The experience of traveling to a new country can be an exhilarating adventure. However, sometimes our expectations don’t align with reality, and we’re surprised by what we find. A traveler on a travel forum asked for others’ stories about what countries differed from what they expected. From the vibe of cities to the approachability of the population, there are many reasons why a trip to another country may exceed expectations or disappoint.
1. Greek Islands
A hiker was in for a surprise when they took a trip to the Greek islands, having previously believed they were only worth visiting for their beaches and sunny weather. After going on a hiking trip to one of the islands in October, it became one of their favorite trips ever.
They’re already planning another trip to the islands. They were partial to Athens, whose archaeological sites were as expected, but the food they describe as being out of this world. Everywhere they went, there was more food, and they were tempted to try everything in sight.
2. Vietnam
This next vacationer’s story reveals how mental states can taint our experiences. They visited Vietnam in 2011 and had an average experience due to being too touristy and having unfriendly, argumentative people. The place, they thought, was an unjustifiable hassle.
They initially thought they would never return, but due to a visa run, they returned in 2019 and had an incredible time. They describe the locals as kind, generous, and friendly, with great food, a fun party vibe, and lots to see and do.
They speculate that their previous experience may have been affected by their mental state or other factors, but ultimately concluded Vietnam is a great destination that they had unfairly compared to other countries they had been to, like Laos and Cambodia.
Others shared the opinion that Vietnam was an affordable and beautiful place with lovely people, though they were warned of the country being “sketchy,” “dodgy,” and “touristy.”
3. Slovenia
A traveler with low expectations for their trip to Slovenia was pleasantly surprised when they arrived in the Balkan country. They describe being blown away by the lovely people, exceptional natural landscapes, and delicious food.
Others add that Slovenia has impressive caves, and the area of Kobarid is breathtaking. A fellow traveler says they went in with preconceived notions based on pictures of Slovenia, but when they got there, they fell in love with the country and would even consider living there.
4. Paris, France
One astute observer noticed a surprising lack of mentions for Paris, France; despite the city being such an infamous letdown to so many tourists, there’s a phenomenon named after it: Paris Syndrome. In response, a seasoned traveler of France explains that France’s different neighborhoods and even Paris are incomparable.
The touristy sites, as they call them, be crowded and stressful, but there are more laidback neighborhoods. They claim you need a week to experience both.
Another person verified that there are dirty spots in France packed with scammers and pickpocketers, which exceeded what they had been warned about. However, they grant that the food and landmarks are even nicer than expected, leading them to desire more exploration of France. Some places are famous for a reason.
5. South Africa
Travelers who have been to South Africa unanimously agree that visiting the region can be jarring due to the stark contrast between the country’s wealthy and poor communities and the diverse cultures. A tourist describes their experience of South Africa as being “disorienting.”
They say Johannesburg was reminiscent of home, yet many other things were out of place. Additionally, they describe a series of extremes: extreme wealth, extreme poverty, towns that are entirely comprised of white Europeans, and small towns that are the opposite.
The country feels segregated in every way, which was surprising for them because they knew little of South Africa’s history before going. Other travelers concur that the country’s wealth gap is unbelievable.
6. Japan
Japan is often touted as a utopia of safety and innovation. However, one journeyer contests this reputation. They say they managed to find several areas that could only be described as sketchy and unsafe. Another visitor wrestles with the idea that their expectations of Japan may have been too high.
While they only spent a little bit of time in Tokyo, they did make a stop there, as well as in Osaka, and they think it’s similar to any metropolitan city, just a bit cleaner and more organized. Other than that, though, they argue that it’s much of the same. Kyoto, they describe as being much more unique and cultured.
7. The Netherlands
This voyager prefaces their story with the disclaimer that this is likely an unpopular opinion, but they were not fans of the Netherlands. Though it was a brief trip, they thought Amsterdam was disappointing because they didn’t connect with the place or the people. Regarding the local cuisine and culture, they found the food weird and the vibes off.
To make matters worse, they witnessed a racist encounter that put a sour taste in their mouth for the area. The Schipol Airport was also the worst airport experience of their life. Another jet-setter responds by claiming they had a similar experience in the Netherlands, describing it as unwelcoming.
However, other people offer different opinions, declaring Amsterdam a second home to them because it’s so welcoming and beautiful. Another argues you can’t characterize the whole country based on some bad experiences you had in one city.
This article was produced by Our Woven Journey and was inspired by this thread.
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Karee Blunt is a nationally syndicated travel journalist, focused on discovering destinations and experiences that captivate and inspire others through her writing. She is also the founder of Our Woven Journey, a travel site focused on inspiring others to create memory-making adventures with their loved ones. Karee is passionate about encouraging others to step out of their comfort zone and live the life they dream of. She is the mother of six kids, including four through adoption, and lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest. You can learn more about Karee on her about me page.