Disappointment or surprise with "must sees"

I'm very strange when it comes to "must-sees." When I was in Cairo, I was quite willing to skip the pyramids. Much preferred wandering the streets of the city. The Coptic Museum was a much higher priority than Giza, in fact.

I suppose I'm glad that my companion made me go. But the pyramids are far from my favorite memories from my travels.

I suppose I might as well admit there is a bit of a reverse snobbery about this--okay, a snobbery. The whole "I'd rather sit contemplating an obscure bust in the Musee Nissim Camondo than the Mona Lisa...I'm so special" thing.

The Eiffel. It's a landmark, yes, but once you're there, scaled to the top and down, all in an hour, depending on line ups. Then it's meh. Nice to look at in the distance, especially at night, but meh to actually visit.

I wasn't disappointed in the Mona Lisa. In fact, I keep hearing about how disappointing it is to see it in person that when I saw it, it was sublime. Now, about those crowds.... sigh.

Orsay Museum was both a disappointment and a surprise. When one think of Orsay Museum, one think of the Impressionists paintings. I was disappointed to see how few their Impressionist collection was. But you know, after going to the Louvre first, I think it's kinda understatement. Also Impressionist paintings are on the younger side, and a lot of them were given, or bought by collectors who still have them in private collection, or spread around the world, so it's understandable. But what really took my breath away in the Orsay Museums are the sculptures! All different sculptures, of different materials and subjects, I could get lost just looking at one of them!

When we first went to Italy a number of years ago, my dad who had been there (as early as 1945) before asked several questions all starting with "are you going to see the _______"? When we didn't respond yes to any of his questions, he finally said "you are going to Italy aren't you"?

Anyway, while traveling around we've been to several places that didn't live up to the hype but, we've been to many many more that did and that's why we keep traveling.

Waterforn Crystal in Ireland. It was in a really run down city, very commercial and they showed us a duplicagte of the millieneum ball. What a disappointment. Gues the US we are use to thing being big it seemed so small!

Capri.
The island must have been wonderful before mass tourism discovered it. Now it's one of the worst tourist traps I've ever seen.

I'm one of the few on the planet who is underwhelmed by the London Eye.

Disappointed with the Dali museum in Figueres, Spain.

What's the London eye?

NeoPatrick is right, so there is no need to fight about his presumption. I was on a tour so had no chance to stay longer than for the day. Our guide did her very best to drive her herd of cattle (i. e. us) into shops and restaurants where she'd get her provision - that's what seemed most important to her.

kenav

London Eye is a huge ferris wheel that goes around quite slowly so you get a wonderful view of London.

Tivoli in Copenhagen

sorry, Tivoli - a disappointment
Vasa in Stockholm -a wonderful surprise

Another one from me -
Was more astounded by Switzerland than I even thought I would be. (And I had wanted to go there for years.) My experience there - mountains in that country - were more than I even imagined.

HEY, Kenav, I'm completely with you here!!!!!
I was in Vienna over Christmas - am now a huge fan myself of Klimt, love his paintings. Have got lots of little 'der kuss' things all over my house. I treasure them. I really regret not buying one of his books when I visited his museum - kicking myself now. I was disappointed in Mona too - it was alot smaller than I imagined it to be and it seemed such a dark painting with not much life in it (oh dear, hope I'm not going to be blasted for this but everyone has different opinions, right). Also I thought the Uffizi in Florence was hugely disappointing - I really don't know what the big hype about it is, unless we happened to miss some of it or the rooms they had closed off at that time held the most spectacular things. In contrast, I was overwhelmed with the Vatican Museum.

The whole entire Louvre in general. Too much blah art and I just got bored, bored, bored.

Surprise? Mont St-Michel - stupendous and an amazing architectural feat considering that most of it was built before modern construction equipment existed.

Disappointed? Carcassone...too touristy & dull.
Normandy.

Happily surprised and loved ? Pont du Gard & museum, we all loooooved the Dali Museum,Van Gogh in Amsterdam, we looooved the Monet in the round L'orange

I was disappointed the first time I saw the Mona Lisa, but my 6yo daughter just saw it and loooved it and we also managed to find a time off season and late on a slow day where there were no crowds, so she could look close up to her hearts content and did for a long time.

When I first entered Ste Chapelle in Paris, I was saying to myself 'Whats the big deal!!'

Then I went upstairs and saw this:

www.pbase.com/trsw/image/69560572 and was simply BLOWN AWAY!!!

Tom

Before I toss out my suggestions I want to say this.

I'm lucky in that I get four weeks paid holiday a year. I usually sacrifice some of my salary to take a few more. This is because I believe you need lots of 'slack' whenever you travel. With months on the road (done that too) you don't even need an outline plan. But usually you do. What I find so sad is that so many people plan every last minute of their trips overseas - and those minutes are devoted to the the "must sees" - ergo - no time to find your own special moments.

I agree with Cimbrone.

And as quality control you have to ask yourself what lives on in your memories.

We all take a differing set of life experiences, expectations, and synaptic responses around with us wherever we go. So here are my major disappointments that might well be another's greatest joys:

1) Florence, Italy. I'm not a big fan of Renaissance art in the first place, but I had hoped the city would at least be pleasant. And I am sure there are pleasant parts of the city, but not where the major sights are located.

2) The Louvre. I was awed by the Mona Lisa, but underwhelmed (or maybe overloaded) by the bijillions of pieces of just OK stuff that all looked pretty much alike to me. Mrs. Fly loved it and wouldn't leave, so Rufus Jr. and I jumped ship after an hour or so and found a nice sidewalk cafe. And I think the plastic pyramid is an abomination--but the Parisians do seem to enjoy architectural abominations, maybe for the shock value.

Wow you guys are true art scholars. You should write a book.

Sometimes context plays a major role in things being disappointing. If one is tired, or not feeling well, the fountain of youth itself is probably going to disappoint.

I remember being disappointed by the white cliffs of Dover which I glimpsed as I made the ferry crossing to France (this was in pre-Eurostar days.) But, in all fairness, I saw a section which was in a very busy commercial port. Not the best setting.

It is easy to get overwhelmed by many art galleries, particularly if one has never formally studied art (I raise my hand here.) There are guidebooks out there that will outline 'self-tours' of various galleries so that one confines oneself only to a selection of works. (Rick Steves' books are good in this regard.) Audioguides, rented from the gallery, can also help. Also, before leaving home, try visiting your local library and perusing art books designed for young people and/or adult beginners. We borrowed a few of the 'Sister Wendy' videotapes, and found those to help us art newbies immeasurably, when it came to improving our understanding and enjoyment.

It's funny that you mention the white cliffs of Dover. When I saw them for my first and only time, I was enchanted. I had vaguely heard of them and had not even thought of them as I took a hydrofoil from Ostende. When they made their appearance as so shockingly white (instead of the subtly "whitish" I might have expected), I was amazed. I think it has a lot to do with expectations. Had I heard about them all my life, seen pictures, and been looking forward to them, I probably would have been underwhelmed.

Two places which exceeded my expectations were the Apuan Alps in Italy, with gleaming white marble instead of snow; and Olympia in Greece, which might have been enhanced for me by the beautiful early spring weather and wildflowers growing amidst the ruins.

I was disappointed with Barcelona, primarily because it was by far the most overcrowded with tourists of anyplace I've ever visited (we were there in early October last year).

While I loved the Gothic Quarter (and the Museu Maritim was one of my all-time favorite sights), we just felt like cattle being herded through the streets of the Gothic Quarter. Tourist cattle, not just "crowds."

