World's most overrated and underrated attractions

IRAN

Forget everything you've ever heard in the news: Iranians are friendly, helpful and cultured people who will make you welcome in a country claiming one of the world's oldest civilisations and a rich ancient and Islamic architectural heritage. Two cities alone are worth the journey: rose-perfumed Shiraz and former imperial capital Esfahan, both studded with gorgeous mosques and palaces and lively with venerable covered bazaars whose labyrinthine passageways supply the world's best stickybeaking. BJ

MALAYSIA

World Heritage-listed cities such as in George Town and Malacca, idyllic non-booze drenched, bogan-free islands like Langkawi, amazing nature and wildlife on the Bornean island states of Sabah and Sarawak, some of the most affordable luxury accommodation in all of Asia. The Budgie Nine were on to something – what more could you want from a south-east Asian destination? AD

MONGOLIA

More of us need to experience the soul-settling, breath-slowing, heart-opening effects of Mongolia. Driving out into the wild open steppe, spending time in simple nomadic ger encampments, and generally just being in a country where fences don't exist, is a much-needed reminder of how little in life we really need to be happy. NK

BOLIVIA

This has to be one of South America's most interesting countries, a place as far removed from Western culture as you're likely to find in this continent, with its diverse blend of indigenous traditions and beliefs. Bolivia is home to La Paz, a bustling city that's turning into a surprise gastronomic hub, as well as Lake Titicaca, the Uyuni salt lake, and part of the Amazon jungle. Not bad for a country no one really talks about. BG

OVERRATED

NEARLY ALL EUROPEAN BEACHES

Admittedly, Australians are spoiled. We have some incredible patches of sand and ocean in our own backyard. But still, there's a fair bit of disappointment when you roll up at pretty much any European beach, known the world over for its beauty, to find a bunch of pebbles that you have to pay to access. BG

THE LITTLE MERMAID, COPENHAGEN, DENMARK

It's surprisingly small. Like, really small. Like, hysterically small. Buy the postcard instead. JD

MUNICH GLOCKENSPIEL, GERMANY

This actually goes for any historic clock in Europe that tourists are encouraged to gather around to watch chime. These contraptions are glorified cuckoo clocks that ding and whir and spin underwhelmingly for a few minutes before everything stops and the assembled audience gradually drifts away wondering if they've seen the right thing or not. BG

THE SPANISH STEPS, ROME, ITALY

Ah, the Spanish Steps. So famous, and yet so unremarkable. This staircase in central Rome, which looks like pretty much any other staircase, goes from nowhere interesting up to ... nowhere interesting. In fact probably the most fascinating aspect of the Spanish Steps in pondering how they became famous in the first place. BG

CLIMBING THE EIFFEL TOWER, PARIS, FRANCE

Seeing the Eiffel Tower is amazing. Climbing it, however, deprives you of the sight of Paris's most famous landmark, because you're standing on top of it. A far better option is to go to the top of the rather ugly Montparnasse Tower, from where you'll have the dual benefit of being able to see the Eiffel Tower, and not being able to see Montparnasse Tower. BG

OLD FAITHFUL, YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, US

The world's most famous geyser might well be amazing when it gushes. But that requires being able to find a parking space in the gigantic parking lot outside. It is not, alas, gigantic enough when you arrive half an hour before the expected gush to find every parking space taken. Still, thumping the steering wheel and wailing is quite good fun, yes? DW

ITALIAN TOURISM

Scusami, but Italy's most popular destinations are a scam of overpriced museums, endless queues, poor crowd management and appalling tourist food served by waiters devoid of any social skills. Good luck finding a public loo or even a bench on which to rest. Yet just as you reach total exasperation and exhaustion, Italy supplies you with another cathedral, gelato or sultry local passer-by to knock your socks off. A most frustratingly fabulous country. BJ

COTE D'AZUR, FRANCE

I can see why, when sun-starved tubercular English patients first came to the French Riviera in the late 18th century, it must have been a glamorous place of sparkling sea, olive groves and quaint villages. Maybe it was still nice when Brigitte Bardot romped here in the 1950s. But the modern Australian in me just isn't impressed by the overdeveloped hillsides, lack of elbowroom and pebbly beaches crammed with sunburnt northerners. BJ

ANY RECLINING BUDDHA

Though they're often touted as major tourist attractions in places like Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Myanmar, reclining Buddha statues are surprisingly underwhelming. They're just big statues of a Buddha lying on its side. Once you've seen one, you've pretty much seen them all. BG

Contributors: Andrea Black, Anthony Dennis, Jill Dupleix, Terry Durack, Ben Groundwater, Belinda Jackson, Brian Johnston, Nina Karnikoswki, David McGonigal, Lance Richardson, Craig Tansley and David Whitley