have used more time (three full days, two half-days) but also just couldn't find a way 'in.' It was impressive without charming, too much traffic, just unlovable. The Prado staff made one of the best art museums in the world miserable... but I think my expectations were too high (all that art!) and I underrated the big-city factor. (On the other hand, loved Milan... so it's not a big-city thing... it's a Madrid thing.)
- Zurich, Geneva - Beautiful but ungodly expensive and soulless, full of luxury tourists and catering to them (so very materialistic, in addition to unaffordable). Zurich's art museums were wonderful and certain parks and overlooks but I find those cities to be rather unlovable -- too clean and perfect, too few signs of life (street art, people living in cities contrary to the way they were designed, that lived-in feel...) I know Zurich's got a weird side -- Dada is from there -- but I couldn't really access it.
- Istanbul - Amazing sights and the most unpleasant place I've ever walked around because of traffic (and being exposed to traffic by disappearing sidewalks) and street harassment that was unrelenting for five days (again, young woman traveling alone) and I had a real difficulty accepting what I'd known would be the case about the status of women there, particularly out from the city center and among the many Gulf State tourists. So a theme for me would be that seeing women treated like second-class citizens (Turkey, Swiss cities full of Gulf State tourists) or exploited in prostitution (Amsterdam) really ruins a city for me.

The Sistine Chapel! It was so crowded and the ceilings are so high
and you really do need binoculars.

I was underwhelmed as well and for the same reasons. Not that it was anything at the time that I would have done differently to improve the experience. But a few weeks ago, we had a chance to visit a Sistine Chapel exhibition in our city. Life size photos had been taken and were being shown at floor view. I do wish something like this had been available immediately before my visit to the real thing. I think it would have made a big difference.

There were a couple of places that disappointed me in my travels and I do believe that it was partially my fault.

The first I know was my fault and that was the first trip my husband and I took to London. We stayed in a hotel near Victoria on the recommendation of my husband's work colleague. The hotel was terrible, rundown and smelled of nicotine. For years my husband refused to go back to London. After traveling to London many times for work, years later, finally convinced my husband to go back, staying in South Kensington and we go back frequently now. Where you stay makes all the difference.

The second place was the Vatican Museum. We took a private guided tour that combined the Colosseum and the Vatican on one day, starting at the Colosseum. Despite the fact we had a good guide, going to the Vatican museum in the early afternoon in mid-June is a miserable experience. If I had to do it over again, I would take an early morning tour to avoid the crowds.

The comment about Stonehenge resonates with me...LOL..I don't know what I was expecting but when I got there I was hit with the reality and it was so wonderful. I am a thorough researcher BUT not to the point of too much familiarity. I like to see things for the first time with my own eyes and it not be tainted by the reviewers experience. I also don't like to look at too many picture online,, I want to turn the corner and have my breath taken away (this has happened so many times in our travels), or just enjoy the experience of seeing it for the 1st time, let my curiosity take over and wonder around not knowing what I will discover. The only pictures and reviews I examine closely are lodgings.

I keep returning to this post, but I can’t come up with “disappointed’. I only equate disappointed with human behavior. That being said, I will consider the spirit of this to be…didn’t particularly like. Please don’t let this offend you as I know many people love these places. You be you, it is fine. LOL

Keep in mind both of these places were seen in the 1970’s…

Vatican and Saint Peter’s. There were no other people in the Vatican other than our small group. My major was art history. In the museum and along every hallway, EVERY male statue, and there were many, had it’s genitals covered up or mutilated. Art should never be mutilated or changed, and it made me wonder about a group of people who would do that. From there we proceeded into St. Peter’s where I was excited to see Bernini’s baroque alter. But there seemed to me to be dead bodies in glass boxes everywhere I looked. And the alter, was surrounded by…well, let’s just say by then I was an appalled and disgusted 21 year old. I left and waited for my friends on the front steps, absolutely disgusted. Except for one Jewish friend, the rest were Catholic and they stayed inside quite a while. Was that my fault for not educating myself…not sure how I would have prepared for it. In 2000, as my step-daughter was Catholic I did go with her for a quick, unstructured visit to St. Peter’s. I did not walk around a lot. There was only one dead body. I still don’t like dead bodies. Still no positive reaction, but not appalled as I am no longer 21 years old and just about all the dead bodies had been removed. LOL We can always learn.

Venice in January in the 1970’s: Coldest place I have.ever.been. Wet…walking out in a continual cloud. Filth floating in the canals. I still think of it as being the coldest place I have ever been and I am a New Englander. Still not disappointed…but kind of disgusted. I appreciated what was there, etc. and the fact that people still lived with little heat inside buildings among such filth. I knew the fact it was sinking and the worries were around that, rather than upkeep, etc. nonetheless, I thought at the time I would never go back…but, older now, never say never. I understand January probably wasn’t the best month to go, but I went when I could…and I still prefer traveling in the winter. We did have Venice to ourselves…so surprised, shocked, but not disappointed, as I was traveling!

