Favorite Destinations

[claassenam]

Here's a tough question wrapped into a simple query: what has been your all-time favorite travel destination? If you were required to return to one spot in your life, where would it be? I think it would be fun to find out from the well-traveled Luxury Link community.

Me first: even though I've had some fabulous trips recently throughout Asia, Central America, Peru, I've traveled extensively through Europe, etc. my all-time favorite destination has been India. I know it's not for everybody: it is dirty, difficult to get around, crowded, hot....but there is something about the design, the colors, the sights and smells that stuck to me and has me constantly daydreaming about returning. The people there seem, on the whole, truly happy no matter what their circumstances. The history and culture are fascinating. The food and shopping are phenomenal! I don't think that I could live there long-term (although I probably wouldn't turn down the chance to try) but I will definitely be back, there is so much more for me to see and I'd also like to return to some of the places I went during my first 3-week visit. For example, the Taj Mahal really fulfills all of the expectations and hype.

Oh, and my all-time favorite city? Hong Kong - it is great!

That said, when friends ask me about my travels and ask where I recommend they go, I usually suggest they go to Egypt. I just think everybody should go and see the grandeur of the pyramids and temples that were built thousands upon thousands of years ago. It is fascinating. For westerners, Egypt is also a great place to go to get a taste of Muslim/Middle-Eastern culture if you haven't encountered it before. It is a fantastic country filled with so many man-made wonders, plus wonderful people and a variety of activities, from touristing the ancient ruins along the Nile to scuba diving in the Red Sea. It is also very easy for tourists to visit, there is so much catering to tourists that makes a trip there very enjoyable.

What are others' favorites?

[CMDAVILACLI]

Hi Claassenam,

Wow, what a tough question to answer! I had to really think about this one, and I'd have to say my all time favorites are the post-communism Central Europe countriesof Hungary, Romania and the Czech Republic. Romania is one of the most interesting countries I've been to. The history is amazing, the people truly interersting and the food is great! Hungary is really beautiful and diverse with wonderful cities (Budapest in particular), lovely hill towns with great wine producing regions, and of course, Lake Balaton, the largest inland lake in Europe. And the Czech Republic is wonderful too - Prague is so beautiful. And in most cases, traveling throughout these countries are truly affordable even with the devaluation of the dollar against the Euro. When asked, I find myself suggesting these places to those wondering "where to go"!

But... then again, there's nothing like London (having attended college there, it is a city near and dear to my heart), Hongkong, New York City and Rome for the big city adventures!

cmdavilacli

[funtimes]

Great question. Since both answers above list more than one destination I will too! It is way too difficult to pick just one destination. My favorites would be Italy and Barbados. Each very different topogrphically, but both with a cultural flavor and views not to be believed. Italy in its many regions all gorgeous with great food and wine. Barbados with sparkling clean waters and beaches, Rum and Calypso Ahhh I'd take either destination! The sights, smells, sounds, flavors of both delight the senses Happy Travels...Funtimes

[omegaet]

claassenam....guess our favortie "region" is North Africa (except July, August and early September), Morocco is pretty much at the top of the heap as far as countries and Paris has been and continues to be the most captivating and entertaining city.....business and leisure.



With all that, we have been spending more and more leisure time in Central and South America....which is why we continue to lobby LL to increase the selection of destinations offered in these regions.



Maybe we really can't answer the question.

[claassenam]

Thanks for the responses! It is so interesting to hear everyone's diverse reactions to this question. Everywhere that has been mentioned is on my "wish list"....anyone else?

[lhbrown]

Hi claassenam,
Call me old-fashioned, but my favorite destination is still Paris which I call home for 6 month of the year. There is so much to do that there is never a dull moment here.

[christian07]

I would have to say that my all-time favourite destination would be Australia. There's somethign about that country makes me want to go back again and again every year.

[funtimes]

Hello everyone! Don't forget, you can vote for your favorite or next great dream vacation detination on the lower right hand side of the LL home page. Who knows??? perhaps they decide upon properties from these suggestions happy Travels ...Funtimes

[bonniejoy03]

Its funny to think of a "dream vacation." Sometimes, little things on a trip make places more memorable. My past "dream" vacations entail learning something new, helping someone who needs help, or experiencing that one or two experiences you would never have in your own home town. I enjoyed the Eastern European Countries in the 80's like I am enjoying Central America at present. As to the future dream ideas, I don't know yet but always listening to others experiences to help my future ideas. I love listening to fellow travellers in more remote locations and asking them what they like...where is the "next" unique destination. I think I am looking for the next location before it becomes "in". (of course, all within my budget!) ....So, my dream vacation would be finding that one spot which isn't commercialized yet and has some degree of civilization, (maybe even tennis courts......hehehaha...)

[maylinglai1]

What a great post! I now have more places I need to check out.

As for me, I am a sucker for the really impressive creations of man. In that regard, the Terra Cotta warriors in Xian were my favorite and I would love to go back. More than anything else then or since, it utterly took my breath away. It's not quite beautiful in the traditional sense. I think when you stand in front of all the warriors you can not help by be transported back to that time. You can not help but consider how much work must have gone into creating so many statues with such intracate detail. It is amazing that these statues, for the most part were made in filial piety, i.e. they represent/look like real people that existed circa that time.

Xian is pretty adorable as far as cities go as well. Great dumplings. Being slightly farther to the West you can get slightly better hand crafts there relative to the eastern parts of China.