Favorite Vacation Destinations???

[Thrillhouse]

I recently returned from a 2-week vacation in Belize, a very beautiful part of the world. It got me thinking about some of the other places in the world I'd still like to visit before my time here on Earth is up. I've been to a few exotic places like New Zealand (which is great), Argentina and others but there's still a lot I'd like to see. So do you have any urges for places you'd like to see before you die? I have a few...

Italy: I read The Agony and the Ecstasy in high school and have wanted to visit Florence ever since. I would probably want to stay away from places like Rome and Venice because of the huge amounts of tourists that go there every year but would want to maybe spend a day in each. A few days in Florence and some time spent in the Tuscany region would be great, I think.

Morocco: From what I've heard, there's not a more beautiful country in the world. I also studied Arabic in college and gained a great appreciation for the culture so I'd like to explore that a little more. I've seriously considered volunteering for the Peace Corps if I got assigned to Morocco but that's a huge commitment to make (2 years).

Thailand: I've heard Thailand has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and I would also like to see some of the Eastern hemisphere. I'm also a sucker for good Thai food.

So what about you? Any burning desires?

[fingal]

I haven't been to: Greece, Spain, Italy - and the West Coast of Scotland. Someone told me I should visit New England too, and since then I would like to go. Vancouver ... I wish I had the time, but I'm working on it.

Prague was great, Dublin is fantastic ... London is worth visiting if you've never been. I really like Amsterdam, but I'm not keen on Paris ... And everyone seems to like San Diego.

[djap]

Since I got together with my girlfriend there's been a huge preasure from her direction that I should go for a trip to beijing. Looks like we're going there this summer.

[oz]

I've been all over the US and Europe several times, but would like to see parts of Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.

[MoXplorer]

Manage to do some traveling so far but not nearly as much as i would like to;

States: Went to school in California and Arizona and managed to go to Colorado, Boston, Florida and New York; would like to go back and visit New Orleans and Oregon.

Africa: lived in Nigeria for a while, Northern and Southern. WTF!!
Definately go back to visit Kenya. Cape Town supposed to be awesome, def Morocco.

Europe: Lived in London for a few months, loved it butnot the weather.
Florence for a year, not to be missed, most tourists I've seen in one place, way too many Americans, No offense

Middle East: I live in Beirut so its easy for me to go around in the region, distance wise! Jordan, Syria, Saudi, Kuwait, Oman and Egypt. Oman is nice. Egypt is amazing if you're into history, desert and Scuba. Red Sea is a must to dive in.

I am obsessed with the whole of South America, Brazil especially. I canceled a trip there a couple months ago to buy a laptop and explore Linux instead, so no regrets there, but when i do go I dont think I will ever leave...

So Thrillhouse, you been practicing your Arabic?

[Thrillhouse]

So Thrillhouse, you been practicing your Arabic?

Not as much as I'd like to. I work with a Lebanese woman and we'll often try to converse in Arabic but we wouldn't be good employees if she's consistently correcting my grammar, helping me with my vocabulary and whatnot.

There's a Middle East Institute here in Washington DC that offers courses in Arabic at all levels for not too much money but I don't really have the motivation to make that big of a commitment right now.

Hopefully I won't completely lose it. It really is a very beautiful language and you never know, it might come in handy one day.

[eraker]

And everyone seems to like San Diego.

Ha. That's where I live.

India was the vacation that changed my life, so much so it couldn't rightly be called a "vacation."

I'd like to visit Berlin, but I'd also like to travel around South America.

[mortadella]

When I was young I worked two years in Colombia in Cartagena de Indias: a very magic place.
Paris & France are beautiful.Spain is fantastic. Croatia (the coast) is amazing.
I lived 25 years in Switzerland : a very nice place.

Now I live near Venice...

My favorite vacation now is ... my sailboat.

[bigtomrodney]

My favourite holiday destination has been Crete. I love it there, a nice balance of fun, history and good people. A lot of package holiday destinations get the fun part right but the locals are too busy trying to sell you things to just be nice. I was in Turkey a year back, and Turkish people are really really friendly, but it took me a week to figure that out because the first encounter you have with them is hasslers bullying you into a shop.

I've been to the Canaries a few times and it's nice there but a bit plastic for my liking. I was on a stag in Liverpool a few weeks back and it was great. It reminded me of Dublin 20 years ago. Everyone was really friendly. Strangers walked up to us to ask us if we were enjoying our visit. Sure two police officers brought me a mile to the kebab shop and showed me where to get a taxi