One of the most exciting things about traveling is that every trip is full of surprises.
“I went to Spain when I was 15.
My dad ordered a beer, and the waiter looked at me and asked, ‘Two?’
I was totally shocked.
My brother was allowed to drink on the trip since he was 18.
No one ever asked for his ID.
It made me realize just how strict drinking laws are in the US.”
“The gondola ride experience in Venice was definitely not what I expected.
It was all smelly water, crashing gondolas, and the ‘drivers’ cursing each other in Italian.
There was nothing romantic about it.”
“I was surprised that Newfoundland was so wild and beautiful.
It knocked my socks off.
“That Romania is a hidden gem in Europe.
So many beautiful castles, museums, and churches.
It’s ridiculously cheap compared to the rest of Europe, and the food is amazing.”
“Singapore is unbelievably clean.
Even the toilets were squeaky clean.
“New Yorkis exactly as advertised…and that was surprising.
Everything I see on TV shows and in movies is exactly the same in real life.
“I lived in South Korea for about three years.
In the US, you bet any valuables are getting taken as soon as you look away.”
“That certain advantages are given to pregnant people in Portugal.
“The lack of cash transactions in China was startling.
You quite literally never had to take out money from an ATM.”
“That in the southern US, you actually need a car to get anywhere.
“There were heated sidewalks in Finland!
This was an absolute lifesaver for me, who had no idea how to walk on ice.
There was no trash anywhere, either.”
“InFrance, I was surprised by the city of Montpellier.
This destination in the south of France was an absolute delight.
I only went because I found a bargain fare, but the town was lovely and had nice architecture.
Visiting Montepellier sparked my interest in seeing other small, less well-known destinations.”
“Mexico City is totally different from the stereotypes associated with it.
I went expecting the city to be dirty, congested, and unsafe.
But that couldn’t be further from the truth.
“I visited Albania and was surprised to discover there wasn’t a single chain store or restaurant.
“The food scene in Bologna, Italy was more amazing than I ever expected.
It’s possibly the best food city in arguably the best food country.
“Visiting Banff, Canada literally felt like stepping into a snow globe.
It was even more beautiful than the pictures made it seem.
I will be going back often.”
“I was so pleasantly surprised by Georgia.
The cuisine is top-tier, especially the cheese-based dishes.
And the whole country is cheap.”
“The landscape of Antigua, Guatemala was absolutely enchanting.
I had little to no expectations, but I completely fell in love with the city.
“In Spain, Granada was the biggest surprise.
The food blew my mind (especially the tapas you get for free when you order a drink).
I really loved this city and would recommend it to anyone.”
“Paro, Bhutan was a special surprise.
Everything about the country was magical, but this city was truly special.
I cannot emphasize how beautiful and wholesome this place is.”
“Amsterdam was so different from what I was expecting.
I thought it would be a shady city after heating about coffeeshops and the famous red light district.
One business trip there changed my mind completely.
Turns out it is a safe and family-friendly city with so much to offer.
I’ve been back a half a dozen times since and its always a good time.”
“I was blown away by how quiet Japan was.
No one talks on public transportation, and there’s barely any noise in the streets.
There are no horns honking or loud music coming from cars or stores.
I learned that being polite and considerate is just a big part of Japanese culture.
Case in point: Silent mode on Japanese cellphones is called ‘manner mode.'”
“People talk badly about Pisa, Italy with its touristy areas and busy historical landmarks.
But I drove down to the coast and left behind the hustle and bustle.
The coast feels like a sleepy beach town where white stones dot the sand along turquoise seas.
It was picture-perfect and I loved it there.”
