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.

I usually love France but have been very underwhelmed by Paris and really didn’t enjoy Bordeaux.

Dublin was a big letdown. Would be happy not to go back to Ireland - there are so many other places I would love to go - but dh has relatives there so it’s at the top of his list.

Libya and Egypt - really glad that I’ve been but not sure I would rush back. Ditto St Petersburg.

Liverpool - beautiful city. As a southener who gets vertigo if I go north of Watford I was very pleasantly surprised. Stunning architecture, one of the very few places oop north that I'd recommend everyone to visit.

Sorry but that's really quite offensive, out of the whole of the North Liverpool is the only place worth visiting? Right

Sorry, didn't mean to offend - no, lots of others too - Yorkshire, Lake District, but I was surprised by Liverpool. Most of visits north of London have been to Birmingham, and unfortunately that was as I expected it to be.

@thesnailandthewhale sorry, I'm overly protective of the north and its charms the Lake District is wonderful, as is the Northumbrian coast, the Scottish Borders, the Pennines and the city of Newcastle, which has outstanding architecture.

It was me - hurried my post rather than re-reading :) What I should have said was (a) I haven't been to lots of places up north and (b) most of the ones I've been to are beautiful but are as I expected them to be - eg. Scottish highlands - possibly the most stunning place I've ever visited.
I'm also aware that lots of places down here are anything but beautiful, I wasn't looking to start a north/south war :) :)

Ones I didn't like.

Dublin -thought it was scruffy and a bit underwhelming.
Menorca. Nice beaches but scenery inland is nothing special.
Australia- I really wanted to like it and spent a month there. Just did not get it and was gutted.
Brussels - just meh!

Places that have surprised me. Costa del sol.
Expected it to be completely commercialised but some right hidden gems.
France- took the car and drove round. What a stunning country.
Ibiza. The east and north - just wow! Hidden coves and beautiful scenery!

Miami - It was so industrial and dirty and just looked like some horrible, back alley town except for like one small nice area

Agree with Paris as well, covered in rubbish and people weren't happy to help even when my sister spoke in French. We ended up eating near the hotel where the concierge recommended and it was horrendous - a salad was lettuce and salad cream...

Oh and people kept Wolf whistling me which was gross because I was 14 at the time

Manhattan - it absolutely stinks of dog piss. It REEKS. The first time I went I could hardly believe it.

I'm used to it now and I do love the place, but the stench of urine rising off the pavement when the morning sun hits is something else.