Okay, what is the not widely known attraction that blew you away?
Jun 25, 2014, 11:02 pm
#466
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: ORD
Posts: 870
There have been plenty of threads about this. This one is the most popular.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...u-away-12.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...u-away-12.html
Jun 26, 2014, 4:04 am
#467
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 156
If only it didn't say "page not found"
There have been plenty of threads about this. This one is the most popular.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...u-away-12.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...u-away-12.html
Jun 26, 2014, 7:08 am
#469
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,720
I was pretty impressed by the historic town of Tivoli near Rome. My one day and night there in the unspoilt beauty of the ancient town was more memorable than my time in Rome.
Jun 28, 2014, 9:23 pm
#470
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 17
The Nevada Test Site tour is pretty neat if you're into nucler bomb craters. It also goes around some of the houses and other structures in the famous nuclear test movies.
Climbing Mt Fuji was good fun. Lots of Japanese people do it, but I didn't see many non-Japanese people on the climb.
The Hunterian Museum in London; I actually had to leave after a while because all the diseased body parts in jars were making me a bit queasy. They've got half of Babbage's brain on display, I later found the other half in the Science Museum.
Climbing Mt Fuji was good fun. Lots of Japanese people do it, but I didn't see many non-Japanese people on the climb.
The Hunterian Museum in London; I actually had to leave after a while because all the diseased body parts in jars were making me a bit queasy. They've got half of Babbage's brain on display, I later found the other half in the Science Museum.
Jun 29, 2014, 6:03 pm
#471
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Udon Thani, Thailand
Programs: TK E,*G, A-Club G
Posts: 869
I second the town of Wernigerode Germany, but also nearby Goslar.
And Luxemburg Ville, I worked there for 9 years, the only negative there being the local population, they are not sociable at all, only if you speak their peculiar little language Letseburgisch, which sounds a mixture of German, French and Dutch but can only be understood and spoken by real Letseburgisch people.
Good morning is Moyen.
And Luxemburg Ville, I worked there for 9 years, the only negative there being the local population, they are not sociable at all, only if you speak their peculiar little language Letseburgisch, which sounds a mixture of German, French and Dutch but can only be understood and spoken by real Letseburgisch people.
Good morning is Moyen.
Jul 1, 2014, 8:06 am
#473
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: PDX (wish I was in HNL)
Programs: Platinum
Posts: 1,687
Jul 12, 2014, 2:15 pm
#474
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
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Posts: 8,764
Avoiding the obvious cliche examples, I will say the Potala Palace in Lhasa is absolutely mind-boggling stunning in person, even more impressive than the photos.
Also stunning was the Lijiang market in China--an absolutely crazy array of colors, sights, smells, and sounds unlike any market we've seen anywhere in the world. I'm not a big fan of markets, which often bore me. This one astounded even me and kept my attention for hours. The meats section was incredibly intriguing and even macabre, seeing dogs caged for eventual slaughter--which, our guide explained, was the reason so few Americans wanted to see that section. We wanted to see it, though--being no different than if an Indian traveler were to see an American slaughterhouse, after all. It was disturbing, but a memory we will never forget.
Borobodur was the other site that blew us away in a way that we hadn't quite expected. The view from Amanjiwo was magical, but up close the site truly is magnificent.
Diving the Blue Hole in Belize--or even just seeing it from an elevated position on a boat or helicopter--is another incredible sight.
Also stunning was the Lijiang market in China--an absolutely crazy array of colors, sights, smells, and sounds unlike any market we've seen anywhere in the world. I'm not a big fan of markets, which often bore me. This one astounded even me and kept my attention for hours. The meats section was incredibly intriguing and even macabre, seeing dogs caged for eventual slaughter--which, our guide explained, was the reason so few Americans wanted to see that section. We wanted to see it, though--being no different than if an Indian traveler were to see an American slaughterhouse, after all. It was disturbing, but a memory we will never forget.
Borobodur was the other site that blew us away in a way that we hadn't quite expected. The view from Amanjiwo was magical, but up close the site truly is magnificent.
Diving the Blue Hole in Belize--or even just seeing it from an elevated position on a boat or helicopter--is another incredible sight.
