A travel influencer, who visited 17 European cities last year, has named and shamed three that they wouldn’t have chosen to visit – and it’s fair to say people were divided
Choosing the ideal holiday spot can be a real head-scratcher. Yet, Sooyeon, a globetrotting influencer hailing from San Francisco, US, might just have the insights you need to whittle down your choices. Hitting 17 different cities across Europe last year, she confessed on her TikTok @soos.foods that there were three cities that didn’t quite live up to expectations.
“These are three cities I probably would’ve skipped,” she shared. “Doesn’t mean these are bad destinations, I just didn’t enjoy them as much as other cities.” She was quick to point out Madrid as her first let-down. In 2023, after enjoying a brief stint in Barcelona, she spent two-and-a-half days in Spain’s capital but favoured the seaside charm of Barcelona over Madrid.
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She recounted: “The main reason is because I went to both Madrid and Barcelona on the same trip, and I feel like Madrid didn’t have as many interesting things to do for me at least, other than the palace and museums.” Sooyeon confessed that if she were to go to Spain again, she would skip Madrid and spend more time in Barcelona, instead.
Her next disappointment was with Catania, a storied port city on Sicily’s eastern seaboard. Sooyeon envisioned a lovely Italian getaway but the outcome left her less than thrilled. Courting controversy, she remarked: “…The city just felt a little run down and not the safest. People were also not afraid to stare at you – I’m sure they weren’t trying to be rude or mean, but it felt a little uncomfortable as a female traveller.”
Sooyeon’s take on Berlin stood out from her previous critiques of Catania and Madrid, reports the Express. She felt a sense of safety and was far from bored, commending the city for its ‘welcoming’ vibe and ‘cool cafes, shops and roads’. Yet, she felt something was amiss.
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“Don’t get me wrong, I would love to live in Berlin,” Sooyeon admitted. “But, as a tourist, I feel like the main attractions are history museums which I personally am not the biggest on, especially because at this point on my trip I was getting severe museum fatigue.”
She explained: “The food scene was also pretty international, so I didn’t find as many options for authentic local food, which is something I try to eat everywhere I go. Again, this is just my experience – what doesn’t work for me, could work for you.”
Sooyeon’s candid reviews sparked a flurry of responses on TikTok, with users divided over her views on these popular destinations. One user defended Madrid: “I will not accept any Madrid slander! I’ve been like four times and it’s an incredible city.”
Another urged travellers not to overlook Catania: “Everyone here pls don’t skip Catania,” while a different comment questioned her impression of Berlin: “Berlin is clean??? What girl???”