Places that were BETTER than you expected?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Melbourne Australia. I was really expecting the jewel of my trip to be Sydney (which was pretty great). But I fell in love with Melbourne.

Um yes! Melbourne is incredible.

[Anonymous]

Istanbul. I had heard many things, but it is probably my favorite city in the world. Vibrant, and surprisingly accessible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Istanbul. I had heard many things, but it is probably my favorite city in the world. Vibrant, and surprisingly accessible.

on my bucket list

[Anonymous]

Omaha
San Antonio
Oklahoma City

All have outdoors things to do, interesting museums, good and not too expensive food, and friendly people!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Way north in Wisconsin, the Northwoods part if the state. Lakes everywhere, so clean, the light is beautiful in the summer and the days last forever. St. Germaine, Eagle River area.

Yes. One of my favorite parts of the country.

[Anonymous]

Japan. I did not pick it, but a friend had done extensive research and planned a good itinerary for a group of us, so I went along. I had been prior for a work trip and was not overly impressed (stayed only in Tokyo).

That trip exceeded my expectations. My favorite parts were staying overnight in a monastery on Mount Koya and hiking around Miyajima.

I think the key is having someone plan it to the very last detail. When I plan a trip I research it to death, and often have built up anticipation of things touted in guide books etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Itaipu Dam: my expectations were very low. It sounded boring.

Romania: again, my expectations were low.

Ushuaia: people in Argentina can be... blunt. They’re much nicer in Ushuaia(and the place is beautiful as expected).

Slovenia: very nice people(and the place is beautiful as expected).

Salar de Uyuni: surreal

Lencois Maranhenses: surreal

Thank you for this! I've never heard of it but now it's on my bucket list!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fort Worth, TX. Friendly city with amazing museums.

I'll 2nd that. We went locally during Covid and I had no expectations and it was the perfect long weekend with young kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Loved Pittsburgh - the river running through it was lovely, the restaurants were great, the people were nice.

And although I already had high expectations, I was blown away by Bermuda. Just an absolutely lovely place.

Which river did you like? There are famously three

Ummm, the one with the kayaks in it next to the museum?? Heck if I can remember - it was just beautiful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Istanbul. I had heard many things, but it is probably my favorite city in the world. Vibrant, and surprisingly accessible.

I really loved Istanbul too.
Wish I had budgeted longer for it any for excursions from the city too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Omaha
San Antonio
Oklahoma City

All have outdoors things to do, interesting museums, good and not too expensive food, and friendly people!

Agree with Omaha. Not a ton to do there, but people are real friendly and town seems to have a positive vibe.

Wasn't overly impressed with San Antonio.

[Anonymous]

Was going to say Pittsburgh.
Also pleasantly surprised by both Appleton and Milwaukee in the summer. I never knew Milwaukee has a beach! I feel like the old northern towns really turn out for the nice weather!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Istanbul. I had heard many things, but it is probably my favorite city in the world. Vibrant, and surprisingly accessible.

on my bucket list

My dad taught Greek so he used to take students to Greece fairly often. He loves it there but when he went with my mom to Istanbul---they absolutely lost their minds how much they love it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Loved Pittsburgh - the river running through it was lovely, the restaurants were great, the people were nice.

And although I already had high expectations, I was blown away by Bermuda. Just an absolutely lovely place.

Which river did you like? There are famously three

Ummm, the one with the kayaks in it next to the museum?? Heck if I can remember - it was just beautiful.

I'm just messing with you. I hope you got down to the Golden Triangle to see the Confluence!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Was going to say Pittsburgh.
Also pleasantly surprised by both Appleton and Milwaukee in the summer. I never knew Milwaukee has a beach! I feel like the old northern towns really turn out for the nice weather!

Beach fills up when it’s over 50 degrees.