Exceeded: Rome, Berlin, Venice and the Dolomiti, Jordan
Failed: St. Emilion, Florence, Umbria

But, I am fairly easy to please. Good food, nice people and an interesting environment without hoardes of people will do it for me.

>>"Lucca is wonderful, but it is a long way off the tourist beaten path."<<

How long ago were you in Lucca? It is tour group central almost year round these days, plus a lot of other independent travelers too. It is actually Florence that is emptying out and becoming "off the beaten track" as everybody realizes they don't really like looking at Italian art and goes off to wander and get lost instead. Also, as the travel population ages, flat Lucca draws more tourists than the hilltowns. Helps that it is right on the train line.

I like the food in Lucca and the evidences of the Roman arena and watching people riding bicycles in the rain while holding umbrellas.

Perhaps it was quieter than usual because I have only ever been in autumn in the rain.

Exceeded:
LISBON
Nice
Amsterdam

I've pretty much enjoyed every place in Europe I've visited.

Hard to imagine being disappointed by Paris but everyone has different loves I suppose.

Even my husband who has been known to spend his extra time in any city on an exercise machine was pretty taken with Paris.

And I'm pretty sure those that did not like Zürich would be better convinced by my personal tour;)

I guess sometimes so much depends upon the weather...your mood...the neighborhood you choose.

I always try to pick a good location to stay in and I find it pays off for me.

Good points, gruezi. I totally agree. Stinky weather can ruin a trip. And finding the right lodging in the best location is crucial. I am never one who thinks the hotel is "just a place to sleep". It becomes your temporary home, and you will walk that neighborhood more than anyplace else. I love a hotel in a neighborhood that feels welcoming, safe, energetic and interesting.

Stinky weather can definitely cast a pall. Also, time of year. I don't go in the summer to Europe as I can't think of anything I'd rather LESS like doing than being a tourist in 90 degree heat. And the crowds.

Exceeded - First trip to Switzerland - even though I'd been dying to go there since I was a child. Bern and the Alps were overwhelming for me.

Paris (even the third time), Budapest

A Bit Disappointed: Venice - too many damn people and it was the middle of September.

Now I'm thinking - perhaps I should look at the above answers and if I see someone who was also feeling favorable or disappointed by similar cities as I was, I might follow other recommendations of theirs as it would seem we have the same tastes.

Oops - LOVED Moscow.

Rome. It's such an exciting city; the history, the buildings walking the paths of the ancient Romans. That was all good. Yet, I was so happy to leave that city and have no plans on returning. I didn't realize how much I didn't like it until we were outside of it and I felt a huge breath of relief wash over me.

The rest of Italy was great.

Failed: Rome.
Have been there 3 times
Hated it every time.
Crowded, awful public transport, hot and sticky, awful food, awful hotels, pushy people, dirty stations...I could go on.
Don't think I'm going to give it any more benefits of the doubt.
Plenty of wonderful places in Italy instead.

Exceeded:
1) Palermo
Great sights and setting, delicious food, very good shopping. What's not to like? OK, some poverty/grittiness...

2) Stockholm
Superb setting, that amazing salvaged ship and a general feeling that life is good here.


Failed:
1) Barcelona
Arrogant, provincial feel and touristy - a real shock compared to Madrid. Gaudi buildings were as amazing as expected though.

2) Prague
Totally overrun by tourists - felt sorry for the poor locals. Maybe I hit it at a bad time.

Lots of other cities basically met my expectations, the above stand out because they surprised me.

Exceed my expectation:

Lagos, Nigeria. I was expecting chaos and concern, but I got even more than I was expecting. Kids with machine guns on toll roads to Ibadan, being swarmed by "taxi drivers" at the airport wanting me "to come with them" (grabbing the available space on my luggage handle where my hand wasn't), insane drivers crossing into the exit ramp after it was blocked off by concrete, being hissed at (not an insult, that's what sellers do to get your attention), etc etc.

Failed to meet expectation:

Mexico City. I was expecting pollution, crime, feeling always hemmed in and general uneasiness. I actually had beautiful sunny days and felt remarkably comfortable walking around near the Zocalo, in the Alameda and along the Paseo de la Reforma. It took one trip for me to fall in *LOVE* with Mexico City.

Wait, is this not what this survey is about?

Exceeded:

1. Mexico City (dragged there kicking and screaming; fell in love with it, shocker!)
2. Trondheim, Norway (an accidental find in 1973 -- my ONLY expectation was to go somewhere about as close to the midnight sun as possible without going all the way up to Bodo)
3. Madrid (such personality and character!)

Failed:
1. Lisbon (now we have panhandlers in L.A., and you trip over 'em in Berkeley, but they've taken it to a new level in Lisbon and made it an art form!)
2. Las Vegas (except for some really expensive shows, has no more redeeming value for me than it had when I was under 21).

I also loved Trondheim, Norway. It wasn't described as much in the books I had, but I was sure glad I spent the night there as part of a trip up the coast.

Lovely and lively city...

many of us spend a couple days in the city.....mostly in touristy areas, often in the summer, and
come away with the impression
that the city is too touristy and/ or too hot.
Naturally , it is out of the question for short term visitors to see some of the beautiful ,leafy ,mostly residential areas of Prague
( Vinohrady) ,Zona Alta ( Barcelona), Parioli (Rome) etc.

Exceeded (in a good way)):
Verona (in love with it)
Lucca
Genoa (amazing heritage of an old sea power, Venice's main rival for centuries, the embarrassment of the riches well-preserved in the churches and the Duomo of the old town and port, the birds-eye view of the port from Righi.. As most Ligurian towns, it's completely vertical. Loved the elevators as the key public transport method, with lift cabins that turn into little rail-cars and move horizontally.. The city is virtually ignored by tourists.. Last but not least: focaccia Genovese - the original and the best, try the one on Pzza San Nicolo)

Toledo (Cathedral, the Synagogues, El Grecos, did I mention El Grecos?))
Prague
Stockholm
Bar Harbor, ME and surroundings

Of places/small towns:

hands down - Bellagio/Varenna/Tremezzo;
also, Dolomites, the road from Orisei to Cortina D'Ampezzo
Tuscany, the road from Volterra to San Gimignano
Positano and the coastline

Underwhelming relative to expectations:

Madrid (with the exception of the Prado - probably my favorite museum of all)
Lisbon (did like the Gulbenkian Museum very much though)
Rome (too noisy and too many cars)
Copenhagen, second time
Zurich
Nice (disdain for Americans in some places is just tiring. Though not if you speak French. That too is tiring. (I am a recovering francophile..))))

Utterly failed: Las Vegas .. no comment...

I had so little expectation of Las Vegas, that it was easy to surpass it with just the Hoover Dam.

Exceeded: Stockholm
Failed: Colmar

I fully expected to hate Vegas and my hatred exceeded my expectations.

Enjoyed Mexico City both times too!

<<I fully expected to hate Vegas and my hatred exceeded my expectations.>>

OMG, yes! What a nightmare.