We were also very underwhelmed by the food; we are by no means food critics -- we're pretty easy to please, actually -- but despite trying several "can't miss" authentic, where-the-locals-go places, found the food disappointing. Could have been just bad luck.

I do believe that if you limit yourself to the "must see's" that you don't really get to see the area you're visiting. Yes, you can go to a city for 3-4 days and see some incredible stuff. But have you really experienced just being there?

I remember being in Berne, Switzerland. We wandered into a square, picked out some cafe to sit at and just watched as, at 12:00, all these office workers came out and flooded the area for lunch. Then a tour bus came by. Everyone got off, took a picture of some famous fountain and got on the bus again and took off. I thought, that's it? That's what they experienced? We saw the same fountain, while relaxing, taking in a Swiss meal, and experiencing the noon lunch exodus (all at the same time - on time, like most things Siwss), of Swiss workers. Context does change things.

Oops, I forgot the positive surprise!

I think it was being in Red Square in Moscow. Having grown up with Russia as the "evil empire" and being fascinated with czars, I found it completely overwhelming to stand in Red Square, taking in St. Basil's Cathedral, Lenin's tomb, the Kremlin, and GUM was just truly remarkable.

That experience moved me more than I'd expected, and more than other sights that I'd thought beforehand would have moved me more.

I agree with Rufus- I was disappointed by Florence. I had seen so many pictures that made it look gorgeous, but I found it dark, dreary, and felt suffocated by the narrow medieval streets. On the bright side, I had fabulous food and wine and spent a memorable new year's eve waltzing to an orchestra outside in a square, sharing prosecco with friendly strangers.

For me this trip highlighted the essence of travel- we go to see things "in person" that we have read about and seen in pictures but the real value and pleasure of the trip is the unexpected LIFE that happens in the places we went to see. I always remind myself that it isn't about looking, it is about living.

Disappointments - Paris and Niagara Falls.

Although I love Europe Paris just did not do it for me at all. I could not wait to leave Paris and continue on the trip.

You're a brave soul, batraveler...

The Grand Canyon still gives me chills when I think of it. We planned a trip to Sedona Arizona, as I had seen a TV show about it and was awed, and it was incredibly beautiful. We drove from there to Las Vegas(as we hadn't been)via the Grand Canyon-a "we're so close so we may as well see it" type stop. We were walking through a forest and suddenly there it was! The utter silence was deafening. The colours and textures mesmerizing.I felt I was stuck there with a magnet...I could not move from that first vision of it.
I tell everyone they must see it to believe it, photos cannot convey the majesty of it.
I agree with Niagara Falls being a major let down,mostly because of the tackiness surrounding it...I am somewhat dismayed that it wasn't left to its' natural beauty as the Grand Canyon was.
Marian

I was very very pleasantly surprised wtih Florence. After reading the posts of quite a few Florence haters here, I didn't really want to go, but my husband had been there before and insisted. Our whole family loved it. Of the three cities we visited in Italy (Rome, Florence and Venice), all would vote to return to Florence before any other city.

I was quite disppointed on my first visit to London. I'd grown up watching "Masterpiece Theatre" and considered myself quite the Anglophile. I expected to LOVE London and want to move there. I enjoyed indiviual aspects of London, but didn't "fall in love" with the whole city like I expected to.

Cimbrone - I know. When I pressed the "post" button I cringed and held my breath. I will be lucky if I make it out alive!! We have vacationed in 16 European countries (will be 19 next year) and I would take every single place over the P place - just my preference.

batraveler - What was it about Paris that you didn't like? What other cities did you really like and why?

OK batraveler, I'll take a hit with ya'. First I'll say I love Paris but no one who has gone there with me feels the same way. What can I say. Now, I'll have to say that I was underwhelmed with St. Chapelle. I couldn't wait to see it after all I had heard about it...posters being brought to tears with the beauty etc. I just don't know, maybe because the sun wasn't fully out..what ever. It was just a lot of stained glass and the room itself was dirty, and dingy. The same with the Mona Lisa. Call me shallow if you must, but I don't get it.

Definitely underwhelmed with the Mona Lisa. I like other Leonardos MUCH better.

But Michelangelo's David...now there's a guy who lives up to his hype...

I too, am another Florence 'hater'. I really didn't like it at all. I thought it was quite dirty, noisy, rude people, expensive in general, and dark and dreary. The only thing I did like about it was the Lookout Michealangelo and the churches there. I don't think I'll be going back there. I did enjoy our daytrip to Rome and look forward to seeing more of this city another time.

Don’t hit me ….

The coliseum and forum in Rome.

I think I had built up SUCH an expectation, reading about it since childhood, watching all those cheesy movies from the 50s, that when I finally visited, I thought, OK, where’s the rest of it? Is this all that’s left? My expectation balloon, inflated for decades, was deflated.

On the other hand, my visit to the Roman ruins and museum in Merida in Extramadura Spain, exceeded my wildest imagination. I was transported to ancient Rome through exploring a far-flung province.

For me, it was Stonehenge. I was never impressed with the pictures I'd seen, and then, like tropicalkerry, I found myself in the area, so I decided to visit. I found it to be, almost mystical. Tourists were no longer allowed inside the roped off area, but just walking around it gave me goosebumps.

I'll jump in the hot water with batraveler. I'm not a great fan of Paris either. Oh, I can see it's beautiful but grandiosely beautiful. Feels cold and unhumane to me. Nor did I like Florence much. But I love Venice. And I do like the Tuscan countryside a lot, better than Provence.

I was also surprised to like Nice. It has a sort of lazy, sensual ambience. And I wouldn't mind living in Bath.

I am seldom disappointed at places I go, but there's one that comes to mind:

Stonehenge

Well, good that Salisbury was nice visiting.

except for Inish Mor and Sandy Cove, Ireland was a disappointment.
O. K. bring out the knives ....

Stonehenge..hmmmm, maybe you were there after the Griswolds knocked all the stones down.

Kenav, Paris seems to be rather cold and impersonal. Tourists are too catered to as well - it also sort of screams upscale and presumption - I don't like that. Oh, there are good things about it (i.e. food) but the city certainly did not give me goosebumps! But then I think I am sort of a non-conformist. I tend to enjoy spots that not everyone else on earth goes to (with the exception of Rome, London and Venice - did those and liked them but still prefer rural and smaller locales). I like the real daily life nitty gritty (i.e. rural Sicily) that is not the glamorous rich stuff. Being immersed in culture with every day people is what we look for. There is nothing like walking through a tiny village of 25 people and have everyone drop what they are doing because they so rarely see visitors.

While we enjoyed London we were there on business otherwise it is a place we would not have chosen ourselves as a destination. I would not return to London.

As far as cities go I love Prague - it would be my favourite in large city category. Dubrovnik is beautiful but too touristy. My favourite spots are normally small unpublished villages (i.e. Croatia, Wales, Czech Republic, Scotland). We have plans to go to Romania, Bulgaria, Bolivia, Poland and Hungary in the next couple of years - we want to hit them while they are comparitively unspoiled by mass tourism.

I do about 300+ hours of trip planning for every single trip to deliberately choose such locations. We always travel in either Spring or late Fall to avoid crowds (as much as we can!) as well.

Alas - I have been asked to chaperone a high school trip to Paris next year so will give it one more chance. The only reason I consented is that we are going to other parts of France so I will not be restricted to Paris!

