Tourist Attractions tips

Experiences have seen a significant increase in pricing, with gains averaging 18% over the past four years. This is according to data analysis from two marketplaces for tours, activities, and attractions: GetYourGuide and TicketLens.

In my two visits to Paris, I've knocked out most of the must-see tourist attractions. I've seen the Mona Lisa and explored the Louvre, toured the Sainte-Chapelle, and plodded around the sprawling estate at Versailles. I've made a point to visit Notre-Dame, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Luxembourg Gardens.

Traveling with limited mobility can be a challenge in destinations that don’t have wheelchair accessibility standards like those established by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). But some of the most worthwhile tourist attractions across the globe are completely step-free, and it’s not just parks and museums. Some surprisingly precarious and unique spots should be on your to-do list if you’re traveling in a wheelchair (or with someone who is).

Review and booking website Tripadvisor (SmarterTravel’s parent company) is out with its annual list of the most popular tourist attractions in the world. It’s dominated by iconic attractions, some of which you’re guaranteed to wait in a two-hour line for unless you can purchase skip-the-line passes. It’s also worth noting that almost every attraction on the list is in Europe.

Not every place has the looks of theTaj Mahal, the majesty of the Grand Canyon, or the intrigue of Angkor Wat. Some wow from the first glimpse, others fail miserably and some, well, just bemuse.

When it comes to visiting the world's most famous sites, any seasoned traveller will tell you that hype sometimes has a habit of hiding reality. Our recent survey saw hundreds of Rough Guides' readers spill the beans on the world’s most overrated tourist attractions. Hot on the contentious heels of revealing the world's friendliest and unfriendliest cities (as voted by you), your frank responses might just spark debate.