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Most boring places you've visited

snowstorm445

While we're all reminiscing about places we'd like to go back to after COVID subsides, is there anywhere you've been to that you found totally forgettable?

My own contender is Hannover in Germany - stopped there once out of curiosity on the way from Amsterdam to Berlin and I was pretty familiar with the name from history etc. Apart from an impressive city hall, and some nice palace gardens outside the city (pretty modest by German standards though), it was basically just filled with shopping streets. A few Germans I've talked to since told me it's a big hub for people travelling around Germany by train, but there's pretty much nothing there. And like a lot of German cities, it's historic parts were gutted by bombing in the war, and only some reconstructed facades remain.

Closer to home, I was in Sligo for the first time about two years ago. The county is lovely (Ben Bulben, Strandhill etc.) but Sligo town is pretty unremarkable tbh. Not shockingly boring, but not very memorable either. Plenty of Midland towns have a reputation for being fairly forgettable as well, but then that's fairly well known. :pac:

Any other nominations?

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Nigel Fairservice

Ger Roe wrote: »

I had forgotten about Naples, probably deliberately. Took a train trip there once from a holiday base at Sorrento and found it to be a total dump. Dirty streets and buildings and a bad feeling about the place. Straight out of the train station there were two dead rats on the kerb and rubbish blowing gently down the street. All I saw was an impression of neglect and disinterest in the place.

I had heard the phrase, 'see Naples and die'... so I got out before it might have happened.

Naples isn't great. It is the only city I've been to abroad where I felt a bit unsafe. My first night there I was followed back to my apartment by a few lads. It wasn't even that late. The area surrounding Naples in nice though.

screamer

NSAman wrote: »

See this is why play-stations ruined the world..:)

‘‘Twas long before play stations, and that awful that if I got a free ticket and permission to travel there tomorrow I’d pass. I love some parts of the west but Inis mor or inis bore as I call it, no thanks

Porklife

Hontou wrote: »

I was based in Singapore in the mid 90's and I found it quite cosmopolitan with all hair colours. All nationalities. I am surprised to find people found it boring. I found it fascinating. It was my first experience of "the far east" and the street food, Orchard Road, the tailor shops, the modern architecture mixed with English colonial buildings, the mix of asian food, the humidity, the cargo ships on the horizon, the fish markets, the "rules" (no chewing gum, no smoking etc) were all so new to me......a feast for the senses. Felt very safe there. Was based on Sentosa island, so was very lucky.

That sounds pretty cool alright. I've only been in Singapore airport on route to Australia for a few hours and it was more exciting than a few cities named on here

My sister hates the sun so that may have been a part of her dislike. Annoyingly she always wants to travel to far off lands but inevitably bitches about how hot it is! We went to Belgrade a couple of years ago and it was sweltering. She knew it would be yet complained the entire time.
Sorry for digressing to moan about my sister

Hontou

Porklife wrote: »

I haven't been there but my sister said the same thing happened to her and she also hated Singapore. She said people were pointing and taking photos of her and pulling at her.
She has blonde hair and very pale skin and blue eyes. Maybe it's the blonde hair blue eye combo they find fascinating.

I was based in Singapore in the mid 90's and I found it quite cosmopolitan with all hair colours. All nationalities. I am surprised to find people found it boring. I found it fascinating. It was my first experience of "the far east" and the street food, Orchard Road, the tailor shops, the modern architecture mixed with English colonial buildings, the mix of asian food, the humidity, the cargo ships on the horizon, the fish markets, the "rules" (no chewing gum, no smoking etc) were all so new to me......a feast for the senses. Felt very safe there. Was based on Sentosa island, so was very lucky.

Nigel Fairservice

Hamachi wrote: »

I’m very surprised to hear that. It’s not like Europeans, North Americans, and Australians are uncommon in Singapore. My sister used to travel there with work pretty often. She’s blonde and never mentioned experiencing anything out of the ordinary.

Even when I was there myself about ten years ago, it seemed like every fifth or sixth person on Orchard road (main shopping district) was Caucasian. I think you just got unlucky and ran into some oddballs.

The only slightly strange thing that I personally experienced was a couple of people taking my photo without asking. Nothing too perturbing.

Yeah, possibly so. This was about 25 years ago and before widespread internet so it may have been more of a novelty.

BingCrosbee

Hammanet in Tunisia, an absolute kip

Porklife

Hamachi wrote: »

All of that, plus pretty nice, friendly people for a major capital city.

I'd forgotten about the food in Lisbon. So cheap and so delicious. I remember having rotisserie chicken and the juices from the chicken dripped onto the rack of salty chips below. Amazing..especially hungover after the massive 3 euro cocktails

[Deleted User]

snowstorm445 wrote: »

Can't comment on Rome but I honestly have never heard anyone describe Lisbon as dull, for good reason. Rundown maybe, but it's one of the nicest cities I've ever been to, extremely colourful, full of character, steeped in history, amazing food, and one of the nicest climates of any city in Europe. And a great place to go out as well! Certainly high on the list of places I'd like to return to once things return to normal.