Batraveler - I had your same reaction on my first trip to Paris. At the time I couldn't wait to leave...but I was at the end of a long, exhausting trip with a companion who was On. My. Last. Nerve. My second visit, with a lot more knowledge about the city, where to go and what to see, and a much more copacetic companion, was absolutely lovely. I hope your next Paris trip is better!

Montmartre. I wasn't that impressed the very first time I saw it and now absolutely loathe it. Each time I'm dragged up there, I swear "never again..." but then I find myself in Paris with friends or family on their first or second visit and they always ask me to take them there.
The most recent trek ended with us getting caught in a violent demonstration and tear-gassed. At least the police who shepherded us out of harm's way were really attractive.
Anyway, Montmartre, never again....

batraveler-make sure that you seek out the hidden or the quiet corners of Paris. The rose garden at the Bagatelle. The upstairs room at Laduree tea salon on rue royale. The food market on Rue Mouffetard. You get the picture. It may be that you spent too much time in the wrong parts of Paris. It can be grand, but it can be quite charming as well.

After seeing the enchanting canals of Amsterdam, and the rustic setting of Sienna Italy, Paris was a bust for me as well. I was staying at an apartment with a local, but the city itself felt touristy and disney...more for someone taking their FIRST trip to europe. Mont St.Michel was astounding though!(aside from the tourist buses). The Great Wall definitely hit the bill for impressive, as did Tienenmen Square. Taj Mahal was beyond awe. I was surprised that the terracotta warriors were so interesting.

New York City, in my own country, is completely underwhelming.

Please tell me some more positives about Paris. There are only just a few here. My husband and I will be going in May. Neither of us has been there and this will be my husband's first trip outside the US. I read Alice Steinbach's "Without Reservations" and can't wait to find all the nooks and cranies she wrote about. It can't be all that bad. Please say it isn't so.

lalawmom: Im sure youll find some great things. Paris isnt my favorite city, but it's by far not terrible.
Theres always fun 'nooks and cranies' to be found! The neighborhood that had the best cute streets, in my opinion, was the one near Notre Dame. Also, the Sacre Ceur area was nice as well.

lalawrmom
go for it ! Paris is great if you don't rush it.
Walk by the river at night, sit in a cafe with a glass of something for a while , forget Mona Lisa.
It is hard not to do the "touristy " things
but if you have to, no more than one a day.

P.S.
I have visited Paris more than 20 times.
Hate small towns and rural areas.
Love New York .

Throw me in the pile of Paris "non-lovers". It's never done it for me - I am fonder of smaller, older, homier, and creakier things than the grandness that is Paris.

I realize it is the be-all and end-all for many and that's cool - we are all different. Thank goodness for that.

You should NEVER presume that someone's hate, or love, of a place means that you will feel the same way. We all have a life's worth of personal filters at work.

If you have a lifelong yearning to experience "somewhere" that is based on some reasonable awareness of the reality of the place, you will likely be astounded.

How could a lover of renaissance art not love Florence? Perhaps if they hated traffic more than they loved art..

I have cried at the Grand Canyon, and Venice, and will again each time I see them. I will cry when I see the Taj Mahal - without question. You wouldn't believe (some of you probably will )the number of blank stares I've gotten when people who have asked what I thought of the Grand Canyon hear about my breakdown at the rim.

Travel is personal - this forum should be used as a way to learn more about things and places that might connect with you, not as a means to count up whether the responses say the place/sight is worthy of x days of your attention, or none at all.

We are all just reviewers, not directors. Take what we say about why we liked a place, why we didn't, and make your own choices.

Lala - if Paris is your dream, then do your thing and damn those whose thing it was not!

Hey, you Paris and Florence lovers keep small town France, Germany, Italy, etc. less crowded for me.

I hear the Dordogne and Croatia just SUCK (come on....I was getting too serious)

Well said Aramis!

Marv Levi was asked if a certain football game was a "must win" for the Buffalo Bills. He replied, that WWII was a "must win"; they were just playing a football game.

The concept of "must sees" seems about as foreign to me as "must wins". By not expecting "must sees", I am rarely disappointed.

It is often the accidental encounter that makes a trip. I plan for museums and other tourist stops but leave lots of room for fortunate accidents.

Regards, Gary

Lalawmom, if you really want some more positives about Paris, you might want to read my two very long love letters to the place in the form of trip reports:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2&tid=34574921

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2&tid=34762455

We too were underwhelmed by the Musee D'Orsay. We kept going from room to room thinking they must (the Impressionist paintings) be in the next room and we were disappointed to find so few. I thought it was going to wall to wall! Naive I guess. Agree, loved the sculpture. We just loved Giverny, I hadn't realised it was a whole village and not just Monet's House and Garden. Again, you see going in without expectations is so much better than expecting something to meet all the hype. Also was blown away with Lake Como, I am not a big fan of Italy as such more a France lover but Lake Como - spectacular in our eyes.

Thank you Aramis. I am not a well travelled person. But I can't wait to see things I have seen only in books all my life or lived through vicariously with friends. So even if I am "underwhelmed" as I was in Naples, I still saw art and architecture I only viewed on an overhead projector in college humanities courses. So, to Paris we will go.

Now, anyone else out there "underwhelmed" by Naples? I don't know that I want to return but there is some incredible natural beauty and art in Naples, along with the traffic and crime.

Personally, I was Awed by the Acropolis. I am not up on Greek history, but found the building Amazing. Although, I was there in the low season. I hear the crowds are horrendous.

Hah, missypie, we'd better never travel together. I love London and dislike Florence! Just goes to show--that's why they make so many different color neckties!

Why do all you mid-westerners who complain about Paris, Florence, and New York leave your beloved corn fields?
Just wondering....

I think everyone just makes up their own mind about each place. I just can't understand why my traveling companions don't see Paris the way I do, but hey...what ever. There are certainly some places that seem to draw me more than others, but I think that given the opportunity, I would go just about anyplace that I haven't alread been, and boy that covers a LOT of territory. Some call you back and some don't. So, anyone who hasn't been to places listed here as NOT being a favorite. Hey, go there, enjoy, and make up your own mind. Thats what the travel is for...an adventure, a new place, a new discovery. If you don't like it, so you went, you had to LEARN SOMETHING, a new experience, and you don't have to go back. Onward to see new sites.

Nice first post, TheBigCheese, was that supposed to be some kind of insult? The topic of this thread is "Disappointment or surprise with "must sees"....and so posters are responding.

Do you have a problem with people expressing their opinions?

Noone has mentioned disappointment with Pisa. The gauntlet of tacky shops you had to pass to get to the leaning tower took all of the enjoyment out of any visit. I would have been happier just buying a postcard of the site without having to spend a 1/2 day getting there.

FLJudi

FLJudi, OK, I'll mention my disappointment with Pisa for the same reasons you posted.

bigcheese, these postings are all about people being able to freely express their feelings on places they liked and disliked. We all have different views and you should respect that. If you have a problem with it, then go somewhere else. I for one, find these postings very interesting.

I might have been more interested in Pisa if I could have gone up the tower, but when I was there it was closed. My brother and I went through that gate, or arch, or what ever it is..can't really remember now, and there she was. It WAS kind of cool actually seeing it "in the flesh" but we both kind of looked at each other and we said to each other "are you hungry?" Yup. OK, lets go. And yes, very bad souvenier booths. Horrible.

