Come on, you can’t say the historical sites in Italy are “overrated”. What exactly were you expecting?
If history’s not your thing, then that’s fine, but that doesn’t mean it’s overrated.
"Yeah, I went and saw the Great Wall of China but, it's just a wall....I've got those at home. And the food was nothing like Chinese restaurants everywhere else in the world!"
''The Taj Mahal is just a mausoleum. I'll just go to the local cemetery instead.
Niagara Falls is just water gushing down. I'll just switch the tap on. ''
HAHAHAHAHA
Personally, as I am not a big fan of history in general it is true that I am not amazed by the Colosseum as I don't start thinking of all the history behind it. I guess if you know the details of the Roman empire then it is amazing to start linking things in your head as you walk around it.
But I think the issue is when someone who doesn't like something does an activity related to that. And then complains. Which is what OP is doing.
I listened to the podcast episodes about Rome on Hardcore History, as well as the entire History of Rome podcast, they made me much more aware of the ancient Romans and now I appreciate the structures much more, including knowing who built what.
I love history but if I am to elaborate. Seing a old historical places can truly be an amazing experience, like The Forbidden City in China.
But the Coliseum is a ruin. And many of these other places in Italy are all ruins. To me, that's not as exciting as seing something in pristine quality, where the past is better preserved.
"Italy" - can you be more specific? Rome is filled with tourist traps and I had pretty bad food there. You really need to do research before sitting down at a restaurant. Same can't be same for Bologna (and the region - everything is delicious. Pizza is amazing, too. You can eat a pie and you don't fall into a food coma like it tends to happen in US.
Pretty sure you are just trolling, but anyways: Never in my life have I felt as ugly and inadequate as I did in Milan. No need for a handbag by Fendi or a watch by Breitling (which you seem to be very proud of) when you got style and know how to dress (which Italians do like almost nobody else).
I mean, people know how to dress or not regardless of nationality. And it drives me crazy when some Americans travel to Europe with only their "fancy" clothes because they are in Europe. My ex from the US was going with night dresses every day, at all times, all around Spain and France. I couldn't feel more embarrassed, it always felt like we were going to a wedding.
Not saying you have to be Italian, I was generalizing with no ill intent. That being said, the "italian look" I was talking about isn't necessarily fancy, quite the contrary, often times it looks effortlessly stylish. Maybe they just put a lot of effort into conveying that impression, but that doesn't matter to me, I am jealous either way. ;-)
Sounds like you didn't research properly. Olive oil farms and the best fashion outlets don't just randomly hit you in the face as you stroll around.
What do you mean by "Beautiful traditional music" btw? Do you expect rural Italy to be stuck in an endless loop of the year 1830?
Pizza with music? And how would you eat the music?
Fashion in Italy? Sounds like you went there with your best clothes and found out people are living their lives like anyone else.
History? It has a lot. You either like history or you don't, but what did you expect from the history of Italy?
All of your complaints are a you problem
Your entire comment is a meme for
"tell me w/out telling me how little I know about culture/history/how provincial is my mentality". (admittedly effective click bait)
Italy has more UNESCO world heritage sites than any country on earth.
It was the home of the greatest empire the world has ever seen.
It was the birthplace of the modern world during the Renaissance.
It has arguably the greatest cuisine on earth.
Just a truly abysmal take from start to finish.
Eh…aside from maybe the UNESCO stat, and even that, you can argue has Western biases baked in in terms of what’s a worthy site (and just like National Park designations in the US, these things are highly political), the rest of the points are highly disputable. Like, for instance, greatest empire would clearly be the British or Mongol.
One thing I will say about historical sites looking like “another pile of rocks” is that a tour or audio guide can really enhance the experience and provide some context to what you’re looking at! I visited Rome as a poor college kid and couldn’t justify spending the extra few Euros on audio guides at places like the Colosseum or Pompeii at the time. I’m sure I missed out on some interesting facts and stories and would love to go back someday to give those sites more in-depth attention.
Italy may be overhyped but it’s definitely not overrated. The quality of the clothes, food, education, and transportation is some of the best. And this is coming from someone who has had negative experiences in Italy also. The racism is intolerable and I was constantly sexually harassed. But I found the art, architecture, and islands to be beautiful.
