The Un-bucket list

Hahahaha!

• the Grand Canyon (sacrilege!)
• China (too far)
• Mexico (too close)
• India

I'm never going to hike up a volcano or mountain in the dark to watch the sunrise.

Branson, Missouri
Mount Rushmore

There might be others but those two popped to mind immediately.

These are places that I will probably never visit as they're way down on my priority list.....

• China (doesn't interest me in the least)
• Russia (can't be bothered with all that Visa rubbish)
• Mexico (too dangerous right now and besides, "been there, done that")
• a Cruise on a large ship (done that once and have no desire to repeat the experience; however I would like to try at least one river cruise)
• Middle East (doesn't interest me in the least)

I agree with you about the Blarney Stone. If I am able to get back to Ireland, that definitely won't be on the list.

At this point, I'd be happy to get back to somewhere in Europe, but not sure when that will be possible.

Plymouth Rock
Ripely’s Believe it or Not
The It’s a Small World Afterall ride
Chernobyl

Tom - I went to Blarney (not my choice, I was on a 2-week tour): nothing to see here, folks. Pisa: well worth my 1/2 day there, seeing the leaning tower is more impactful than any photo, but the best part is the rest of the campus - lovely church, pretty grounds and a wonderful baptistry. I have friends who went and I'm jealous, but I get seasick too easily and too severely to do it.

My list:
Central and South America
Most of Africa
Most of the Middle East (they won't let me in . . . or possibly they wouldn't let me out again)
India - after talking to many people, most of whom loved it

I can't think of anywhere in Europe that I would rule out, though there are several I wouldn't go back to (but there's a thread about that)

Las Vegas
Mexico
A Cruise

But then if someone offers me an all expense paid trip, I could be persuaded to take one of them off my un-bucket list.
And Mt Everest is definitely staying on my un-bucket list.

I do not rule out any countries unless they are war zones. But that is changeable, because I have visited 3 countries that were war zones in my lifetime: Vietnam, Croatia and Slovenia. They were great trips, even though some reminders of the wars were visible in both Vietnam and Croatia.

So there are no countries on my un-bucket list, just holiday types. They are

Beach Resorts
Cruises

Any sight whose sole purpose is to provide a bird's-eye view. I find street-level far more interesting.

Interesting that two people put China on their "never never" list. I'm heading back there for the third time in the fall and can't wait.

If you appreciate unusual natural scenery, China has recently been developing a network of natural parks to showcase its scenic beauties, including several unique geological parks. On my last trip, the highlight was the Stone Forest in Kunming, which features unusual stone formations and a few small hilltop pagodas from hundreds of years ago. I was very impressed with how well the creators of the park created the trails, so as to get close to the weird standing stones without ruining the natural effect. The whole afternoon we were there, we saw no other non-Chinese visitors in the park.

And if you appreciate historical creations, well, the other highlight of my last trip was while driving up toward Inner Mongolia, seeing the Great Wall winding along the crest of the mountain range and realizing just how badly the Chinese must have wanted to keep out the barbarians, because it obviously took hundreds of thousands of people incredible effort to create that wall, which still stands today more than 2000 years later. It's one of the most impressive human-made sights I've seen, ever.

I have been to almost all of the places that several posters mentioned here.

I agree about Antarctica. Too expensive to get there and the weather frequently blocks and view of the land.

I strongly disagree with listing the Blarney Stone, Capri and Pisa. Yes, they were crowded, but I am glad that I visited those place. Capri is beautiful and I loved the Blue Grotto. I have been to Pisa twice and enjoyed going to the top of the leaning tower.

China is a wonderful place to visit. There is much to see: Forbidden City, Great Wall, Terra-cotta Warriors, Shanghai, LI River Valley, Yangzee River and 3 gorges, with much more. Yes, the cities are polluted with nasty air, but it is a must see if you travel a lot.
I also love Japan, were the country is clean, tidy and the people are wonderful.

India is interesting, but really third world and you have to be ready for that. Still, it is worth a visit.

Russia was a wonderful trip as well, but I wouldn't want to live there.

Also,
Israel and Egypt are amazing, especially if you love history.

South American is wonderful and inexpensive. Loved Peru (Cusco and Machu Picchu), Chile and Argentina.

We are going on a safari in Kenya and Tanzania next year, so we shall see.

Machu Picchu has been on my bucket list for a long time, but the more I read about the overcrowding, discussions on restrictions, and the impact on the area; I get the sense that my participation in an unsustainable approach to tourism would be more about ME and checking something off a list; not enjoying a low key trip to somewhere interesting.

I think the Antarctica falls into that category, Everest certainly, but that never was on the list, maybe a few other places getting there before I get there.

Then there are places where the political system, laws, or lack thereof present issues. Israel/Palestine, most of the Middle East, Russia, Asia Interior (the Stans), Parts of Africa and Central/South America...the list seems to change, but then the more it seems to stay the same. Egypt seems to slide on and off the list.

On a smaller more specific level, some of the reasoning above, mostly overcrowding, contributes to a listing of places mainly considered "never again" (Eiffel Tower, Anne Frank House, Amalfi Coast, Venice I suppose) Those are probably cheats in that I was there already, so hardly bucket list items.

I have been to most of the places listed and am quite surprised to see them on these lists. China was my number one since childhood and I have been there three times, to different regions. So
Interesting and with so much history.. my favorite travel destination is Asia, all of it. Japan was incredible,. Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. amazing places to visit.
South America too.
Russia was fascinating.
It comes down to just Europe for many. I do not care to return to Central or Eastern Europe but I have traveled there. I do not enjoy the food or cultures there. Germany is at the bottom of my list in Europe but have been there three times. Food is not my favorite there either.
Blarney Stone was a meh but not awful. Capri was beautiful, very good restaurants once you go to the right areas away from day trippers and their crowds.
My favorites in Europe are Italy, Greece and Spain. City is London.
We enjoyed the Cathedral at Pisa more than it’s tower but I wouldn’t make a special trip there.
We travel independently to Europe staying a month in one or two places. Soaking it in. Learning all about it. Africa- would love to visit again but health issues are a problem.
Antarctica is out for me only due to possibility of rough seas.otherwise, I would love to visit.
No more volcanoes. Ugly places.Pretty from afar
especially if snowcapped.

