Finding a favorite?

I’m sure it’s different for everyone. For me, places I wish to revisit hit all my sweet spots. Scenic/lovely in some way, great food, wonderful activities, and an overall “vibe” if you will of a place I simply will never get enough of.

What places do I think about all the time, recall loving my time there, want to hear about from fellow travelers, and otherwise wish to return to? If I had a magic portal what places would I want to jump to right now?

Those are places I want to revisit. It’s pretty clear and straightforward for me, majority of places we visit fall under that was nice or we made most of that but not the magical sweet spot of all things being great.

I might be able to answer this in 20 years since I'm just starting out. 😊 It'll be interesting to read the responses.

London.

History, vibe, royalty, parks, theatre, architecture, museums, public transport, Thames River path, rooftops, street markets, variety of accents, differing neighborhoods, galleries, food offerings, churches, pubs, and the people.

Ditto everything Claudia said.

West coast of France - an Island off the Atlantic Coast -
*Ile De Re*

• Very Sceneic
  • Besides summer, not too busy or hectic
  • Great Food/Wine
  • Beautiful people
  • Biking, walking, bird watching
  • comfortable enough to sit in your airbnb and enjoy being in France
  • nice shops
  • easy to visit towns in the peremiter of Ile De Re

I don't have A favorite. I have several, and each for different reasons. My top favorites arent even in Europe - they are New Zealand for its scenery and welcoming people; and Japan, again for the scenery, but also for its history and customs. In Europe its all about the history, cultural opportunities, and food. England tops that list, and we try to visit there for part of every European vacation for the last 15 years. There's always something new to see or experience.

An excellent post TexasTravelmom! For me it's the city of Wrocław in Poland.

Wrocław is a dynamic and vibrant university town where new meets old and east meets west. At various times, Wrocław has been part of the Kingdom of Poland, Bohemia, the Habsburg Monarchy, the Kingdom of Prussia, the German Empire. The architectural eye candy around the city reflects this unique history, one sees a little of every country - from Polish Gothic to Austrian Baroque and German Modernist. Both the local cuisine and culture reflect this multi-layered history too.

The city stands as a model of Poland's indominable spirit that rose from the ashes of WWII and broke free from the chains of Communism, when the students of Wrocław played an important role by staging many protests and resistance activates against the Communist regime during the 1980s. Wrocław's bronze dwarf statues, are scattered throughout the city to commemorate their struggle.

Since the fall of Communism Wrocław has become a beacon of the new Poland, youthful, tolerant, and globally focused. However, Wrocław has also come to terms with its Germanic heritage, restoring its historical coat of arms and embracing it's historical German traditions in the form of it's annual Oktoberfest, Christmas Market, and various anniversary celebrations. Recently the city was named the European Capital of Culture by the EU. Every time I return there is always something new and exciting in the city. This past April 2022 it was a brand-new modern Concert hall in Wrocław, where I went to see a baroque music festival there, very good acoustics.

Wrocław is also the capital of the Silesia region, a fascinating area to day trip around, full of time-warped old castles, 19th century spa towns, Prussian fortresses, giant wooden Protestant churches, primeval forests, spectacular mountain hiking, and rumours of hidden Nazi gold. It also doesn't hurt that Silesia has consistently the best weather in Poland, whenever I go there its always sunny and pleasant, I believe it has the most sunny days of any region of Poland.

Here are some photo albums of my travels in the area:

September 2017 | Wrocław + Silesia

April 2022 | Wrocław + Silesia

Like CJean my particular favorites aren't in Europe.
City: Sydney - without doubt the most beautiful city on the face of the earth. Strolling around Circular Quay on a sunny day is truly one of life's great pleasures. Add the fact that the people are some of the nicest you'll find anywhere and you have the ideal travel destination. Should be on everyone's bucket list.
Country: New Zealand - particularly the South Island. Cannot begin to describe the beauty of the place. It's "Lord of the Rings" around every bend of the rural roads. Do yourself a favor - go there

1 and 2. I do have that place or really several of them, and you know a couple of my answers!

