Unexpected Surprises, what is yours?

The first time (2012) we ascended to the Alpe di Siusi in the gondola to Mont Sëuc from Ortisei and the AdS spread out below us with the rugged peaks in the distance I had tears in my eyes. I had no idea what to expect and we have returned every year since. Favorite place on earth, so far.

Last May’s visit to Mongrassano Calabria: Thinking that my SIL was not going to Italy I booked my RS South of Italy tour, flights and (cancellable/refundable) hotels in Rome and Venice. Two weeks later she called to say she was going. After scrambling to get her tickets and tour, I knew I had to sacrifice two days in Venice so she could go to Mongrassano where her grandparents had lived. I also knew that I would have to drive five hours each way for an overnight visit.
But I must say Mongrassano was the highlight of my tour. Not only the tiny town, but watching the joy and awe on my SIL’s face as we walked through the town and wandered through the cemetery looking for ancestors’ graves.

Edited to add: I printed the pictures I took of Mongrassano for their 93 y/o uncle, last surviving son of the Italian grandparents, and gave them to him when we visited in September. The look and emotions on his face were worth the whole price of our Italy trip. He had never been to Mongrassano because his mother warned him of a family feud and told him never to go there.

I've often found that the sites most touted or expected on a tour proved to be a bit meh while things I didn't know about beforehand were an unexpected joy.

On a Rhone river cruise the tour of the popes palace in Avignon was part of the itinerary. I thought it was boring. However, the previous evening the captain brought our ship into Avignon at sunset. We were all on deck with cocktails gazing at the sun hitting the stone walls turning them reddish orange. Highlight of the cruise.

Definitely the people I meet. As mentioned some of the "major sites" are a bit meh, especially when it's 90-something degrees at Versailles and it feels like a sauna as you're wedged in with the masses.

Ireland and Liverpool top the list as far as people are concerned.

This past September in Lucca, Italy: a tiny museum dedicated to the immigration from Italy to
America and other countries in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries.
Some wonderful photographs, and
stories.
And in the back of the building, a lovely big courtyard with huge shady trees.

On our first trip to Italy we stayed at an agriturismo just south of Florence. Our host was incredible, helping us firm up our itinerary and adding "gems" of her own. One suggestion was to visit Greve (market day), then to go on to Lamole--all she said is, "It's very interesting there". After a wrong-turn-detour (on what we later discovered was an old Roman road!), we had a beautiful drive to this hillside village, where there is an outstanding restaurant. We spent a couple of hours on a terrace with an incredible view of the countryside. The food, wine, waitstaff, scenery--all divine!

There are so many, here are two I can think of quickly.

Orkney. We went because our traveling companions are into whisky. What a wonderful place! So much to see and do, and it is beautiful.

Malaga is underappreciated; we loved it. Possibly because we did a terrific food tour. It was on a cruise, and almost everyone we spoke to said it was the worst port day they had -- it was our top port day.

Years ago, I was in Australia and went for a day sail around the Great Coral Reef. The weather was great. The reef was beautiful. On the way back the sail were full with a gentle breeze. As we guided into port one of the sailors took out his guitar and sang Australian folk songs ending with Waltzing Matilda as the sun was setting. That was in 1998 and I remember it clearly. Such a PERFECT DAY!

Last September on the RS My Way tour of Italy our surprise came in Assisi. After a lovely group dinner on the balcony of a restaurant we heard a very loud and jubilant sound and then saw a group of people dressed in beautiful Renaissance costumes marching through the square. The restaurant owner did not know what the occasion was and thought they were practicing for a festival later in the year. They played the Renaissance music and there was an acrobat who was breathing fire while we applauded them. But, that was only the beginning of the surprises. Leaving the restaurant at dark we saw lighted candles leading up an alley and decided to follow them. Soon, we came to a square where we saw a huge crowd dressed in costumes. There were 4 men with swords, on fire, dancing and sparing with one another accompanied by Renaissance musicians. The square was packed and the revelers were urging them on and chanting. The excited energy coming from the crowd was one of the highlights of the trip. I did take pictures but they came out blurry, of course, since it was completely dark except for the light from the fires. I am so grateful we followed those lights. The crowd dispersed en masse and we joined them, finally arriving at the door to an underground wine cellar. We started to go in with the rest of the crowd but were stopped by a woman who told us it was for a private party. We were jammed in shoulder to shoulder and had a hard time leaving the crowd to go back to our hotel, saying scusa, scusa, to everyone until we were able to break free of the group. If my Italian was more advanced we could have said we were invited, although it occurs to me she knew we were foreigners since we weren't wearing Renaissance costumes like the others

Guernsey. It was a stop on a cruise and I really only knew about their plight during WWII through books. What a lovely, lively beautiful, island. We had the most marvelous day. For future trips we are researching smaller cities to visit hoping for just as many surprises.

