Best & Worst

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Yes, several times , but long ago.
I love the Southern Italy I remember.

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Yes I did, I was very impressed by the Colosseum. It was the Roman atmosphere I wasnt comfortable with. Maybe I should give it another try together with an enthusiastic guide? 🙂

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There was something missing in the encounter with people, the lack of curiosity which I find so heartwarming with the British and Americans for example. What I felt was indifference.

Originally posted by @wolfgang59
Never been disappointed by any Greek island.
I really wanted this thread to be about unexpected delights and disappointments.

I guess E. Germany wasn't an unexpected disappointment; the whole country was a wreck.

And "yes" to Greek Islands; been to Santorini and Crete, too; always good fun.

An unexpected disappointment for me was Stonehenge. Busloads of tourists were arriving, the police had cordoned off the stones, and we couldn't get within a 100 meters of it. Had to look at it from a distance with people jostling for position on all sides. Yuk.

An unexpected surprise by comparison was Avebury. No tourists at all, just the locals in the village. Avebury covers more ground than Stonehenge, and we could walk right up to the stones and even climb on them. Very impressive.

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From the sounds of it people just have an unrealistic expectation. So when they walk down a smelly street or encounter a rude smelly person the whole trip is ruined... also i can imagine being put off by the crowds during summer. I went late September when the weather was still great and it was still busy but not overly packed. Id put it with Edinburgh as my favourite cities in Europe. Looking forward to Athens in August which I've never been to before.

Originally posted by @trev33
From the sounds of it people just have an unrealistic expectation. So when they walk down a smelly street or encounter a rude smelly person the whole trip is ruined... also i can imagine being put off by the crowds during summer. I went late September when the weather was still great and it was still busy but not overly packed. Id put it with Edinburgh as my ...[text shortened]... favourite cities in Europe. Looking forward to Athens in August which I've never been to before.

I don't quite remember what I had expected but I just had that empty feeling as though something was missing. I may give it another try however together with people who really appreciate Rome and that may make all the difference.

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You could have made an excellent guide, Dive! Thanks for the tip.

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Were you also wearing a smock and a hat with straw sticking it out of it?

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The Vatican is busy all year around i think, for sure worth buying tickets online. I wasn't a huge fan of Florence tbh.

I will be going at the end of summer, i love hot though. Should be fine.

Originally posted by @trev33
. Looking forward to Athens in August which I've never been to before.

One of my favourite cities.
Of course the Acropolis is a must see but try Lykavittos for the view.
Last time we walked up and got the cable car down.
I'd recommend the other way round!!