A poll of thousands of travellers has painted the Mona Lisa in a particularly dour light, with perhaps the world’s most popular painting earning a new reputation as the world’s most disappointing tourist attraction, according to the easyJet survey.
Now, that’s no knock on the painting itself – it is indeed a masterpiece – but many lining up for hours to catch a glimpse of the tiny trademark piece by Leonardo Da Vinci are bound to be disappointed.
I’m an art lover, but even I admit there are very few paintings in the world that I would bother spending the better part of a morning queueing to see (though I’d still probably line up to see the Mona Lisa). Not everyone is a sucker for fine art. And for those who read this and decide against one day lining up to see the half-smiling diva, well, fewer people in the line in front of me …
The easyJet poll asked 2000 Britons for their take on the world’s most disappointing and most desirable tourist attractions.
Leonardo’s painted lady topped the list as the most disappointing attraction, with 86 per cent of respondents calling the famous portrait a “let down”.
Berlin’s Checkpoint Charlie was close behind with 84 per cent and, in third, was Manneken Pis – a bronze statue of a naked boy in Brussels – on 80 per cent of the vote.
Moulin Rouge in Paris, and Copenhagen’s Little Mermaid statue rounded out the top five.
The five most desirable attractions were the Northern Lights (Iceland), Lake Como (Italy), Santorini (Greece), the Alps (Switzerland) and the Pink Sand Beach at Elafonissi (Greece).
Mind you, these assessments were made by the same people responsible for the following statistic. Nearly one in three (32 per cent) of those surveyed said getting the perfect Instagram pic was a priority for their holidays.
So, take that as you will …
“As people’s attention turns to booking their summer holidays, our research shows they’re turning to social media not only to showcase their travels, but to inspire their next adventure in the first place,” head of digital experience at easyJet Daniel Young told Independent.
Top 10 disappointments
- Mona Lisa, Paris
- Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin
- Manneken Pis, Brussels
- Moulin Rouge nightclub, Paris
- The Little Mermaid statue, Copenhagen
- Eiffel Tower, Paris
- Spanish Steps, Rome
- Trevi Fountain, Rome
- Louvre, Paris
- Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy
Top 10 most desirable sights
- Northern Lights, Iceland
- Lake Como, Italy
- Santorini, Greece
- Alps, Switzerland
- Pink Sand Beach, Elafonissi, Greece
- Cinque Terre, Italy
- Acropolis and Parthenon, Athens
- Coliseum, Rome
- Tulip fields, Netherlands
- Benagil sea cave, Portugal
Have you been to or seen any of the attractions listed above? Do you agree with the Brits’ assessment?
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