Wow, telling someone not to visit a museum because you find the idea behind the collection dull is insipid on your part. But telling someone not to try the simulated Mexican border crossing and branding it a "dumb idea" is just offensive. I thought the Frommer's philosophy was to expand our minds and get to know our neighbors in other countries to better understand the world. Your little "Not List" gimmick tells me this publication has truly lost its way.

Posted By madmonkey on May 21, 2007, 2:43 PM

Lighten up! It's Bud's attempt at humor. I'd say this feature is more lame than offensive. I can think of lots of places (not funny) that I would put on the NOT list... if only Bud were courageous enough to go THERE in his column. If I may be so bold to start us off... The Ritz Carlton on the northside of Maui... total snobs and so not worth the money. Plus, it's too windy and cool to swim on the beach... in fact, the beach is frequently closed due to dangerous waves. YIKES!

Posted By Laurie Schafer on May 21, 2007, 5:12 PM

Madmonkey, You seem to be confused at one of the purposes of this web site.
They're suppose to review places. Calling a collection dull is not 'insipid'.
Your morals may need to toughen up if you were offended by the "dumb idea" comment. Even the NY Times called the simulated border "like Marie Antoinette playing peasant on the grounds of Versailles."
Wouldn't it be more beneficial for the mostly Mexican touristas that visit Parque Ecoalberto to spend their money creating more jobs in their own country than 'slumming it' on a watered-down adventure.

Posted By cleanfront on May 21, 2007, 5:17 PM

LOL - this is the best list I've seen. Doing the mile-high thing without danger of being caught, using children as slaves, getting irradiated at Chernobyl - these are some of the most innovative tourist traps I've ever seen.

Posted By tikketyboo on May 21, 2007, 7:05 PM

I thought this list was hilarious...thoroughly enjoyable entertainment. Too bad some folks don't get the humor. Ah well, you'll find a "spoil sport" in every crowd. Keep traveling Bud, keep traveling!!!

Posted By pjrichard1016 on May 31, 2007, 11:18 PM

I want to travel with Bud Travel! ^_^

Posted By aiko.adonia on June 1, 2007, 5:06 AM

Must be a really slow news day! :-)

And to the Maui basher-- you get what you look for. You can go 10 minutes any direction on Maui and everything changes. Just like on the Big Island-- there are 11 different climate zones on the Big Island (there are only like 13 or so in the entire world). In January I can look out my front door & see snow on Mauna Kea, and out my back door I see the beach & blue ocean. And many times it is windy, but who cares?

Posted By Nani on June 1, 2007, 10:47 AM

The whole thing was difficult to listen to...
creativity and professional sounding commentating both murdered at the same time.
Ugh, at least I didn't have to pay for that boradcast

Posted By gimmeabreak on June 1, 2007, 11:28 AM

sad that someone can state an opinion on a collection and label it dull - when according to the interview on CNN they havent even seen it. -- SHAME

Posted By notlikely on June 1, 2007, 2:52 PM

Erik Torkells is hilarious on CNN!

Posted By chivrey on June 1, 2007, 7:44 PM

Re CNN interview.
Tell me NOT to go to a place because it's dangerous or it rains too much or it's not clean or public transportation is bad. That's information I can use. Don't waste my time on CNN laughing at your own bad jokes. I don't know what's worse; that stumbling interviewer or the nerd who apparently hasn't left his parents' basement.

Posted By stevil on June 1, 2007, 8:08 PM

What a hoot! Yes, most of the "places to visit" were in poor taste, but that was part of the humor. A person does have a choice NOT to watch this cute, but silly slideshow and NOT to vist any of the places shown. Some people just DO NOT have much of a sense of humor, but the rest of us do, so I say, keep 'em coming!

Posted By Gini Araiza on June 8, 2007, 5:52 PM