Cities that exceeded and failed to meet your expectations
Sep 23rd, 2012, 07:30 PM
#42
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I forgot these:
Exceeded
Bath - just so pretty, history, Roman ruins, food, etc.
Positano - stunning from the water.
Failed to excite
Santorini - prettier to look at than to be there
Verona - after the Colosseum, not so much
Exceeded
Bath - just so pretty, history, Roman ruins, food, etc.
Positano - stunning from the water.
Failed to excite
Santorini - prettier to look at than to be there
Verona - after the Colosseum, not so much
Sep 24th, 2012, 05:40 AM
#44
Patty - I know myself pretty well and when I think I'm not going to like someplace, I usually am right.
I stay away from both Disney and Vegas. And no one who knows me even tries to get me there.
I stay away from both Disney and Vegas. And no one who knows me even tries to get me there.
Sep 24th, 2012, 06:18 AM
#45
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Vegas did not fail to meet my expectations.
I thought I would dislike it and be bored - which was correct. But I have been only twice - both times to congresses - so I had no choice.
Same for Disney.
I thought I would dislike it and be bored - which was correct. But I have been only twice - both times to congresses - so I had no choice.
Same for Disney.
Sep 24th, 2012, 07:19 AM
#48
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Many more exceeded than failed.
Exceeded:
Seville - marvelous in every way imaginable.
Umbria - fabulous secnery, great food, nice people.
Provence - some the loveliest people we've met ... and they were French!!!
Rothenburg - touristy yes, but still beautiful.
Canterbury - gorgeous English country town, lively market area.
Piemonte - gorgeous countryside, great food and wine.
Vienna - unique and beautiful. Great music, surprisingly good food and very nice people.
Failed:
Budapest - lots of oppressive and depressing Communist era architecture, blase and indifferent locals, uninteresting food.
Ferrara - the town itself was ok, but the Estense Castle was a huge letdown - one empty room after another, absolutely nothing of interest in the interior.
Exceeded:
Seville - marvelous in every way imaginable.
Umbria - fabulous secnery, great food, nice people.
Provence - some the loveliest people we've met ... and they were French!!!
Rothenburg - touristy yes, but still beautiful.
Canterbury - gorgeous English country town, lively market area.
Piemonte - gorgeous countryside, great food and wine.
Vienna - unique and beautiful. Great music, surprisingly good food and very nice people.
Failed:
Budapest - lots of oppressive and depressing Communist era architecture, blase and indifferent locals, uninteresting food.
Ferrara - the town itself was ok, but the Estense Castle was a huge letdown - one empty room after another, absolutely nothing of interest in the interior.
Sep 24th, 2012, 07:50 AM
#49
Exceeded
Paris
Prague
Strassburg
Central Island group of The Azores
Most all of the Cotswolds
Bath
Stratford upon Avon (but then, I had low expectations)
Quebec
Verona
Bologna
Venice
San Marino
Tulum
Seville
Toledo
Brugges
Antwerp (mostly because of fellow fodorite tour guide)
Haarlem
Utrecht
Delft
Failed
Las Vegas
Naples
Miami
Cadiz
Tangier
Basingstoke (I had no positive expectations and they were met)
Paris
Prague
Strassburg
Central Island group of The Azores
Most all of the Cotswolds
Bath
Stratford upon Avon (but then, I had low expectations)
Quebec
Verona
Bologna
Venice
San Marino
Tulum
Seville
Toledo
Brugges
Antwerp (mostly because of fellow fodorite tour guide)
Haarlem
Utrecht
Delft
Failed
Las Vegas
Naples
Miami
Cadiz
Tangier
Basingstoke (I had no positive expectations and they were met)
Sep 24th, 2012, 07:57 AM
#50
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Phillyboy - Interesting that you wrote for "Failed:
Budapest - lots of oppressive and depressing Communist era architecture, blase and indifferent locals, uninteresting food."
I loved the Communist era architecture, as well as the 19th century architecture that was sometimes shabby and being restored. The history of the place intrigued me and you can see it (what it has gone though under Communism). No pristine buildings much here. THAT's what liked. Also liked the good, homey food.
Each to their own!
Budapest - lots of oppressive and depressing Communist era architecture, blase and indifferent locals, uninteresting food."
I loved the Communist era architecture, as well as the 19th century architecture that was sometimes shabby and being restored. The history of the place intrigued me and you can see it (what it has gone though under Communism). No pristine buildings much here. THAT's what liked. Also liked the good, homey food.
Each to their own!
Sep 24th, 2012, 08:00 AM
#51
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From my recent trip to Poland and Czech Republic:
Exceeded:
Torun, Poland - really charming smaller town in Poland between Gdansk and Warsaw. Not much to see but a really a great feel to the place!
Met:
Krakow - expected it to be wonderful (but touristy) and it was
Gdansk - didn't expect a warm vibe, didn't get one, but found it still charming and picturesque.
Wroclaw - amazing town square, beautiful bridges, but more of a "working city" than Krakow, about what I expected.
