I am an American married to a Czech woman. I agree with everything you said. My advice to anyone visiting the USA would be to focus on the national parks.
I haven't been and this is exactly my thoughts. I come from living in the largest cities in Europe and Asia. I want to see some urban stuff in U.S. but I think what makes it special is the incredible world class nature 😍
@@ferahl American cities are not particularly interesting, the nature however, is indeed quite lovely. there is no city in the USA that i would say is worth a special trip to. there are many areas of national forest and parks that are though. There are so many exciting parks that there are many different road trip routes one can take that go between nature based points of interest.
American here: Don't go to our big cities. Don't go to Disney anything. Fly into an airport, rent a car, and drive out to the middle of nowhere and enjoy the scenery. Go to obscure national parks/monuments/historic sites that nobody else does. Visit small towns and eat at local restaurants. We have people who can do amazing things with food in this country (and some who shouldn't be allowed near a grill, but that's part of the experience!)
I'd like to do that, it seems really beautiful indeed, but I must admit I don't feel confident sharing the road with you guys. From my point of view, speeding and doing other stuff while driving huge cars (or trucks as you'd call it) is far too common and tolerated. Also, I wouldn't be comfortable getting into an argument with a driver that legally carries a gun. It's not free critizism I actually find it's a shame for your country and people.
I used to do that when I lived in MD with my family as summer break road trips, the lesser known National Monuments are the best. My favorite one is Craters of the Moon, I do this in my home country now In Australia. I do miss the Southwest tho.
You can also get a national Amtrak "rail pass" for $500 and ride around the entire country on an old-timey but comfortable coach seat to explore a good chunk of nature around the US. You can visit a few big or small cities along the ride. A few national parks have direct access with Amtrak, like Glacier, but a decent amount are within a few hours bus ride of an Amtrak stop. Even Alaska has their own train that stops at Denali National Park.
I'm a European who used to live in the USA, and I learned something: the more we Europeans hear about a certain place in the USA, the bigger of a disappointment it will be. I've had a far better time in places like Pittsburgh, San Antonio, and northern New England than I ever did in NYC, San Fran, or Disney World.
Good point, I think that's true for any place you hype up in your mind before visiting. It's like thinking girls don't shit and being disappointed when you find out they do.
Why would you write a comment in french when the video is in English, about an english topic and the conversation has been written in English... Do french people lack common sense or is that a you problem???@@francoisrougerie
What I tell my friends from EU and Australia is that don't go to the big cities if you want to experience what the US truly is. Go to smaller cities and towns, go to national monuments, go to national parks which are home to almost every type of environment besides a rainforest.
Some big cities are true America; the difference is that it’s not in downtown. It’s in the periphery, with medium size neighborhoods & businesses. Not suburbs, but the transitional zone
@@100euronjuusto Finland has been on top of the list where people are free from worries about their 'well being'. This translates to happy, but Finns, and their country, have some dark times too.
@@superslash7254 Finland has the top ranking in the: World Happiness Report 2023 And has had this position for many years. It is well deserved! But happiness cannot be equaled to 'being happy' or 'joyful'. A common mistake.
As a Las Vegas local, I can confirm that we don’t like the strip as well. Locals only go there to give someone from out of town a tour. There’s a lot of out of this world hiking spot outside Las Vegas though and many more things to do. 😅
I wish more people realized that there is definitely more to Vegas than the Strip and Fremont St. I usually go out of town into nature by day and then hit the casinos and party by night when I visit.
Agreed. Hated Las Vegas on my visit. Overpriced with seedy places, overcrowded and very seedy people. Outskirts of LV are nice with very nice people. The strip a no-go unless you are into some funny stuff.
As an American who lives in Europe, I totally hate the same things too. My number one piece of advice to people who visit the US is to explore our nature. Our nature is absolutely radical (if people say that) and there is so much diversity in our landscapes.
.... Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Come to Jesus Christ today Jesus Christ is only way to heaven Repent and follow him today seek his heart Jesus Christ can fill the emptiness he can fill the void Heaven and hell is real cone to the loving savior today Today is the day of salvation tomorrow might be to late come to the loving savior today John 3:16-21 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. Mark 1.15 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Hebrews 11:6 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Jesus
As a New Yorker, Times Square is absolute garbage. No one from NYC goes there unless they work there. There are tons of amazing places in NYC, especially outside of the island of Manhattan which becomes less interesting year after year. The whole "central square" system doesn't really apply in NYC since the city has expanded so much and very rapidly since its founding, meaning the "city center" has changed multiple times as well. If anything, I'd say it's Washington Square Park or Central Park, but again, it doesn't really apply.
I mean I go there for broadway shows....that's it. I love watching the small mexican minnie and mickey mouse undressing by subway entrances to ruin the whole experience :p
@@gualt420 Times Square and the other places you should "never go" in New York are fun to go to once. There's just never a reason to go more than once lol. So for your first time it's fine, and just look up other stuff to see. Central park was really cool when I visited my first time. Make sure to check out other Buroughs, I never fell into this trap but I have heard of people not even leaving Manhatten which is crazy. NYC has some of the only good transit in the US. Use it and explore.
I've spent a lot of time in literally every place mentioned here, and I have some thoughts... 1. Las Vegas is terrible. Totally agree with this take. I think it's actually worse than HG made it sound. 2. Disneyworld is ok, but seems like HG's experience was colored by their lack of research ahead of time. IMHO, Disneyland (California) is a better experience than Disneyworld (Florida), even if it's much smaller. 3. Enjoying SF is about knowing where to go and where to avoid. Unfortunately, many of the touristy places are dirty and full of scammers, homeless, and petty theft. Just aimless walking around the city without a plan is going to be disappointing. 4. Times Square...I lived in Manhattan for 4 years, and Times Square is my absolute least favorite place in the city. As HG pointed out, NYers stay clear of the whole neighborhood unless seeing something on Broadway. 5. McDonalds - This feels kinda random. They've actually been actively renovating McDonalds across the country and trying to reinvent the brand a little bit. The only McD's that still look rundown are either in downtowns of large cities, or occasionally in small tiny towns in the middle of nowhere. But they are actually nicer in the suburbs and small cities than they used to be 10-15 years ago. 6. No city centers - Agreed, for most US cities, but HG's characterization of Old Town San Diego is inaccurate. It's not a tourist trap, but is legit the oldest part of the city, and while it has a touch of commercialization, it's actually nice. The picture he shows @10:11 is literally the only shot in the area that looks like that. Having said all that, I wonder what the guy's impression is of places like Rome and Amsterdam. Because I can tell you, as an American, those places were a huge disappointment. And a lack of city center isn't uniquely American. Rome, London, Paris, Zurich - none of these cities have a well defined, single location that can be labeled the "city center" any more so than Philadelphia, Boston, or Chicago. EDIT: I am assuming HG has never been to LA, because if he had, that would almost certainly have made this list too. I think that's actually the most disappointing of all US cities.
About city center, I guess what he meant is that meeting new places is more enjoyable by walk instead of car (And I agreed with this mindset). Me, as a tourist, I would not enjoying visiting a city and from 3 famous spots that I could be visiting, I must go to each one by car and don't even find any place that I could enjoy nearby.... I don't travel a lot, but I've been in Rome and Amsterdam, and both cities were very fun to visit, the hostess from Rome told me a funny phrase while showing there should I visit like "you can get lost here, and here, here"... I consider that Paris would be the middle level between US Cities mentioned by HG and Rome/Amsterdam, you have to go far to visit some tourists places, but still there are a concentration enjoyable spots where you are.
Mostly true except Chicago. Chicago has a very well defined downtown that is entirely walkable, full of public transportation, and has museums, food, hotels, art, and architecture to keep you busy for a long time.
As an American who has had the fortune to travel a lot through Central Europe, and has been a 7-year follower of this channel. Everything you said is very true! BUT... BUT... BUT. I will say you fell into your own trap. For years on your channel, you have talked about tourists coming to Prague and only seeing the "touristy" area and not seeing the other, better parts. You just did that. You came to the big name, touristy American cities, but also so the garbage dump that is the large American city, too. If you want to see town centers and some "more European" like arrangements, you have to visit the smaller cities. Mind you, I live in a rustbelt big city, which has its beautiful and less beautiful points, but to see the "America" of the movies you have to visit the older, smaller towns away from the big, touristy megalopolis.
I don't think it's quite the same, though. The touristy places in Prague are still amazing - it's just that tourism and the exploiters and cheaters who live on that tourism ruined the experience. I remember it before that happened (and to be fair, a lot also improved since then). The worst parts are also quite small - usually, all it takes is to move a street or two away. But I always struggled to understand why anyone would find Times Square interesting, for example. It's just a dirty dump full of advertising and bright lights. I've never been to Las Vegas, but I imagine it being much of the same. It feels like it's trying to hook 9 year olds :D Advertising sucks. You know someone is making the decision "we could make our services/goods better or cheaper... but we can just pump tenth of the money into advertising and get bigger profits". It's not really good for you, it just tries so hard to make you feel like it is. And yeah, cars make cities awful. I hope we learn to depend less on cars. Hard to go against the current of the massive propaganda from the car and fossil fuel industries, of course. It's the main reason people are so closed-in and scared in the cities - one, cars are actually ridiculously dangerous (not to mention the secondary effects of breathing their emissions)... and two, they empty out the streets (not to mention ruin them). There's this things where an empty street is fine, a street with plenty of people is fine... but when you're walking alone in a street and meet one stranger or group... it can be really uncomfortable. And I'm already really sick of how all the women react when I just randomly meet them in the street, because they're just so scared. I remember when people used to say McDonald's is a "safe spot" where you get the same product and service all over the world. I don't know if it was _ever_ true... but it certainly isn't today. European McDonald's is still overly sweet and salty, but it just doesn't compare to UAE, Bahrain or the US (I hear it's also very different in India and friends, being vegetarian and all that). And no, our ice cream machines are never broken :P
By this logic people shouldn’t visit Prague because it’s a touristy city. In the video it’s shown exactly what it it’s, that outside the touristy spots these places in USA have nothing else to offer
Wellcome to Finland, all of you. Remember here is much more than Helsinki and Lapland. I will be in Prague again at May. My fifth trip to Czech rebublik
Ohhh I was shocked how bad HELLsinki look like - its even much worst that the worst cities hit by structural changes in Czech republic(ex coal mining area cities) - i could not imagine that any place could be and look much worst - but da da daaa HELLsinki(Fin) or Malmo(Se) - that was a HUGE SHOCKER for me ... Never ever again!!!!
I am surprised you didn’t go to French Quarter, New Orleans. As for squares, older smaller cities have them sometimes like Santa Fe New Mexico and Savannah Georgia, Charleston, South Carolina, etc. Europeans should choose a region of the US, rent a car, go into smaller cities and towns. Our forested & mountainous areas are better than any I’ve been to in Europe so far.
Thank you! I completely agree! Europeans always go to the biggest cities ans choose to address the whole country try based on the cities, the oldest cities in the USA are in the South! It's insane! I hate these types of assessments! His view was so shortsighted and he prides himself on being honest, but this was obsessively ignorant and dishonest because he chose to compare 50 states, with 100s of 1000s of cities to 3 places!
If you go to New Orleans, do it during the day. That place is always on the news for crime. If you go to a night parade during Mardi Gras, go with a group; don’t walk alone in the dark because a lot of the streets have weak/broken street lights.
I’m in Austria right now on vacation and a frequent traveler. Live in the US. One of the biggest shocks is how CLEAN it is here in Vienna and other cities I’ve been to in the EU.
I’m half Czech and VIENNA is so similar for me and what shocked me is that in the summer they have free water tanks where you can drink from in the city
Basically everywhere I have travelled in Europe has been super clean. Even in poor countries the cities are clean. Meanwhile last time I visited my hometown in the USA there was garbage literally stacked everywhere. Sofas and mattresses dumped on the side of the highway, roads absolutely falling apart...ugly dirty cities and no one can do anything about it because it would cost .5 percent tax hike to have a budget to clean the city. It was a depressing trip.
I'm an American living in Czech republic. I totally get your view here but also you went to the biggest tourist traps in the country. 😂 Some small towns in the US have real charm and where we really shine is in nature. My advice for Europeans going to the US for a visit is to not expect anything nice in the cities. Go to the national parks and not just the main parts. Hit hiking trails and visit small seaside towns. I recommend a visit to Port Townsend. Visit the wooden boat school, take a walk through uptown to see the old victorian homes then go to fort worden for a hike and some history. Then go to Sirens pub for an excellent burger and great view of the water. These kinds of places are where the US shines.
Yes. The National parks, especially the out of the way ones, are Americas best idea. but even in crowded ones like Yosemite you can travel away from dense areas (the Valley floor) and find yourself alone on a summer weekend.
Well said. I would suggest go to some historical sites as well. I recommend Gettysburg/Antietam. They are close to each other and you cannot, CAN NOT, "understand America" without understanding the Civil War. For Texas, skip Austin and go to San Antonio-same reason as above. Instead of NYC go to Boston or Philly. Avoid LA, and go to San Diego.
I am an American and love my country, but completely agree with your list! Just returned from my second trip to Prague and the Czech Republic and can’t wait go back! Thanks so much for your informative videos!
Same here. I visited in 2018 and I am from Latin America and I would move to Prague in a heartbeat. Wondering about retirement … Prague Old Town Square and Plaza de Cuzco are absolutely the most beautiful I have visited.
