[Lil Dancer]

We'e been to a lot of great spots, but I think my favorite was New Zealand. We toured the south island by car, staying in B&B's. The scenery was incredible, not a lot of tourists, the locals were incredibly friendly,and the dollar exchange at the time was great. It was as if you took all the most beautiful spots in the US and placed them on this little island. We did a lot of hiking; it was spring when we went and all the lambs had just been born (there are many more sheep on the island than people) and they were so cute.

I'd be interested in hearing about what everyone else's favorite places are.....

[redwitch]

Europe -- Copenhagen. I love the people, the city, the atmosphere, the food, everything! I fell in love with it when I was little because of the mermaid in the river but as an adult, I fell in love with it all over again. I love Copenhagen in all seasons but especially in the winter and spring.

United States -- Yosemite. The first time I drove into Yosemite, I literally had to stop my car it was so breathtaking. It was an annual tradition to camp in Yosemite and find a new trail to hike. It is the one thing I will always regret leaving.

Asia -- Hong Kong. The bustle, the busyness, the liveliness fascinate me.

For true magic, visit St. Petersburg, Russia, at Christmas. The golden domes and the crystal snow are breathtaking (so is the cold).

[l2ridehd]

I have traveled to most every place in the world except the Middle East. So I am sure there are places there that would also become a favorite. However there are 3 places I have been that I could go and not care if I ever came back.

The first is the South of France. A little town on the coast just West of Cannes called Mondeleux (sp wrong) that sits on a hill with great beaches, a few really great places to eat, and a laid back lifestyle that is to die for.

The second is several places in Australia. Sit on the top floor of the Intercontinental hotel and look out over Sydney Harbor. The bay, the bridge and the Opera house. Breathtaking. The wine country is like being in Napa valley 50 years ago. The coast and beaches are just so unused and private. I want to go back and visit the one place in the country I have missed, the Margaret River wine country.

And the third is here in the US. Stand on the top of Heavenly or Northstar ski areas at Lake Tahoe and look down on this incredible blue blue lake, with the snow covered mountains running right to the shore. The majestic pines and the fabulous skiing. Again a heaven on earth.

[784caroline]

In the states we loved the cruise and personal travels in ALaska with the scenery, wildife to include Orca whales, sammon fishing and bears, Glacier bay, the history of the gold rush in Skagway, and alot more.

Swiss alps and treking through high mountains. You take the gondola cars to the highest peaks; stop to let the mountain cows with their BIG cow bells or a farmer with a flock of geese pass; enjoy some goulash or hot tea in summer or winter while basking in the sunny (hot hot) sun; and the most unique staying in a small B&B and in the early evening being part of a yodelling impromptu by the locals while engaging in their local brew :#1:!

France...all parts to enjoy the countryside, of course the food..visiting our first Michelin Star resturant; the culture of the cities; Enjoying a New Years Festive occasion in a small French bistro not knowing what to expect or anyone esle besides the couple you are with but yet being invited to sit at tables mingle with the people and enjoying total cultural immersion!

Germany..our home for 4 years, freindly people, gateway to all of europe, The Beer, customs and summer open air markets and fests....to include Octoberfest and the Bad Durkheim wine festivals, Volks Marching to gain your trek medal, Berlin before the wall came down was a real eye opening (and history) experience

Bangkok/ Chaing Mai.....people were extremely friendly always calling me ....Mr Richard, totaly different culture from Europe than our previous experiences, shopping

[Lil Dancer]

Redwitch, your description of Copenhagen and St. Petersburg sound wonderful. I hope I get to visit those spots someday. We went to Yosemite, and truly loved it. My son-in-law is a climber, and we watched them climb on El Capitan. Truly amazing.

784Caroline, we hope to go to Alaska next summer. Maybe I can pick your brain sometime about places to go? We just got back from Thailand, and I have to echo your experiences in Bangkok and chaing Mai. The people were so friendly and polite, and I never saw a frown or anger, they always seemed very happy. The food was the best!

l2ride - France is one of those places I would love to go to, especially southern France, but just haven't made it there yet. Mondeleux sounds like its right up our alley. We love places like that.