I have seen a number of these places before politics got iffy, or tourism was too crazy. I didn't climb the Leaning Tower in Pisa, but I wouldn't trade the view from the Baptistry, or the climb up the Baptistry and hearing the a capella song from the guide to show the accoustics. It brought me to tears for its beauty and otherworldliness. It is a life long memory. Pisa has numerous leaning towers, great gelato and a number of things besides THE leaning tower to commend it.
I won't cut off entire countries. I think most have something of interest, but then I want natural beauty, history and different culture as well as cities.
I struggle with committing to India and China....strictly because of the human density. I know there are places with fewer people in these countries, or at least areas with a bit of breathing space, but I haven't decided now or where to find them. These are two places I would either take a tour or a private driver...or a combo. I am a bird watcher, so a tour to see Rajasthan history and architecture, couples with a care and driver/bird guide gets me into the big parks on the foothills of the Himalayas for all its awesomeness.
Definite nos:
Cinque Terre
Everest or any mountain trek
Antarctica
Bikini Atol
Any war camp or war related sites. I am waaay too sensitive.....:-(

China (their government's abuse of human rights is nauseating-and yes I know they're not the only ones but they're the biggest and most powerful)
Pisa-edited-Chani you've convinced me not to avoid this
Cruise on large ship
Stonehenge-I went to Avebury instead

New Orleans (I can't get the images out of my head of people trying to get to higher ground to avoid drowning being shot by police and the government's lack of a plan to transport people who didn't have transportation out of town ahead of Katrina) On the other hand, I still need to go to Mississippi-it's right next door and I've never been there or to Louisiana. And yes, I understand why some people would not want to go to my home states of AL, GA, and SC.

Probably Australia and New Zealand-I don't want to be at the mercy of the airlines for that length of time
Probably Cinque Terra-too crowded and most of the hiking trails involve heights
India and Egypt-not safe for women
Cognitive dissonance here-despite the State Dept warnings, I would not hesitate to go to Guatemala
Vietnam-I grew up in the 60's and 70's

There are some southern states in the USA that I vow to never set foot into.

Hot Asian countries - no interest in Philippines or Vietnam or Thailand or Indonesia. Ditto India, the Middle East and Africa (other than an African Safari someday).

South and Central America hold no interest for me - I'm following the blog of a fellow who couchsurfed with us and he's biking from Canada to the tip of South America (currently around Peru) and nothing he is showing stirs me to want to visit it. (But he is loving it).

I have no interest in all inclusive resorts that many Canadians escape to in the winter. I don't want to sit in the sun and drink booze and eat food all day.

I would be interested in a river cruise in Europe, but not a trans-Atlantic or other type of cruise.

In Europe, I really don't care if I ever get to Spain or Poland or Portugal (but I might just one day). Scandinavian countries - meh. Italy below Amalfi Coast - meh.

kclyons - we did the It's a Small World ride - that thing is CREEEEEEPY! The whole time I thought the animatronics were going to come to life a la Chucky and take us out.

Fun topic Tom, isn't it fascinating to see the variety of opinions? Some of them have convinced me to think again about my un-bucket list. For now mine includes:

• Disneyland/world (give me a real castle any day)
• The moon (afraid of the flight)
• North Korea (visa situation is too sketchy)

Any multi-day coach tour.
Dubai.
Israel, at least under the current regime.

Philippines,
Most of South America,
Caribbean cruise,
Vietnam,
Myanmar,
Indonesia,
Egypt

Nothing wrong with any of those places - I am just going to run out of time to see all the places at the top of my list and those are at the bottom, for varying reasons. I haven’t been anywhere yet that I regret.

Blarney was lovely- kissing the stone silly. Pisa also lovely. China interesting but I would need a tour. I am not “beachy” - give me a derelict ancient stone ruin any day. :) I have lived in Japan (not military), visited Hong Kong and S Korea during that time, and been to Thailand (headed back to visit my youngest in the fall) - that fills any Southeast Asia longings. Ha!

Antarctica - far too cold

Santorini - there are plenty of Greek islands that haven’t been Disneyfied or overrun with cruise ship crowds

CT - too busy

Cruises

Coach (bus) holidays - I may reconsider when I am 80, but that’s a long way off yet.

Monaco - full of people trying to show how wealthy they are.

Gibraltar - a pointless rock overrun with tourist tat and Barbary macaques.

I'm delighted to see Mexico on a few of the lists. It's so dangerous here, and there's really nothing interesting or beautiful to see. I must be a fool to have fallen in love with it on previous visits. I decided to retire here two weeks ago. But I hope more people put it on their un-bucket list.

I hope to see as much of the world as I can. So nothing is on my un-bucket list. Just some things are higher up than others.

Except 4 corners.

Agree 100% with Lane, yes yes please don't visit South America too, add to your guy's unbucket lists, very boring place and most extremely dangerous ;) lol

Ken wrote:

a Cruise on a large ship (done that once and have no desire to repeat the experience; however I would like to try at least one river cruise)

Ken,
Before you commit to a river cruise I suggest you keep a few things in mind. First, consider what it was about the large ship cruise that keeps you from wanting to repeat the experience. It could be that river cruising has some of those things in common.

We went on a Viking River Cruise on the Rhine a few years ago. We were invited by a close friend and his wife to join them. We had gone on a school trip 50 years earlier and his mom was our chaperone. Six months earlier we had done our own anniversary trip to Italy, another leg of the original trip. My suggestions are based on that trip.