Disney World's slogan is "The Most Magical Place on Earth", you showed Disneyland's sign and slogan, on the other side of the country, which is "The Happiest Place on Earth" (which you can go from one park to the other VERY easily by walking an extremely short distance). Similar to Disneyland Paris distance. Disneyland and Walt Disney World are very different places.
There's a few things with this video that seem like opinions formed through traveling without doing adequate research on the place you're traveling to or the time you're traveling. Not knowing that Disney World is a complex of parks is quite frankly your fault when you consider that families can spend a week there alone. I agree with you about Las Vegas partially, but you can't walk it freely because the amount of alcohol present increases the risk factor. We do indeed have city centers look up "LA Live" for Los Angeles and "Plaza of the Americas" for Chicago. America is a much younger and much larger country than most European nations, so if you don't really know where you're going or who you'll be around you're not guaranteed to have a great time. Adversely, that can be said in the opposite, too. If you go to NYC, don't just go to Times Square. Go see Harlem or Queens and get a feel for the culture. Don't go to the Hollywood walk of fame. Go to the Getty or Huntington library. Visit north Las Vegas and see the walkway. That's my 2 cents. Take it as you will.
We just visited Prague, Warsaw, Krakow, Gdansk, Lisbon and a few smaller towns along the way, a six week trip. We do multi-week trips every year. To be fair, you have to be careful getting off at some outlier subway stops. I love the subways and trams in European cities so we often take them to their end just to explore and see the country away from the touristy areas. As often as not we feel it's smart to get right back on and head back.
@@florin-alinbalasa2829 Pretty sure it's more affordable for the average European to visit Europe though :P Probably easier than the average American can visit the rest of America.
@@florin-alinbalasa2829 I mean, depending where you go, are we talking Switzerland or Portugal? One thing is true, travel prices in US skyrocketed. Also US is better for nature, but not for the cities.
If you went to Paris and only visited the Eifel Tower it would be the same disappointing experience. There are good reasons why you don't find locals at Times Square, The Strip or Disney World (called Wally World by locals). They are for tourists only and have very little to do with America at large. I have met many, many Europeans whose entire experience with America are these places. Really, really warped. Go to a small town and have a meal in a local ma & pa diner, or perhaps a little barbecue place in the south, or a shrimp shack in a coastal town, a supper club in the upper midwest--those are all real America. Same with scenic places. The country abounds in spectacular scenery, away even from such overcrowded places like Yellowstone or Yosemite. Travel the back roads, camp in state parks. You will meet nice people everywhere. and get a much better view than just the homeless of San Francisco or the paring lots of downtowns. I am the same way when I got Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa--I stay far, far away from tourist sites. It is far more rewarding to get a feel for how locals live--i.e. people like you and me. To me the best tour is to visti a local supermarket. There you really see what is important to people. Come back in 10 years when your travel regime has matured.
American here. Every place you mentioned is miserable. I, and 99.9% of the population would have told you that before going to any of those places. If you want the USA, go to a small town, rent and Air BnB and go to any community events on their city website. You’ll have a blast.
I agree with the pedestrian thing. I moved to Chicago because i got tired of spending so much money on a car (plus i wanted to support mass transportation.) Sadly i was the only person here with that mind set - I ended up buying a car after all.
@@leonh4231As an American, I would highly recommend any national parks. Generally, stay away from the ultra famous like Yellowstone or Yosemite unless you will be doing long hikes, as they will be crowded. Capitol Reef is a beautiful park, anything near Utah is phenomenal. Remember-long hikes mean less people and more out of the way areas. Mountain summits are wonderful as they have fantastic views and nature as well as very few people. Also, bring water and snacks and dress in athletic hiking clothing with good shoes. You don't want to be struggling in a collared shirt and khakis in the heat. If you know where to go, America is the most beautiful place in the world.
Well, he picked all the obvious places you have to visit. They used to be cool decades ago. Now they are all super expensive, crowded, and full of tourists.
@luperamos7307 watched Vegas balloon over the last 30 years. Enjoyed it then and still lean into that crazy city. The strip is hard to navigate these days, pay to park is off putting, and mega resorts are for the young n nimble. So the great part is there are so many alternatives- still loving on Vegas. A few days and you are vegased out, until next time. Have an agenda and have fun
.... Do you know Jesus Christ can set you free from sins and save you from hell today Jesus Christ is the only hope in this world no other gods will lead you to heaven There is no security or hope with out Jesus Christ in this world come and repent of all sins today Today is the day of salvation come to the loving savior Today repent and do not go to hell Come to Jesus Christ today Jesus Christ is only way to heaven Repent and follow him today seek his heart Jesus Christ can fill the emptiness he can fill the void Heaven and hell is real cone to the loving savior today Today is the day of salvation tomorrow might be to late come to the loving savior today Romans 6.23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. John 3:16-21 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. Mark 1.15 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Hebrews 11:6 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Jesus
I can't stand the push to get rid of vehicals. City planning has ruined tons of cities by making them unlivable, not alone unwalkable. Lookin at you SF (Tenderloin).
Honza comes of as an ultimate party pooper here. But I do agree about certain things: lack of the "center" of a city, lack of pedestrian infrastructure, homelessness and dirty streets in general. But I'd still advise you to experience it yourself and travel. There are many amazing things to see in the States. My favourite were: the Great Canyon, natural Parks in California (Yosemitte, Sequoia), NY city. And there are many more.
A lot of cities and towns in America (at least in the North East) have "greens" instead of "squares". A "green" is basically a small park in the shape of an elongated rectangle in the very center of the "old city", but they always have roads for cars surrounding them and lack the compact feel of a square. There are usually a few walking paths through the green and a church + city/town hall right up against them on the other side of the road too. Unfortunately the main issue is most of them are zoned exclusively for single-family residential aside from the church and city hall. Sometimes they will be zoned for commercial use in which case they are pretty awesome, but then you get a road or two away and you're back to single family residential zoning so it ends up being a good place to spend a small bit of time but there isn't much to explore. You will almost never find any sort of coffee shop or business within the green unless it's a major city. New York City sort of follows the pattern with its massive Central Park surrounded by buildings separated by a road, luckily the surrounding buildings aren't exclusively single family and it actually allows businesses to operate within the green.
I'm glad you said this about Las Vegas. I went there once and what I learned is: I never need to go back to Las Vegas. Ditto for Disney and Times Square.
I went to Reno and saw all the same type of problems seen in Vegas. I was eating lunch and looked over to a bank of slot machines all in use. Not one person looked happy to be there. Several looked bored. Left me with zero interest to return or try Vegas.
Hahaha I'm going next week for a show, but the thing is I live in LA and it's a hop skip for me. A lot of people here go for the weekend to just gamble then come back. Vegas is different if you have a lot of money too.
@@lauxmyth The weird thing is that people even feel that it _might_ be appealing. I understand when you're hooked and fully addicted, you can't really stay away. But how did they manage to convince people that _starting_ that is a good idea or a nice experience? Though of course, it's _everywhere_ in advertising, in product placement, a huge number of American movies... Endless propaganda and advertising, just to get you hooked - and then they win. It's the same in European "casinos" of course. Especially the slot machines. You really see that they hit something the human brain is not ready to judge properly (though don't forget that the Skinner Box experiment only "worked" with mice who were already completely disconnected from their society and friends, and even then it was a relatively rare result - well adjusted happy mice tried once on twice and ignored the "levers" from that point on; much like most people do with drugs or gambling). You don't see the same thing with, let's say, pool. People actually enjoy that, even though it's connected to a lot of the same problems like pubs, alcoholism, smoking, betting... the activity is actually something people enjoy, not just something they do because they are compelled to. And it's scary that the video game industry actually managed to get quite the foot into the door of this too (and would have been entirely in if not for some hasty regulation in the EU). The people building and promoting such things are utterly despicable.
I lived in the UK for 3 years and have returned to the US recently. Honestly I love where I live in America, but I miss city centers so much 😭and the walkability of everything.
Having moved to Canada a few years back I find the whole concept of city planning around cars very interesting. They spent trillions of $ of PUBLIC funds to build roads, parking etc., all so that some PRIVATE companies can sell a car to you, which is powered by oil supplied by PRIVATE gas companies, oh and you also need auto insurance offered by PRIVATE companies. It's especially bad in the US considering how much they hate communism and yet spend all their money on roads and highways so a small group of ppl stay rich.
@@Dansker_fra_Midtjylland Life happened and I needed to be near my family. I won't say it here, but just unexpected life events. I would love to travel extensively to Europe again though!
The thing I hated about London was no real centre. It has a number of disconnected areas - Parliament, the theatre area, the Tower etc but no real centre. It took me quite a while to try and get used to that. I came from Sydney, which has a magnificent harbour, with the Bridge and Opera House, which gives that city a great centre.
You asked during buying tickets: "Can I do it in one day?" and their answer was: "yes" Nothing about your assumption was wrong because you went off the informed that was given to you.
Why would you ask anyone in Times Square if they’re from New York City?? no one who lives in the city will willingly go there 😂 also we don’t want ppl bothering us on the streets, we’re tryna get somewhere and usually it’s a scam lol
Sometime when you’re in the US you should visit the Czech Stop in West, Texas (not west Texas, it’s midway between Dallas and Austin) and give us an Honest assessment of their Kolaches and other Czech baked goods.
I have been to Texas this year (unfortunately not West) and I was really disappointed with kolaches. Maybe they are better in the Czech shop in West? 😀
I mean... NY and SF are both very polarized places and so is Vegas. So it seems rather misleading to go to the novelty places and consider that visiting America. Id consider places like Dallas, Tampa, Savannah, Denver would be more reflective of life.
As a New Yorker, yup, you pretty much nailed it. We hate all those things too. One point though, the shot of McD's when you said how dirty and old they are was from before 2006. The 20 year out-of-style phone booths and the distant, orange glow of Tower Records's neon sign (doors closed in 2006) are a dead giveaway. 🙂🤘
@@pinkonesie Yeah, but "We visited...etc" with the current footage is a lie, or casually deceptive at best. Someone slams your home and holds up footage from 20 years before as evidence? WhattaYOUgonnado?
meh... I've been in NYC really a lot in the 2008-2012 (I know, it's been a few years since :) )... Most of McD still looked like a dumpster and would be the last place for me to go only if I'm extra desperate. Lots of bums inside, wasted toilets, etc. But no more neon - that's true.
@@geekytraveler5899 I went to a McDonald's near Penn Station. A bum asked me for money for food and I gave him the cold shoulder and said no. A local guy was generous and bought him some food though. My burger was also cold and sloppily put together.
The pictures of Mcdonald’s in Europe is kinda like Mcdonald’s in a lot of suburbs in America, or at least in California where I’m from. The Mcdonald’s from the biggest cities are older though. That should have been specified. For example, the Mcdonald’s in San francisco might be old and with houseless people but if you drive 20 mins out of the city, you could find a nice modern looking Mcdonalds.
i also see that that way in Czech Republic but i think its the opposite way. the worst places form around the touristy places, not the other way around.. So the problem is on both sides
@@florin-alinbalasa2829 Why the hell would anyone want to see NYC? That's like staying in a nice hotel just so you can look at the toilet. 😁. Yosemite is the best of the US. The small towns of America is where the heart lives. 99% of the big cites are not American. I'm proud as a 62 year old American to say that I have never been to any of these dirty places.
@@roderickrayrutledge2740 I don't deny, Ray, but that's what has been shown to us, eastern european block, in the media. Especially after communism era. Skyscrapers, big houses with no fences, those big ass trucks, etc etc.
As a European who travelled quite a few places of the USA I gotta say: Look out for small towns and villages. As I recall from my most recent trip through the south-east I was pretty disappointed by Nashville, Chattanooga and Atlanta - but inbetween there were those tiny towns like Conyers or Covington in Georgia - with a square just like in good old europe.
The problem for us is that we wouldn't really have any interest in most American style cities, and we would have great trouble getting around. Not many Europeans want to drive everywhere when we are on holiday. We want a place we can walk around and soak in the atmosphere and local life.
@@gyorkshire257 40% of NYC population is foreign born...Not a great example of American culture. Even if it weren't foreign, it would still be a terrible example. You wouldn't drive around everywhere once you get here unless you are making some massive trip. When Americans vacation in this country, we typically go to an area or region. When I travel to Tucson, AZ...I stay in AZ (mostly the SE part of the state)....and travel around the region. I'm only about 8hours drive from NYC and have never been there and zero desire. Same with LA...the only decent place on his list is San Diego. San Fran used to be great but has been turned into an absolute dumpster fire by terrible California politicians. There are also plenty of walkable downtowns in the US. Depending on the city, there may be light rail service, certainly buses...I know places like Cleveland and Pittsburgh (and others) also have something similar to a city center. They are converted to ice skating rinks in the winter.
As a New Yorker, I avoid Times Square like the plague. I hate Las Vegas, too. San Francisco needs some more nuance and understanding of the plight of the homeless than is provided here. I love Disney World, but you need to know how it works before you go!
Totally agree! A small defense of San Francisco scenery: except for Seattle, Portland and SF most large U.S. cities are very flat (NYC, Chicago). Times Square is a pit. Las Vegas is an abomination founded on bad math & insufficient water, and apparently many dupes can't see by the real estate that the house wins......
I love that you chose the places that most Americans hate too. Honestly, I've been to the Czech Republic and absolutely love it, for a lot of reasons. But I've purpously avoided the kinds of places most tourists would go
going to CZ this coming summer and looking forward to it. Sure, I'll check out some of the tourist spots but I also have a list of not so much tourist spots. Also planning on taking train day trips to other cities throughout the republic...Outside of Prague, did you have a town you really liked and would suggest as a must visit?