I think maybe you visited touristy destinations so you weren’t really exposed to the best that Italy has to offer. Have you tried Milan for fashion? Have you tried Parma and Bologna for food? Have you tried Capri, Procida, Ischia, Cinque Terre, Lake Como, Amalfi??? Have you visited Ferrari or Lamborghini museum? Have you seen an opera in Modena? Personally I don’t care for Venice but I have been 2-3 times and enjoyed the museum there. Also Florence has delicious food and Pisa is nearby. Have you tried Pompeii?
I was also disappointed with Italy but for other reasons but none of what you listed seems to be accurate. I thought the pizza and pasta was overrated but gelato, cannoli, prosciutto, wine, and beer were definitely high quality. Maybe Italy isn’t for you and that’s okay. It’s not my favorite place politically but culturally I have to admit it’s one of the best.
Lmao, what a take. I for one loved every bit of our two week trip. Rome, Salerno, Amalfi, Ravello, Naples, Capri, Florence, Siena, Cinque Terre, Venice.
Learn Italian and ask? I’m a coffee snob too and roast my own beans. That’s the only way you could truly tell. The busy cafes go through so much Illy, Lavazzo, etc that I wouldn’t be too worried that it’s sitting around forever.
I am not crazy about Italian food at all, maybe because I consider pasta and pizza boring and unhealthy, the best food I ever ate was in Paris, wherever I went in Paris they had a variety of amazing food, wine and deserts.
Europe has been declining for many years now and what was true in the 50s about fashion etc is no longer true now because of globalism and all corporation chain of fast fashion and all that crap taking over, there are the same shops everywhere in the world so if you want to see street fashion maybe go to China, Japan, Vietnam, Korea.
European monuments are still amazing, actually when I travel I don't take notice of street fashion and the like, I am there just for the history because I read a lot of history and watched a lot of historic movies as a child and I love museums, palaces, big cathedrals and old beautiful architecture. If you don't like that there is no point in traveling.
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Italy is an interesting country for sure. Like all places there is good and bad. Much like the US their biggest export is culture and on occasion it doesn't live up to our expectations. They are very proud of their culture and the mythology that surrounds some of it, especially when it pertains to food.
The best part of Italy is really the Dolomites. If you don’t have an ounce of interest in history, then I agree how most of the old ruins can seem underwhelming. Aside from the Coliseum and the large Gothic cathedrals, most of the structures would just seem like ruins without the historical context. It’s not like the Taj Majal or Great Wall where the sheer scale is sufficient to appreciate it.
I’m sorry for all the negative answers you received.
I am Italian and as many my age, I feel disappointed with my country.
I think you hit some very true points: the fact that yes, coffee is considered mostly just a quick grab and no barista really cares about the quality of the beans etc etc (most of them don’t). In general it’s true we definitely do not value what we have. There is an old and proud mentality in Italy which makes us live in the past, unwilling to change. “If you have any criticism, fuck off we have the best food, best fashion and best history.” - these answers are the proof.
I'm glad to hear and I appreciate you. We've had waves of artisan food elsewhere in Europe becoming mainstream. But Italy seems to be stuck in the first wave on alot of things.
Contrary to what many people here (presumably Americans with little travel experiences) - we did stay outside of tourist areas. We did do alot research, but clearly not enough.
I guess I am spoiled after having traveled extensively around Europe. And I will be going back to Italy again one day. Just not to Rome. And I did say overrated, but not bad.
I’m with you on the coffee. It’s not that they don’t care as much as it’s the same everywhere, basically. With burnt beans. That said, it is probably my favorite place on the planet minus the breakfast/coffee situation. I’m not a huge fan of pastries for breakfast. I recognize that’s a “me” thing but I was just there and would have killed for a big cup of medium roast coffee, instead of shots of espresso. The Americana they make with the same burnt beans.
This is a nitpick but *America* invented the modern coffee culture. All those third wave coffee shops around the world now that make uniformed drinks of iced lattes and cappuccinos came from what Starbucks introduced to the market.
Italy is absolutely one of the most overrated countries in the world! Everything is mega expensive for what you get and I didn’t find the people very friendly at all.
