We have all suffered through bad vacations: tourist traps, endless lines, rundown hotels, and the worst airports on earth.
The world abounds in dismal destinations, and it’s just as important to know the hellholes to avoid as it is to be familiar with the most “idyllic” spots—especially when some don’t deserve their reputations.
Often it is not until you arrive that you find out that your stunning lakeside hotel is really perched on the beachless shores of a swampy puddle.
In DON’T GO THERE! (November 11, 2008; $17.95; Paperback), the follow-up to his New York Times bestseller, The Complete Travel Detective Bible, NBC’s Today show Travel Editor Peter Greenberg offers his expert, hard-won knowledge of where not to go, when not to go, and why you never should go. Readers will learn:
- The cities and countries with the most pollution, the highest crime rates, and the worst disease rates.
- Highways to steer clear of, unless you like being in accidents.
- The most dangerous theme parks.
- Hotels that are consistently cited for bedbugs, Legionnaires disease, and overall filth.
- The stinkiest cities, be it from manure, hog farms, or cereal production.
- Where not to ride a bike for fear of sinkholes.
- Airports to avoid at all costs and the runways that gives pilots permanent bragging rights.
- The airlines that have the worst safety record and the trains that derail the most.
- And so much more…
During these tough economic times, this is a must-have resource to save thousands of travelers from vacation tragedy and needless expense.
The early reviews are in…here’s what people are saying about Don’t Go There!:
Feeling bad that you can’t afford a vacation? Travel books with titles like “Don’t Go There!” … may make you feel better. For $15 or so, you’ll get a laugh out of vacation horrors that you’ll be happy to miss.
In travel, there is a huge appetite for boosterism among readers. People are often looking for new ideas and, new experiences. Reports from paradise can transport you there, even if you can’t afford to go. It’s fun, it’s entertaining, and it can be very useful. But I’ve always believed, and Greenberg does, too, that it’s important to shed light not just on the good but also on the bad. We need to expose problems and pitfalls, and shed light on bad practices in the travel industry to force change and improve travel for readers. We need to give people information they can use to improve their travel.
Peter Greenberg is a brave soul. The travel editor for NBC’s Today show released a book this week that is going to put him on tourist boards’ black lists from Missouri to Mumbai.
-The Dominion Post (Morgantown, WV)
…We wish he would have told more of his own stories, but he uses them to cut through categories like Most Depressing Places (Alaska: “How happy can you be when you have to dress in layers?”) and still have fun. Don’t Go There! is just as flippant as its title, but seasoned and rookie travelers alike can learn something from it.
-Jaunted.com, Pop Culture Travel Guide
One of the world’s “must-miss” places? Should somebody set Greenberg straight about Cleveland? … We’ll forward your comments to Greenberg along with an invitation to spend some time in the city - no Kevlar vest necessary.
In a great twist on the same-old travel guidebooks, Travel Detective Peter Greenberg’s latest offering clues you in on all the places you shouldn’t waste valuable vacation time visiting.
It’s no secret that Hereford is known for its “smell of money.” …. I also happen to find the smell of the ethanol plant to be quite pleasing … And while I find what he had to say about Hereford a slap in the face, I have to confess my own guilt of writing about Hereford’s lack of appeal as a tourist destination just a few weeks ago. Maybe this book is the wake-up call our civic leaders need to start thinking about things and events that could make Hereford a travel destination.
-Blogger Joe Southern
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Peter Greenberg is the preeminent expert on travel. He is the Travel Editor for NBC’s Today show, a contributing editor for Men’s Health and Best Life, travel editor-at-large for AARP, publisher of PeterGreenberg.com, and his national weekly radio show is heard on more than 130 stations, XM satellite radio, and Armed Forces Radio Network. In those rare moments when he is not traveling, he lives in New York, Los Angeles, and Bangkok.
Don’t Go There! The Travel Detective’s Essential Guide to the Must-Miss Places of the World
On Sale: November 11, 2008
Paperback Original/$17.95
ISBN 10: 1-60529-994-4
ISBN 13: 978-1-60529-994-5
Check out Peter’s Don’t Go There segment on the Today show.
Want information on how to order online? Click here.
Want more information on Peter’s book tour? Click here.
Hope the book does well. So many times we gloss over the bad because we don’t want to offend. Thanks for telling the real deal Peter!
My wife and I tend to agree w/ many of Peter`s observations, however, it would be a crime to be around the Campania region of Italy w/out a stay in Naples. In spite of the smell promoting garbage strike, the city is a trove of world class museums, churches , and restaurants. Forget the garbage, hold your nose, and love the city as we have.
I think Peter Greenberg needs a “reality check”.
The city of Cedar Rapids, Iowa does NOT constantly
smell! Yes it has its days….just like anyplace …depending on the way the wind is blowing.
And guess what…….these industries that “smell”….
sometimes….employ alot of people and feed alot of America! And the comment about the “garbage” from
the flooding…….that was uncalled for. Cedar Rapids
is a big city in Iowa and its going to take alot of time
to clean it up from the flood….a flood that was huge…
a flood that was devasting to our community….
What about some compassion and some positive feedback? I think someone like Peter Greenberg has
a negative look on life…….maybe it started with his
childhood?……and…. maybe something will happen someday to open his eyes.
your mother must really feel proud of you for showing so much compassion for us flood victems that lost EVERYTHING due to the flood.She really raised you right you dirtbag~Stay out of our beloved city-we dont want you here.We lost our home,our belongings and even our normal lives so go to hell.At least the “smells”are giving people honest work.By the way The City of Five Seasons meant winter,spring,summer,fall and Indian summer where it gets in the 80’s for a week.
