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.