The Best Place in the World

To my mind, the best place in the world is home. As much as I love to go, I love to be at my very own house with my own stuff, sitting in my garden and seeing the sun rise over my back fence and watching the cat amuse himself with lizards, knowing any moment he'll lie down next to me and purr himself into a nap. I make great coffee to go with that utopian moment. However, I'm not taking in any guests. So, for getting out and seeing the sights I opt for Rome in warm weather, although I also love the Florida Keys for just relaxing and doing nothing, altho nothing can beat Bimini for really doing nothing. You should decide what sorts of things you like: museums, restaurants, beaches, amusements, whatever. Family vacations are different from solo or couples. For me, it's not a vacation if I'm cold, so where I go changes during the year. Dream vacation: flying into London, the ferry to Boulogne, train across France and into Austria for the Strauss Festival in December/January (yeah, I know - COLD!) Or the Milford Trek in New Zealand. Or New York City with great shows, museums, and pizza! Pick a place that strikes your fancy, a place you read about in college, or where a movie was set, or where you ancestors came from. Research it - and search here as well. You'll find your own best place. In fact, you'll probably find many. Have fun deciding!

A few years ago, my sister-in-law and niece, my sister and her daughter, and my daughter and I went to London during Easter vacation to visit another niece who was at Imperial College for a semester. We rented a marvelous flat and just about killed ourselves with sightseeing, trying to cram in as much as possible.

After we got home, one of my nieces made a beautiful scrapbok of her souvenirs and photos making pretty cut outs with fancy scissors and neat arrangements of material. On one page she pasted a little blurb that said, "Do what you love most with those you love best."

I think that sums up the answer to your question. Every trip has its own dynamics, but where ever you choose to go together will be the best.

Jen,

Everyone is different. It depends on what you are looking for.

My preference is France. If your children are used to travel a week in Paris, a week in Provence and a week in Collioure (on the Med, near the Spanish border) would provide a wide variety of experiences--a great city, incomparable country setting and a Catalan village by the sea.

My wife and I are older. The children are on their own. We look for serenity. We never liked traveling in a frantic way trying to see every cathedral, statue, etc.

Your children, however, are the key. If they have developed cultural interests, have curiosity and patience the French experience I outlined could be all around marvelous.

Feel free to e-mail me for more detail.

Best place in the world for me is snuggled up with my fluffy husband in bed - ANYWHERE in the world.

Jen,

National Geographic Traveler put out an issue about 2 years ago which I think is the best trip planner. They listed the top 100 locations in the world to visit. See if your local library carries the magazine. If not you may be able to order it on thier web site. The issue contains a 1-3 page right up on each place. I have been to 11 places so far - mostly in North America and Europe. I always pull out the issue before we start to plan another trip.

Happy traveling
Aileen

*LOL* dee dee, we think alike! Except I'd say in my girlfriend's arms, instead of in bed with your fluffy (fluffy?) husband.

Here's a link to the National Geographic Traveler "50 Places of a Lifetime" website: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/media/traveler/intro.html

I don't know about "best", but my favorite city is Paris, and my favorite "non-city" destination is a four-way tie between Provence, Cinqueterre, the Amalfi Coast, and New England in the fall.

Iceland! (and Greenland, too) Clean, cool, beautiful, active, and only a five hour flight away from the east coast (which is what gives it the edge over some of my other faves--Hasliberg region of Switzerland, Tuscany, London, St. Petersburg,etc etc etc).
It would have been Italy at one point, Rio de Janeiro at another; so much depends upon your own circumstances. Happy planning!

La Belle Provence, bien sur!

I have two places in mind, both extreme opposites.

One choice is London. You have it all here. History, pagentry, culture. (And obviously many others have been drawn to it, judging by all the songs that have been written about it). Hearing Big Ben chime, visiting the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, tea at Brown's Hotel, a Shakespeare performance, London has something for everyone.

The other is on top of the Zugspitze, Germany's tallest mountain. Riding a cable car up the mountain, watching skiers on the slopes even in June!!, getting a beautiful view, and when coming down being in Garmisch-Partenkirchen one of Germany's quiet villages.

Just about anyplace in the UK feels wonderful to me, even after about 30 trips there. London is the most exciting place to be at any time of the year, never a shortae of something to do or new to see! There is a small hotel in Dorset that we go to as often as possible, the minute we get close i can feel my whole body relax , in fact when I have trouble sleeping at night at home, I'llclose my eyes, pretend I'm in the car, and I know every twist in the road to get to Plumber Manor, I can hear the gravel crunch as we drive up, see the beautiful grounds, anticipate the warm welcome, I even have my favorite room there and can visualize each piece of furniture. Then I know there is a wonderful fire inthe fireplace when having your predinner drink, great food and even an old dog to pet. HEAVEN ..
Paris comes in a very close second, but I think if I could have only afforded 1 trip in my whole life , it would have been to Rome.

Having been to Asia, Europe and all over North America, I think the best place is Yosemite National Park.

We have traveled quite a bit with our children. I think that Venice is their favorite -and mine also! It is so unlike anywhere else--a different world.

Ditto to everything Jody said! I've traveled extensively, but I ALWAYS manage to fit London to every European trip! It's hard to put into words, but I just feel "home" when I'm there. I enjoy all the historical sites (British Museum, town & castle of Windsor are favorites), but I just as much enjoy spending early weekday mornings sitting outside a small French pastry shop munching a great eclair and a cappucino while watching people heading off to work and play on Cromwell Road. Edinburgh became a "must visit" a few years ago after we became friendly with our B&B hosts there (e-mail me if you want information on their wonderful inn). Edinburgh has WONDERFUL, FRIENDLY people, great pubs, beautiful architecture and the rest of Scotland is just magnificant! Let us know where you decide to go!

Rome and the amalfi coast are the best places in the world...history, beaches, amazing people..need I say more

Hi!
For me it is Germany. Germany has it all: Amazing towns (Munich Berlin, Hamburg...), scenic landscape (Rhine valleys, Bavaria...) and a lot of places to relax (Baltic sea...).
It`s a great place and for me it is the best travel place in the world.
Greetings, John

This thread reminds me of the couple who were considering where to go on vacation. Every place the husband suggested, the wife rejected.
He requested an explanation for her total disagreement to every destination. She explained that after the "round the world cruise" they had done the previous year, she had decided that this year she wanted to go somewhere else.

Great Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee.

Australia

How can one ever pick a favorite place in world. It depends on what kind of vacation you all enjoy--relaxing, historical, adventure etc. I think for relaxing it has to be Hawaii, for adventure it is a safari in Africa, for historical Rome! Good Luck, Pat

My favorite place.....? hmm. Sooo many choices. I guess, it would be the place I often think about, wish I were and hope to return to time and time again...
Home is where the heart is....Paris.

Vienna, Austria AKA Wien

Prague. Hands down. Just returned 3 weeks ago; brought my 10 yr.old along. If you want beautiful architecture, history and friendly people, Prague is the ticket. See: www.timeout.com for more information.

The Best Place is in the World is in your Heart. But Hawaii is where you can bring your heart to with a "fluffy husband" of course.
That's a tough question for everyone to answer, it depends on you and what you want in life.
Aloha

Iknow this a Europe message board, and theres alot of trouble in certain parts of the country now, but the best place I've travelled with my kids is Israel. Jerusalem really is magical, the old city with all the shops, and history. Then theres Ben Yehuda, with all the boutiques and side walk cafes. A perfect place for teens to hang out in the evening. Theres the desert and Eilat, a resort town on the Red sea with a great aquarium. I almost forgot the Dead sea and the Ein Gedi nature reserve, imagine,beautiful waterfalls in the desert. Head north and there is Ceasarea, an ancient roman city that is still being excavated and the the very exotic Akko on the Mediterranean. Farther north there is the sea of Gallilee and the incredibly beautiful valleys and forests. Israel has it all, sun, beaches, deserts, culture, history,lush landscapes,and you really feel safe with all the security everywhere.

Nothing beats Cuba. Simple as that. We've been to a lot of other places and tried various regions in and outside of Europe (France, Spain, Italy, Turkey, Thailand, Mexico, ... you name it), but nothing even comes close. Cuba is the only place on earth where the typical white sand from nearby reefs is NOT spoilt by mass tourism. You know, most beaches are spoilt by cigarette filters and broken bottles and stuff. But not in Cuba. They really treasure their island and only allow so many tourists. If you want the total Robinson Crusoë feeling, do not go to Varadero (main tourist beach) but go to the town Santa Lucia. Only about 5 hotels there. Still, you can get away from it and visit other parts of the island; you can take one of those old russian planes. An adventure in itself! Our best trip ever, and this year, we're giong back!

Costa Rica!!! Beautiful, safe, and relaxing! Plus, awesome coffee!!! (and chinese food!)

Two opposites, but both wonderful -
Alaska & Bermuda !

Worthy of topping for dee dee

The Dordogne:

Sweet landscapes, rich history, not a lot of tourists by comparison to the rest of France, incredible food and markets, cheap prices, you can't beat it.

I have to say that this was the most naive question I've heard in a long time. There is no such thing as THE best place. It all dpends on who you are and what you like.

On the Fodor's board that people continually say "this the is best this or that" or that "we loved x, y or z" but don't say anything about themselves. This renders the advice useless. What a 20 year old college student liked is not going to be very helpful to me.

I suggest that posters start identifying themselves by basic demographic information and the kind of travel that they like along basic dimensions such as:

1. Like to linger vs. running around to see as much as possible

2. Expense: high moderate, as cheap as possible.

3. Balance between seeing local color, even if it means a bit of grunge, vs. wanting North American neatness, even if it means losing some local ambience.

Feel free to add other travel dimensions.

With 13 and 15 year olds, something that gives an education, as well as being away from home, would be Greece. Second choices would be Spain/Portugal. We've found these places are also less costly than Italy, for example, though there is another good place for a learning experience. We have enjoyed all our European travels thus far; I don't think any one outweighing the other.
Bob K.

Come'on we are possibly tired to read this but, nothing original, but The place of THE super exeptionnal place in the word; i think again & again for me is the Divine Venice!
What do you think

We took our 14 and 17 year old to Europe 10 years ago. To this day, they continue to thank us for opening up the world to them! We started on the Rhine River where my son felt like he was at Disneyworld! They grew up in Florida which lacks architecture and old world charm.... They couldnt get over the old castles and towns. From there it was to Heidelburg and then to Stuttgart. A trip to the Mercedes Factory nearby was a huge hit. Then to Munich - the Olympic Village, Castles, Duetches Museum, and the famous Hofbrau Haus. Then on to Austria Innsbruck and Salzburg - many sights and culture. The grand finale took us to Zermatt, Switzerland (site of the magnificent Matterhorn) and finally Lucerne. It was a great trip!! No matter where you go, to take your kids someplace special and have that Family bonding is something you will always cherish! Happy Trails!

Barcelona. great food. low prices on great beatiful hotels ($45/night!) excellent transport, beautiful streets, nightlife, museums, cathedrals, architecture, friendly sweet people who don't speak english (don't panic!) and great weather + PALM TREES! mountains, and sea! wow.

Paris, Venice and Cape Town.

"Shall I compare thee to a summer's day..."

Where? Italy!
Why? The best of: Food(anywhere), Wine (in the vineyards of Tuscany), Art, History, Architecture, Countryside (Tuscany), Gelato!

St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada - my hometown and the greatest place in the world.

Venice smells
Prague is old
Parisians are rude and smelly
England has horrible food and weather
Russians are all living in fear of organized crime

Give me good 'ol Las Vegas anytime!!!

The best place in the world is in Exuma, Bahamas floating through the cut at Maria Cay. When you're done that stroll through Georgetown and meet the absolutely nicest people you will ever know who always greet you with a smile. Then head on over to the Two Turtles for some chicken and peas and rice and a little music. Afterwards take a walk up the street to the Peace and Plenty and have a goombay smash. If you have more than one you might as well spend the night because you'll never make it out of there! What a place to get stuck! Ahhhh. Exumaaaaahhhh.

Wherever I am at the moment, eveywhere is unique.

Cape COd if they would only take it out of Mass.

I loved Paris and Stockholm as far as cities as they are beautiful with the bridges and rivers in between,
As far as the carribean St. Croix, and Barbadoes but have heard great things about St. Barts. I aslo loved many towns
in France, Hornfluer, La Rochelle,and ille de re. I also am in love with the Netherlands Harlem, Leiden, Delft, Middleberg and Maastraact.

Bad Reichenhall or Berchtesgaden in the German Alps...

The west coast of Ireland for the glory of the land and people and Paris for the history and beauty.

We've taken many family vacations - the best memory makers I can think of! We have teen ages girls and the favorite vacations for them are anything tropical. We've had wonderful times in the Keys and in the Caribbean - as long as there's sun, beach and surf we're all in heaven. Good luck!

Oh, golly, let's all join hands now and sing Kumbaya. Questions like this one are such drivel. Sure, everyone likes some place and that's all you are going to get on such a posting. For crying out loud, Jen, can't you eliminate SOMEPLACE in your search for "somewhere really special". C'mon Pollyanna, I'll bet you have already ruled out Antarctica and Botswana. This is a travel board, not a fly mat for drawing in the people that meet the soccer mom/dad, IQ under 90, etc. All you are going to find is like minded Reader's Digest subscribers that learn one new word every day and give you SOLID travel guidance such as:
"the best place in the world is home" [in all cases?], "wherever you choose to go together will be the best" [I'll look forward to a bordello in Juarez then], "snuggled up with my fluffy husband" [at least it's accurate and precise---hope it helps your search---he may be available part-time].

Seriously, a lot of people posting here have a lot of knowledge, but no one of these is going to assist you without you narrowing down your choices. They're not going to even open this posting.
I suggest you think about the kind of experience you want first: basking in the sun and rising only to walk to the waves drifting in on the shore? city hustle/bustle? want the historical bus tours? want to see 5 or 6 countries in a week and a half or focus on one region and leave feeling like you know it? These are the questions which, if you will answer as many as you can and then repost with something somebody can get their fingers and experience into,... you get a lot more than what you got, because what you've gotten up to this point is very general answers to the most general question you could have possibly posed.
I recommend that you think for yourself and try to narrow things down from WORLD to CONTINENT to COUNTRY to ETC. You obviously know that such a general question

I agree that Germany has it all. But more specifically, Berchtesgaden. It has all the winter sports (topnotch facilities), all the summer stuff you might want to do (except the beach), culture, history and fantastic food. The scenery is exquisite. You are only a few minutes from the music and culture of Salzburg. When I win the lottery (as soon as I can afford to buy a ticket) this is where I'm going to set up my Tex-Mex restaurant.

