places that surpassed your expectations
Jul 12th, 2006, 11:49 AM
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places that surpassed your expectations
well, there is a thread of places we didn't like. i thought it could be helpful to get feedback regarding places that surpassed expectations or shattered your preconceived notions.
personally for me it was budapest. thought it would be just ok...loved it though.
personally for me it was budapest. thought it would be just ok...loved it though.
Jul 12th, 2006, 12:08 PM
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Places that surpassed my expectations?
Croatia - without a doubt
Slovenia - didn't know anything about it before going in
Romania - I really had a good time... not really a honeymoon location though, its so CHEAP! =)
Venice - now thats a honeymoon location
Tallin Estonia - beautiful and it still feels authentic!
Istanbul - being a typical uneducated tourist I was a bit nervous to go there but probably had one of the best times in my entire trip in that massive city
Paris - my expectations were low, but we loved it
Croatia - without a doubt
Slovenia - didn't know anything about it before going in
Romania - I really had a good time... not really a honeymoon location though, its so CHEAP! =)
Venice - now thats a honeymoon location
Tallin Estonia - beautiful and it still feels authentic!
Istanbul - being a typical uneducated tourist I was a bit nervous to go there but probably had one of the best times in my entire trip in that massive city
Paris - my expectations were low, but we loved it
Jul 12th, 2006, 12:09 PM
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For a city I would say Munich. It was much more fun that I expected, having already been to several big European cites. It is now my favorite city in Europe. I hope I enjoy it as much when I go back this Sept.
For a region, I would have to go with the Dolomites.
For a country I would have to choose Croatia.
For a region, I would have to go with the Dolomites.
For a country I would have to choose Croatia.
Jul 12th, 2006, 12:12 PM
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Budapest - I'm of Hungarian origin and have visited many times, but I am still moved when I stand on Halaszbastya and look out at the Danube.
Paris 4 years ago - it was our first trip to Europe together and very exciting.
Seville - fantastic hotel (with rooftop pool - great to wash away the day's fatigues!), great food, interesting city
The Algarve in Portugal - simply gorgeous, beautiful beaches and a wonderful apartment. We stayed for 3 days on our whirlwind trip of the Iberian Peninsula and it was the only time I really felt rested.
Paris 4 years ago - it was our first trip to Europe together and very exciting.
Seville - fantastic hotel (with rooftop pool - great to wash away the day's fatigues!), great food, interesting city
The Algarve in Portugal - simply gorgeous, beautiful beaches and a wonderful apartment. We stayed for 3 days on our whirlwind trip of the Iberian Peninsula and it was the only time I really felt rested.
Jul 12th, 2006, 12:16 PM
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This is a fun thread! I have several:
Berchtesgaden and its surrounding region: I loved it! We spent a week in an apartment in a small, not very touristy town and I was in heaven. We spent most of our time checking out small towns in the area, biking and hiking, and eating wonderful German cuisine. I would love to go back.
Rome: I knew that the coliseum would be interesting, but I wasn't really looking forward to going. However, I was so surprised by how taken I was with the city in general. I definitely have a huge crush on Rome; Its my favorite city in Europe.
Paris: So many people I know either don't like Paris or knows somebody who had a bad experience. I was nervous about going, but without reason. Its a wonderful city and we had such a great time.
Cesky Krumlov: I very much wanted to visit this town, but I had no idea it would be so great! Although there isn't a whole lot to do there, just being there is half the fun.
Umbria: We spent a week in Umbria in March and had such a good time. I just loved Trevi, Spello, Bevagna, Montefalco...I could go on and on. It was much better than I had anticipated.
Wachau Valley: We decided to daytrip to the Wachau Valley from Berchtesgaden and were very happy we did so. The towns are lovely and we went to some great wine tastings. We biked along the Danube, stopping in each town, and took the boat back to our car. It has been one of our very best vacation days.
Tracy
Berchtesgaden and its surrounding region: I loved it! We spent a week in an apartment in a small, not very touristy town and I was in heaven. We spent most of our time checking out small towns in the area, biking and hiking, and eating wonderful German cuisine. I would love to go back.
