Destinations that turned out to be surprisingly good

[Pluvia]

Salamanca. On a trip through Spain we randomly stopped there for a night at Salamanca and loved it. Inexpensive bars and restaurants, lots of locals, no tourist hotspots — so much so that we spent the day looking round and stayed a second night.

Cardiff. A lovely, bustling, buzzy city with a beautiful river, park, castle, shopping, cafes and a harbour and history. I'd gone for the weekend to visit an old friend, ended up moving there.

Lucca. So beautiful and lots to do and see.

When I went to Budapest I found it easier speaking German than English there, but that was in 2000 so it might have changed now? I guess outside Budapest it's different though

It's still pretty much the same now, though the younger generation can speak some English. I'm not sure of the exact details but English wasn't taught in Hungarian schools until fairly recently so older people probably have no English at all and have some German if they can speak a foreign language.

@JuergenSchwarzwald

When I went to Budapest I found it easier speaking German than English there, but that was in 2000 so it might have changed now? I guess outside Budapest it's different though.

Couldn't quote your other post mentioning Lviv, but I was there 2 weeks ago. There's not masses of English spoken, but we got by for a weekend with gesticulating and didn't get any bad attitude as a result of our ineptitude. Staff of hospitality seem to generally have enough to get by. I'd definitely recommend it

Western Massachusetts is only two hours from Boston. It has great museums, Tanglewood and other summer theatre and music, quaint towns, diverse food, and friendly folk.

I visited Tanglewood, and some of the gorgeous gardens, and had lunch on the porch at The Red Lion years ago and loved it.

I now have a kid at college there so I've been exploring it gradually. So much to do - I feel like I've just scratched the surface.

Talin, Estonia is beautiful and the people were lovely.

We went on a tour with a local guide who took us to the amphitheater where they have annual singing competitions. Apparently choral singing is huge. I would love to see that.

Rouen. We only went to break up the drive home from Bordeaux and it was a revelation. Beautiful architecture, lovely vibe, cafes. We stayed in a quirky little hotel where nothing matched. We loved it.

Luxembourg. Went on a random day trip from Germany and by the end of the day I wanted to live there forever.

I’ll add Bayonne to the list - much preferred it to its glitzy neighbour Biarritz. DH even started making a Bayonne retirement plan.

@sweetbellyhigh - yes we went up in the cable car at Zakopane, and walked back down. I must have been much fitter then :) I have fond memories of the Nike wearing nuns on all our hikes. We did do a carriage ride up to Morskie Oko and then walked back down.

@Phos

Rouen. We only went to break up the drive home from Bordeaux and it was a revelation. Beautiful architecture, lovely vibe, cafes. We stayed in a quirky little hotel where nothing matched. We loved it.

Luxembourg. Went on a random day trip from Germany and by the end of the day I wanted to live there forever.

I last went to Rouen about 35 years ago, similar reason. Absolutely loved it!

Adore Rouen too and an easy drive for us from Kent. Amazing restaurants, seafood and you can buy wine by the litre 😆

Avesbury feels much more authentic than Stonehenge. You can touch the stones and walk the circuit.

Completely agree. I use to live in Wiltshire and everyone who visited would want to go to Stonehenge and I'd say 'Avesbury is much more atmospheric'. We'd go to Stonehenge then I'd insist on take them to Avesbury and they'd all agree I was right.

Tamsui District, Taipei. Lovely seafront city with lots of food markets, a nice beach and a very nice vibe!