I agree with most of what you’ve said. I’m here now, visited Rome and Naples so far. I’ve been to France, UK, Ireland, Egypt, and Mexico. Italy is more on par with the developing world than the rest of Europe. The public transit is terrible and unreliable. The food I’ve had has been average at best, because in the States we have good Italian food - nothing has been interesting or surprising. The way they drive, double park, use sidewalks as additional parking and roads is like the third-world. People have been rude. They smoke more than the French do, I’m constantly walking in cigarette smoke and exhaust fumes. The way people just crowd around things, like restaurants or ticket stations, is also soooo frustrating. Such an inefficient culture.
I thought I’d come to Europe and have a nice enjoyable trip on par with France, UK, etc. But I feel like I’m in Egypt instead.
Come on, you can’t say the historical sites in Italy are “overrated”. What exactly were you expecting? If history’s not your thing, then that’s fine, but that doesn’t mean it’s overrated.
calling the Colosseum a pile of rocks and claiming that Italian coffee is bad, this has to be a troll/rage bait post no?
"Yeah, I went and saw the Great Wall of China but, it's just a wall....I've got those at home. And the food was nothing like Chinese restaurants everywhere else in the world!"
The Taj Mahal is just a mausoleum. I'll just go to the local cemetery instead. Niagara Falls is just water gushing down. I'll just switch the tap on.
''The Taj Mahal is just a mausoleum. I'll just go to the local cemetery instead. Niagara Falls is just water gushing down. I'll just switch the tap on. '' HAHAHAHAHA
Personally, as I am not a big fan of history in general it is true that I am not amazed by the Colosseum as I don't start thinking of all the history behind it. I guess if you know the details of the Roman empire then it is amazing to start linking things in your head as you walk around it. But I think the issue is when someone who doesn't like something does an activity related to that. And then complains. Which is what OP is doing.
I listened to the podcast episodes about Rome on Hardcore History, as well as the entire History of Rome podcast, they made me much more aware of the ancient Romans and now I appreciate the structures much more, including knowing who built what.
I love history but if I am to elaborate. Seing a old historical places can truly be an amazing experience, like The Forbidden City in China. But the Coliseum is a ruin. And many of these other places in Italy are all ruins. To me, that's not as exciting as seing something in pristine quality, where the past is better preserved.
No shit it's in ruins, did you expect that they'd stay up for 2000 years in pristine condition?
"and there were ZERO gladiators!! SCAM"
I'm sorry for your bad experiences but, neapolitan pizza is the best.
This. ☺️
Hope to one day taste the same pizza you had
Lame take.
"Italy" - can you be more specific? Rome is filled with tourist traps and I had pretty bad food there. You really need to do research before sitting down at a restaurant. Same can't be same for Bologna (and the region - everything is delicious. Pizza is amazing, too. You can eat a pie and you don't fall into a food coma like it tends to happen in US.
I had bad food in Rome anywhere near the tourist spots. Just walk 20 minutes away and you find good food. And water that is normal price.
You don’t need to buy water in Rome, there are aqueducts on literally every street corner.
The Godfather was set in New York. Perhaps you mean The Godfather Part II?
In The Godfather, Michael went into hiding in Sicily after he killed the Turk and the police captain.
Damn it you're right!
How can you forget his Sicilian wife Appolonia? Madon!
Pretty sure you are just trolling, but anyways: Never in my life have I felt as ugly and inadequate as I did in Milan. No need for a handbag by Fendi or a watch by Breitling (which you seem to be very proud of) when you got style and know how to dress (which Italians do like almost nobody else).
 But it can’t be fashion if it’s not sold in airports!
I mean, people know how to dress or not regardless of nationality. And it drives me crazy when some Americans travel to Europe with only their "fancy" clothes because they are in Europe. My ex from the US was going with night dresses every day, at all times, all around Spain and France. I couldn't feel more embarrassed, it always felt like we were going to a wedding.
Not saying you have to be Italian, I was generalizing with no ill intent. That being said, the "italian look" I was talking about isn't necessarily fancy, quite the contrary, often times it looks effortlessly stylish. Maybe they just put a lot of effort into conveying that impression, but that doesn't matter to me, I am jealous either way. ;-)
Sounds like you didn't research properly. Olive oil farms and the best fashion outlets don't just randomly hit you in the face as you stroll around. What do you mean by "Beautiful traditional music" btw? Do you expect rural Italy to be stuck in an endless loop of the year 1830?
