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Original poster

Places you have been to that have exceeded expectations

232 replies

Ginfordinner · 30/01/2021 10:17

On the back of another thread, where have you been to that you didn't expect to enjoy as much, or where you had no expectations?

When we went to Venice everyone said it was smelly and dirty. It wasn't and we loved it.
Our last holiday abroad was in Kos in 2019. Again, we loved it.
A couple of UK city breaks to Lincoln and to Carlisle made us think that both cities were underrated.

OP posts:
mootymoo · 30/01/2021 11:43

I love Sri Lanka l, can't recommend it more highly, Maldives are nice but boring, the opposite basically

Nonamesavail · 30/01/2021 11:45

@OneWildNightWithJBJ

The Trevi Fountain surprised me. I didn’t expect to walk through a narrow road and it lead to such a huge fountain. Some of the lakes in the Canadian Rockies were more stunning than I expected and the black sand beach at Vik (I think) in Iceland.
Trevi literally just appears doesn't it lol
TheDuchessOfAquitaine · 30/01/2021 11:48

Porto. It was a stop off on a Portuguese road trip and we liked it so much we stayed longer than planned (and drank loads of port!). Alcohol aside, it was very walkable and picturesque in the town, some nice bridges to admire and a Nice beaches a short tram ride (or walk) from the centre. Very relaxed and chilled vibe.

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Holidays
SalaciousCrumble · 30/01/2021 11:50

Tenby. From the name it sounds like a worn out old town but the beaches were incredible and it's a really charming little town.

Love this thread for the diversity of views. I can't imagine being on holiday and being offended by seeing local (poor) people going about their lives. Takes all sorts!

Fastedbrownie · 30/01/2021 11:51

Hawaii.

I remember in secondary school my entire family -parents, sibilings, aunty, grandparents- all went, but I decided to stay behind because I was am into the whole ghostly pale skin look and ew beaches. Then when I was at Uni, my dad and stepmum went again, and because everybody else had raved about it so much and I was fighting with my mother at the time, I reluctantly accepted thinking I would hate it.

Loved it. It truly is one place that lives up to it's hype. I know go once a year, and last year brought a small house so I can go more often. The air smells like suncream and fresh water and time moves differently there. I always feel bad for the natives and its bloody history though and look for ways to support their claims for independence.

Original poster
Ginfordinner · 30/01/2021 11:52

@CMOTDibbler when we flew from Humberside to Lapland I found it fascinating that it was very much a working airport for the helicopters flying to and from the oil rigs. The turnaround is so quick. We would see all the oil rig workers complete with laptops waiting in the departure lounge. A helicopter would come in and off they went. Several came in and out while we were waiting.

@eurochick I didn’t expect to enjoy Florida as much as I did. I took 16 year old DD as a post GCSE/16th birthday present. Driving around was much easier than I expected, and I didn’t have to drive far to get off the beaten track.

@StoneColdBitch I was pleasantly surprised by Leicester as well. We stayed there a couple of times for a university open day and subsequent interview. DD really liked Leicester.

@SniffingOne I loved Vienna. We went there for DH’s 40th birthday. Another city where we felt very safe.

@SalaciousCrumble we had a lovely holiday in Tenby. It is so pretty.

OP posts:
Susie477 · 30/01/2021 11:53

Austin, Texas.

We were on a road trip and happened to stop in Austin for a night, with no particular expectations. We thought it would be a normal American city, but it was a very pleasant surprise. Despite being in a conservative state, Austin is a cool, laid back, liberal college town with a vibrant live music scene. Not a cowboy hat in sight. It would have been great to stay a bit longer.

AllAroundTheWrekin · 30/01/2021 12:00

Venice.

Absolutely beautiful - like a fairytale.

Stretchandsnap · 30/01/2021 12:00

North Wales - I have had a few holidays there in the last few years and love the mountains and the coast, the people, the little towns - I just think it’s a gorgeous part of the world and I wish I lived closer to go more often (in normal times)

AnnaMagnani · 30/01/2021 12:10

Liverpool - made a holiday out of a conference so were there in bitter winter. Even though it was freezing, there was so much to do and it was all free!

If your kids want to see Egyptian mummies go to Liverpool, their museum is fantastic and we were practically alone in it, not hordes of people like in the British Museum.