AUSTRIA , A U S T R I A , A..S..T..R..I..A
It has everything.It's Europe in a nutshell.Vienna is as magnificent as Paris,Schonnbrun is compared to Versailes.It has castles along river Danube like the Rhine valley in Germany.It has the same Alpine peaks & beatiful lakes that Switzerland has.It has picture postcard towns like Salzburg ,Graz.It's full of history & culture.The people are so warm & friendly.
My 2nd chice is SANTORINI ,Greece.

The best place in the world is a little cafe in Ribeauville in Alsace France. I discovered this as I sat there eating the worlds best baguette with fresh Jam, Croissant, Cafe Creme and juice. At that moment this was the center of the universe. Sometimes the simpliest things mean so much.

The place is Chez Martine on the Grand-Rue in Ribeauville.

The best place in the world is Paris, Paris, Paris,

Next Mt. Rigi in Lucerne, Switzerland

Next London

Next Western NC and Eastern TN

Le Paradis est où je suis.

Trekking the Himalayas in Nepal or Tibet. Hands down, the most friendly and beautiful people I have ever met in the most gorgeous location on earth.

You go Voltaire!
Actually right now home is

my 10 year old thinks anywhere in italy is the best, i can't argue with that.

My new best place is Scotland. My regular best place is Gualala. (Nothern Calif.)

That would have to be Minnesota. Extreme cold in Winter, extreme heat in Summer, clouds of mosquitoes, high taxes, disease bearing wood ticks.........What's that? Oh, *BEST* place in that world! Nevermind.

I know that it is a cliche, but PARIS!!

Its fabulous, romantic and beautiful! And in my experience, the people were not nearly as rude as they are made out to be.

Everyone should go there sometime in their lives!

kk, don't forget our Gov!

kk, *LOL*! That extreme heat, extreme cold and clouds of mosquitoes are three of the things that drove me away (of course, the mountains and coast of the Pacific Northwest also lured me away.)

Now, I've traded the extreme heat, extreme cold, and clouds of mosquitoes for extreme rain, extreme gray skies, and clouds of clouds. :~)

Sally, I loved Voltaire's comment too. Very well said (although I suppose one could also argue egocentric. :~)

Just got back from Poland and I would definetly have to say Krakow was absolutely fabulous. Poland is quickly catching up to the rest of Europe and the prices are probably half of what some other countries are.

I was in Yalta, in the Crimea (Ukraine) several years ago and it was fabulous. Beautiful mountains that literally come right down to the Black Sea. The air from the sea is just wonderful. Ukraine as a country sucks by western standards, but Yalta has to be one of the most beautiful places in the world. Cheap too. We had nice hotel for 6 nights that included 3 meals a day and it cost around 250 American dollars. Right by the sea. The air and the sound of the water put you right to sleep.

It's tough to get a visa to Ukraine and be prepared for serious culture shock if you go there. It's like time has stood still there for 50 years. But Yalta is worth the 'price'.

This is a great thread.
When I first read the initial posting, like some, I wondered if it wasn't just far too general. But I have been following the responses on several of the forums and enjoyed the wide variety of travel experiences it has elicited. Personally, I find it very difficult to name one favourite destination - so many places have so much to offer. But if pushed I would say Venice - it is just magical.
Thanks again Jen - and please let us know where you decide on.

HI!
DOUG YOUR OPINION TO BERCHTESGARDEN IS WONDERFUL. I AGREE WITH YOU. BUT PLEASE DON'T SET UP A TEX-MEX RESTAURANT THERE-OK??? THANX A LOT..............

For scenery: Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. It wins hands down.

The best family trip.. we have taken, has to be Bora Bora (Hotel Bora Bora) and Rangiroa. We have two boys..they went once, when they were 10 & 12 and another time when they were 17 & 19. We also took my sister and husband and their two boys 6 & 9. We are planning another trip next year..Every one of us loved it! Rangiroa..is the best..with their must do trips...blue lagoon,( it was so blue my pictures didn't turn out) pink sand beach, anoter to a place that looks like you landed on the moon... The snorkeling is incredible..you can swim with the reef sharks..(we all did) it was incredible!
Hotel Bora Bora for a few nights is just a dream..it is beautiful...very quiet.. a little quiet for the kids but they would go there again just to see it and have dinner at Bloody Marys....

Okavango Delta, Botswana. Period.

winter-spring---Placencia spring-summer---Baalbeck summer-fall-----Laytonville fall-winter-----KoPhanNgan Belize; Lebanon; No.Calif; Thailand

Easy choice San Francisco

There is no other place in the world that has such an extraordinary combination of beauty, natural setting, variety, ocean, area attractions (Carmel, Napa, Tahoe, Gold Country, Mt. Tam, etc) restaurants, etc.

I've been around the world, but nothing really comes close.

I have travelled all over the world,and even though every oplace has some wonderful memories I choose South Africa as my best place.Capetown is just wonderful,and a trip up the coast to their wineries is not to be missed,also Durban,beautiful beaches,and the people are lovely.

Andy, it was a joke dude.

That depends on what you want. If you're looking for the best beachjes in the World, go to Brazil.
Near Fortaleza (a northeast city) there is JERICOACOARA. Although it's still without too much tourism capacity, the beauty of the beaches and the happiness of the people says it all !!!
If you want a different tour, still in BRazil, go to BONITO, a city in the PANTANAL (central Brazil). There are so many rivers, safaris and landscapes that you'll enjoy this very very much.
I've returned from Brazil a month ago. Forget Rio de Janeiro. It's OK but it's only a 3-day trip to visit Corcovado (the Christ statue), the Sugar Loaf and those "everytime" sighseeings.
Near Rio you find ANGRA DOS REIS, which is 10 times more beautiful that Rio itself.
By the way, have a good trip !!!!

If you want to give your kids an some kind of education tour maybe Oxford (Woodstock), London, Amsterdam, Massrtich, Brussels with many stops in between. They will get to see some great country side and many historical places. I've been to all of these for work and have traveled via car between most. Driving in Belguim was so nice I pulled over several times to take pictures. I can hardly wait to do this for my children. Have a great time!

I have traveled all over the world. I have seen the Portinari altarpiece in Firenze, the Eiffel Tower, the Parthenon, Mount Everest. I have walked the Ramblas in Barcelona, the alleys of Venice, and the markets of Kathmandu. But I have never experienced anything as wonderous, as jaw dropping, as ethereal as standing on the Great Wall of China. When you realize that it is 3000 miles long, it reminds you of all that can be achieved by the human spirit.

Current first choice: Vancouver, B.C. Canada - recently voted most beautiful city in the world

If you want culture, go to Florence where half of the Western world's art resides

For peace and quiet: Any of the Shangri-La Resorts in Malaysia

For breathtaking scenery: Himalayas or Alaska

For shopping: Hong Kong, Singapore - or Vancouver

For fun: rafting anywhere

For peace of mind: take a cruise, the kids are always safe on board but out of your hair and with lots of activities to amuse their age groups

For non-commercial setting with art and culture: Eastern Europe

The choice depends on you and your family - just remember to enjoy yourself: when in Rome do as the Romans do. In other words, don't expect others to speak your language, serve the same kind of food, believe in the same things, etc. etc. Rather go ahead and look at and enjoy their cities and their countryside as they would. It'll be an everlasting experience.

Have been very blessed to have been to Europe 19 times in the past 12 years. Have visited 23 countries and I have to say this:

THE very best place to be, when all is said and done is...home!

Just ain't no place like it!


Tom

There's a picnic table on a 1 mile loop trail just off of Swan Mountain Road that looks over Lake Dillon in Summit County, Colorado. When I die, that's where you can sprinkle my ashes.

What do your children want to do? Island, Europe? Our favorite places in Europe are the magical city of Paris, the French Riviera (except Nice), St. Paul de Vence, Monaco, Rome, the spectacular Amalfi Coast, Sorrento. Islands are all of Hawaii (especially the big island of Hawaii), Aruba, and French St. Martin. Cruising allows seeing many places. My daughter will be traveling thru certain regions of Africa (flying into the bush to view animals, wineries in South Africa etc.) with a guide. If money is no object, I just saw on t.v. that the former yacht of Onassis (now the Christina O), is now restored and you can book staterooms for cruising thru Greek Islands. Good luck!

The one, the only, VENICE !!!!

My best place is actually three, the lovely (and different) lakes of Leman, Thun, and Maggiore in Switzerland.

All of the above places are wonderful. Right now, I would love to be strolling on the strand on the Dingle Peninsula, looking out to the Atlantic; then heading out to Slea Head for dinner and some Irish music. Simple pleasures - these days that would be a luxury.

One close to home is doing a rafting trip on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho. You don't see a TV or use telephone for a week. The water is lovely (go in July when it's warm of course) and the scenery spectacular. My Europe city is Rome. I love it. I'm from a small town, but Rome feels "homey." It has art, culture, entertainment, and SHOPPING. M.

You may want to check www.frenchwaterways.net

You can't get more "special" than this !

Jean

Ireland!!!
We went to Ireland, London and Paris this past summer and handsdown the food was the best in Ireland!! Better than Paris. I have always loved Ireland and have enjoyed the food but it had been 6 years since my last visit. Almost all our dinners were "gourmet"-even I was surprised. Thought Paris would beat the food-sorry folks, though the food was good in Paris-our best meals were in Ireland! And, for music-Ireland-always Ireland!
Shadow

Dear family,
if you haven't chosen yet the best place for your next year holiday, have a look at www.emmeti.it/Limoneto . it's in Sicily, and it's relly good.
Enjoy
Dora

We definitely concur with a lot of your listed heavenly locations[Okavango Delta(Botswana)Rome,Lake Lugano,London,Venice,Stockholm,Ngorongoro Crater(Tanzania),Alaska,Vancouver,Emerald Lake(B.C.),Prague,Pago Pago(American Samoa),Moorea(Tahiti),Auckland(New Zealand),Lizard Island (Austrailia)and Southern Thailand. However, when all is said and done,Naples,Florida and Waynesville,North Carolina(Great Smokies National Park area) are two of the most beautiful places in the whole world to call home!!! God bless America!

Please permit me to add my own best place -- Lago Maggiore. I know I've brought it up more than you might care to hear, but it is so very beautiful and quiet (if you stay in a tiny place like Gerra-Gambarogno).

The best place in the world is anywhere that is not inside a prison wall. Remember to count your blessing everyday that you are not imprisioned. Whether you are there due to your own mistakes or if you are imprisioned wrongfully, it is misery not to be free simply to walk on a street or a wooded trail. All you who are free remember to rejoice.

Sicily! This is really "heaven on earth". It's beautiful, romantic, with charming hotels, delicious food, a nice coast, cute little towns, wonderful and helpful people and lots to do for everyone (sun, beach, sports and lots of culture).

Lived in Europe and made 25+ trips back there. Been to Asia and the Pacific areas. Best place for me: Pacific Grove, California on the Monterey Peninsula. Hard to beat for great living and things to do. I still love Europe and will still be going back at the drop of a hat, but PG is best.

Sark, Channel Islands.

Ecuador--with a little bit of everything. Mountains, beaches, islands, volcanos, rainforest, waterfalls, lots and lots of hot springs, and even old cities full of beautiful churches. One of my favorites was the many lakes nestled in volcano craters--beautiful for boating or hiking.

1)*PARIS THE CITY OF LIGHTS! Ooh-la-la!Art.Architecture(monuments). History*. Palaces.Small villages.Antiques.Fabrics Cuisine.Charm @ Elegance.Dark chocolate and Latte.Simple dress code: dress in the dark; wear black from head to toe everyday! Paris is too amazing to attempt to define, it's a 'Must'.
2) *Iceland Natures Respite! A "polar" opposite to Paris, but soooo Divine. Fresh air, clean living, seafood, fish stew, natures rugged terrain,Icelandic horses, waterfalls, lava beds,"outdoor" geo thermal swimming pools that entire families attend together daily in the dead of winter, The Blue Lagoon an (outdoor) geo thermal pool with an infinite capacity to awe and amaze even years after my only dip.

Maybe someone is still interested in this thread. I just gave it another look and saw Kate's vote for Sark, the Channel Islands. Kate, if you're still around, can you elaborate? J.

Venice, Italy. There really are no words. It is peaceful and unlike anywhere else.

Last year I spent my vacation in Brazil and fell in love with it. The cities don't have the grandeur or history of Europe, but the incredible warmth and friendliness of the people and the vibrancy of the nightlife makes it a treasure.

I think Puerto Vallarta Mexico is a wonderful place for all ages. The Mexican please are so friendly. The beach is beautiful. The town is very walkable.Alot of fun shopping or just hanging out.
I also love Venice Italy. It is magical. Nothing beats going away from the tourist areas early in the morning. All the misty little canals. Heaven on Earth.
Have a wonderful time...

any beach*paris*disneyland*universal*aix*barcelona*madrid*lisbon*notre dame*brussels*athens*boston*new orleans*los angeles*san francisco*chicago*the lake district*bodiam castle*hamburg*amsterdam*tokyo*kyoto*sydney*melbourne*prague*in the sea*in bed

New Zealand! Where else on earth can you find such a range of natural wonders, wide open spaces, friendly people that speak English and costs that are about 40% of what they are state-side? Just imagine California with 35 million (yes, that's MILLION) people removed and only 3 million left!

Easy answer: Sibiu, Romania. Why? Check its web site www.sibiu.f2s.com and find out.

Based on 30 years of travel my favorites: In the U.S- Nantucket, Marthas Vinyard, Medocino Ca., San Francisco, Key West 20 years ago and before 25 cruise ships a week arrived.
Europe: Amalfi Coast, stay at Positano-incredible; Rome; Bavaria; Lake Region-Italy- Bellagio is a gem; Kinsale, Ireland on a rainy day. Planning to go to Prague in Spring, seems to be favorite of many who have been there. Any comments on Prague appreciated.

The best place I ever saw was on the island of Kauai. There is a national park and I could be mistyping it but I think it was called Kilauea (not the volcano) but a bird sanctuary with a beatiful lighthouse and a tiny separate island that had all the birds on it. The scenery was breathtaking and I am not an artsy fartsy type of guy.

Brazil is fabulous.

Two answers:

If you want the most beautiful place in the world to do water sports, etc.... and REALLY get away.... Cruise the Society Islands of French Polynesia..

If you want a great European experience.... Barcelona... our favorite large city )

Barry

Let's be honest with ourselves! The Canadian Rockies top the list!! Yeah been there done that - love foreign travel but nothing is quite like the Canadian Rockies!!!!!!!!!!

As a present Londoner, Irish born, Scottish raised, married to an Englishman and 20 years working abroad, - very pleased to see that so many visitors still like London. It can be dirty, dangerous and daft, but yes, it is still the best city in the world. (Although I must admit I thoroughly enjoyed New Orleans recently!)

I'm with John...Try East Tennessee during each of the four seasons, and you will discover true tranquility. Other destinations may be more EXCITING, but East TN feels like paradise. On the other hand, if you prefer something more exotic, Try London, Paris or Rome.