All of that, plus pretty nice, friendly people for a major capital city.

snowstorm445

Mister Vain wrote: »

I thought Rome was boring. Sights like The Colosseum are actually very underwhelming when you see them up close. Apart from the pizza the food is horrible.

Lisbon is another dull dreary place.

Can't comment on Rome but I honestly have never heard anyone describe Lisbon as dull, for good reason. Rundown maybe, but it's one of the nicest cities I've ever been to, extremely colourful, full of character, steeped in history, amazing food, and one of the nicest climates of any city in Europe. And a great place to go out as well! Certainly high on the list of places I'd like to return to once things return to normal.

Witchie

Hamachi wrote: »

Fair enough. I definitely believe you. It’s just very surprising because there really are loads of white people living there or passing through. It’s not like you’re a novelty at all.

The picture thing is a bit odd. I’m a guy with blondish hair and blue eyes and was definitely papped a few times myself . The strangest one was an older man who looked very guilty when I turned around and reacted to the camera flash. I dread to think where that picture ended up !

I experienced this in Bali from Japanese tourists. I'm not blonde.

[Deleted User]

Porklife wrote: »

I haven't been there but my sister said the same thing happened to her and she also hated Singapore. She said people were pointing and taking photos of her and pulling at her.
She has blonde hair and very pale skin and blue eyes. Maybe it's the blonde hair blue eye combo they find fascinating.

Fair enough. I definitely believe you. It’s just very surprising because there really are loads of white people living there or passing through. It’s not like you’re a novelty at all.

The picture thing is a bit odd. I’m a guy with blondish hair and blue eyes and was definitely papped a few times myself

. The strangest one was an older man who looked very guilty when I turned around and reacted to the camera flash. I dread to think where that picture ended up !

Porklife

Hamachi wrote: »

I’m very surprised to hear that. It’s not like Europeans, North Americans, and Australians are uncommon in Singapore. My sister used to travel there with work pretty often. She’s blonde and never mentioned experiencing anything out of the ordinary.

Even when I was there myself about ten years ago, it seemed like every fifth or sixth person on Orchard road (main shopping district) was Caucasian. I think you just got unlucky and ran into some oddballs.

The only slightly strange thing that I personally experienced was a couple of people taking my photo without asking. Nothing too perturbing.

I haven't been there but my sister said the same thing happened to her and she also hated Singapore. She said people were pointing and taking photos of her and pulling at her.
She has blonde hair and very pale skin and blue eyes. Maybe it's the blonde hair blue eye combo they find fascinating.

[Deleted User]

Nigel Fairservice wrote: »

I was in Singapore in the mid 90s. My younger sister was only about a year old at the time. She had very blonde hair and blue eyes. I remember people coming up the buggy and poking her and people were pointing at her. Very strange.

I’m very surprised to hear that. It’s not like Europeans, North Americans, and Australians are uncommon in Singapore. My sister used to travel there with work pretty often. She’s blonde and never mentioned experiencing anything out of the ordinary.

Even when I was there myself about ten years ago, it seemed like every fifth or sixth person on Orchard road (main shopping district) was Caucasian. I think you just got unlucky and ran into some oddballs.

The only slightly strange thing that I personally experienced was a couple of people taking my photo without asking. Nothing too perturbing.

Mister Vain

4Ad wrote: »

I agree with alot of places on here, not a hope I would add Lisbon.
Nice weather, good food and wine..good transport, football, the hills of Sintra (close by) to run.Great history and attractions. Being to 2 music festivlas there, cheap and trouble free..Cheap especially as a capital city..good transport..
All the people trying to sell you drugs is damn annoying though...
I'd live there (and Seville) in the morning.

Yes I was very surprised by that. It was a constant annoyance. It's not a place I would return to. I'd much prefer Malaga or Nice.

4Ad

Mister Vain wrote: »

I thought Rome was boring. Sights like The Colosseum are actually very underwhelming when you see them up close. Apart from the pizza the food is horrible.

Lisbon is another dull dreary place.

I agree with alot of places on here, not a hope I would add Lisbon.
Nice weather, good food and wine..good transport, football, the hills of Sintra (close by) to run.Great history and attractions. Being to 2 music festivlas there, cheap and trouble free..Cheap especially as a capital city..good transport..
All the people trying to sell you drugs is damn annoying though...
I'd live there (and Seville) in the morning.

Porklife

Mister Vain wrote: »

Don't get me wrong, I've been to worse cities. I just think its overrated.

I would actually like to visit Riga when the drifting events are on. They seem to really love their motorsport.