• Paris: This actually mystifies me because I hated it when I visited it in 1973 and again in 1974 and 1976. Just didn't click. I am also not much of a "city girl". 2014 was a "big travel year" for me and my goal was to go on all the RS tours that were of interest to me for as long as I wanted. I'd done parent care for a long time, more intensely when I retired and they were both gone (long, well-traveled happy lives!) so my reward to myself was travel (Mom would have approved!). I did Rick's 21 day Best of Europe followed by the week-long Best of Paris tour because I thought I might be missing something. Followed that with another week in Paris with a good travel buddy. On the first day of the 21 day tour Dimitri the guide said...if any of you have ever been to Paris and hated it, I will change your mind for you. It worked, then I had Rolinka for a Paris guide and it was magic. Honestly....I've never felt so comfortable in a big city in my life. I speak no French (well, pathetic phrases) but manage to get along. I just feel good when I am in Paris. Whether on a park bench reading my Kindle, on the Metro, in a museum or garden. It doesn't matter. Just feels right.

• London: Loved it in 1973. Visited often in the 1980's as an aunt lived and worked there. I love the history, the culture, and feel right at home.

• Tier B locations: Salisbury and Bath....I've returned over and over and over....

• US top favorite location: Yellowstone, lol!! I felt an instant connection in 1959 and it's still there. I feel my heart lift when I drive thru an entrance gate.

3If didn't schedule Paris in the Fall as I was going Italy and I really felt my trip lacked something! At least once a year (except Covid) for Paris, less often for London.

4Found it!

5NOT boring to me at all!

So, 1) do you have that place? If so, is it a city or a country?
It used to be Italy. I went often, to different cities and regions each time. Very transactional travel, nothing long term.

2) Have you figured out why it appeals to you?
Language, culture and "fit" - as in, I "fit" in there, with my own Italian heritage, looks, and (especially) personality. Italy was my first travel love and I learned the language to improve the "fit" and to make possible the connection with my Sicilian cousins, who I've been able to get to know.

3) How often do you return and was that a gradual process over the years?
I used to go there "regularly" but not exclusively. The gradual process was to begin to travel further afield.

4) Are you looking for that, either now or for the future?
Even with all that connection to Italy, I haven't found "that place." Yes, I'd like to find it. But I think it may be a a time and a place. Even once I've found the "place," I'm not sure it's the "time" for it, as I still prefer to wander.

5) If this is a boring topic, just keep scrolling…..
Quite the opposite. It's a good question for me to answer ... in writing. Makes me think.

I think I need to go back to Italy with my new "now that I'm retired" travel style - I think I will love it even more.''

My favorite destination of all my travels has been New Zealand, for all the reasons previous posters have stated - extremely friendly people, beyond gorgeous scenery, fascinating cities, the culture, and it's where I learned to drive on the 'other' side of the road. However, that was a one-time trip and not a place that I can go back to multiple times, as was China and Turkey (both up there in my favorites list but not repeaters).

My favorite city in Europe that I want to return to again and again is Paris. Sometimes a place is just 'love at first sight' and that's what it was for me with Paris. It's hard to explain and pin down just what it is that makes me love Paris, more than London or Munich or Rome, etc etc, it just speaks to me. I actually feel that way for France in general, not just Paris. I sometimes wish I knew why I am so drawn there. My friend thinks I must have lived a previous life in France and that's why it resonates so much with me - I'm not much of a believer in past lives, but possibly.

I think that most of us with a favorite place feel this way, not sure why but a place just calls to us. And I think when you find that place you will just know! It's a pull that's hard to resist.

I love the idea of having a favorite place to return to over and over again, but like you, TexMom, I haven't found one, at least not overseas. And I think I prefer to have places like that closer to home. If I'm going to spend the time and money to get to Europe, Asia, Africa, or Oceania, I'm going to want to see things I haven't seen before.

So I guess my favorite place right now is Chacala, a small beach community on the Pacific coast of Mexico in the state of Nayarit. It's a 4-hour drive from home. My partner and I just got back from a 4-day getaway there. Our second time there.

Though, to be honest, we may consider looking for a different beach getaway next time. It was significantly more crowded than last time we went.

Home.

Like roubrat, I feel I’m just starting out, but I love cities and spent 2 weeks in Paris last April and loved it. So far, its my favorite, but the top spot can always be demoted. Spending 10 days in London this fall……
My favorite place is blowing bubbles in the ocean!

Following this post!