Prague - was here in 2005 and loved it then, it is overcrowded with mobs of tourists but still amazingly charming and beautiful.
Failed to meet:
Cesky Krumlov - maybe I came at the end of the season (last week), but it seemed pretty dead except for mobs of Asian and Russian tourist groups during the day. Charming windy streets but not much else. (It was also chilly by the time I arrived - maybe better in the summer)
Olomouc, Czech Republic - Wasn't as charming as I was led to believe. Almost zero tourists - which was great, except not even enough tourists to hold the daily walking tour when I was in town!
Exceeded:
Torun, Poland - really charming smaller town in Poland between Gdansk and Warsaw. Not much to see but a really a great feel to the place!
Met:
Krakow - expected it to be wonderful (but touristy) and it was
Gdansk - didn't expect a warm vibe, didn't get one, but found it still charming and picturesque.
Wroclaw - amazing town square, beautiful bridges, but more of a "working city" than Krakow, about what I expected.
Prague - was here in 2005 and loved it then, it is overcrowded with mobs of tourists but still amazingly charming and beautiful.
Failed to meet:
Cesky Krumlov - maybe I came at the end of the season (last week), but it seemed pretty dead except for mobs of Asian and Russian tourist groups during the day. Charming windy streets but not much else. (It was also chilly by the time I arrived - maybe better in the summer)
Olomouc, Czech Republic - Wasn't as charming as I was led to believe. Almost zero tourists - which was great, except not even enough tourists to hold the daily walking tour when I was in town!
Sep 24th, 2012, 08:50 AM
#52
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Speaking of communist architecture, I was surprised by the amount of it in Lhasa. That's not to say I was disappointed with Lhasa. I just had this fairy tale image in my head before I went.
gruezi,
I used to have to go to both Disney and Vegas annually for conventions!
gruezi,
I used to have to go to both Disney and Vegas annually for conventions!
Sep 24th, 2012, 12:49 PM
#53
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Hi kenav,
I realize that I'm probably in the minority with my comments on Budapest, many people on Fodor's seem to love it. I enjoyed my time there, as I do whenever European travel is involved, but just didn't make a strong connection with the city for some reason.
I found the 1950's architecture interesting, but strangely depressing. And though I generally enjoy good "homey" food much more than overly fancy meals, it seemed to be lacking in variety. Maybe I didn't go to the right places.
As you said, each to their own.
I realize that I'm probably in the minority with my comments on Budapest, many people on Fodor's seem to love it. I enjoyed my time there, as I do whenever European travel is involved, but just didn't make a strong connection with the city for some reason.
I found the 1950's architecture interesting, but strangely depressing. And though I generally enjoy good "homey" food much more than overly fancy meals, it seemed to be lacking in variety. Maybe I didn't go to the right places.
As you said, each to their own.
Sep 24th, 2012, 03:55 PM
#54
phillyboy,
I would say of all the European cities I visited, Budapest would be one I would probably not return to and for the exact reasons you mentioned.
I did have some very good food there in some lovely and romantic restaurants, but otherwise it just wasn't for me. I found the large art museum there a bit tricky although I'm sure there was some fine art, little care was taken in how it was displayed and only one language to describe it which made me think it was not really trying to be accessible. (If I can at least find a good museum I'm usually happy but this was not the case in Budapest.)
I have heard there is a museum about Semmelweis there, and I guess I would go there if I "had" to go to Budapest again. Wish I had known about it the last time. He is a hero of mine and unfortunately had a very sad life.
I would say of all the European cities I visited, Budapest would be one I would probably not return to and for the exact reasons you mentioned.
I did have some very good food there in some lovely and romantic restaurants, but otherwise it just wasn't for me. I found the large art museum there a bit tricky although I'm sure there was some fine art, little care was taken in how it was displayed and only one language to describe it which made me think it was not really trying to be accessible. (If I can at least find a good museum I'm usually happy but this was not the case in Budapest.)
I have heard there is a museum about Semmelweis there, and I guess I would go there if I "had" to go to Budapest again. Wish I had known about it the last time. He is a hero of mine and unfortunately had a very sad life.
Sep 25th, 2012, 08:43 PM
#55
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Reading this post over again, I'm reminded that I actually prefer small towns to cities, but with either a small town or city I prefer the ones that do not exist purely for tourism (and that's why I've avoided Venice in recent years-- I was there years ago at age 17).
About Zurich: I can understand some posters' reactions to it, but once you get into the pedestrian old town, it can be quite charming. I had the best accommodations there on a recent trip and the best dinner anywhere at my favorite Italian place. Yes, it's pricey, but I do like it better than Lucerne -- many locals, and not many tourists.
Also -- to the poster who said you've given Rome three chances and won't be back. I've given it two. Unless some handsome gentleman sweeps me off my feet and wants to take me to Rome, I won't be going back.
Paris -- I long to visit again. I just can't imagine anyone not seeing it's charm, but if much of the time is spent waiting in lines to get to the top of the Eiffel tower, well that's not my idea of fun. The museums are first rate, but of course, one has to enjoy art. I just love all the narrow streets and charming cafes -- and just imagining all the famous writers and composers who lived there (Hemingway, Chopin, James Joyce, George Sand).
