Over60
Domestic Travel

Mums slam "secretly underwhelming" tourist attractions

Mumsnet is a forum where mothers gather together and voice their opinions on a range of topics, including what tourist destinations are “secretly underwhelming”.

This topic spread like wildfire, and the answers will either have you agreeing or shaking your head in disapproval.

In a thread titled “What famous landmark or must visit place/thing were you secretly underwhelmed by?”, Mumsnet user Midge1978 elaborates on her provocative question.

“I went to Stonehenge this year and whilst I was trying to get in touch with my inner druid, trying to project historical importance and mystery onto the place, I just couldn’t escape the feeling that I was just looking at some very old stones and it was actually (whisper) a little bit boring!!” she said.

“My husband thought it was all marvellous though so I have never told him!!!”

Others were quick to voice their opinions, even knocking the Great Barrier Reef.

“The Grand Canyon and the Great Barrier Reef,” said one mum, declining to elaborate.

Another mum seconded her, “Yes, Great Barrier Reef – sadly, and only because there is so much coral die back it is depressing. Genuinely disappointing as diving here was a long-held dream of mine.”

Paintings were even on the list, with some mentioning The Scream.

Midge agreed and shared her experience of seeing The Mona Lisa.

“Oh gosh yes The Mona Lisa – queued for bloody ages to see a small dull painting that I had already seen emblazoned over every item in the gift shop!” she said.

“The pyramids/sphinx,” said another mum. “I expected a mystical, magical place in the desert. I got … lots of beggars/sales people/McDonalds. Gutted.”

Another mum agreed: “Yep Midge, sorry. I have a fabulous photo that everyone aaahs over of the sphinx with a pyramid behind it and a clear blue sky. When I look at it all I can think is “I was standing in front of McDonald’s when I took that …”

However, some comments called out the lack of culture in Australia.

“The whole of Australia frankly – no culture at all apart from the Aboriginal history,” someone wrote.

“The Aborigines were treated like sh*t by the white Australians which disgusted me. Didn’t hear a single one have a good thing to say about the indigenous population – notice how there’s never any on Australian TV.”

New Zealand made the list too.

“Another vote for the various different landmarks in New Zealand. I went expecting awe-inspiring views and to be blown away by the scenery, but I wasn’t,” one said.

“It’s all really nice, don’t get me wrong. But the mountain views aren’t as good as those in the European Alps, the fjords aren’t as good as Norway’s, various bits of Scotland etc. It’s like a 7 out of 10 of everything all in one country, compared to 9 or 10 out of 10 of other things scattered around the world.”

Tags:
travel, travel trouble, tourist attractions, great barrier reef, art, grand canyon