I'd say in my younger days it was London. I was an Anglophile from way back-my sis and I woke up at 4:30am just see to Princess Di get married-lol. London ended up being every thing I thought it would be but different and I loved going there. Then I decided branch out my second favorite place is Spain, specifically Madrid and Granada mostly because I speak the language and can practice my Spanish but I love the culture, the food and wine is on par with Italy and it is both modern and yet charmingly historical. As I'm getting near retirement age or so, I'm trying to see those places that I still want to see in the EU. London will have to wait as I must admit my love for the country took a beating after they left the EU(crazy).

Can't explain why I love or don't love a place. Paris/France was beautiful and had great food but I can take it or leave it. Same with Barcelona--to me it didn't captivate me like Madrid. Next trip is to Germany/Austria and we'll see how that goes. Was talking to a young woman who had traveled all around Europe and asked her about Germany. She said it was okay but didn't grab her like Italy. In her words-"Everything was so modern!"

So far, it is the Tirol or nearby regions. It may be this calls to me because I spent my junior year in college in Munich, which, while not in the mountains itself, is close enough. I know this is my place not least because each time I plan a European trip, I try my best to at least traverse the alpine areas. And the area is so varied and extensive really, that I feel I have only scratched the surface. I am always astonished when folks speak about flying when they could be taking a lovely train ride through these areas. Getting home from Vienna? Why of course I need to take the train to Zurich - haha. Of course, Zurich does have a direct flight to Philly which is my home base, but you can see how my mind works. Need to get to Venice? I never consider Rome or Milan airports when Munich or Zurich are an option.

Italy. It was the first place we ever went in Europe and we felt at home and fell in love. We've returned to Europe almost every year for 20 years and half of those trips have been to Italy exclusively. Several other trips have included Italy for at least a few days. This year I went to Switzerland (my first time in the Berner Oberland) and it was wonderful, but in 2023 it's back to Italy! I feel like we've really covered the country, though Torino is the only place we've yet been in Piedmont. I think part of the attraction is that we worked on learning Italian and it makes such a difference when you're there.

And I'm also pleased that we've visited Germany twice, Spain twice, France twice, Austria twice, Belgium, Czech Republic, Budapest, Ljubljana, and Leiden. I can't be sure why, but I've never been attracted to the British Isles.

I love reading about everyone’s favorite places - if you have them already. And I love reading about how you came to that. I am taking note of places I should probably visit.

One thing I don’t think anyone has mentioned is particular people. For people in general, I love Ireland and Scotland. But I will be heading back to Budapest - and one reason (not the only one) is several people I was privileged to visit there and know that I can visit with them again. And I think part of the draw of Kastraki for me is the small welcoming family-owned guesthouse I stayed in. When you add that to the beauty of Meteora, it is pretty powerful.

And never fear - I haven’t been to New Zealand, but it is coming up in the next year or two. But distance could keep that from becoming somewhere I return to frequently.

As for home? I do require a home to “come home” to. So I could never sell and travel full-time. But having that, I can easily see finding somewhere else that feels like second home.

Our favorite place is Iceland. The people, the scenery, the outdoor activities and the food. We just feel very at home there. While driving, it is literally eye candy every direction you turn your head. The people are very kind and helpful. There is so much to explore there that you would need to live there for years to even scratch the surface. We head back this summer for our 5th trip.

1) do you have that place? If so, is it a city or a country?

2) Have you figured out why it appeals to you?

3) How often do you return and was that a gradual process over the years?

4) Are you looking for that, either now or for the future?

5) If this is a boring topic, just keep scrolling….. 🤣.

1) Budapest, no secret that I have a can do no wrong fascination with the city.

2) The beauty of the architecture (Anthony Bourdain called it architectural porn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nd9DuDGCz0 ); the better side of culture (a lot like the better side of culture in 1960/70's US); the kindness and acceptance of the people (I now have as many friends there as in the US); the food and wine (try not finding the best of both); the cost (30% to more than 60% less than the US depending on where in the US; https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_cities.jsp?country1=United+States&country2=Hungary&city1=Kansas+City%2C+MO&city2=Budapest&tracking=getDispatchComparison ); I enjoy the pedestrian lifestyle (very few places you cant reach on foot or on the transit system); and the neighborhood I "live" in while in town.

