Whether for work or vacation, what's your most favorite place

[babylonsister]

you've ever been to, either overseas, tropics, or in the good old USA?

[jannyk]

1. It has to be ...

Paris!!

We've been spending 4-6 weeks a year there for the past 5 years. We rent a small apartment and live like Parisiens. Seriously considering buying a small (minute) studio in the 1st or 4th.

Runners up are Istanbul and French Polynesia (Moorea)

[babylonsister]

2. Well, aren't you a lucky person!

I looked at your profile and... I was going to mention my most favorite city, San Fran!
Gay Paree, 4-5 weeks a year? My 50th birthday is next month, but when I was 17 going on 18, I lived in Paris for 6 months, working as an au pair. To be able to do that now at my age (w/o kids involved) would be heaven!
I also think Istanbul would be great, but wonder about the political climate now.

[jannyk]

3. Some of it was

luck, most of it was damn hard work! :hi:

We also had the good fortune to buy some real estate in the Bay Area back in the early 80's. Hubby had a great job, Director of Technology for one of the large semiconductor firms, I had my own business. We worked like dogs! Also, when our collegues were buying a new Lexus or two every other year, we were driving a 15 year old Ford Escort (it died at 200k miles) and teeny Suzuki. While they bought large 'excutive' homes in gated communities, we bought rental property. We are now 53 (me) and 57 (hubby), retired and living frugally but travel at every opportunity. We spent over 20 years planning, saving and working very long hours for this. I can honestly say, it was well worth it!!

:woohoo:

[mike_c]

4. I absolutely love Baja California, MX....

Virtually the whole peninsula, at least south of El Rosario. I used to make semi-annual trips down to La Paz (not so much my destination, just the usual end point of the drive down)-- now it's been three years (four?) since my last visit. I REALLY need a Baja fix.

Second choice: Belize, from Dangriga and Hopkins south, down the southern highway to Placencia and Punta Gorda, and also out to Glovers Atoll. Northern and western Belize are nice too, but I like the funky laid back feel of the south better. I've got little use for places like Cay Ambergis. It's been almost ten years since I was there last. Damn.

It's a cold, rainy, dreary night up here on the north coast, and my dreams are turning to warm and sunny places.

[SiobhanClancy]

5. Ireland

It's the place I feel happiest and most at home,other than New England. I've been able to spend a good bit of time there over the years,and hope to end my days somewhere in West Cork:)

[MasonJar]

6. There are so many and they are so different. I love Paris and

Prague and New Orleans. Belize and Costa Rica are wonderful. Loved Greece and England. I'm sorry; I cannot choose.

[Patiod]

7. Venice

Trying to save enough to take my S.O. there. It was June, and it smelled like Jasmine, especially San Stephano.

[marmar]

8. Paris...

J'aime Paris. There's no place like it on earth. The food, the architecture, the history, the crepes with banana and nutella.

[demjuli]

9. Another Parisienne here...

in spirit, anyway. Prior to the 2004 elections, I promised myself I would move to Paris if Bush won.

Sadly, I'm still here.

[demosincebirth]

10. Ahh, Rome, the Eternal City!

The food and the people are out of this world.

[Justitia]

15. ditto ROME, my favorite city in the world! -eom

[chascaz]

11. For the tropical beach lover...

I recommend Rarotonga or Western Samoa. Cheap and great diving/snorkeling.

For the bird lover/ Navy history buff, Midway atoll is a must.

For the nature buff, the Galapagos is great, diving is INCREDIBLE, but I recommend staying on the island, instead of the tour boats, which are often capsizing because they build these big superstructures on them to berth the guests, so they're top heavy.

My favorite European city has to be Amsterdam, of the ones i've been to, which includes Paris, London, Brussels, Lisbon, Copenhagen, and a few others I can't remember.... Maybe that's because I love Amsterdam sooooo much. ;)

I'm in Uganda right now, which is a great place to visit for Africa, but I've only been to Gabon and Mali to compare it to. The avocados here are HUGE and delicious. Everything is organic because the soil is so rich.

Happy Travels - :)

[Ally McLesbian]

12. Delete

Meant to reply to the main thread, not this thread.

[Ally McLesbian]

13. I'd pick London...

though Tony Blair makes me puke for now.

It's simply the most varied and lively place I've ever had the fortune of coming across. Whatever you feel like doing, you can do it in London.

Beijing and Vancouver get honorable mentions - though I need to spend some more time in Vancouver to get the real feel for the place.

Amsterdam is the pits. Too many thugs getting away with harassing me because they happen to be Surinamese immigrants. If tolerance of Surinamese thugs is what the famous Dutch tolerance is about, no thanks.

As for American cities? I'm too fed up with those W '04 ovals everywhere to ever have a favorite right now...

[marmar]

14. Sorry about your experience...

but I think Dutch tolerance extends beyond accepting Surinamese thugs. And believe it or not, all Surinamese are not thugs.