@@jryan9547 I really like Pilsen, it's CZs second largest city and it quite beautiful. Lots to see and do there and without any of the tourist traps you find in Prague. Czesky Krumlov is beautiful and well worth a visit.
If you ever come to Seattle, the oldest part of downtown does have a square! Pioneer Square, right across from Occidental Square. It is the first developed part of the city, so the buildings are “really old” (for America - mid 1800s), and there’s historical tours you can take there, like the underground city tour. Unfortunately, since Americans aren’t as inclined to enjoy these old parts of cities as much, it’s getting a bit rundown. Though there’s hope, the city does plan to revitalize downtown and clean it up over the next several years.
Love your channel. Couldn't agree more regarding Las Vegas, Disney World, Times Sq, etc. Keep in mind America is a very capitalist country. These places you're visiting are tourist traps "American Style"(Super Sized). Unlike the ones you cover in Europe where one establishment or a small cluster of businesses get good at extracting money from tourists, in the USA whole cities are built to function this way. Orlando for example is twice the size of your Capital and actually run by Disney, they built it. This is as hard for Europeans to understand as it is for Americans to comprehend cities being thousands of years old.
Not strictly speaking true. The land Disney owned is famously twice Manhattan, but most of that is a nature preserve. The parks are a pretty small part of that, and Orlando exists as a city independent of Disney
If you visit New England, you will find city and town centers. The way you reacted about the US cities is somewhat how I felt when I visited New Jersey. Not a lot towns there have a center or a downtown. As a New Englander, I was surprised. A lot of states are like that. New Orleans and Santa Fe are two cities that have down town or center city areas.
I went to New York City and I absolutely loved it!! But funnily enough I was disappointed by Times Sq. I didn't even realise I was on it at first. Definitely one of the least interesting parts. I also went to a very underwhelming MacDonalds. On the other hand I went to an amazing traditional American diner on Broadway.
@@idnwiwEllis Island/Statue of liberty (one can easily spend an entire day just there), Central Park, MOMA, the Met, WTC site (including the beautiful new PATH station). Those would be the ones to hit first. Though off the beaten path, the tenement and transit museums are also cool though admittedly a bit of a niche. Observatories like the Empire State Building aren’t bad per se but the cost is rather outrageous anymore. In general I don’t consider them to be worth it with all the price increases, though admittedly I’ve already gone, decades ago now. Still the Empire State Building is probably the one to go to.
Almost every American agrees with your observations. The best places to go in America are the places where big business is not trying to get your money.
Being from Canada, I really don't bother travelling in North America. Almost everywhere is indistinguishable. Same parking lots, same chain stores, same litter. The scenery changes a bit, but anything remotely unusual becomes mobbed with tourists because there's so little of it.
If you're from Canada it wouldn't be too far to travel to Duluth or Bemidji Minnesota, you would be Surprised at how beautiful they are and not overcrowded by out of state tourism.
@@oldbum Canada's a pretty big place, so I guess if 2000km qualifies as not too far... Though it seems "nearby" on a map, since we don't have a direct flight to Minneapolis anymore, in the amount of time it would take to fly to Minnesota, I could be in Amsterdam or Costa Rica - places I do have direct flights to. And in the amount of time it would take to drive, I could be almost anywhere in the world. And even if it was quick to get there...I just took a bit of time on street view for Duluth, and it looks like pretty much every other city of its size on this continent, with the added bonus of an interstate running along the waterfront. So I'm not sure in what way it disproves my "everything looks the same everywhere on this continent" point.
@@JBoy340a Building nationalism around a corporate brand owned by a multinational corporation, which in turn is controlled by a Brazilian hedge fund? That's just another example of the sameness I'm talking about.
Exactly. We have one tiny strip of street that managed to maintain some quaintness (although still ruined by cars and they never bothered to expand this design nor did they actually bother to put local amenities like a local market in them) and it is FLOODED with tourists now. Like it isn't even that special, but the US is so bad people make the trip.
I understand you had a bad time at Disney World, but going there during the busiest time of year without planning and trying to do everything is a nightmare and not really representative of the rest of the year. I’m from Norway and have done many trips to Disney World because of it’s beauty, immersion and how easy (and safe) it is to travel inside the Disney bubble. So I would recommend trying it again (minus Magic Kingdom) if you ever go back to Florida and give it a fair shot 😄 Merry christmas and Happy New Year 🥳✨
Man we want to go to disneyworld. But my first impression is: Its very expensive. Like two to three times as expensive compared to most disney land 2 park combos. I thought, okay we as a family were in japan for 3 weeks. Lets look for a week disney world with hotel and dining in florida. But its like as expensive as 22 days japan including hotels and dining. and 2 days disneyland and disneysea xD. I did not price in flightcosts. Are there some hacks? Did i miss something xD? I just does not sound like a good deal. I think i have to dig into it more.
Disney is expensive, but it can also be enjoyable. There are 3 keys to enjoying Disney: 1) go in the off season, 2) just accept that you're going to spend a fortune 3) plan, plan, plan. We spent 4 days at Disney, and 1 at Universal last spring and really had a great time, but it was a slow time of year, we paid for the lightning lanes and fast passes, and we planned out our days. In the end, we spent almost no time waiting in lines and saw everything we wanted to see. We also spent a fortune, but we had planned for that. I can't understand how anyone can frequent that place on a regular basis, it's just too expensive. But for a once or twice in a lifetime kind of trip? Absolutely worth it if done right.
Totally agree with you, I've been 8 times and I'm from the UK, you have to do your research, don't go at the busiest times, plan plan plan everthing and make sure you have a dining plan, it will save thousands !!! You can't visit DW for one day, TOTALLY CRAZY !!! if you do your research you would know that, it's 42sq miles !!!! every time i've been there I always go there for at least 2.weeks, there are 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, Disney Springs(shops, resturants and bars) and a sports park.
As a European living in the USA for 40 years, I share your dismay at the sites you mentioned in this video. However, I disagree about Prague. I visited the first time in 1991, immediately after the fall of the Soviet emp;ire. I fell in love with the city and neve had enough of it. I returned in 1992 and then in 1995 with a Fulbright professorship to teach a course on glottodidactics at Charles University. I then returned again in 2014. I was shocked to see how schlocky, gross, cheap and vulgar the city had become. Every store was selling tourist trap junk. Outise the Jewish Cemetery a store was selling racist caricature statuettes of traditional Hassidic people. All vendors were rude and I can't begin to count the infinite scams they pulled on people, from posting fraudulent or deceiving prices on the boards outside restaurants, to the obscene fees charged by money exchange operations. I also found people to be extremely rude when I asked for directions: I speak fluent German French and Italian, in addition to English and more than once I found people who pretended they could not understand me (if you are a foreign langauge specialist you know perfectly well the body language signs that indicate when people understand you.) In one case I didn't have enough change to buy 4 subway tickets for my family from the vending machines. I went to the convenience store inside the station and the clerck actually had to gall to tell me he had finished the tickets. I asked him to break my paper money and he refused. I went out, asked a lady for help (a young foreign student living in Prague), she went ito the store and bought the tickets for us. She said it happens all the time. Praguese people hate tourists and will tell you openly every way they can. (Btw, have you ever read "Magic Prague" by Angelo Maria Ripellino?)
You blew my mind with this thing about the city centres. I live in Toronto, but I’m from Brazil. These days I asked in a Facebook group of people from Toronto where is the Toronto Centre. Basically, they didn’t know how to answer that. In Brazil, every city, big and small, has a square in the middle, with a church or Cathedral, sometimes the city hall, and this is the centre, usually it is traditionally where the city started from. In Toronto, there is no “city centre.” You have some squares and places that gather most of the people and have that “city centre vibe” - actually, it looks more like Times Square or Picadilly Circus, but not a city centre with a cultural and historical relevance, and it shocked me. They have a district called “Old Toronto”, but it is mostly like the boundaries where the city was before expanding and conurbating with other surrounding cities to form the today’s Toronto.
@@VikingUffDa I’m not criticizing it. I’m just telling what I saw. I like my home city with its Catholic structure, and I like my new home, Toronto, just the way it is :)
But in Toronto it’s easily Dundas Square if you’re looking for a parallel. Obviously it’s trying to be a mini Times Square but it’s essentially the “centre” of the city and close in proximity to everything
City centre? Go to Dubai. Nobody outside except workers, you can barely go outside because its only roads for cars, nothing to see except different malls and tourist "traps", thats what I learned from my visit.
@@gentronseven According to youtube, that's all North American cities except Montreal, New York, and Boston. I'm gonna guess Vegas and Dubai are a few steps worse than the average though, both being in deserts and grew really rapidly/strangely.
I have mixed experiences with the US. Being there 5 times since 86 and the last time in 2001. I would not recommend staying in a city but travel around. See the westcoast road, Rocky Mountains, Niagara Falls (Canadian side), a national park. Skip the superficial tourist traps, but do enjoy all the beauty the US has to offer.
I had a colleague who went on a business trip to Rio de Janeiro (or maybe Sao Paulo? Not sure :D ). The first thing he was told was "never go anywhere on your own; whatever you need, we're going to pick you up with a car" :D
The last time I was in Vegas it was for a tech conference. We were there for 4 days and I was so sick of it. Last day we checked out suitcases and were wheeling them around to go to find a place to hang out and we got stuck in a casino. The overpass was closed on one end and we kept going in circles trying to find a way out. The slot machine noises and music blaring, it was my own personal hell.
As an American, I am glad our country is not like Europe / or vice versa. What makes the world unique is the diversity of places. What I also find a bit strange is that in the other video, you say New Orleans is one of your favorite places in the US. You have that right, but NOLA is the murder capitol of the US. I used to live there and am very familiar with the crime there.
I agree with you about the lack of city centers. Kind of sad IMO. But Old Town San Diego was never really the “city center” of SD. It’s simply where the town of San Diego was back in the late Spanish colonial period and the first few decades of when it was in the Mexican Republic. The current downtown San Diego began to be developed in the mid 1800s after it became part of the United States. Old town first became a protected area to preserve the historic buildings and morphed into the touristy place it is today. Also, it’s not on the outskirts of town. It’s just outside of San Diego’s downtown and is well within the city limits of San Diego. If you want to see amazing and beautiful towns and cities with European style city centers, come visit me in Mexico! I am a tour leader in Mexico. I’ll show you guys around. You would definitely get some great content!
As a former resident of San Diego for many years, can confirm. If your friends who took you to Old Town San Diego didn't tell you this bit of history, then they misled you. Perhaps out of ignorance themselves. I always enjoyed going to Old Town when it was off-season, or during the week, and always stayed away from the touristy businesses that cluster around it. It's lovely and tranquil inside the main Old Town area itself, when it's quiet and uncrowded.
@ Yes! Also there are some really nice residential areas around Old Town. Older homes with beautiful Spanish revival architecture built in the early to mid 20th century.
I'm brazilian and had the same reaction about people smoking everywhere in public places when I've been in Rome and Florence. Cigarretes are not as popular as they used to be nowadays.
In public places you were disappointed??? //Laughs in Eastern Europe// 🤣🤣 They allow smoking INSIDE in most restaurants and cafes, it's pretty crazy to me and also smoking cigarettes? At least weed gets you high and it smells decent... tobacco and whatever else thr fuckin tobacco companies decide to put in it, does not smell good at all.
Upstate New York (basically any place that’s NOT NYC) is beautiful. Buffalo has become rather a tourist trap because of Niagara Falls. I’ve never been to NYC, Vegas (IMO the only reason to visit is to go to Hoover Dam), nor Disney world or land. The McDonalds where I live are being renovated. What you call “City Centre” are called “towns” here. That’s where you will find what you’re looking for in terms of churches, quaint shops, a City Hall in the center of town, nice little places to eat, etc. Cities are large (as you can see).
Loved the video! Just wanted to comment that it is damaging to attribute aspects as underpinning "America" basing it off of a single state as a reference point. We have beautiful McDonalds too haha!!
I haven't seen a beautiful Mcdonald's in years. We used to have nice really big once with slides and stuff but during covid especially it seems like it was all taken down.
I don't think these are fair comparisons. You teach us common tourist traps to avoid in Prague, but when you visit the US, you went to all tourist traps blindly without doing prior research. I live in San Francisco, and I've been to LA, San Diego and Vegas more than a few times in the past. They are not as beautiful as the cities in the Eurppe, but each of of these cities have so much to offer. I just got back from Disney world as well with my girlfriend and had a blast there! You should give US another shot! I'll show you places/things to do here 😊.
8:40 You get cleaner McDonalds in smaller towns (but not small towns) or far away from the downtown areas. Atleast that is the case in California. I'd say closer to Interstate highways usually have nicer McDonalds since they get more car traffic that come and go than homeless traffic
Beat me to it. Was gonna say the exact same thing. THAT BEING SAID, even the nicest McDonalds in the US still is probably not as clean as the ones in Finland 😅
As an American who now lives in Germany I agree with your points 100 percent. All my German friends take the typical USA trip of New York, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. I always get onto them....dont waste your money. there are such better places where you can actually enjoy yourself. Funny about Mcdonalds....in Europe the bathrooms are always clean.
About ten years ago, me and a couple of friends visited New York City for (among other things) some new years celebration. We were thinking of doing the Times Square-thing but opted out of it pretty quickly, and instead bought ticket to an event at the Brooklyn Brewery. Best decision ever. We had an awesome evening.