Surprises --
These "must see" places exceeded my expectations:

1. everyplace i've visited in Italy
2. the Grand Canyon
3. the Icefield Parkway in the Canadian Rockies
4. Yosemite Valley
5. Kailua, Oahu
6. Monet's garden in Giverny
7. Nice

Major Disappointment --
Versailles -- we felt like cattle being herded through the palace. (We enjoyed the gardens.) couldn't wait to get out of there

I also have to say that i love Paris AND Florence.

one more
the biggest surprise in my travels:
Sydney, Australia
go there!

Well, I have said it before and I just say it again: I don't like to go to Pompeii and I've been there twice. Its not that I don't like history, but rhe feel of death is all over Pompeii for me. I do not like to go there, and probably will never go back. If we are in a group that wants to go, I will find another way to amuse myself.

After 3 great visits to London, I thought our fourth trip was a let down. Lots of drug people everywhere, very high prices, the mood of the people did not seem as warm as on previous trips. The city seemed stressed, and there was a load of imcompentece with many transactions: checking in our room (after literally hours, they gave up trying to find our bargain booking and gave us an upgrade); and we never had a lid for the tea pot, and the hotel concierge couldn't help with the simplest things.

I paid too much for a mediocre hair cut, and I used to get the BEST cuts in London at reasonable prices. Very obvious, prominent drug culture. Much worse than in tourist areas in New York. Kind of broke my heart, because I had been such a London lover. Good art, though.

Annecy, France - HATED it. Arrived on a Sunday afternoon in sweltering heat. Throngs of people everywhere, loud mechanized water "toys" of all kinds vrooming all over the lake. We kept on driving.

Annecy, France - LOVED it. Monday morning after a good night's sleep in the next town and a good cup of café, Husband said, "Trust me on this" and headed the car back to Annecy. What a difference a day makes, so the saying goes...schoold had started, crowds were gone, Scrapped other plans and stayed a few days to lap up the natural beauty, local markets etc., sit in the park and watch the kiddies enjoy the old fashioned gilded horse carousel and talk to the locals.

So I have to agree with Sue_xx_yy: Context is everything.

Yes, context really is everything. We had a miserable time at the Parthenon, because we didn't get up early to beat the crowds like we'd planned. The crowds at 11am were worse than anything I've seen in my life. I'm sure I would have enjoyed it if there hadn't been so many people.

In contrast, we loved loved loved Santorini. I was sure I wouldn't like it because I'd heard about how touristy it was. I didn't love everything about it - I thought sunset in Oia was crowded and not that impressive - but on the whole, I didn't want to leave. Also, DH wanted to visit the volcano, which I thought would be silly, but turned out to be cool.

The Taj Mahal impressed me more than I would have thought - another tourist spot I figured was overrated. Now it's one of my favorite buildings in the world.

DH and I are probably the only people on the planet who were underwhelmed by a weekend in Austin (except for the Salt Lick bbq). But I keep telling myself it's because I had a horrible cold that weekend that put a damper on everything...

Me again, can't seem to keep away from this topic.

Big surprises:
Fraser Island, Australia.
Ulm, Germany.
Karlovy Vary (only saw it in the dark and loved it)
Cat Sanctuary, Rome
Cathedral Cove, New Zealand (my own country and I saw this beach for the first time just a year ago)
Hallstatt, Austria - it was snowing the day we visited this town - just like a picture book.
Troussachs in Scotland.
Prague - Christmas 2006, night time, riding the horse and carriage, Christmas tree all lit up in main square, it started snowing, then more snow and more snow - PURE MAGIC
Neuwanstein Castle - exceeded my expectations.
Venice - can't wait to go back.

Disappointments:
Florence (sorry, thats twice now I've said it)
Glasgow (my mother's home town, I have roots there so it will always be in my heart, but it seems to be a very poor city. The shopping there however is fantastic).
Edinburg - it just didn't do it for me.

I'm sure I'll have another posting coming...

lalawmom,

I think you may be on the right track if you're already looking forward to discovering the hidden nooks and crannies you've been reading about. I think those of us who love it have perhaps managed to carve out our own personal Paris.

Don't feel obliged to do the "must-sees." I visited here for 7 years before moving here a year and a half ago. I have yet to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower, but I love seeing it (sometimes unexpectedly) as I walk around.

I think that anyone who sees Paris as grandiose or pretentious or cold has only scratched the surface, perhaps spent too much time chasing after the "must sees." Paris is a city of small neighborhoods, each with its own distinctive character. There is something here for everyone.

If you are traveling here to see art, by all means go to the museums. Just remember, there is more to the Louvre than the Mona Lisa -- not one of my favorites, although I can appreciate it. There are surprises to be found in some of those rooms. Both the Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay have wonderful decorative arts collections.

However, you need never go into a museum to see art. The whole city is a museum, and I think art is sometimes best appreciated in its historical and culotural context. For instance, you can see paintings by Delacroix or sculpture by Pigalle in the Louvre, but you can see works by the same artists in the church of St-Sulpice.

Go to the top of the Institute du Monde Arabe, or just take the escalator at the Pompidou for a panoramic view. Have a drink at Chez Francis (Place d'Alma) and watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle every hour.

Have breakfast in a neighborhood café, go to a bakery or patisserie, go shopping, watch the people, just walk. I find something new and interesting every time I allow myself to wander.

The world is more interesting because everyone doesn't like the same thing. I have a feeling you will be glad you came to Paris.

This is a great thread!

Okay, must agree with #2-5 of dina4's list. Not a huge fan of Florence overall, but it could be because we planned too much to do/see there. However, LOVED the fascade of the Duomo. My sweet husband said he could have sat in front of it for our whole stay! Prefer the random wandering we did in there and in Bologna and San Giamigiano.

Interestingly, wasn't enamoured with Paris either when I first visited. The "sights" were just exhausting to me. You hear about people who could spend days in the Louvre? I will never be those people (nor will I return to the Louvre). However, I LOVED the lunches we spent on the green in front of the Eiffel Tower just watching the people and eating the snacks we picked up at a nearby grocery. Also enjoyed our cafe time.

My husband is a bit of a "must-see"er, so we are learning how to balance "seeing" with really observing and taking in the place and the people.

Other places I loved: the Hague, Amsterdam (BIG surprise there!), London, Switzerland....found Sofia, Bulgaria very interesting--completely different from anywhere I've been....

also, loved Venice, more because of the wandering than the Rialto.... the tiramisu at cafe di fiari was spectacular. St. Mark's? Interesting but not my highpoint.

okay, this it, I promise! LOVED Barcelona, and about St. Mark's in Venice--visiting was okay, but Mass was awe-ing...

now i'm done...

BigCheese, your post was rather offensive, but there is a point buried in there...same point as in the Wizard of Oz..."There's no place like home." One could spend a lifetime among the cornfields, dreaming of London, New York or Rome, then actually travel there and realize that the calmer places actually suit you better. There's nothing wrong with that. Travel is about discovery...whether you "discover" that Rome is the most vibrant place on Earth, or that you're actually happiest in your own small town in Iowa.

As far as Paris - loved it even though one night, sitting in a cafe (inside) a man with a gun came in and held the place up. I wanted to dive under my table. Everyone else there kind of laughed! The waiter said something to him in French, and took him outside. But then he reappaered. Guess the gun was real. We left.

Good - Going to some local cafe near the Place de Vosges (where our 2 star hotel was) for breakfast. Don't remember the name. We just happened n it and went in. It became our place for extraordinary omelettes and cafe au lait. No one else there at that time of the AM. Also went on a canal ride (not the Seine) up to a technological/science museum (fogot the name.) We were the only Americans on this cruise that went through paris canals,locks and all.

