If you didn’t know, traveling has become quite the in-thing as of late. It’s no longer something that only retirees and rich people do because they’ve got the time or the money. Whether it’s because people have learned that they can now travel on the tightest of budgets or that there are ways to earn money by and while traveling, it’s something that the young and old, rich and poor have come to love.

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And while there are places around the world that everyone wants to see, there are also some that have been ignored for some time now. If you’re thinking about going on a trip in the near future, this article will give you some things to consider. Here are some of the most under and overrated travel destinations in the world.

Times Square, New York (Overrated)

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Times Square is amazing, what with all the bright lights and things to do. But, and it’s a big but, it’s always crowded. We’re not talking a few hundred people either. There are thousands of people walking about, rushing to get to their destinations.

So, while the pictures do look nice, it’s not nearly as glamorous getting knocked about, pushed and shoved every five steps.

Rome, Italy(Overrated)

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Rome is a place that just about everyone in the world wants to travel to for a variety of reasons; the food is great, the architecture is beautiful, and the culture is so much fun. It’s the reason why over ten thousand people visit sites like the Colosseum every day.

You’d have to get up very early every single day to be able to get glimpses of the Trevi Fountain or a picture of the Spanish Steps without anyone sitting on them.

Las Vegas, Nevada(Overrated)

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If you’re into gambling and partying the night (and day) away, Vegas is the place for you. But what people don’t tell you is that this place is hot!

Not only that, there are so many lines all over the place- getting into shows, nightclubs, restaurants and even walking on the sidewalk- that it can seem like you’re spending more time walking and waiting than enjoying yourself.

Phuket, Thailand(Overrated)

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Let’s face it, Phuket is an Instagrammer’s paradise with luxurious resorts, crystal clear waters, and countless photo opportunities.

The city is also known for being able to see and ride elephants, many of which are mistreated. Its beaches while beautiful are often shared with hundreds if not thousands of other people, one of the reasons why they are seen loaded with trash.

The Red Light District, The Netherlands(Overrated)

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The Red Light District, known for its legalized sexual services scene, is one of the first places that comes to mind when you think about Amsterdam.

But this city isn’t for the conservative or the weak at heart, nudity comes with the territory, and once the clock strikes 11 pm, the district becomes extremely crowded and not the safest of places.

Cairo, Egypt(Overrated)

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It’s always great to visit new places especially if its selling point includes the Nile River, the Giza Necropolis and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar.

Just trying to get to Cairo can be very expensive and the flight time can exceed 10 hours if you are in anywhere west of New York. Once you get there, being hassled by salesmen and seeing the pyramids in a large crowd is not the experience that people hope for.

Hollywood, California(Overrated)

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Some of the world’s greatest movies have been filmed in one of the many studios in Hollywood and the prospect of seeing one of your favorite stars is a great reason to go.

But if you factor in the LA’s terrible traffic, how expensive it is to stay there, how crowded the “walk of fame”, “Disneyland”, and “Santa Monica pier” are, then you won’t be planning a trip there anytime soon.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy(Overrated)

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The Leaning Tower of Pisa is an architectural disaster which became one of the most recognized monuments in the world. Initially tilting because of its inadequate foundation, the bell tower has amazing views for those able to climb it.

With that being said, many have said that the climb isn’t worth it, and if you’re thinking about taking one of those classically cheesy selfies where you push the monument, then you should expect at least 5 to 20 photobombers.

London, England(Overrated)

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London can be found on almost everyone’s bucket list and for good reason. With landmarks like Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, and Tower Bridge, it’s easy to understand why.

Unfortunately, all of those sites listed above are some of the most visited places in the city and not only do you need to get advanced tickets, at least a few days, to visit these places, the lines to get there are often very long.

Statue of Liberty, New York(Overrated)

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The Statue of Liberty is one of the most well-known symbols in the United States. A gift from France, she stands over 305 feet tall in the heart of New York City.

But don’t get too excited. Thousands of people have expressed their regret about this place, their main complaint being that is just isn’t worth it. The lines take up most of the time and the view really isn’t all that.

Cancun, Mexico(Overrated)

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When you hear the word Cancun, most people think of “affordability”, “flavorful food”, “great weather”, and “beautiful beaches”.

Unfortunately, some other words/phrases that come to mind include “over-priced activities”, “aggressive vendors”, and “safety issues”. And if you would like to visit in March or April, you’ll be swarmed by inebriated college kids.

Stonehenge, England(Overrated)

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Stonehenge is one of the more mysterious rocks on planet earth and people have been speculating for centuries, just where it came from and who put it there.

But in real life, they’re really just stones that crowds of people flock to see every year. All the mystery is taken away by loud person chewing gum right next to you and the children begging their parents to see something more interesting.

Mykonos, Greece(Overrated)

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Mykonos is a picturesque island which is known for its unique architecture and lit parties.

Because of all of the attention that it has received from the celebrities who vacation there, the Greek isle is often very crowded and very expensive. To add insult to injury, there aren’t as many beaches as the other islands which you can visit for less than half the price.