My fiancee and I went to St. Croix last June, and I was looking for a house to buy after the second day. Beautiful beaches, beautiful water, great food, friendly people, laid back attitude. Rent a car and drive around the small island, eat at a different place for every meal, and don't forget to tour the rummery.

Snorkeling is among the best in the world, and there is a great tri-maran to take you to an underwater national park.

Actually, St. Croix is the second best place for a vacation. The best is Mauritius. Stayed there several years ago at an all-inclusive resort. The food was caught right off the beaches and served up in a different nationality's cuisine each night. All meals were served on the veranda, and snacks were served at the swim-up bar.

The harbor is host to several water sports with training classes, if neccessary. There are tours to take inland, to the few small towns and to an extinct volcano. But, it is pleasant enough to just stay at the resort. I think its name was St. Geran. Most of the other tourists there were South African, but there were also a lot of Germans. Even though english speakers were in the minority, there was no trouble with communications with any of the staff. Most of them are fluent in at least 5 languages.

My kids were grade school age at the time and that is their most memorable vacation.

Favorite places:

Prague--magical! Culebra, Puerto Rico--remote beautiful beaches with nothing much to do. Nantucket, preferably not in July & August when it is overrun with tourists.

No contest---my house, my bed, my husband.

Not very travel concious, but sometimes there's no place like home.

i think it depends on what you are looking for. I prefer holday where I both have fun and have time to relax and learn about the culture of the country I am visiting. I think there are millions of best places to see around the world. India for its mystisism, England for its green area and cultural events and history, Paris for its romance, Italy for its history, Greece for beaches sea and history Turkey for the same reasons of Greece which is cheaper then Greece I suppose. t wont be easy to find the best for me as there are really great places to visit.

www.visitkusadasi.com

Cleveland. Knowing that you don't live there gives you that warm fuzzy feeling all over.

or Carmel.

Hi Jen,
I agree with the most authors on this -
home (Düsseldorf/Germany) is the best place .
But then again you have to diversify your choice:
1. Relax - Fuerteventura(west coast)-canary island - miles and miles of golden sandy beaches with the sand of the Sahara desert, very quiet
2. Loe & Relax - Kauai - Hawaiian island
3. Shopping/Living - Vancouver/Sydney
4. Hideaways - Hayman Island/Shangri La Rasa Ria Borneo - Mokey Mia
5. biking/canoeing - finland/sweden
6. food - france/belgium
7. scenery - Hwy. 1 Australia (all around the continent), Patagonia
8 - tent trip - Vancouver-Whitehorse-Dawson- Alaska
9 - excotics - Oman(Al Bustan Palace)
10 - cruises - Lee River (Guilin/China)
11 - excitement/shopping - Hong Kong/New York/London/Paris
12 - Romance - PARIS
13 - with kids - Orlando/any safari KRueger Natl. Park, desert Safari Dubai
and many more -

I loved those places and it's hard to make a choice. I recently thought of a quiet moment on sunset at the Uluru Rocks(N.T./australia) - absolut amazing,
or dolphin watching at Monkey Mia(they come to the beach/W.A./Australia)
or amzing flowers on Borneo - or a fantastic place in the australian rainforest, Daintree Resort - absolut unique.
Not to forget the indian summer at the New England states or sunrise on top of the Haleakala Mt. .
Or the gorgeous Inside Passage.
The world is full of fantastic moments and places.
More info - ...email me
Shain/Germany/Düsseldorf

Is Shain/Germany/Dusseldorf the same thing as FredMin? Is this advertising?

If you want to relax, head for the Caribbean and a remote island called Saba. We watched a dog sleep in the only road in town for over two hours.

Dutch holding with Caribbean sun.

Can't beat Asia for food and hospitlity. Several spots of rememberance are cental Bali, Indonesian, highlands of Malaysia, Bangkok and Komodo Island, Indonesia.

I asked my daughter, who is now 20, what was her best travel memory. I thought she would have said watching dolphins in Kauai. She picked Varenna, Italy on Lake Como because it felt like going back in time to a small Italian village. We stayed in a very small hotel, Albergo Olivedo, right on Lake Como (and the ferry dock I might add). The first weekend in July the little towns put on a fantastic fireworks display over the lake and we watched it from our hotel balcony. They also floated candles on the water.

After that she says---PARIS. Loves art.

Angkor Wat in Cambodia - really. It is unbelievable.

Wow, the best huh? Tough question. Of teh places we have visited so far I would have to put these at the top:
BORA BORA, PRAGUE, JAIPUR, SINGAPORE. Bon Voyage!

So far in my travels I've loved Australia, New Zealand and the south of France. Given that you have teens - they may not appreciate the same things in the South of France that you and your husband would. I bet they would like Australia and New Zealand (New Zealand is really my favorite). Both have such a relaxed atmosphere, breathtaking scenery - and if you are at all outdoor lovers, the options for hiking, biking, water sports, etc and limitless. I went when I was about 17 and really loved the wildlife and nature part of my travels. Just a few thoughts.

Berlin, Germany became my favorite place in the world minutes after I landed there. After two trips over, I still am captivated by Berlin like no where else I have ever ever been. As I walk through Berlin and contemplate Berlin's amazing history, I feel both chills and great elation. The feeling of the perserverance of human spirit and liberation draws me ceaselessly. Those are the main reasons Berlin is my favorite place in the world, but it is also a beautiful city with tons to do and some of the friendliest people I have ever met. As soon as I finish my Master's degree this year, I am returning to Berlin for good since I cannot bear to be apart from it. Wherever you go, enjoy your vacation! Mags (in Salt Lake City, UT)

My wife instantly said Corfu Island in Greece (it was wonderful). For me, the Venice was enchanting, Norway was spectacular, and Hawaii the best.

VERONA, ITALIA

ROME - I spent 3 years living there and still can't get enough! - if you have 1/2 a brain and some $$ you can have the time of your life

I remember breakfast at the AYH youth hostel in Grindewald, Switz. Hot chocolate, rye bread and butter. It was twenty-two years ago I have been lots of places, but I remember that breakfast in that place.

Our sons are now grown with children of their own but when they were your childrens age ,their favorite vacation was sailing the British Virgin Islands on a 55 ft chartered vessel with captain, cook & first mate.On board, we had a dingy, sunfish sail , windsurfer, underwater cameras,and snorkel gear. Their second favorite was Aruba. Our sons never enjoyed being trapped in a car for days on end of looking at history. For walking cities, I would suggest Rome, Prague & Dresden, & for a truly interesting place how about Budapest. Good luck & have fun

I don't know if you'll ever read this, since there are so many replies, but the place in the world that is the most special to me so far in definitely Lanzarote. It is an island of a strange beauty, but if you love it, you love it forever. It is just so different from anything else, and everything is within your reach as it is not such a big island: you have beautiful beaches in the south (Papagayo beaches), a romantic black beach called Janubio in the southwest, kind of a spanish CostaBrava town in the east (nice for the kids, with a nice beach and stuff), and the most special of all: the volcanic parc Montanas del fuego, sleeping volcanos as far as the eye can see. Like walking on the moon, on a camel if you like. If you want some more information about this beautiful place, you can mail me of course.

There are many places that offer great things, excitement in london and new york, food in france and italy and so on, but for me something has been missing since we returned from 3 weeks in Norway. It could be the scenery, the fjords (beyond description and better than can imagined) the snowy and remote mountains with glaciers tumbling down to the road or sea, the cool calm atmosphere or the air of stress free and friendly efficiency, but Norway is my favourite country and offers a certain something that nowhere else does. Other aspects of the country impressed themselves upon me and I think we could all learn something from the way their society operates with equality, care for the environment and benevolent internationalism. I will happily visit anywhere else for sunshine, warmth, cuisine and low prices but I felt a completeness in Norway that was totally unique.

Yeah Norway. We could be like that if we had a socialist government and kowtow to authority , keep minorities how so we could have a nice pure ethnically uniform society. Oh yeah, and enough oil revenue to finance the whole country so no one has to lift a finger to work hard.

(Ignoring x the troll)
The 10 best international destinations I've been to, in rank order...

1. Venice
2. Paris
3. Maui
4. Rome
5. Florence
6. London
7. Loire Valley
8. Verona/Bergamo/Lakes
9. Cozumel
10. Dublin

This list will change greatly over the next several years...once I've visited the Bernese Oberland, Scandanavia, the Canadian Rockies, Australia, etc.

What are your kids' interests-beach, cities? I can only speak from experience: Our family always loved California and driving from Southern California to Northern California and making stops along the way--Carmel, Big Sur, Hearst Mansion etc. Another favorite was Hawaii expecially the Big Island of Hawaii. "Special" can mean so many things. Chartering a boat and sailing the British Virgin Islands or the Grenadines can be "special". Vacationing in Rome and the Amalfi Coast...a cruise through the Greek Islands, all spectacular. Good luck!

As long as money is no object, visit Singapore. The city of 4 million people looks and feels like a country club all the time. The shopping, according to my wife, is world class, the golf courses are without peer, the people are extremely congenial, it's a youthful populace, poverty is nowhere to be found, restaurants are varied and excellent, crime is virtually non-existent and since it's 50 miles from the Equator, the temperatures are always warm/hot. I've visited almost all the major cities in the world, and Singapore is #1 in my book.

You are not going to get an honest answer i don't think, after all everyone is going to say their country is ,so why ask the question not to be rude .

Living/Working: Vancouver B.C. ( It's true, I am there 3-4 times a month)

Hiking: The North Cascade Range & Appenzell Alps

History/Culture: Kyoto (Unquestionably the most intriguing place to visit in the world)

Art / Arcitechture: Kyoto, Paris (W/ The Loire) & Florence

Gastronomy: Paris, Tokyo & (my home town) Seattle & London (just kidding)

Beaches: Turks and Caicos Islands
(There is nothing like these beaches)

Hedonism: Amsterdam & Tokyo

Urban Holiday: Lucerne (Is there a better city?)

Drinking: Wine: Alsace Beer: Hidelberg

I Love Northern Michigan!!

I have been to Hawaii 3 times, Greece, England 3 times, Wales, Norway, Germany, Mexico twice, Bermuda, Amsterdam, The Bahama's and many states in America. Still my favorite place is in Northern Michigan. It is the most beautiful place in the world. Lake Michigan's beaches are beautiful. It is so big it's like an ocean without sharks and jelly fish. I love all the pine trees and wonderful little gift shops and old victorian homes.

Jen, You must have received hundreds of replies and suggestions to you posting in all of the fodor's travel forums. I wonder to which best place in world you actually travelled??

I would have to say the island of Jamaica for some great R&R and for everything else.... Paris with London coming in a close second to that!! But as other posters have said, you make your own best vacation and anywhere you go with your family will be wonderful! Just enjoy it!

If believe Greece is one of the best countries me and my family have ever been to. Especially the islands.
There you feel free and you do not have to worry about leaving your children go out alone or exploring the place.
Santorini is the island that we will visit for the second time this year.

I also like Milan, Italy but when we went there last year we where robbed!!!!
And of course I never left my children alone anywhere

Italy is the best place for me. I love it all. The people are so friendly. The food and wine is out of this world !!
Your family will love you forever if you take them to Italy...

THE BEST BEST PLACE IN THE WORLD IS SPAIN, SPAIN, SPAIN, SPAIN.
VICTOR

for scenery Lake Louise in the Canadian rockies--it took my breath away. Also love Paris, Maui, St. Maartin/St/Martin Heidelberg, Germany, Salzberg, Austria and Caesaria, Israel

About 5 years ago my husband and I took our two early 20's sons on a river rafting trip in the Grand Canyon. They are still talking about it. We have all traveled quite a bit and this trip was at the top. Contact Western River, 800-453-7450 out of Salt Lake City. They are the best. There are all different kinds. We took the one with big boats where you don't work. Your children are old enough to LOVE it. I know several other people who have taken the same trip and they all say the same thing. We took the shorter version that begins and ends in Las Vegas, which is such a contrast, but fun also. Send for a brochure or ask them for the video. I show it to my students at school. Let me know.

Best food = Italy and Mexico City

Best art (scuptures, paintings) = Paris, Florence

Most idyllic scenery = the English countryside

Most dramatic scenery = California coast highway; the Lake Tahoe area; also the top of Zugspitze mountain (Germany, Austria border).

Most beautiful gardens = England

Best culture = Mexico City has it all: Aztec temples, many 16th century buildings, the greatest anthropology museum in the world, also many art museums, fascinating walks, friendly people, and wonderful food (especially the breakfasts!). The only features stopping me from ranking this #1 in my list of places to visit are the traffic and pollution: People drive like maniacs; and in winter, breathing can be a problem.

Paris

Has anyone ever added this all up to see what the best place is?

Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Aust. I don't know where you are from. I live on the Sunshine Coast and it's like being on holiday every day of my life. We have everything from sandy beaches, sub tropical weather, scienic drives, theme parks (The Crocodile Man Steve Erwin is here)etc etc. Have a great holiday.

I would agree with abby and a few others...ICELAND...such a vast contrast to any other place in the world... I've been 4 times and would visit again in the dead of winter to sit in the Blue Lagoon (geo-thermal pool) and get snowed upon...Second choice would be Vail in a jacuzzi after a hard day of skiing...get my "snow" drift

It is hard to pick the best. I agree that Prague is near the top, so is London, Paris, Salzburg and Thailand.

Australia was the BEST trip that I have taken. First of all, the people there are extremly friendly and helpful. In addition, the topography of the country is beautiful and different than the US. Also, one of the seven wonders of the world is there, the GREAT BARRIER Reef.

I have travelled extensively throughout Europe and the Americas (except for Greece). I like discovering places for the architectural significance and beauty but equally take time out to be active from a sports perspective. The best places and the best time for a vacation are in the Autumn at:

San Francisco, CA: (Best wine tasting, moutanin biking, restaurants, skiing,and National Parks like Yosemite all within travel distance. October is the warmest month during Indian Summer, 85-100 degrees F, June-Sept Foggy cool)

Key West, FL: Rent a sunset cruise, do a B&B and make sure you are not alone!

Venice and Barcelona: Great cultural and climate experience + shopping. They are my favorite. But only in Autumn. Venice and Barcelona are dirty in Summer because of the crowds.

London, Paris are terribly overrated unless you like shopping which is great These cities are worth seeing once for their historical and cultural significance. If you never make it to either...Trust me you didn't miss anything when compared to everything else in Europe. London over Paris. AVOID the summer month at all costs unless you have no options. There are way too many Americans that its just cheaper going to the the Paris casino in Las Vegas and you get the same experience unfortunately. And with so many Euros on "holiday" the lines are horrendous. I have gone in the Winter. It was chilly but a COMPETELY different and worthwhile experience. If you have to go in the Summer make sure you hit Italy because its the only country where standing in the long lines is worthwhile in every respect.

