You don't even have to go back that far. XAML and C# developed with Visual Studio and Expression Blend is a fantastic experience, it almost makes me wish Silverlight was still around.
Same applies to C++ Builder, which MS still hasn't been able to match. C++/CX was the closest we got on VS, but then politics killed it.
In fairness, I haven't done any Windows desktop development for some time, so the XAML designer might be less crap nowadays.