• To quote a VRC ad: "On a Viking River Cruise, historic panoramas unfold." What they don't tell you is that for most of the trip, those "historic panoramas" unfold in the middle of the night. There were only two times we sailed during the day - for the heart of the Rhine near the Lorelei and for a morning in the Netherlands. The rest of the time the ship traveled from one destination to the next while we slept.

• River levels are a crap shoot. While locks on the Rhine help regulate the flow, which is needed since it is a working river, there's a small possibility that the river may be too low or too high for safe navigation. If that is the case, then at least some of the cruise will turn into an expensive bus trip. Your contract with them states that there's no refunds or adjustments if that is the case; you are accepting the chance.

• Love your neighbor. They also fail to mention that rivers are very busy with cruise traffic and there's not enough mooring at their stops to accommodate all ships. This means they will tie up with a sister ship. That extra money you paid for your little balcony will allow you to sit mere inches from a passenger on the sister ship and the "panorama" view you get is of their stateroom. If they get frisky you might get a floor show.

• Boors There are roughly 200 passengers on a VRC. The law of averages state that there will be at least a few obnoxious ship mates. We had a couple of outstanding ones. One was a drunk who mistook the cruise for a frat party and was drunk, loud and obnoxious. The other was an angry jerk who couldn't be pleased. He abused the staff and physically threatened a fellow passenger who asked him to be quiet during an evening concert aboard the ship.

• It's very expensive. As mentioned, we had taken an earlier trip to Italy that was the same length. The VRC was three times more expensive. That doesn't include the hefty tip suggested for the crew. Their suggestion was around 300 Euros per couple.

• Everything revolves around meals. Nothing starts until after breakfast and tours are timed to get you back on board for lunch. Afternoon activities end early so you can be on board for dinner. Sometimes you could opt for your own schedule, but often we would cast off as soon as everyone was seated for dinner.

• Forget those intimate side trips with just a few other passengers. VRC loves to highlight the VRC owner's daughter with two couples having a wonderful time at a winery or out shopping. The reality is you'll be on one of four buses that disgorge all 200 of you at your destination.

If you like to travel independently, take your time seeing the sights and have a chance to interact with folks of the region, think long and hard before taking a river cruise.

India
Israel
Thailand
Vietnam
The Louvre
Jamaica
Maldives

Las Vegas
Large ship cruise (except I'd love to cross the Atlantic on a large ship)
Dubai
Chuck E Cheese

Never say never but India and China don't interest me at the moment.

Within Europe, Turkey and Iceland don't interest me at the moment. Nor does Madame Tussaud's, the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, kissing the Blarney stone, the Paris catacombs (or any catacombs).

Somalia
Libya
Dubai (been once, will never return and that applies to the rest of the Middle East)
Danakil Depression
Oymyakon
Mumbai (transiting through the airport was bad enough)
Hull
LA
Falkland Islands
Anything involving hot air balloons, cable cars, zip wires, rope bridges or roads with vertical mountain drops and no safety barrier.

India
River or sea cruises (Edit: maybe I will later in life if/when mobility become an issue. I have to keep traveling somehow)
Mount Rushmore
Las Vegas
Disney Land / World
Australia
China

Emma...I have a couchsurfing friend who went to China to teach English and she just recently finished her first ‘term’ for want of a better word (I think she went over last summer). She’s coming home to the USA for the summer but is going back to do another term (and she is a lady in late middle age). She seems to be having a blast...well, she must be since she’s going back.

I do have an edit to my above ‘don’t really want to see Asia’ comment...I think I would actually like to see Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong, just to see the amazing new architecture...I like the old stuff, but there are some beautiful new buildings I’d love to see.

Most USA national parks. Just not a nature or outdoors person.
Alaska, too far and too expensive.
India, I’ve seen plenty of YouTube vlogs and it just doesn’t appeal to me
Most of Eastern Europe. I’ve tried to interest myself but it never takes
The Caribbean. A few days in The Bahamas felt like a lifetime prison sentence.
Russia, at least under Putin.
Most of the Middle East. Too homophobic and too many human rights abuses for me to overlook. I won’t even watch the World Cup if it takes place in Qatar.

Scratch the surface of many places to reveal an unpleasant underbelly. But each of us have our own 'line drawn in the sand' no go point. That's the beauty of choice - and also the beauty of stretching one's self to try and understand an alternative view and life style.

N. Korea, Russia, China and most of the Middle East (excepting Iran, Egypt, Israel, and a couple of the Stans). Too homophobic, too anti-Semitic, and too many human rights abuses for me to overlook. However, I will watch the World Cup if it takes place in Qatar.

North Korea
India
Mexico
Iraq
Maybe Australia ( some parts )

N. Korea, Russia, China and most of the Middle East (excepting Iran, Egypt, Israel, and a couple of the Stans). Too homophobic, too anti-Semitic, and too many human rights abuses for me to overlook. However, I will watch the World Cup if it takes place in Qatar.

Egypt's in Africa not the Middle East

I'm quite intrigued by some of the 'Stans. I'll be quite happy to visit Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. Not so keen on Afghanistan or Pakistan though.

Recently I've been genuinely considering a summer holiday in a Caspian Sea resort in Azerbaijan but I can't quite convince my wife. Israel holds no interest for me, I don't think I could tolerate the hypocrisy. I'd like to visit Iran but equally I'm keen on being able to return to the US at some point. A visit to Iran certainly risks being barred entry to the US.

I'm not with you on the World Cup in Qatar. The stench of corruption and hypocrisy leaves me no choice but to boycott every aspect of it.

Rather than reply with a list of specific locations, I'm responding with a more philosophical Un-bucket list.