Absolutely spot on with the critiques. I get sad every time I come back to the States after going to most European cities or Argentina. I am planning on moving out of the US soon
Honest Guide, have you visited México ?, If you do, as a European what was your expectation?, Is it how you imagined?. As in this video, it would be interesting to know the expectations or opinions about other destinations outside your country.
Well i think a lot depends if you see the country as 1st world country like US - then you expect clean cities at least. I bet Mexico has some beautifull spots but most of the country will be poor
US has city centers, it's just not a square. Most towns are centered around a main street. Even Times Square used to be an old Indian Trail that changed to a street, then changed to a more walkable plaza. Also I find American McDonalds food to be far more consistent than international options
The thing about SF is that the "bad parts" (tenderloin, parts of soma, etc) are quite close to the touristy areas so it's easier to see the issues. However, generally the crime in SF is lower than other US cities (like Philadelphia, DC, LA, etc) although it's still definitely higher than most European cities such as Prague. That being said, much of the city is still beautiful and there's many things to do. It's still a great city that's worth visiting.
@@l4kr the thieves can spot a rental car from a mile away and they know people like to leave belongings in there while visiting tourist areas. to anyone reading: leave your shit at the hotel. and you don't need a car unless you're traveling far outside of the city.
Agree with all of these, but it’s true that someone didn’t research DisneyWorld before visiting. When we visited Vegas we didn’t gamble, but did walk around a lot to admire the hotels structures and the foyers which are sometimes art galleries and museums in themselves
Love how I just watched your video about TikTok lies, and then you say it's impossible to cross the Strip in Vegas without getting lost in casinos... You can easily walk up and down the Strip on both sides of the road, and the bridges are almost everywhere accessible right from the sidewalk. You are right, it sucks that it's a highway, but well that's part of the american experience :D (btw I like your channel, just felt like I had to say this after watching these videos after each other)
There is a central square in Los Angeles. It's the Old Plaza, across the street from Union Station. The original church is still there from the days when it was the plaza of the Mexican village that L.A. grew from. Olvera Street, although touristy, has the oldest house in the city, and its back yard patio has a cactus garden that looks like Mexico. Chinatown is a short walk and the downtown skyscrapers are a few blocks to the south.
@@GUITARTIME2024 That's true. I live in St. Louis now and that problem is mostly under control, but you do see homeless people here and there. More attention needs to be spent in the U.S. towards treatment of people who have mental problems (mostly due to drug abuse). Housing costs in St. Louis are not as high as most U.S. cities. I grew up in Los Angeles and when I went to Disneyland in 1968 with my 9th grade class it cost fifteen dollars, which included bus fare from a distant suburb.
Dude showed up at Disney World without doing absolutely any research about what it was. It's a super fun place to go, but there's just one caveat: You have to know what it is before you buy your tickets.
I am an American woman who also hates all the things you discussed. When I was in Vienna, Austria, in 1982, I ate at a McDonald's that had two crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Prague. Yes, I've been there. Loved it! When I first visited Washington, DC, I went on a guided walking tour that took us behind the White House. While most of our tourist group raised their cameras to snap photos, I was laughing. Our guide stared at me. I felt embarrassed but commented, "This is it? It's nothing compared to the castles I've seen in Europe!"
Old town in San Diego isn't really considered the city center. It was back in the 19th century, but it also relocated its center within the same century. It's been a long time since then and no one has considered it the center and hasn't for a long time. Downtown San Diego is, hence the name.
Great video showing good examples of bad places that people get mad to visit. I live in Ireland and have been travelling around Europe lately and there is nothing better than visiting a country/city with history and stories, full of architecture details... And some countries like Ireland, people make it even more special. I'd never visit Eua again or these places like Disney or Dubai, or even New York. There is nothing better than visiting and old town, walking everywhere...I'm going to spend Christmas in Austria and of course, Prague... I'm really looking forward to.
San Francisco is an incredible city with major problems. I love living NEAR SF but not in it so I can day trip. Many excellent restaurants and places up there, and close to the silicon valley so you can go down there.
As a Malaysian, I love the US. And I hope to visit it someday. Personal freedom and the right to lead your own life is key. A lot of Europeans don't like America because they're used to getting beaten with a stick by their government.
OMG that's so silly 😂. You don't know what your talking about do you? It shows you haven't traveled a lot outside that "land of the free" that Malaysia is compared with us "stick beaten by our governments" citizens of european countries.
your comment is hilarious. personal freedom? not if you're black. not if you're poor. not if you want to have an abortion. not if you're atheist. of course who wants to be gay in malaysia....but seriously.....the usa is not where you should be going to in order to experience a country that looks after its citizens and believes in human rights for all.
@@azhariarifThe propaganda is insidious, but it’s really not based in reality. The USA is so restrictive in so many ways that it’s actually really, really stifling to people from other places. In daily life you’re restricted to transport by car in the vast majority of the country; there are simply no other options, and so no freedom of choice. Want to cross a road? Their automotive companies have invented a word to vilify you and lobbied for harsh restrictions on how you can cross it. Even walking itself is restricted, because the infrastructure is built to be pedestrian-hostile. There’s no true freedom living in a place like that, where even the most basic of human activities is so restricted. And that’s just 3 very basic examples from daily life. You’re much, much, much more free in many other countries than you are in the US.
5:06 That's a pretty gross statement. Police here in the U.S. - even in San Francisco - are often very happy to "solve the issue" of houseless people in tents. They often do it brutally, sometimes lethally. Maybe have some sympathy for those that are regularly exposed to extreme temperature changes, lack of bathing, changing, or sleeping facilities, & a complete lack of privacy. It's crazy that it's not the traffic, garbage on the streets, lack of public facilities, and other problems that every major U.S. city suffer from, that bothers you; but that the houseless sometimes get to sleep in tents, which blocks walking, & is "weird". Really, really tough that you couldn't walk as a tourist in the city where they have to live without almost anything. Heartbreaking.
As a person who grew up homeless since I was a 1yr old to a meth addicted mother whose only skill was knowing how to cheat the system to get money. I have no sympathy for those bums. There are many programs to get off the street but you gotta follow the rules and make serious life changes. Most won't because it's takes effort, that same lack of effort that put them there now
Honest guide , I think you really need to do more research into where you are visting in US . We have so many great places, sorry you didnt have a great time . I really like NYC, but im from Chicago, so I dont mind riding the subway and just wing it . NYC is safer from where im from . Anyways you either love NYC ❤️ or hate it .
No, they had a great time in the US, on many visits actually. This is just a video that lists their worst spots. You should perhaps watch their other video, where they list their best spots in the US.
Pacific northwest cities actually do have a city center. Portland has pioneer square which is described as Portland's living room. It's in the center of downtown, large open brick space with fountains and places to sit. Plenty of businesses and food carts all around you, every thing is walkable. Seattle has their own pioneer square but I think pike's place fits better as their city center. Either way their downtowns are walkable and don't fit the american stereotype. San Fransisco gets a lot of hate that's a bit unwarranted. The homeless issue isn't a specific issue to San Francisco. It's exacerbated since it's so expensive to live there, but it really is a nation wide issue. America deals with homelessness in one of two ways. If you're in a red state, they basically make it illegal and will literally buy homeless people bus tickets to ship them out. If you're in a blue state, they'll legalize street camping but not really have the resources to actually help them. One solution is obviously a lot more screwed up than the other one. They don't care about them, and just don't even want to see them. But neither solution helps them in any way, and only makes the problem worse. That said, people REALLY exaggerate when talking about this issue. Cities like Portland, Seattle, vancouver, San Francisco, etc, people act like it's literally unsafe to leave your house. Mean while locals are telling you, no these cities are far safer than most large cities...because they are. They are statistically significantly safer, nor do you see homeless on every single street. Media has convinced people these cities are basically third world countries. It's stupid.
Mcdonals'es in Ukraine (first opened in 1997) already went trough renovation several times, now they are equipped with with pre-order machines to reduce queues :) Food there is still tasty and service is very good. Even comparing to some EU countries like Italy or France
It's not like Janek was talking about Europe as a whole, you had to mention Ukraine. This shit is the same in nearly all countries on the European continent + likely Asia too. Just stop with flaunting how Ukraine has basic shit like everybody else like it's some kind of luxury. Get some help.
American here and can confirm. We build our cities for cars and fast food, not people.
haha
I love your videos♥
Didn't expect i would see one of my favourite animators here lol
Nah. You build your cities for people but around the 1950's you demolished it for cars.
ok@@Frahamen
I am an American married to a Czech woman. I agree with everything you said. My advice to anyone visiting the USA would be to focus on the national parks.
I haven't been and this is exactly my thoughts. I come from living in the largest cities in Europe and Asia. I want to see some urban stuff in U.S. but I think what makes it special is the incredible world class nature 😍
@@ferahl American cities are not particularly interesting, the nature however, is indeed quite lovely. there is no city in the USA that i would say is worth a special trip to. there are many areas of national forest and parks that are though. There are so many exciting parks that there are many different road trip routes one can take that go between nature based points of interest.
thats the only reason i want to visit. that and maybe the food.
@@gergogaal568forget the food. It is by far the worst I have ever had
@@DK-ty5ue where are you from?
American here: Don't go to our big cities. Don't go to Disney anything. Fly into an airport, rent a car, and drive out to the middle of nowhere and enjoy the scenery. Go to obscure national parks/monuments/historic sites that nobody else does. Visit small towns and eat at local restaurants. We have people who can do amazing things with food in this country (and some who shouldn't be allowed near a grill, but that's part of the experience!)
I'd like to do that, it seems really beautiful indeed, but I must admit I don't feel confident sharing the road with you guys. From my point of view, speeding and doing other stuff while driving huge cars (or trucks as you'd call it) is far too common and tolerated. Also, I wouldn't be comfortable getting into an argument with a driver that legally carries a gun. It's not free critizism I actually find it's a shame for your country and people.
Absolutely correct.
I used to do that when I lived in MD with my family as summer break road trips, the lesser known National Monuments are the best. My favorite one is Craters of the Moon, I do this in my home country now In Australia. I do miss the Southwest tho.
@@user-fm5ju8cx4vsounds like you watch the news too much
You can also get a national Amtrak "rail pass" for $500 and ride around the entire country on an old-timey but comfortable coach seat to explore a good chunk of nature around the US. You can visit a few big or small cities along the ride. A few national parks have direct access with Amtrak, like Glacier, but a decent amount are within a few hours bus ride of an Amtrak stop. Even Alaska has their own train that stops at Denali National Park.
I'm a European who used to live in the USA, and I learned something: the more we Europeans hear about a certain place in the USA, the bigger of a disappointment it will be. I've had a far better time in places like Pittsburgh, San Antonio, and northern New England than I ever did in NYC, San Fran, or Disney World.
oui c'est vrai. c'est la même choses pour des tas d'étrangers qui viennent a Paris et sont déçu ensuite.
Good point, I think that's true for any place you hype up in your mind before visiting. It's like thinking girls don't shit and being disappointed when you find out they do.
Plenty of nice places outside the cities.
in a nutshell: don't get overhyped :)
Why would you write a comment in french when the video is in English, about an english topic and the conversation has been written in English...
Do french people lack common sense or is that a you problem???@@francoisrougerie
Just to let you know, they did the happiness test during the summer in Finland.
🤣
😂😂😂
That sounds like a busy 5 minutes of questions.
lmao
Very True!❤
What I tell my friends from EU and Australia is that don't go to the big cities if you want to experience what the US truly is. Go to smaller cities and towns, go to national monuments, go to national parks which are home to almost every type of environment besides a rainforest.
There is actually a small rainforest in Florida
@@jeffhampton2767 Then I would say.... WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE
Some big cities are true America; the difference is that it’s not in downtown. It’s in the periphery, with medium size neighborhoods & businesses. Not suburbs, but the transitional zone
There are rainforests on the West Coast!
I would add to that, go to the historic region of the US: North East.
As an American, I also hate these things about America
I came here to say the same thing!
It would be a two hour video if we listed things we hate about the states.
Same here
Why?
@@praiserdusty did you watch the video?
As a Finn I thank you for recommending our happy, dark and beautiful little country of Finland 🇫🇮
Little? ;)
I read this comment before watching all the way through, so I was like "how the hell does he take Finland into this?"
@@100euronjuusto Finland has been on top of the list where people are free from worries about their 'well being'.
This translates to happy, but Finns, and their country, have some dark times too.
@@dutchman7623 happy?
@@superslash7254 Finland has the top ranking in the:
World Happiness Report 2023
And has had this position for many years.
It is well deserved! But happiness cannot be equaled to 'being happy' or 'joyful'. A common mistake.
As a Las Vegas local, I can confirm that we don’t like the strip as well. Locals only go there to give someone from out of town a tour. There’s a lot of out of this world hiking spot outside Las Vegas though and many more things to do. 😅
I wish more people realized that there is definitely more to Vegas than the Strip and Fremont St. I usually go out of town into nature by day and then hit the casinos and party by night when I visit.
Agreed. Hated Las Vegas on my visit. Overpriced with seedy places, overcrowded and very seedy people. Outskirts of LV are nice with very nice people. The strip a no-go unless you are into some funny stuff.
As an American who lives in Europe, I totally hate the same things too. My number one piece of advice to people who visit the US is to explore our nature. Our nature is absolutely radical (if people say that) and there is so much diversity in our landscapes.
People should see Desert of death, Forest of doom and River of screams.
