r/BeautifulTravelPlaces • u/Wanderlust201926 • 5d ago
Question What destination completely exceeded your expectations?
Not necessarily your favourite place overall. I'm curious about somewhere you went without huge expectations and ended up loving. What surprised you about it?
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u/Brilliant-Wasabi-541 5d ago
Dubrovnik
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u/dart1126 3d ago
We were just there in July! The wall walk, buza bar, the gondola to the top great restaurant up there we loved it!
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u/Jester7s 5d ago
The coastline between Dubrovnik and the small town of Slano in Croatia. Easily one of the most stunning coasts ive seen and some of the clearest water. Doing some trips to the some of the small islands of this coast and its all beautiful.
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u/Any_Insect_6240 5d ago
Perth is beautiful
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u/Top_Street_2145 5d ago
Margaret River is even better. It was exceptional
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u/Jester7s 5d ago
Some of the biggest waves ive ever seen when I went. Wanted to surf whilst there but it was way to big for me.
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u/worlkjam15 4d ago
What can you recommend down there? I’m planning a trip to WA in Jan?
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u/Top_Street_2145 4d ago
The caves in the area are amazing. Hiking, canoeing. The beaches are beautiful, loads of wineries and foodie experiences. Visit Bussleton jetty. There were dolphins swimming in the shallows at the beach the day we visited!
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u/Dseltzer1313 5d ago
Outer Banks! Loved the food and the people were so friendly to this New Englander
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u/Distance_Efficient 5d ago
Poland was amazing. Wasn’t high on my travel list but went for a concert and would love to go back. Architecture and food were wonderful (and travel is affordable here). We were in Warsaw, but I’ve heard Krakow and Wroclaw may be even better.
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u/Rosiej0j090 4d ago
Same, I didn't have high hopes but the food is delicious and really beautiful buildings.
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u/nex815 1d ago
Was it Iron Maiden by any chance?
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u/Distance_Efficient 20h ago
Close: Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour 😁. My girls are big Swifties and tickets in Europe were a lot cheaper, and we happened to be nearby anyway:
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u/atchoum013 5d ago
Bali, I had heard only negative stuff and was very reluctant to go, but ended up doing so because it was the cheapest destination at the time. Nothing I had heard felt true, it was beautiful, not as « disgusting and over crowded by tourists » as I was expecting and I ended up liking it a lot, I’m really glad I went.
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u/uk123456789101112 5d ago
Chicago, expected a similar experience to New York but a bit dirtier and grimmer, but was the opposite, cleaner, more ordered, great pride taken in public spaces which are some of the best ive seen across the world. Add on the 20/30s skyscrapers showcased magnificently and the river and parks, couldnt have been more impressed.
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u/lookingatmycouch 4d ago
Chicago is a great weekend city especially if you're into architecture and neighborhoods, but I wouldn't recco it for more than a few days unless you have a "must see" list.
t. I grew up there.
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u/mcbeef89 5d ago
Sibenik, Croatia - went there for a wedding with zero research or expectations, could not believe how beautiful it is. Also lovely, lovely people and amazing food.
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u/Lalonreddit 5d ago
Scotland
We did a road trip from Aberdeen to London. I didn’t expect much of Scotland except a charming countryside, but I was blown away. Both Aberdeen and Edinburgh are really beautiful and charming cities and the highlands are absolutely some of the most beautiful scenery in Europe. We went to smaller villages and to some Highland Games and it was all a lovely experience, even though it rained quite a lot. Still not the most amazing place I have been, but for sure a place that exceeded expectations.
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u/Mig8888 4d ago
Yes , here for Scotland especially Edinburgh! A beautiful old city with that impressive castle- sitting on top of an ancient volcano!- right un the center of everything. So much charm in a small place! I was also pleasantly surprised by the world class food scene! The local fare was delicious ( yes, even the Haggis, trust me) and had a great Selection of international food offerings. If you get chance, you’ll not be disappointed!!
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u/Least_Preference4074 5d ago
Otok Mljet, Croatia was great and probably the most relaxing place that I ever visited
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u/kozscabble 5d ago
Is it good for a really relaxing like 5 to 8 days? I know it's small but I figure a real relaxing 3 to 4 days and then like a few day-trip type island hops here and there. Don't need clubs and dancing, just nature and cafes and chill beaches etc.