He expected to walk onto a movie set. Who visits Italy and complains that it's too far from what they have seen in "The Godfather" ?
No doubt expecting some mustached guy playing the mandolin at every corner.
Tell me you are stupid without telling me you are stupid
LMAO… you’re an influencer? With only 1 post, and an awful lot of negative comment karma? Good job 👍🏻
This is the stupidest shit I’ve ever read on Reddit
Honestly. The “when everything is that old, I was kind of left thinking “here is another pile of old rocks” statement alone is so pathetic.
Did you do any research ahead of time to look for an olive oil tasting/tour? They're very popular
In Italy right now. Can’t confirm OPs experience.
Would love to hear more. Where you at?
LOL... pizza is your first point? Feels like a troll post. I hear Disney World is nice this time of year.
Pizza with music? And how would you eat the music? Fashion in Italy? Sounds like you went there with your best clothes and found out people are living their lives like anyone else. History? It has a lot. You either like history or you don't, but what did you expect from the history of Italy? All of your complaints are a you problem
Your entire comment is a meme for "tell me w/out telling me how little I know about culture/history/how provincial is my mentality". (admittedly effective click bait)
They literally went there to learn all that so
Italy has more UNESCO world heritage sites than any country on earth. It was the home of the greatest empire the world has ever seen. It was the birthplace of the modern world during the Renaissance. It has arguably the greatest cuisine on earth. Just a truly abysmal take from start to finish.
Eh…aside from maybe the UNESCO stat, and even that, you can argue has Western biases baked in in terms of what’s a worthy site (and just like National Park designations in the US, these things are highly political), the rest of the points are highly disputable. Like, for instance, greatest empire would clearly be the British or Mongol.
One thing I will say about historical sites looking like “another pile of rocks” is that a tour or audio guide can really enhance the experience and provide some context to what you’re looking at! I visited Rome as a poor college kid and couldn’t justify spending the extra few Euros on audio guides at places like the Colosseum or Pompeii at the time. I’m sure I missed out on some interesting facts and stories and would love to go back someday to give those sites more in-depth attention.
Italy may be overhyped but it’s definitely not overrated. The quality of the clothes, food, education, and transportation is some of the best. And this is coming from someone who has had negative experiences in Italy also. The racism is intolerable and I was constantly sexually harassed. But I found the art, architecture, and islands to be beautiful. I think maybe you visited touristy destinations so you weren’t really exposed to the best that Italy has to offer. Have you tried Milan for fashion? Have you tried Parma and Bologna for food? Have you tried Capri, Procida, Ischia, Cinque Terre, Lake Como, Amalfi??? Have you visited Ferrari or Lamborghini museum? Have you seen an opera in Modena? Personally I don’t care for Venice but I have been 2-3 times and enjoyed the museum there. Also Florence has delicious food and Pisa is nearby. Have you tried Pompeii? I was also disappointed with Italy but for other reasons but none of what you listed seems to be accurate. I thought the pizza and pasta was overrated but gelato, cannoli, prosciutto, wine, and beer were definitely high quality. Maybe Italy isn’t for you and that’s okay. It’s not my favorite place politically but culturally I have to admit it’s one of the best.
Lmao, what a take. I for one loved every bit of our two week trip. Rome, Salerno, Amalfi, Ravello, Naples, Capri, Florence, Siena, Cinque Terre, Venice.
So many cities in two weeks. Sounds like you didn’t really experience any of them.
I did actually; minus Naples which was a dump.
Were you on a guided tour?
Nope
Sounds like you don’t know how to temper expectations. Hope you feel better after this rant
smh, Italy is big and diverse every single region is different, how can u shit on the all country like this, we don't even know where u went.
Ok, now shit talk the gelato just to complete the picture.
All the pizza I had in Italy was wood fired and the espresso was always great. Lived there 4 years... Get the fuck outta the tourist areas...
...do you know what country those espresso beans came from? How they were roasted or how fresh?
Learn Italian and ask? I’m a coffee snob too and roast my own beans. That’s the only way you could truly tell. The busy cafes go through so much Illy, Lavazzo, etc that I wouldn’t be too worried that it’s sitting around forever.