@@dimitrijenikolic6602 Are those in Disneyland?
....
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Come to Jesus Christ today
Jesus Christ is only way to heaven
Repent and follow him today seek his heart Jesus Christ can fill the emptiness he can fill the void
Heaven and hell is real cone to the loving savior today
Today is the day of salvation tomorrow might be to late come to the loving savior today
John 3:16-21
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
Mark 1.15
15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Hebrews 11:6
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Jesus
@@CheetahNL It is a mystery!
Haha this, hiking in america is the best and visiting some old small towns on the way founded by some pioneers 200 years ago
As a New Yorker, Times Square is absolute garbage. No one from NYC goes there unless they work there. There are tons of amazing places in NYC, especially outside of the island of Manhattan which becomes less interesting year after year.
The whole "central square" system doesn't really apply in NYC since the city has expanded so much and very rapidly since its founding, meaning the "city center" has changed multiple times as well. If anything, I'd say it's Washington Square Park or Central Park, but again, it doesn't really apply.
First timer in new york. What should I do
I mean I go there for broadway shows....that's it. I love watching the small mexican minnie and mickey mouse undressing by subway entrances to ruin the whole experience :p
@@gualt420 Try Chicago instead. Much better than NYC. ;)
@@gualt420 Times Square and the other places you should "never go" in New York are fun to go to once. There's just never a reason to go more than once lol. So for your first time it's fine, and just look up other stuff to see. Central park was really cool when I visited my first time.
Make sure to check out other Buroughs, I never fell into this trap but I have heard of people not even leaving Manhatten which is crazy. NYC has some of the only good transit in the US. Use it and explore.
Brooklyn
I've spent a lot of time in literally every place mentioned here, and I have some thoughts...
1. Las Vegas is terrible. Totally agree with this take. I think it's actually worse than HG made it sound.
2. Disneyworld is ok, but seems like HG's experience was colored by their lack of research ahead of time. IMHO, Disneyland (California) is a better experience than Disneyworld (Florida), even if it's much smaller.
3. Enjoying SF is about knowing where to go and where to avoid. Unfortunately, many of the touristy places are dirty and full of scammers, homeless, and petty theft. Just aimless walking around the city without a plan is going to be disappointing.
4. Times Square...I lived in Manhattan for 4 years, and Times Square is my absolute least favorite place in the city. As HG pointed out, NYers stay clear of the whole neighborhood unless seeing something on Broadway.
5. McDonalds - This feels kinda random. They've actually been actively renovating McDonalds across the country and trying to reinvent the brand a little bit. The only McD's that still look rundown are either in downtowns of large cities, or occasionally in small tiny towns in the middle of nowhere. But they are actually nicer in the suburbs and small cities than they used to be 10-15 years ago.
6. No city centers - Agreed, for most US cities, but HG's characterization of Old Town San Diego is inaccurate. It's not a tourist trap, but is legit the oldest part of the city, and while it has a touch of commercialization, it's actually nice. The picture he shows @10:11 is literally the only shot in the area that looks like that.
Having said all that, I wonder what the guy's impression is of places like Rome and Amsterdam. Because I can tell you, as an American, those places were a huge disappointment. And a lack of city center isn't uniquely American. Rome, London, Paris, Zurich - none of these cities have a well defined, single location that can be labeled the "city center" any more so than Philadelphia, Boston, or Chicago.
EDIT: I am assuming HG has never been to LA, because if he had, that would almost certainly have made this list too. I think that's actually the most disappointing of all US cities.
Spot on. He fell for all of the tricks he advocates against and the rest was just cherry picking
Agreed!
About city center, I guess what he meant is that meeting new places is more enjoyable by walk instead of car (And I agreed with this mindset). Me, as a tourist, I would not enjoying visiting a city and from 3 famous spots that I could be visiting, I must go to each one by car and don't even find any place that I could enjoy nearby....
I don't travel a lot, but I've been in Rome and Amsterdam, and both cities were very fun to visit, the hostess from Rome told me a funny phrase while showing there should I visit like "you can get lost here, and here, here"... I consider that Paris would be the middle level between US Cities mentioned by HG and Rome/Amsterdam, you have to go far to visit some tourists places, but still there are a concentration enjoyable spots where you are.
Mostly true except Chicago. Chicago has a very well defined downtown that is entirely walkable, full of public transportation, and has museums, food, hotels, art, and architecture to keep you busy for a long time.
As an American I would avoid all of these places 💯
As an American who has had the fortune to travel a lot through Central Europe, and has been a 7-year follower of this channel. Everything you said is very true! BUT... BUT... BUT. I will say you fell into your own trap. For years on your channel, you have talked about tourists coming to Prague and only seeing the "touristy" area and not seeing the other, better parts. You just did that. You came to the big name, touristy American cities, but also so the garbage dump that is the large American city, too. If you want to see town centers and some "more European" like arrangements, you have to visit the smaller cities. Mind you, I live in a rustbelt big city, which has its beautiful and less beautiful points, but to see the "America" of the movies you have to visit the older, smaller towns away from the big, touristy megalopolis.
This is only what they hate. There is a video of what they love also.
@@taraem5573 Yes, I know... went to same places. lol
absolutely true. Go searching for the worst and you are guaranteed to find it
I don't think it's quite the same, though. The touristy places in Prague are still amazing - it's just that tourism and the exploiters and cheaters who live on that tourism ruined the experience. I remember it before that happened (and to be fair, a lot also improved since then). The worst parts are also quite small - usually, all it takes is to move a street or two away. But I always struggled to understand why anyone would find Times Square interesting, for example. It's just a dirty dump full of advertising and bright lights. I've never been to Las Vegas, but I imagine it being much of the same. It feels like it's trying to hook 9 year olds :D Advertising sucks. You know someone is making the decision "we could make our services/goods better or cheaper... but we can just pump tenth of the money into advertising and get bigger profits". It's not really good for you, it just tries so hard to make you feel like it is.
And yeah, cars make cities awful. I hope we learn to depend less on cars. Hard to go against the current of the massive propaganda from the car and fossil fuel industries, of course. It's the main reason people are so closed-in and scared in the cities - one, cars are actually ridiculously dangerous (not to mention the secondary effects of breathing their emissions)... and two, they empty out the streets (not to mention ruin them). There's this things where an empty street is fine, a street with plenty of people is fine... but when you're walking alone in a street and meet one stranger or group... it can be really uncomfortable. And I'm already really sick of how all the women react when I just randomly meet them in the street, because they're just so scared.
I remember when people used to say McDonald's is a "safe spot" where you get the same product and service all over the world. I don't know if it was _ever_ true... but it certainly isn't today. European McDonald's is still overly sweet and salty, but it just doesn't compare to UAE, Bahrain or the US (I hear it's also very different in India and friends, being vegetarian and all that). And no, our ice cream machines are never broken :P
By this logic people shouldn’t visit Prague because it’s a touristy city. In the video it’s shown exactly what it it’s, that outside the touristy spots these places in USA have nothing else to offer
Wellcome to Finland, all of you. Remember here is much more than Helsinki and Lapland.
I will be in Prague again at May. My fifth trip to Czech rebublik
Well, remember there's much more than Prague
Be careful when feeding nutria, recently they put in place a security company that calls the police when they see tourists doing this.
In May, that means You are going to see some of the Ice hockey championship matches? There will be many Finns I guess and full bars and restaurants. 😄
Ohhh I was shocked how bad HELLsinki look like - its even much worst that the worst cities hit by structural changes in Czech republic(ex coal mining area cities) - i could not imagine that any place could be and look much worst - but da da daaa HELLsinki(Fin) or Malmo(Se) - that was a HUGE SHOCKER for me ... Never ever again!!!!
I’m stoked to visit Tampere and Oulu eventually :)
I am surprised you didn’t go to French Quarter, New Orleans. As for squares, older smaller cities have them sometimes like Santa Fe New Mexico and Savannah Georgia, Charleston, South Carolina, etc. Europeans should choose a region of the US, rent a car, go into smaller cities and towns. Our forested & mountainous areas are better than any I’ve been to in Europe so far.
Thank you! I completely agree! Europeans always go to the biggest cities ans choose to address the whole country try based on the cities, the oldest cities in the USA are in the South! It's insane! I hate these types of assessments! His view was so shortsighted and he prides himself on being honest, but this was obsessively ignorant and dishonest because he chose to compare 50 states, with 100s of 1000s of cities to 3 places!
Dirty , filthy streets ,
If you go to New Orleans, do it during the day. That place is always on the news for crime.
If you go to a night parade during Mardi Gras, go with a group; don’t walk alone in the dark because a lot of the streets have weak/broken street lights.
I’m in Austria right now on vacation and a frequent traveler. Live in the US. One of the biggest shocks is how CLEAN it is here in Vienna and other cities I’ve been to in the EU.
I’m half Czech and VIENNA is so similar for me and what shocked me is that in the summer they have free water tanks where you can drink from in the city
Austria is truly a gem! Although some parts of Vienna are definitely getting worse every year.
Basically everywhere I have travelled in Europe has been super clean. Even in poor countries the cities are clean. Meanwhile last time I visited my hometown in the USA there was garbage literally stacked everywhere. Sofas and mattresses dumped on the side of the highway, roads absolutely falling apart...ugly dirty cities and no one can do anything about it because it would cost .5 percent tax hike to have a budget to clean the city. It was a depressing trip.
I've only traveled a little in Europe and yup, I have to agree. Much cleaner there.
I live in Europe and I don't consider most places all that clean at all. But, I come from New Zealand.
I'm an American living in Czech republic. I totally get your view here but also you went to the biggest tourist traps in the country. 😂 Some small towns in the US have real charm and where we really shine is in nature. My advice for Europeans going to the US for a visit is to not expect anything nice in the cities. Go to the national parks and not just the main parts. Hit hiking trails and visit small seaside towns. I recommend a visit to Port Townsend. Visit the wooden boat school, take a walk through uptown to see the old victorian homes then go to fort worden for a hike and some history. Then go to Sirens pub for an excellent burger and great view of the water. These kinds of places are where the US shines.
Yes. The National parks, especially the out of the way ones, are Americas best idea. but even in crowded ones like Yosemite you can travel away from dense areas (the Valley floor) and find yourself alone on a summer weekend.
Yes, you will get to see the U.S. that many Europeans find endearing, unlike the tourist traps and dirty cities.
or Strawberry in RDR2 ❤
I just googled Port Townsend and it really does look cool.
Well said. I would suggest go to some historical sites as well. I recommend Gettysburg/Antietam. They are close to each other and you cannot, CAN NOT, "understand America" without understanding the Civil War. For Texas, skip Austin and go to San Antonio-same reason as above. Instead of NYC go to Boston or Philly. Avoid LA, and go to San Diego.
"The one guy who *was* from New York City told me to fuck off"
Congrats on the authentic NYC experience there bud
I am an American and love my country, but completely agree with your list! Just returned from my second trip to Prague and the Czech Republic and can’t wait go back! Thanks so much for your informative videos!
What American country are you from, if not a secret?
@@РомаПетров-ж1н You mean state, right? Or are you talking about America, the continent?
@@LeotheJapaneseLion9890 , hm-m... That's kinda on @teresak0507 . I guess it's a on of the continents or part of the world! %)
Well, I visited Prague and you know what I hated? That I couldn't stay longer!
Come back!!!!!
Same here. I visited in 2018 and I am from Latin America and I would move to Prague in a heartbeat. Wondering about retirement … Prague Old Town Square and Plaza de Cuzco are absolutely the most beautiful I have visited.
Disney World's slogan is "The Most Magical Place on Earth", you showed Disneyland's sign and slogan, on the other side of the country, which is "The Happiest Place on Earth" (which you can go from one park to the other VERY easily by walking an extremely short distance). Similar to Disneyland Paris distance.
Disneyland and Walt Disney World are very different places.
There's a few things with this video that seem like opinions formed through traveling without doing adequate research on the place you're traveling to or the time you're traveling. Not knowing that Disney World is a complex of parks is quite frankly your fault when you consider that families can spend a week there alone. I agree with you about Las Vegas partially, but you can't walk it freely because the amount of alcohol present increases the risk factor. We do indeed have city centers look up "LA Live" for Los Angeles and "Plaza of the Americas" for Chicago. America is a much younger and much larger country than most European nations, so if you don't really know where you're going or who you'll be around you're not guaranteed to have a great time. Adversely, that can be said in the opposite, too. If you go to NYC, don't just go to Times Square. Go see Harlem or Queens and get a feel for the culture. Don't go to the Hollywood walk of fame. Go to the Getty or Huntington library. Visit north Las Vegas and see the walkway. That's my 2 cents. Take it as you will.
We just visited Prague, Warsaw, Krakow, Gdansk, Lisbon and a few smaller towns along the way, a six week trip. We do multi-week trips every year. To be fair, you have to be careful getting off at some outlier subway stops. I love the subways and trams in European cities so we often take them to their end just to explore and see the country away from the touristy areas. As often as not we feel it's smart to get right back on and head back.
I’m an American. This is exactly why I spend most of my vacations in Europe.
* what the writer actually meant its because its affordable for the average American to visit Europe.
@@florin-alinbalasa2829 Pretty sure it's more affordable for the average European to visit Europe though :P Probably easier than the average American can visit the rest of America.
@@florin-alinbalasa2829 That's not even remotely true.
@@florin-alinbalasa2829 I mean, depending where you go, are we talking Switzerland or Portugal? One thing is true, travel prices in US skyrocketed.
