I was in Taipei last week, which is home to the world's tallest building. Now, Taipei doesnt have much of a skyline to see on a clear day even, and that day it was so rainy and overcast, they actually warned me before i bought my ticket. But that's just the kind of thing one has to take part in...

first, I COMPLETELY AGREE...La Sagrada Familia was way over rated. I found Gaudi's buildings throughout the city and his park to be much cooler.

second, how do you feel about movie reviews? in particular Ebert. i hate all movie reviews and reviewers because they tend to say things like The English Patient and Shakespeare in Love were great films, when most of us can agree they were hideously boring. i don't trust other people's judgement most of the time and would rather go see something, decide for myself that it is overrated and then complain vociferously that "i can't believe no one told me to skip that crap?"

So, to conclude, I wholeheartedly recommend "The Last King of Scotland". It was an amazing movie. But skip La Sagrada Familia...

Most of the time, I actually prefer to skip the more 'touristy' must do things and wander around discovering things for myself. Sometimes I think that the appeal is more to say you've been to see 'insert item' rather than actually seeing the place/thing.

I think I'm much more inclined to listen to someone's advice if they can provide a coherent case for why something is overrated.
Eg: my mate told me not to bother with the Picasso musuem in Barcelona because it features a lot of earlier work and sketches but not much that the average-joe-not-an-art-history-student would recognise or get much out of. She then recommended alternatives such as the MNAC and the Dali musuem, both of which were great.
Just to say "its overrated" doesn't mean much. It could genuinely not be very impressive, it could be the person was in the wrong mood the day they saw it or maybe it was just really crowded so it was hard to appreciate.. but that doesn't mean it's not worth it.. there must be some reason all those other people were there..

I agree with the comments on understanding why someone thinks an attraction is overrated. I'm not nuts about crowds, so I will often skip a "must see" at peak season just to preserve my sanity. I'm also not thrilled with places that have had tourist makeovers and I'll often skip those.

However, if the objection is "it's dirty" - I was told that about Morocco and Shanghai, and it was true, but I was still fascinated.

I'm also not deterred with "the locals are weird", "no one speaks english" or "there's nothing to see."

La

quote:

However, if the objection is "it's dirty" - I was told that about Morocco and Shanghai, and it was true, but I was still fascinated.

I'm also not deterred with "the locals are weird", "no one speaks english" or "there's nothing to see."

Exactly. And I'll add "it's dangerous", and "it's seedy" to your list.

quote:

Originally posted by braslvr:
Exactly. And I'll add "it's dangerous", and "it's seedy" to your list.

If someoe says a place is dangerous, I've learned to ask what they mean. As an American, I tend to think of muggings and shootings and such, and I've been surprised by manic drivers who like to chase pedestrians and wind gusts that will knock you off a cliff.

La

I know.