MorganB

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

Sue_xx_yy

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.

Cimbrone

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.

Nikki

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.

Andrea_expat

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.

kenav

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.

Andrea_expat

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.

BlueSwimmer

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.

batraveler

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.

Cimbrone

You're a brave soul, batraveler...

tropicalkerry

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

missypie

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.

batraveler

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.

kenav

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

crefloors

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.

DejaVu

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...

amandab

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.

OReilly

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.

Dallas

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.

Mimar

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.