Underrated places: Eastern Europe particularly, Krakow, Vienna, Prague. If given a chance I would hit these places again in a heartbeat over Paris. People are VERY warm. Make sure to take a train ride!

Also underrated: Driving through the Benelux region. Make sure to hit Amsterdam, Maastricht, Antwerp. Warning: Brussels is a dump and people are not warm in Belgium.

As you can see, such a broad question will give you many wonderful answers. Since you will be traveling with children, I must agree that hearty Germany would appeal to everyone- whether it's skiing, hiking, sightseeing- Germany offers everything from large cities to tiny remote villages. Moving from north to south to east Germany is as though traveling through different countries. My advise is to go to your library and check out movies on different countries- choose what appeals to YOU!

CAYMAN ISLANDS, CAYMAN ISLNADS, CAYMAN ISLANDS....Beaches are beautiful and the waters crystal clear...rated one of the best diving sights of the world..relax on the beaches and listen to Island music or enjoy the endless water activities..the people are friendly and the cuisine delightful All in all its a safe, clean, friendly, and relaxed, certainly a great family destination !!!!!

The "best place in the world"-- for me!!!-- is located south of Florence, north of Siena, somewhere in the Chianti Classico region, tucked away a few miles from the nearest little town. I definitely will NOT tell you exactly where it is-- because that might decrease my odds of finding it available for us, the next time we are lucky enough to visit there.
It is on a wine-olive producing farm over 400 years old, overlooking a gloriously beautiful valley, providing vistas of little towns such as Castellina, Panzano, Gaiole, Greve, Lamole and many others vaguely in the distance.
For excitement, we have our choice of two weekly markets within ten minutes. There are plenty of local shops that provide more than we need or can consume in the short time we are there. The local restaurants are an inviting mix of locals and tourists, but not so overrun as to be opressive. People smile, laugh with you, act pleased to see you back again-- whether this week, or from a prior year.
We can be in any of the larger cities easily within an hour-- yet we seldom venture more than a few miles from our simple Casa Colonica, following our happy daily routine of coffee, a newspaper, simple grocery shopping (visit to bakery, etc.). Then modest exercise, a little shopping for shoes, clothes, leathergoods (but mostly as a diversion, not as a serious preoccupation). Then back home to lounge by the pool, read, nap. Contemplate what's for dinner, whether to cook or head out to one of the simple trattorie or osterie only minutes from our door.
Me, I would happily spend six months here. And I want my ashes scattered here, when I die. The good news is the executor of my will gets an all expense paid trip to do the deed!
Find your own "best place." You will be very glad you did!

The Oregon Coast is simply the most beautiful place I have ever been. It is undeveloped and the rock formations on the coast are stunning. Summer is a great time to visit. Two days driving and stopping at the many overlooks and hitting the beaches is the minimum. Bandon is a great place to spend the night. Sunsets can be spectacular. And mornings when the fog is still settled lightly on the coast is unlike anything I have seen before. We have driven south from the road to Portland once and numerous time northward from the north California beginning point. I believe the southern end is the most spectacular. Please excuse my poor adjectives. They can't do the sights justice. At one overlook my husband and I looked at each other and agreed that no one could ever design a view as well as the Lord did right here. We have taken our family of 4 children to the Oregon Coast many times over the years when they spanned many ages. In fact I was pregnant with the last 3 on each of 3 different trips. The kids always loved it.

I would have to say Southern Italy: the Amalfi Coast and Capri. It is absolutely relaxing, beautiful and the locals are the best

My bed on a Sunday morning

Greek islands,Venice,California,Cape town

St. Thomas and St. Johns.. US Virgin Islands.

It's paradise!!!!

New York, USA
for NYC and everything it offers, The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Central Park, Niagra Falls, Farmland,
Bronx Zoo, Shopping, the Hudson Valley, Long Island with its vineyards and beautiful beaches, the Hamptons, Montauk Point, Fire Island, Sagamore Hill, Hyde Park, the Cloisters, the Adirondacks, the Catskills, sports,the multi-ethnic community which affords
New York the opportunity of having restaurants of almost every cuisine
imaginable. Yup, Definitely New York.

Ok, Ok, I got a little carried away there. It's basically all of the USA
for the diversity of
the landscape,
the music,
the beautiful parks,
the different foods,
the cities,
the entertainment
the sports
the museums,
the zoos,
the aquariums,
the planetariums,
the churches, synagogues, mosques
the food
the doctors
the restaurants
the shopping,
and THE FREEDOM
and even though I take it all for granted and haven't seen half of it
(hope to see it all)I'm still going to Italy on vacation.

Trowbridge, Wiltshire.
Where else can you get a pork pie factory, inbreeding and a club called 'Terry's' within a mile of each other and still feel happy to be alive?

Venice! It's truly a fairytale spot unlike anything else!

Where ever my wife of 29 years and I are together. Hopefully in a quiet place with two glasses and with a nice bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape!

US

Run from the World ...hide. Teach your childern how to hide, and were and how to let go...try Venice..anytime but summer...too may tourists!! If you want to stay stae side, Try Provincetown...a great place to let go and relax. No pressure in either city!!!!

Yosemite National Park in California in early June was the best place I've ever been. 4 nights - 3 full days was not enough time to explore the entire park. It is truly a majestic place. The waterfalls (go in late Spring or early Summer, they are glacial) and rock formations are like nothing I've seen before. The hiking (get "Great Walks of Yosemite" and definitely drive up to Glacier Point and hit the Taft Point hike on the way down) is the best. The valley is very touristy, but that Great Walks book will take you to some more remote places.

I've been to Italy, Portugal and many destinations in the US. None have been better than Yosemite. If you like photography, hiking, nature, etc. you must see Yosemite at some point.

HOME...as Bono sings, "its where the heart is."

US

No question about it ...Ireland is #1.Wonderful people in both the north and the republic and the most spectacular scenary I have seen anywhere. I have visited 50 countries and I wish I had gone to Ireland years a ago

Australia, no question about it.

t

Kerela, India, The most beautiful paradise in the world. Come see.

Andalucia (Spain)

Dear Jen. I can suggest you Malta. The island where I was born and still live. Reasons1) if you like history,you can find pre historic temples,cart ruts ect. (2) if you like the sea, malta is so small that in few minutes,you can find sandy or rocky beaches. (3)if you like night life, you can find it as well and it's very safe for the kids. (4} about food, we have alot of traditional and international restaurants.The only problem is you might get little fat as for me maltese food is very good. Hope I was a good help.

Haven't found the best place yet, but am having fun trying. Favorite so far, the Kia Ora Sauvage, Rangiroa, French Polynesia.

Hi Jen,
The best place in the world is Turkey.Because if you visit Turkey;
*You can learn about mythology
*You have sea,sun and sand triority
*You see all the historical places
*You see the first and antique places related to Christianity(Christianity was named first in Anatolian side of Turkey.The church St.Paul is in Turkey.
*You see the Turkish Delight(Belly Dancer)
*Shopping is wonderful there.Because everything especially carpets and gold is so cheap that you can buy all of them
*You visit all the churches,mosques,underground cities,special Turkish Nights
*You taste their traditional drink"RAKÝ"
Shortly if you visit Turkey once,you will go there again.Time will not be enough.And it is cheaper than Greece.
I can higly recommend you that web-site www.reservingturkey.com
billurbulak@yahoo.com.Billur is the sales manager of the company and
she is a nice girl. Be sure that arranges for you the best accomodation and the price..
Have a nice holiday...

This is quite a thread!!

I know the best place in the world , but I am not telling you !!
Or everyone will want to go there and spoil it for me....!!!!!
Happy hunting
Rich

Hey BILLUR,

Son zamanlardad sizin bu formda reklamlarinizi goruyorum gayet guzel ama ilk once burada insanlara yardim edin daha sonra kisa yoldan para kazanmaya calisin. BURADA REKLAM YAPMAK YASAKTIR.

Sevgiler

Mehmet

Jen,
Try Cardiff, Wales in the late spring. Or in the southern hemispere try Hobart, Tasmania - again in the spring.
Finally Liverpool is great at any time but I was born there so I am biased!

Lots of folks with lots of good ideas, interesting thread ! However, I suggest you rent an RV and see America. Many people recommended "seeing the USA" and for your children it would be a wonderful "history" lesson. Take an entire summer; go wherever the road leads you. Don't pen yourself in with a firm plan, just hop in and GO ! Stop where the scenery or activity welcomes you...get off the beaten path and explore and discover all this land has to offer. And you'll find that this type of vacation also allows you to *discover one another as a family. Have fun !

Merhaba Mehmet Bey,
Ben kisa yoldan para kazanmaya calismiyorum.Yahoo reklam parami oderseniz 1 dakika icin 3000$ sevinirim ve reklam yapmam.Ben iyi isler yapiyorum ve bu birilerini rahatsiz ediyorsa,lutfen kendinizi tanitin ve size bireysel aciklama yapayim.

not Italy

I agree with Iain, Cardiff late spring (when Liverpool come to the Mill and win the FA Cup)lol

Muck

Tented cabin at Xigera Camp on an island in the Okavango Delta, Botswana, Africa. Incredible experience that the whole family would LOVE

It really depends on your taste. My 2 favorite places in the world are New Zealand and Thailand. NZ has such wonderful people but the real beauty is the topography.

Thailand is interesting more because of the culture/street shops. But for outdoor fun, there's nothing like riding on an elephant through banana fields in Chiang Mai.

You might also want to consider any dietary restrictions.

While I have not been, some of my family found the Galapogos Islands to be incredible. You can couple that with a trip through the jungles of Ecuador. If so, I suggest the Casa del Suisso, which is a beautiful but rustic lodge in the middle of nowhere. The guides take you through unmarked trails and some rafting.

Have fun !!!

It has been interesting and amusing to read all these responses. I agree with so many of them...
However, I would like to know, what do Yosemite and the Great Smoky Mountains National Parks have to do with Paris, Rome or Madrid. I have seen all of them and I live one hour fron the Smokies (where we go at least twice a year).Is it not like comparing apples and oranges? Please!!

I think the best place in the world is Darby, PA, USA. It features a home with a small airplane suspended upon its roof, a very large (but scenic) rock, as well as some fine examples of architectural decay and blight.

The locals are particularly friendly, especially if you are interested in shopping - the "must buy" item is a magic white powdery substance, sold in plasticine bags.

There's no place like home.

Dorothy

There's no place like home. After traveling to Europe, Asia, and South America, Vancouver BC is the most incredible place in the world. So much to do, see and eat of course!!

Estonia
-is cheap
-is friendly
-has lots of castles and stuff
-has great restaurants and bars in Tallinn, the capital
-can be worked into a trip to interesting neighbouring countries
-is somewhere your friends probably haven't gone!

The best place for me is HOME with hubby, kids and dogs.

It's Tahiti- Bora Bora to be specific. The natural beauty is incomparable.

"Author: Clark
Date: 05/02/2001, 03:40 pm
Message: Venice smells
Prague is old
Parisians are rude and smelly
England has horrible food and weather
Russians are all living in fear of organized crime"

Hey! Stereotype boy!! I thought us English had adopted the good ole USA diet - fast food etc - does that mean you hate your own delicacies?! P

... I also must add my faves.

1. Thailand - fantastic country and people
2. Kenya on Safari
3. USA - in particular, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Florida, Monument Valley ... wow
4. Greek Islands
5. Last trip was to Rome - thoroughly enjoyable for a long weekend
6. Home

I suggest that"the best place in the world" is a particular state of mind. What was better than dancing with your girl friend at the Junior Prom. How about, finally hooking the big trout in that special place. Mundane, "you are hired!" She says, "YES !". A jackpot at Las Vegas! The best place is all in the mind. Agree? Disagree? Now, and impossible, the kitchen table, and my mother's warm bread and butter, or was it the home made donuts! I have more, but thanks for initiating this thread.

My home city, New York, will always be my best place. Second to that would be Tanzania. My then 11 year old son and I visited in the summer of 1998. Your kids, and yourselves, will never forget it. If you want to ask me any questions about our trip, my e-mail address is BraidsL@aol.com

A recent survey result posted on this site showed that Americans who went abroad for their vacations enjoyed the following countries most of all: Ireland,Australia and New Zealand.My favorite places are Rome,London,Paris,Killarney,San Francisco and Cape Town.

Like many have said, it depends what you are looking for. Since I live in a very beautiful, relaxing place near beach and in the country, my favorite vacation is in a City, and that city is PARIS! My fantasy best vacation (hopefully to become a reality) is BORA BORA; I haven't been successful in convincing my husband to go on a tropical vacation until recently. I have only seen it in pictures, but I hear from seasoned travelers it is the best tropical destination.

Thus far,

1. Kauai
2. Big Island of Hawaii
3. Prague

Right now....a 3 hour flight from anywhere Saddam Hussein is!

US

To me the best trip would be a trip to Wales and England and if you have a hotal in England then you would need a car and you could drive to Wales. Wellk ok i am welish and English so to me it is fun to go to my hometown but really it is a fun place to go! and your kids will have fun too! so you get a great trip and a fun time and a history lesson all in one!
i got to go
chow
bye
haley
marie

I would like to amend my post from 3 years ago. In fact, ignore it completely...I was young and foolish.

1. Berner Oberland
2. Hawaii
3. Venice
4. Paris
5. Italian Lakes
6. Scottish Highlands
7. Loire Valley
8. Rome
9. London
10. San Francisco / wine country / north CA coast

There. Much better now.

Gsteed: "The best place is all in the mind".

Abso-posi-lutely true! We make our own Best Places in how we receive and react at any given moment to where we are, whom we're with, and what we're doing.

I know I have only "now". The past is unreachable, the future is only one of my assumptions.

Trite, perhaps. But also true.

For me the best part about travel is that it jolts me out of my ruts, forces me to reevaluate my own assumptions, to rethink how I deal with the world, and seems to make every "now" even more intense.

Great thread.

Fritzrl

Everyone has a different opinon:

1. Morelia, Mexico
2. Florence, Italy
3. Sevilla, Spain

There are many beautiful places in just about every corner of the world. What makes something the 'best', is being in hte right places at the right time, when everything is just perfect. here are a few of mine:
Hiking the Dachstien in Austria on a beautiful September day.
Biking thru rolling fields of grain and tiny hamlets just outside of Charte France.
Snorkelling a crystal clear lagoon in Mexico.
Having a great pizza at a quiet outdoor cafe in Venice.
Walking down into Bryce canyon Utah on a crisp spring morning.
And last but not least, cross country skiing thru the mountain trails behind my New Hampshire home after a fresh snowfall.

There are many beautiful places in just about every corner of the world. What makes something the 'best', is being in the right places at the right time, when everything is just perfect. here are a few of mine:
Hiking the Dachstien in Austria on a beautiful September day.
Biking thru rolling fields of grain and tiny hamlets just outside of Charte France.
Snorkelling a crystal clear lagoon in Mexico.
Having a great pizza at a quiet outdoor cafe in Venice.
Walking down into Bryce canyon Utah on a crisp spring morning.
And last but not least, cross country skiing thru the mountain trails behind my New Hampshire home after a fresh snowfall.

