I love the cote d'azure in May. There's so much going on, film festival, Grand prix, etc, but the summer crowds haven't shown up yet.

I love the German and Austrian Christmas Markets in December. Nothing gets me in the Xmas spirit like Gluhwein and pretzels. Its so nice not to deal with the "American" Christmas marketing machine. Snow is always prettier there too.

I would be hard pressed to identify one favorite travel destination. In fact, I have many based on what I've visited thus far. However, I believe there are dozens more where I have not traveled that I am certain would be on my Top 25 one day.

With that said, Italy, Hawaii, and California are the most frequent places I have visited and have never disappointed.

quote:

Originally posted by jxr02:
I love the German and Austrian Christmas Markets in December.

Very special indeed. Brings back many memories from years past (1995-2000)

Like so many other things, 'favorite travel destinations' change as you go through life. Not just because you have more exposure to other places (which one does of course) but as we go through life our perspective changes.

In my mid/late 20's Hawaii was my favorite travel destination (had a condo on Maui and traveled there a few times a year)

In my mid 30's - early 40's I lived in Europe I loved skiing in St-Anton, Austria and 3-Vallie, France in the Winter and hiking/mountain climbing in the Alps in the Summer. Italy (especially the Dolomites and Tuscany were incredible regular destinations.

Since relocating back to Montreal I've loved rediscovering Canada. The Charlevoix region is incredible and I and want to get back over to the Atlantic regions (Halifax, Sept Illes, etc)Lobster traps, Oysters and loads of other seafood. Yum! Putzing through little fishing villages and hiking along the coast. Nice!

The older I get the more I love the simpler things.

I am not a huge world traveler so I am sure there are many fine destinations that I am unaware of. However, in my limited experience, my favorite place in the world in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. I know, it is a tourist resort, and the people depend on tourism for much of their economy. But after having spent a considerable amount of time there, I also know that the locals are some of the friendliest people I've ever met.
I've been elsewhere in the world where there always seems to be a barely hidden, simmering hostility toward Americans. (And truth be told, after witnessing some of the ridiculous behavior of a few other Americans abroad, I can sometimes sympathize.)
But the people in PV bring "friendly" to another level. They still go out of their way to welcome you and make you feel comfortable, even if they aren't making a sale.
And the fact that it's usually sunny and warm, as opposed to where I live, doesn't hurt either.

Before I pass though, I'd still like to visit Ireland to see if I can track down any distant relatives; and Italy to tour the wine country.

I start getting nervous when I've been away from Paris for a year or so. I love walking around there after midnight. Well, any time of day really, but it's a cool place at night.

I cannot choose just one.

When I'm in London I feel like I belong there.

Florence is the most romantic, wonderful, uplifting city in the world to me. Plus I love the Tuscan hillsides and hill towns... the wine doesn't suck.

Turkey is just awesome: Istanbul is the most interesting city to me. Kushadasi is peaceful, the ruins at Ephesus, my favorite, and Antalya is a great resort (though not my favorite).

I spent many of my childhood summers near Lahina in Maui, and that holds a special place in my heart.

Paris, in many ways, is my favorite big city.

Many I could name. The Cote d'Azur, mentioned in the original post is my pick for the most boring, overrated place in the world. Boring, stuck-up people, boring architecture, boring gravel beaches. Yet, go inland 20 miles and all is reversed.

My favorites are, in no particular order:

The National Parks of the United States
Provence
Israel
Barcelona
The Loire Valley
The wilderness of Nunavut
Spain- al of it
The Scottish Highlands
The Rhone Valley
Burgundy
Champagne
Venice
Tenerife

There are many places in Europe that I have not been and I'm sure certain some will make the list, but of the places I've been...

Hong Kong - Whenever I try to explain it to anyone I say it's like NY, Vegas and both northern and southern CA all rolled into one location. It wouldn't rank very high as a vacation destination, but I love it there none the less and it's a great travel destination.

Australia - I spent a fair amount of time in Sydney and would love to see the rest of the country. I think what I like about Australia the most is the Aussies (and the Kiwi's too). They are a more laid back and friendly version of Americans.