3) Started 20 years ago, first once a year, then twice a year then three times a year; originally a week each trip, then 10 days, then 2 weeks, now a month; so maybe someday I open a business and stay.
I have been asked how it started so many times that I wrote the story if anyone is interested send a PM and I can give you a link; I dont post it here because there is chance someone would rat me out to the Hungarian Vice Police (does read like a confession).

4) I have been looking for an equal to split my time and the two places i am most comfortable are Kyiv in the Spring and Odesa in the Summer .... and that had been my routine the past 6 years which I hope resume this coming Spring.

5) TexasTravelmommy, works for me.

The absolute favourite cites: Paris and Berlin.

On every trip I go back to them, or at least to one of them, rather like a pilgrimage as a repeat visitor. They are connected also to the days of youthful travel as my first two trips, that of 1971 and 1973 included one or both cities.

What appeals? The attraction ? The critical importance and singular significance of the history, the social, cultural, military, political, religious, etc. of Paris and Berlin as cities and capitals. And then there is the lovely language aspect. In Paris I have to lapse into using English after speaking the limited French. No such occurrence in Berlin where the only language used is German.

Just the comfort and convenience ( re: public transport) of being there, exploring on foot or by public transport makes staying in Berlin and Paris for an extended duration quiet easy, if one's travel plan is to stay put in one place.

I like a lot of places. Prague, Berlin, London, Bologna, Budapest, Vienna. All have captured me at some time for some time without a particular rhyme or reason to it. Dense, walkable cities with lots of history, great architecture, and interesting people seem to be common elements.

The one city that I feel the most connected to and that I most want to revisit is without a doubt Kyiv. There is something magical about that place, even before the current tragedy, and I have never felt more comfortable in my own skin in a place where I couldn't speak the language. The layers of history run very deep, the people are very welcoming, the food is always interesting, and there is that vibrancy of a place that is busy reinventing itself.

The one city that I feel the most connected to and that I most want to
revisit is without a doubt Kyiv. There is something magical about that
place, even before the current tragedy, and I have never felt more
comfortable in my own skin in a place where I couldn't speak the
language. The layers of history run very deep, the people are very
welcoming, the food is always interesting, and there is that vibrancy
of a place that is busy reinventing itself.

Ditto. And I am planning a trip in the Spring if you are interested.

I've been traveling Europe since going to college in Innsbruck in 1970. My wife and I have been to most major cities numerous times--except Lisbon. We've traveled from the Baltics and Russia as far south as Turkey.

Our new favorite city is Budapest. It's a society with beautiful and hip young people that speak good English, and old Ruskies. The scenery is great and food is very palatable to American tastes.

It's an easy train ride up to Vienna--our other favorite very large city. It's the old cosmopolitan Europe and their Music City.

We have many other cities that we really like, but I won't go into details. We now prefer cities that are relatively inexpensive now that we're in retirement years. We're not above mixing in our trips on the ground with ocean cruises, and we've even taken two repositioning cruises from the U.S. to England and Italy.

Southern California has always been our default destination. It probably started because it's a quick and cheap flight, but we can always find new and interesting places and sites to visit. We're still newbies to Europe and haven't had time to find that perfect place, but so far England calls to me over all others. I just feel comfortable there; likely the language is part of that reason, but the history fascinates me more than any other country so far. In our two trips there so far in 2018 and 2022, I need all my fingers and toes to count the WOW sites. We'll be back, but still too much of the world to see to make it a regular destination.

Lots of good observations. Architecture, people, nature, history, language, convenience, cost - and always the intangible “something” that is different for all of us.

Unfortunately, the last country I was in is usually my new favorite. After our Poland trip, I raved about it, same for Sicily. Our last trip was to Spain, another rave review.

We go to Croatia once per year, but if we didn’t have family there I wouldn’t return so often. It is beautiful and the beaches are clean, abundant, with crystal clear water, but I am not a beach person.

I’ll keep reading the other responses and think on it some more.

We’ve enjoyed all our trips, but we’ve spent a great deal of time in the UK and British Isles, and Spain. It doesn’t matter how often we’ve visited, there are always new things to see especially when focusing on more specific areas rather than entire countries.