I would like to hear from more people regarding smaller towns (as well as cities). One exception to my thoughts about "existing just for tourists" would be Rothenburg. Yes, it exists purely for tourism, but It's utterly beautiful everywhere you turn.
About Zurich: I can understand some posters' reactions to it, but once you get into the pedestrian old town, it can be quite charming. I had the best accommodations there on a recent trip and the best dinner anywhere at my favorite Italian place. Yes, it's pricey, but I do like it better than Lucerne -- many locals, and not many tourists.
Also -- to the poster who said you've given Rome three chances and won't be back. I've given it two. Unless some handsome gentleman sweeps me off my feet and wants to take me to Rome, I won't be going back.
Paris -- I long to visit again. I just can't imagine anyone not seeing it's charm, but if much of the time is spent waiting in lines to get to the top of the Eiffel tower, well that's not my idea of fun. The museums are first rate, but of course, one has to enjoy art. I just love all the narrow streets and charming cafes -- and just imagining all the famous writers and composers who lived there (Hemingway, Chopin, James Joyce, George Sand).
I would like to hear from more people regarding smaller towns (as well as cities). One exception to my thoughts about "existing just for tourists" would be Rothenburg. Yes, it exists purely for tourism, but It's utterly beautiful everywhere you turn.
Sep 25th, 2012, 10:24 PM
#57
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I feel very fortunate to be on the same page as uoho_busted - I haven't ever really been disappointed by a destination. Maybe its because I do a fair amount of "homework," and so know a bit of what to expect and what I hope to experience.
Quite in contrast, I have frequently been pleased to find that destinations exceed my expectations. Maybe its because I always expect at least some off moments. Maybe I'm just easily enthralled (although I think anyone who knows me would disagree!)
My guess is that it's because my goal when I travel is to see the places that I choose to visit -- or more accurately, to EXPERIENCE these places: to see and hear them, and to sample their smells and tastes, to touch their building stones and plants and towels or whatever, and to encounter and witness the people and their interactions. In other words, I travel to experience what is there for me to experience. And that is, I think, different than wanting to see one's image of a place. How can I be disappointed by the actual experience of seeing a place, even if it isn't quite what I expected, if my goal was simply to experience it for myself?
If I decide that I want to see and experience a place, visiting it will by definition "meet" my expectations. Visiting it might reveal things that I hadn't planned or expected to experience - I see that as part and parcel of the adventure that is travel. And that has, indeed been my experience. I'm so lucky to be able to travel!
Maybe that's a way of saying that the OP's question doesn't make much sense to me. Instead of asking whether a place "met" my expectations, I would ask why I adopted expectations that were not realistic for the destination.
Just my 2-cents worth! (or is it 1 cent these days?)
Quite in contrast, I have frequently been pleased to find that destinations exceed my expectations. Maybe its because I always expect at least some off moments. Maybe I'm just easily enthralled (although I think anyone who knows me would disagree!)
My guess is that it's because my goal when I travel is to see the places that I choose to visit -- or more accurately, to EXPERIENCE these places: to see and hear them, and to sample their smells and tastes, to touch their building stones and plants and towels or whatever, and to encounter and witness the people and their interactions. In other words, I travel to experience what is there for me to experience. And that is, I think, different than wanting to see one's image of a place. How can I be disappointed by the actual experience of seeing a place, even if it isn't quite what I expected, if my goal was simply to experience it for myself?
If I decide that I want to see and experience a place, visiting it will by definition "meet" my expectations. Visiting it might reveal things that I hadn't planned or expected to experience - I see that as part and parcel of the adventure that is travel. And that has, indeed been my experience. I'm so lucky to be able to travel!
Maybe that's a way of saying that the OP's question doesn't make much sense to me. Instead of asking whether a place "met" my expectations, I would ask why I adopted expectations that were not realistic for the destination.
Just my 2-cents worth! (or is it 1 cent these days?)
Sep 26th, 2012, 01:48 AM
#59
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Exceeded (sometimes because we didn't expect that much but ended up being quite enjoyable): Budapest, Sibiu, Granada, London, Moscow, Lima, Phnom Pehn, Fez, Essaouira
Failed (to some degree): Dublin, Ronda, Timisoara, Marrakesh, Casablanca
Failed (to some degree): Dublin, Ronda, Timisoara, Marrakesh, Casablanca
Sep 26th, 2012, 03:23 AM
#60
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I'm fascinated by what expectations you had of Timisoara it failed to live up to. Clifton is possibly the first person in history to have had ANY expectations of Timis.
But I'm even more fascinated by how it's possible simultaneously for any well-known city to fail to meet someone's expectations AND to "dislike everything about it". What possible expectations could you have had?
But I'm even more fascinated by how it's possible simultaneously for any well-known city to fail to meet someone's expectations AND to "dislike everything about it". What possible expectations could you have had?