[l2ridehd]

Chaing Mai Thailand and the night market. Best shopping in Asia. At about 6:00 PM all the stores close and for miles on both sides of the street the vendor stalls 4 feet wide open and they have everything and anything for sale. Great buys on orchid jewelry and fake silk and anything else you need. Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur and the Central Market are also good shopping. But Chaing Mai is the best. Just an adventure. However still not one of my favorite places, just good shopping.

[Lil Dancer]

I agree with your assessment of Chiang Mai. I loved the temple there with the curving dragon staircase rail and all the steps, and we went to an elephant conservation camp an hour and a half away that was interesting, but other that CM didn't really grab me. I liked Bangkok a lot better. We went farther north near Burma to a place called Mae Hong Song, and stayed at an ecotourism resort called The Fern Resort, and really loved it there. It was situated at the base of a national park. We did some hiking, went into the small town and enjoyed their night market. It was a small town provincial feel, and the scenery was just gorgeous, located in the mountains. We'd sit at sunset have a glass of wine and look out over the misty rice paddies, like something out of a movie.

[SteveZ]

Here

[784caroline]

Lil Dancer
No problem..we will bring some pics to the party,,,,and better yet anyone that has been on an alaskan cruise will be invited to share their best and (if they have one worse experence. Next summer ..plently of time!

Regarding Bangcock...did you get a chance to go to a resturant called Cabbages and Condoms ...great little resturant with national writeups ...what I really got a kick out of is that instead of mints at the end of the meal you had the option of choosing a condom ( eastern or western style)..(very narrow or big) but this place is all Legit for it supports the HIV community which is big in Thailand.

[Lil Dancer]

Oh, that's hilarious (but certainly a good cause)!!!! No we didn't make it to any well known restaurants. We tended to just wing it and eat in local low key establishments. One of the best meals we had in a place that was almost what I'd call a diner. We sat next to a couple of guys who were just getting to know each other, by the sound of their conversation. Anyways, i asked the one if he had a dish to recommend. he asked our preferences, then ordered for us, and we had an astounding meal with drinks, for about $7 American.

[bestmickey]

Favs in the US are: Walt Disney World, Gettysburg PA, and Balboa Island CA

Overseas it would be Greece.

[travelstiles]

Overseas it would be Florence, Italy. In the U.S., the Blue Ridge Parkway (in North Carolina) in the fall when the leaves are just changing. Spectacular!

[jadebox]

Call me crazy but I love Death Valley. I have lived in many states in the US, Europe and the Far east BUT love Death Valley. No way would I live anywhere besides TV but every couple years we stay at Stovepipe Wells for two or three days so I can get my desert fix.

[The Gray Hog]

We did the Alaska land tour seven days and then onboard the cruise ship down the inside passage for a total of fourteen days. Exhausting flight up and back, but the beauty is beyond discription. A must do/see.

[renielarson]

My favorite place is Louisiana.

The Atchafalaya Basin is the most amazing place full of fish, crawfish, rare birds, and abundant alligators. Travelling through the basin in a very special, unique swamp boat provides an experience to remember. It provides up close and personal investigation of the most beautiful foliage, trees and other plant life in addition to animal life...especially if you have a topnotch guide, which we did.

The culture of the Cajun population captures me...the history of how they came to settle in Louisiana....travelling the eastern coast on their way to their final home.

I love the cuisine...crawfish, jambalaya, gumbo, alligator, blue crabs, rich & thick roux...all so wonderfully delicious! I do pass on the fried pork rinds and hogshead cheese...yuck!

The Cajun dialect and words/phrases used in addition to the fluent French spoken by some, and sadly not by as many as in the past, captivates me.

Also, the special music created with the use of squeezeboxes, harmonicas, and guitars is entertaining to listen to. Plus the two step dancing to this most unique sound is downright fun.

Louisiana is a great state!