In other words, yes, like any city there's lots more stuff to see beyond the usual.

I tell everyone that when they come to my home - NYC.

Changing of the Guard - been twice, don't quite get it.

Mona Lisa - seen it, it's OK, but there are so many better one (IMHO). It has become too much a "got to go to Louvre, see Mona, get a picture, then leave" why is that...need to show friends that saw it? Too much marketing for my taste.

Sacher torte- Sacher Hotel Vienna. Dry, not really tasty...but a counter where you can arrange shipment of one anywhere in the world.

Pigeons at Trafalgar Sq - I know, some people see it as a tradition of being able to feed them,etc. Sorry, they crap all over the place and ruin buildings/statues with their goo. Begone with them.

Paris...when I land at CDG I feel a little lighter...when I first exit RER/Metro and see a patisserie, the old buildings, the neon cafe signs, EIffel in the distance, the magic begins all over again. I from a big city, so I guess there is less "stress" when I go to another big city (e.g. don't worry about pickpockets). I also speak French, so that barrier is not there. I've done the "marhc of the dead" packed vacations, and now try to build in more "do nothing"time. In Paris, the do-nothing time has become some of hte moments that I appreciate the most. Paris is busy, the Louvre is "too" big, the waiters/shop people are more "professional" than cheery...but when you tweak to how the system works, when you buy the smallest thing and they wrap it like you were presenting it to royalty, when you see the pride they take in their products and presentation...that's when Paris takes on a different atmosphere.
So...don't give up on Paris, try it again, but take the tourist checklist that exists all over, and chuck most of it out.
(Heresy) skip the Louvre, maybe even skip the Eiffel tower, and go to a local park, have a picnic, watch theold men playing a game of boules, loiter in a cafe for a long lunch, see a concert in a medieval church, watch kids playing with sailboats in the Luxembourg Garden ponds, find your morning spot for a coffee and pain au chocolat, browse along main street of Ile St Louis, go to Point des Arts at night and watch boats go by, bridges and buildings lit up, Eiffel twinkling in background...then if you don't like it, you've at least experienced the 'slower' side of the city, and maybe it is not for you.

Didnt like naples either. Pompeii...dont remember much...but Sorrento! that was a gem. and someone mentioned San Giagmano.....almost forgot how pretty italys countryside was!
Also, anyone been to Maastracht in netherlands. Such a delight after loving Amsterdam as well. Cant wait to return.
Im from the US Virgin Islands, not corn fields. ....regarding the corn field comment. but i am in school in big city Chicago.

I liked Florence in general a lot. Seeing Michelangelo's David was much better than expected. It's hard to describe how amazing it is.

In Rome, the Coloseum (sp?) and the Pantheon were also better than I expected. The idea of that brilliant engineering taking place around 1 AD is mind-blowing. I expected the Coloseum to be just a ring of outer walls, and didn't realize how much is preserved inside, to investigate and learn about.

Underwhelming-- the Mona Lisa. I loved the Louvre, though. It's such a beautiful building in itself. It's cool architecture alone.

The Cinque Terre coastline, as seen from the hike to Corniglia was even prettier than I expected. The water is so clear. It helped that we were there in early May, before really hot weather and crowds could alter the experience.

Great thread-

Hated- Stonehenge. And I saw it when you could get up close and personal years ago ("Get off the stones")

Loved- the Parthenon. I happened to be there first in line to get tickets one morning and had the place to myself for about 30 minutes.

And I also agree with the posters who really got into Klimt- "the kiss" is really different in person. And I'm in the pro-Paris camp- I'm making my 5th homage in a few weeks. I could easily sell everything I own and live there in dank basement.

Rick

I went to Naples by myself for a few days when I was much younger, as part of a months-long Europe trip. On the train from Rome, an Italian family shared their lunch and beer with me, and it was the best salami sandwich I ever had. I managed to get a last-minute ticket to the San Carlo opera house, and sat in a box with friendly strangers, seeing Beverly Sills in 'La Traviata.' I had terrific meals in tiny restaurants off the main drag, in basements, down steps.

Any one of those experiences happened because I was open to the possibilities of Naples. I saw laundry hanging across the narrow streets, four or five floors up. I thought some of the city was as gritty as my home town. But I loved it.

I loved it because it was peopled with humans who were like me, making their way in the world the best they could. That's what makes travel for me -- the possibilities and the people.

Love: The Great Wall. After more than 50 trips to it (yes, it was a job at one time), I still marvel and stand in awe at this unique structure. Read the history before you go.

Dislike: Terracotta warriors and soldiers in Xian. Disliked them the 1st trip and only got worse trip after trip. So commercialized that I can't stand it.

Andrea -- Are you still in Shanghai?

Oops, was this for Europe only?

Michael_Paris ,
ditto
Paris is not a place to "do" in 3 days.
It is to be taken in in small, delicious
moments.

Biggest Disappointment - Hands down it was the Uffizi. The lighting in some of the rooms was so terrible you could barely make out the paintings. We much preferred the Pitti Palace.

My Biggest (Positive) Surprise - Last month in Paris we visited the Jacquemart-André. We loved this great museum not only because of the artwork, but the interesting audio guide which really brought this home to life.

Not to put down anything associated with Holocaust survivors,but I was a little underwhelmed by the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. Maybe a better word is that I didn't feel moved, emotionally as I did when I visited the Holocaust Museum in Houston. It was very educational, though.


I also didn't get the hype of St. Chappelle. It was pretty but I felt more connected with other churches including Notre Name and St. Sulpice. On another note, I was expecting to be overwhelmed by the Louvre, but it was one of the highlights of our trip. I thought Paris was absolutely magnificent especially the Luxembourg Gardens. There are people that don't get into Paris, but for me it is a place that will always have my heart.

I meant to say Notre Dame!

Yes, this is the Europe foroum, but comments about Taj Mahal, etc. are welcome, at least to me!

In that vein - although a bit away from Asia - I was actually not as bowled over by the Icefields Parkway in Albert Canada as I thought I would be. On the other hand, Edith Clavell Park in Alberta was amazing (great walk down to a glacier) and the best day in our Alberta trip.

Since you mentioned the Taj, I guess I would say that the sight of this monument lit by the full moon with very few people around (long time ago) was probably my most enduring travel memory.

First time in Paris was a daytrip from London. A few inches of snow had fallen so all the museums, trains and most restaurants were closed. Didn't like it at all and had no desire to go back. Fast forward, 1 year later and spent 5 days in Paris living in a studio flat. Fell in love walking through the streets and the looking at the magnificent doors that led into unseen courtyards. Shopped at the tiny corner bakery(lovely croissants) and relaxed.

The Louvre- I always recommend buying the 2 day musee pass. The first time we went to the Louvre we saw all the highlights(Mona Lisa(just us and the guard), Venus de Milo(mobbed). We had to leave after 2 hours as it became too crowded. The second time, we visited at night, no crowds and we wandered downstairs to see the castle foundation.

But I will chime in with the Orsay detractors. It seemed like every painting we saw, a group of tourist would stand beside and take flash pictures even though the signs said no photography. Particular annoying was a couple that stood 10 feet from a guard and the guard did nothing.

For London, Buck House. The changing of the guards at Horseguards by Whitehall is much more intimate and less crowded.

I cried at my first glimpse of the Grand Canyon. Ya gotta see it!!!

MY

Disappointments--Pisa (touristy, having to walk through hordes of pushy vendors); Normandy (I found it dull after Paris); Toledo (very touristy); Waterford and Kilkenny, Ireland.

