10 Overrated Landmarks You Should Skip
There is no law against visiting a famous landmark, but not all are worth your time during your vacation. Some landmarks may appear flawless on Instagram, but you might regret your choice to visit. From over-crowding to over-commercialization and just plain underwhelming experiences these landmarks just don’t live up to the hype. After all, not every bucket list item should be on your itinerary.
Going the same travel route as everyone else doesn’t always yield the best results, so it’s time to reevaluate your travel plans. Here are 10 overrated landmarks you can skip without any FOMO (fear of missing out).
The Mona Lisa at the Louvre
The Louvre is a masterpiece by itself, but the Mona Lisa? Well, you’re in for a disappointment. The painting is smaller than you’d imagine, the room is crowded with people, and you’ll spend more time trying to get a selfie than actually appreciating the art. Instead, walk through the museum’s less well known galleries and bathe in other stunning works that aren’t surrounded by selfie sticks.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa
It’s leaning, sure, but once you’ve seen it, that’s pretty much it. Tourists take pictures of the tower from various angles, and you might not get a good spot, plus there are very few pictures you can take of this tower. Pisa isn’t really worth visiting when you realize it is just a tourist trap. You’re better off exploring charming Tuscan towns like Lucca or Siena with authentic Italian vibes.
Times Square
Sensory overload at its finest— flashing billboards, throngs of excited people, and overpriced everything. It’s iconic, but not a relaxing, enriching experience. While going to New York City to enjoy the chaos sounds good, head to Central Park, Greenwich Village, or the museums to experience the city’s charm without the headache.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame
The Hollywood Walk of Fame is not glamorous. The stars are on a pretty grimy stretch of sidewalk, surrounded by souvenir shops and people in superhero costumes trying to charge you for photos. Skip this and explore LA’s more interesting areas, like Griffith Park or Venice Beach, unless you’re a die-hard movie fan.
Stonehenge
It’s an impressive feat of ancient engineering, but seeing Stonehenge in person might not be as magical as you’d imagine. The whole site is roped off, and you can’t get up close to the stones. Its also right next to the highway and there’s nothing mystical about that. Avebury is a great place to try for a more immersive ancient experience, wandering around the stone circles without the barriers or crowds.
Copenhagen’s Little Mermaid Statue
It’s hard to believe that such a small statue could be one of Denmark’s biggest tourist attractions. The Little Mermaid is little. Because of its size, you’ll often have to strain your neck over a sea of people to even spot it. Don’t let this tiny statue steal your time away from Copenhagen, which has so much more to offer with its vibrant Nyhavn district, the incredible Tivoli Gardens and so much more.
The London Eye
You might get a bird’s eye view of the city from the London Eye, but the long lines and expensive tickets might make you think twice about it. Plus, if you love a vista, London is full of free viewpoints that are equally spectacular and less crowded. For a panoramic view that won’t break the bank, head to Primrose Hill, Greenwich Park, or even the Sky Garden.
Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin
Checkpoint Charlie is a real place of historical weight, but the touristy buzz surrounding it today is more theme park than anything. You’ll see actors dressed in military gear, cheesy photo ops, and souvenir shops leeching on Cold War history. Instead, hit up Berlin’s many museums and memorials such as the Berlin Wall Memorial for a more constructed past.
The Blue Lagoon in Iceland
Famous for its geothermal waters, the Blue Lagoon is a popular spot with a high price and relentless crowds. If you’re tired of the fuss but still want that famous Icelandic spa experience, check out some of the country’s other hot springs: Secret Lagoon or Myvatn Nature Baths are also hot springs, but much less touristy.
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is beautiful, but the town around it is a tourist trap of chain restaurants, casinos, and wax museums. You may be more annoyed by the commercialization than mesmerized by the falls. There are the Canadian Rockies or Yosemite if you’re after natural beauty, without neon lights and souvenir stands.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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10 Best African Photo Safaris You Must Experience
Even if you’ve been on a safari in the past, an African photo safari is something you want to experience or at the very list add to the top of your bucket list.
But first, what is a photo safari? The phrase “photo safari” is not a common sentence structure but its meaning can be deduced easily. An African photo safari in general context means going on an adventure with the sole purpose of taking high-quality pictures.
10 Best African Photo Safaris You Must Experience
