What has exceeded your expectations

[DenisetheMenace]

On the back of another thread, what has exceeded your expectations.

If I may, I’ll kick off with The Lost Gardens of Heligan, St. Fagans Museum, Tokyo, Michelangelo’s David, Tintagel and Porthminster Beach Cafe in St. Ives.

The Maldives. We went at Christmas (we escaped three days before lockdown 😅) and I have already booked again for this Christmas. It looks exactly like the brochures and was by far the best holiday I've ever been on.

@CheerfulBunny just read your post after I'd posted mine 😁

Rome. I knew it would be good, but it was amazing. So many beautiful things wherever you looked. I think I needed a month there instead of the long weekend we had.

@Coachee

Also, the Canary Islands. Assumed for years that it was all just naff resorts. Of course, there is a lot of that but we also found beautiful villas in peaceful villages, amazing walks with no-one around, saw whales and dolphins, ate well at small, local places, including the most amazing Michelin-starred Japanese food. There really is a lovely side to both Tenerife and Lanzarote that took us by surprise!

I agree. A day exploring Teide is a standout memory. The villages away from the resorts were really lovely. The gap between what I expected and what we found is probably the biggest I have experienced. Lots of places have been fantastic but I was expecting them to be!

The Thames Clipper. I used to catch it to work 10 years ago and fell in love. The whole experience of seeing London from the water every morning just took my breath away. Added bonus - in bad weather the Clipper is the only form of public transport that reliabily runs to timetable!

Hebridean beaches.
Mullion Cove (much hyped by ex-H but was perfect retreat from a crowded Cornish summer).
Old city part of Jerusalem.

Paris. Have been twice, once as a child and once as an adult with DH. Around every corner was another delight, and locals were very friendly to us. DH was allowed into a game of petanc while we stopped to watch, these young men explained the rules and offered some wine! Almost afraid to return in case the next trip doesn't measure up.

• Niagra falls-the sound of the all water crashing and the feel of the mist on my face, it was way better than I thought it would be.
• reinventing myself as a new wife, hmmm so perhaps Mrs Green would be able to do this where miss Maiden name couldn't, let’s see. It didn’t occur to me before the wedding that I’d get to define whole new person.. this new Mrs green!!

-found out yesterday the satay sauce from my local Chinese is amazing! Was not expecting that.

Center Parcs - thought I’d hate it, turned out to be perfect for a relatively restful and low stress holiday with small DC.

I agree with some of the previously mentioned, places i wasn't really looking forward to, but was totally wowed by
The pantheon - I'll never forget it, such a feeling of infinity
Niagara Falls - full on power of nature . NIiagara town itself is not pleasant, but the next over Niagara on the Lake is lovely
Venice - li thought there would be a few canals etc - the reality is so spectacular
My own unexpected gems
Cruising - DHs choice of holiday in 2019 - thought I would hate it, but I couldn't have been more wrong
Newgrange tomb, Ireland. I'd never been interested in visiting, but we decided to call in on the way home from Dublin weekend trip in Feb 2020. It was the most disconcerting place I have ever been, unforgettable. Plus about 30 of us standing literally creek to cheek in the tiny chamber, 3 weeks later it was lockdown 😢

TrainspottingWelsh what a lovely story!

My own:

• Forest of Dean. Most beautiful place in the UK.
• Jersey Zoo. I had really high expectations and it exceeded them.

• Ben&Jerry's Ice Cream. I am allergic to milk and while I liked vegan ice cream, never really saw what the fuss was about. And then B&J made their dairy-free Chunky Monkey...

Glasgow.
I had a very Rab C. Nesbitt view of it, and then I went there.

Duinrell in the Netherlands. Expected it to be just for the kids but DH and I loved it.
Manchester

Abhi love Duinrell! Pleasantly low-key.

I also love this thread 😁

Sobriety 😊

Warsaw. Went there as it was a necessary stop between two other destinations (inter-railing). Really wasn’t looking forward to it but oh my, it is BEAUTIFUL. I was expecting lots of grey soviet buildings (and there are some), but it was lots of painted houses and cobbled streets, and so much fascinating history. The Warsaw Ghetto Museum was incredible. I much preferred it to Krakow which was the city I was looking forward to.

Similarly, Shanghai. Again, was there due to travel logistics. (Travelling around China and it was cheaper to fly there than to Beijing!) but BA lost our baggage so we ended up being there for almost a week rather than a day or two. It was amazing.

Mexico City. I was really nervous about going, but the minute DH and I stepped into the place we fell in love. The people, the food, the art, the colours. Just adored it.

Harry Potter World at Universal Studios in Florida. Not a big HP fan really, but everything is so well done that you just get caught up in the magic - and the rides are amazing.

Marc Almond live - I was trudging through a field at a festival when he came on, so I thought I’d stop and watch for a bit. I ended up staying for the whole gig; he was brilliant and seemed so nice and happy to be there.

The Scottish National Gallery in Edinburgh. I
much prefer it to The National Gallery in London. A really well-curated collection in a good-sized museum. Not too huge and overwhelming. I really loved it.

Whale-watching. I was expecting to feel seasick and not see much whale action, having been warned by numerous people that that was the case usually. As it turned out, I have great sea legs and the whales put on a hell of a show - breaching like mad, flapping their flippers at each other over lady-whales and basically showing off!

The Book of Mormon. I never laugh at stage musicals, but I nearly wet my seat both times. Brilliant.

I completely agree with the Lost Gardens of Heligan. Fabulous place.

seeing a very active display of the Northern Lights, took my breath away.

Monty Bojangles choccy scoffy, cheapish looking packaging but I really like the truffles. Dark, creamy, rich, chocolatey...
The Gower peninsula in Wales, stunning, quiet dog friendly beaches that go on forever, Joe's ice-cream, friendly people and I love listening to the welsh accent!

NYC. I had always wanted to go but when I did... I just genuinely loved being there

Same as Venice

@TheChosenTwo Just another person who wants to know what the scrub is!! I’ve always had it mildly on my arms but now it’s on my bum too 😩

Oh and Nantes in France, cheap easyjet holiday but the www.lesmachines-nantes.fr/en/ was the best tourist attraction I have ever visited!

Asda own brand Kit Kats.

Antidepressants.

...I tend to build things up in my head and then get disappointed so unfortunately it’s rare for things to exceed my expectations.

Yes to the Book of Mormon! And also the Farne Islands