A recent posting on CNN.com’s travel section entitled Falling into the Tourist Trap cites the results of a recent poll of 1,267 British tourists, which lists the ten most disappointing UK and global sights in addition to the ten best.
Topping the list of most disappointing UK sights was Stonehenge, and the most disappointing global sight was the Eiffel Tower.
Number six on the disappointing global list was the Spanish Steps, with which I concur, having myself been very disappointed to find that the view from the top of this much anticipated landmark was mostly upscale stores, including a Gap!
Three US sights made the global disappointing list: Times Square (number 3), the Statue of Liberty (number 5), and the White House (number 7). No US sights made the global best list.
When I recently escorted someone around New York City for the first time the thing they were most excited about was Times Square, so go figure.
The number 1 best global sight was the Treasury at Petra in Jordan. Most of us are familiar with this UNESCO World Heritage Site from the film Indiana Jones and the Holy Grail.
The number 1 best UK sight was Alnwick Castle in Northumberland. Thirty miles south of the Scottish border, it is a little off the beaten path for most tourists. According to their own website this medieval castle has served as a film location for “everything from Harry Potter to Elizabeth to Becket to Blackadder.”
The Royal Crescent in Bath came it at number 3, with which I also concur, heartily. It does not disappoint. It was also seen in several films, where it looks fairly large, but when seen in person is so much more imposing.
Make sure to consult our extensive collection of travel books when planning your next trip. In the CNN.com piece, travel expert Felice Hardy offers this advice: “Pick carefully and don’t always go for the obvious.”
If the film location thing appeals to you, there is even a Worldwide Guide to Movie Locations that can get you to the places where your blockbuster, cult, and art house favorites were filmed.
