To ask what tourist sites you’ve visited that met or exceeded expectations?

[VenerableFreed]

AIBU to ask what tourist sites you’ve visited that have genuinely lived up to expectations and have gone beyond them?

For me, it was seeing Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper in person in Milan. I’m not particularly emotional, particularly about art, but it was genuinely moving to see the real thing. Visitor numbers were restricted, meaning you actually got a good look and there were no distractions. The setting, in a darkened room in an old convent, really helped too. It felt really intimate and special.

An empty Venice summer 2020. Never forget that.

Interrailing as a student got into Rome at 6am straight to St Peter’s. No one there but us and some nuns. Was 1997 so years ago but was incredible experience.

Also the Alahambra felt like crying on going in

It’s interesting that a very large number of these are in Italy - it’s either very well visited or is full of interesting sites (or both)!

Despite my age (40s), I’ve never been to Rome or Venice but they’re on my list for the next couple of years.

@VenerableFreed I had never been to either in my early 40s. I was around 48 when I first visited Venice, then went again a year or so later just before I was 50 on a school trip. I only visited Rome in May this year - DH had been working out there for a couple of weeks and I went to join him for 2 days. I'm 57! Both were fab so I hope you do get to visit.

Chichen Itza
Petra
The Eiffel Tower (off the top of my head).

Angkor Wat, Cambodia. Breathtaking.

Agree. Vietnam is wonderful

Coba ruins in Mexico
also really loved Arundel castle in Sussex
buttermere in the Lakes
a lot of the Cornish coast path

i want to go to Italy, Rome and Florence

The Taj Mahal. We went at dawn and I nearly cried when I saw it. That sounds ridiculous I know. There weren't many people there and it was just incredibly beautiful.

Not a city as such but New Zealand, the place blew me away. The absolutely stunning landscape, mountains, lakes - just on a scale that seemed incomprehensible. I loved the laid back vibe, the food was amazing- the freshness of ingredients. I felt a great sense of peace there.

This, 100%.

Thoroughly recommend putting NZ on anyone's bucket list. But allow yourself at least 2 months (3 would be better)

Mount Sinai. We went up on camel back at about midnight, we could see the milkyway and Venus. Watched the sunrise from the top then walked back down. It was truly beautiful 😍

I had been dreading it but would 100% do it all over again

Can I be ask when you went? Apparently the Egyptians are developing the site and are building hotels in view of the monastery and putting a cable car up the mountain. I posted sbout it and someone said they went ten years ago and it was awful, covered in litter, lots of intimidating men and they sold pot noodles at the top!

I went 25 years ago and thought it was amazing. Always wanted to go back but now think
it might ruin the memories.

@Tiredofwhatabouterywe went in June this year. No sign of a cable car, there was a small area in sight as we walked down that looked like something was being built but it was quite a bit away.

They do sell noodles at the last waystation and hot drinks. But we didn't have any issues with intimidating men, they were all perfectly fine. There was a little bit of litter 😕 but most people were picking up.and putting in bins at the waystations as we came down