Among so many similar newsletters that I always receive from magazines, blogs and tourism websites, one that announces “the tourist attractions that receive the most criticism in the world” inevitably caught my attention.
Before even reading the article, I did a brief mental exercise to imagine what these possible attractions might be. I went through visits to obvious places, without much success…
Come on, my first visit to the Eiffel tower in Paris was freezing. I think I went there on the coldest day of that winter in 1980—and without socks, I remember that well. But that’s no reason to end up with a postcard that, since then, has only brought me joy.
Yes, I visited the Sistine Chapel accompanied by a noisy crowd. However, if you’re not the pope himself, face the fact that this wonder of human creation will only be available to you like this: crowded with tourists (like you and me, by the way).
I admit it was embarrassing to walk through the “red district” in Amsterdam and see the women displayed in the window. I also don’t have anything good to remember about a walk along the edge of Luanda, in Angola, where I was robbed, the only time something like this happened to me on trips.
None of this, however, prepared me for the surprise I got when I clicked on the link in that list. He took me to an article in “Wanderlust” magazine, which cited a website called MRQ, which had done a survey of attractions that received few stars on Tripadvisor.
I almost gasped when I saw that none other than the Palace of Versailles, one of the most breathtaking places in France, was there. Nor did I believe that the Tower of Pisa or the pyramids of Egypt could displease so many people. I wanted to better understand these complaints.
The champion of complaints, with 20% of reviews with just one or two stars, is the Walk of Fame in Los Angeles: dirty, messy and always crowded. It’s understandable, especially if you went there to visit just one or two celebrities you love.
But then, in second place, with 17% of reviews with one or two stars, is Versailles. The complaint is that litany of those who have traveled a lot: long lines, expensive tickets and even a certain disappointment with the visit. Same?
Few things teach us as much about Western history as a tour of the Palace of Versailles. Accompanied by a good guide, one of those who bring history before your eyes, it can be the most fascinating visit of your life.
What makes people disenchanted, then? Do they think they would be treated like LuÃs 14 himself? Is not all the exuberance enough to satisfy the visitor, or even to reward the martyrdom of the queues?
Managing disappointments is part of the bargain of a trip. I learned that. Stonehenge, for example, in England, is also on the inglorious list. I went there myself as a kid and didn’t think it was the most amazing thing in the world. I didn’t even want my money from the tour that took me back there.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa, another fascinating stopover on my traveler’s resume, apparently disappoints for its interior visit. Drone tourists claim that it is more interesting from the outside. Seriously?
Big Ben (“inaccurate!”), the White House (“disappointing!), the Empire State Building (“impossible to see the view!”), Buckingham Palace (“few gardens!”) and even the pyramids of Giza (“den of false guides!”) —each place like this seems to displease a good part of the visitors.
I have just one question for anyone who writes comments like this: did you really want to leave the house?
