“I’m usually wary of touristy spots, but seeing this place with my eyes blew me away.

It’s cliche, but pictures don’t do it justice.”

Thanks to social media, Google, or even word of mouth, it’s difficultnotto have travel expectations.

People strolling and sitting along a waterfront with a row of distinctive, steep-roofed buildings in the background under a clear sky

So Redditoru/tophogasked, “What place have you visited that lived up to orexceeded the hype?”

Here’s what travelers from Reddit and theBuzzFeed Communitysaid.

1.“Norway.

Mountain landscape with a diverse meadow of purple and yellow wildflowers in the foreground, and a range of mountains under a cloudy sky in the background

It’s one of the most naturally beautiful countries Ive visited.

“North Cascades National Park in Washington State.

It’s overshadowed by Mt.

Aerial view of a serene beach with few boats anchored near the shore

Rainier and Olympic National Parks, but it’s just as close to Seattle.

“Isla Holbox, Mexico.

“Trieste is probably one of Italy’s least talked about cities.

A view of the Grand Canal in Trieste, Italy, with boats docked in the canal and a neoclassical church, Sant'Antonio Taumaturgo, visible in the background

It has green hills cascading into the turquoise bay and some of the most beautiful sunsets.

5.“Taiwan.

I had a few expectations before visiting.

Coastal landscape with winding road, lush green hills, rocky shoreline, and ocean waves. There's no text or people in the image

I just knew people raved about the food and the people.

I went there earlier this year and haven’t stopped thinking about it since.

The relative affordability of this country is just the cherry on top.”

A serene lake surrounded by lush trees with snow-capped mountains in the background under a clear sky

“South Island, New Zealand.

I felt a bit skeptical, wondering if it could possibly be any better than Alaska or Norway.

TBH, I think it is, and either way, it lives up to all the hype!”

Boats docked in a harbor with a historic stone fortress on a hill in the background, and multi-story buildings along the waterfront

7.“Corsica,France.

Think of all California’s most gorgeous nature spots and then crank them up to a level 10.

That is basically what you get on this island.

A lone hiker stands on a rocky terrain wearing a yellow jacket, overlooking a waterfall with towering mountains and a dramatic sky in the background

It’s absolutely gorgeous.”

“Patagonia: the nature, the remoteness, the atmosphere, the wind.

It is one of my favorite places on earth, and I wish to visit again someday.”

A bustling outdoor market with numerous stalls and many people browsing. The market is set in an urban area surrounded by historic buildings

“Bath, England.

I chose to go there at the last minute as a holdover between London and Stonehenge.

I was more impressed with the beauty and history there than I imagined.”

Person in a hooded jacket standing on a trail near a large waterfall, with vibrant greenery and cliffs in the background scenery

10.“Iceland!

The people, the sights, the landscape, the vibe, the food were all wonderful.

I’d go again in a heartbeat.”

A llama stands in the foreground with the ancient Incan city of Machu Picchu and a large mountain in the background

I’m usually wary of touristy spots, but seeing this place with my eyes blew me away.

It’s cliche, but pictures don’t do it justice.

Peru as a whole was great as well, especially the food.”

Aerial view of a European town square with historic buildings surrounding a central fountain and scattered pedestrians. Treed hills and castle in the background

12.“Slovakia!

More castles per capita than any other country in Europe.

Bratislava is an amazing, lively town with a beautiful old center.

A scenic view of Rome, Italy, featuring historic buildings, the Tiber River, and the Ponte Sant'Angelo bridge. Trees and hills frame the background

Most people go to the Czech Republic but overlook this hidden gem.”

“This might not be the most exciting answer, but Rome.

The history, the food, the architecture, everything blew me away.

A scenic view of numerous ancient temples and pagodas amidst a lush green landscape with distant mountains in the background

“Bagan, Myanmar.

Angkor is truly amazing and more than lives up to expectations, but Bagan is something else.

I loved it so much that I cycled from Thailand to see it again.”

Two people kayaking on a calm mountain lake surrounded by snow-capped peaks and lush slopes under a cloudy sky

“I saved up for four years to go to Alaska.

It’s the most incredible place I’ve ever seen.”

“Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland.

A scenic view of a lush green valley surrounded by mountains, with scattered houses and a small village in the distance under a partly cloudy sky

The pictures are beautiful, but walking through the valley and looking up at the cliffs is mind-blowing.”

“The Grand Canyon.

“Edinburgh, Scotland.

A person in a red jacket stands on the edge of a cliff overlooking the expansive, rugged terrain of the Grand Canyon under a cloudy sky

When you walk around the old town, it truly feels like traveling back in time.”

“The Canadian Rockies.

Hiking in Banff and Jasper National Parks are even better than I ever imagined.”

A charming view of a historic village with a narrow river running between old stone buildings and greenery

20.“Nepal.

I cannot be oversold.”

Note: Submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.

A serene lake surrounded by mountains with a cluster of trees on an island in the middle. The sky is clear, and the sunlight illuminates the scene

Mountain village scene with traditional prayer flags, buildings with intricate details, and stone structures amid misty, forested mountains. No people present