One of the biggest misconceptions about travel, in my opinion, is that simply the act of traveling somewhere will make you love the destination you find yourself in. Over my years of frequent travel and living abroad, I’ve visited lots of places that I didn’t love, places that I have no interest in returning to, places that just don’t vibe with my personality. Sometimes those places are destinations that other people love and are surprised to hear me say I didn’t enjoy them. I’ve been honest in the past on Land of Marvels about not liking San Francisco or about how I didn’t like Rome at all the first time I visited. But perhaps the most important note to make on this topic is that it’s completely ok for you not to fall in love with every place you visit, and even more so, it’s perfectly ok to not like a place and to say so with an open and honest mind.
Recently on our trip through Europe, one of our stops was Munich, Germany. We were planning to road trip through Austria so Munich seemed a great city to base ourselves for the start and end of our road trip and would offer us the opportunity to see Germany for the first time, especially the region of Bavaria which I’d really wanted to see. Ultimately, I walked away from Munich with a sense of disappointment and for numerous reasons, I realized that perhaps Munich and I just aren’t meant to get along.
Personally for me, the city seemed harsh, both architecturally and in personality. The local culture wasn’t compatible with my personality and I had a hard time with the brusque and efficient attitude from locals. After our first day in Munich, I literally said to Nick “what are we doing wrong that everyone seems so harsh with us?” We walked in multiple cafes and restaurants where we were basically just ignored or spoken to very brusque-ly. Not one person in any establishment ever said hello or smiled at us and people literally walked right in front of us in the streets. It wasn’t until I googled our issue to understand that the culture in parts of Germany is just more brusque than we’re used to, very efficient and knowing that after the fact did ease our sensation a bit. But I’ll be honest, I still had a hard time with it and it really affected me during our couple days in the city.
I’ve traveled all over the world, lived in multiple countries and am not one to stereotype entire groups of people or cultures, so I say the above with an open mind and that’s why I wanted to confirm that it wasn’t something we were doing to be rude or insensitive to local culture during our time in Germany. But even knowing that the culture of Bavaria might lean toward efficiency over politeness in general, it’s still ok for us as visitors to accept and understand that but to also dislike it. I felt very uncomfortable in that type of setting and as someone who loves to say hello and make people feel welcome, I had a hard time with the personality of Munich.
The point is this: you’re not going to love every place you visit and that’s perfectly alright. We’re not all meant to love every place or to jive with every personality around the world. I personally love France and don’t find the rude French stereotype to be true, though many people do. Then again, you might feel the same way about Germany. Whatever the personality of a place or its people, it’s important to be educated and understand why something might not be how you expect it to be. It’s important to remember that different places feel different and that each place you visit has a “soul” of its own, if you will, each place has a personality of its own and it might be compatible with yours and it might not.
Sometimes we might love a place, sometimes we might not – but either way, seeing places and forming our own opinion is ultimately the goal of travel and how we ultimately learn from the destinations we visit. I didn’t love Munich and that’s ok. We each form our own opinions as travelers, seeing places through our own eyes and if you love a destination, then great. And if you don’t, that’s ok too.
Stacey @ One Trip at a Time says
This is so true, and difficult to express at times when coming home and people asked how was your trip. I don’t want to sound picky, negative, snobbish or ungrateful that I even had the opportunity to visit a particular place so I try to find the positives when sharing stories from friends and family. But there are times that I just didn’t care for a place much. Italy is that place for me.
I know there are millions of visitors every year and people love it but my organised personality just didn’t mesh well with the chaotic atmosphere there. But there are lots of different places, and lots of different people. There is something out there for everyone. 🙂
Casey says
Definitely. People often want to make you feel bad for not liking a place, but sometimes it isn’t that simple!
Sara Rose says
This is reeeeeally true. Just because everyone loves a place, doesn’t mean you will! It’s all about personal experience. There are some places I thought I would LOVE but walked away disappointed. On the flip side, I’ve been to places people don’t enjoy that I absolute love. It’s just a part of travel, you never know!
Casey says
Totally!
CoquetFleur says
As a german I find this hillarius! I had the opposide problem here in the USA where I am currently living everybody is soo nice and want to talk to you all the time. And Baveria is even in Germany known to be quiet harsh…..
Casey says
So funny! Isn’t it interesting that different cultures have such different personalities?
sky says
This is true and I get what you’re say about not liking a place, especially if you’re having problems accomodting to the local culture. For me, I don’t mind architecture or weather conditions, but I don’t like places where I feel like I’m a complete outsider because I can’t connect with the locals.
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Casey says
Yea, feeling like an outsider is hard for me too!
Tag Along Travel says
I completely agree with your post. I’ve also visited places that I didn’t love. I’ve also visited places that offered difficult experiences, but ones that I am glad I had. I may not want to go back, but glad I went. Travel can be enriching even when it’s not enjoyable.
Casey says
Totally. It’s all about the experience you walk away with. And even the places we don’t want to go back to, still teach us amazing lessons.
Karlie V says
I really agree. There are places I simply just don’t love. I didn’t care for Rome at all, put me completely off of Italy (though San Francisco is one of my favorite cities). I also think it has to do with the experience you have. When I went to Paris, I found people to be really helpful and open. However, on the same trip (a group tour), my mom and grandma found people to be unhelpful and rude (I went with my friends, and they stuck together for most of the trip).
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Casey says
I had a hard time with Rome my first trip, but we did end up making it back for a second trip and really enjoyed it. We did it completely different than we did the first and it turned me back on to Italy (which prior to that I really didn’t enjoy). I think it also depends on what time in your life you visit some of these places, who you’re with, etc…. but in the end, it’s all worthwhile even when you don’t love the destination.
astintabroad says
I wholeheartedly agree. I had a bad experience when I visited downtown Genoa, Italy. I hated it. Then, I went the 2nd time in the coastal area and I loved it.
Casey says
Yea, certain places really need a second visit. Sometimes it’s just not working out the first time for whatever reason and that’s totally ok!