Also US is better for nature, but not for the cities.
Where have you been so far?
If you went to Paris and only visited the Eifel Tower it would be the same disappointing experience. There are good reasons why you don't find locals at Times Square, The Strip or Disney World (called Wally World by locals). They are for tourists only and have very little to do with America at large. I have met many, many Europeans whose entire experience with America are these places. Really, really warped. Go to a small town and have a meal in a local ma & pa diner, or perhaps a little barbecue place in the south, or a shrimp shack in a coastal town, a supper club in the upper midwest--those are all real America. Same with scenic places. The country abounds in spectacular scenery, away even from such overcrowded places like Yellowstone or Yosemite. Travel the back roads, camp in state parks. You will meet nice people everywhere. and get a much better view than just the homeless of San Francisco or the paring lots of downtowns.
I am the same way when I got Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa--I stay far, far away from tourist sites. It is far more rewarding to get a feel for how locals live--i.e. people like you and me. To me the best tour is to visti a local supermarket. There you really see what is important to people. Come back in 10 years when your travel regime has matured.
Egg Zack Lee! Robert Frost got it right with "The Road Not Taken".
Sure. But what's the title of this video?
American here. Every place you mentioned is miserable. I, and 99.9% of the population would have told you that before going to any of those places. If you want the USA, go to a small town, rent and Air BnB and go to any community events on their city website. You’ll have a blast.
PS: I’ve been to Prague and absolutely loved it. Great place for history AND living like a king on a very modest budget.
I agree with the pedestrian thing. I moved to Chicago because i got tired of spending so much money on a car (plus i wanted to support mass transportation.) Sadly i was the only person here with that mind set - I ended up buying a car after all.
I grew up in Chicago and had to learn to drive when I moved out of state at 24
Only poor people use mass transit
As an American I can tell you without a doubt that you chose some of the worst destinations to visit. There's so much better out here to see.
What places would you recommend to visit?
@@leonh4231As an American, I would highly recommend any national parks. Generally, stay away from the ultra famous like Yellowstone or Yosemite unless you will be doing long hikes, as they will be crowded. Capitol Reef is a beautiful park, anything near Utah is phenomenal. Remember-long hikes mean less people and more out of the way areas. Mountain summits are wonderful as they have fantastic views and nature as well as very few people. Also, bring water and snacks and dress in athletic hiking clothing with good shoes. You don't want to be struggling in a collared shirt and khakis in the heat. If you know where to go, America is the most beautiful place in the world.
Well, he picked all the obvious places you have to visit. They used to be cool decades ago. Now they are all super expensive, crowded, and full of tourists.
This video is definitely a skill issue haha
@luperamos7307 watched Vegas balloon over the last 30 years. Enjoyed it then and still lean into that crazy city.
The strip is hard to navigate these days, pay to park is off putting, and mega resorts are for the young n nimble. So the great part is there are so many alternatives- still loving on Vegas. A few days and you are vegased out, until next time.
Have an agenda and have fun
"When you visit Finland, go to McDonalds" is not something I thought I'd ever hear in my life, but now I have. Thanks Janek and Honza
....
Do you know Jesus Christ can set you free from sins and save you from hell today
Jesus Christ is the only hope in this world no other gods will lead you to heaven
There is no security or hope with out Jesus Christ in this world come and repent of all sins today
Today is the day of salvation come to the loving savior Today repent and do not go to hell
Come to Jesus Christ today
Jesus Christ is only way to heaven
Repent and follow him today seek his heart Jesus Christ can fill the emptiness he can fill the void
Heaven and hell is real cone to the loving savior today
Today is the day of salvation tomorrow might be to late come to the loving savior today
Romans 6.23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
John 3:16-21
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
Mark 1.15
15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Hebrews 11:6
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Jesus
Or you could go to Burger King (at least at the airport) and get a beer, like in France or Belgium
As an American I dream of the day the cities become less car dependent
Many US cities used to have electric trams / train systems. Torn down though.
Every single city except New York City is basically unwalkable and is just a giant highway with massive parking lots between every building
I can't stand the push to get rid of vehicals. City planning has ruined tons of cities by making them unlivable, not alone unwalkable. Lookin at you SF (Tenderloin).
Only in a thousand years 😂
@@gentronseven Idiot.
Honza comes of as an ultimate party pooper here. But I do agree about certain things: lack of the "center" of a city, lack of pedestrian infrastructure, homelessness and dirty streets in general. But I'd still advise you to experience it yourself and travel. There are many amazing things to see in the States. My favourite were: the Great Canyon, natural Parks in California (Yosemitte, Sequoia), NY city. And there are many more.
A lot of cities and towns in America (at least in the North East) have "greens" instead of "squares". A "green" is basically a small park in the shape of an elongated rectangle in the very center of the "old city", but they always have roads for cars surrounding them and lack the compact feel of a square. There are usually a few walking paths through the green and a church + city/town hall right up against them on the other side of the road too. Unfortunately the main issue is most of them are zoned exclusively for single-family residential aside from the church and city hall. Sometimes they will be zoned for commercial use in which case they are pretty awesome, but then you get a road or two away and you're back to single family residential zoning so it ends up being a good place to spend a small bit of time but there isn't much to explore. You will almost never find any sort of coffee shop or business within the green unless it's a major city. New York City sort of follows the pattern with its massive Central Park surrounded by buildings separated by a road, luckily the surrounding buildings aren't exclusively single family and it actually allows businesses to operate within the green.
Most countries in the world have “greens”.
I'm glad you said this about Las Vegas. I went there once and what I learned is: I never need to go back to Las Vegas. Ditto for Disney and Times Square.
I went to Reno and saw all the same type of problems seen in Vegas. I was eating lunch and looked over to a bank of slot machines all in use. Not one person looked happy to be there. Several looked bored. Left me with zero interest to return or try Vegas.
Hahaha I'm going next week for a show, but the thing is I live in LA and it's a hop skip for me. A lot of people here go for the weekend to just gamble then come back. Vegas is different if you have a lot of money too.
@@lauxmyth The weird thing is that people even feel that it _might_ be appealing. I understand when you're hooked and fully addicted, you can't really stay away. But how did they manage to convince people that _starting_ that is a good idea or a nice experience? Though of course, it's _everywhere_ in advertising, in product placement, a huge number of American movies... Endless propaganda and advertising, just to get you hooked - and then they win.
It's the same in European "casinos" of course. Especially the slot machines. You really see that they hit something the human brain is not ready to judge properly (though don't forget that the Skinner Box experiment only "worked" with mice who were already completely disconnected from their society and friends, and even then it was a relatively rare result - well adjusted happy mice tried once on twice and ignored the "levers" from that point on; much like most people do with drugs or gambling). You don't see the same thing with, let's say, pool. People actually enjoy that, even though it's connected to a lot of the same problems like pubs, alcoholism, smoking, betting... the activity is actually something people enjoy, not just something they do because they are compelled to. And it's scary that the video game industry actually managed to get quite the foot into the door of this too (and would have been entirely in if not for some hasty regulation in the EU). The people building and promoting such things are utterly despicable.
The entire place is designed to get you to spend money. That's it.
@@kgal1298 Many tourist places are different if money can flow.
As an American living in prague for 20 years I totally endorse this video!
How do you like living in Prague? I’ve enjoyed visiting, but living there is a different experience I’m sure.
@@jolynnmarie7701 I hope you will came to Poland , too :-) Poland is neighbor of Czech
I’ll summarize: he hates places geared toward mass tourism or mass consumption.
My favorite part of America are the national parks!
So, the parts not built by humans?
@@IvanLuelmoI'm glad you know what parks are.
@@IvanLuelmobruh, there's a lot of human involvement
@@johndorian473 at the borders of the exclusion zone...yes.
Aaaagrreeed!
I lived in the UK for 3 years and have returned to the US recently. Honestly I love where I live in America, but I miss city centers so much 😭and the walkability of everything.
Having moved to Canada a few years back I find the whole concept of city planning around cars very interesting. They spent trillions of $ of PUBLIC funds to build roads, parking etc., all so that some PRIVATE companies can sell a car to you, which is powered by oil supplied by PRIVATE gas companies, oh and you also need auto insurance offered by PRIVATE companies. It's especially bad in the US considering how much they hate communism and yet spend all their money on roads and highways so a small group of ppl stay rich.
@@sadmanh0 I wish the US would spend its money on roads like it is supposed to. Instead it is wasted on wars and embezzlement.
@@Dansker_fra_Midtjylland Life happened and I needed to be near my family. I won't say it here, but just unexpected life events. I would love to travel extensively to Europe again though!
The thing I hated about London was no real centre. It has a number of disconnected areas - Parliament, the theatre area, the Tower etc but no real centre. It took me quite a while to try and get used to that. I came from Sydney, which has a magnificent harbour, with the Bridge and Opera House, which gives that city a great centre.
@@wolemai that's probably due to the weird history of London with a city within a city and then all the burrows they have.
You asked during buying tickets: "Can I do it in one day?" and their answer was: "yes"
Nothing about your assumption was wrong because you went off the informed that was given to you.
Why would you ask anyone in Times Square if they’re from New York City?? no one who lives in the city will willingly go there 😂 also we don’t want ppl bothering us on the streets, we’re tryna get somewhere and usually it’s a scam lol
That was his point 😄
Oh, they'll go there but only if there's an event going on that they want to go to. Or perhaps they work at some place there. heh
Sometime when you’re in the US you should visit the Czech Stop in West, Texas (not west Texas, it’s midway between Dallas and Austin) and give us an Honest assessment of their Kolaches and other Czech baked goods.
I have been to Texas this year (unfortunately not West) and I was really disappointed with kolaches. Maybe they are better in the Czech shop in West? 😀
I'd like to try it in person, but from what I have seen it is a far cry from the original fare.
There are plenty such establishments in the Chicagoland area.
Damn good cup of coffee and a mighty fine Kolache.
I have just crossed out visiting New York from my bucket list just, from Finland, thank you! You must have saved me quite a lot of money 🤣
I totally agree. One of the great things about traveling to Europe is exploring a true city center.
If you get a chance try the national parks, the hot water springs, and the little-big cities. These places are more enjoyable.😌
And museums that are dotted all over the country.
I mean... NY and SF are both very polarized places and so is Vegas. So it seems rather misleading to go to the novelty places and consider that visiting America. Id consider places like Dallas, Tampa, Savannah, Denver would be more reflective of life.
As a New Yorker, yup, you pretty much nailed it. We hate all those things too.
One point though, the shot of McD's when you said how dirty and old they are was from before 2006.
The 20 year out-of-style phone booths and the distant, orange glow of Tower Records's neon sign (doors closed in 2006) are a dead giveaway. 🙂🤘
Yup. But "things I hated about America when I visited twenty years ago" doesn't have quite the same ring.
@@pinkonesie Yeah, but "We visited...etc" with the current footage is a lie, or casually deceptive at best.
Someone slams your home and holds up footage from 20 years before as evidence? WhattaYOUgonnado?
meh... I've been in NYC really a lot in the 2008-2012 (I know, it's been a few years since :) )... Most of McD still looked like a dumpster and would be the last place for me to go only if I'm extra desperate. Lots of bums inside, wasted toilets, etc. But no more neon - that's true.
@@geekytraveler5899 I went to a McDonald's near Penn Station. A bum asked me for money for food and I gave him the cold shoulder and said no. A local guy was generous and bought him some food though. My burger was also cold and sloppily put together.
The pictures of Mcdonald’s in Europe is kinda like Mcdonald’s in a lot of suburbs in America, or at least in California where I’m from. The Mcdonald’s from the biggest cities are older though. That should have been specified.
For example, the Mcdonald’s in San francisco might be old and with houseless people but if you drive 20 mins out of the city, you could find a nice modern looking Mcdonalds.
Most visitors of the US visit the worst places in the country.
i also see that that way in Czech Republic but i think its the opposite way. the worst places form around the touristy places, not the other way around.. So the problem is on both sides
You'll need a lot of time & money to see the USA. In my country its like 4K $ for a few days in NY.
@@florin-alinbalasa2829 Why the hell would anyone want to see NYC? That's like staying in a nice hotel just so you can look at the toilet. 😁. Yosemite is the best of the US. The small towns of America is where the heart lives. 99% of the big cites are not American. I'm proud as a 62 year old American to say that I have never been to any of these dirty places.
@@roderickrayrutledge2740 At that point I could just visit Canada and have a superior and cheaper experience.
@@roderickrayrutledge2740 I don't deny, Ray, but that's what has been shown to us, eastern european block, in the media. Especially after communism era. Skyscrapers, big houses with no fences, those big ass trucks, etc etc.
As a European who travelled quite a few places of the USA I gotta say: Look out for small towns and villages. As I recall from my most recent trip through the south-east I was pretty disappointed by Nashville, Chattanooga and Atlanta - but inbetween there were those tiny towns like Conyers or Covington in Georgia - with a square just like in good old europe.
Nashville is only for girls having Bridal showers/parties.
Yes. If you want to find an elegant town square, do not look in a megatropolis.
The old town squares get bulldozed to become parking lots. Santa Fe is a great little town to add to the list
@@Purplesquigglystripe Santa Fe is pretty cool, agreed!
8:23 .....your getting the hardcore stare "You taking a picture of me!!!!!!!!" 😅😅
I love other people saying America is boring and Dirty when the only places they visit are tourist locations
The problem for us is that we wouldn't really have any interest in most American style cities, and we would have great trouble getting around. Not many Europeans want to drive everywhere when we are on holiday. We want a place we can walk around and soak in the atmosphere and local life.