Belgium in 2017 - we were stopping in Gent for 3 nights in between NL and Paris. I had a few things planned but really didn't have high expectations - which probably helped. We really enjoyed Belgium- probably the highlight of that trip (other than the tulip fields). We stopped in Antwerp for an afternoon during our transfer from Dordrecht to Gent and I was instantly charmed.

We stayed at a countryside inn (solares) in northern Portugal in 2019. Not only was the inn an idyllic vineyard setting, but after the group dinner, local dancers arrived. They danced for us and then had us join in. The owner of the inn, an actual Count, had requested the dancers (I think because his grandchildren were visiting). The owner was so happy that everyone was enjoying the evening so much. Fantastic!

This reminds me of the RS post tour survey that asks for your "Wow" moment. There were always several and it was difficult to chose. But as far as a surprise goes, our stay in Switzerland on our Best of Europe My Way Tour has to take top honors! Researching or trips is always a fun project and especially on the My Way tour because what you do is truly up to you. So as we prepared for this trip we had planned amazing activities for each stop. Although we had marveled at the pictures of Lauterbrunnen Valley we envisioned this stop as a place to rest, catch our breath and get ready for the rest of our tour since neither of us are into winter activities. My sister had wanted to do the Thrill Walk, but no other plans. Since I don't like heights and neither one of us like cold weather, this was a stop that didn't deserve much forethought. Boy were we wrong!! Our first view of the valley took our breath away, the gondola ride through the clouds, hot chocolate as the mountains moved slowly by, our walk through Murren, beautifully colored flowers everywhere, outdoor lunch in the mountains, an absolutely fantastic hotel staff that truly treated us like family, nothing could have made it better! (and I have to say that I'm so glad that my sister insisted on doing the Thrill Walk!)

Leslie, your unexpected experience in Assisi sounds very exciting. I’m surprised that no one told you that is how Rick Steves’ birthday is celebrated in various popular towns in Europe, especially in Italy. You should see the congestion on that day in the towns of the Cinque Terre.

Back in 1995 I took my mother to Greece. We spent several days in Crete, on one of which we took a public bus to one of the mountain towns. We stopped for lunch in a casual restaurant and were ushered to a table in the back garden where we were stunned to see the ruins of an aqueduct looming over us. Something similar happened on Naxos as we walked from the port to the small hotel where we had a reservation. We passed a vacant lot with bits of classical columns scattered over it, the sort of stuff that would have been moved immediately to a museum in the US. I agree that it's often the surprises that are the most captivating.

Here's a heavy one: at the Memorial de la Shoah in Paris, just off the Seine a little east of the Louvre, not far from the bustling Jewish area of the Marais, I went through the security check and started walking through the exhibits with a sense more of obligation than of learning or commemoration -- oh, well, I'm here (in the neighborhood) so I might as well spend a few minutes recalling the horrors that we all know only too well -- but as I made my way through I felt like some of the items on display seemed oddly familiar, and the photos in the ID documents and the clothing accessories were bringing up deep inchoate memory/feelings that spurred me to pay closer attention, not just go through the motions of visiting another history museum.
There's a room with a few computers that visitors are allowed to sit at and search through databases of info about deportations and arrests and addresses, and I tried browsing, and then put in my own family's name and that of my surviving uncle's.
Up came the names of distant cousins who had been processed through Drancy and other centers, relatives and family members whose branches/lines ended abruptly long before mine began in the USA. Seeing the names on the screen made me cry aloud. It was like posts above where an old village or cemetery shows one that here - here - are my roots, except that this was showing me where the roots had been cut.
There were security cameras in every room of the museum and a few patrolling guards, and as I sat there at the computer desk I realized that they were giving me a moment, leaving me be with my results on the screen, before letting foot traffic through. It felt like such a French gesture, to offer me a little privacy in my shock and grief without making a show of it. I'd known since I was very little that a horrible event (tragedy? crime?) befell our people and that my own had been touched by it, but it was this day that it hit home for me. It wasn't something that happened over there, to those, but right here, to ours.

In 2012, my husband and I found ourselves in Florence on June 24 - for San Giovanni celebrations. While we knew ahead of time it was a holiday, we had no idea what to expect. Watching the fireworks over the Arno River that night was an unexpected delight. From there, we wandered back toward our b&b and sat on the steps in front of the cathedral at midnight with a scoop of gelato (oops).

A Sunny Day on a boat in Scotland while visiting Staffa and Lunga.
I have several great travel surprises. Just too lazy to type them all!

Thanks for this topic. I enjoyed reading the various responses already received and it is enjoyable to read what people are sharing. It put my mind to work trying to think of surprises I have had in the past, which is better than thinking about not being able to travel for a while. Maybe sometime soon. I have 2 surprises and usually the surprises come when there are no real expectations for wherever you are going, so when you are blown away, it is a delightful surprise.
1. I was in Rome several years ago and did some research on what to see prior to picking up my tour - not an RS tour. I found a notation on this church that was off the beaten path a bit and not St. Peter's. It was the Church of San Giovanni Laterno, and though I usually walk most places, I couldn't easily locate it so I took a taxi. The driver may have been new, but I had to tell her where it was and she skeptically dropped me off. What a cathedral! The statuary of the apostles were amazing, the church was awesome and mass was about to begin. They had a seminary there, I believe and the number of people who were involved, incense, angelic singing, etc. really took it over the top. I am not a Catholic, but this was impressive.
2. I was staying in a wonderful hotel in Madrid in a pretty blue collar area which is perfect for me. Right around the corner was the Reina Sofia Museum. I wandered over there and went in. The presentation and the lead up to the Picasso work of Guernica totally blew me away. If people have not seen this, it is well worth the trip to Madrid and this museum.
Good surprises. Thanks.

