I've always liked the name Condom, France (strange enough) and for a very different reason Oberammergau, Germany. My favorite English town is called Tring, a charming town with an old church and stockade in the small town square.

Great thread! Ones that have already been mentioned that I've always liked are Chichicastenango, Oaxaca, and Ouagadougou (Ursula, you might enjoy reading Peter Biddlecombe's entertaining book "French Lessons in Africa: Travels With My Briefcase in French Africa". You can travel vicariously with Mr. Biddlecombe to Ouagadougou). <BR> <BR>For laughs, I think it's hard to beat Humptulips here in Washington State. <BR> <BR>http://www.ohwy.com/wa/h/humptuli.htm

I've always liked Dorking in Surrey (England). (To dork: I dork, you dork, he/she/it dorks. We are all dorking.) <BR> <BR>Condom's sister city (no, wait) is Toro in Spain. Strong like bull. <BR> <BR>I also like Honolulu and Chicken, both in Alaska, Boring and Remote in Oregon, and Pysht and Twisp here in Washington. I agree about Humptulips, which is not far from Sappho.

My mother's home in PUNXSUTAWNEY,PA , the first word I ever learned to spell might come into the top contenders.

To the top! <BR> <BR>Capo, thanks a lot for your book suggestion. I shall try to find it. <BR>... and I am relieved, because I don't really need to go there. There are other places which go first.

Ever since I found out that the word vacillate sounded dirtier than its meaning, I've liked interesting names & words. <BR> <BR>In the US: <BR>Kissimme FL <BR>Gurley AL <BR>Abroad: <BR>Stow-on-the-Wold <BR>Machu Picchu <BR>and an address in England: Pooh Corner (I can see Piglet standing by his mailbox waiting for the mailman). <BR> <BR>I also think it's funny that the German word for city hall is rathaus (rat in the house?) and the German word for trip is fahrt...but that's a whole other thread. <BR>

Went to Check once. Passed a small town, Bianca Bystricia or something. Main attraction the restaurant, with a big sign: "HORARONKA". <BR>If any of you have the slightest knowlegde of Norwegian "fourletters", you'll know. I prefer not to translate it here. <BR>B, Oslo

Philipp: Well city hall in German is "Rathaus", yes, correct. <BR> <BR>But "Rat" means advice or councel in English. <BR>Whereas "rat" in English means ""Ratte" in German! <BR> <BR>.. and I just remember a place south of Florence when going to Siena: <BR> <BR>Poggibonsi!

Ursula, <BR> <BR>Please run that by us again. <BR>Thanks, <BR>Earnest

Earnest: I was referring to Philip's post! <BR> <BR>rat = Ratte (in German) and not Rat <BR> <BR>Rat = advice or council (in English) <BR> <BR>So, "Rathaus" is not a a house with rats in.. well, sometimes, yes! <BR> <BR>Earnest: Everything clear now?

Salamanca

my favourites are both here in Ontario, Canada: <BR> <BR>Kapuskasing <BR>Kakabeka Falls

Ursula, <BR> <BR>All is clear now. I have a <BR>very muddled mind. <BR> <BR>Earnest

French Lick, Indiana (Nope, we're not making these things up, folks!)

Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan in Canada <BR> <BR>Hell, Michigan (lower peninsula) <BR> <BR>Paradise, Michigan (upper peninsula) <BR> <BR>Fishkill, New York (apparently the home of rabidly enthusiastic fishers!)

Just topping for this new day with: <BR> <BR>Okeechobee, Forida <BR> <BR>Been there, done that!

From Turkey: cemisgezek, safranbolu, rumelifeneri, ayanalikacvak, gaziosmanpasa <BR> <BR>http://www.istanbuloldcityhotels.com

Reminds me of a nice story. <BR>Colleague 1: My wife and I spent the whole weekend at loggerheads (i.e. having a blazing row). <BR>Colleague 2: Oh that's nice, it's a pleasant little town. <BR> <BR>Loggerheads is in mid Wales. <BR> <BR>There is a village in Cheshire with the splendidly subversive name of Peover Superior. Trouble is, it's pronounced Peever.

Shickshinny, PA

My travel agent phoned with the name of my hotel in Garmish.....Sonen Blisch. I thought she said I was staying at the "Son of a Bitch". Of course, there is Bug Tussle and Frognot in Texas