Ever been anywhere that far surpassed your expectations?

[cptartapp]

In contrast to the current thread about places which disappointed, where have you been that far surpassed your expectations?
For me, Seville. And El Djem in Tunisia which topped the Colosseum in Rome. We climbed all over it unaccompanied top to bottom and underground. And no crowds.

Sorrento and the Amalfi coast. Stunning.

Also Northern Ireland - it's like a whole world on a little piece of land. Stunning beaches, breathtaking scenery and mountains, rivers, waterfalls etc combined with amazing restaurants and fabulous people.

Another vote for Ronda, Spain.

We stayed in the gobernador hotel on the edge of the gorge and it was stunning. Hopped over to an amazing wild swimming spot at the edge of a cave. There were some great walks.

Paris. A feast for the senses.

Also Charleston, South Carolina, and the state of Michigan.

South Africa - just so diverse, amazing food and drink, wildlife and people

Jersey - went for the first time In February, I loved how buzzy and cosmopolitan St Helier is, and the beaches and castles are stunning

Vietnam. And laos too! And Texas.

The Tank Museum in Bovington, Dorset.
I have no interest in military hardware whatsoever but one if my sons was desperate to go. I expected to be bored to tears but actually it is very good.
See also Duxford Air Museum and The Shuttleworth Collection.
It's surprising how interesting a well presented museum can be even if you aren't really interested in the subject matter.

Yes, Maine. The forests and scenery were just shockingly beautiful.

Mine too.

Thank you for this thread, I felt so despondent reading the other one!

Yes . Barbados . Was quite simply the most incredible holiday ; from the people to the beaches , the rainforest and ocean . Just gorgeous

Leicester! Why?

Ethiopia! Hiked 90 miles all over - incredible landscape, people, history. Felt really safe. Once in a lifetime trip but I hope one day I can go back and do it all again.

Venice - I had very high expectations and was still blown away

Most travelogues see the arrival in Venice as being by boat across the lagoon from the airport.
For my money, for the first arrival in Venice you cannot beat the train. You see nothing but a rather ordinary station, you walk through a arcade (buying your waterbus tickets along the way) then out into a sunny afternoon on the Grand Canal. Boats, gondolas, water, architecture. I had to sit on the wall and catch my breath. It was quite overwhelming.

Sheffield, great fun quite beautiful and just the right size

Agree @trulyunruly01 stepping out of that station is breathtaking.

Cuba , we made it just before Castro died . Everything I was hoping for

Sark , just a very special place .

Totally agree with Venice arriving by train , Petra , so much more than just the treasury and Herculaneum /Pompeii .

I'm staying in Leicester with a friend who loves it and tends to not venture out of the shopping centre so please tell me other places you'd recommend seeing / going to there?

I also love Seville and Venice.
We had a holiday to Albania a few years ago and absolutely loved it; beautiful scenery & beaches, good food, nice people, and Tirana was really cool.

Luton. Was expecting it to be bad but it was beyond grim. Dodgy as fuck and couldn't wait to get out.

Taiwan- I had a picture in my head of quite a grey industrial sort of place but it is a breathtakingly beautiful island. Taroko gorge is amazing and even in the middle of Taipei you can still see mountains in the distance and there’s beautiful temples, and some really fabulous things to see and do. I had a brilliant time.

😊

Loads. Most holidays.
Berlin, Dubrovnik, Krakow.
Majorca - Cala ratjada. Alvor in Portugal. Santa euralia and Es Cana in Ibiza.

Think you're on the wrong thread! This is the positive one.

well, luton exceeded my (low) expectations. Gets coat.