You travel somewhere that surprised you how nice it was?

I was going to say Warsaw, Poland. Incredible people and country

The Balkans.
I recently got back from a cruise that sailed the Aegean and up the Adriatic coast. We visited a number of small medieval towns in countries like Greece, Croatia, Slovenia and Montenegro that I never heard of before we booked the cruise. Not only were they interesting and historic places, the scenery was absolutely gorgeous.

Slovenia is my happy place. Been twice now.

Went to Bosnia for a week in March and loved it.

Bosnia Trip Report

I was there for work, and didn't explore a lot. I stayed at the AC Hotel, which was very nice. (ETA: The only downside was that sometimes you'll get people in the room below you that will smoke in their shower, which ends up leaking into your shower vent. I covered my vent with a plastic bag.) Try to get a room with a balcony facing the national forum of music. It's very close to the central square, where you can visit a ton of restaurants and bars. If you walk SW from the hotel just past the Forum of Music, there is an excavation under glass underneath your feet. I can't remember of what exactly, but still cool. I wish I'd seen this list of quirky things before I went.

There are also 100 gnomes on sidewalks in the city.

quote:

---

Wroclaw's dwarfs are far more than charming little bronze statues scattered throughout the city — they are an integral part of Wroclaw's identity, a cultural symbol, and a tribute to a remarkable chapter in Poland's recent history. These tiny figures have become beloved by both locals and visitors, turning into unofficial ambassadors of the city.

From the Orange Alternative to a Bronze Legacy

The story of the Wroclaw dwarfs begins in the 1980s, during a time of political unrest in communist Poland. A peaceful protest movement known as the Orange Alternative emerged, using humor, absurdity, and art as tools of resistance. One of their most iconic symbols was a dwarf, often painted on walls where authorities had covered up anti-regime slogans. These whimsical graffiti figures confused officials and amused the public, becoming a clever form of peaceful defiance.

In 2001, the first bronze dwarf was installed in Wroclaw — Papa Dwarf (Papa Krasnal) — as a tribute to the Orange Alternative. Placed on Swidnicka Street, it marked the beginning of what would become a growing family of bronze figures dotting the cityscape.

Today's Dwarfs: A City-Wide Quest and Local Tradition

Over time, the dwarfs evolved into a cultural phenomenon. Today, there are more than 1000 of them scattered throughout Wroclaw. Each one has a unique personality and often represents the business, institution, or place where it stands. You'll find a cook dwarf, a banker dwarf, a music-loving dwarf, a firefighter dwarf and even a programmer dwarf.

Searching for these dwarfs has become a popular activity — part urban exploration, part treasure hunt. Tourists and locals alike love spotting them, snapping photos, and sharing their finds online. For many, hunting dwarfs is a fun and memorable way to discover the city's hidden corners.

---

domestic surprises

Missoula MT
Stanley ID
Buena Vista CO
Ventura CA
Farmville VA
Stowe VT

quote:

---

Buena Vista CO

---

Shhhhh....

Wroclaw and Krakow are really fantastic areas.

We went to Zadar recently and I was surprised how much I liked northern Croatia. The southern part will be next.

I just got back from Paris. It was pretty cool.

quote:

---

Kansas City

---

Thats a good one that i forgot about. I had a great trip there as well for a quick weekend getaway