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/art...itzerland.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.