A traveler who has visited 60 countries has identified five cities he would not recommend for a return visit. Lucas Brancatisano, from Melbourne, Australia, detailed his experiences in a viral video, citing reasons ranging from overwhelming stimulation to personal discomfort.
New Delhi, India, was named as the first city Brancatisano would avoid. He described the city as experiencing constant activity, including heavy traffic, pollution, and noise. "If you think you've been overstimulated in your life before, New Delhi is a whole level above that," Brancatisano stated. He noted that while other parts of India were enjoyable, New Delhi was not for him.
Next on his list was León, Nicaragua. Brancatisano described it as "sweaty" and potentially dangerous at night, though he acknowledged that the city's volcano boarding activity was a draw. He clarified that his experience in Nicaragua overall was positive, but León itself was a place he would not revisit.
Controversial Inclusion: Oia, Santorini
Perhaps the most debated inclusion on the list was Oia, a popular destination in Santorini, Greece. Brancatisano called the town his "definition of hell," citing overcrowding, and the pursuit of the same sunset photo by numerous tourists as primary issues. "Don't go there, you'll have a really bad time," he advised.
This sentiment drew significant reaction online, with many travelers expressing surprise and disagreeing with the assessment. Some commenters suggested visiting Oia during the off-season to avoid crowds, a strategy Brancatisano's critics pointed to as a way to have a positive experience there. Others, however, agreed with his assessment, describing Oia as uncomfortably overcrowded.
Brancatisano also included Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and Benidorm, Spain, on his list of cities he would not revisit. He recalled Phnom Penh from a visit many years ago as a "very built-up city with lots of tyre shops and not much going on," admitting he could be mistaken and might revisit if his memory of it was inaccurate.
Regarding Benidorm, Brancatisano described it as "hell" for those who are not British, citing the prevalence of English breakfast menus and what he perceived as a concentration of elderly British tourists. "If you're in Spain and you're going to Benidorm, you need to rethink all of the life choices you've made up to that point because you're in the wrong spot," he commented.
Brancatisano's video has garnered millions of views, sparking discussions among fellow travelers about their own experiences and recommendations for destinations worldwide.