My wife and I have always enjoyed more active than passive pursuits. Our sons and grandchildren are the same. We'd rather bowl or play tennis than spend an afternoon watching TV. Instead of going to Disney World, we'd rather be swimming in the Gulf or sailing Hobie catamarans.

We approach travel in the same way. We like planning our trips and making all our arrangements. We'd much rather stay in small B&Bs than fancier hotels. When practical, we prefer exploring the back roads in a rental car but don't mind using public transportation when it makes more sense.

We are no longer interested in drive by tourism where you see 5 cities in 3 days and staying in a different location every night. When we were in the Loire Valley, we didn't try to see every chateau in the region. It has been harder for me, but we are no longer cramming every minute with activity. We are adopting a more leisurely pace, leaving lots of time open for spur of the moment adventures or just sitting in a piazza and enjoying the moment.

We also avoid traveling during the high season. We now have the luxury of visiting during the shoulder or low seasons. We aren't as interested in visiting the major areas as we once were. We are now searching out nooks and crannies to visit.

There are wonderful adventures to be had. All it takes is imagination and flexibility.

According to Wikipedia (and its never wrong); the Middle East refers to: Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qutar Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, UAE, Yemen.

But I made two mistakes. One note of mistake I did make is that the "Stans" are not considered in the Middle East; at the least I really want to go to Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan (okay not really a "stan") The other mistake was omitting Cyprus, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria from the places I would like to visit when time and circumstances permit.

Of course I find the name "Middle East" to be derogatory as it is Eurcentric in orignis, but thats another thread.

If I used hypocrisy as a standard, I could never go to California; so I'll draw the line short of that. Especially in the winter.

Lots of replies.

Indonesia is fabulous.

Guatemala is quite good.

Surely it’s not possible that an Orlando resident has Disney World on the un-bucket list?? Why else live in MouseTown?

Actually want to go to Hull to see emigrant statue (many ancestors).

Las Vegas
Disney
Central America
Egypt (safety concerns-would otherwise love to visit!)

Cruises to anywhere. You've got to have shoes on the ground, one night in port doesn't count.

So many places I want to go TO. So little time and limited money. So I won’t waste either going to
Anywhere cold—Antarctica, Alaska, Siberia, Himalayas
Politically unstable/objectionable—Iran, Iraq, much of the Middle East, North Korea, parts of Africa
India—too crowded and not interested.
On a cruise—why would I want to travel on a floating city with 5009 other people.

kristen, I have a few places on my bucket list that just dont work right now; Damascus for example. But Egypt is sort of barely on the do side. Some places like Uzbekistan and Albania are remarkably safe (with some common sense) but people just dont realize it. Which is good if you want to avoid tourists.

*According to Wikipedia (and its never wrong); the Middle East refers to: *

Well, no harm, the Middle East is about like Central America, not a reference to a continent but a region that is Transcontinental, if you except Egypt, you could refer to the region as Southwest Asia, but the US Govt. and Military are the only people I know that use that term.

Lauren (1st response in this thread): Grand Canyon, you have to try the north side of the canyon, there's a lodge there. Way different from where everyone else goes.

I am surprised at how many mentioned Antarctica. It was the MOST fabulous of all our trips...seriously.

Cold.....it was warmer there in January than my hometown.

Too crowded???? Huh?....if you count penguins as a crowd :)

Not being able to have a view of the land? Because of all the snow/ice? Huh? In the Gerlache Strait, you will feel as though you can reach out an touch the ice. If you go thru the peninsula, you will be just a short Zodiac ride from land, and the only traffic you will run into will be penguins, seals, birds, etc. We saw one other ship on our entire journey in Antarctica...did pass others in Drake's Passage. Drake's Passage can be very rough with high waves (we were lucky), but we experienced much higher waves at the tip of New Zealand (and we never expected that).

National Geographic is the way to go...operated by Lindblad.....you will have landings (on the land with hikes), sea kayaking, and zodiac riding. We were so close to two humpback whale (in our Zodiac), we seriously could have touched them. And, the trip was highly educational, too....not only about Antarctica, but the fragility of the entire world. Mid-January is perfect.

Places I do not want to go: 1) war zones, 2) places with serious air pollution (and it was not pleasant where we have experience it).

I'm never going to hike up a volcano or mountain in the dark to watch the sunrise.

Ha! I get it. Done this at least twice, and it can be worth it if it clouds over right after sunrise, otherwise no.

Hmmm...
At this moment I would say
1) Russia
2) Australia
3) Taiwan
That said, for years I said I couldn't care a wit about China. Then I had to opportunity to visit, for free, through a grant given to my place of employment. 11 days, all expenses paid. I was astounded at how beautiful it is...the history, the people, the food, the architecture, the art...and really want to go back to see more.
I think there are kinds of trips I won't take...cruises and tropical beach vacations. I have a problem with cruises from an environmental standpoint and I get SO BORED at the beach after more than a few hours.
I would definitely agree with the Blarney Stone - so ridiculous. I've been to Pisa and, although the tower is cute, the cathedral and museum next door are worth visiting.

Kentucky
Alabama
Mississippi
Las Vegas
Wyoming
Stone Henge

1. Neuschwanstein.
2. Disneyworld Paris
3. Cinque Terre
4. Most of the Middle East
5. Texas

I have been invited to join trips that I never would have picked out on my own. I was single and didn't want to travel solo. So I went to places that was never on my bucket list (ex. Mexico, Costa Rica). What I found out is that I loved it all. I could always find something amazing and enjoyable. Travel has opened my eyes and I probably would never turned down an invite to somewhere... I must admit I want to be safe and secure and therefore some places in the world I may never visit.

