“If stealing is ugly…” The 5 cities you should avoid

“If stealing is ugly, Reykjavík is even uglier than stealing.”

A travel agent from Galicia in Spain starts off with this jab. The tone gets even spicier.

You can forget about dreamy travel videos and influencers promoting the perfect vacation. This seasoned pro from the A Coruña-based agency Turama has dropped a savage Top 5 of the world’s most overrated cities.

It’s what people live for. It’s just my opinion, based upon 30+ years of traveling around the globe. he says.

Here is a list of cities you should avoid, unless paid. The agent has also included his roast notes. Spoiler: It is quite funny, yet brutal.

5. Reykjavík, Iceland

“If stealing is ugly, Reykjavík is even uglier. There is a small lake, two ducks who work part-time and that’s it.

Iceland’s Capital may be considered a haven of peace and tranquility by some. This agent says it’s a cold place that is overpriced.

“The rest is the city, which you can take, wrap in gift paper and put a ribbon on it. Give it to the person who you first meet. You would still always be ahead.

4. Male, Maldives

“Male? It’s like an acne on a supermodel. You can’t help but stare and think you want to squeeze the blackhead off.

Have you ever imagined paradise then unintentionally booked a stopover at Male? Exactly. While the Maldives shine, its capital is criticised for being overbuilt and chaotic.

The agent says: “Fortunately, because it is an extremely ugly town, it brings out the beauty of other parts of the country.” That’s probably the first thing positive in his video.

3. Las Vegas USA

“Known as Sin City but it’s really just a city which is a sin.” It’s an excellent copy line. I’ll admit it.

The verdict from Coruña? Plastic, patchy and painfully attempt-hard.

It’s like giving a city to a cosmetic surgeon, and telling them to add beautiful places around the globe.

2. Nairobi, Kenya

Here’s another great line that could land him a job as a copywriter in a nice advertising agency: “Not Freddy Krueger at his peak could cause worse nightmares then having to sleep one night in Nairobi.”

There are security concerns, chaos and an adrenaline rush for the wrong reasons.

The agent summarizes his stay in Nairobi by describing it as a survival challenge. “I checked to see if i was still alive. “You’d have pay me to return, but I would still hesitate.”

1. Jakarta, Indonesia

Jakarta, Indonesia’s Capital City, is regarded as one of most contaminated places in the world.

“Pollution and rats bigger than cats. It’s as if Mickey Mouse retired years ago and lives in Jakarta. “He walks down the street and no one recognizes him.”

Travel advice you didn’t ask for

The agent’s TikTok video went viral and ignited many debates.).

Unexpectedly, the majority of people applauded original hierarchy. Some even voted for Jakarta as the big ‘winner’ before the countdown even ended.

Someone wrote, “I’ve been to Jakarta only twice and Las Vegas once. I wouldn’t remove a single period from you.”

The list, while subjective, is a good starting point. The list does however highlight something rarely heard in the travel media – where to avoid. You are always the king. You can only form an opinion after you have seen it for yourself. As the agent states at the end, “I will never judge you.”

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