Pleasant surprise--Madrid

Even better than expected:
- Temples of Angkor in Cambodia -awesome. Sunrise over Angkor Wat was a moving experience.
- Luang Prabang in Laos - a true gem.

And as for Europe...
- Stockholm is a beautiful city with water all around and lovely architecture.
- Loved Frogner Park with the Vigelund statues in Oslo. Two thumbs way up! Astonishing.
- Didn't care much for Florence overall (the Uffizi was a disappointment) but David blew my mind. I don't think I've ever seen such an exquisite piece of art. I just stood and stared. He's so BIG. I was not prepared for the emotional reaction I had. The gelato in Florence also exceeded expectations! In Rome, I loved the Vatican museum, and yes, the Colosseum.
- The Prado in Madrid is wonderful - one of my favorite museums.
- Toledo - terrific. Ditto Segovia.
- I seem to be one of the few who really enjoyed d'Orsay - esp the Van Goghs. Also enjoyed the Picasso museum. Mona was a bit of a letdown, however.
- In London, loved the British museum. Also in England, found York a bit touristy, but was wowed by the cathedral and also the Castle Museum.
- Cinque Terra is beautiful, as is the Lake District.

Disappointments:
- I'm going out on a limb here, but Provence didn't do it for me.
- Pisa, as others have said. Ditto Stonehenge.

(Aramis - loved your post!)

Hardly a "must see" - but one in my home - New York City: In Flushing Meadow Park in Queens, the old Unisphere (huge representation of the world) from the 1964 World's Fair is in a kind of pond that in the summer has its water jets turned on. Seeing multitudes of children from all over the world (Queens is the most diverse borough in NYC), running in and out of it, cooling themselves off, laughing, having a great time - was truly amazing. A big, happy, incredibly energetic, fun time.

thanks althome1122

for mentioning Stockholm - what a
wonderful surprise!

Also, Orsey

when it is not crowded (hard, I know)
it is fantastic : the bulding, Van Goghs, the cafe , the view ...

althom1122: ditto-Provence did not "move" me the way other regions have. But in all fairness, I've only visited it in the less favorable seasons of February and October. I have to think I would come away with a different opinion in June or July (if I could only avoid the crowds!!!) when the lavender and other flowers are in bloom.

Positive surprise: the lesser touted Bastide towns of Southern France: Monflanquin, Belvès, Créon, Villefranche la Rouerque ...what jewels!

Big disappointment? The Cliffs of Mohr in Ireland. Or, maybe I should say I would have been disappointed if I've ever actually gotten to see them. Three trips, THREE, and I have yet to show up when it wasn't so fogged in you could barely see your own feet. I've given them up as a lost cause.

Biggest surprise would have to be Chichen Itza in Mexico. I thought it was going to be a lame tourist trap and while some of that existed, once you got onto the grounds and wandered a bit it was really haunting and astonishing.

I don't particularly like Paris either. I've been there plenty of times; done the tourist sites, eaten in Michelin-starred restaurants, visited places off the beaten track, even fell in love for the first time there...still don't get why people like the place so much. But each to their own.

On the other hand, I'm pleased to see several people won't be going back to the Uffizi - more viewing space for me! I adore Florence; so much renaissance art in such a tiny city.

Disappointment: The Louvre to me didn't meet expectations. Yes, I realize what great art is housed there, but it has such fanfare and hype as I did my research, it was a case where there was no way it could have lived up to my expectations. Sometimes great publicity can be your own worst enemy.

Pleasant Surprise: Swiss Alps. Maybe it was because the group I went with was more into art and cities, but the Alps crushed everything else on my trip in terms of instilling awe.

Disappointment: Santorini
Surprise:Ramatuelle, France

This is the first thread I read when I check in on Fodor's. Thanks to Emily71 and Toupary for encouragement about Paris. And to Van_Ness for his thoughts on Naples. I was there two years ago and not for long. We had been warned (and warned again) about the crime and how careful we had to be. And as soon our tour group arrived in Naples we stopped at the "American Cafe". Great view but we were apparently not welcome and the police were called. Very unnerving. It worked out OK but we were on edge the entire time we were there. Too bad. I love Italy but Naples is not on my "return to" list.

I keep wondering what the people who are disappointed in Pisa were expecting. Doesn't everyone already know that it is Kitsch City? It is great fun to watch all the photographers rolling around on the ground to get perfect shot of their friend or family member "holding up" the tower.

I have to mention a few places on Dublin Bay reachable by DART from Dublin in 15-20 minutes.
Howt, Monktown and Sandy Cove are really suburbs of Dublin, but much more inviting than the city itself.
Lovely view of the sea, excellent restaurants and classy pubs.
No wonder James Joyce lived there (in SC)

Two cities I was very underwhelmed with--Brussels and Amsterdam. I just didn't get the hype about the "Mannequin Pis" and the city center, after giving it a couple of tries. I think what others have said about seeing a city in the right context is so very apt--Amsterdam in March was just brown and dirty--it may be totally different in the summer. We were really surprised by the gardens at Leiden just a short drive away.

mona lisa was not one of my favorites. i preferred monets, renoirs and van goghs. but when i saw it upclose, i was mesmerized. i stood there with the crowds a long time. there was really something special in it, something magnetic in the smile. i had understood why it was a masterpiece.

i was prepared to be awed by niagara falls. but it seemed small when i got to see it.i thought, "that's it"? i dont know, maybe bec. i wasnt able to get below and ride the maid of the mist?

Must-see disappointments:
Versailles – Due to the crowds, only the Gardens and the Hall of Mirrors were an enjoyable experience.
George Pompidou – Ride the external escalator and skip the rest.

Must-see surprise:
Arc de Triomphe – There is a bench where the Champs Elysees meets the Etoile where I could sit for hours and at once be mesmerized by this wonderful structure and then glance down the grand avenue soaking in the ambiance of the people and traffic.

Interesting that this has been topped...because like the original poster, I expected to be totally underwhelmed by Klimts in person, but I have to say that seeing The Kiss at The Belvedere was unexpectedly surprising. I fell for the deep blues and gold leafing...and was left breathless and unable to walk away from it for some time!

Visually - Provence. We were there in May so no lavender, poppies or sunflowers. Also rather chilly most of the week. But it was those dark brown/black lower Alps that run in a ridge whereever you go that I didn't like. I thought it would be more beautiful. However, there were many positives also.

Niagara Falls - I'm still teased because I had a "that's it" moment.

Probably the European tourist attraction I felt most underwhelmed by was the Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome. I thought it was unbearably dull, and found it hard to justify paying a surprisingly high entrance fee to see it.

The biggest European surprise on a positive note was the Cathedral in Toledo. The workmanship detail in its stucco, carvings, statuary, and such was stunning, as was the solid wealth of paintings (including a huge and remarkable El Greco ceiling fresco). The only European cathedral I've enjoyed more was the one at Chartres -- and the Chartres Cathedral would be the attraction I'd put at the top of my personal list for all of Europe, regardless of type, if forced to choose only one thing.

Underwhelmed by:

Sainte chapelle - yes it was beautiful, but I'd read too many rave reviews I think and part of the interior was covered for renovation

St Mark's square - again I'd heard how it moved people to tears so I had high expectations. That said, I was drawn to it over the next couple of days and fell in love with it.