Ok, I’ll play. If I didn’t have to pay, I would go almost anywhere. Time and money are factors.....so.....
1). anywhere in the middle east, with the exception of Petra, Jordan and maybe Israel
2) India
3). Indonesia. Actually, I have been there twice already, but IMHO, the only reason to go there is for the diving.
4) Midwest of USA..... with apologies to the folks that live there...no Oklahoma, Alabama, Indiana etc. Husband is from N. Dakota, that’s enough.
5) Antartica. I see enough ice and snow.
6) Most of S. America with the exception of a return to the Galapagos Islands and Amazon.

I am generally not interested in places where you have to drink/brush your teeth with bottled water, eat only fruit that you peeled yourself, food that is cooked and served hot, etc. I would make an exception for someplace really great, like Istanbul (if otherwise safe, which I am not sure it is right now). Also perhaps some places in South America, which I have not yet researched might be an exception. And Africa. Well I guess I have quite a few exceptions. I have traveled extensively in Asia on business. I not prioritize a trip to countries in Asia based upon my experience, except Japan which I would really like to visit.

Russia - Have never, ever wanted to go there.
Ocean cruise - Does not look appealing at all nor much fun other than eating.
Cinque Terre - It just does not attract me at all.
Rothenburg - Nothing here looks unique enough for me to go out of my way to visit this town. The idea that I would have to either wait until evening or get up at 07:00 to see a town minus tourists sounds awful and truly not much fun. Especially when I can visit any number of towns that are unique but aren't filled with tourists.
Neuschwanstein - No desire at all.
Oktoberfest - This does NOT look like fun to me. Love going to festivals, but I don't want to go to this one
Nuremberg Christmas Market - Enjoy going to Christmas markets a lot every year, but this one is way too crowded which I do not enjoy, and it doesn't look unique at all.

Midwest of USA..... with apologies to the folks that live there...no Oklahoma, Alabama, Indiana etc. Husband is from N. Dakota, that’s enough.

I wouldn't consider OK, ND, or Alabama to be "Midwest." Maybe the eastern third of ND is.

DougMac,

You've listed some excellent points about river cruises. I've only glanced at them so far and one of the main reasons I haven't tried one is the cost. From what I've seen so far, the cost of the cruise is only the beginning. There are also "optional excursions", mandatory gratuities, etc. The market seems to be tailored more for the "well heeled" crowd, which I'm not.

I attended a seminar a few years ago with a Viking River Cruises representative. When I asked about single supplements, she said that if I want to take one of their cruises, I'd have to pay two fares. My reply was, "I'm on a pension, that's NOT going to happen". I should have completely given up on the idea then.

I think I'll stick with my usual travel methods and forget the river cruises. Thanks for the helpful and detailed comments.

"Interesting that two people put China on their "never never" list. I'm heading back there for the third time in the fall and can't wait."

Although I'm sure China has its "charms", it just doesn't appeal to me. More importantly (and this also applies to the other places on my un-bucket list), I only have so much time and increasingly limited money. I'd rather focus on Europe as there are many places there I'd still like to see. Unless I win the Lottery, I can't do both.

My grandmother used to tell me - "Never say never. As soon as you do, that's the thing you'll wind up doing."

She may be right. But there are places/types of travel that are so far down on my list that they're very strong 'probably not going to happens' in my travel lifetime.

• Cruises
• Any trip that has a total travel time of 17 hours or more unless I have the time/money to break that up into shorter segments with breaks along the way.
• Regions with unstable governments (I can't run as fast as I once could.)
• Places where the plumbing system has issues and requires you to throw toilet paper into a receptacle instead of the toilet. (I've traveled to places like that before, so this is not an absolute deal breaker. It is always an adjustment, though, after a lifetime of being used to US bathrooms.)

Going to Alabama I had that chance in 1991. In 1991 I had planned on going back to Europe in late July. Family considerations took over, an intervention which affected the length of my proposed Europe trip. Rather than settling for a shorter trip in Europe instead of my planned one month trip, I dropped the idea and decided to see parts of the South, ie, Atlanta, Alabama and TN, flying from SFO to Atlanta, then after that it was by Greyhound.

A couple of un-bucket places in Germany...Lindau, Neuschwanstein, Rothenburg odT, ( was there once in 1973), The other two not interested, other small places in eastern and North Germany hold far more interest, curiosity and value.

On China itself...I've known lots of Americans, regardless of their ethnic group. who have been to China, ie on business trips (you don't have a choice in that regard), going as teachers, tourists, students, regardless of age, or church affiliated.

According to Wikipedia (and its never wrong); the Middle East refers to: Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qutar Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, UAE, Yemen.

OK, I stand corrected. I never would have considered Cyprus as being regarded as the Middle East. For me the Middle East refers to the predominantly Arabic world (excluding Africa) and Israel and Iran. I have no reservations about travelling to Cyprus, it was narrowly beaten by Montenegro as this years summer holiday destination for us.

Well, Cyprus has the border disputes and given that some of it belongs to Turkey, which is considered 'middle east', I guess it gets lumped in there.

I share Mark's opinion and was reluctant to respond, but like driving past a bad highway accident, it is hard not to slow down for a second and see how badly damaged the cars are.

My main travel interests are North America and Europe with hopes of one day visiting Australia, New Zealand and Japan. I have surely left out of that listing any number of places I would like very much were I to actually visit. And in some instances, I may never visit those places because of cultural or political bias rooted in my ignorance of those places. When we talk about places that we have never visited and will never visit, we are usually talking about cultural and political bias, and stereotypes, and ignorance. I have little else to write about those who will never visit entire sections of the US.

I wish I had a larger un-bucket list. It would make choosing our next destination easier! I've often wished I had an interest in mainly one region, like Europe, that I could do a deep dive into. But alas, we are interested in almost anything. I would go pretty much anywhere, with standard exceptions for places we are not allowed or recommended to travel to. I am surprised by how often I am seeing South America on lists. There are so many unique things I want to see there: the Amazon, Machu Picu, the Galapagos, Patagonia, etc. Will hopefully be heading there next year!

