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.

Belfast. I went for a work meeting and was blown away by the beautiful architecture and fabulous restaurants and vibe

I’m in NE Italy. We drove.

Driving Vienna-Salzburg-Cesky would be an interesting tour, though.

Providing it doesn't stop raining, you should be OK. The midges come out when the rain stops, in my experience!

The Cliffs of Moher. I grew up in Ireland but we never did anything touristy and I left in the 80s. My DH and I decided to be “tourists” a few years ago, so I insisted on visiting the cliffs and I absolutely loved them. I was so surprised.

Possibly my favourite place in the world, County Donegal in Ireland, from Killybegs, to Kilcar, Carrick and Glen. Absolutely breathtaking scenery and hiking, beautiful beaches, great food and mighty craic in the pubs at night (mainly in the summer).

Also St Augustine in Florida. I’ve been all over Florida and decided to visit somewhere new and randomly picked St Augustine and it’s my favourite Florida location now.

West Coast of Ireland (Wild Atlantic Way) - Kerry, Clare, Connemara, Achill (just spectacular) and Donegal (breathtaking). Blown away by the whole route.

I know this is an old thread, but I have an opportunity to visit Charleston, South Carolina in late October, and I was wondering how much time to allow. I thought maybe 3-4 days? TIA.

Kotor bay, Montenegro - any pictures don’t do the landscape justice, utterly breathtaking.

St Petersburg, Russia - we were lucky enough to be there the day the sun shone (there’s only a few days a year apparently 😂). The palaces and museums were vast and impressive and just looking around the subway and the streets everything was so alien and different. I expected it to be more “European” than it was, but it was so different. In a good way.

Lourdes, not a religious person but the candlelit evening procession was amazing and so moving.

Llandudno. Went on a coach trip to accompany an older friend. Had no expectations other than imagining it might be just another run-down seaside town. The coach parked on a side street and we headed straight for the 'front' which turned out to be the most gorgeous, tastefully well-preserved, curved esplanade. I totally fell in love with it.