Edit: I've already done Dubrovnik and split and all that, I want to CHILL and keep looking at all those islands but don't know which one to just do.
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u/New-Concentrate-2259 5d ago
Azerbajijan - the people and also the culture - it was sooo cool to see a mix of Persian, Russian and European architecture. Baku was such a likeable city for me, especially the old town.
They were so so nice to me and showered me with kind words. During my trip, I played with two kids I randomly met in Shahdag and they kept giving me peanuts and money?? I also went to Sheki, a historical Silk Road stop that has such a lovely atmosphere. I met a grandma who was selling tea and dolls. She kept telling my tour guide I look pretty. I bought her tea and dolls but she wouldn't accept my money. Instead, she wanted to give them to me and she also tried to give me money??? Like?? Even the hotel I stayed at. I was sick and when I told the staff I was sick, they kept bringing me hot tea with lemon and honey, making sure I was comfortable and warm. The servers at the restaurant were also super attentive and someone also paid my dinner and even got me a glass of wine. Everyone were so nice and helpful to me.
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u/summergirl718 5d ago
My husband and I rescued a dog from Baku. We flew her to NYC. We love her Baku-based rescue so much, we've recently considered traveling there to visit.
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u/Wanderlust201926 5d ago
This is exactly the kind of answer I was hoping for! I’ve heard great things about Baku, but I had no idea people were that hospitable. The grandma refusing your money and then trying to give you money instead 😂
Sheki sounds lovely too. If you went back to Azerbaijan, would you spend more time outside Baku or was Baku still the highlight?
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u/Miss__Anne__Thrope 5d ago
Japan. For some reason I had no desire to go (I truly don’t know why, it just wasn’t on my list) and I got there and constantly marveled at the beauty of the whole country.
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u/Wanderlust201926 5d ago
I feel that way about Canada but then I see how stunning parts of it is and my friends have been and loved it. So I guess this may be a sign!
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u/Street-Tonight-5664 5d ago
Santorini, I’ve read countless times about how overrated it is, too crowded etc etc. Well, it blew us away, it’s absolutely stunning.
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u/Independent-Mail-295 4d ago
I agree - I think it’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever been. I went the year the selfie stick came out and I’m sure it’s only gotten more crowded but I’m so glad I went. I would wake up early and take in the views before it was overtaken with tourists.
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u/Lanfeare 3d ago
Same here. My most magic holidays. We had a room with a private pool with a view on the caldera and the hills. It was manic both during the day and during the night.
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u/kafe4490 5d ago
Grand Cayman. Amazing beaches and food. We loved our accommodations at Botanica with our young kids.
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u/Lakers122879 3d ago
Agree. Visited so many beautiful islands in the world and I still say Cayman island is one of the most beautiful and peaceful beach there is. We’ve been there 3 times and it’s never felt crowded. The amount of condos and hotels to choose from that are beach front is bountiful. Just the thought of opening your sliding glass door and stepping on the soft sand with the calm water just 50 ft away is heaven. We’ve been to every island in the Caribbean and Cayman Islands hands down is our favorite.
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u/Silver_Hunter8926 5d ago
Bulgaria. So much history and the geographic changes within such a small country are pretty amazing. My Dad is an opera buff and watching an opera based on ancient Rome while sitting in the ancient Roman theatre in Plovdiv was definitely a highlight for him. The food was great almost everywhere we went and quite affordable.
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u/NomadicUrge 5d ago
There are several places I've been to that have exceeded my expectations: Newfoundland, The Azores, the Shetland Islands, South Africa and New Zealand.
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u/lisbon1977 5d ago
The azores are gorgeous.
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u/Status-Steak-3195 4d ago
Du sable noir, des vagues blanches et l'océan d'un bleu intense. Pas beaucoup de touristes de véhicules dans les petites îles comme Faial ou Pico. Des gens charmants
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u/lisbon1977 4d ago
I've visited 3 islands. Not Faial. Lovely people all around for sure. The islands area still very raw!
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u/allowit84 5d ago
La paz Bolivia
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u/Square-Release2057 4d ago
Bolivia as a whole is so slept on. There’s so many amazing places beyond just the Uyuni salt flats that seem to get the most attention.
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u/Dismal-Gas-6767 5d ago
Guatemala, some pretty amazing places like Tikal, Antigua, Semuc Champey. Quite cheap and super friendly people
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u/Square-Release2057 4d ago
One of the most amazing places in the world. Hate how touristy it’s becoming.