I'm with Richard and Mark on this one.

It's fine to realize that you and certain places probably wouldn't be good matches . From what I know of myself and cruises, I don't think I'd enjoy a mass cruise compared to other kinds of travel. But I'm not going to rule it out - what if some of my friends find a great deal and we want to use it as a way to just hang out together? Then I'm sure I'd have a great time on a cruise!

Been to St. Petersburg, I'll leave the rest of Russia to others.
Many of the places listed I've visited and don't need to revisit.
Oktoberfest - better to visit another lesser known German festival.
Madrid (except El Prado)
I don't like the desert, so most of the middle-east is out (except Luxor).
I agree so many places could be interesting but they aren't worth the swarm of people. I picture Mecca during the Hadj.

On a cruise—why would I want to travel on a floating city with 5009 other people.

Wow that would be one HUGE cruise ship.

When we talk about places that we have never visited and will never visit, we are usually talking about cultural and political bias, and stereotypes, and ignorance.

Well said, Richard!
That's exactly what makes these discussions so much fun.

China, Africa. No particular reason, just not of interest at the moment.

Although, what Sarah said - I had no interest in a cruise but went on an Alaskan cruise with a bunch of friends to celebrate another friend's mom's 88th birthday and thoroughly enjoyed the trip. So who knows?

When we talk about places that we have never visited and will never visit, we are usually talking about cultural and political bias, and stereotypes, and ignorance.

Well, that's kind of a pretentious statement. I'm not ignorant and do a lot of research, reading, and learning about a place before deciding whether or not I want to spend my limited travel $$ on it. Some places just don't appeal to me (or to others) and it may or may not be based on cultural and political bias but is never based on stereotypes or ignorance, at least in my case. Be careful about the generalizations you make.

Nancy,
I agree that we may simply have a preference for visiting certain places and not others. End of story.

Nancy, I think the problem is that your interpretation of a bias is negative. See it as natural and normal and the statement is okay. I am biased against cultural environments where women are treated like possessions for example. Ignorance? You know, I have researched the hell out of places only to show up and find out it was nothing like what I expected .... both good and bad. I believe Richard's comment came from a good place in part because he included himself in the observation in the line before what has been quoted a few times.

I have travelled extensively in my life...and lived in Europe. What I have learned is that there is something of interest and value to your life experience everywhere you go. Seeing the filthy foaming scummy pollution covering the Ganges was as impressive to me as the Taj Mahal...seeing the nets (to stop worker suicide, enjoy that fruitphone) hanging from the top floors of Hon Hai's buildings left as much of an impression as the Forbidden City at 8:30 before it fills with humanity. My list is no list. I rank by priorities. Florida, Stone Mountain are pretty low on the list but the doesn't mean I wouldn't return.

Nancy, I think the problem is that your interpretation of a bias is negative

I thought my statement that 'it may or may not be based on cultural and political bias' made it clear that I don't think a bias is always negative. Sometimes it's normal and understandable that those biases affect our judgement of a place (or it's people). We all approach decisions or new experiences with some 'baggage', sometimes it's not even consciously acknowledged.

I need to state my opinion more clearly than I have. It was not my intent to be pretentious. My comments were indeed general--perhaps exceedingly so--because I was not trying to be the provocateur, I did not want to single out anyone who had posted, and I wanted to avoid violating the rules of engagement on this forum (on another forum, my comments, though hopefully civil, would have been more specific and direct). I was not addressing places that we have not visited and did not like. I was not addressing preferences, which we all have; the thread heading is "Un-bucket list," and the original thread begins: "What I have decided to never visit". I did include myself in whatever critical comments I made. And I apologize to anyone who was offended by what I wrote previously or write now.

My difficulty with this thread was a listing of cities or states or sections of the United States as areas that one would never visit. We are not talking about places that the State Department warns about traveling to. And again, we are not talking about preferences--not that I would prefer to visit Napa Valley or Paris or Maine or Chicago over Austin or San Antonio--but seemingly flat pronouncements that one would never visit entire states (largely Southern) and regions (mainly the South). So yes, my perception is that those statements are not based on someone preferring the mountains over the ocean, but are based on perceptions of what those places are like politically and culturally.

Texas. For work, I have been many times to Houston and Dallas, two huge metropolitan areas. I have traveled through sections of Texas to which I need not return. But San Antonio is a nice place to visit, and Austin is a delight. Mississippi has Natchez and Vicksburg. Alabama has Mobile and Gulf Shores. Georgia has one of my favorite cities to visit, Savannah. South Carolina has Charleston and Hilton Head. So I do think there is a blue state-red state tension evident in this thread, and I do stand by my original comment that the wholesale placing of entire states and regions on a verboten list, as though they were Germany in November 1938, is largely driven by political and cultural bias based in part on stereotypes (and we can debate how much particular stereotypes are based on ignorance).

Austin a delight...how true! No interest in Dubai, I'll leave that for another traveler.

I'll go back to (in the US) to New Orleans, have not made it to Mobile (also founded by the French) yet.

Obviously, in Germany, a lot more places in eastern area and up north for repeat visits and first time visits.

So yes, my perception is that those statements are not based on
someone preferring the mountains over the ocean, but are based on
perceptions of what those places are like politically and culturally.

I took your post right ... I think .... Its a tough reality but some folks prefer Blue over Red. I dont understand it, dont need to understand it. Aint my life. So maybe they just have a personal bias for the stink of the city. No skin off my a.... Their loss actually. While peoples biasis are sort of interesting (I like the thread on that account) Too many real things to worry about before I react to someone preferences one way or another. Just dont bring a selfie stick!!!

Cruise ships -- never
The Caribbean Islands
Florida
Most of Europe in the summer
The Asian & African countries that have an entry ban on citizens from Israel

Austin a delight

I found Austin to be just-another-ordinary-American-city worth one visit but probably won't repeat. I could return to San Antonio again, however.

