In reading articles about travel post-pandemic, I realized in reading one about Siem Reap, Cambodia, that I would never have guessed that I would travel there before I actually did. It's a pretty remote spot, but I was glad to have taken the trip. Asia in general never appealed to me until I started dating Asian guys back in the early 80's. Soon I had been to Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Thailand, finally stretching that out to Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap. I had already added Phuket, which always had struck me as too far away. I am glad I did, but two visits there seem enough.
I can include China, but just Shenzen and Guangzhou.
Otherwise, Prague would be the European destination I never expected, and in South America, there is well, South America. Never would I have guessed visiting Buenos Aires or Iguazu Falls, or, of course, Brazil. Sure glad I took those trips too. I have been to Brazil multiple times now and hope to go again.
Which leads me to wonder what places you have visited that you would not have expected...and did you find it to be a good choice?