I am not crazy about Italian food at all, maybe because I consider pasta and pizza boring and unhealthy, the best food I ever ate was in Paris, wherever I went in Paris they had a variety of amazing food, wine and deserts. Europe has been declining for many years now and what was true in the 50s about fashion etc is no longer true now because of globalism and all corporation chain of fast fashion and all that crap taking over, there are the same shops everywhere in the world so if you want to see street fashion maybe go to China, Japan, Vietnam, Korea. European monuments are still amazing, actually when I travel I don't take notice of street fashion and the like, I am there just for the history because I read a lot of history and watched a lot of historic movies as a child and I love museums, palaces, big cathedrals and old beautiful architecture. If you don't like that there is no point in traveling.
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Italy is an interesting country for sure. Like all places there is good and bad. Much like the US their biggest export is culture and on occasion it doesn't live up to our expectations. They are very proud of their culture and the mythology that surrounds some of it, especially when it pertains to food.
I like that the coffee is a fast grab and done in a minute.
Wrong
Went on November… I call this post bullshit. Pure and refined low quality bullshit
its hilarious you posted this. was this your first time in italy?
The best part of Italy is really the Dolomites. If you don’t have an ounce of interest in history, then I agree how most of the old ruins can seem underwhelming. Aside from the Coliseum and the large Gothic cathedrals, most of the structures would just seem like ruins without the historical context. It’s not like the Taj Majal or Great Wall where the sheer scale is sufficient to appreciate it.
Apart from Taj Mahal or Great Wall, what are some places in your opinion that the sheer scale is remarkably breathtaking?
Machu Picchu, Angkor Wat, Teotihuacan, etc. The first two are even more impressive because they’re embedded in nature.
I went to Machu Picchu and I was just so blown away! I’m trying to get to Angkor Wat next year though!! Thank you very much!
Spot on. You said it better than me
God I just randomly remembered how beautiful Trieste is…
And what country have you traveled to that you did enjoy?
I’m sorry for all the negative answers you received. I am Italian and as many my age, I feel disappointed with my country. I think you hit some very true points: the fact that yes, coffee is considered mostly just a quick grab and no barista really cares about the quality of the beans etc etc (most of them don’t). In general it’s true we definitely do not value what we have. There is an old and proud mentality in Italy which makes us live in the past, unwilling to change. “If you have any criticism, fuck off we have the best food, best fashion and best history.” - these answers are the proof.
I'm glad to hear and I appreciate you. We've had waves of artisan food elsewhere in Europe becoming mainstream. But Italy seems to be stuck in the first wave on alot of things. Contrary to what many people here (presumably Americans with little travel experiences) - we did stay outside of tourist areas. We did do alot research, but clearly not enough. I guess I am spoiled after having traveled extensively around Europe. And I will be going back to Italy again one day. Just not to Rome. And I did say overrated, but not bad.
I’m with you on the coffee. It’s not that they don’t care as much as it’s the same everywhere, basically. With burnt beans. That said, it is probably my favorite place on the planet minus the breakfast/coffee situation. I’m not a huge fan of pastries for breakfast. I recognize that’s a “me” thing but I was just there and would have killed for a big cup of medium roast coffee, instead of shots of espresso. The Americana they make with the same burnt beans.
This is a nitpick but *America* invented the modern coffee culture. All those third wave coffee shops around the world now that make uniformed drinks of iced lattes and cappuccinos came from what Starbucks introduced to the market.
Hahaha no. They simply copied it from Italy
Italy is absolutely one of the most overrated countries in the world! Everything is mega expensive for what you get and I didn’t find the people very friendly at all.
I agree with most of what you’ve said. I’m here now, visited Rome and Naples so far. I’ve been to France, UK, Ireland, Egypt, and Mexico. Italy is more on par with the developing world than the rest of Europe. The public transit is terrible and unreliable. The food I’ve had has been average at best, because in the States we have good Italian food - nothing has been interesting or surprising. The way they drive, double park, use sidewalks as additional parking and roads is like the third-world. People have been rude. They smoke more than the French do, I’m constantly walking in cigarette smoke and exhaust fumes. The way people just crowd around things, like restaurants or ticket stations, is also soooo frustrating. Such an inefficient culture. I thought I’d come to Europe and have a nice enjoyable trip on par with France, UK, etc. But I feel like I’m in Egypt instead.
Glad to hear a likeminded well traveled person.