@@gyorkshire257 40% of NYC population is foreign born...Not a great example of American culture. Even if it weren't foreign, it would still be a terrible example. You wouldn't drive around everywhere once you get here unless you are making some massive trip. When Americans vacation in this country, we typically go to an area or region. When I travel to Tucson, AZ...I stay in AZ (mostly the SE part of the state)....and travel around the region. I'm only about 8hours drive from NYC and have never been there and zero desire. Same with LA...the only decent place on his list is San Diego. San Fran used to be great but has been turned into an absolute dumpster fire by terrible California politicians. There are also plenty of walkable downtowns in the US. Depending on the city, there may be light rail service, certainly buses...I know places like Cleveland and Pittsburgh (and others) also have something similar to a city center. They are converted to ice skating rinks in the winter.
As a New Yorker, I avoid Times Square like the plague.
I hate Las Vegas, too.
San Francisco needs some more nuance and understanding of the plight of the homeless than is provided here.
I love Disney World, but you need to know how it works before you go!
Totally agree! A small defense of San Francisco scenery: except for Seattle, Portland and SF most large U.S. cities are very flat (NYC, Chicago). Times Square is a pit. Las Vegas is an abomination founded on bad math & insufficient water, and apparently many dupes can't see by the real estate that the house wins......
I love that you chose the places that most Americans hate too. Honestly, I've been to the Czech Republic and absolutely love it, for a lot of reasons. But I've purpously avoided the kinds of places most tourists would go
going to CZ this coming summer and looking forward to it. Sure, I'll check out some of the tourist spots but I also have a list of not so much tourist spots. Also planning on taking train day trips to other cities throughout the republic...Outside of Prague, did you have a town you really liked and would suggest as a must visit?
@@jryan9547 I really like Pilsen, it's CZs second largest city and it quite beautiful. Lots to see and do there and without any of the tourist traps you find in Prague. Czesky Krumlov is beautiful and well worth a visit.
@ nice! I have both on my list!
If you ever come to Seattle, the oldest part of downtown does have a square! Pioneer Square, right across from Occidental Square. It is the first developed part of the city, so the buildings are “really old” (for America - mid 1800s), and there’s historical tours you can take there, like the underground city tour.
Unfortunately, since Americans aren’t as inclined to enjoy these old parts of cities as much, it’s getting a bit rundown. Though there’s hope, the city does plan to revitalize downtown and clean it up over the next several years.
Yeah but Pioneer Square is highly populated with homeless drug addicts, which he already indicated in this video he does not like about the US.
Also live in Seattle. And I never recommend people to go there.
@@OldsaltyjamesI thought the major campsite got evicted? Isn’t the homelessness all concentrated around 3rd and Pike now, at least in downtown
I went in 2019. I had never been before. It felt like a place that had fading beauty to it. It’s probably better now
Love your channel. Couldn't agree more regarding Las Vegas, Disney World, Times Sq, etc. Keep in mind America is a very capitalist country. These places you're visiting are tourist traps "American Style"(Super Sized). Unlike the ones you cover in Europe where one establishment or a small cluster of businesses get good at extracting money from tourists, in the USA whole cities are built to function this way. Orlando for example is twice the size of your Capital and actually run by Disney, they built it. This is as hard for Europeans to understand as it is for Americans to comprehend cities being thousands of years old.
Not strictly speaking true. The land Disney owned is famously twice Manhattan, but most of that is a nature preserve. The parks are a pretty small part of that, and Orlando exists as a city independent of Disney
If you visit New England, you will find city and town centers. The way you reacted about the US cities is somewhat how I felt when I visited New Jersey. Not a lot towns there have a center or a downtown. As a New Englander, I was surprised. A lot of states are like that. New Orleans and Santa Fe are two cities that have down town or center city areas.
I went to New York City and I absolutely loved it!! But funnily enough I was disappointed by Times Sq. I didn't even realise I was on it at first. Definitely one of the least interesting parts. I also went to a very underwhelming MacDonalds. On the other hand I went to an amazing traditional American diner on Broadway.
What do you recommend seeing in New York?
@@idnwiwEllis Island/Statue of liberty (one can easily spend an entire day just there), Central Park, MOMA, the Met, WTC site (including the beautiful new PATH station). Those would be the ones to hit first. Though off the beaten path, the tenement and transit museums are also cool though admittedly a bit of a niche.
Observatories like the Empire State Building aren’t bad per se but the cost is rather outrageous anymore. In general I don’t consider them to be worth it with all the price increases, though admittedly I’ve already gone, decades ago now. Still the Empire State Building is probably the one to go to.
Almost every American agrees with your observations. The best places to go in America are the places where big business is not trying to get your money.
Being from Canada, I really don't bother travelling in North America. Almost everywhere is indistinguishable. Same parking lots, same chain stores, same litter. The scenery changes a bit, but anything remotely unusual becomes mobbed with tourists because there's so little of it.
If you're from Canada it wouldn't be too far to travel to Duluth or Bemidji Minnesota, you would be Surprised at how beautiful they are and not overcrowded by out of state tourism.
@@oldbum Canada's a pretty big place, so I guess if 2000km qualifies as not too far...
Though it seems "nearby" on a map, since we don't have a direct flight to Minneapolis anymore, in the amount of time it would take to fly to Minnesota, I could be in Amsterdam or Costa Rica - places I do have direct flights to. And in the amount of time it would take to drive, I could be almost anywhere in the world.
And even if it was quick to get there...I just took a bit of time on street view for Duluth, and it looks like pretty much every other city of its size on this continent, with the added bonus of an interstate running along the waterfront. So I'm not sure in what way it disproves my "everything looks the same everywhere on this continent" point.
@@The2wanderers definitely different in Canada. You have Tim Horton's!
@@JBoy340a Building nationalism around a corporate brand owned by a multinational corporation, which in turn is controlled by a Brazilian hedge fund? That's just another example of the sameness I'm talking about.
Exactly. We have one tiny strip of street that managed to maintain some quaintness (although still ruined by cars and they never bothered to expand this design nor did they actually bother to put local amenities like a local market in them) and it is FLOODED with tourists now. Like it isn't even that special, but the US is so bad people make the trip.
I understand you had a bad time at Disney World, but going there during the busiest time of year without planning and trying to do everything is a nightmare and not really representative of the rest of the year.
I’m from Norway and have done many trips to Disney World because of it’s beauty, immersion and how easy (and safe) it is to travel inside the Disney bubble. So I would recommend trying it again (minus Magic Kingdom) if you ever go back to Florida and give it a fair shot 😄
Merry christmas and Happy New Year 🥳✨
Man we want to go to disneyworld. But my first impression is: Its very expensive. Like two to three times as expensive compared to most disney land 2 park combos. I thought, okay we as a family were in japan for 3 weeks. Lets look for a week disney world with hotel and dining in florida. But its like as expensive as 22 days japan including hotels and dining. and 2 days disneyland and disneysea xD. I did not price in flightcosts. Are there some hacks? Did i miss something xD? I just does not sound like a good deal. I think i have to dig into it more.
Disney is expensive, but it can also be enjoyable. There are 3 keys to enjoying Disney: 1) go in the off season, 2) just accept that you're going to spend a fortune 3) plan, plan, plan.
We spent 4 days at Disney, and 1 at Universal last spring and really had a great time, but it was a slow time of year, we paid for the lightning lanes and fast passes, and we planned out our days. In the end, we spent almost no time waiting in lines and saw everything we wanted to see. We also spent a fortune, but we had planned for that.
I can't understand how anyone can frequent that place on a regular basis, it's just too expensive. But for a once or twice in a lifetime kind of trip? Absolutely worth it if done right.
@@Buggiy Well since the food is expensive and you don't really need to eat then just don't eat. Big savings.
@@l4kr best. tip. ever. :)
Totally agree with you, I've been 8 times and I'm from the UK, you have to do your research, don't go at the busiest times, plan plan plan everthing and make sure you have a dining plan, it will save thousands !!! You can't visit DW for one day, TOTALLY CRAZY !!! if you do your research you would know that, it's 42sq miles !!!! every time i've been there I always go there for at least 2.weeks, there are 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, Disney Springs(shops, resturants and bars) and a sports park.
As a European living in the USA for 40 years, I share your dismay at the sites you mentioned in this video. However, I disagree about Prague. I visited the first time in 1991, immediately after the fall of the Soviet emp;ire.
I fell in love with the city and neve had enough of it.
I returned in 1992 and then in 1995 with a Fulbright professorship to teach a course on glottodidactics at Charles University.
I then returned again in 2014.
I was shocked to see how schlocky, gross, cheap and vulgar the city had become. Every store was selling tourist trap junk. Outise the Jewish Cemetery a store was selling racist caricature statuettes of traditional Hassidic people. All vendors were rude and I can't begin to count the infinite scams they pulled on people, from posting fraudulent or deceiving prices on the boards outside restaurants, to the obscene fees charged by money exchange operations.
I also found people to be extremely rude when I asked for directions: I speak fluent German French and Italian, in addition to English and more than once I found people who pretended they could not understand me (if you are a foreign langauge specialist you know perfectly well the body language signs that indicate when people understand you.)
In one case I didn't have enough change to buy 4 subway tickets for my family from the vending machines. I went to the convenience store inside the station and the clerck actually had to gall to tell me he had finished the tickets. I asked him to break my paper money and he refused.
I went out, asked a lady for help (a young foreign student living in Prague), she went ito the store and bought the tickets for us. She said it happens all the time. Praguese people hate tourists and will tell you openly every way they can. (Btw, have you ever read "Magic Prague" by Angelo Maria Ripellino?)
You blew my mind with this thing about the city centres. I live in Toronto, but I’m from Brazil. These days I asked in a Facebook group of people from Toronto where is the Toronto Centre. Basically, they didn’t know how to answer that.
In Brazil, every city, big and small, has a square in the middle, with a church or Cathedral, sometimes the city hall, and this is the centre, usually it is traditionally where the city started from.
In Toronto, there is no “city centre.” You have some squares and places that gather most of the people and have that “city centre vibe” - actually, it looks more like Times Square or Picadilly Circus, but not a city centre with a cultural and historical relevance, and it shocked me.
They have a district called “Old Toronto”, but it is mostly like the boundaries where the city was before expanding and conurbating with other surrounding cities to form the today’s Toronto.
That’s because most Catholic Cities the plaza was built around the church. Enjoy the variety. Not every country is the same.
@@VikingUffDa I’m not criticizing it. I’m just telling what I saw. I like my home city with its Catholic structure, and I like my new home, Toronto, just the way it is :)
But in Toronto it’s easily Dundas Square if you’re looking for a parallel. Obviously it’s trying to be a mini Times Square but it’s essentially the “centre” of the city and close in proximity to everything
Toronto is famously known as a city of neighborhoods.
City centre? Go to Dubai. Nobody outside except workers, you can barely go outside because its only roads for cars, nothing to see except different malls and tourist "traps", thats what I learned from my visit.
That's essentially what every city in the US is like outside of New York and maybe a few I haven't been to. Definitely everything in the midwest
@@gentronseven According to youtube, that's all North American cities except Montreal, New York, and Boston. I'm gonna guess Vegas and Dubai are a few steps worse than the average though, both being in deserts and grew really rapidly/strangely.
I can't see the attraction of Dubai, it just seems a good magnet for all Europe's worst, most money-obsessed people
I have mixed experiences with the US. Being there 5 times since 86 and the last time in 2001. I would not recommend staying in a city but travel around. See the westcoast road, Rocky Mountains, Niagara Falls (Canadian side), a national park. Skip the superficial tourist traps, but do enjoy all the beauty the US has to offer.
If you ever come to Brazil you be more shocked about our city centers. Image an abandoned zone full of criminals and decayed buildings.
Go to Kissimmee, busch gardens or wild adventures if visiting flo
Go to Kissimmee, busch gardens or wild adventures if visiting flo
it really depends on what town/city, what state, population, etc. stop generalizing (sempre tem um vira lata igual vc, é incrível)
You're talking about your city, not Brazil.
I had a colleague who went on a business trip to Rio de Janeiro (or maybe Sao Paulo? Not sure :D ). The first thing he was told was "never go anywhere on your own; whatever you need, we're going to pick you up with a car" :D
The last time I was in Vegas it was for a tech conference. We were there for 4 days and I was so sick of it. Last day we checked out suitcases and were wheeling them around to go to find a place to hang out and we got stuck in a casino. The overpass was closed on one end and we kept going in circles trying to find a way out. The slot machine noises and music blaring, it was my own personal hell.
Fear and loathing in Las Vegas is a movie where they smoke in the casinos 😂
i was searching this comment ahah
It was allowed in all casinos until recently. Even with a smoker’s “section, the entire casino smelled. They are doing so much better with that now.
As an American, I am glad our country is not like Europe / or vice versa. What makes the world unique is the diversity of places. What I also find a bit strange is that in the other video, you say New Orleans is one of your favorite places in the US. You have that right, but NOLA is the murder capitol of the US. I used to live there and am very familiar with the crime there.
I agree with you about the lack of city centers. Kind of sad IMO. But Old Town San Diego was never really the “city center” of SD. It’s simply where the town of San Diego was back in the late Spanish colonial period and the first few decades of when it was in the Mexican Republic. The current downtown San Diego began to be developed in the mid 1800s after it became part of the United States. Old town first became a protected area to preserve the historic buildings and morphed into the touristy place it is today. Also, it’s not on the outskirts of town. It’s just outside of San Diego’s downtown and is well within the city limits of San Diego.