I fear the answer will always be Paris...Is it really necessary to explain why ??

Just about any one of the beautiful National Parks in the US!

mr_go said it. Bernese Oberland it is, followed by Hawaii. I'll be more specific though - Kauai in the Hawaiian islands. Venice is a close 3rd, but it may be put out of place by Cancun/Cozumel.

However like a lot of people have said before me, its impossible to say which is the best place in the world. It depends on each individual, their personality, likes & dislikes, etc., etc.

We live in Southern California, and I just heard an answer to your question that can't be beat..
"my favorite place is LAX"..because...if I am there it means I am going somewhere, and that's wonderful!!"

I HAVE read every single reply here. alot of great stuff! But coming from a world traveler as I am, I can make this easy for you. hands down, no questions asked, the BEST PLACE IN THE WORLD IS:

NEW YORK CITY

it DOES NOT get any better than that baby!

well here goes...

Ireland - because my wonderful other half is irish - they make them especially good in ireland!
Scotland - cause I live there....


Venice - because its so different and the food is great
Rome - for the buildings
Fiji - for relaxation
Australia - (all 5 places we visited) laid back attitude and great weather
Dubai - for diamonds (shh going back again in 6 weeks for an engagement ring - yipee)
Thailand - lovely smiling people
New York - for the hussle and bustle
Germany - for the sausages and festivals
Brussels for devine chocolate
Prague - for beers (for my other half)
America - cause everything is so much bigger - and outlets are excellent for shopping
Paris - for the romance

sorry but I didnt like
Chicago - thought it was grey miserable and run down
Milan - not what I expected - bad atmosphere

Marie

"Chicago - thought it was grey miserable and run down"

I agree. I've spent a summer there once and have made frequent business trips. It's among my least favorite big cities.

Most buildings are made from that dirty-looking brown brick. The landscape is flat, featureless, treeless and barren. The streets are filty, and the weather is among the worst around.

It's only saving grace is that there is a well-dfined Chicago character and sense of place. There's some nice art deco architecture, too. But overall, it's about the last place I'd go for leisure.

Have you heard of Cinqueterre, Italy? It's amazingly beautiful and plenty to do for kids and adults. Truly a wonderful place to vacation.

My Favorite place in the world is Great Britain. it is where I feel most at home

The best place in the world is home.
But if you want to see the nicest place in the world and if you are thinking of mountains, then you need to go to Faulhorn (First or Bussalp are other options)in GRINDELWALD Switzerland.
Look at it under www.grindelwald.com
but to be there is 100 times better

When I lived in Colorado, an old guy said that when he retired, he would throw a snow shovel over his shoulder and keep walking south until someone said, "Hey, Mister, whatcha carrying?"

I want to do the same, only I'll carry a Rick Steeves Guidebook!

We flew to Paris and spent the first 3 nights there. We loved Paris! Then rented a van and some of the highlights were: Wurzburg, Germany, down the Romantik Road, through Rothenburg, to Neuschwanstein, Garmish, Berchesgarten, Zugspits, Salzburg, Venice, Lake Cuomo, Lucerne, back into France, and back to Paris. We spend 21 wonderful nights. Lots of other stops that were wonderful. I'd do it again in a heartbeat! Our 3 girls loved it, ages 10, 15 and 17. It was a great experience.

O'reilly's, Lamington National Park, Queensland, Australia

That is the best place on earth.

Places i've visited in order of preference:

Gold Coast, Australia
Brisbane, Australia
Sydney, Australia
Paris, France
Cairns, Australia
Sunshine Coast, Australia
London, England
Cambridge, England
Melbourne, Australia
Dublin, Ireland
Cork, Ireland
Ennis, Ireland
Bunratty, Ireland
Limerick, Ireland
Donegal, Ireland
Derry, Ireland
Madrid, Spain
Belfast, N. Ireland
Malaga, Spain

Two of the best places in the world:-

San Cirque Le Popie near the Lot river in France - its like a fairy tale village and the views are out of this world. It has a misty light. The houses are like something out of Grimms Fairytales. You MUST go there it is wonderful. The area between the Lot and the Dordogne is a magical place, full of caves and cave paintings, medieval villages and wonderful chocolate shops, just like in the film "Chocolat".

Tuscany

Andalucia. It's the passion.

Gary, Indiana.

The best place in the world is when you are "right there in the moment of discovery of a new place and fully engulfed in a new culture or new landscape taking it all in easliy as if through osmosis and having the expierience touch your very soul". That place could be anywhere at any moment.

CHICAGO!

the nightlife, the restaurants, the summer street festivals......the lake....

all.....unbelievable!

if you visit, try metromix.com as a guide.

" 'right there in the moment of discovery of a new place and fully engulfed in a new culture or new landscape taking it all in easliy as if through osmosis and having the expierience touch your very soul'."

Ot they have really good beer.

Egypt: for amazing art/monuments and wonderful people

Northern New Mexico: the sculptural forms of the high desert

St John, Virgin Islands: snorkeling and great hikes in national park lands

YOSEMITE NATL PARK

"Chicago - thought it was grey miserable and run down"

Actually, it's brown miserable and run down, but I second your sentiment.

California's north coast from Big Sur North to the Oregon border, especially north of San Francisco. I have been to some beautiful places in the world, the Alps, the Andes, the rainforest, Paris, Italy and still there is something about CA's North coast with its wine country and redwood forests and San Francisco and beautiful parks, like Point Reyes and the Redwood National Forest, that my heart just longs to return to over and over. Can't really articulate it well, its just a magical place.

I cant believe that there are so many people who haven't been to Iceland! If anyone had been there their answer would be Iceland! I was been to almost every place in Europe and it beats them all hands down!

Fairly new to this chat room lark. Wow! So many contributions, and most of them years after the holiday that was originally asked about! Just goes to show that like all of life's important questions there are no right or wrong answers, only what's right for you. Vive la difference!
Except of course that Scotland's north west highlands and the outer hebrides are without any argument the nearest to heaven you'll find without dying. They say that Gaelic is the language of the Garden of Eden and it's been convincingly argued (assuming you beleive such a place existed) that it occupies the same place and the same period of time as the ancestors of modern day Celts.

Milford Sound - or anywhere in the South Island of New Zealand because of it's fantastic terrain and ability for you to sight yellowed eyed-penguins close up, albatross - (those suckers are big - and there's information about them that the Ancient Mariner never told us!), Seals, and water-rises - the oppposite of waterfalls - found on Milford Sound and I think, unique in the world.

The other spot would be any island on the Great Barrier Reef - We were just on Heron Island (in April 05) which has several great programs for all ages, but there may be other Reef places...Cairns is especially laid back and comfortable which is good for families. My heritage is western European, and I am more comfortable speaking English. If you are multi-lingual - go for what appeals! All the best - D

Come to Brazil ! After visiting Rio de Janeiro ( the beautiful city in the world ) take a plane and fly to Arraial D´Ajuda, Bahia, Northeast Brazil where you will find amazing and warm beaches in a fancy and small village, with warm people, tasteful food and good places to teenagers have fun.

Tunisia. I've been to a lot of countries in Europe and Tunisia is not far (a one hour flight from Rome). One does not need a visa. On arrival you are issued a 30 day visa. Tunis and Tunisia in general is inexpensive compared to Italy. A lot of westerners worry about going to a Moslem country these days. As long as you stick to the travel guide and don't do any snooping you should be ok. Southern Tunisia reminded me of all of the typical images one thinks of when someone mentions "Sahara" or "oasis" or whatnot. There are date palms there that grow wild that you can shake for a little snack. If you throw a rock up at them the dates come raining down and they are very sweet and full of flavor. The food is fairly simple: couscous and chicken are staples as well as pita bread and eggs. The people who live in the small desert towns are friendly (they will take you in to their homes and have you as a guest for a couple of days; feed you and show you their prize Arabian steeds, get dressed up in old tribal uniforms etc... and then refuse to take a cent from you.) If you go there be sure to go there in the spring. The winters there are damn cold (surprising for North Africa). And please respect the local customs; don't produce a camera or shoot pics until you get the nod. Usually it's best to ask first if you can take pictures. Kairouan (like the second or third most important or holy city in the Moslem world) is located in Tunisia and might be worth a visit. Star Wars was filmed in part in south Tunisia (Tattooine is an actual town not a planet!) and there are tour companies there who will either drive you up in a jeep onto the Great Erg or take you there on a camel. Imagine a wall of sand 1000 feet high. When you've finished slogging your way to the top it flattens out and all you can see is dunes of receding sand all the way to the horizon. I should think children would find Tunisia cool. And the rates are lower than Europe. That's my two bits.

Tunisia. I've been to a lot of countries in Europe and Tunisia is not far (a one hour flight from Rome). One does not need a visa. On arrival you are issued a 30 day visa. Tunis and Tunisia in general is inexpensive compared to Italy. A lot of westerners worry about going to a Moslem country these days. As long as you stick to the travel guide and don't do any snooping you should be ok. Southern Tunisia reminded me of all of the typical images one thinks of when someone mentions "Sahara" or "oasis" or whatnot. There are date palms there that grow wild that you can shake for a little snack. If you throw a rock up at them the dates come raining down and they are very sweet and full of flavor. The food is fairly simple: couscous and chicken are staples as well as pita bread and eggs. The people who live in the small desert towns are friendly (they will take you in to their homes and have you as a guest for a couple of days; feed you and show you their prize Arabian steeds, get dressed up in old tribal uniforms etc... and then refuse to take a cent from you.) If you go there be sure to go there in the spring. The winters there are damn cold (surprising for North Africa). And please respect the local customs; don't produce a camera or shoot pics until you get the nod. Usually it's best to ask first if you can take pictures. Kairouan (like the second or third most important or holy city in the Moslem world) is located in Tunisia and might be worth a visit. Star Wars was filmed in part in south Tunisia (Tattooine is an actual town not a planet!) and there are tour companies there who will either drive you up in a jeep onto the Great Erg or take you there on a camel. Imagine a wall of sand 1000 feet high. When you've finished slogging your way to the top it flattens out and all you can see is dunes of receding sand all the way to the horizon. I should think children would find Tunisia cool. The country is old and full of history. French is spoken there; it was a French colony at one point. Bedouin peoples live there(nomadic herders) and they still migrate across the Sahara southward to Mali and Chad to trade goods and carry on their traditional existence of moving camels and goats about. Remember that you are in Africa. Gastric disease is common but not of the serious type. If going to Tunisia I would get the shots recommended for Africa in general but you really won't need them. Especially in the winter.

The best place in the world,
that does not exist.

However the most beautiful place in the world, if we talk mountains and inhabited areas is definitely

GRINDELWALD SWITZERLAND

Take a look under

www.grindelwald.ch

and you will agree.

Have fun

Urs

ISRAEL--We just returned from a 2-weeek trip there with our two kids, 12 and 13, and had the best time! In addition to the archaeological and historical sites, we went rafting, hiking, on camel rides, and swimming in fresh water springs and in the Mediterranean etc. Hotels have great breakfast buffets. Most Israelis learn English in school and speak English very well. Israelis warmly welcome visitors.

If you love nightlife and pure exitement, my extensive travelling shows nothing beats London on a Friday night.

Lucy, I think your perceptions on London food "simply kidding", is drastically misplaced. It was recently critically acclaimed as the best city on Earth for eating out, beating Paris, Sydney and San Francisco - but it was also the most expensive too !

Romania is great. We just returned from 16 days there... staying in their version of B&B... incredibly inexpensive. Rented a Fiat in Budapest.
A couple of years ago, we traveled to Myanmar. There are pros and cons about visiting a military dictatorship so it is a judgement thing. We got to know all our guides and felt that in a small way, helped their very poor economy.
In the past 5 years we have traveled to 16 countries... China, Myanmar, Romania, Italy, and Vietnam were our favorites.

Sure, 'tis a great day for any traveler if they kick off their Ireland trip with a visit to darlin' Dublin. Let Heaven send what weather it may---I think the last time Dubliners enjoyed three days of sunshine in a row was back in Viking times---the city can't be beat as a curtain raiser to Erin's Isle. Whether it be lovely Georgian houses, quaint pubs, or charming companions ye'd be after

wanting, Dublin's just the place to savor the “pluck” of the Irish. And if you want a Dublin nightcap, get the Irish Coffee. If you want conversation, sit at the bar and ask for great oysters. Put a little horseradish on them and count your blessings.

I'd have to say Positano. The views of the Mediterranean, the enormously steep and high cliffs, the windy narrow roads with crazy Italians wizzing by you without any concerns about hitting you, the whole Southern Italy feel,the wonderfully friendly Italians that smile and say bonjourno to you for no other reason than to be freindly, the beautiful climate in the warm months,the incredible food everywhere you turn. I can't think of any other place that makes you feel more on vacation that there. It's best experienced with a significant other because it is too romantic to be alone there. Or, since there are so many beautiful people there, going alone is not a bad idea afterall.

I will never forget my once in a lifetime trip to Kenya. The safaris. The people. The animals. The food. I loved it! Traveled with Globus and had a great time. New Zealand was beautiful too.

I think San Sabastion in Spain, Basque country is a ˝don´t miss city˝. Fodors said it was a perfect city and I agree. Also, the Dead Sea region - take a jeep trip back in the desert see Bedioun, who still think the British are ruling -- no kidding!
Have fun

Sitting on a boulder at Lake Yellowstone, Wyoming, on a chilly September morning listening to the trumpeting of the elks in rut. Or dangling your legs over the north rim of the Toroweap section of the Grand Canyon.

Paris, Rome, Venice, London, how can you go wrong? The cradle of western culture, with limitless attractions.

Best place in the world? Author back in Apr. 2001 asked this eliciting many varied responses to include all those favorite spots in Ireland, Italy, Britain, Greece, etc. So many memories we have of idyllic places we've been to, maybe stayed awhile in.

But aren't they all illusory? Many are part of a dream world called "travel."
Then we come back home and kick off our shoes and realize it's maybe best of all. That was the first answer from Shanna though she then proceeded to wander off into yonder places.

So I'll vote for my home in the Missouri Ozarks for my own reasons not necessarily connected to scenic beauty although we have that, too.

ozarksbill
walongmn@yahoo.com

Jen... beauty really is in the eye of the beholder. That will be different for different people of course. I was in Hawaii for 6 months. It's a tropical paradise that is beautiful. But I have to tell you, I really enjoy Eastern Europe for it's incredible cultural diversity. I find a real beauty in the hearts of the people that were oppressed for so many years. It's quite an experience. The best place? For this moment, for me this is it. Here's a couple of decent site's www.inyourpocket.com and www.bestofukraine.com for this region of the planet...take care and good luck!!

one of the best place in the world is France, especially the Loire Valley with all these castles and activities!!!
and paris is also one of the best place in the world!!!
VIVE LA FRANCE!!!!!!!!!