Here's a heavy one: at the Memorial de la Shoah in Paris

Avirosemail, wow....just wow, I can only imagine the emotions you went through. The closest I can come to something so emotional was a visit to Oradour-sur-Glane last year. I hadn't heard of it until I saw it on our RS tour itinerary and I just dismissed it as a quick rest stop at some monument. I had no idea of the story behind the town. It was eerie to walk through, and several people on the tour; including my wife, couldn't leave quick enough. As I was leaving I walked through a tunnel with individual photos of most of the victims; men, women and children. I'm not usually an emotional guy, but those photos really hit home and it made me angry...and sad.

Avirosemail, your post made me tear up. I can only try to imagine how that felt. The closest I have come to that feeling was at the very same museum. I was looking at the large wall of names and saw my mother's. Of course it wasn't her, but it could have been. My uncle, her brother, told me about the time he was at Auschwitz and saw a suitcase or something similar with his own name on it. Thank you for sharing your experience.

For levity that brought a huge grin to my face: Standing in Victoria Park watching a children's soccer match when I heard someone yell "here they come," and as I turned around hundreds of runners in Santa suits appeared. Had no clue about Santa Runs (for charity) and seeing one for the first time made me grin from ear to ear. So did seeing many of the participants still adorned in their red suits in the nearby People's Park Tavern where a friend and I had lunch.

For sheer personal pleasure: One late November day hiked the Gap of Dunloe solo and saw virtually no one else. The hues of the hillside plants gleamed in the sun but looming in the distance were darkest forboding rain clouds. The natural beauty enveloped me. Best day of exploration ever.

For a moment(s) of wow many years ago: Stayed in Rome's Jewish Ghetto. Very early one morning walked over to Palatine Hill. There was no gate like there is now so ambled down the path and meandered. Walked under the Arch of Titus letting my mind absorb its history and then walking a bit more until I caught my first glimpse of the Colosseum. Totally unexpected visceral reaction as I felt weak in the knees. Can't explain why I reacted as I did but seeing it overwhelmed me.

Again years ago, the privilege of me, myself in the room with the Last Supper. A true moment of WOW!

Finally and this one is just to humor everyone: In 1969 I was visiting my friend who was attending UC Santa Barbara. Long story short and for a reason neither of us can recall we decided we would drive down to Newport Beach to find John Wayne. Spent most of the day searching. Remember telephone books? Even looked in one naively thinking he'd be listed. Finally we found a postman sitting in the back of his truck eating his lunch. My friend got out of my Karmann Ghia and went to talk with him. She came back and said 2686 Bayshore Drive. Put the car in gear and off we went. There was a guard shack when we pulled up but no one was in it. We drove down to where the road ended turned around and parked near a small beach front about 200 yards from the address. Boldly we walked up to the door and knocked. No answer. Disappointed we walked back to beach area and sat down. As we sat there plotting what to do next I looked up to see a small tan VW station wagon, not van, station wagon drive by. Who was driving? Yep. We got up and started walking back towards the house. Pilar, his wife, in a tennis dress emerged from the passenger side and walked inside. From the driver’s side first came a leg in khaki pants and a blue boat shoe, then a hand and then a bald like Friar Tuck head as The Duke got out of the car. Who knew he wore a toupee? Nice man. Are there pictures? No. Only memories and I believe that modest home was torn down many years ago and some huge mega mansion replaced it.....

Those are my unexpected travel surprises......

@ Larry LOL! I was wondering why Cinque Terre was more crowded than Grand Central Station.

Claudia’s story about the Santa’s made me think about our visit to Prague last year. There seemed to be a roving band of guys dressed up as old-timey Batman’s. We were doing a small group walking tour and were in a quieter part of Prague (we’d seen them in the town square). All of a sudden we faintly hear the old Batman tv show theme song, then a beer bike blasting Batman went by a block away, full of Batman’s. It was pretty funny.

Claudia, thank you for the story about John Wayne. Did he say anything to you or wave?

I don't have a story that comes close to that, but in Frankfurt in 1989 Paul McCartney lowered his limousine window and waved at us enroute to a concert. That's my brush with greatness.

My sister-in-law worked a Delta counter in the mid 1970s when Robert Redford stepped up. He was very quiet during the transaction but just before he left he gave her a classic Redford half-smile, said, "looking good," and departed. Much better than a Paul McCartney wave. Of course if he said that to me it would've have been a bit weird.