If you want to see amazing and beautiful towns and cities with European style city centers, come visit me in Mexico! I am a tour leader in Mexico. I’ll show you guys around. You would definitely get some great content!
As a former resident of San Diego for many years, can confirm. If your friends who took you to Old Town San Diego didn't tell you this bit of history, then they misled you. Perhaps out of ignorance themselves. I always enjoyed going to Old Town when it was off-season, or during the week, and always stayed away from the touristy businesses that cluster around it. It's lovely and tranquil inside the main Old Town area itself, when it's quiet and uncrowded.
@ Yes! Also there are some really nice residential areas around Old Town. Older homes with beautiful Spanish revival architecture built in the early to mid 20th century.
I'm brazilian and had the same reaction about people smoking everywhere in public places when I've been in Rome and Florence. Cigarretes are not as popular as they used to be nowadays.
In public places you were disappointed???
//Laughs in Eastern Europe// 🤣🤣
They allow smoking INSIDE in most restaurants and cafes, it's pretty crazy to me and also smoking cigarettes? At least weed gets you high and it smells decent... tobacco and whatever else thr fuckin tobacco companies decide to put in it, does not smell good at all.
A proper New York welcome "F*ck Off" 🤣
Upstate New York (basically any place that’s NOT NYC) is beautiful. Buffalo has become rather a tourist trap because of Niagara Falls. I’ve never been to NYC, Vegas (IMO the only reason to visit is to go to Hoover Dam), nor Disney world or land. The McDonalds where I live are being renovated. What you call “City Centre” are called “towns” here. That’s where you will find what you’re looking for in terms of churches, quaint shops, a City Hall in the center of town, nice little places to eat, etc. Cities are large (as you can see).
Loved the video! Just wanted to comment that it is damaging to attribute aspects as underpinning "America" basing it off of a single state as a reference point. We have beautiful McDonalds too haha!!
I haven't seen a beautiful Mcdonald's in years. We used to have nice really big once with slides and stuff but during covid especially it seems like it was all taken down.
I don't think these are fair comparisons. You teach us common tourist traps to avoid in Prague, but when you visit the US, you went to all tourist traps blindly without doing prior research. I live in San Francisco, and I've been to LA, San Diego and Vegas more than a few times in the past. They are not as beautiful as the cities in the Eurppe, but each of of these cities have so much to offer. I just got back from Disney world as well with my girlfriend and had a blast there! You should give US another shot! I'll show you places/things to do here 😊.
fair point
Even if he's experienced in Prague, he doesn't know enough about US.
well video is about what they hated sooo
Also, at least the "tourist traps" in the USA can easily be avoided, whereas in Eastern Europe, the authorities seem to condone all sorts of scams.
I think the difference is that they see the US as a whole just a tourist trap.
While Prague has actual cool places
8:40 You get cleaner McDonalds in smaller towns (but not small towns) or far away from the downtown areas. Atleast that is the case in California. I'd say closer to Interstate highways usually have nicer McDonalds since they get more car traffic that come and go than homeless traffic
Beat me to it. Was gonna say the exact same thing. THAT BEING SAID, even the nicest McDonalds in the US still is probably not as clean as the ones in Finland 😅
As an American who now lives in Germany I agree with your points 100 percent. All my German friends take the typical USA trip of New York, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. I always get onto them....dont waste your money. there are such better places where you can actually enjoy yourself. Funny about Mcdonalds....in Europe the bathrooms are always clean.
Dude, you expected Disneyworld to be empty around Christmas?!?! LOLOLOLOLOLOL.
every european would expect that, i wouldn´t even expect that its opened on christmas
About ten years ago, me and a couple of friends visited New York City for (among other things) some new years celebration. We were thinking of doing the Times Square-thing but opted out of it pretty quickly, and instead bought ticket to an event at the Brooklyn Brewery. Best decision ever. We had an awesome evening.
Absolutely spot on with the critiques. I get sad every time I come back to the States after going to most European cities or Argentina. I am planning on moving out of the US soon
Honest Guide, have you visited México ?, If you do, as a European what was your expectation?, Is it how you imagined?. As in this video, it would be interesting to know the expectations or opinions about other destinations outside your country.
And Brazil too!
@@albertoalmeida3424 É só ladrões nesse país
Well i think a lot depends if you see the country as 1st world country like US - then you expect clean cities at least.
I bet Mexico has some beautifull spots but most of the country will be poor
US has city centers, it's just not a square. Most towns are centered around a main street. Even Times Square used to be an old Indian Trail that changed to a street, then changed to a more walkable plaza. Also I find American McDonalds food to be far more consistent than international options
The thing about SF is that the "bad parts" (tenderloin, parts of soma, etc) are quite close to the touristy areas so it's easier to see the issues. However, generally the crime in SF is lower than other US cities (like Philadelphia, DC, LA, etc) although it's still definitely higher than most European cities such as Prague. That being said, much of the city is still beautiful and there's many things to do. It's still a great city that's worth visiting.
I did actually like SF except I got my rental car window broken 2 hours in lmao. Everything was insured but man, what an experience.
@@l4kr the thieves can spot a rental car from a mile away and they know people like to leave belongings in there while visiting tourist areas. to anyone reading: leave your shit at the hotel. and you don't need a car unless you're traveling far outside of the city.
The left have destroyed most US cities
Regarding getting your picture taken, with a character, fora fee, the same thing happens in Rome too.
Agree with all of these, but it’s true that someone didn’t research DisneyWorld before visiting.
When we visited Vegas we didn’t gamble, but did walk around a lot to admire the hotels structures and the foyers which are sometimes art galleries and museums in themselves
Love how I just watched your video about TikTok lies, and then you say it's impossible to cross the Strip in Vegas without getting lost in casinos... You can easily walk up and down the Strip on both sides of the road, and the bridges are almost everywhere accessible right from the sidewalk. You are right, it sucks that it's a highway, but well that's part of the american experience :D
(btw I like your channel, just felt like I had to say this after watching these videos after each other)
😂 true
There is a central square in Los Angeles. It's the Old Plaza, across the street from Union Station. The original church is still there from the days when it was the plaza of the Mexican village that L.A. grew from. Olvera Street, although touristy, has the oldest house in the city, and its back yard patio has a cactus garden that looks like Mexico. Chinatown is a short walk and the downtown skyscrapers are a few blocks to the south.
Lots of homeless in that area, sadly.
@@GUITARTIME2024 That's true. I live in St. Louis now and that problem is mostly under control, although you do see homeless people here and there.
@@GUITARTIME2024 That's true. I live in St. Louis now and that problem is mostly under control, but you do see homeless people here and there. More attention needs to be spent in the U.S. towards treatment of people who have mental problems (mostly due to drug abuse). Housing costs in St. Louis are not as high as most U.S. cities. I grew up in Los Angeles and when I went to Disneyland in 1968 with my 9th grade class it cost fifteen dollars, which included bus fare from a distant suburb.
Dude showed up at Disney World without doing absolutely any research about what it was. It's a super fun place to go, but there's just one caveat: You have to know what it is before you buy your tickets.
Nice to see a video in Times Square calling out Times Square.
I love to see Honest Guide do a world tour and review every city and town he visits lol
I am an American woman who also hates all the things you discussed. When I was in Vienna, Austria, in 1982, I ate at a McDonald's that had two crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Prague. Yes, I've been there. Loved it! When I first visited Washington, DC, I went on a guided walking tour that took us behind the White House. While most of our tourist group raised their cameras to snap photos, I was laughing. Our guide stared at me. I felt embarrassed but commented, "This is it? It's nothing compared to the castles I've seen in Europe!"
Old town in San Diego isn't really considered the city center. It was back in the 19th century, but it also relocated its center within the same century. It's been a long time since then and no one has considered it the center and hasn't for a long time. Downtown San Diego is, hence the name.
There is limited westward expansion from Old Town, for obvious reasons.
Great video showing good examples of bad places that people get mad to visit. I live in Ireland and have been travelling around Europe lately and there is nothing better than visiting a country/city with history and stories, full of architecture details... And some countries like Ireland, people make it even more special. I'd never visit Eua again or these places like Disney or Dubai, or even New York. There is nothing better than visiting and old town, walking everywhere...I'm going to spend Christmas in Austria and of course, Prague... I'm really looking forward to.
Hi Janek and Honza!! We missed Prague!!! We are from NY (not the city) and I agree with this vlog.
San Francisco is an incredible city with major problems. I love living NEAR SF but not in it so I can day trip. Many excellent restaurants and places up there, and close to the silicon valley so you can go down there.
Yes, there's so many good parts of the city.
Yep get out of the city and head out to highway 1 and drive south to Monterey/Carmel or North.
You don't want to go to Silicon Valley unless it's for work.
As a Malaysian, I love the US. And I hope to visit it someday. Personal freedom and the right to lead your own life is key. A lot of Europeans don't like America because they're used to getting beaten with a stick by their government.
OMG that's so silly 😂. You don't know what your talking about do you? It shows you haven't traveled a lot outside that "land of the free" that Malaysia is compared with us "stick beaten by our governments" citizens of european countries.
@@viquiben4919 You wouldn't understand, that's fine.
your comment is hilarious. personal freedom? not if you're black. not if you're poor. not if you want to have an abortion. not if you're atheist. of course who wants to be gay in malaysia....but seriously.....the usa is not where you should be going to in order to experience a country that looks after its citizens and believes in human rights for all.
@@azhariarifThe propaganda is insidious, but it’s really not based in reality.
The USA is so restrictive in so many ways that it’s actually really, really stifling to people from other places.
In daily life you’re restricted to transport by car in the vast majority of the country; there are simply no other options, and so no freedom of choice.
Want to cross a road? Their automotive companies have invented a word to vilify you and lobbied for harsh restrictions on how you can cross it.
Even walking itself is restricted, because the infrastructure is built to be pedestrian-hostile. There’s no true freedom living in a place like that, where even the most basic of human activities is so restricted.
And that’s just 3 very basic examples from daily life. You’re much, much, much more free in many other countries than you are in the US.
5:06 That's a pretty gross statement. Police here in the U.S. - even in San Francisco - are often very happy to "solve the issue" of houseless people in tents. They often do it brutally, sometimes lethally. Maybe have some sympathy for those that are regularly exposed to extreme temperature changes, lack of bathing, changing, or sleeping facilities, & a complete lack of privacy.
It's crazy that it's not the traffic, garbage on the streets, lack of public facilities, and other problems that every major U.S. city suffer from, that bothers you; but that the houseless sometimes get to sleep in tents, which blocks walking, & is "weird".
Really, really tough that you couldn't walk as a tourist in the city where they have to live without almost anything. Heartbreaking.
As a person who grew up homeless since I was a 1yr old to a meth addicted mother whose only skill was knowing how to cheat the system to get money. I have no sympathy for those bums. There are many programs to get off the street but you gotta follow the rules and make serious life changes. Most won't because it's takes effort, that same lack of effort that put them there now
Honest guide , I think you really need to do more research into where you are visting in US . We have so many great places, sorry you didnt have a great time . I really like NYC, but im from Chicago, so I dont mind riding the subway and just wing it . NYC is safer from where im from . Anyways you either love NYC ❤️ or hate it .
No, they had a great time in the US, on many visits actually. This is just a video that lists their worst spots. You should perhaps watch their other video, where they list their best spots in the US.
And Janek actually loves New York. He just doesn't like Times Square in particular.
In Finland, don't go to Mcdonalds, go to Hesburger.
Pacific northwest cities actually do have a city center. Portland has pioneer square which is described as Portland's living room. It's in the center of downtown, large open brick space with fountains and places to sit. Plenty of businesses and food carts all around you, every thing is walkable.
Seattle has their own pioneer square but I think pike's place fits better as their city center. Either way their downtowns are walkable and don't fit the american stereotype.
San Fransisco gets a lot of hate that's a bit unwarranted. The homeless issue isn't a specific issue to San Francisco. It's exacerbated since it's so expensive to live there, but it really is a nation wide issue. America deals with homelessness in one of two ways. If you're in a red state, they basically make it illegal and will literally buy homeless people bus tickets to ship them out. If you're in a blue state, they'll legalize street camping but not really have the resources to actually help them. One solution is obviously a lot more screwed up than the other one. They don't care about them, and just don't even want to see them. But neither solution helps them in any way, and only makes the problem worse.
That said, people REALLY exaggerate when talking about this issue. Cities like Portland, Seattle, vancouver, San Francisco, etc, people act like it's literally unsafe to leave your house. Mean while locals are telling you, no these cities are far safer than most large cities...because they are. They are statistically significantly safer, nor do you see homeless on every single street. Media has convinced people these cities are basically third world countries. It's stupid.
Mcdonals'es in Ukraine (first opened in 1997) already went trough renovation several times, now they are equipped with with pre-order machines to reduce queues :)
Food there is still tasty and service is very good. Even comparing to some EU countries like Italy or France
We have these order machines/screens here in the Czech Republic for several years too. However if you want to order normal way, you can as well. :)
It's not like Janek was talking about Europe as a whole, you had to mention Ukraine.
This shit is the same in nearly all countries on the European continent + likely Asia too.
Just stop with flaunting how Ukraine has basic shit like everybody else like it's some kind of luxury. Get some help.
As someone who used to live in NYC, do not go to Times Square unless you have business there. It's terrible.
Bullshit