...taking an early morning walk on the small local shore in Waterton, Alberta Canada in Glacier National Park was pretty hard to beat recently....

If heaven isn't what it's cracked up to be, then take me back to GIMMELWALD!

topping
just in case this is the one

kukenhof gardens outside amsterdam on a sunny spring day! the oxygenized air and frangrance are almost a sensory overload!

This is a difficult one!! There are just soo many fabulous places..and all so different.
Anyway here is my top ten (maybe a few extra too!!)

1.Homer, Alaska.
2.Paris, France
3.Dubrovnik, Croatia
4.Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef.
5.Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
6.Venice, Italy.
7.Grindelwald, Switzerland.(in summer)
8.Isle of Man -anytime but especially in TT week
9.Nafplion, Greece.
10.San Francisco, USA
11.Phnom Penh, Cambodia
12.Quilty, County Clare, Ireland.

They are all BEST places for different and special reasons.
Lots of our enjoyed places include places with great scenery, wildlife, history or architecture, but what makes these all special has to be something that is really hard to describe -but maybe its the ambience of the place or who we are with! It is definitely what turns a good place to visit into a really special and memorable one!!

"Sure, 'tis a great day for any traveler if they kick off their Ireland trip with a visit to darlin' Dublin."

I'd rate Dublin one of the worst, or a least the the worst capital in Europe. You pay London prices for Cleveland ambience. Even if you want Irish ambience, it is a lousy place to go.

New Orleans

OMG!!!! imhornet!!

You have to be a troll. I have never, NEVER heard you be positive, NEVER!!! If you are in fact for real, you must be one of the most miserable, grumpy individuals I have ever come across.
Why do you bother!! STAY AT HOME!

i have only travelled in the u.s. but my top 2 are a tie: arches national park in utah and the tuolumne meadows area of yosemite national park in california. both are relativly unvisited in relation to their crowded counterparts (the canyons of the sw and the yosemite valley). Both also offer amazing unique landscapes and the most beautiful sunrises ever!

This has to be the longest thread I've seen on this web site! But it's interesting to take a moment and think about past trips and what we enjoyed (and didn't). Though I'm relatively new to international travel, my husband and I have traveled extensively through the states. I agree with someone along the way that said if you haven't toured the USA with your kids, that should be your first thought. There is such a variety of wonderful experiences to be had. My top choices within the States are:
1. San Francisco
2. Colorado- anywhere... (I especially love Crested Butte and the Collegiate Peaks area for their spendor!)
3. New Orleans- for the history, the spookiness and the debauchery!)
4. Chicago (it's what Detroit SHOULD be)
5. The Florida Keys
6. New York
7. Michigan in Autumn
8. Monterey, California- beautiful scenery, the Aquarium is spectacular, and lots of wineries!
If we're talking internationally, my experience is limited but I have been to some wonderful locations so far...
1. Venice- nothing like it!
2. Malta- the oldest ruins on the planet-fascinating! And absolutely breathtaking views!
3. Belize- amazing coral reefs, marvelous people and Mayan ruins!
4. Bellagio, Italy- views of the the Italian Alps, warm and friendly people, and remote location make it a very relaxing vacation.

But really, anywhere you are with the people you love is the best place to be. I have been in terrible locations but as long as I'm with my husband we've had a great time.

>OMG!!!! imhornet!!

>You have to be a troll. I have never, NEVER heard you be positive, NEVER!!! If you are in fact for real, you must be one of the most miserable, grumpy individuals I have ever come across.
Why do you bother!! STAY AT HOME!

I live in Dublin and he's right! I wouldn't recommend it as a holiday destination to anyone.

Best place in the World, Finland.
I also live in Dublin, and think its a smashing city, of course there are some people who are never happy no matter what they have, they are called " Moaners"

Poor imhornet
Sorry you didnt like Ireland but the person didn't ask what you didn't like but what you do like!! Do you like anywhere or are you just a miserable old sod who just wants to complain?? Me thinks you are just teasing and lookin for replies from the Irish!! Ya divil!!

1.Brasov, Romania
2. Cairo, Egypt
3. Vilnius, Lithuania
4. Zakopane, Poland
5. Anywhere between Stavanger and Nordkapp in Norway
6. Korcula, Croatia
7. Gjirokaster, Albania
8. Crimea, Ukraine
9. Kotor, Montenegro
10. Brno, Czech Republic

All for different reasons.. considering that you are a family, I wold go for Korcula, Zakopane, Norway or Vilnius.

Whoopie, NE

I have traveled to London, Paris, Brussels, Kenya, Tanzania, Thailand, Korea, China, Jamaica, Mexico, and Costa Rica, and this May 06 Italy. There are things I love about all of these countries, I guess I am a "love the one you are with" kind of traveler.
The best place in the world is the one I am lucky enough to be able to experiance. I hope for lots more experiances.

dangaroo, you left out Lutenblag, Molvania.

For me it would have to be Ireland. I've also been to Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, England, most of the US, and various parts of the Carribbean but Ireland is the one place I constantly yearn to go back to each year. For me no place else has the combination of scenery, history, friendly people, pubs, music, etc. like Ireland.

I'm totally biased in that direction.

Mark

HOME OF COURSE

>scenery, history, friendly people, pubs, music

OK well you've either never been to Ireland or you've never left Ireland.

The people are far from friendly, in fact they can be very rude or at best indiferent, customer service is non-existant and absolutely everything is overpriced. The weather is crap, the history is nothing special when compared to any other country in europe.

If you are ever lost in Dublin and you ask for directions, you'll usually be sent in the wrong direction.

There are places in the west of ireland that are more tourist friendly but there are also towns that despise tourists.

Well you have just tarred us all with the one brush with you big sweeping generalisation!! But then again , you are entitled to your opinion, but dont forget it only your opinion.

No I wouldn't say it's a matter of opinion. I'd say it's a matter of perspective. As for the generalisation, 'the people are friendly' is also a generalisation. And a misnoma.

The general rule in Dublin particularly is, in any given customer service situation, expect to be treated with complete and utter contempt. Expect to be treated like you just killed the sales assistant's cat and you come back to shoot his dog.

"OK well you've either never been to Ireland or you've never left Ireland."

I've been to Ireland 6 times to be exact. How many times have you been?

I did not use the generalizing phrase "the people are friendly". I did say that there are friendly people and by far that is what I encountered there. Are there rude people in Ireland. Sure and I've encountered a few of them, very few that is. Overall I've been treated extremely well with courtesy and hospitality even more so than other places I've been including Australia.

Perhaps you did not receive the same treatment as me because you are a rude and obnoxious a-hole just like you demonstrated with your reply to me. No wonder you were treated with disrespect. I praise the Irish for their excellent judge of character.

Mark

No matter what country one is from (I am Irish), it would be hard not find offence in AustraliaZooIsGreat's comments. Although it is an opinion, if somewhat misguided, and I am not going to enter into a 'my country is better than yous' argument. If you’re so miserable here, maybe you should pack you bags and head back to Oz – it will be easier to find your away around the grid orientated streets there. To sum any country up in such broad statements is foolish – there is good and bad in every country. Yes, we have issues in Dublin, not like any other European cities. Dublin has become expensive, but we were under European averages for years and have gone from one of the poorest to wealthiest European countries, GDP wise, in a decade. This has caught every one by surprise, from our infrastructure, our public health service and society in general, although I think the fact that we don’t export people in the thousands anymore is a good thing. The fact we have had such an influx of immigrants here is positive and contributing to our success. I hope they can stay and integrate, as well as bringing the positive aspects of their unique cultures to Ireland to shape further and develop this country. Irish society had changed immeasurably, some for the good and some for the bad. This is bound to breed the rudeness and indifference mentioned in his post. Anyone that has travelled will tell is usually a fact of city life that people become indifferent, although I agree it is inexcusable.

There are still attractions here that are good value for money, some that are even free. If you hunt out the bargains you can have a good time here on little cash – last week myself and my wife dined in Bar Italia on the quay’s and were presently surprised by the bill at the end (as well as the efficient service and wonderful food). There are still areas where people are being plainly ripped off, this is sullying peoples perception of the country. No to condone high prices, Ireland has suffered from high inflation, the highest minimum wage in Europe, burgeoning insurance costs and high levels of indirect taxes (in terms of VAT and excise duty), all of which would have an impact on any visitor here and the price they pay. It is worth taking these points into consideration.

>scenery, history, friendly people, pubs, music

A few of the issues raised obviously show either a complete lack of understanding, participation in life or a poor education.

Scenery - the scenery is Ireland is undoubtedly beautiful and on par with anything else on this planet. However, I am always concerned about how Irish people themselves treat it. Our litter problem is huge, we are struggling with recycling and some people do not plainly give a damn about the environment here. A sunset in Clew Bay, a breezy day at the Giant’s Causeway or a spell in the Beara Peninsula will soon bring you back.

History – you must have landed off the plane from Australia and spent too much time drinking Castlemaine XXXX in Alice Springs or you’re plain illiterate. It would be hard to sum up the wonderful and varied history of our land in an internet posting. Dublin and Ireland in general is surrounded by history with influences from pagan pre-Christian, Viking, Norman, Medieval, Georgian & Victorian up to modern times and still figures in world history as it is develops today, from the UN, famine relief and human rights. For a small country on the periphery of Europe that is a great thing. Next time you’re passing the GPO in O’Connell Street, have a look in the bullet marks from where a band of rebels fought the might of the biggest Empire the world has seen and shaped a small island state in the early 20th century. Relatives of mine fought in some of the biggest conflicts the world has ever seen, from the trenches of France, the Boer War, Spanish Civil War and the second World War. They have also contributed to the peace and stability of Liberia, Cyprus, Kosovo and the middle East. How can that not be a sense of history? The fact that we have bred some Nobel Prize winning authors also says a lot about the country and luminaries such as Joyce, Bekkett and Shaw have put us on the world map. This tradition is also carried on by modern writers and poets such as Roddy Doyle and Seamus Heaney.

Friendly people - from the northern to southern hemisphere, Europe, the Americas to the orient I have come across good and bad in all countries I have visited. Human nature and behaviour is so complex it is impossible to generalise a country - I have come across helpful people in New York, Paris and London, cities some may say can be also rude and indifferent. I am a firm believer that you will be treated by others by your general approach and demeanour. Maybe there's food for thought here.

Pubs and music - we have 1200 pubs or so in Dublin, ranging from the best places on earth to enjoy the company and friendliness or others in a convivial environment through to dumps that I wouldn't send my worst enemy into. Irish music is unique and varied, from Sean Nós, Ceilí, ballads and modern. In fairness, Australia gave us Mean at Work and Rolf Harris . Enough said.

No matter what country one is from (I am Irish), it would be hard not find offence in AustraliaZooIsGreat's comments. Although it is an opinion, if somewhat misguided, and I am not going to enter into a 'my country is better than yous' argument. If you’re so miserable here, maybe you should pack you bags and head back to Oz – it will be easier to find your away around the grid orientated streets there. To sum any country up in such broad statements is foolish – there is good and bad in every country. Yes, we have issues in Dublin, not like any other European cities. Dublin has become expensive, but we were under European averages for years and have gone from one of the poorest to wealthiest European countries, GDP wise, in a decade. This has caught every one by surprise, from our infrastructure, our public health service and society in general, although I think the fact that we don’t export people in the thousands anymore is a good thing. The fact we have had such an influx of immigrants here is positive and contributing to our success. I hope they can stay and integrate, as well as bringing the positive aspects of their unique cultures to Ireland to shape further and develop this country. Irish society had changed immeasurably, some for the good and some for the bad. This is bound to breed the rudeness and indifference mentioned in his post. Anyone that has travelled will tell is usually a fact of city life that people become indifferent, although I agree it is inexcusable.

There are still attractions here that are good value for money, some that are even free. If you hunt out the bargains you can have a good time here on little cash – last week myself and my wife dined in Bar Italia on the quay’s and were presently surprised by the bill at the end (as well as the efficient service and wonderful food). There are still areas where people are being plainly ripped off, this is sullying peoples perception of the country. No to condone high prices, Ireland has suffered from high inflation, the highest minimum wage in Europe, burgeoning insurance costs and high levels of indirect taxes (in terms of VAT and excise duty), all of which would have an impact on any visitor here and the price they pay. It is worth taking these points into consideration.

>scenery, history, friendly people, pubs, music

A few of the issues raised obviously show either a complete lack of understanding, participation in life or a poor education.

Scenery - the scenery is Ireland is undoubtedly beautiful and on par with anything else on this planet. However, I am always concerned about how Irish people themselves treat it. Our litter problem is huge, we are struggling with recycling and some people do not plainly give a damn about the environment here. A sunset in Clew Bay, a breezy day at the Giant’s Causeway or a spell in the Beara Peninsula will soon bring you back.

History – you must have landed off the plane from Australia and spent too much time drinking Castlemaine XXXX in Alice Springs or you’re plain illiterate. It would be hard to sum up the wonderful and varied history of our land in an internet posting. Dublin and Ireland in general is surrounded by history with influences from pagan pre-Christian, Viking, Norman, Medieval, Georgian & Victorian up to modern times and still figures in world history as it is develops today, from the UN, famine relief and human rights. For a small country on the periphery of Europe that is a great thing. Next time you’re passing the GPO in O’Connell Street, have a look in the bullet marks from where a band of rebels fought the might of the biggest Empire the world has seen and shaped a small island state in the early 20th century. Relatives of mine fought in some of the biggest conflicts the world has ever seen, from the trenches of France, the Boer War, Spanish Civil War and the second World War. They have also contributed to the peace and stability of Liberia, Cyprus, Kosovo and the middle East. How can that not be a sense of history? The fact that we have bred some Nobel Prize winning authors also says a lot about the country and luminaries such as Joyce, Bekkett and Shaw have put us on the world map. This tradition is also carried on by modern writers and poets such as Roddy Doyle and Seamus Heaney.

Friendly people - from the northern to southern hemisphere, Europe, the Americas to the orient I have come across good and bad in all countries I have visited. Human nature and behaviour is so complex it is impossible to generalise a country - I have come across helpful people in New York, Paris and London, cities some may say can be also rude and indifferent. I am a firm believer that you will be treated by others by your general approach and demeanour. Maybe there's food for thought here.

Pubs and music - we have 1200 pubs or so in Dublin, ranging from the best places on earth to enjoy the company and friendliness or others in a convivial environment through to dumps that I wouldn't send my worst enemy into. Irish music is unique and varied, from Sean Nós, Ceilí, ballads and modern. In fairness, Australia gave us Men at Work and Rolf Harris . Enough said.

Great post gavan!

