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Original poster

What is the most underrated destination you have ever been?

178 replies

Rushie1234 · 05/09/2023 22:03

Following on from the very interesting previous thread of most overrated destinations, what do you think is one of the most underrated or unexpectedly good destinations you’ve been to?

OP posts:
HardcoreLadyType · 05/09/2023 22:10

I went to South Korea in the early 90s, so well before the “K-wave”. I was there because I wanted to get a visa for China, and you had to leave your passport in the Embassy for at least a week, so, as I was allowed 2 weeks in South Korea without a visa, I stayed there. It is such a beautiful country, with a fascinating history. It’s very neat and clean and easy to get about in. English is widely spoken. The food is wonderful. Also, it’s the perfect time to be going in the Autumn - the turning leaves are spectacular!

Jeffjefftyjeff · 05/09/2023 22:19

Romania. Was 20 years ago but we had countryside that looked like Tuscany, gothic fairytale churches, gorgeous little squares with fancy buildings, and lazy afternoons drinking in bars by the river

Gahhhhereheisagain · 05/09/2023 22:37

Croatia. I couldn't believe the scenery, food, blue water, friendliness.

Mypinkysperky · 05/09/2023 22:39

Swanage ……. Should of been called Sewage

AnnaBegins · 05/09/2023 22:44

Oman. So friendly to children, beautiful in both city and countryside, felt very safe (although crazy driving!), and so much investment in infrastructure that I feel it will be very popular with tourists in 5 or 10 years' time.

drspouse · 05/09/2023 22:49

Nice - it's a great combo of city break and Mediterranean. We went when the DCs were 4 and 6 and spent a lot of time in splash parks and swimming pools but also looking at art, having lovely seafood and riding trams!

ScarletWitchM · 05/09/2023 23:03

Portugal. We have travelled across the world and this was the one place we said we wouldn’t come back to. Not very clean, rude people, boring unless in Lisbon

Foxesandsquirrels · 05/09/2023 23:09

@ScarletWitchM Underrated means good...

RampantIvy · 05/09/2023 23:18

Foxesandsquirrels · 05/09/2023 23:09

@ScarletWitchM Underrated means good...

Grin I agree with Croatia.

Venice. Everyone told me it would be hot and smelly. It was neither (we went in the October, and it rained a lot)

Carlisle. An absolutely brilliant little city for a short break, especially if you travel on the Settle to Carlisle railway to get there.

Shropshire. Everyone drives through it to get to Wales. It was one of our best UK holidays with so much to see and do.

smashburger · 05/09/2023 23:18

Foxesandsquirrels · 05/09/2023 23:09

@ScarletWitchM Underrated means good...

😂😂
Pp still thinks she's in the overrated thread

Original poster
Rushie1234 · 06/09/2023 05:45

Loving all the replies. I I am reading with interest and making notes as I love recommendations for new places to visit. Romania sounds beautifu…(apart from
thr misunderstood ones 😆)

OP posts:
feralunderclass · 06/09/2023 05:50

Bradford. Lovely parks, NT properties, fab Asian supermarkets, great variety of food.

Gahhhhereheisagain · 06/09/2023 08:54

Strange how this thread hasn't taken off, almost as if people on MN prefer to just slag off whole countries because the waiter didn't smile enough

AgentProvocateur · 06/09/2023 09:11

Tbilisi in Georgia was beautiful for a city break. Amazing food and loads to see

Maddy70 · 06/09/2023 09:15

Paris. My husband loves it. We have been so many times. I just dont get it.

Its dirty, rubbish food, over crowded, architecturaly inferior to other European cities

Maddy70 · 06/09/2023 09:16

And I completely misread the op ;)

Original poster
Rushie1234 · 06/09/2023 09:26

.

OP posts:
Original poster
Rushie1234 · 06/09/2023 09:28

Gahhhhereheisagain · 06/09/2023 08:54

Strange how this thread hasn't taken off, almost as if people on MN prefer to just slag off whole countries because the waiter didn't smile enough

ha ha. True! Was looking for inspiration but good ones so far!

I loved Laos. 20 years ago now but beautiful scenery, very laid back, tubing down the river, the monks. Lovely place

OP posts:
RunningFromInsanity · 06/09/2023 09:29

Jeffjefftyjeff · 05/09/2023 22:19

Romania. Was 20 years ago but we had countryside that looked like Tuscany, gothic fairytale churches, gorgeous little squares with fancy buildings, and lazy afternoons drinking in bars by the river

The Transylvania region is one of the most beautiful places.
Easy to travel around and the locals are so friendly.

whatt2do · 06/09/2023 09:31

I second South Korea, lived there for a while pre-K-Pop and visited many times since. Stunning stunning countryside, Seoul is one of my favourite ever cities, food is unbelievably good and nothing - nothing - beats a proper Ajuma Scrub/Spa.

pastypirate · 06/09/2023 09:34

Malaysia - went backpacking around there few years ago. It's very safe, lush climate and lovely mix of mountains and beaches. It's very cheap and the street food is amazing. Loads of snorkelling and diving. The Malay government at the time had an English speaking policy they were trying to achieve by a certain year. Locals would strike up chat with travellers all the time in a non threatening way because they want to practice. Locals very welcoming and accommodating and would often want to know your next destination so they could help with arrangements and phone up their uncle who has a hostel and book you in. Not much haggle culture in shops and markets. Very easy to get around on public transport.
Tioman the island was a paradise I would jump at the chance to take my dc.

BlowDryRat · 06/09/2023 09:43

Stockholm. Absolutely loads to see and do and the old city and archipelago are beautiful.

Gahhhhereheisagain · 06/09/2023 09:45

Also going to add the other threads favourite of Naples. It's rough and ready, but beautiful and a great base to explore other parts of the South.

rumred · 06/09/2023 09:45

Rotherham. Stayed in a lovely hotel with pool, sauna and steam, surrounding areas very green and beautiful

Maddy70 · 06/09/2023 09:59

Whitby. I love it

Also a place 20k South of Barcelona called Sitges. It's known as the gay capital of Europe. But it is lovely, so welcoming and beautiful

Carcassonne in France. Just stunning

Nurenburg in Germany. So much history and the town itself is stunning