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

oh another one which I don't think has been mentioned.
The monoliths at Carnac. So mysterious. Taking the kids next year.

St Peter's Basilica, Rome.
Though I went a few years prior and wasn't that fussed at all.
For those saying it's important to go up the dome I totally hated that because the route up was so claustrophopic and at an angle. That was a very long time ago thuough it might have changed

On a more natural theme, Isle of Skye. Mind blowingly beautiful, Iv'e been all around the world but it totally stands out

On a rather different theme, I found Auschwitz profoundly moving, as well as Pompeii.

We went to Rome in late January & the Vatican was absolutely amazing! The Sistine Chapel, just awe inspiring. Wasn’t empty but definitely not busy. The Coloseum & Roman Forum were also fabulous! Definitely worth going at a quieter time of year.

Another vote for Venice. Go for a minimum of. a week. Stay in Dorsoduro. Absolutely amazing and next year is the Art Biennale.

I think sometimes it's places that you stumble upon almost unintentionally that are the most surprising. A few years ago DS had a sports camp in Leeds and DH and I went for a drive after we'd dropped him off and spotted a brown sign for Saltaire. I'd vaguely heard of it so decided to take a look and we absolutely loved it. We discovered Hartlepool Maritime Museum under similar circumstances and had a very good day out there too.
I've visited quite a lot of world famous places and yes, been really impressed by many, but some of my best days out have been to less well known places that we've stopped at to break a long journey or just seen signs for and decided to go and investigate.

What's your fav cathedral?

Agree. Salzburg is stunning.

We went on a trip to the lakes (Wolgangsee) in January. Everything was covered in sparkling snow and the lakes were frozen over. It looked like something from a fairytale! So so beautiful.

For me, Petra in Jordan was incredible.

And snorkeling near Boracay in Philippines. Like scenes from the little mermaid!

Ha Long Bay (Vietnam). We took a 2 day cruise which was very expensive compared to what we paid for a 2 weeks holiday trip, but boy, it was worth it. It was incredible to see some of the islets and natural beauty of the place. It's beyond magnificent.

While Ha Long Bay will always be a special memory, the whole Vietnam trip was fabulous.

Alcatraz.

Yosemite.

Notre Dame (bells were ringing as I was waiting to go in, really atmospheric, did not however enjoy the Louve).

Starry Night (quiet and actually got to look at it).

Table Mountain and a beach near Cape Town where there are penguins.

Biggest let down for me was the bamboo ‘forest’ in Kyoto - it’s very small and full of people taking selfies. Was also really disappointed by the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam - really anxious staff hovering around constantly and The Night Watch was miles away and behind a screen that reflected the light back at you.

In contrast to that, Las Vegas.
A group of U.S. went, all celebrating a big birthday around the same time.
I was absolutely dreading it - not keen on USA generally, and thought it was going to be tacky and overwhelming.
But I absolutely LOVED it! It was so awful that it was great - like an adult Disney World. You have to suspend all your natural instincts and just go with it, but it was fab.

The Keswick Pencil Museum.

How strange (though probably not strange as we're all different!) - but The Last Supper was something I found disappointing/distinctly underwhelming (but have been a bit ashamed to come clean on that).

As for the Sistine Chapel - wow!!

Oh and the Prado is the best art museum ever.

Petra in Jordan. We took the kids when they were younger and visited at sunset when it was cooler. Their feet were sore so we hired donkeys and led them through the Siq to the Treasury. Awe inspiring.

Versailles - both underwhelmed and overwhelmed.

I pre-booked tickets but the queues were far too long for my toddler. They were unacceptably long, despite the price. I'd have paid more for a more reasonable wait-time. So I skipped the palace and went straight into the gardens - which were truly amazing.

The Griffin Observatory in LA. The sunset from the summit is stunning as is the view of LA at night from their when it all lights up.

Christ of St John of the Cross - Salvador Dali. I'd never heard of this masterpiece. Hoping now it's back after it's travels can see it again

I second Wells Cathedral so much history, absolutely stunning architecture

The Roman Baths at Bath, so much more than I thought

Stonehenge early in the morning in the days when you could touch the stones

Scottish Highlands especially Glencoe, Glen Etive and Glen Orchy

I am loving this thread. It’s reminding me of lots of lovely places I have been and that I want to go to

Bamburgh and Alnwick castles and Hadrians Wall
Definitely Glencoe and also the far North and West coast of Scotland: Dunnet head and some of the amazing West Coast beaches
The Alhambra is magical.
Malcescine on Lake Garda and the views over it from the cable car
Pompei- went post Covid and it was a lot less busy. Definite sense of awe

Jarlshof on Shetland, early-ish morning and eerily quiet. There had been thick sea fog overnight and the last of it was clearing/burning off. Some parts were already eroding into the sea (25 or so years ago) and it really brought home what a short time we have on this Earth. I keep saying that I'll go back some time.

For me too. I absolutely love Barcelona and this just blew my mind. Amazing. Gaudi was a genius. 🥰

Petra in Jordan
Hiroshima, Japan but recognising the human atrocities, it really is emotional

Wherever it was in Egypt, the remains of the colossal statue that inspired the poem, ‘My name is Ozymandias, king of kings…’. I took a pic of an adult dd sitting on a toenail! Nobody there but us and our driver/guide - and a young boy with his goats.

Ditto (ages ago) Castle Krak des Chevaliers in Syria, used by the Crusaders. Vast and so intact/untouched, you could almost smell the horses that had been tied to the rings inside. And hardly anybody else there.

I first visited Venice when I was 19, way back in the mists of time.

I was studying Italian at uni at that time, and my teacher spoke of that moment when you exist Santa Lucia train station and the canals are right there in front of you. She was not wrong. It really is awe inducing.

Venice is glorious. Not even all the mobs of tourists (of which I am part!) can spoil it. I plan to next visit in autumn or winter. Not only will the crowds and prices be lower, but there is something wonderfully sinister about Venice and visiting at the darker times of years will highlight this. In a good way!

Visiting the Mary Rose, I have to admit I didn’t realise how big the ship was. They really bought history to life.
I took the kids years ago visited London omg I loved Westminster abbey the workmanship I was in awe. The Tower of London &Crown Jewels it was quiet when we went it was amazing.

The pictures make it look like a fairy city. Something from an Arabian dream.
I know the human consequences of war are much more important, but im really sad it must be getting damaged beyond repair.