PG

Rajasthan, India <BR> <BR>or <BR> <BR>Southern Spain

john crandall

if your looking to rejuvenate the body and soul, and you have an adventerous spirit, then i recommend a cruise. with sun-drenched days, and magical fun filled evenings, you just can't beat it. people seem to think we live in a world where having your cake and eating it too is selfish. so then call me selfish. a cruise offers everything in a nut shell. it's like having two vacations for the price of one.

teresa

Cozumel, small island off the Yucatan Peninsula. We have been going for many years and first took our children several years ago. Our boys, now 12 and 16, insist on going back several times a year. Safe, friendly atmosphere, the boys can be as active or as lazy as they like while allowing mom and dad to do the same. It is a little slice of paradise!

Richard

Bali, especially Ubud for art, history, music, dance, food, rice terraces, enormous range of accomodations (from the Amandari to homestays) inexpensive. There is no place like it.

Ken Barber

If you live in the states adn want an AMAZINGLY-scenic vaction for not al ot of money, two places to visit are: the Banff/Lake Louise area in the Canadian rockies, and the coastal town of south central Alaska. I did both last year, adn the natural beauty is simply stunning - do both in the summer, and bring a lot of film, plus a towel to wipe up all the drool, as your mouth will hang open in amazement most of the trip.

keith

Lake Atitlan in Guatemala has been at the top of my list since I visited there with my father who was the engineer on the old Panamerican highway there in, I think 1958. But I've hear Panajachel is now called Gringotenango, so I imagine things are somewhat changed. Stanley Basin in Idaho will also knock your eyes out. What I finally settled on (and where I finally settled) is in Mexico's Copper Canyon, down at the bottom at its deepest point, in a little town called Urique. Anywhere you look it is like being in the middle of a picture postcard.

Linda

Borneo...........Thailand. Wonderful!!!

Carol

Miguel's description of the Maldives is incredible. I am willing to show my ignorance to ask . . . WHERE would this island be found?

SIlvia

GO TO RIO DE JANEIRO , BRAZIL, I BET YOU WILL COME BACK VERY HAPPY. PEOPLE ARE FRIENDLY, WEATHER IS WONDERFULL, LOTS OF THINGS TO DO AND SEE, WONDERFUL FOOD. JUST PACK AND GO

Jimmy

I recommend the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador. Garden of Eden!. Perfect weather, friendly people, friendly animals too. Ecotourism galore. There are no hotels "on" the islands, but rather on private yachts and ships with good service and food. 4 hour flight from Miami, Florida to Guayaquil Ecuador, then another hour on a domestic flight to Puerto San Cristobal. <BR>Enjoy....!

Vinny

Dear Jen, <BR> Wow, well I am not taking your question seriously, but will offer my opinion, as you can tell by the response you have gotten I guess you realize that it all what a person likes, has really nothing to do with what I love, frank, jill, sam, peter, or george bush, but I travel quite frequently and I love almost everyplace I go, each different in its own way, and the people unique, your question is a good question, I wish I could answer it as I feel no one could, I cant even answer it for myself and I have been to over 30 different countries, but for beauty, I offer Fiji Islands, tahiti, maui, Bali, Kauai, maldives, the Galapagos, Costa Rica on the pacific coast, Greek islands of santorini, and a few others, the Seychelle Islands, Magarita island for tropical stuff, or possibly you like frozen, in that case Alaska, as many elderly people claim is very beautiful, there are literally so so many other places I havent even claimed, only the ones I have been to, As for beautiful cities, San Francisco, Chicago, Hong Kong, Brussells, Paris, Resorts, well if kids are going Jamaica is great, because of the all-inclusives, and the childrens programs, any of the islands in the caribbean, St Johns, st barth, St Maarten, tabago. like to Gamble, Las Vegas, Aruba, on a budget, Domincan Republic all-inclusives at Punta Cana, or possibly, Margarita island, or Bali which is dirt cheap, the cost to fly is well worth it if you plan on staying there for awhile because you can feed a whole family for less than 10.00 U.S. If its night life you want, Cancun, Acapulco at a good price, Las Vegas, Most any big city in states,Chicago, and San Fran, I truly love all the places I have been and I say go out, travel see the world and experience what you and yours would like in a vacation, and yu will find that well this place had the nicest beach, but this place had the nicest people, this place was the cheapest and really pretty, but this place had excellent nightlife, if its one thing you are looking for it may be easy, but I really dont know of anyone who travels who looks for just 1 thing, like I am looking for a beautiful quiet beach, which is actully 2 things anyway, but the people are terrible, and its expensive, or I want just night life, but the rooms are outrageous. Your question is honest and sincere, and dont worry about asking it, I wish I knew, I am even more confused now than I was before, so there you have it, just do it, like nike says and build your own memories, not someone elses, best of luck........Vinny

ingrid

Hard to say, but with our kids tagging along, I'd nominate Costa Rica as our greatest success so far. We've been to Maine, Colorado, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Florida, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Arizona with them, but CR was the best: incredible nature with a wide variety: beaches, rain forest, volcano, food they liked, adventurous enough but not dangerous, great people, lots of stuff to do, good hotels, great weather, and we didn't have to feel guilty since you're not supporting a corrupt government or blow the equivalent of one local family's yearly income on one night hotel accommodation.