I don't have a problem with someone having a different opinion than mine based on their experience. But what I found so obnoxious about AustraliaZoolsGreat response to my post was the attitude that my positive experience couldn't possibly be legitimate since his experience was different.

What can I say? Out of every place that I've visited Ireland is the one that I have fallen in love with the most. Everyone is different. Most people I know wouldn't feel the same way. For instance, my brother would probably hate it. He'd rather be in the sunny Carribbean scuba diving and hanging around a beach.

As for me the ideal vacation goes something like: a day tour taking a scenic drive in the countryside in some place like Connemara, Achill Island, or Beara Penninsula, waiting for sheep to cross the road, having lunch and a pint at a pub along the way, visiting historical sites, maybe play some golf, finish the day in some quiet village pub with a pint of Guinness and some smoked Salmon or plate of mussels, and then onto a pub at night to catch a traditional music session. Call me crazy but that is a perfect vacation day spent and there is no other place in the world like Ireland to do it. The place is just absolutely brilliant if you know what to look for, where to go, and you enjoy those sorts of things.

Mark

My best place in the world is a week in the Maldives followed by a week at the Mina A Salam in dubai.

I am shocked that the most beautiful and friendliest country Australia is not on the forum.
Sydney, Melbourne or Perth are all located in Australia and between them they have the best beaches, restuarants, weather and safe holiday experience.
You should go down under.

I did not see this discussion till now; I saw the title and my first answer (without thinking a second) was AUSTRALIA.

It was nice to see that Davie answered just before me , the same thing!

I travel a lot, for me is alsways difficult to say what country / city / region I like more. Each place has its charm.
However, when I was in Australia, it was the first time in my life (and maybe the last) when I was thinking: I would like to live here!

Very beautiful nature, nice towns, friendly people, the people like to live well, to have fun, to travel. They enjoy their vacations and do not seem to rush all day and all days like other.

Why are we still talking about the
"best place in the world?" for a family planning a vacation five years ago? First answer already said there's no place like home and this is followed by alot of dream places in Italy, Ireland, Tahiti, Canadian Rockies, what have you. Doesn't it all depend on best place for what? If this really was a family vacation planned by Jen back in 2001, then she may have polled those teens and hubby who TOLD her where to go!

I don't see that Jen ever reported back on where the family went and if they all came back in one piece!

ozarksbill

CHICAGO!

gavan, 'AustraliaZoolsGreat' has also popped up on the Australia forum a few times. I had the impression he was Irish, but I suppose that's too much to hope for. He's probably a denizen of the state of Queensland, which might explain things.

What are you on about Ozarksbill?!!!Nothing wrong with a bit of dreaming even if it doesnt help Jen.

As long as it makes us appreciate places abroad and makes us think outside of the standard tourist cities than that is worth it I say!

Valtor and Neil OZ have the right idea!!

Happy Holidaying.

Davie Out.

Davie...OK then how about this (which does need a new thread I suppose): Unusual Places in the World That You Might Miss.

ozarksbill

I like it!Why dont you post it!

One place -- New Zealand's South Island.

We've travelled throughout Europe, Central America, Canada, USA, etc. Next summer we will RETURN to New Zealand.

My long-time newspaper travel editor friend rates New Zealand #1 -- ahead of Costa Rica, England, Italy, Spain, etc., etc.

Bangaldesh.

Aren't the travel snobs always complaining that about places being too touristy? Then Bangladesh is obvious the best place in the world to them.

After all the observations the answer is obvious.

LONDON it is then

Paris.

Quite simply, there is Paris, and then there is everyplace else.

ddon't know if it really means much, but since all the big stars (Clooney, Pit, Roberts etc. etc.) are buying a Villa here, i'd certainly vote for my gorgeous Lake Como!!!

I would say Ireland. I've been there 9 times, with my hubby and after he died, and I still can find something to like,. It's friendly and familiar, but there is always something new to see or discover. I still haven't been to Dublin!! What discoveries there.
But Oh Donegal is probably my favorite. The sea, Slieve League, and the people. Slan'

I can truly appreciate this kind of thread. What better way to find some truly fabulous places (and variety, too) than to ask some self-described travel-aholics where they love to go??

Currently living in Prague, and one of my favorite places since we've moved to Europe has been Benelux. It was just beautiful and the pace was great. Sofia, Bulgaria has been our most striking cultural visit....

"No matter what country one is from (I am Irish), it would be hard not find offence in AustraliaZooIsGreat's comments. Although it is an opinion, if somewhat misguided"

What a whiney, hypocritical crock. The person gave an oinion based on the only data he has - his experiences, which are just as valid and just as true as the people who find a place wonderful.

This board is completely biased and suffers serious groupthink. The only time a person's opinion is every questioned on this board is when it is negative. That's why I find the negative opinions far more useful than the positive ones. They are far more likely to be accurate and less likely to be based on the zombie-like responses of everything in Europe is wonderful, wonderful, wondeful.

While I'm not a world traveler, the place I love to visit OVER and OVER is NYC. GREAT theater, shopping, Central Park, food...

At the top of Mt.Constitution on Orcus Island which is one of the San Juan Islands in Puget Sound in the Pacific Ocean off the coasts of Washington State and the Canadian Province of Vancouver B.C. near Victoria Island. It's rather a small mountain as far as mountains go, but on a clear day it's a spectacular sight. You're surrounded by the calm waters of Puget Sound and the vibrant trees, fauna and other blue/green colors of the Pacific Northwest. You can see the amazingly beautiful Cascade Mountains and Mt. Ranier to the east and if you squint your eyes real tightly you can darn near see Alaska to the northwest. I've never been able see it but my daddy once told me it's possible, if you try real hard, so I believe it must be true. I've been trying for 47 years.

The San Juans Islands are incredibly beautiful, quiet, reseasonably unspoiled, noncommercial, and have to make even the most jaded person for a few moments believe there has to be a God. But when I'm on Orcus Island at the top of Mt.Constitution, I feel like I'm part of the earth, that I belong there. If it's quiet, and many people do stop talking or speak in soft voices at the top, one can sense the reverence for the place. And, all is well with the world for me for that moment.

Dear Jen:

To a point I agree: There is no place like home, BUT traveling to different places is so exciting!

My children are grown now, so my "fluffy husband" amd I travel alone. I do miss going on vacations with my children. So sometimes we take our granddaughters with us. Anyway, New England in the fall is so very beautiful, and us Yankees are really pretty friendly. Montreal, Canada is a favorite place, and we often go there for just a weekend. Nova Scotia in summer is delightful. San Francisco!! I loved it. New Mexico was wonderful-so different from New England. London!!!!!!! My husband and I just adore going there, although this year we are going to Ireland for the FIRST time--my dream. Paris is a very cool place. The Bahamas and the U.S. Virgin Islands are a wonderful get-a-way in the winter far from my New England cold. Have fun thinking about where the BEST PLACE IN THE WORLD may be, and whatever you decide I hope that you have a grand time.

Well,I think that the South Island of NZ is just fabulous !

My best place has to be home but my second best place is our holiday rental home. I´m always a little sad if its rented out and we can´t go, but also pleased that others can come and enjoy what we enjoy so much.
From Casa El Reguelo you can visit the cities of Jaen, Ubeda, Baeza, Cordoba and Granada, and lots of smaller towns too.

London wins by a short head from New York and Hong Kong.

eli22, I agree! The south island of New Zealand is incredible. What wonderful people and what a variety of scenery. I absolutely loved both nort and south islands!

Of course, I also LOVE Paris and the Greek Islands, Tuscany, London........ And, Belize is right up there too. Best place in the world? Wow, that's a tough one!

And, for the debate on Ireland. I spent a week there many years ago and when people ask me about Ireland, my response is always about how wonderful the people are. Some of the friendliest people I've ever met!

IMHO Brazil is the best place in the world. The Iguazu Falls are spectacular, The Amazon is amazing and the people in Rio are so friendly! People that you really had to watch out in Rio but i found that Exxagerating the risk. My son even played futbol on the beach with the locals, and we didn't even speak the language!Also on the way to a shopping mall a taxi driver was pointing out different parts of Rio which was really interesting.

Canadian Rockies, Queentown area in New Zealand,Lakes in Southern Chile and Southern Argentina.

Skeets : If you really believe that Orcas Island is the most beautiful place in the world then you should spell it correctly. It's not Orcus it's Orcas. And although the San Juans are lovely they are being overrun by tourists. Head north to the Canadian Gulf Islands and you'll see what the San Juans were like before they became so developed.

"And, for the debate on Ireland. I spent a week there many years ago and when people ask me about Ireland, my response is always about how wonderful the people are. Some of the friendliest people I've ever met!"

That's like like describing a blind date as having a great personality. If that's the best you can say about a place...

The best place in the world is wherever I am giving my wonderful wife a loving hug.

Apart from that ...

The most beautiful places I ever saw were Austria (I was born and raised in the lovely lake region just east of Salzburg. In fact I will have a website about Austria up on www.BeautifulAustria.com in a few weeks). Towns like St.Wolfgang, Hallstatt and Gosau (glacierview on sunny days!) are incredibly beautiful.

The other place I can recommend is Kauai (one of the smaller islands in Hawaii). The north shore is magnificent and the waves there!!!! I loved it!

Go see Austria next year and Kauai the year after that

Feel free to contact me through my website www.BeautifulAustria.com to get more tips on what to see in Austria.

Enjoy your future vacations.
Reinhard

Austria surely is nice, but I just added

www.beautifulaustria.com 127.0.0.1
to my Windows /system32/drivers/etc/hosts file. And I would recommend everybody do the same, sorry! Have a nice life...

Come to Santa Monica, California. It IS the best place in the world. Why?
Because it is where I live.

I think the best place in the world is sitting at sunset in the esalen baths overlooking cliffs and the ocean below after a wonderful massage. Ahhhh. That is heaven on earth for me.Spectacular beauty and peace.

http://www.esalen.org/place/hot_springs.shtml

The Charente in France.
The Cameron Highlands in Malaysia.
Sitting at the Mill Pond in Cambridge with a plastic pint from the pub.

Haven't been yet, but we're booked to go to south Africa next summer with our teens aged 19 & 15.

We can combine adventure [whale watching, the highest bungee jump in the world] with wild-life [safari] and stunning scenery.

I'm sure that there are some better places, but in the end, you just have to settle for great, rather than procrastinating trying to find perfection.

Sorry...I just have to correct this geographical slipup....

"At the top of Mt.Constitution on Orcus Island which is one of the San Juan Islands in Puget Sound in the Pacific Ocean off the coasts of Washington State and the Canadian Province of Vancouver B.C. near Victoria Island."

It's really the "Canadian Provice of British Columbia, near Vancouver Island."

Vancouver is a city on the mainland of BC, and it is also an Island..Victoria is the capital of British Columbia, located on Vancouver Island.

There...that's all straightened out.

My favourite place? Vancouver on a sunny summer day (can ski the morning and golf in the afternoon!).

Favourite place in Europe? Florence, with a close second being Assisi. Beautiful architecture, the history, the vibe of the city. Just gorgeous.

Of course, planning a trip to Paris...so that might trump everything!

Good luck with your planning!

Granny's house - in Austria.

Why? Because of the softie boiled egg and the soldiers.

I told you that yesterday!

Turkey

The Oregon coast, especially the most northern 100 miles or so.

I haven't been on the board in some time.....I saw this and had to look....I laughed, Rob you need to lighten up, I am happy to see all of you excited about your thoughts on travel.....It always excites me....good for all of you for sharing....

On the surface, a rediculous question. However, after reading through all the posts I have found it to be an excellent question. I noted the MOUNT CONSTITUTION post. I rode a bike up the mountain and found it to be a beautiful ride. My most favorite place is WENGEN in Switzerland.

I like places where there is a world of things to do. Thailand is one of those places. You can do just about everything and anything in Thailand-shopping, partying, sightseeing, beachbumming, jungle trekking, cultural tours. There is really something for everyone in Thailand-seriously. Unfortunately, it can be a bit commercial but it's always a blast.

I agree with a above poster high above me that this board can be biased toward europe and negative/dissagreeing posts can be much more useful. Although I love europe my favorite two places are in the states. Number one, Missoula, MT, where else can you be in a town with incredible night life, great vibe, buetiful gals- and then be waist deep in a river with vistas you only see in post cards ten minutes from town?? Number two DC being there gives you such a feeling of america its hard to explain you feel the power of that town. Not to mention annapolis and its blue crabs are short drive away.

The best place place in the world, and I mean the ABSOLUTE best place in the world, is.....

My little backyard.

In almost any season but specially in late April, early May

It also comes with a dashingly handsome, kind host with a big heart. The problem is he is very very selective and caters only to his close friends and family, i.e., people close to his heart

Home. The beaches of Llanes (Asturias, North of Spain). The Picos de Europa right behind. Wonderful food. No foreign tourists (in Spain!). Heaven.

I live near Liverpool which is a fabulous city I love it ! we have art galleries, museums, the Beatles, the best football team in the world 'Liverpool' BUT I visited New York and was blown away ! what an amazing city - this is now my best place in the world.

The Scottish Highlands and Islands----but tell anyone!

Scotland is surely one of them, but I haven't narrowed "my best in Scotland" down to one particular area/spot yet.
Too much to chose from, so I am still researching!!
My upcoming trip in May/June will be my third trip there in 4 years...perhaps when I return I will have decided.

Ontario, Canada

We;ve done four of these vacations and all were the best vacations,,but best place in the world is whereever you and your family are and all getting along. We did one summer vacation for two weeks. We started with three days in seattle and then drove up to Vancouver and then on to Whistler for some wht water rafting and then on the San Francisco for five days. We went to baseball games in Seattle and San Francisco, boys,,not the girls,,they went shopping and it was great.

We've done winter trips to london and paris, italy and spain. Winter means it's in the high 40's to low 60's. They were some of the best trips, because there weren't any lines, the kids were old enough to really walk and see the sights, we had guides who weren't as busy and were anxious to please and the best hotels and off season prices. Lots of good choices as long as you all agree on where you're going

I just read nearly all the posts - I've learned so much (even after taking the bias into account). I honestly feel like I've seen 1/2 of the world's major destinations and sights with plans to see the rest. I've seen many not so common places as well. My favorite place SO FAR is Australia. I traveled up the entire E Coast – hitting 3 islands, scubad on the reef twice, and saw all the major cities and sights – started in Sydney and ended in Cairns. My experience was so great because of the people I met and the great itinerary. But luck played a role here in the people I met, the assigned tour guide and bus driver, and other things that just seemed to wok out in my favor. I think everyone's experience will vary dramatically for any one place. I've lived in New York for 2 years now and each day is different in this incredible city. To make sure you've seen the best, just travel as much as you can. Do your research before you travel (reading this entire post will help, but don’t forget all the bias: my country is best, my trips were best), but plan to travel again and again. I think travel is the one thing no one regrets when they die (unless it was primarily for business). SO GO SEE THE WORLD. AGAIN AND AGAIN! YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE!!!

