To ask what tourist sites you’ve visited that met or exceeded expectations?

Everywhere is one billion percent better if you go as early as possible. If you can't get there for opening time then don't bother.

Ephesus, Turkey. Absolutely spectacular. Bloody slippery on the path on the way down to the library though, I went arse over tit 😆 more than once!

Sistine Chapel, Rome, Italy - but I saw it in 2003 so it was nowhere near as busy then.

Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm temples in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Asolutely incredible and even the air felt ancient; you could almost feel the centuries. Never seen a site quote like it.

I’m seeing the last supper at the end of the month and am now looking forward to it more than I was thanks to this thread 😊

Bayeux tapestry, so much more interesting than I was expecting.
Sousessvlei dune, Namibia, saw the moon rise up over it, felt amazing and then went back just before sunrise and climbed to the top - was quite chilly and once the sun came up the heat was fierce, and we slid down the side.
the churches carved downwards out of rock in Ethiopia,
the Great Wall in China - lots of things in China really but the scale of this blew my mind.
Newgrange in Ireland, how did they even build it like that. It’s a dream to go for the winter solistice.
Agree with many others on this thread, but impossible for me to choose one as I loved them all for different reasons. Things that impressed me, made me think, made me feel a certain way or just moved me.

A lot of votes for Venice! It’s on my list. I’d agree with Jerusalem old town, absolutely beautiful and felt transported to centuries past. I’d also put Istanbul down, pretty much all of it. Absolutely love the blue mosque, hagia sophia, topkapi museum. The architecture is incredible. I don’t agree with the pyramids though, it was a bizzare juxtaposition how built up it all was and only a few steps away from a McDonald’s and shops and cars. I expected a vast dessert so it was a strange to see it in person. My memories may be tainted negatively though as we were massively ripped off there.

This is a weird one but Vegas. We went as part of a trip to the west coast and I was amazed by the whole place. I was happy to go, it wasn’t on my list of things to do but DH fancied it. The sheer size of things is fascinating, as is the whole culture of the place. The whole experience is really hard to describe but I enjoyed it and would definitely go back.

The Taj Mahal - quiet if you get there early enough

Mont St Michel. It was really busy, but even that didn't detract from its incredible setting and architecture. It's like something out of a fantasy novel. I would suggest not going in the height of summer though!

9/11 memorial, haunting, emotional and beautifully done.

The Vatican is incredible, anything in Rome and Florence ptoo.

The samaria gorge

The temples of Angkor - particularly Ta Prohm as it was lovely and quiet compared to Angkor Wat (which was still amazing!). Absolutely incredible!

Mine are UK based.

Iona. Beautiful unspoilt island with lovely clear seas.
The Roman Baths in Bath at night. I was with a small pre-booked group. They have torches burning around the main bath and you can see the steam rising off the water. They also had knowledable actors/guides in Roman costumes around too. Much more atmospheric than during the day. (Luckily I am local).

Disney Paris. I've been before and didn't love it, so when I was there again this year I had low expectations. We had a fantastic time! Really lucky with the queues - no queue at all for Pirates of the Caribbean! - the Lion King show was fab, and a couple of members of staff were soooo kind and helpful to us.

My low expectations were smashed.

Also, I had low expectations for Mallorca as my impression of it was based on stories of Magaluf. But Mallorca was stunning. I'd gladly go back.

Whitchurch Silk Mill (I know this makes me sound boring). A beautiful gem in a stunning spot and so interesting. (If I’m talking further afield, Uluru was incredible and worth the journey).

Pompeii, really haunting.
The cathedral in Florence, so beautiful.

Culludon battle field, atmosphere was haunting.

Swimming in the Cenotes in Yucatan, Mexico - crystal clear cave pools

Yosemete National Park - particularly Glacier Point. Your eyes cannot quite believe the breathtaking view.

Taj Mahal - and India generally. The Taj is absolutely breathtaking and is surrounded by the most incredible buildings that never seem to make any picture.

Petra and wadi rum desert in Jordan

Stonehenge. Went with the family and even my young children were interested. It’s an incredible sight and the history and wonder is amazing You can get pretty close but I’m glad you can’t touch it any more because some people are idiots and ruin things.

The mesquita in Cordoba

Another vote for Venice, Pompeii and Chedworth Roman Villa but also seeing an opera at the Roman Arena in Verona exceeded my expectations, the atmosphere was fantastic.

Sagrada familia is my favourite- you come out of the underground station and turn around, it is unbelievable. And then inside with the stained glass and tree shaped pillars forming a canopy.

The Last Judgement in the Sistine Chapel - me and DH could have just sat there all day long. It was absolutely mesmerising.

Sagrada Familia - absolutely heaving tourist trap but the sight of it took my breath away! It doesn’t look real, inside or out.

More recently, this summer we went to the Eden Project, somewhere I’ve always fancied but wondered could it be possibly worth that price?! Well we thought so and eldest DS (11) declared it the best day out we’ve ever had. We were there and all day and think it was worth every penny.

Isle of Skye... stunning

Chedworth roman villa.
I went there not expecting much, but it was really interesting the mosaics were beautiful and the setting had a lovely atmosphere. Beautiful and peaceful.

Karnak near Luxor, it’s so big it was easy to lose other people and feel as though you were finding new treasures for yourself.

Jerusalem Old Town, especially walking the roofs at night, felt transported back to biblical times.