Taj Mahal, India(Overrated)

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The Taj Mahal is a beautiful place and a gift from a husband to his beloved wife. The place is picture perfect and looks as pristine as it was when it was first built.

But what people don’t tell you is how far you’d have to drive to even get there. To make things worse, the line to get inside is crazy ridiculous to get inside and when you do, you’re far from alone. Maybe it would do better to get a postcard if you’re in the area- or stay outside.

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The Mona Lisa, The Louvre(Overrated)

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The Mona Lisa, which was completed by Leonardo Da Vinci in 1517, is the most well-known painting in the world, and even the director of the Louvre has said that over 80% of the museum’s visitors come just to see it.

On top of having to compete to see the artwork, it sits behind a 1.52- inch-thick layer of bulletproof glass and there is also a wooden fence and a rope fence (on occasion) to keep viewers back.

Chile (Underrated)

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When people think about visiting South America, Chile isn’t a place that comes to mind. But it should be. Chile has amazing beaches, beautiful vineyards, deserts, mountain ranges and a rich history you can dive into.

You can also take a day trip to visit Easter Island where the Moai stone sculptures are found from there.

Tulum, Mexico(Underrated)

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Most people go to Mexico for a week to party the house down, but there’s much more to the country than that. Meet Tulum, a small town known for its connection to nature.

With its many cenotes, ruins and jungle tours, there’s always something to do in this quiet town. And did we mention how good (and cheap) the food is?

Eastern Europe(Underrated)

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When someone says they’re going on a Euro trip, it’s often to countries like France, Spain, England and Italy. While there’s nothing wrong with that, the eastern side of the continent is almost always ignored, and it shouldn’t be.

Croatia’s capital, Zagreb is a must-see, as are the cathedrals and monasteries in Bulgaria. If you’re in the area, be sure to visit. You won’t regret it.

Tohoku, Japan(Underrated)

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Why go through all the hustle and bustle of being in Tokyo or even Osaka? Leave that all behind and go to Tohoku instead.

There’s just as much culture in the region, mountains views that are equally as beautiful, cherry blossom trees all over the place and enough ski resorts to get your snow days on.

Fjords of Norway(Underrated)

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We’re in the habit of being extremely honest so admitting that Norway is becoming a bigger travel destination is something we should say.

BUT, the fjords are still mostly ignored, for some reason. If you’re a fan of snow-capped mountains, beautiful waterfalls and views you’d only find on Bing, this is the place to be.

Puglia, Italy(Underrated)

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Puglia, if you didn’t know, is the part of Italy that forms the heel of the boot. It’s an amazing mix of Greece, Spain and Italy, with Byzantine influences, all in one.

Of course, it stays true to its Italian traditions and has scenic views around every corner.

Malawi(Underrated)

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Most people don’t even know that Malawi is a country, but you should. Why? Because this underrated travel destination has everything you can even think to get out of an African vacation.

There are elephants (lots of them), beautiful beaches, exotic foods and some of the friendliest locals you’ll ever meet. So, why not go there?

Slovenia(Underrated)

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Instead of spending your money in Western Europe, center it a bit more and plan a stop in Slovenia.

With its beautiful lakes, historic castles, ridiculously good food (add in some world-class chefs) and vineyards for wine-lovers, Slovenia has something to offer everyone.

Salta, Argentina(Underrated)

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Salta is the capital city of the Salta Province in Argentina. It is well-known for its 18-century architecture which includes a number of beautiful churches that are sprinkled around the town.

But more than that, this is a place that provides the most spectacular views of red rock valleys found in South America.

Congo(Underrated)

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The Congo is one of those African countries that is forgotten because bigger countries tend to take center stage. And it’s really such a shame! With all its wildlife, a fun safari is really only a call away.

There are also enough parks for every day of the week and a volcano whose glow you can observe from the top.

Taranaki, New Zealand(Underrated)

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Mount Taranaki, Egmont National Park and Surf Highway 45 are just a few of the many things that Taranaki has to offer.

Located in New Plymouth, New Zealand, Taranaki is as contemporary as it is scenic, as laid back as it is active and as beautiful as it is fun. Book a trip and go today!

French Polynesia(Underrated)

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Where in the world is French Polynesia? Think Bora Bora. Home to over 100 islands, of which almost 70 are inhabited, this group of tropical bits of land screams vacation vibes with its clear waters and beautiful white-sand beaches.

The homes and hotels are for the most part affordable and the food is as fresh as it’ll ever come.

Uzbekistan(Underrated)

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Uzbekistan is not a country that is on many bucket lists, but it should be. It’s in the Middle East and is just a short few hours, by plane, away from Europe. It is the home of the most beautiful tombs, in our opinion, but also has a once-bustling city turned ghost fishing town that you can visit.

There are observatories, a stop that was once used on the Silk Road and palaces and prisons that are just waiting for you to visit. If you like a mixture of history, cool architecture and delicious and cheap food, this is the place to be.

Alberta, Canada(Underrated)

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When people think about Canada, Alberta isn’t a place that immediately comes to mind. It’s usually an icy place, and one of the most gorgeous in the world.

From the Banff National Park to the Athabasca Glacier, there’s no reason you shouldn’t be here if you don’t love snow.