Jul 14, 2014, 7:52 pm
#475
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: San Jose, CA U.S.A.
Posts: 103
My very last day in Venice (for the second time in 2007) in mid-December, I finally found my way to the Peggy Guggenheim Villa. What a marvelous place. Full of paintings given to her (Picasso, Pollock). She's even buried there and so are her pets. It was such an intimate display of her life in Italy. It gave me chills.
Last edited by deputter; Jul 15, 2014 at 5:52 pm
Jul 14, 2014, 8:30 pm
#476
Join Date: May 2009
Location: South Park, CO
Programs: Tegridy Elite
Posts: 5,678
I don't know if these all qualify as not well known as just about anything can be well known in a particular area, country, etc. But perhaps merely not as well known to my countrymen in the U.S., or to me at one time...
- Miyajima Island, Japan: Most people have seen the floating torii without even knowing where it's located, as it appears so often in tourist information and books. I wish we would've spent the night there, the island has a certain magic to it. The fact that it's juxtaposed with Hiroshima and the death that once took place there makes it stand out even more.
- Hiroshima monuments, ruins and museums: While the city's name is well known, I don't think that many people realize what a powerful experience it is visiting the various sites and the peace museum. Overwhelming, really. The modern city is very nice as are its residents.
- The Daintree Rain Forest, Queensland, Australia: We took a walking tour in Coopers Creek wilderness and it was incredible, even spotted a cassowary which is officially my favorite bird now.
- Trier, Germany - saw this mentioned upthread and I'd agree it's a cool place, definitely worth a visit.
- Charles Lindbergh's grave, Kipahulu, Maui: It's nothing fancy, but the quiet, small church and cemetery...the remote location...I can see why Lindbergh loved that area so much and chose to spend his final days there.
I'm sure I've forgotten some...will add later if I remember!
- Miyajima Island, Japan: Most people have seen the floating torii without even knowing where it's located, as it appears so often in tourist information and books. I wish we would've spent the night there, the island has a certain magic to it. The fact that it's juxtaposed with Hiroshima and the death that once took place there makes it stand out even more.
- Hiroshima monuments, ruins and museums: While the city's name is well known, I don't think that many people realize what a powerful experience it is visiting the various sites and the peace museum. Overwhelming, really. The modern city is very nice as are its residents.
- The Daintree Rain Forest, Queensland, Australia: We took a walking tour in Coopers Creek wilderness and it was incredible, even spotted a cassowary which is officially my favorite bird now.
- Trier, Germany - saw this mentioned upthread and I'd agree it's a cool place, definitely worth a visit.
- Charles Lindbergh's grave, Kipahulu, Maui: It's nothing fancy, but the quiet, small church and cemetery...the remote location...I can see why Lindbergh loved that area so much and chose to spend his final days there.
I'm sure I've forgotten some...will add later if I remember!
Jul 14, 2014, 9:06 pm
#477
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Programs: United MileagePlus Silver, Nexus, Global Entry
Posts: 8,798
The Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC. First (and only) Holocaust museum I've been to.
Eight years ago and it still has an impact on me - Whenever I hear someone say "I don't care if the government listens, I've got nothing to hide" I think of the images and stories from that incredibly well put-together museum...
Eight years ago and it still has an impact on me - Whenever I hear someone say "I don't care if the government listens, I've got nothing to hide" I think of the images and stories from that incredibly well put-together museum...
Jul 14, 2014, 11:56 pm
#478
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: UK
Programs: I go wherever the content takes me.
Posts: 5,698
Catherine Palace, Tsarskoe Selo, St Petersburg.
You just have to go to appreciate it - room after room of utter opulence, open to the public. Mindblowing - like a fairy tale.
You just have to go to appreciate it - room after room of utter opulence, open to the public. Mindblowing - like a fairy tale.
Jul 15, 2014, 5:21 pm
#479
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Miami, near the US
Programs: AA EXP, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Hyatt Plat, Avis Select, MHC, Amex Plat
Posts: 102
Morelia Mexico half way between Guadalajara and Mexico City. A charming well preserved city center with great architecture from 200-500 years ago, modern hotels, the city trolley tour a definite must to get to know the highlights. Sorry we only had one night. If you go save a day check out the lake where Janitzio is located.