Overwhelmed by:

The Louvre - I am not a museum person and was not even considering going (except to tell the kids we had seen Mona Lisa because we'd bought them the book 'Katie and the Mona Lisa'), but we walked across the pont des arts into the Louvre courtyard and I started to cry. It was one of those 'This is so incredible and I'm really here moments'.

Another WOW moment was seeing the Apollo room in the Louvre. My husband and I both cried. Apart from seeing the war veterans march on Anzac day, I've never had that much emotion wash over me unexpectedly.

The Eiffel Tower - I couldn't get enough of it. It was mesmerising watching it flash on the hour, and the view from each level was pretty amazing.

Hearing the french war veterans sing La Marseillaise under the Arc de Triomphe - incredible

I spend so much time researching, reading and watching everything I can get my hands on about Europe, that I create such high expectations of everything, and I found that the most surprising places were the ones I wasn't expecting to like, or the one's I hadn't researched to death.

Must sees for me - Swiss alps, St. Andrews (golfer) and the Great Wall which somehow exceeded very high expectations. Just incredible.

The Terracotta Warriors were interesting but didn't live up to the hype for me.

I absolutely love England, Scotland and the Isle of Man and they always live up to, and exceed my expectations.

However, York has to be the place that so totally delighted me that I just couldn't get enough of it.

Perhaps the place in England that I've been to that I didn't like was Eastbourne - I thought it was ugly and tacky and I really can't understand why my mother-in-law likes living there - but I come from a land of long golden beaches so I admit I am spoilt.

I see this topic has resurrected - and I'm going to add some Ireland impressions...I was going to last year but most of the posts seemed to be about Paris...

Killarney was a major disappointment. It was more Irish American than Irish - even had some American "Celtic" music groups in the pubs.

I experienced an unexpectedly glorious evening in a Hudibeg, County Donegal pub -18 local musicians showed up that night in the tiny town's pub.

The Fanad Penisula in Co Donegal and the Antrim Coast in No Ireland were unbelievably beautiful.

The view of Prague Castle from Charles Bridge. People rave about it but I don't know what all the fuss is about. It doesn't even look much like a castle to me.

I admit I didn't particularly enjoy my stay in Prague because I felt I was massively ripped off by an exchange bureau in the centre. I'm glad I saw the city, especially the beautiful main square, but I have absolutely no desire to go back.

Venice lived up to the hype for me, though. I've been twice and hope to return several more times.

kathcoll wrote: "I experienced an unexpectedly glorious evening in a Hudibeg, County Donegal pub..."

What were you drinking? That has to be Teach Huidi Bheag (Wee Hugh's Place), anglicised as Hudibeg. It's in the village of Bunbeg.

Yes, Killarney is a bit theme-park Irish. That pleases a lot of the visitors, and it is the customers who shape the market. Kenmare is going that way now, so the cognoscenti will have to adopt another centre. I predict that Sneem will be the next big thing.

On the original question: I have never been disappointed with a "must-see" because I don't buy into the idea. I go to a place and find what I find, and inevitably that includes some things I like or find interesting (I'm not too difficult to please). Whether those things are an anybody else's must-see list is irrelevant.

This is a great thread, shows how different we all are, and how much the same: love of travel!

The Good:
Normandy. Not Normandy in one day, but time enough to enjoy the beauty and uniqueness of the area. We're from the US, so arranged a private tour of the WWII sites and loved every single minute of it. The American Cemetery at dusk was the most emotional place I ever experienced on my travels.

Greece: I can't think of one thing we didn't like about it. Loved Athens, there in March so the crowds weren't big and it wasn't hot. We also did Delphi, Corinth, Meteora, other places that were just unbelievably beautiful, spring wildflowers, sparkling blue waters, and few crowds.

Amsterdam and environs in March and October: loved the canals, loved meeting the friendly and helpful people, enjoyed walking in the neighborhoods off the tourist maps.
I did like the Anne Frank House, the first time I went there it gave me goose bumps.

I'm a Paris, Vienna, Barcelona, and Venice lover, too.

The bad: I didn't like the Catacombs in Paris. Way too depressing, dark and moldy.

The food in Belgium, with the exception of the waffles.

Tapas in Barcelona were not as good as I'd heard.

CDG: checking in for international flight on AA, once past security not even a bathroom in sight.

Reentery into the US through Atlanta: Screaming guards urging us to RUN through, no consideration whatsoever for older folks or families with small children.

I must be bored. Was researching a weekend in Stockholm and this old thread popped up.

I pretty much know when I'm underwhelmed that I'm either tired or need to go back to the drawing table and re-do my plans a bit.

I love Paris and NYC. Lived in the later for a number of years and would love to live in the former. I loved the D'Orsay and the Louvre and can't wait for more. I've been twice to the Louvre with Paris Muse private tour. It was expensive but worth every Euro. There are some amazing treasures there and I love the IM Pei pyramid and the cafe that looks at it. They've got some great grilled shrimp there too.

Also loved Venice and Florence but went off-season which I think makes all the difference. In both places I had amazing weather which also helps. I owe a Florence weekend trip report here.

I loved Berlin and Munich and Neuschwanstein and the Bavarian mountains even though I didn't expect to.

Rome was tricky for me - too, too crowded and a rip-off financially. But I saw an amazing Chagall exhibit there that I'll never forget. Not to mention the Trevi fountain and the Pantheon and a number of other "touristy" spots took my breath away. Next time I go I hope I'll be a grandmother and I'll pay for a private tour of the Vatican because I want my grandkids not to be shuffled like cattle through there like my kids and I were.

Provence - I think we went to the wrong Provence. I was expecting a lot more natural beauty. I'm not giving up on it yet. I think I'll try different area next time. The food and wine was heavenly if not the villages and scenery though. And again, a gorgeous Chagall mosaic in a little church and the Chagall museum in Nice made up for some other things.

Well, now I've got to go see what the "must sees" are for Stockholm! Fun reading this and seeing our similarities and differences.

gruezi

I am not crazy about the whole idea of "must sees" because one person's "must see" is someone else's big "yawn".

I think you COULD use "must sees" as a rough guide but you should always take your own personal interests and tastes into account when making decisions about what YOU really are likely to enjoy and therefore "must see". If art does not interest you, don't visit a lot of art galleries.

Of course sometimes you can get a pleasant surprise and are really overwhlemed by things that you were not sure you would like.

Case-in-point when my DH first went to Europe with me he said "I really don't want to see a bunch of boring old churches". I insisted that we see at least one cathedral and he was hooked! Now he always asks if there are any of those "great" cathedrals on any travel routes we plan.

Same thing for me and Hawaii - I was not sure I would like it but DH really wanted to go - so we went and I loved it.

Disappointment--Uffizi Gallery and the rest of the Accadamia besdides David (Florence)

Surprise--how hard it was to turn around and walk away from David.

Disappointment--Versailles palace
Surprise--how much we enjoyed the gardens at Versailles (especially with fountains running)

Disappointment--all the graffiti in Rome
Surprise--how much I enjoyed Rome anyway

Re: the Louvre. Our (then-preteen) daughter took us on our first "tour" -- she had been there with a church group the year before. Simple, she said: start with the Venus d' Milo, up the stairs past the Winged Victory of Samothrace, swing by the Mona Lisa and you're done!

Next time I returned I decided to do the museum "properly" and took the best tour I could find. Did see the Roman ruins in the basement, but then it was just (you guessed it) the Venus d' Milo, Winged Victory, and the Mona Lisa! Sigh!

And on the other hand - I loved communing with the Botticelli's at the Uffizi! It was a wonder to see them up close and soak up that visual feast.