I can't think of any place I was outright disappointed in. I feel like I've traveled enough to be an experienced traveler, yet not so much that I'm not starry eyed at each new place I go. I found Madrid "meh" but I wasn't disappointed per se. Every place else I've traveled to met or exceeded my expectations.
Many of the comments in this thread mention the weather tainting their experiences. I hate hot weather, always have, and summers are very hot where I live. So I would never go to a hot destination in the summer. Our summer vacation destinations have included Norway, Iceland and Vancouver.

The more I read, the more I see short stays correlated with dislike
and disappointment.

I get the disappointment, but not the dislike. We were on a cruise with a stop in Naples. I badly wanted to see Pompeii, my wife wanted to see the Amalfi Coast. We compromised and found a tour that did both. It was so rushed, we didn't really see any of either. It was disappointing, but also such a spectacular taste of what could be, that we're dreaming of a multi-week visit to the region.

The number of tourists/people or lack thereof is always a factor. It's not much fun trying to enjoy a painting, or anything, really, as you're being jostled around or otherwise tryin not to bump into anyone. This is why June-August often blows for travelling.

Having said that I prefer the blame go to someone or something else.

I can generally find something to enjoy in most places. My disappointments come when I can't spend as much time as I would like in a city.

"We have never had a bad trip." We have enjoyed everywhere we have traveled. Sometimes it was not as exciting as we thought it might be?, could be ?, should be ?. But in the end we always found something that we enjoyed --- However, the difference could be that we are very, very flexible travelers.

I will echo this, although we are on the opposite end of the spectrum (I'm the planner and my wife's job is keeping me in line). We each identify 1 or 2 places we really want to see on the trip, and also 1 or 2 places in each city ... we (actually me about 99%) plan our trip and incorporate these places in the plan ... other activities are then added and, if for whatever reason we don't get to them, it's not a big deal ... we just save it for next time.

Have I ever been disappointed in a place I've been? I am sure I have at that time but nothing specific comes to mind ... I usually know what I am getting into (crowds, weather, etc...) and am prepared. The Sistine Chapel was mentioned several times. I knew it was going to be crowded, on the ceiling and not really close, so I was prepared. My only disappointment was I couldn't take pictures, but I knew that going in and I didn't let it affect my experience ... I imaged 500 years ago, I was standing in the same room as Michel-freaking-angelo as he lay on top of a bunch of rickety scaffolding and painted this masterpiece ... despite the crowds, having to look up from a distance and no picture taking, how can one be disappointed in that! But I did get annoyed at those who ignored the signs to please remain silent ... and the constant shhhhhhhh reminders.

We realize we are very fortunate and blessed to have the means to travel like we do ... from that realization, I've learned to make the best of the situation even though it may not live up to my expectation ... on our trip to France, I found we would be in the Strasbourg / Colmar area at the same time as the Fiddler's Festival in Ribeauville ... after researching, I was so pumped up about this parade and especially about the fountain in the center of town that flowed wine during the festival! ... after walking through town on the semi-deserted main drag parade route, we found the fountain ... but alas the wine was not flowing ... bummer #1 ... we looked around some, then figured it's time to claim our spot on the parade route ... bummer #2, the route had filled up and any decent vantage point was now gone, so we squeezed in this alley behind a group of people and, while we didn't have nearly the view we would have if we stopped earlier, it was okay. Was I disappointed there was no free flowing wine or I lost out on some prime viewing spot because I waited too long? ... at the moment, probably ... but I moved on. The parade was awesome and I'm glad we experienced it.

If you let the situation bother you, you will be disappointed. I look at things as a new adventure, something I have never seen or experienced, so how can I be disappointed. If I didn't go and see or do, that would be my disappointment.

on the ceiling

This made me laugh. I wonder if someone does go there not knowing this!

I don’t believe generally there is fault to be placed.

Some people LOVE Disneyland, some don’t. Some think spending all day in a museum is great others would prefer to be on a mountain hike. For some a beautiful beach and nothing to do is ideal while others want nightlife and action.

And a lot of this when traveling can have factors including where you are in your life, environmental factors such as weather or rude people or problems.

Do I think you can reduce disappointment and visiting places that you dislike to a degree by researching? By being honest about YOUR likes/dislikes vs popular opinion or others expectations? YUP.

Is disappointment going to happen anyway? Will you find places that blow you away and others that let you down? It’s natural and part of travel I think.

If we loved everything then nothing would stand out as special! I do think finding the good and holding tight to the parts that delighted you are key overall though. That’s because I find a positive outlook tends to bring more good and allow the bad to flow away more easily.

I was standing in the same room as Michel-freaking-angelo as he lay on
top of a bunch of rickety scaffolding and painted this masterpiece

I was one of those that mentioned I wasn't in awe of the Sistine Chapel. However, during our Vatican tour we were in a room close to the chapel and our guide told us that we were in a room where Michelangelo frequently had his lunch, and the Pope would occasionally join him just to talk. Holy Crap, I was in a room where Michelangelo and the Pope used to sit around and talk! It's those kind of little details that amused me more that the Sistine Chapel. I've read that in one of the museums in Florence is a copy of the contract with Michelangelo's signature when he signed on to carve a big lump of Marble that he called David. I haven't seen the contract or the statue yet, but I'm betting I'll be more amused by the contract.