Rome: I knew that the coliseum would be interesting, but I wasn't really looking forward to going. However, I was so surprised by how taken I was with the city in general. I definitely have a huge crush on Rome; Its my favorite city in Europe.
Paris: So many people I know either don't like Paris or knows somebody who had a bad experience. I was nervous about going, but without reason. Its a wonderful city and we had such a great time.
Cesky Krumlov: I very much wanted to visit this town, but I had no idea it would be so great! Although there isn't a whole lot to do there, just being there is half the fun.
Umbria: We spent a week in Umbria in March and had such a good time. I just loved Trevi, Spello, Bevagna, Montefalco...I could go on and on. It was much better than I had anticipated.
Wachau Valley: We decided to daytrip to the Wachau Valley from Berchtesgaden and were very happy we did so. The towns are lovely and we went to some great wine tastings. We biked along the Danube, stopping in each town, and took the boat back to our car. It has been one of our very best vacation days.
Tracy
Jul 12th, 2006, 12:20 PM
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Amsterdam was much more interesting and fun that I expected especially after reading some of the not so positive feedback about it on this site. And the Mosel Valley - very scenic and peaceful. And the Loire Valley particularly Amboise. And Venice - I thought it would be just too touristy and I fell in love with it. And just about anywhere else I travelled in Europe except Florence, Salzburg, Brugge and Fussen but I need to give them another chance.
Jul 12th, 2006, 12:21 PM
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1. Rome, Florence, Venice, the coast and southern Italy were even better than I'd imagined in terms of sites--everywhere I stepped, there was something else to learn about. I knew the culture and food would be great.
2. Switerland--the whole country, but esp. the Berner Oberland region. I adore alpine vistas, but ALL of my stress from teaching 10 yr. olds melted away (as the glaciers are doing now)when our little green/yellow train pulled in to the station in the Lauterbrunnen Valley. All of the cities in Switz. seemed to integrate their historical sites with the modern seamlessly without disturbing the environment (and no grafitti!).
3. Also, my DH and I were completely surprised by how much we enjoyed Poland. We were there with a teacher friend of mine who's father let us hire out one of his U.S. Steel drivers to see Slovakia, Hungary and Poland by car. Slovakia was exactly as I pictured, as was Budapest and some of the smaller Hungarian cities. Poland, esp. Krakow, had a very vibrant (young) social aspect--the food, sites and shopping were amazing too.
2. Switerland--the whole country, but esp. the Berner Oberland region. I adore alpine vistas, but ALL of my stress from teaching 10 yr. olds melted away (as the glaciers are doing now)when our little green/yellow train pulled in to the station in the Lauterbrunnen Valley. All of the cities in Switz. seemed to integrate their historical sites with the modern seamlessly without disturbing the environment (and no grafitti!).
3. Also, my DH and I were completely surprised by how much we enjoyed Poland. We were there with a teacher friend of mine who's father let us hire out one of his U.S. Steel drivers to see Slovakia, Hungary and Poland by car. Slovakia was exactly as I pictured, as was Budapest and some of the smaller Hungarian cities. Poland, esp. Krakow, had a very vibrant (young) social aspect--the food, sites and shopping were amazing too.
Jul 12th, 2006, 12:29 PM
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For me it was San Gimignano in Tuscany. I fell in love with the hill town of towers and was so enamored of the countryside beauty, it inspired me to paint my first wall mural. Everyone one who sees it (the mural) wants to go there too.
Jul 12th, 2006, 02:58 PM
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For me it was Paris. I don't know why I avoided going there all these years but as soon as I arrived i fell in love. And yes, I was the idiot standing in front of The Louvre crying because she thought it was so beautiful. And that was before I even got inside! My husband will never let me live that one down.
Jul 12th, 2006, 04:29 PM
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Amsterdam.
I was expecting some place dull and brown and dirty and pornographic or druggy. Instead I saw this amazingly beautiful city of canals with cream and chocolate buildings, and the most enchanting window shopping and vibe.
Pisa.
The cathedral is indescribably beautiful.
Roma.