More thoughts...

Underimpressed--
PARIS at first but by the time I left 3 days later felt like I hadn't had time to really get into it.
NOTRE DAME--I expected it to be more grande--like the Vatican.
ORSAY--there's more Impressionistic art in Chicago's art museum

SIENNA AND TUSCANY COUNTRYSIDE--people completely decorate their homes after seeing it. Just looked like regular, lovely country side to me--nothing special

Loved--
Cinque Terre--especially after being in 3 large cities in a row--scenery is just fabulous and it was very relaxing
SWISS ALPS--I had been in Paris, Rome, Florence, Sienna, Pisa and Cinque Terra and I FINALLY got tingles as our train went from Interlaken into the BO valley.
GRAND CANYON--looking up from the bottom as the morning sun shone on the snow on the top of the canyon.
GREAT WALL OF CHINA---even though I didn't care for mainland China at all
HONG KONG--especially from Kowloon at night with all the different colored lights glowing AND from Victoria Peak during the day.

Ahhh, the Botticelli's at the Uffizi!! I don't even like renaissance art that much, but I was hooked. I spent about an hour and a half at the Uffizi. Most of it was in the Botticelli room.

In an art gallery I like to do a once over first. Then after a short coke break I always stop back for a final visit with my favorites. It was definitely hard to leave David and the Botticelli's. BTW, there are a few Botticelli's in the Accademia as well. They are in the first room as you enter.

gruezi

Loved

Paris - The beauty & lights of the Eiffel Tower, walking the Siene River and the park near Notre Dame.

Rome - The Pantheon was amazing, the small alleys were great. Not as impressed with Rome as I had hoped to be.

Venice - During Carnival was so much fun. The costumes were fabulous. The city is great.

Amsterdam - Spent 6 days there and it is a fancinating city. Canals and architecture are great. If you go there's a fabulous restaurant called "Get Together".

Bruge - Great Medieval city. A must city in Europe.

Ireland - Dingle Peninsula is one of the most beautiful places on earth. All of Western Ireland is so Beautiful.

Scotland - Inverness is a great town in the Highlands.

Prague - Loved thia city, amazing when I visited in 2004 it had only been 15 years since Communist rule. The building are wonderful. The Jewish cemetary was depressing but a must see.

London - My favorite city of all. Why you may ask....the people, the people, the people. I've seen all the sites but I love to just go to St. James Park and sit with a sandwich and drink and talk to my good friend Jan who live in London and catch up and watch the people. And oh the theatre....I'd go everyday if only I could afford to. Riding the buses in London is better then the Tube because you can see so much more. There's always something going on in this great city. Don't pass up getting out of London to any of the great cities and the beautiful countryside.

DISAPPOINTMENTS:

None really.....I've traveled in over 40 States in the USA and been to the Caribbean and Scotland, Wales, England, Ireland, France, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Czech Republic, Holland, Beligum, and Germany. Even though some weren't as exciting as others....I love every place for some unique reason. I have more states to see and more countries to see....and I will always go back to London and the English countryside.

There's a whole world out there to see. Have fun on your travels and enjoy the different cultures and get to know the people.

Glad to see this resurface. I enjoyed it before - and enjoyed it all over again with the new additions. I'll add a few new thoughts:

Not Europe, but no one has mentioned Machu Picchu. It lived up to all its hype. What a mystical place. WOW.

Also, while several have commented on the Grand Canyon, I'd add: Sequoia (humbling) and the Rockies (Tetons, Rocky Mountain National Park, Glacier, Banff/Jasper) - all truly majestic.

As for Europe, additional surprises:

Ronda and some of the other white villages in Spain.

The Dingle Peninsula - definitely the highlight of my trip to Ireland.

Kizhi Island in Russia, which we visited while on a river cruise. Amazing wood churches. http://kbutler1122.zenfolio.com/p677408593/h1e4ffd2a#h1e4ffd2a

Moscow and St. Petersburg also very cool - esp St. Basil's, the Kremlin and the Hermitage.

The Algarve in Portugal.

And still... David. I really need to get back to Florence. He made the whole city worthwhile. As another posted commented, I could barely walk away.

Disappointments:
Prague - although a lovely city, Disney World-like crowds detracted from its charm. I enjoyed Cesky Krumlov more.

Vienna - I didn't get it. Enjoyed it, but could have skipped it.

This thread is fun.

Underwhelming experiences:
Musee D'Orsay - It's ok and I'd go back again if I didn't have to wait in line but, just like Connie wrote above, when I went there I kept thinking that the Art Institute of Chicago had a much better collection of Impressionism paintings.

Sicily - I had really wanted to travel there, but felt rather bored when I visited and left a day earlier than planned - although it had the best food of any place I've visited.

Unexpected delights:
Paris - I never really was interested in visiting Paris and only went because my daughter was spending a semester there. Now it's one of my favorite places to visit, not only is it interesting & fun, but because it's such an easy & comfortable place to vacation.

Michelangelo's David - I don't know what it is about this sculpture, but it's the most fascinating piece of artwork I've ever seen.

I was totally underwhelmed with Alahambra. It was boring, empty, and very blah after seeing other spots in spain. Places that exceeded my expectations; American Cemetery in Normandy, David, LaPieta in St Peters, Our Lord in the Attic church in Amsterdam, Cortina and Isera, Italy.

I was thinking about David last night, and I think the way he's displayed adds to the impact - literally an up close and personal experience. It's like standing at the base of a sequoia tree in terms of that "wow" factor. There truly is something special about that statue.

Also, another pleasant surprise: the Rodin Museum in Paris. (I keep thinking of more!)

The Ring of Kerry - after driving through Northern Ireland and then down the west coast of Ireland, the Ring of Kerry was not as interesting as it is made out to be.

Loved - St Petersburg, Russia - Helsinki, Finland and Oslo, Norway.

The Norway in a Nutshell trip was awesome.

Budapest did not sound interesting but was I wrong!!! Loved Budapest and would like to go back and spend a lot more time there.

I didn't remember much of Florence after my first time there-- and I blamed it on the wine!

But the second time there, I still wasn't overly impressed. I enjoyed the outer city, by the Boboli Gardens, but wasn't too impressed with the rest of it. The Ponte Vecchio was interesting. The Uffizi would have been amazing if it had not taken almost two hours to get inside ( I live near NYC, and know that it takes exactly five minutes to get into the Met, which has just as much-- or more-- great historical masterpieces.) I left Florence with contempt for their way of treating tourists. I felt that they viewed tourists as a way of raking in cash, but didn't show any kindness to us. (Yes, I know that tourists are disruptive and annoying, but as a nice tourist, I resented being treated like a pest.) My hotel owner was very nice, but the majority of people I met in Florence were not very nice or friendly to us. I felt like I was begging every time I went to a restaurant and tried to order a simple lunch or dinner. I don't speak good Italian, but I hated being laughed at, or forced into ordering the "special" which was often whatever hadn't sold that night. Twice I sat down in restaurants where other people were being well fed, and was refused any sort of menu and forced to order whatever the waiter decided to offer (while locals apparently got a full choice of meals!) I would have rather spent the time I stayed there in Venice or Siena.

I don't know if this is common in Florence, or if my family and I just had supremely bad luck...but I can say that we never encountered the same problem in Venice, Siena or Rome. I've also traveled throughout England, Ireland, Scotland, Prague, Paris, Budepest, Vienna and the US without facing the poor treatment I had in Florence. It was depressing, because I had wanted to love Florence so much.