harzer

The good ole US of A is just about at the top of my list. But I also have to acknowledge that my homeland, Australia, is another place I have no great hankering to explore, beyond maybe the Great Barrier Reef, the rainforests and the surf beaches around Sydney.

Leslee

Love this post - thanks for the education. Not well traveled, but just returned from Barcelona... would not be interested in returning. Made me think... and decide... so often (for me) the people of the region can make or break my trip. I found myself longing for Italy. Only there once, but the people were so friendly, warm, gregarious. Felt like I was in NYC in Barcelona. Yeah, cool sights to see, like Antoni Gaudi's church, park, homes, etc. but prefer to be around friendly, helpful people. <BR>By the way, loved South Africa more than anyplace I've been - would go back in a heartbeat. Beautiful coast, vineyards, flora and fauna. <BR>By the way, I'm from Atlanta and happen to think it a pretty decent place - granted tons of traffic - but also lots of diversity in people, restaurants, parks, things to do.

Ann

Places I plan never to return to: <BR> <BR>Australia--really didn't see the point. Such a long flight for nothing much at all; <BR>London--all the negatives of NYC without the positives. Okay, so maybe I'll go if I can get tickets for whatever London football team happens to be playing Liverpool; <BR>Detroit--Don't really need to elaborate, do I? <BR>Wichita--Ditto. <BR>Birmingham, England--a dirtier version of Pittsburgh. <BR>Pittsburgh.

Seyno Totexas

number 1 Texas <BR>number 2 Texas <BR>number 3 Texas <BR>number 4 anywhere close to Texas

Sjoerd

Interesting thread. Don't others share my experience that it is not so much where you are, but who you are with that makes or breaks a trip? I mean, a trip with your loved one to Detroit or Dusseldorf is MUCH nicer than a trip with your accountant to Paris or Tahiti. <BR>

MaureenGP

I'm like the guy who said he'd go anywhere if he won a free trip. I have rarely traveled anywhere that I really disliked. Sometimes I think I'm too easy to please! <BR>But, money and time are the two precious commodities you need for travel, so I don't think it's politically incorrect to admit there are some places you much prefer to visit over others. I don't think it makes me a terrible person to say that I long to see Paris, London, Venice and Vienna far more than I want to see Africa or the Middle East or India. My personal interests in art, history, architecture and literature lead me to want to experience Europe more than these other places. I know I won't live long enough to visit all the places of interest in the world, so it only makes sense to be selective. <BR>Also, why would I want to spend my money visiting Las Vegas or Atlantic City when I dislike nightclubs, gambling and drinking? Or visit Branson when I hate country music? We cannot all be the same, and I don't put down the people who prefer to visit these places and who would be bored to tears visiting the Louvre or Sistine Chapel. Better to admit what you really like to see and do and have a good time doing it. <BR>On the other hand, you have to keep an open mind about things. I thought I would hate cruising, and I loved it and can't wait to do it again. (After making jokes about it for years!) <BR>I like Mexico, but I will not go back after becoming very ill on our last visit there (my husband had to be hospitalized). That doesn't mean I discourage anyone else from going, as it's a great place, but when you have a traumatic experience you don't necessarily want to repeat it. <BR>

Art

I'm with Maureen. Give me a free ticket and I'm there. Places I have been to and can do without. North and South Dakora, Arkansas, Oklamona, Mississippi, The south in general. Yes they treat me fine (I'm a wasp) but I notice the treatment various with the color of your skin. My second wife was from OK and boy do I regret it. The most shallow person I've ever met. I love both coasts but northern Atlantic coast (New England) the most. <BR>Eueropean Cities. Least favorate was Paris. The dirtest city in central/northern Europe. The least friendly people (Paris not France), the worst dressed women and now is seems the most expensive. <BR>From the posts I've been reading the last few months since I discoverd this forum I know many of you who love Paris will think I'm crazy, buts that the way it is. <BR>Great travels everyone!!!

kk

Dear Al Gore (a.k.a. SayNoToTexas), I can understand your frustation with some citizens of Texas (Ok, so it is just really ONE), but must you take out your anger on this forum. After all, this is a TRAVEL forum. How dare you! Your frustrations have nothing to do with travel. Please take your petty quibbles with Texas elsewhere. Perhaps you can ask Dr. Betty Fordor to assist you. She does a lot of great work on this forum.

Ann

Ditto to Atlanta...No soul and BORING. I judge a town by it's food and ATL has no DISH. By the way, I'm a Southerner and have lived in ATL (but not presently) so I speak from experience. To get back to the original topic...I think Oporto Portugal is a bust. Also Veracruz Mexico. Can't ever say I'm sorry I went but would never recommend.

