What is the most underrated destination you have ever been?

[Rushie1234]

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?

@Tisfortired I've been to Kalamata. The whole Mani area of Greece is absolutely beautiful...

Liverpool - had a brilliant city break there, so much to do, much less grimey than I thought.

Northern Ireland - why don't English people go there more? It's close, beautiful countryside, Belfast was great, it has the incredible GIANT'S CAUSEWAY - come on people!

Naples - has a bad reputation for being dirty and full of pickpockets but we loved it. Stayed for a week in October 2021, highly recommend.

Leiden in the Netherlands. Beautiful small city, world class museums, fantastic botanical gardens, everyone speaks amazing English, 15in drive from a wonderful huge sandy and clean beach, half an hour's drive from Amsterdam. Brits seem to know about places like Prague, Bruges etc - go to Leiden!

I've been to that factory! It's glorious, isn't it? I still remember the chocolate bar that was a mix of lime-flavoured white chocolate and dark chocolate layers🙂 Heaven...

Hobbiton - went because I live with 3 Tolkein fans (I'm not) but loved it - didn't want to leave.

West Coast of France - not sure it is under-rated but always love it more than I remember

New Orleans - had never had a desire to visit but it was such fun

Germany in general is well underrated. Has amazing scenery, very clean, towns like Dresden and Luneburg which no one ever talks about, as well as great food especially in Bavaria and good weather as well.

Two cities that you rarely hear people raving about but I absolutely loved are Sofia and Yerevan.

Skipton, Yorkshire. Just went for first time and was amazed. Castle, old church, canal boat rides, cohesive yellow stone houses, cafes, shops, market, amid beautiful hilly countryside. Recommend! Was a gorgeous day, so not sure what it would be like in rain.

jolaylasofia

Dh and I have just spent a happy 30 minutes 'walking' round Erbil on Google maps - it looks lovely and all the googling says it's very very safe even at night

Thank you - literally never heard of it til you posted about it

Farne Islands at puffin breeding time. Amazing. One of the best things I have ever done.

Hate, hate, hate Kuala Lumpur - just traffic and soulless, such a disappointment 😔

Underrated:
Croatia - although perhaps it’s not underrated these days?
Montenegro - stunning, not too touristy, friendly
Brisbane - much friendlier and more enjoyable than Melbourne
Uruguay- stunning architecture in places, beautiful nature in others (obv side dodgy spots too, like everywhere).

Going on previous posts, I might be the wrong demographic here - but we had a fabulous holiday in Berwick Upon Tweed years ago.

My PiLs won a week's stay in a self-catering cottage, and generously donated it to us.

I had two under 2, plus a teenager, and it was a six hour drive with the car packed full. I wasn't full of hope for how it would turn out.

I needn't have worried. It was up there with one of the best family holidays we've ever had. My eldest child has been to many countries, but he often mentions Berwick Upon Tweed as being one of his favourites.

Merano in the South Tyrol was wonderful.

Also really liked Lake Bolsena in central Italy.

S

Leeds. Liverpool.
Coastal Croatia.
Northern Tasmania - Devonport to Wynyard. Just stunning scenery. The best part of Australia.

We had a surprisingly pleasant stay in Norwich last Easter. We were only there because my DS was doing some work experience and I had absolutely zero expectations of the stay but found both the city and surrounding areas much more interesting and scenic than I anticipated.
Abroad, I love Belgium. People talk about ot being a boring country but it has loads of history, cycling and chocolate which are 3 of my favourite things so I always enjoy visiting. Flanders is my favourite part, especially the Oudenaarde area but I like the country generally.

Yep is nice (used to find boring as a kid though)
But you were lucky with weather - a fair amount of rain in those parts

Anglesey.

Czech Repiblic, outside of Prague.
Such a lovely country.

I never know whether something is underrated or not. Just depends on who you’re talking to, I suppose…

anyhow:

Bresse
the canton Aargau
stonehaven in winter
Helgoland
Sweden (especially the Southern islands) in summer

We must have gone to different parts on Kuala Lumpur. I don't remember much traffic, the parks were amazing, super clean everywhere.

Agree wholeheartedly with Venice and Brussels, loved both of them!

Florence, Lisbon and Sevilla were all excellent, and I'd love to go back to all of them.

Palma de Mallorca is often just used for its airport to get to other parts of the island, but the food and cathedral are just amazing. Had a few lovely breaks there - great mix of beach and city break.

I guess Albania. Visited years ago. The Dictator Enva Hoxha had died 2 years before. It was still a very secretive, Eastern Europeany place. Goons in the hotel that listened in on your conversations. Endless museums about how wonderful everything is (though our guide admitted he bought stuff from Poland as it was better!). As we watched some local women in the countryside hand wash clothing we asked about washing machines and were told everyone had one! They apparently sell off some of their electricity (that's why it was so dark at night and why I stumbled down some stairs in the hotel!!).

Oops sounds like criticism but it was a fascinating place. One elderly Irish woman on our tour said it reminded her of Southern Ireland.. I understand now it is vey much more open and you can stay with a family (probably heavily vetted!). I wonder if the soldiers still wander around to check the locals are not talking to tourists!

Jesus @Deathraystare when were you in Albania?
Also where was the 'elderly Irish woman' from? Were you on holidays with Peig Sayers?
There's no such place as Southen Ireland for a start.
I'm irish & in my 50s & this does not sound like anywhere I've ever been in ireland. Have you been to Ireland yourself?

Noted!!