I don't feel the "blue state red state tension" at all even after re-reading all the posts.

I've had the pleasure of visiting every state in the union except Maine and I have lived in 7 different states (IL, KY, CA, OR,WA, TX, MD)Most of the states I've visited I wouldn't return to but some like Alabama and NC have places I missed like Mobile and Wilmington that I'd like to get to.

I just picked 2 colors at random, for the point. Let's say pink and green.

My unbucket list covers dozens of countries that all have something in common. I can't mention the commonality because it's against the forum rules. I'll just list a few of the countries that I'll never visit unless there's a unforeseeable change in not just policy, but practice, including the treatment of women: Qatar, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Maylasia, Somalia . . .

Antarctica--just doesn't appeal to me
Dubai--ditto
Las Vegas (went once out of curiosity and enjoyed some great shows--Bette Midler and Cirque du Soleil--but that was enough)
India--I'd be interested but there are too many higher priorities

Since this site is named Rick Steves' Europe. I didn't think about discussing US areas. I'm also surprised that the discussion took on a regional undertone.

I have been fortunate to have a job that has allowed me to visit nearly every region of the US, including Alaska and Hawaii. The upper Midwest is the only region where I have not spent much time. In addition, when our two sons were young teenagers, we had the opportunity to spend 30 days driving from Georgia to California and back towing a popup camper.

There's not a place in the US to which I wouldn't like to return or visit. I can't think of anywhere that I visited that I wasn't made to feel welcome.

My visits to New York city have proven that the stereotype of the city and its people is inaccurate. I think that our Northern friends will find that their preconceptions of us in the Deep South does not reflect the diversity of its citizens. Many of us not only know the definition of "erudite", but also would qualify to be defined as such. Ya'll come on down. We'll sit on my back porch at dusk, drink sweet tea, watch the fireflies out in the woods and listen to the frogs singing.

The South (both Upper and Deep) is the one singular region that I am most interested in going back to and visiting in the US. The most recent trip was in 2015 to New Orleans, after the trip to Memphis the year before. Read up on the history, lots of it, good, bad and the ugly.

On the diversity issue, (very true) I was visiting in the summer of 2008 Univ. TX in Austin, where I came across an exhibit on the varied groups of people moving to Texas and or taking their US citizenship oath in Texas, regardless of the fact it's a red state. Of course, it's sociologically interesting to see who these newcomers are choosing to call Texas home, Among them were a large number of Asians, especially Chinese.

Doug Mac, love your post.

Fred, I'm going to stereotype you based on your location and guess that good food is important to you. If so, you must go to Charleston on your next visit to the South.

I am going to echo what Nancy said. There are certain places I might not choose to go on my own, but unless it would put my safety at risk, I would go anywhere that I was invited. With one exception- Mount Rushmore.

@ cala...Yes, I do like good food, all the more so if it's cheap, ie, inexpensive. I like the food in Memphis and New Orleans, some very recommendable regional cooking. Thanks for tip on cuisine in Charleston, on the bucket list since I've not been there and obviously, for the historical reasons too.

I have really enjoyed reading this thread over the last week, but I was dismayed to see a THIRD person say that Mt. Rushmore was on their un-bucket list!

I actually love Mount Rushmore.

Part of the reasons people have to make decisions like this is that most of us are limited in vacation time and money and also don’t have the free time to research endless destinations because they ‘might’ like them.

I have a job with a lot of downtime so I spend a lot of time on this and other travel forums and watching travel vlogs on YouTube. So, I look at lots of places that I’ll probably never go to. And yet, I don’t tend to venture out of my comfort zones of Western Europe, Canada, and the East and West Coasts of the USA when it’s time to travel.

Also, some of us may have family members that would be worried sick about certain destinations. And no, I’m not talking about the person on here who had a mother worried about a trip to Italy. But if I told my mom, I was going to Turkey, she’d be worried sick the whole time and she’s got enough health problems as it is.

New York.
Los Angeles.
Las Vegas.
Any of those Disneythingeys.
China.
North Korea.
Bali.
Phuket.
Dubai.

I have really enjoyed reading this thread over the last week, but I was dismayed to see a THIRD person say that Mt. Rushmore was on their un-bucket list!

I had the opportunity to spend 6 weeks on the set of the Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour and got to know both, especially Sonny. He once quipped: "Now I'm not saying Cher isn't very smart, but she once asked me if Mount Rushmore was a natural phenomenon."

Seeing a number of comments on un-bucketing "powerful countries" like China because of human rights violations or certain countries in the Middle East because of how they treat women/Jews/GLBTQ. The irony is the U.S. (also considered a "powerful country") doesn't exactly have clean hands when it comes to those things either, so should we not expect that somewhere in the world there are people who are un-bucketing us, too?

Our treatment of human beings in detainee camps...children separated from their parents, people kept locked up and denied access to needed meds or basic hygiene for extended periods of time - atrocious. Can't pick up a newspaper in the States without reading about some incident of hate crimes or violence against GLBTQ (murder rates continue to rise in many places in U.S. against Transgender citizens). There's been a notable increase in anti-Semitism in this country in the last few years with attacks on synagogues. And then there are certain U.S. states ramping up their laws to prohibit women from access to safely terminate an unwanted pregnancy (even one that came about as a result of rape or incest) and looking to overturn Roe v. Wade - wait, is this an episode of "The Handmaid's Tale"? Nope - just stripping women (especially poor women) of their right to choose. Yeah, sorry - I've visited some of those states in the past and realize not all residents in those areas feel the same way, and I really don't give a hoot if they are "red" or "blue", but henceforth I'm un-bucketing those states and will not be spending any of my cash or vacation time there.