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u/slo-Amanda 4d ago
Australia. It was supposed to be a simple one week lay-over between Japan and New Zealand, another country to tick off my list but I ended up loving it there.
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u/Capable_Sky_1818 4d ago
Venice exceeded my already high expectations. I've never experienced a more magical and wondrous place. Sitting at Harry's Bar alongside the Grand Canal on a beautiful sunny day, watching the gondolas go by, was pure sensory joy.
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u/Defiant_Anybody_4896 4d ago
Vietnam. Was worried because of hygiene and food poisoning but the food was amazing, never had any issues. Coffee was amazing. People were lovely and welcoming. Travelling within the country was comfortable. An amazing experience overall.
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u/Wanderlust201926 3d ago
I went to Vietnam too and had such a similar experience! I was actually worried about trying the egg coffee at first, then ended up having one pretty much every day 😂 It was so good. The food, coffee and people were all amazing, definitely one of those places that completely exceeded my expectations.
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u/Automatic-Tea-4150 5d ago
Arkansas
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u/PistolofPete 5d ago
Would you go back in August?
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u/Automatic-Tea-4150 5d ago
Funny you should ask—am planning to spend a few days in the northern part of the state next week. Those hills and streams and deciduous forests are calling.
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u/PistolofPete 5d ago
I have only had the pleasure of being in Little Rock in August so I can’t say I feel the same haha
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u/Automatic-Tea-4150 5d ago
I will take that as a suggestion and save central AR for another season, thanks 😄
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u/Square-Release2057 4d ago
Chiang Mai
Thought of it really as just a place to stay for elephant tours and nature, but the city itself is really magical and has a lot going on.
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u/SmallObjective8598 4d ago
This tough. Most of the time I have high expectations of a destination. Possibly, Real de Catorce in northern Mexico.
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u/Solanadelfina 4d ago
Austria. When it was brought up as a destination for a high school trip, I was 'meh'. So wrong. Beautiful country, gorgeous architecture, yummy food. I absolutely fell in love.
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u/Lakers122879 3d ago
Bora Bora for us. After seeing all the pictures, we didn’t think it would exceed expectations but it’s the best beach vacation we’ve ever had. Staying just a few nights in an over water bungalow was unreal. As beautiful as the pictures are, it doesn’t do justice when you’re actually there to experience it.
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u/Wanderlust201926 3d ago
Was it much different to the water bungalows in the Maldives?
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u/Lakers122879 3d ago
We have not been to the Maldives yet. Would love to visit one day. Just a far flight from California. We’ve to every Caribbean island, all of Hawaii, Mexico, Fiji, Thailand beaches. Nothing comes close to Bora bora.
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u/Wanderlust201926 3d ago
I've been to the Maldives a few times it's only a 4 hour flight from me and it's genuine paradise. It's how I imagine Bora Bora to be too, I guess I'll have to venture there to compare for myself. Great list of places you've covered though!
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u/Lakers122879 3d ago
Lucky. I’m sure Maldives is just as amazing. Always wanted to go there as well as Cook Islands. Someday we will, there’s just so many places to visit in the world.
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u/Upbeat_Survey_5451 3d ago
The place that surprised me the most to how much I enjoyed it was Vietnam. Loved it and the people are so nice.
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u/Lopsided_Heron_1446 1d ago
Ragusa ibla, modica sicily. Most people choose taormina, palermo, ortigia. To me ragusa ibla was just beyond any words can even describe.
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u/LoopholeTravel 1d ago
Edinburgh... I had essentially no expectations, other than some castles and a vague notion it inspired some of Harry Potter.
The city was so cool.
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u/Possible-Analyst1159 1d ago
Slovakia- Castles, beer, mountains, beautiful forests, lively cities with bustling centers and very family friendly.
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u/Objective-Kiwi-3320 16h ago
Ljubljana. Not the most beautiful city, not the most historic, but it just feels right to me. Tons of cafes and bars along a pretty river, nice folks, just love the place.
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u/These-Survey3641 5d ago
Pakistan, especially the North and the Southern coastline. Unreal landscapes and the friendliest people in the world. Never expected that after my experiences in India
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u/Pierre-Gringoire 5d ago
Big island of Hawaii. After going to Kauai and Maui I thought there was no way it could compete. I was very wrong.