The Greek Isles - Just gorgeous. On occasion I still dream of looking out over the caldera high up from the "hotel" on Santorini drinking some wine as the sun went down.

What I loved the most about Hawaii were the experiences of swimming with sea turtles off the coasts of Maui, Kauai, and Big Island. Clumsy, slow, and methodical on land, but ever so graceful in the water. Oh yeah, the sunsets weren't bad either.

Spain:
..... Seville
..... Barce
..... Madrid
..... Toledo
Italy:
..... Florence
..... Como
Germay:
...... Hiedelburg

Not sure how to answer, but today my criteria is... where have I been to numerous times, yet must return to again.

Florence, a city that lacks for nothing, yet is still small and walkable. So many great weekend trips nearby.

Paris at night is sheer magical to me, and has everything I love so much in life. The direct train to Champagne does not hurt my feelings at all.

Old City of Jerusalem. I am simply mesmerized as I explore the four quarters.

London, a place I would love to spend 2-3 years.

NYC, a place D and I want to rent a place for a year.

Vienna, such an intelligent city with great culture.

My motor tends to race very high, but Brittany, Normandy, Amalfi Coast, Lake Como, Bruges and Tiberias all seem to reduce my motors idle a great deal.

Looks like Spain or Turkey is up next ( subject to change) and a weekend with my twin DoktaP in Tuscany for his birthday next year.

I've been to a great many places but not many make me pine to go back to to the point where I would miss out if I didn't. Plus there are so many places I'd like to see, that it's often tough to want to go back to the familiar travel spot when I could experience something new. Usually it's only to let someone else experience what I've been able to and share it.

Like a few have said, London is one of those places but I feel so comfortable there, it is a little like going, not home, but back to a place that used to be home. Thanksfully I'm there 3-5 times a year so the itch is regularly scratched.

Cape Town is another one of those places where I feel instantly at home and do pine to go back to. My wife's South African, so I will certainly be back every once in a while. Again, like London less of a holiday destination and more of a homecoming despite never living there for more than a few months.

Bali would fit the list as would Martinique. Newfoundland certainly. Napa too. Grenada (and southern spain in general) most certainly. M wife won't let me take her to the South Pacific for fears I'll get more tattoos but I'd like to show here Fiji and Vanuatu.

Napa, because I can be there in 30 minutes, have a world class tasting or meal and be home all in 1/2 a day, or

Havana: the food, the culture, the rum, and, ah, yes, the best cigars in the world

Places where the pace is slow, the waves are good, and the water is warm.

quote:

Originally posted by wine+art:
.... a weekend with my twin DoktaP in Tuscany for his birthday next year.

YEAH!

quote:

Originally posted by KSC02:

quote:

Originally posted by wine+art:
.... a weekend with my twin DoktaP in Tuscany for his birthday next year.

YEAH!

Our current plan is to fly into Tuscany from Spain or Turkey for the birthday celebration.

quote:

Originally posted by bates40:
Napa, because I can be there in 30 minutes, have a world class tasting or meal and be home all in 1/2 a day, or

Well, the food is very good, anyway.

Detroit.

Quality.

If I were still single, I'd say Shanghai.

Now that I'm married with kids, then Barbados.

i can echo the above sentiments for most of western europe my hands-down favourite place is the queen charlotte islands, Haida Gwaii.

completely isolated temperate rainforest, unbelievable fishing, a majestic history on the edge of the continental shelf. The storms in the hecate straight and enormity of everything have a very humbling effect. Walk out, catch some crabs by hand, or buy some halibut cheeks at the docks and have dinner watching the sun set on what feels like the edge of the planet.

bring a suitcase of wine - i dont think they have any at the co-op. we did.

New Zealand, South Island, awesome nature

Japan!

The food, the natural beauty, the culture.

I could go every year and not be bored.

Gotta' be San Bernardino or Compton. I'm a masochist and these places really appeal to my latent, self-loathing.

I have a wide variety of places that I like. Of course, good golf and good food is high on my list. I would like to tour Italy and Greece, and would like to visit Australia.