Riga is nice and we unknowingly went into a Michelin star restaurant and ate the best meal I've ever had. We didn't understand the currency so I'm not even sure how much we ended up paying! Aside from drinking beers in the sun though there was nothing to see or do.
I'm sure a sporting event would be fun though and if you're single, the women were stunning!
I'm a straight woman but that really struck me about the place.

Nigel Fairservice

Tyrone212 wrote: »

Singapore. Was there for 48 hours. Walking outside the airport was like walking in to a shopping centre in winter. That blast of hot air hitting you in the face but it was surrounding you all the time. About 20 people pointed and stared at me in the street and went ohhh when they did. Not even trying to be discreet. I'm very tall guess it was that lol. Not much to do there. Very boring.

Amsterdam. Found it bland and underwhelming. Ninja cyclists everywhere.

Lastly Australia in general. Very over hyped. A high proportion of Aussies are unbearable. Going over the top about being Australian all the time. Wasn't expecting that.

Had positive experiences overall wherever else I've been.

I was in Singapore in the mid 90s. My younger sister was only about a year old at the time. She had very blonde hair and blue eyes. I remember people coming up the buggy and poking her and people were pointing at her. Very strange.

The most boring place I've ever been was Sofia, Bulgaria. I arrived in the morning and had all the main sites seen by mid afternoon. The place was a bit of a dump as well. Buildings at eye/street level were ok as long as you didn't look up. The footpaths were all falling to pieces and jagged half cut bollards and poles were sticking out of the ground. All the people here who sued councils over tripping on cracked paving would have a field day.

duffmann

Mister Vain wrote: »

Don't get me wrong, I've been to worse cities. I just think its overrated.

I would actually like to visit Riga when the drifting events are on. They seem to really love their motorsport.

I liked Riga too. Maybe it was because my visit coincided with a beer festival.

Mister Vain

Porklife wrote: »

Rome is one of my favourite cities and I find it far from boring but I agree with you about the food. I didn't like any of the pasta I tried. I way prefer our version of Italian food. Authentic bolognese for example is just veal meat and very little sauce but I prefer my own bolognese.
The wine was delicious though.. maybe if you drank more you'd have found it more interesting

Riga is somewhere I wouldn't return to. There was nothing to do of note.

Don't get me wrong, I've been to worse cities. I just think its overrated.

I would actually like to visit Riga when the drifting events are on. They seem to really love their motorsport.

breezy1985

EmmetSpiceland wrote: »

Apologies, if these are your “people” but it’s not like they’re the guys who built the railroads here. They’re illicit distillers, or smugglers, of liquor. Moonshiner fits the “bill” quite well.

Sure, I’ll drink their “hooch” but I’d prefer to procure it from a middleman, if it’s all the same to you.

Actually some of my people are poitin distillers

duffmann

A free walking tour just after you arrive or on a Sunday morning is a good way to get info on things to do. Prevents boredom.

new92

Surreptitious wrote: »

Unreal. One of the most amazing places I've ever been to. This thread is brutal and I would love to go ANYWHERE right now.

And for 15 seconds Ajo, Arizona, isn't so bad.

Porklife

Mister Vain wrote: »

I thought Rome was boring. Sights like The Colosseum are actually very underwhelming when you see them up close. Apart from the pizza the food is horrible.

Lisbon is another dull dreary place.

Rome is one of my favourite cities and I find it far from boring but I agree with you about the food. I didn't like any of the pasta I tried. I way prefer our version of Italian food. Authentic bolognese for example is just veal meat and very little sauce but I prefer my own bolognese.
The wine was delicious though.. maybe if you drank more you'd have found it more interesting

Riga is somewhere I wouldn't return to. There was nothing to do of note.

saabsaab

There was a place once but I can't remember its name or anything about it.

Surreptitious

bubblypop wrote: »

Jaysis..........

Unreal. One of the most amazing places I've ever been to. This thread is brutal and I would love to go ANYWHERE right now.

Mister Vain

Deleted User wrote: »

All this post is wrong.

I could say the same thing about any post that mentioned Vienna or Brussels. It's all subjective.

Cody montana

Mister Vain wrote: »

I thought Rome was boring. Sights like The Colosseum are actually very underwhelming when you see them up close. Apart from the pizza the food is horrible.

Lisbon is another dull dreary place.

I'm sorry.
But Rome is one of the most interesting cities on earth.
It would take weeks to see everything.

If you like history, culture, art and architecture.
It's all there.
Too many tourists though, same with Venice.

Finty Lemon

Lisbon is a wonderful place
Lisburn on the other hand...

[Deleted User]

Mister Vain wrote: »

I thought Rome was boring.

Ah jaysus.

For Forks Sake

Mister Vain wrote: »

I thought Rome was boring. Sights like The Colosseum are actually very underwhelming when you see them up close. Apart from the pizza the food is horrible.

Lisbon is another dull dreary place.