The best place on earth is my hometown. Where I was born and live. Where I know every corner. Where else could life be better!

Hi Jen

The best place in the world - Australia of course. I know it's a long plane trip, but pristine beaches, gorgeous weather - hardly any rain (there's a drought on you know!). Your kids will love the wildlife and you and your husband will love the laid back Aussie attitude. We love living here!!
-Beck

Jen, I've taken my son with me on all my trips: Carribean, Europe, and he learned different things each place. But the place he loved the most: New York City. He was 16. We did the Today show and the hop on hop off bus line. He had the most fun. Central Park, Grand Central Station, Liberty Island, Ground Zero, Macy's etc. things he could identify with. The people of NYC are fabulous. Time's Square is not to be missed at night. He had a great time right here. Although if you asked him, his second favorite place was Italy - however, by the end he was bored of all the churches and architecture. NYC was fun and endless activity. See a show, play in the park, stay in a beautiful hotel in Manhattan, ride the subway, be on TV, etc. etc. etc.

Isn't it great that we all have different ideas of where the "best place in the world" is? If we all felt the same, then you would all be in Kauai with me, and the best place in MY world might not be as appealing with all the crowds!

I am fortunate that I have travelled all over the world because of my job and also have the means to take 2 international vacations per year. Of all the places I've seen and experienced my vote for Best Place in the World would be Italy without a doubt. The food and wine in Tuscany, are near perfect. The ambiance of Rome which was the center of the universe for a 1000 years sends chills in my spine. I'm drawn to the city and will never be able to stay away for long. The museums, the food, the little hotel that had breakfast on the terrace where the coffee and cream and eggs were perfect I will never forget. And to stand in the Coloseum that once entertained tens of thousands of people along with Emeperors and Senate of Rome, takes me to a whole different place, another dimenion if you will that seems to add time travel to my vacation there when I am so immersed in the moment and the history. I've felt this in only one other place before and that was what I call the Rome of the East, Kyoto, Japan. There are Greek ruins in Agrigento, Sicily, Palermo is a bustling city full of life and people that are interesting and full of life. The the small fishing village of Castella Mare Del Golfo brings you back to a simpler time where the residences seems to have pressed the pause button on life and I love it. Siena with its medievil walls and court are wow! That's all I can say. The Lakes region, such as Varenna and Bellagio's picturesque villages, the gardens, the cypress trees, the Italian Alps are magical and miraculous altogether. The Italians have also perfected the espresso to an art form. Not to mention the deli's where you can buy Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and Salami's that are unlike anything in this world. The first time I went to the Amalfi Coast I was told once you had been there and see it, you could die because there would be nothing more beautiful to see on this earth before you died, I never thought I would agree with this statement until I'd been there and saw it for myself, the statement is true. Torino I was told was an industrial city that you could skip, I am so glad I didn't, the architecture, the museums, the people, the coffee and the chocalate were one of my best city experiences I've had. Torino was an industrial city but it had an underlying charm that made it wonderful. Milan's cathedral is not to be missed, it speaks for itself. And last but not least the Italian Riviera in late summer early fall when the majority of tourist have gone was very romantic and beautiful too. We really enjoyed Santa Margherita and Portofino to name a few. Sitting on the balcony drinking the bottles of wine that we got just a few hours earlier in the vineyards of the Piedmont region was a perfect point in a perfect vacation. I don't know how anyone could go to Italy regardless of your likes and dislikes and not fall in love with this place. My wife and I are really hoping that when we retire one day we can plan for living part of the year in Italy. La Dolce Vita!
Caio

Someone mentioned above that 2 reasons of visiting Turkey is knowing about mythology and because it is cheaper than Greece. Wow, i could never imagine that i could learn mythology in Turkey and also that somebody advertises his country by throwing mud on his neighbouring countries.
Geez, thanks girl, you're so kind and above all civilized!

Please visit my article about Switzerland at http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/233214/ten_great_places_to_visit_in_switzerland.html . To me, Switzerland is the best place to visit in the world.

Hawaii is beautiful (Main Island, Oahu and Maui but all other islands are probably equally as breathtaking).

St. Thomas was nice but the service personnel there is a bit surely for my taste and the island was expensive.

In Europe I was smitten with Salzburg Austria, and Interlaken and Lucerne Switzerland. Also Ireland is so amazing and the people are so wonderful!

I love the town of lofer Austria.....amazing! Everywhere ou go in Austria it is beautiful! Loved Paris, not many things match seeing the eiffel tower....also loved Lake Como......if you want a place that is less touristy and beautiful! go when the flowers are blooming in April/May. Have fun! Marilee

Hi Jen,
3 fabulous adventures with children 13 and 15 would be:
Kenya and Tanzania
China
Alaska
Happy traveling

The South Island of New Zealand !
Travels elsewhere always find me comparing them to Doubtful Sound...Dunedin...Christchurch...the Sea...the TransAlpine... Let me catch my breath even as I think about it while getting ready to spend a few weeks in Europe...

HUNGARY, BUDAPEST. Just back and we really loved this beautiful City. Definitely will visit again!

Best place in the world? Wherever you are happiest. Most favourite place in the world? South Island of New Zealand- no contest!

The Philippines! One of the best beaches in the world, sqeaky, white sand, clear, inviting waters, freshest seafoods at reasonable prices, beautiful locals everywhere (who, btw, speak english, which is a plus for foreign tourists), dirt cheap shopping (even cheaper than Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Shenzen), unbeatable nightscene, and the list goes on and on, yadiyadiya
No wonder why a lot of Koreans now are migrating to the Philippines to live...

I can't beleive this thread has been going on for over 6 years.My husband & I have traveled all over the world.We've been to Hawaii about 6 times-all the places there are to go in Mexico-Spain & Portugal,France & Switzerland,Malta,ItaLY 2 times,Greece 2 times,New Zealand about 4 of the Carribean Islands,England,costa Rica,Last year we went to Cyprus & Turkey which I adored this year we are going to Thailand & Bali Next year we are going back toPortugal & Madeira. I loved all the places I went but if I were to close my eyes & be anywhere it would be Greece. Just looking at that blue water just takes my breath away.Just about everywhere we go the people are incredibly friendly-I love trying new foods seeing churches casltes museums & ruins.AHHHHHH

I think a lot of times it depends on where you are in your life. When i was 13 my parents took me to NYC for the first time, and for years that was the only place I wanted to go. I still love it. I had a cab driver experience there that most people wouldn't believe when I was in my mid-20s. I had just returned from Egypt and my cabbie was Egyptian. We had a fantastic conversation about Egypt and when we got where I needed to be, I only had a hundred dollar bill, which he couldn't change. It was late at night, and he let me out of the cab without paying! Later, I mailed him a check with a big tip. Now who would believe that!

When I was 15, I went to England and Scotland, and was in love with all things British for a long time after.

As an adult, I have traveled outside the US to Italy (3 times), China, Mexico, Canada (including Nova Scotia, which I also loved), Caribbean, Bermuda, Hong Kong, France, New Zealand, Australia, and just returned from 2 1/2 weeks in Scotland. And they are all fabulous in very different ways. After all these years, wouldn't we all like to know what Jen picked and how it turned out???

As I sit at the computer getting my Fodor's fix of the day, I thought this would be a fine time to reply to this post. The east end of Long Island, New York is truly magical and my vote for the best place in the world. The light, the water, and the lush green all around are hard to beat. Of course, you do have to tackle the LIE (Long Island Expressway) where many take their life in their hands, in order to get here. But..it's worth it. I'm off with a glass of wine to watch the sun set over the Peconic Bay. Pure bliss!!!
But, if not here, then in Paris, walking along the Seine on a cool April evening just as the lights to the Eiffel Tower begin twinkling. Pure magic!!!!

I was all ready to reply to this urgent/busy thread and then I noticed it was 6 years old! No wonder I hadn't seen it before.

Anyway...it got me thinking. My favorite place in the world is Wengen Switzerland. We were there in May of 1999 which meant it was very peaceful/quiet. Maybe it was the hotel (Regina), maybe it was the friends who were with us (the Johnsons), maybe it was because it's an auto free town, maybe it was because this was our first big trip to Europe that had us giddy. Whatever the reason Wengen blew us away and will always hold a special place in my heart.

Hard to say...I've been to Europe many times, many places; I've also been to Hawaii a number of times, in particular, the island of Kauai. I love mountains....I'd have to pick Zermatt, Switzerland as one of my very favorite places. Kind of expensive; can be a little touristy; but it is very, very nice. I could just sit and stare at the Matterhorn mountain all day long. The island of Kauai is also one of my very favorite places. Been there 4 times for business; 4 times for vacation. It is called the "Garden Isle." You see every conceiveable shade of green and blue. In the middle of the island is Mt. Waialele (sp?), an extinct volcano, which is the wettest spot on earth (460+ inches of rain a year). Just to its west is Waimea Canyon, which only gets something like 7 inches of rain a year. Mark Twain called it the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific." It actually looks like the Grand Canyon, but on a much smaller scale. The north shore, with the Na Pali coastline, is incredible. The 3000+ feet high cliffs (Na Pali is Hawaiian for "the cliffs") are something that are totally amazing and beautiful....from the ocean as well as from the top of the cliffs. Beaches are very nice; seafood very, very good; and people very friendly. That's my say, but there are many other places!

Well, it's been 5 years since I first answered this thread...and 2 years since I last amended it. I'll just have to check in every couple of years to update, I guess.

Here is my current list:

1. Berner Oberland
2. Hawaii
3. Venice
4. Paris
5. Italian Lakes
6. Dordogne Valley
6. Scottish Highlands
7. Amalfi Coast/Capri
8. Rome
9. North Queensland
10. London

Sedona, Arizona. Because of the beautiful red rocks and the friendly folks, who just love tourists.

Of the places I have visited so far* (key term), here are my working Home (within the United States) and Away (Abroad) lists. Of course, each comes with a “so far” disclosure, is ever changing, and always subject to revision with each new adventure. Then again, I’m sure that goes without saying for all travel buffs.

Top 5 Cities Outside of the United States:

1.) Paris
2.) Rome
3.) Florence
4.) London
5.) Venice

Most Overrated Cities Outside of the United States:

1.) Barcelona
2.) Dublin
3.) Venice (Yes, this is also on my “tops” list. Venice is a bit of a double edged sword. It’s absolutely breathtaking and a lot of fun—for about 2-3 days. More than 3 days, and you will bored out of your mind, unless you intend to take some day trips. I certainly wouldn’t recommend that anyone dedicate their entire vacation exclusively to it. Instead, combine it with another city and/or a visit to the countryside)

Top 5 Countries outside of the United States:

1.) Italy
2.) France
3.) England
4.) Costa Rica
5.) Spain

Top 5 Cities in the United States:

1.) New York
2.) New Orleans
3.) Chicago
4.) Austin
5.) Orlando (MAJOR tourist trap, but never disappointing and ALWAYS fun)

Most overrated Cities in the United States:

1.) Los Angeles
2.) Seattle
3.) Dallas
4.) Philadelphia
5.) Miami

Top 10 Things I Have Seen/Done--Period:

1.) The Sistine Chapel (Vatican Museum)
2.) Pompeii (Just South of Naples)
3.) The Orsay (Paris)
4.) The Necropolis Underneath the Vatican (Rome)
5.) The Catacombs Underneath Paris (Paris)
6.) St. Germain de Pres/The Latin Quarter (Paris)
7.) Montmarte/View of Paris from the Sacre Coeur
8.) Tower of London (London)
9.) The Sagrada Familia (Barcelona)
10.)Mardi Gras (New Orleans)

Most Overrated Experiences—Period:

1.) The Eiffel Tower (Paris—I found the view of Paris from the steps of the Sacre Coeur to be just as beautiful, if not more so, and I didn’t have to wait in line 3 ½ hours for it).
2.) The Empire State Building (New York—Another 3+ hour wait for smog hazed views and some guy in an ape costume)
3.) The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (I love this parade, but it’s better—and warmer--on TV)
4.) Los Angeles—All of it (Smog, traffic, self absorbed people made mostly of plastic, and two hours of suburbs/urban sprawl in any given direction that does not lead directly into the ocean. Need I say more?)
5.) The White House (Washington D.C.—A two hour line and rigorous security check only to be herded through one of the tackiest establishments (to the point of being embarrassing) in the world by secret servicemen who addressed everyone there as if they were subpar in intelligence and an interruption in their day. Nevermind that many of our tax dollars are being used for upkeep of the building and to pay their salaries. My recommendation: Take pics of the outside, skip the inside, and go down the street to tour the Capitol Building instead. It’s much prettier architecturally, infinitely more interesting, and has a friendlier/informative staff)

next to my husband is the best place.
After that....
top 10
1. venice
2. cinque terre
3. rome
4. amsterdam
5. florence
6. paris
7. stockholm
8. puerto vallarta
9. puerto rico
10. sorrento

1. Iceland - the landscape is beautiful, yet unusual. And Reykjavik has amazing 24 hour nightlife in the summer.
2. Japan - particularly Kyoto - loved the contrast between modernity and tradition
3. Brazil - beautiful country, wonderful food, and the warmest people
4. Paris

My backyard. It rocks!

Today my answer is Vezelay, France. We only had a couple of hours there, and it might have gotten boring after a day or two. But the town is stunningly picturesque. When we arrived, my partner and I just kept looking at each other with open mouths unable to believe what a special place this was. Totally unexpected.

For beaches: Playa del Carmen, Mexico

For views: Amalfi Coast (Positano)

For just about anything else: Rome!

...I have to throw in Switzerland for my husband (particularly Zurich and Engelberg) for beer and sausage

I have to register a vote for Israel. As I skimmed through this thread, I saw only one other mention of this most ancient of countries. It doesn't matter if you are Jew, Christian, Muslim, or atheist. There is history, history, history in Israel, as well as lots of incredibly friendly people, excellent food, reasonable prices, fun shopping (in Arab markets), and lots to do.

Portovenere: www.portovenere.it.

I met my husband there. It is just magical...

People want and appreciate different things when they travel. I have been to most of the places that have been recommended.However, as a teacher, I highly recommend a trip to Kenya, Africa. I went there 3 years ago and it was the trip of a lifetime. Let your children see the fantastic animal life before they all become endangered. The varied biomes and the people were endearing. Everything about Africa left an everlasting impression in my heart.

poogie,
you damn near made me cry in my morning coffee with your visions of Italy.
thanks

My backyard. It rocks!

Hey, my backyard has rocks also!

Santorini, Greece, on a balcony overlooking the caldera, wine glass in hand, 'nuff said.

Easy. Best place in the world is a secluded section of beach in Exuma, Bahamas with a Kalik and a beautiful chick.