Rebecca

Hi, Jen - <BR>Current world events notwithstanding, in all my travels there is one trip that stands out as perhaps the most incredible and inspiring: TURKEY. If you're looking for unique variety and love to tour places of historical significance, then Turkey is a place you need to see. Here's what my reasonably-priced, 10-day tour (through Key Tours) offered: <BR> <BR>ANKARA: the capital of Turkey, with Ataturk's mausoleum, Anatolian Civilization museum,etc. <BR> <BR>CAPPADOCIA REGION: this was AMAZING - along the historical "silk road", cities were built underground and in the sides of unique mountains where they were hidden/protected from potential "looters" on their way to the far east. "Cathedrals" here are painted with vibrant paintings. The landscape is very unusual, with naturally formed "fairy" chimneys...like nothing you've ever seen. We also visited a pottery-making village and a rug-making place. <BR> <BR>KONYA: features Mevlana's mausoleum, home of the "Whirling"/Sufi Dervishes. <BR> <BR>ANTALYA: the Mediterranean Coast ("Turquoise" coast) with tropical climate and beautiful flowers/vegetation. Visit Hellenistic and Roman ruins (collonade street) at Perge, and a magnificently preserved, 15,000 person theater at Aspendos. <BR> <BR>PAMUKKALE: translates to "Cotton Castle", white limestone cascades are formed by mineral deposits from natural hotsprings - it looks like a giant glacier-like formation on the side of a mountain! <BR> <BR>EPHESUS: you've heard of this one (home to one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world), and it's more amazing in person. The largest ancient city in Asia Minor and one of the Biblical "Seven Churces of Revelation", it's truly incredible - the 2,000 year old streets, the Library, Hadrian's temple, etc. <BR> <BR>ST. MARY'S HOUSE & IZMIR: visit the home where the virgin Mary was thought to have lived the final years of her life, and stay the night in Homer's birthplace. <BR> <BR>PERGAMUN, TROY & ASPENDOS: more ancient ruins, including Alexander the Greats hilltop city, 10 layers of excavation at the famous city of Troy and a replica "Trojan Horse", as well as Roman medical facilities. <BR> <BR>GALLIPOLI PENNINSULA: back to the 20th century for WWI history, we saw Anzac Cove and Lone Pine Cemetary. Inspiring in a completely different way... <BR> <BR>ISTANBUL: an incredible city, home of the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, the Hippodrome, Topkapi Palace, the Grand Bazaar and much, much more. <BR> <BR>Of course, you'll be able to best determine whether or not your kids are ready to appreciate the splendor that Turkey has to offer, but it's truly a hub of ancient civilization and diverse culture. And all of this was in the western 1/2 of the country...nowhere near Iraq. We shot 30+ rolls of film and kept/filled 2 journals...if you have the opportunity, you HAVE to see this country!!!

Roberto

Zihuatanejo, Mexico! As close to Paradise as we're likely to get here on Earth! <BR> <BR>www.zihuatanejo.net <BR> <BR>Warm saludos from Zihuatanejo, <BR> <BR>Roberto

shawn

Costa Rica, is a great family choice! The area around Manuel Antonio is where we spend a month every year. Great beach, great national park, monkey's, sloths, birds and even lighting bugs with headlights!! Oh my! and the water is safe to drink! Would not consider it the end all destination but ranks high with us! <BR> <BR>P.S. to however asked the Maldives are in the Indian Ocean just south west of the tip of India. I global warming happens these islands will be underwater! See it soon!

d

I have been to a few palces and so far my favorite has to be Guatemala - people are friendly, country is gorgeous! crafts are amazing, and it is inexpensive

Tim

Dear Jen,<BR><BR>I think it was Rebecca who suggested Turkey...I could not agree more. My wife and I have traveled extensively in Western Europe, in South America and in South East Europe. We still have many places to see on this wonderful planet. But TURKEY...WOW. This was by far our most memorable trip. The people for one are soooo genuinely friendly. The cuisine has to rank among the globe's finest. The landscape is spectacular from Cappadocia to the Mediterranean to the Aegean. The history is fascinating.<BR><BR>We spent 2 months in western Turkey and plan to return to visit the Eastern part.

tutu

Like many of you, I have travelled extensively for over three decades and I agree with many of your picks especially Turkey, Chile, Jordan, New Zealand, etc. However, in spite of the many problems associated with the country, I would pick South Africa - the scenery is stunning, the wildlife abundant, excellent food and wines, and above all, warm, friendly people.

nick

I VISIT ABOUT 2 COUNTRIES BY YEAR, EACH ONE FOR 2 WEEKS AND I HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF PLACES IN THE WORLD SO BEAUTIFUL LIKE THE PLACES YOU SEE ON YOUR DREAMS, THE ONES I WILL MENTION HERE ARE THE BEST ONES IN MY OPINION....<BR><BR>PANAMA<BR>SAINT MARTIN<BR>EGYPT<BR>TURKEY<BR>FIDJI ISLANDS<BR><BR>

kim

Obviously, no one on this board has visited San Diego, California. I'm 14, my dad and I go on one vacation every summer, and for the past three years, we have gone back to Southern California. We've been around the US, Mexico, and Canada..and we can't think of anywhere that can possibly beat the experience. Yes, you can find beautiful beaches and atmospheres elswhere, but nowhere else can you find beaches, atmosphere, great climate, amusment parks, and a meteoropolis in one, convinient place? San Diego, rated the worlds' second best climate after somewhere in Mexico, is a great place for all ages. They have many great towns, each with a different flavor, intervening to create one, large paradise. You wouldn't know it, but San Diego is the sixth largest city in America...it isn't over crowded, and traffic is fine. Having kids my age, I know how it feels to not want to go somewhere that is aimed for adults (ie-nightlife, bars, they do have nightlife...but it isn't the main focus). I live in Rochester, New York...and 3 of my friends have already been to San Diego. It's a great place, I don't know how to express it. You feel relieved to go there, and when you arrive back home..you want to go back.<BR>Oh yea..they also have great shopping! I would really appreciate it if you would email me, because I would love to tell you more.<BR>Kim