Ceidleh, there are bad people everywhere, and no society can be perfect. . I only draw the line when it is state sponsored. There are still countries where homosexuality is either completely illegal or defacto illegal (like a country where it is legal, but promoting it is not and holding hands in public is defined as promotion). This is all subjective and personal and as such, I don't have issue with your decisions. And it's full of inconsistancies, such as Iran for instance. State persecution there is among the worst by my standards, but I don't believe the culture as a whole supports the state so I allow myself the inconsistancy to leave Iran on my list. Maybe some people should travel where I won't. It might help them in their perspective of their home country. So, again, there are no absolutes in such issues.

I’d like to add Christmas Markets to my un-bucket list.

I don't think anyone really needs to justify their reasons. I posted a list of places friends/family have recently visited. None of those places appealed to me as destinations. It is that simple really. We all have things we yearn to see others that we don't.

Asia and Australia. Love to go but just say no to travelling that far. 8 hours to Europe is about all I can stand on a plane. Russia is about to get on the un-bucket list, but I hold a faint glimmer that will happen some day.

Beaches. After an hour I'm bored. What's the appeal?

Blarney Stone, heck no. Phucket, haha. Am I pronouncing it wrong?

Christmas markets, one is enough. Go to a good one like Nuremberg and you got the idea.

Antarctica. Interesting but doggone expensive and too far.

I'd like to visit North Korea because it's so bizarre but can't on my American passport, plus to be honest it would be wrong to provide any money to that government. Still, it seems fascinating!

Mt. Everest is covered in poop.

I know ex-pat Australians originally from Sidney living in the greater SF area. When they fly back SFO to Sidney, the flight is 16 hrs non-stop. , ie ca. 5-6 more hours than going to Paris or Frankfurt from SFO.

I don't think anyone really needs to justify their reasons.

No, but it's interesting, and makes you consider life.

Total flight time for me to Europe is at least 22 hours.

When they fly back SFO to Sidney, the flight is 16 hrs non-stop.

Sure, but then when you add 4 hrs+ from the midwest or east coast and a couple (or a few) hours layover in LA or SF, you're well into 22+ hrs travel time and that ain't fun. However, if it's a bucket list place and maybe a once (or twice) in a lifetime trip it's worth it, at least to me. That's what it took me to fly from Mpls to New Zealand and I would do it again if I could, it was so worth it.

Ain't fun... i have no personal experience in such a long flight, so I cannot say anything accurately. My longest is 11.5 hrs only between SFO and Europe. The return flight is usually longer than that going over since on the return to SFO you're going against the wind

I have flown to Europe from Australia 5 times so far and will continue to do so.
We usually stop at Changi and book a room at the transit hotel for 6 hours. We get to shower and stretch out and have a bit of sleep in a horizontal position. Then back for the last 14 to 16 hours of flying. Don't bother on the return leg though.

That's what it took me to fly from Mpls to New Zealand

Only flying via California. With the new Air New Zealand nonstops to O'Hare, Mpls >> AKL can be done in about 16 hours of flying + 2 hours transfer time (and 1 hour less in the other direction).

SYDNEY via Dallas or Houston can be done in about 18 flying hours + transfer time.

With the new Air New Zealand nonstops to O'Hare, Mpls >> AKL can be done in about 16 hours of flying + 2 hours transfer time.

Thanks for the info Tom (although I no longer fly from MSP). That didn't exist when I flew to NZ.

My point was more that, at least for me, flight time would not determine whether or not a particular place was on my bucket list or my un-bucket list. My un-bucket list is reserved for places I have no interest in visiting, even if they're only an hour's travel away.

Nancy: Since I discovered Ambien, no place is too far away, and no legroom is too tight!

Nancy: Since I discovered Ambien, no place is too far away, and no legroom is too tight!

For me, a place of interest is never too far away and I don't even need the Ambien, Tom.

For the crime of boring me, not visiting the following -
Hungary
Zurich
Dublin (love love love the Irish countryside though)
London
Melbourne
Las Vegas is disgustingly tacky! Yuck!

I have never used any OTC pill such as Ambien to induce sleeping on the plane, mainly for health reasons ...totally not necessary tolerate the 11 hr flight.

Pisa - I was there twice, which was at least once too many. I found it boring.
Mexico - I have been to various parts and it is too unstable now.
China - For some reason I have never had any desire to go to any of the Asian countries.
Russia - Was in St Petersburg for 2 days. While the churches and museums were beautiful, I found the contrast with the VERY depressing multi-story housing buildings too disturbing to ever want to go back.
Machu Picchu - I used to want to go there, but I think I'm over that now. I have seen Mayan ruins in several places and that's enough.
South America - Somehow I am not all that interested in it.

Where I want to go:
Greece
Hungary
Poland
Croatia
Slovenia

Where I want to go back:
Venice (really the only place in Italy I'd like to see again)
Mont St Michel (only place in France I'd like to see again)
Maybe Prague, although I have been there twice.
My favorites - Germany, Switzerland and Austria

I was in Israel for 2 weeks in April and loved it! I never felt unsafe for a moment.

@Joy did you go to Israel with a church group? People who go there with church groups usually get a sanitized experience of Israel. I went there with a group of friends one of whom was black. He had a few disturbing racist experiences, one man even made a spitting motion at him. Israelis typically were not welcoming or courteous to tourists. Even at the airport most independent travelers are questioned for anywhere from half hour to an hour.

Yeah - after reading this, I think I'll pass on any sleeping aids on planes ;)

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/planes-sleeping-pills/index.html

Ambien isn't OTC. It clears the mind and promotes sleep without ever producing a drugged feeling. Exactly what I need! Gets me only 3 hours of sleep, but that's 3 more than I would get without it.

My wife was in Israel for two weeks as an independent traveler, traveling to seven cities. She found the people there to be friendly and helpful. I'm looking forward to going with her next time.