19 People Who Love To Travel Share The 1 Rare Destination That Actually Lived Up To All The Hype

Whenever you visit a new place, you probably travel with some expectations. And unfortunately, not every destination lives up to the hype. But those rare spots that do? They tend to occupy a special place in your memory. Well, Redditor Elegant-Passion2199 asked, "A lot of travelers complain that places don't live up to expectations. What is a country that lived up to ALL of your expectations?"

1."Paris. I've been six times: once as a kid, then five more times as an adult. I hope to go back many more times..."

Crowds gather near the illuminated Louvre Pyramid at dusk, with the historic museum building in the background

2."Ireland was everything I hoped it would be and more. The cliffs were breathtaking, the people were so friendly, and the beer was amazing. If you get the chance, go to Ireland, especially the west coast near Galway, and go to the Aran Islands to hear authentic Irish Gaelic language."

Scenic view of cliffs and ocean with lush greenery and wildflowers in the foreground under a cloudy sky
Mediaproduction / Getty Images

3."Hong Kong, 100%. It entirely surpassed my expectations. I've been three times and fell in love with the city all over again each time. Think: City vibes with incredible food, but also beautiful landscapes, great hikes, and gorgeous beaches."

People enjoying a sandy beach with city buildings and green hills in the background. Some are swimming, others are walking or playing in the sand
Dmitry_chulov / Getty Images

4."Not a country, but New Orleans. It's the only place in the continental US that just feels different. Also, I'm mostly a food tourist, and New Orleans may be the best mid-price or cheap eats in the US. Also, Pimm's cups, hurricanes, hand grenades, daiquiri with an extra shot on top… the kitsch is also unmatched."

People sit at outdoor tables near a historic building with tall spires, likely a cathedral, in a bustling area at dusk
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5."Hawaii. I watched every YouTube travelogue I could find, and nothing could prepare me for how amazing the beaches, weather, and water were in real life..."

A scenic mountain landscape with sunlight illuminating valleys and clouds hovering near peaks. Vegetation in the foreground adds depth

6."Istanbul, Turkey. I often see negative posts about Istanbul, but I found the city stunning, with amazing architecture, food, transportation, and culture. I went in winter so it was not too crowded, and people were less bothered by over-tourism. I went with the expectation that it's a great city with a lot to offer tourists, and it met those expectations."

Seascape with boats on the Bosphorus, Istanbul skyline with mosques and minarets, birds flying across a misty cityscape at sunset
Anton Petrus / Getty Images

7."For me, it's Greece. I go there so frequently, I've lost count of the number of times I've visited..."

Aerial view of a busy beach with sunbathers and umbrellas, bordered by cliffs and turquoise ocean

8."Just got back from Tanzania. I'll be honest: I was quite nervous before going due to the laundry list of disease warnings given to us by our doctor (and we were bringing a toddler with us). Maybe because I was so stressed about visiting, it exceeded every expectation..."

African savanna with elephants grazing near a reflective waterhole, under a cloudy sky

9."Japan. With the exchange rate, food is affordable and amazing, and there are so many different things to see and do. I got burned out by the crowds, so I decided to spend more time in the mountains and exploring temples, and I can't begin to describe how awesome that was. I wish more tourists would spread out and explore the other parts of the country, not just the same touristy parts of Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto."

Mount Fuji with snow-capped peak reflected in a calm lake, surrounded by small buildings and trees
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10."The Azores, a Portuguese archipelago in the North Atlantic. It was even more stunning in real life than in pictures, and the food was incredible."

Waterfall cascading down lush green cliffs into a tranquil lake, surrounded by dense vegetation. Misty atmosphere adding a serene and natural beauty

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Francesco Riccardo Iacomino / Getty Images

11."The Republic of Georgia. I went in with low expectations, but Tbilisi was fun for a stop, and Kazbeg was gorgeous. The prices were reasonable. The food was good (but with limited variety), and the locals were friendly."

Scenic view of colorful, diverse architecture on a hillside, featuring a distinctive tower with a pointed roof in the foreground
Xantana / Getty Images/iStockphoto

12."For me, it's Switzerland. I grew up next to a national park in Canada, and I found hiking, the incredible open sky, the fresh air, the glacier lake swims, the food, and the hospitality to be top-tier."

Deck chairs facing a scenic lakeside with mountains in the background, under a clear sky

13."Slovenia. Everything single thing — from castles and caves to the Adriatic coast and wine tasting to the Julian Alps — was even better than I expected it to be."

Scenic view of a coastal town with boats docked in calm water, historic buildings, and a tall bell tower in the background
Joel Rogers / Getty Images

14."Italy. When I was there, I couldn't stop ooh-ing and ahh-ing at everything! The architecture, the history, the food, everything! I already had high expectations and knew I'd love it, but my mind was still blown at every turn!"

Charming cobblestone street in Rome with outdoor café seating and lush greenery, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere for travelers
Alexander Spatari / Getty Images

15."Scotland. The highlands are beautiful, the islands are beautiful, and Edinburgh is magical."

A row of quaint seaside cottages with a grassy hill in the background and a sandy beach in the foreground
Keithsutherland / Getty Images/RooM RF

16."Taiwan exceeded my expectations. It's a super underrated country on almost every metric you can think of: food, nature, culture, people, everything. Beautiful place."

People stand in a queue overlooking a cityscape with a tall tower and skyscrapers surrounded by trees at sunset
Georgeclerk / Getty Images

17."Iceland. I’ve been there twice, once in summer and once in winter. It was absolutely stunning both times. The pure variety of landscapes without mass crowds was incredible. It exceeded my expectations."

Long road lined with purple flowers leads to a distant church, set against a mountain landscape with snow-capped peaks
Matteo Colombo / Getty Images

18."Croatia. It was beautiful with lots of interesting things to do, great food, lovely people, and easy to navigate. Just don’t go during peak season! I also 'expected' to find crowds in some of the most popular places (we went in late September/early October, so it was less packed but still busy). We prepared for the crowds by visiting some more out-of-the-way destinations within the country. This was important for having a great trip, but it was super doable with some research!"

Scenic aerial view of Dubrovnik, Croatia, featuring historic stone buildings and the Adriatic Sea in the background
Sasipa Muennuch / Getty Images

19."Portugal. The food. THE WINE. The architecture. The gorgeous weather and overall atmosphere of Porto. The Douro Valley wine-tasting tour was a highlight."

Front view of Igreja de Santo Ildefonso, Porto, showcasing intricate blue and white tilework with a few people seated on the steps in front
Santiago Urquijo / Getty Images

What destination have you visited that has met or exceeded every expectation? Or, on the other side of the spectrum, what destination left you feeling underwhelmed? Tell us in the comments or in this anonymous form.