The Happiness Function

The “Most Popular Tropical Travel Locations” lists are so played out. Let’s flip the script. How about travel destinations frequently serving as a visitor’s final destination? These are the one-hitter quitters of tourist spots, leaving a sour enough taste in enough travelers’ mouths to discourage any return trips.

While many of these locations attract millions of tourists yearly, you rarely hear about the poor experiences. When evaluating potential vacation spots, the harsh reviews are as critical as the glowing ones. Here they are according to some travel stories (in no particular order).

1. Morocco

Take note when someone says that a country is “hands down” the destination they’ll never return to. Multiple people who spent their hard-earned money to travel to Morocco were stunned by the handsy-ness of complete strangers.

Both those who traveled in small and large groups said they felt unsafe in Morocco, despite its natural beauty and other highlights.

2. Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Did nobody watch The Hangover? One jaded Vegas vet said, “everything is mediocre and expensive” in Las Vegas. Yeah, but at least you didn’t black out and get a Mike Tyson tattoo on your face! Count your blessings that you got away with only an overpriced Cirque du Soleil show to complain about.

3. Dubai

Casuals might see the Burj Khalifa, artificial islands, Ferraris, and designer shopping malls and assume that Dubai is a hyper-modern paradise. Yet, many disgruntled visitors have reported a far different experience. In particular, women report being catcalled, accosted for immodest dress, and nearly melting to death in the Dubai heat.

4. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

One recent visitor says Puerto Vallarta, Mexico is at the top of their “do not return to list.” They say, “I’ve really enjoyed most places I’ve visited in Mexico, but PV just seemed like a lot of foreign retirees and club people. Just not my scene at all.”

5. Germany

Unfortunately, quite a few travelers said they wouldn’t be visiting Germany again saying they experienced discrimination while exploring the country. You’ll have to visit yourself to decide.

6. Paris, France

Arguably the most popular tourist city on the planet, Paris proves that popularity comes at a cost. The top gripes include dirty streets, massive crowds, and rampant pickpocketing. Though there were some positive rebuttals, several visitors to Paris reported having a stranger stick their hand in their pocket fishing for valuables.

Maybe it’s just me, but a stranger’s hand in the pocket isn’t exactly the sort of romance one thinks of when they dream of Paris. That doesn’t exactly make for a good travel story.

7. Russia

Before the recent conflict, Russia had become a trendy tourist spot for tourists seeking a venture into a world that would have been largely off-limits a few decades ago.

However, complainers noted an inescapable plume of cigarette smoke indoors and out. And, let’s be honest, that’s probably item #304 on the list of reasons someone might not visit Russia today.

8. China

One traveler noted that they needed permission not only to enter China but also to leave the country. They said that much of their trip to the massive Asian nation felt cumbersome and Draconian, so they won’t be returning anytime soon.

9. Nassau, Bahamas

You can’t put the Bahamas into a single box, as much of it is truly a tropical paradise that seems uniquely made for legendary vacations. Nassau, though, is a capital city with all the ills that come with modern cities. Poverty, crime, and destitution lie just beyond the walls of the famed Atlantis resort.

After seeing that, some visitors say Baha-nah.

10. Los Angeles, California, USA

Piling on Hollywood is trendier than Rodeo Drive. Call me a trend chaser, but LA’s homeless encampments make the Depression-era Hoovervilles look sterile. The traffic is the stuff of legend (Looking for a buzz? Crack your window and huff that smog, baby!), and you’ll find yourself paying for parking, water, and everything else.

11. Jamaica

The Jamaica of a Peter Tosh or Bob Marley song differs from the Jamaica many visitors find. Whether you’re in a hyper-segregated resort that doesn’t represent authentic Jamaica or in true Jamaica facing Jamaican realities of poverty, crime, and insecurity, you may be on your first and only trip to the Caribbean island.

To be clear, you can have a positive experience at each of these locations. However, there are enough mediocre to downright bad reviews that you should only travel to these places after doing some serious homework first.

12. Egypt

One (presumably female) travel veteran to Egypt noted that they are “done” paying to visit countries where they must modify virtually everything about themselves. Whether it’s increasingly strict restrictions on clothing, public behavior, or daily habits, Egypt seems to be moving backward regarding individual rights and personal safety.

Travelers Beware: These Are the 20 Most Dangerous Countries in the World in 2023

Wanderlust may take you all over the world, but some countries are too dangerous to visit, and knowing which are best avoided in 2023 could keep you safe.

Let’s take a closer look at a list of the most dangerous countries in the world based on data from the World Population Review.

Travelers Beware: These Are the 20 Most Dangerous Countries in the World in 2023

15 Most Dangerous Cities in the World Where Crime Rates Are Off the Charts

There are many ways to measure the danger of any given city—robberies, physical assaults, and even the number of fatal work accidents. However, there is one universally-accepted metric for gauging danger: violent crime rates and property crime rates. Based on recent statistics, here are some of the most dangerous cities around the world (not in any particular order).

15 Most Dangerous Cities in the World Where Crime Rates Are Off the Charts

15 European Cities an American Can Live Comfortably for $2500 USD/Monthly

When you think of the great European cities, Prague, Paris, Vienna, and Munich might be among the names that come to mind. But, as phenomenal as the European cities with the highest appeal are, they may be better vacation spots than homes if you’re looking to live on $2,500 per month or less.

We have uncovered 15 culturally vibrant, modern, and reasonably priced European cities that you could call home (if only for a month) on an average salary.

15 European Cities an American Can Live Comfortably for $2500 USD/Monthly

15 States in the U.S. Perfect for a Colorful Weekend of Leaf Peeping

Who wouldn’t want to capture the trees changing color, the crunch of dry leaves underfoot, and a pumpkin-spiced latte in hand? 

“Leaf peeping” is an informal term to describe the activity of visiting areas to see the fall foliage, and these 15 states in the U.S. are perfect for this kind of activity. 

15 States in the U.S. Perfect for a Colorful Weekend of Leaf Peeping

15 Travels Destinations “So Difficult” To Visit They’re Worthy of Your Bucket List

Sometimes, you have to “risk it for the biscuit” (as we say in South Africa) which travelers often do to get to a beautiful or bucket-list destination. These 15 off-the-beaten-track destinations are so challenging to get to that it’s an achievement when you reach them. 

15 Travels Destinations “So Difficult” To Visit They’re Worthy of Your Bucket List

Where indicated, some images courtesy of Depositphotos.com.

Source: Reddit