Yet another variation on the travel theme. What are some places that you expected to dislike, but liked instead?
For me, it was Berlin. I went for work, and found the city to be interesting and the people to be diverse and friendly. Went back again with my wife for the Christmas markets and liked it even better. (She also was surprised at how much she liked it.) It is not as picturesque as some other European cities, though.
I gave my paeon to LA on the other thread. Great museums, great ethnic food, great architecture. I think part of the reason I ended up liking it was that the first book I read about it was Reyner Banham’s Los Angeles: The Architecture of Four Ecologies.
The year after college a friend of mine and I had a Youthgrant to travel around the country and take pictures of fire houses. We expected to dislike lots of places, but almost every place is interesting for at least a day. Montgomery, Alabama was one of the most interesting - creepy, but interesting.
When you said travel sites I really thought you meant those sites that help you book places and find deals. For what it’s worth I hate all of them.
Siesta Key, Florida. The drive was long and the day just wasn’t going right, but it turned out to be great! The water was nice although you can’t see through it. The sand is Quartz so your feet feel great. The sand is also pretty fine. Had a great time at the shops around the beach and a great time in the water. If I’m ever near Siesta Key again, I’d definitely be up to go again.
Siesta Key has one of the nicest beaches in FL and the Village, though overrun with junky “margarita” restaurants, is a nice, walkable shopping district. Sarasota in general is nicer than much of FL, with a real downtown, good restaurants and an arts scene plus a half-decent museum and a real opera, theater and dance. And the airport is small. The traffic on 41 sucks and they have some really bad Starbucks, but …
I agree about Berlin. I had been there ages ago for just a day. It was a particularly bleak day and Berlin matched the mood. This April while visiting D, she insisted that we spend at least 4 days. We had a wonderful time. So vibrant, friendly and fun. And to be honest, my first trip to Paris sixteen years ago. I was brain washed into the idea that the French were haughty and rude. After a half dozen trips we have yet to encounter that stereotype. Though I do think that it helps traveling off season—even the normally polite Parisians can suffer from heat stroke and tourist fatigue.
Florida. My husband’s sister moved to Daytona Beach a couple of years ago and kept bugging us to visit her, so we did. And we had a great time! The Kennedy Space Center was the biggest surprise. Wow! I think everyone should visit it. Everything is so well done and interesting. The only problem was that we didn’t have time to see everything, even though we got there when it opened at 9 am and didn’t leave until 6 pm when it closed.
Paris was also a pleasant surprise. We found that if DH just tried to speak French first, people were very kind. The one time he didn’t, because we were in a hurry to catch a train, we got a long lecture about Americans assuming everybody speaks English!
Lexington, KY… because what is there to do in Kentucky? It was actually quite beautiful and we had fun at all the historical sites.
Skiing at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah. I consciously avoid places generally considered snooty, but we found some back lines and had a blast. Apres in the lodge, local brew and some burgers, was fun, too.
@Niquii77 and @Lernom - So funny you mention Siesta Keys. We inherited a condo on the beach there and every year my husband and I hope that one of our kids will want to go and fill in for us at our annual check-it-out trip. We got lucky this year as one of our daughters and her husband volunteered and are there now. We just have never liked anything about it- the heat, the bugs, the jellyfish… the near-by Myakka State Park is beautiful but usually I spend a lot of time inside catching up on my reading when I’m there. It just goes to show you how much tastes vary- I’d rather just stay at our local beaches in So. Calif. with no bugs.
Singapore. Unusual set of circumstances brought me there. I couldn’t imagine that any place that took 20 hours of flight time arriving (with crossing the international date line) three days after departure could possibly be worth the visit. Loved every minute. I’m planning a return in January to soak up the equatorial heat as a break from Midwest winter.
I was expecting to run into many rude Parisians everyone was warning us about. Granted, we only had enough time to sightsee the most touristy parts of the city, but I was pleasantly surprised - not a single sour face or rude comment about “those American tourists”! During the dinner boat ride, when we commented that the crusty bread was truly the best we had in Paris (it was!) our waiter got really excited about it (something to do with his relative owning the bakery, at least it sounded like that?) - he got us more bread and kept refilling our wine glasses. 
The little restaurant where we had dinner one night saved the umbrella I accidentally left under the table and was waiting for our call - we came to pick up the umbrella and ended up staying to eat lunch.
In keeping with this thread, we visited Hong Kong last year since our D was living there. It is not a place that would have been tops on my list to visit if she had not been there and I kept thinking that it was too bad she wasn’t living somewhere in Europe instead. Much to my surprise I loved it. The people were wonderful, transportation was amazing, the scenery was beautiful, and of course it helped being with someone who knew the area. Now that I’ve been there I don’t think I’d return only because I’d rather use my resources to see some place different, but I really loved it there.
@romanigypsyeyes — I love Lexington too. I have been going there for years for business and I still look forward to my little trips.
Paris. Niagra Falls.
I did dislike Rome on my first trip- August, hot and crowded, we were camping outside town. So on my 2nd visit, about 20 years later, I was just going to meet up with DH and an art historian friend. Not expecting to like it any more than before.
I’ve loved it since. January, my own dear guides, and it helped that DH knew Italian.
I am the only one in the world who hates Disney World. Went twice, do not get the hype, crowded, hot, expensive, I would rather do just about anything. I know I am in the minority.
^^^maybe in the minority but not alone!!! I can’t think of a worse way to spend a vacation!
Hmmm, I didn’t notice any bugs when I was there although I might’ve not been paying attention! If you ever need anyone to take over the beautiful condo on the beach, your girl is here. 
Eh, due to its proximity I don’t view Disney World as a vacation. Maybe if we spent the weekend at their hotel and resorts, but it’s certainly a great way to spend a random free day! hums “It’s a Small World” while putting on Mickey ears
@soonmtnest, you obviously haven’t read the thread about places we hate. Lots of people hate Disney World.