A long-awaited vacation can sometimes turn into an unpredictable adventure, filled with unexpected situations and a desire to return home as soon as possible. Sometimes our expectations, created by colorful images online, don’t match reality, and instead we get something completely different.
1. North Goa, India
This famous resort with its Indian flair, golden beaches, and Ayurvedic practices remains a place where a wide variety of experiences await. A holiday in North Goa can be likened to playing the lottery. The experience varies greatly—from hotels with temporary power and water outages to cows wandering peacefully along the beaches. All of this can be difficult to digest for the average tourist simply relaxing on a sun lounger. Pushy salespeople and hippies lost in their own worlds can make it difficult to maintain contact with reality.
2. Nha Trang, Vietnam
Overall, it’s great, but there are some peculiarities. In the fall and winter, when almost everywhere in Southeast Asia is peak tourist season, Nha Trang experiences the opposite: it rains, the weather gets cool, and the sea is rough.
In the summer, it’s too hot, and many Vietnamese flock here from other regions of the country: domestic tourism is in full swing. In the spring, expect crowds, but more so due to the influx of foreigners. Also to consider are the chaotic traffic with complete disregard for traffic rules, as well as the risk of being robbed of your belongings, money, and documents by thieves on motorbikes.
3. Pattaya, Thailand
There are many advantages, but just as many disadvantages. And it’s not just Pattaya’s well-known negative reputation. Locals prefer to swim on nearby islands, where the sea and beaches are much cleaner. The city beaches, unfortunately, are far from ideal. Moreover, the cost of your vacation can suddenly skyrocket if you need to see a local doctor for poisoning from dirty seawater and lack of health insurance.
4. Budva, Montenegro
During the off-peak season, all destinations seem attractive. But during peak season (July-August), Budva’s small beaches are so crowded that it’s difficult to navigate through the crowds. Meanwhile, the cost of renting sun loungers and umbrellas increases significantly.
5. Larnaca, Cyprus
The Mediterranean Sea, with its sandy beaches and gentle entry into the water, becomes the main, and perhaps the only, attraction for both children and their parents. Other destinations require a confusing public transportation system or overpriced taxis. During the sultry summer in Larnaca, there’s almost nowhere to hide from the sun—rocky landscapes are everywhere, and small palm trees line the waterfront.