Peter Greenberg, Don’t kick us when we are down. Many people in Cedar Rapids, Iowa were and are still devastated from the flood and your insensitive comments add insult to injury! Are you going to tell the people in the California fires that it stinks in their cities too? Really, I think that Peter was too harsh on Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It is an awesome city and a great place to raise kids. I am proud of this city and I love it! We feed the United States with our industries that you say stink! If you have ever enjoyed a great bowl of cereal for breakfast - you can thank Cedar Rapids. Check your food labels for corn sweeteners - yep, it’s in a lot of the food that Peter probably eats and you can thank Cedar Rapids for that one too! I realize that you had to pick on someone, but I love the aroma of oatmeal and not all the smells are bad! We are happy to live in the heartland of America. I work for a local radio station and my listeners do not agree with your evaluation, perhaps, you should visit again - maybe offer to help in the flood clean up - helping others makes you feel good!
PS - Have you ever been to Kakauna, Wisconsin - check it out!
I’m a native of Cedar Rapids, but moved elsewhere several years ago.
To Cedar Rapids - relax a bit. Sure, the meatpacking plants have moved away, but you’re kidding yourself if you say there isn’t a smell.
It’s not the end of the world - and remember, publicity is publicity.
WMJ are you an idiot. Nobody cares about the publicity. For some of us we could care less about the arrogant, snob called Peter Greenberg, we would just like our homes and belongings back. Have you see the devastation in CR. Everyone keeps saying chill out. Well I lost everything I have ever owned. Do you know how that feels. Maybe if you want to make light of this situation you should come and see for yourself, I will even let you be present when my house and everything I owned gets torn down
The city of Pasay has long been a great earner for Metropolitan Manila and not at all a slum area. Pasay City is classified as a highly urbanized City. Like in any part of the world there are unsightly areas where you see poor people which you would perhaps consider slum areas. Depending on affordability one would choose a decent place to stay for leisure vacation.
Roxas Boulevard which sits in Pasay City - is a recognized center for culture and the arts in the country. Found here is the Cultural Center of the Philippines, which was built to symbolize the country’s national cultural development. Not far from the Cultural Center of the Philippines stands the Folks Arts Theater. The work of Architect Leandro Locsin, the 10,000-capacity theater is used for popular performances which anticipate extensive audiences. Just west of Roxas Blvd is the huge SM Mall of Asia, the largest in the Philippines and is the third largest in the world, at least by floor size and ranks behind the Golden Resources Mall in China and the West Edmonton Mall in Canada.
Found in Pasay are the houses of two prominent people in the national government, Claro M. Recto and President Manuel L. Quezon. With its nearness to Manila and the proliferation of business firms and factories, Pasay has been the target destination of people from all walks of life who have wanted to settle and build beautiful residences in the metropolis. Pasay is now a progressive city boasting modern conveniences and, for its huge urban settlers, inexpensive forms of transportation. Pasay City also has good hotels like the Heritage Hotel, Sofitel, Traders or Kabayan Hotel and the like. I am Canadian and have been to the Philippines and have stayed in various areas and it is beautiful…you cannot nickel and dime if you want a memorable experience…
I only hope Indianapolis is featured prominently in the book, its a great place to visit if you like staring at a huge stadium and beautiful airport while dodging crumbling concrete from overpasses, potholes, and countless panhandlers. Factoid- Lucas Oil Stadium was concivened of to replace a stadium not yet paid for and built in less then 1/3 of the time it took to renovate the main branch of the public library. (But hey, it only cost 8x as much…)
am an indigene of lagos state in nigeria,and all u said about the place is just bulls**t becausse there is noting true about all wat you said,it might be a little bad but the government are doing something about dat and the picture u took for the place is like so last 2 years and the place the picture was taken is not even like that when u see it now and its even better than new york and other places so why should it be at number one.u should get another job because you suck at this and you didnt even get your facts rite,next time do your research very well,so u dont mislead people or make us lagosians look bad
After a comfortable Amtrak trip across New York State I met my friend in Niagara Falls Canadian side. Oh dreadful. This was the only trip I’ve had that I hated: crowded, very expensive even with the favorable USD:CDN exchange rate, paltry food at high prices, mainly chain restaurants, 90% of souvenirs made in china, no grocery.
The tourist side is literally fenced off from the regular residence side. It was awfully junky and the food was expensive for mostly cheesy stuff. Fees inside and outside the hotel for too many things. One spot of interest is the little museum of the Daredevils of Niagara Falls. It’s even FREE!
In great contrast, Niagara Falls US side is quite pretty as it’s a state park.
i have heard your interesting show on radio while in miami. unfortunately, i can’t get it in wash, dc.
here’s a story idea: while traveling north from miami to virginia, we stopped at a motel that didn’t look so hot but it was raining hard and dark. highway 8 motel in lexington, nc waived the pet fee. so, on next credit card bill is an added, separate fee. when finally reaching the manager, we were told the room had to be fumigated for ticks. (since when to cats carry ticks? especially cats that are strictly indoors).
bring this up to your folks to watch out for– separate fees on their credit cards and follow up to be taken with the credit card folks.. we have written the atty gen in n.c. their website notes this scheme perpetrated all to often on seniors.
Such scams should be reported to local business associations as well.