Places that exceed your expectations.
Discussion
I'm trying hard to think of somewhere, so is O/H and we're struggling.
ETA: we've had a couple of hours to think.
O/H says Tenby. As seaside resorts go it's 'quaint', has sandy beaches, good places to eat and interesting places to visit around and about so as a first-time visitor it had everything she wanted and more.
Me, I think rural Portugal, north of Braga. Stunningly beautiful and when I was there 30 years ago, largely unspoilt. Exploring the area in a Renault 4 and visiting villages that had seemingly changed little in a hundred years was something I'll remember for a long time.
ETA: we've had a couple of hours to think.
O/H says Tenby. As seaside resorts go it's 'quaint', has sandy beaches, good places to eat and interesting places to visit around and about so as a first-time visitor it had everything she wanted and more.
Me, I think rural Portugal, north of Braga. Stunningly beautiful and when I was there 30 years ago, largely unspoilt. Exploring the area in a Renault 4 and visiting villages that had seemingly changed little in a hundred years was something I'll remember for a long time.
Edited by Riley Blue on Thursday 22 July 12:09
Duinrell in wassenar in Holland
Went with young family, 1/4 of the cost of a centre parks type place in U.K.
Everything clean, lots of staff, smoothly run nothing too much trouble for anyone.
Dutch teenagers having fun away from parents, but once it starts to get dark everyone seemed to calm down and consider people around the
Truly lovely place (for the money)
Went with young family, 1/4 of the cost of a centre parks type place in U.K.
Everything clean, lots of staff, smoothly run nothing too much trouble for anyone.
Dutch teenagers having fun away from parents, but once it starts to get dark everyone seemed to calm down and consider people around the
Truly lovely place (for the money)
Tbilisi - Georgia. Was expecting very little but is one of may favourite cities. Stunning place.
Zanzibar - expected to find poverty surrounded by enclosed five star all inclusive. There is this but an awful lot of utterly brilliant stuff that will see me back there at some point.
Cluj (Romania) is lovely, vibrant.... in fact most of Romania is this and far from the stereotype we have of the place, Same with Sofia and Bulgaria.
North Cyprus. First time I went was expecting desolation and guns. Been many times since and I actually prefer it to the south - bit more 'authentic'.
Zanzibar - expected to find poverty surrounded by enclosed five star all inclusive. There is this but an awful lot of utterly brilliant stuff that will see me back there at some point.
Cluj (Romania) is lovely, vibrant.... in fact most of Romania is this and far from the stereotype we have of the place, Same with Sofia and Bulgaria.
North Cyprus. First time I went was expecting desolation and guns. Been many times since and I actually prefer it to the south - bit more 'authentic'.
Totally agree on North Cyprus, lots of fantastic archaeological sites, friendly locals, no crime that I saw (although I believe there are a few 'on the run' living there) and apart from very localised activity around the odd nightclub, no drunken behaviour.
It had / has a certain old world charm (think Spain in the 60s/70s) which I found much preferable to the south, it is however quickly becoming more commercialised.
It had / has a certain old world charm (think Spain in the 60s/70s) which I found much preferable to the south, it is however quickly becoming more commercialised.
The north and far south of Ibiza are stunning. It's just the San An/middle belt that can be hit and miss.
Of all things - Butlins. I went with very low expectations bit was pleasantly surprised.
Nepal. Words don't describe the place, from the lowest lows to the highest peaks.
The house reef at W retreat Maldives. In fact the whole W retreat there.
Iceland. Despite going there for northern lights (cloudy), sled riding (zero snow except in the mountains), the food, people and driving was excellent.
Of all things - Butlins. I went with very low expectations bit was pleasantly surprised.
Nepal. Words don't describe the place, from the lowest lows to the highest peaks.
The house reef at W retreat Maldives. In fact the whole W retreat there.
Iceland. Despite going there for northern lights (cloudy), sled riding (zero snow except in the mountains), the food, people and driving was excellent.
I've got a few:
Kodiak, Alaska. A small place (massive by Alaskan standards!), but lovely people and incredible scenery/wildlife.
Margate - wasn't expecting such a gorgeous beach. Yes, it's a British seaside town, so it's full of dodgy chip shops and greasy spoons and the kind of people you'd cross the street to avoid, but there are also some lovely cafes and it's pretty easy to park there.
Rye - we've been going for the bonfire festival for the past few years and love the place. Plenty of decent pubs and restaurants and only a short drive to Camber Sands. Also has the best hot chocolate in the known universe at Knoops.
London - I've lived in and around London most of my life and I'm constantly surprised at the new things I find (such as seeing fox cubs in Golders Hill Park, or fantastic pizza near Waterloo) and the things I never grow tired of.
Kodiak, Alaska. A small place (massive by Alaskan standards!), but lovely people and incredible scenery/wildlife.
Margate - wasn't expecting such a gorgeous beach. Yes, it's a British seaside town, so it's full of dodgy chip shops and greasy spoons and the kind of people you'd cross the street to avoid, but there are also some lovely cafes and it's pretty easy to park there.
Rye - we've been going for the bonfire festival for the past few years and love the place. Plenty of decent pubs and restaurants and only a short drive to Camber Sands. Also has the best hot chocolate in the known universe at Knoops.
London - I've lived in and around London most of my life and I'm constantly surprised at the new things I find (such as seeing fox cubs in Golders Hill Park, or fantastic pizza near Waterloo) and the things I never grow tired of.
QuartzDad said:
Don1 said:
Iceland. Despite going there for northern lights (cloudy), sled riding (zero snow except in the mountains), the food, people and driving was excellent.
+1. Is top of our list of places we want to go back to again.
Varna in Bulgaria, I was dragged kicking and screaming to a package holiday in 'Sunny Beach' which is ghastly. Imagine Blackpool with better Weather and lots of fat Russian mobsters in tiny black speedos.
Thankfully we have friends who live(d) in Bulgaria who saved us, took us to Varna and then an amazing hotel resort outside of Town and finally the little rural village they lived in Bulgaria is a wonderful Country away from the Tourist towns.
Morzine in the Alps in the Summer, achingly beautiful, busy enough to have some atmosphere, but quiet enough to be peaceful. The winter season seems to be getting shorter and the summer season longer every year. Avoids pretty much every tourist town pitfall. It's a shame it's a PITA to get to.
Thankfully we have friends who live(d) in Bulgaria who saved us, took us to Varna and then an amazing hotel resort outside of Town and finally the little rural village they lived in Bulgaria is a wonderful Country away from the Tourist towns.
Morzine in the Alps in the Summer, achingly beautiful, busy enough to have some atmosphere, but quiet enough to be peaceful. The winter season seems to be getting shorter and the summer season longer every year. Avoids pretty much every tourist town pitfall. It's a shame it's a PITA to get to.
I thought Berlin would be good but bloody hell it's was fantastic city.
Even my 14 year old son said he would love to live there.
Food was excellent, staff superb, public transport was superb, people great (even the drunks were polite!), loads to see and do and as a bonus it has this:
https://remise.de/berlin
Going back for another visit next year.
Even my 14 year old son said he would love to live there.
Food was excellent, staff superb, public transport was superb, people great (even the drunks were polite!), loads to see and do and as a bonus it has this:
https://remise.de/berlin
Going back for another visit next year.
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