Dan

Australia- It was nice and clean, but just no character. Too new I guess, like most USA cities.<BR><BR>Surprised to see Chicago listed. It's location on the lake and architecture like no where else makes it one of my favorite cities to list.<BR><BR>I saw this comment above about the Bellagio in Las Vegas.<BR><BR>"This is considered the finest and most expensive resort in the world now."<BR>Any wonder that Roseanne was the number one show in our country for years?<BR><BR><BR>

Jen

Dan xxx - I see you post under quite a few different names...you used that last line in a post on the US board this evening as well, except you were 'Steve' there.<BR><BR>Anyway, places I can do without visiting:<BR><BR>1. Japan<BR>2. Disneyland, World, EuroDisney, etc.<BR>3. LA<BR>4. 'Mall of America'<BR>5. Any Hard Rock Cafe<BR><BR>BTW - I thought Australia was GREAT!

Capo

I could cheerfully do without visiting any place where puritanical religious fundamentalism, such as Wahabbism, is popular.

justsay no

Albania.

ja

Like several previous posters, I would take a _free_ trip anywhere! However, places I could do without= San Jose ,Costa Rica (been there - mucho smog and downright terrifying drivers); places I wouldn't _pay_ to visit, as they don't interest me= India, Hawaii, Russia(sorry, I already live in that climate!),Viet Nam, and on a cruise - not enough freedom or autonomy on a ship.<BR>ja

Karen

My list of places I can do without:<BR><BR>1. Reno, Nevada. It's even worse than Vegas.<BR><BR>2. Vegas<BR><BR>3. Greek Islands-what a disappointment.<BR><BR>4. Any cruise.<BR><BR>5. Any Disney thing.

njgirl

Elvira-I thought I pronounce them "tomatas" because I am from the South! but now that I live in NJ, my accent is all messed up <BR>* I do not think people should be calling other people "bigots" on here, no one knows anything about anyone on this thread, besides the few sentences read---calling names only shows lack of ability to express oneself clearly.

qiu

It is not fair to "not ever want to go to" places i haven't been to.But among the places I have been to and would not miss if I never went back are:<BR><BR>1. Brunei, absolutely the most boring place on earth unless you have access to the royal palace. <BR> <BR>2. Madrid, one of the more disappointing European cities.I'll take Barcelona anytime.<BR><BR>3.Albany,NY. dull, grey and wet. <BR><BR>4. Niagara Falls. Majestic falls but my, what tacky hotels.<BR><BR>5. Toronto. Sorry but what's there?<BR><BR>6. Cebu, Philippines. Touted as a great beach resort but all i saw were slums and lousy beaches. EL Nido island, now that's something else.<BR><BR>7. Tijuana, Mexico. A disgraceful potrayal of beautiful Mexico.<BR><BR>

Sandra

Interesting to see the diversity in opinion. My enjoyment of a city depends on my expectaion of it. For example would not go to Las Vegas expecting anything resembling culture. However for a reunion of friends scattered across the US for unlimited noturnal activities, niffty day-glow trinkets, and an un-ending fashion show of sparkly sweatshirts (made by person proudly displaying them) with matching sparkly Keds and visor, Las Vegas cannot be beat. Each city/country offers its own quirks and reasons to go. <BR><BR>That said, my general rules (it is very general) for travel is this<BR><BR>1) does the country understand and, more importantly, effectively use refrigeration and other sanitary food preperations? Not just in the cooking but in the overall transportaion of said persiable goods. Very important as do like like the taste of vomit or care to suck down vast quantities of pink tablets my entire trip.<BR><BR>2)Reliable transportaion in ALL forms. Rusty, pre-world war I equipment cobbled together into a "working" form, while adventerous, does not inspire my confidence..esp when it comes to floating or suspended transport.<BR><BR>3)Respect of women. Fending off aggressive men with "Looks O' Death" 24-7 gives me a headache between my eyes. And gives me no time to enjoy the sights I came to see. (An occassion chance to flex my claws is acceptable)<BR><BR>4) bugs. Don't like 'em...especially if they are as large as hummingbirds or are crawling out of my sink.<BR><BR>5)Toilet Paper. Camping is the only acceptable travel experience that should require me to bring my own. (rough or soft; I don't care but it should be provided in the majority of bathrooms I will have need of)<BR><BR>That's it. General, yes, and there are always exceptions, but when I hear the words "exotic destination" I translate it to one, if not all, of the above reasons I'm not interested.<BR><BR>

Daisy

Poor old Al.... decides the Australian Outback is highly over-rated without ever having the delight of standing looking up in awe at a night sky filled with a million stars, and not a burger joint or Confederate flag within cooee. We can do without you, mate!

carol

Have never been and do not want to go to: <BR><BR>Las Vegas<BR>Disney World<BR><BR>There's no country in Europe that I would NOT like to see, but I'd probably be LEAST interested in:<BR><BR>Scandinavia, especially Sweden, which just doesn't appeal to my imagination<BR><BR>eastern Europe (except for Hungary, which interests me somewhat)