OK -- how can you not expect a lot from Rome? But the power of the ancient buildings is profoundly seductive. It calls to a part of one's soul and collective memory, and finally it makes you want to kiss the ground.
I was expecting some place dull and brown and dirty and pornographic or druggy. Instead I saw this amazingly beautiful city of canals with cream and chocolate buildings, and the most enchanting window shopping and vibe.
Pisa.
The cathedral is indescribably beautiful.
Roma.
OK -- how can you not expect a lot from Rome? But the power of the ancient buildings is profoundly seductive. It calls to a part of one's soul and collective memory, and finally it makes you want to kiss the ground.
Jul 12th, 2006, 04:31 PM
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Oh -- and Tokyo!
I booked a minimum of days in Tokyo convinced I would hate it for being crowded and abrasive. Instead, I found the most genteel, gentle, polite, quiet, safe and orderly modern city I've ever been in. It was sooooooooooo safe. I loved walking everywhere, night and day, and never worrying. A fascinating place I cannot wait to go back to.
I booked a minimum of days in Tokyo convinced I would hate it for being crowded and abrasive. Instead, I found the most genteel, gentle, polite, quiet, safe and orderly modern city I've ever been in. It was sooooooooooo safe. I loved walking everywhere, night and day, and never worrying. A fascinating place I cannot wait to go back to.
Jul 12th, 2006, 04:35 PM
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Amsterdam... we had heard so many so so comments from friends, that it wasn't on our wish. Then about 8 years ago, it was the starting point for our trip to Tanzania. We booked a hotel for one week prior to meeting up with the group, from the U.S. It was in February and was COLD. We absoutely loved it and have been back twice since.
Brugge - we didn't know much about it, but then a friend said that she had heard such wonderful things about it, so we decided to include in on our way down from A'dam to Paris on the train. This time it was late March and we had only a few hours of sun, some rain and lots of cold. Even with all that going against it, it knocked our socks off. What a charming, wonderful place with excellent restaurants.
Collieure (sp) France. We had read that it was a nice, picturesque town and since we were staying about 2 hours away in Bize Minervois, and had a car, we decided to make it a day trip. from Bize Minervois. As soon as it came into view, we knew that it was a very special place. We wandered around all day, relaxed, had a very nice dinner, and stayed well into the evening, walking by the water and just enjoying the view. We took a lot of pictures of the small docked boats with their colorful sails. Many were taken at dusk. When they were developed, they were some of the most beautiful pictures that we had ever taken. Dusk does such wonderful things to the sky and to bright colors.
Nice thread, makes you remember and feel good.
There have been other cities that surpassed our expectations, but these are our top three.
Nina
Brugge - we didn't know much about it, but then a friend said that she had heard such wonderful things about it, so we decided to include in on our way down from A'dam to Paris on the train. This time it was late March and we had only a few hours of sun, some rain and lots of cold. Even with all that going against it, it knocked our socks off. What a charming, wonderful place with excellent restaurants.
Collieure (sp) France. We had read that it was a nice, picturesque town and since we were staying about 2 hours away in Bize Minervois, and had a car, we decided to make it a day trip. from Bize Minervois. As soon as it came into view, we knew that it was a very special place. We wandered around all day, relaxed, had a very nice dinner, and stayed well into the evening, walking by the water and just enjoying the view. We took a lot of pictures of the small docked boats with their colorful sails. Many were taken at dusk. When they were developed, they were some of the most beautiful pictures that we had ever taken. Dusk does such wonderful things to the sky and to bright colors.
Nice thread, makes you remember and feel good.
There have been other cities that surpassed our expectations, but these are our top three.
Nina
Jul 12th, 2006, 04:48 PM
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This is a wonderful thread....very uplifting! Shows how we shouldn't have preconceived ideas of places..OR listen to others who might have had one bad experience.
We don't usually fall into this "trap", but have avoided Venice. Finally spent a beautiful day there last year and we are eager to return sometime (we even talk of some January, when it is cool and less tourists).
We don't usually fall into this "trap", but have avoided Venice. Finally spent a beautiful day there last year and we are eager to return sometime (we even talk of some January, when it is cool and less tourists).
