Where in the world have you been that was very different to what you’d expected?

[Davespecifico]

For me it was a journey through Montenegro to Kotor. I couldn’t believe the fjords, steep cliffs and cruise ships.

Lourdes (it wasn't a pilgrimage, I was in the area). It had holy water coming out of bathroom taps and plastic tat bottles to buy to fill. It was really full of tat shops!

Really bad of some posters to name entire countries Thailand !!!!!!!!

Phuket was the most beautiful place I've ever been, beach was stunning, people were so lovely

I love nyc but not the tacky parts, there is so much more to see

Surprised when I went to Germany for the first time, Munich was beautiful, lovely people, don't know what I expected but I would love to go back

The poster who mentioned Hong Kong, I love how diverse it is, crazy city, but beautiful beaches too

My big disappointment was Vegas, went for my 40th, tacky, dirty, never felt safe, I will never go back

Canada - very dull. Vancouver seemed soulless (was there a week, did everything possible to do) and big areas of drug-users, British Columbia coastline disappointing

Germany - brilliant, love it, full of culture and pretty towns, nice, unpretentious people - though agree with pp, when we arrived on a Sunday we couldn't buy anything to eat as everywhere was shut. Some very sleepy areas in the countryside.

Paris - everyone is rude, even if speaking in French.

India - interesting place but utterly filthy. The dirtiest country I've ever been to.

OP this thread is great, I'm knocking up a list of places to go when we're allowed

Marrakesh
Poland
Germany
Bosnia

So far .....

@Womanlywiles interesting comments about USA and Germany. I like both countries very much (haven't been to USA for many years and am longing to return). I think a New Deal a la FDR is long overdue in the US, but also that both the US and Germany will soon be overtaken by China, in terms of wealth, economy and power. And China has no interest in social democracy.

Giant’s causeway. Tiny.

I agree about the Giant’s Causeway. Seriously underwhelming, but the North Antrim coast is still well worth a visit. It is one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in these islands.

Yes. The Antrim coast and Mourne mountains are beautiful.

@cheeseaddict and @Honeyroar another lover of the Greek Islands here. My Dad as a young man spent the summer on Corfu with his backpack and tent. It was back when it would still have been pretty much the idyllic island the Durrells went to. Needless to say he fell in love with the Island. I spent most of the holidays of my childhood visiting the Greek Islands. They hold a special place in my heart, especially since loosing my Dad to Cancer last year. I am grateful for the time we got to spend there as a family.

Venice.
Overcrowded and it STINKS. My enduring memory of the place is just how bad it smells

A place I’ve not mentioned was actually on mainland Greece a place called Polilimnio on the Peloponnese. It is a series of waterfalls going into freshwater pools which you can swim in. Very Idyllic.

@Durgadarrow I agree. I’m also baffled by how someone couldn’t find a cafe/deli/somewhere to get a coffee/donut in New York. I go regularly and the only time it’s been tough to find anything was Xmas day!! Otherwise they’re everywhere!

Salem at Halloween was disappointing. I expected more decorations everywhere. There were more at home!

@RoseLillian that looks amazing!

As for Hong Kong, you have to get out of the centre and go to the beaches and hills. It’s very easy, there are buses or ferries nipping everywhere constantly. It’s one of my favourite places.

Thanks to this thread ive decided on my next holiday destination and researching costs today

Although I found Venice crowded, the people quite unfriendly and the food shite, I can't say I thought it stank! And it is SO beautiful, just unlike anywhere else. I'd happily go back despite all the above downsides.

I really loved Paris. I don’t remember encountering much (if at all?) dog shit, and didn’t find anyone too rude or ignorant. I thought the history and culture was magnificent - Dp and I wandered for hours.

Paphos is somewhere I wouldn’t go back. Found it completely soulless and boring - not a thing to do bar a water park nearly an hour away. We were intimidated and cat called quite a few times, and the food was meh. Didn’t even find the beaches particularly special. Never again - very brits abroad and quite tacky.

Also enjoyed:
Belfast - Friendly people from the minute we stepped off the plane, beautiful scenery, vibrant and fun city.

Innsbruck - Beautiful town right in the middle of the Alps. Absolutely gorgeous scenery of snow capped mountains all around. However, we went during December when it was full of Xmas markets and lights, and I’m not sure I’d want to go back in any other season.

Brisbane - Loved it. The most stunning beach I’ve ever set foot on, amazing weather, and loads to do.

New Zealand - There’s a reason some of my family chose to live there. Laid back, breathtaking, and so much to see.

Loved Kos. The people were so friendly and warm, and some of the beaches were stunning.

Everywhere I went in Vietnam. I'd expected to like it but not quite as much. There's a definite distinction between North and South (although as time goes on maybe not? It was 15 years ago when I went) but no part was seemingly "better", just different. The people are so lovely as well and I was made to feel very welcome.

Belfast - I first properly went there on a university open day and have loved it ever since. I'm glad it's beginning to finally shed its reputation of being unsafe.

I hated every second of Moscow. I really wanted to like it because of its history and culture, but I generally found it quite threatening and unfriendly. The food was awful too.

Underwhelmed by Singapore - sterile, soulless and boring. It seemed as if the only things to do were shopping and drinking.

Had expected Paphos in Cyprus to have a charm on par with any of the Greek islands I had visited. I was wrong.

I hadn't expected Pisa to be as grotty as it was.

Niagara Falls, worst disappointment of my life. Expected beautiful scenery around it, instead it was built up practically to the falls edge with tacky tourist shops and a Wendy's burger chain restaurant

I also hated Moscow, found it quite threatening and menacing. St Petersburg was nicer but the people were no friendlier.

Hong Kong - amazing city with stunning hinterland.

Relatives went to Vietnam recently and found it very polluted, and they travelled round. It put me off going - I would have liked to otherwise.

I'm quite easily put off a place to be fair - other relatives told me Australia is like the UK 20 years ago, so I don't think I'll bother. It's also very far and expensive a place to go and be a bit underwhelmed!

Islamabad! I fell instantly in love with this city. It’s so beautiful. The hospitality, the people, the Margalla hills, the food...there are no negatives.

Tipperary I genuinely thought it would be like the song it was a bitter honeymoon disappointment

Slovenia. The most beautiful clear waters and wonderful mountains and Lubljana is such a wonderful city. I'd go back in a heartbeat - but the weather was glorious when I was there, which helped.

Ditto Poland. We went to Wroclaw one Easter, again the weather was spectacular and the city was so historic and pretty.

Melbourne. I thought it would just be a city, but it's so much nicer than London or Paris, cleaner, easier to get around and so open. I love most of Australia that I've been to, but Melbourne is my favourite.

Oh and my most disliked - Fuerteventura. It was like the surface of the moon. No wildlife apart from some lizards, and not much accessible history. Beaches were nice though.

Norwich. We thought it would be grim. I think Alan partridge gave us that idea. It turned out to be beautiful and we’ve now been many times. Picnics by the cathedral are a big hit with us.