Leeds and Wakefield- again, holiday out of a trip to the DIY Kitchens showroom Blush Masses to do, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Hepworth Wakefield, loved it. The kitchen is v nice too Grin

Northern Greece and Thessaloniki - stunning scenery, food to die for, the EU had spent a fortune on roads and tunnels so driving was great, and world class museums which were practically empty of tourists as everyone else was in Athens.

lastqueenofscotland · 30/01/2021 12:13

I used to live in Hong Kong I absolutely adored it. Left a bit of my heart there.

Liverpool and Glasgow are much nicer than expected
Hull also, I think 99% of people who are rude about hull have never actually been.

AnnaMagnani · 30/01/2021 12:15

Venice, a warning. I also went in August and spent most of the time passing out. DH, being an arse, spent his time taking photos of me passing out. It is v hot and v crowded.

However nothing beats stepping out of the railway station in Venice on to the Grand Canal and you are like nowhere else on earth.

Just don't go in August.

CottonSock · 30/01/2021 12:16

Paris. We went on a last minute trip, the only place in Europe that seemed to forecast sun.

Lisbon. I can't beat it, I've been on a couples holiday and with our kids.

gingajewel · 30/01/2021 12:16

In England, Lytham st Anne’s. I can’t believe it is a few miles from Blackpool and is so lovely! A great beach for the kids, things for them to do and not tacky at all. Loved it there!

Russell19 · 30/01/2021 12:20

My favourite ever place is the Amalfi Coast, Italy. Particularly Sorrento, Positano and Ravello. My best holiday so far. (Capri was good for the blue lagoon but rest was disappointing)

Original poster
Ginfordinner · 30/01/2021 12:20

We went in October so it wasn't hot at all. In fact one day we had torrential rain, and St Marks Square was under water by the basilica.

OP posts:
Bearsbearsbears40 · 30/01/2021 12:21

Singapore. I want to move there.

Sadik · 30/01/2021 12:22

The spa in Bath (as in the modern one you can go and do spa things in). We only went because the weather was crap & we had a spare afternoon, had gone to Bath for architecture / roman baths etc, but it was amazing!

Sadik · 30/01/2021 12:24

Also, Felixstowe Ferry, which is a little hamlet with a charming ferry to Bawdsey, and nothing like Felixstowe proper.

EileenGC · 30/01/2021 12:28

Osaka. The nightlife is amazing and there are so many beautiful sights to visit in the city. I really wasn't expecting it. It's super close to Kyoto and Nara... beautiful region. I still prefer Tokyo but Osaka surprised me.
Fukuoka too, it felt like a small Greek or Italian city by the sea... I was there in winter and during the day we had 20 degrees and plenty of sun.

Loved Pompeii - in a way I didn't expect. I was there for only one day but I want to go back and visit for several days.

North Wales. Just beautiful and so quiet, the people were amazing.

Tartyflette · 30/01/2021 12:30

Glasgow. Lovely museums, lots of regeneration and a diverse food culture. Also the home of Brewdog. 😀

MrsWhistledown · 30/01/2021 12:32

Split in Croatia was lovely

Philippines were breath taking. I knew it would be beautiful but I didnt expect to feel so blown away by it

I had high expectations for visiting florence and really didnt like it. I want to go back at some point with more money to spend to see if I enjoy it more.

Tartyflette · 30/01/2021 12:33

Cadiz. Beautiful and lively city with amazing, and I mean amazing food, churches, shops, markets and bars.

LaPoesieEstDansLaRue · 30/01/2021 12:33

Zurich - won free flights there and went with no expectations and loved it.
Also Washington DC - so many amazing sights and museums, and most of it free.

albertcamus · 30/01/2021 12:36

Geneva in high summer; I can't imagine a better place for a week's break, it has everything and is just a wonderful place.

Eindhoven, NL; the epitome of a hip but happening city full of intelligent and professional happy young families with a great standard of living.

Shirebrook, Mansfield, Derbyshire: I've never met a kinder, more caring community where everyone genuinely appeared to care about each other.

Hull : the most under-rated city in the UK. Fantastic people, brilliant facilities and a wicked sense of humour.