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Original poster

Places that have exceeded your expectations

57 replies

Turtletumy · 26/04/2023 14:49

Following on from the places you have been to and been disappointed in, tell me the places you have been with low expectations and have been blown away by 😀

OP posts:
BumpyaDaisyevna · 27/04/2023 08:38

Alicante- thought it would be a "Costa deal Sol" town but actually vibrant port, galleries, architecture, great vibe.

BumpyaDaisyevna · 27/04/2023 08:40

I agree on Leeds too. Just a brilliant city. Can't understand why all the Londoners don't move there immediately! But keep it quiet.

Samphiredragonfly · 27/04/2023 09:21

@BumpyaDaisyevna Aren't loads of londoners there anyway ?

Startuplife · 28/04/2023 21:37

Malaga. We went for a cheap weekend away not expecting much but it was such a brilliant city. We’re both desperate to go back.

lkkjhg · 28/04/2023 21:58

Outer Hebrides. Beaches to die for (as long as you are prepared for the temperature)

Biscuitsneeded · 28/04/2023 22:07

The Tyne Valley. Doesn't sound very appealing but it's really pretty. Loved Corbridge and Hexham and a couple of other towns, swam in the river, did some gorgeous country walks and saw all the Roman remains and Hadrian's wall too!

Biscuitsneeded · 28/04/2023 22:07

Also agree about Leeds.

Anaemiafog · 28/04/2023 22:08

Liverpool. Our son paid for us to visit and stay in the Titanic Hotel, not somewhere we'd usually have chosen. We had an amazing time and will be returning later this year.
Scarborough, not the town centre but the rest was far better than expected. It has Lanterna restaurant, The Stephen Joseph Theatre in the Round and a myriad of other hidden gems in a stunning location. It's definitely not just for the 'kiss me quick' brigade.

Pearfacebananapoop · 28/04/2023 22:13

Liverpool.
Whitstable.
Berlin.

Toddlerteaplease · 28/04/2023 22:18

THisbackwithavengeance · 26/04/2023 21:12

Southport. Lovely beach, nice fun park, nice town centre, did a day trip to Liverpool. Had a great time.

Shetland islands. Loved everything about it. Would move there if DH hadn't vetoed it.

I was really surprised by Southport. Was expecting a run down, tired seaside town. But it was thriving. Lots of independent shops. And I loved the lawnmower museum. The weather was lovely as well.

Toddlerteaplease · 28/04/2023 22:20

I went as an afternoon from Liverpool. I would move there in a heartbeat. I love it.

Tommydoes · 28/04/2023 22:27

SOMumm · 26/04/2023 15:05

Dungeness - eerie, forsaken, atmospheric.

100% yes, I felt exactly the same!

TheYearOfSmallThings · 28/04/2023 22:29

Glasgow
Alsace
Tamworth
New Jersey

fourelementary · 28/04/2023 22:37

Disneyland Paris.
i was dreading it and it actually was magical and I wanted to be nice to everyone and wave and didn’t even want to mock the grown adults in mouse ears. I don’t know what happened to the cynics grumpy bitch I usually am… in Disney I was totally overcome with the magic!

notprincehamlet · 28/04/2023 22:45

Lanzarote - I was so sure I'd hate it that I was searching for next-day flights back before I'd even left Gatwick, but it kinda grows on you

CactusSantaDresser · 28/04/2023 23:07

Luxembourg City. I had no expectations of it, because I knew heard nothing about it and knew no-one that had been. Turns out that it's a delightful little place built around a couple of deep gorges, with ramparts, tunnels and a castle.

MyCatsSlave · 28/04/2023 23:09

infinityminusone · 26/04/2023 20:52

Portmeirion - I didn't realise it was by such a beautiful beach.

I came on to say this too. It’s such a beautiful setting

MrsSkylerWhite · 28/04/2023 23:10

Lost Gardens of Heligan, Glasgow, Japan.

Babdoc · 28/04/2023 23:15

Romania. Stunning scenery, unspoilt wildflower meadows in the Carpathian mountains, gorgeous mediaeval small town inns but with state of the art air con, jazz festivals, bear sanctuaries, Dracula’s castle, delicious food. It was a wonderful
touring holiday by car with an individual English speaking driver/guide.

MrsMariaReynolds · 28/04/2023 23:17

Liverpool. Spent a few days there over Easter holidays. Fab city!

WestOfWestminster · 28/04/2023 23:18

Venice

BlueThroughandThrough · 28/04/2023 23:23

Slovenia. Dark, atmospheric, beautiful. Really nice food as well

lavenderlou · 28/04/2023 23:39

CactusSantaDresser · 28/04/2023 23:07

Luxembourg City. I had no expectations of it, because I knew heard nothing about it and knew no-one that had been. Turns out that it's a delightful little place built around a couple of deep gorges, with ramparts, tunnels and a castle.

Oh yes, it's beautiful. I went to visit a friend there and had no idea how lovely it was.

00deed1988 · 29/04/2023 00:00

Prestatyn...Pontins to be precise. The Pontins was surprisingly clean and we used it as a base as we went out all day every day. The beach there was amazing though. We loved it! Would definitely go again!

RosesAndHellebores · 29/04/2023 00:07

Another vote for Eurodisney and the Lost Gardens of Heligan.

Also Manchester, Newcastle, Belfast, Bologna, Bayonna.