I would have to say England (London included). I've always been fascinated by English history and even though my ancestry is more Germanic (with some French, Dutch and Irish thrown in), I've always felt a kinship with the country. My very first trip to Europe took me to England and I spent the time in a happy whirl of activities. I went back about 3 years later with my daughter but haven't been back since. However, I'm thinking that after this coming year's trip to Scotland, I will focus on England again in 2024 and try to get to some of the spots I didn't have time to visit before. And also after taking a semester of the History of Early Modern England at the local university, I'm dying to visit some of the places that were eventful in British history.

Prague and other smaller towns in Czech Republic like Olomouc, Usti nad Labem and Litomerice

Why? Because it feels so foreign and that means you have to relax and go with the flow. The language and alphabet is so different that you have no idea what words mean and so can spend hours delightfully lost because you took a wrong turn or caught the wrong tram. Being lost is one of the reasons we travel.

I was thinking about this more and I think that England had more of those "magical moments" than other countries. I still remember being at Fountains Abbey early in the morning, with no one else in sight, and walking the same steps as the Cistercian monks did many years before. So many other memories as well. I've loved traveling to other places but none stick in my mind as much as my first trip to England.

If I had to choose a second, it would probably be Turkey. I've only been once but I loved it there and would happily go back. Again, the history is a big factor but also the culture and the diverse landscapes.

I love reading these responses. jaimeelsabio, like you I enjoy every trip - they have all been unique in some way. I think I am looking for the place I want to keep returning to in order to discover more, without giving up seeing new destinations.

Mardee, I hope you make it to England next. I have been at least 5 times - to completely different areas (and probably #6 will be London in December, where I have so far spent almost no time). Loved it all - return to? Probably Cornwall.

Ongonos, I love the personal connection you have made. But yes, new places keep calling my name, too….

I am grateful time is not an issue for me now.

Gwynn, Cornwall is definitely on my list of places to visit next time, as I have never been. The first time I heard of it was in a story called "The Blood-Stained Pavement" in a collection of Agatha Christie mysteries called "The Tuesday Club Murders." I first read it in 5th or 6th grade (after convincing the small town librarian that Agatha Christie was NOT too adult to read) and loved the name "Cornwall." The town it took place in was called Rathole after the real town of Mousehole.

For some reason, I had a mental picture in my head that Cornwall was in the north of England and it wasn't till I planned my first trip there in 1996 that I realized it was in the southwest areas. At any rate, I've been wanting to go there for a long time and will hopefully have my chance in 2024.

1) do you have that place? If so, is it a city or a country?

Berlin

2) Have you figured out why it appeals to you?

History. German but also international. U bahn & S bahn -- take a train to the end of the line and explore. Get to speak German. My favorite B&B in the world with the kind host Sabine, a former stage actress in Munich. My favorite tour guide Robert, son of high-ranking East German bureaucrat. Walking throughout the city. momos vegetarian dumplings. Spezi. TV tower.

3) How often do you return and was that a gradual process over the years?

Every year since 2016 with the exception of 2020. Will be back in 2023!

4) Are you looking for that, either now or for the future?

Nope -- already found it.

The first place that immediately came to mind is Stresa, Italy. The first time I was there was when my husband & I stayed during a Switzerland/Italy trip. Since that trip, I’ve stayed there during each of my solo trips to Italy as my first two nights location. What appeals to me is the elegance of the historical hotels (although I stay in the cheaper ones) & surroundings, the availability of beautiful Italian gardens, and my favorite tiny 8-room boutique hotel on tiny Isola Bella. The serenity of staying my last nights at Hotel Elvezia, watching the steeple illuminate on nearby Isola Pescatori from my balcony as the last boats return is peaceful.

Another is my husband & my favorite city together - Venice! This one is for a completely different reason. We are both great with directions, and Venice just laughs at us! Go ahead, wander and get lost! There’s something interesting to explore over the next bridge and around the corner. We’ve been there several times together, and I introduced our adult daughter to Venice last August. She got teary talking about Venice afterwards….she understands that feeling, too!

Paris is always calling. I’ve enjoyed several trips there for all of the architecture, the evening boat rides, the croissants, the museums, the formal essence of Paris. Surprisingly, last time I was there, I also stayed in several smaller French cities in sections of the country I previously hadn’t visited and found that I liked them equally. So, there’s more exploring to be done to find my absolute French favorite!

I also really like Salzburg, Austria and nearby St. Wolfgang. It all feels like a Sound of Music experience (I’ve never taken the tours) with the quaint architecture, the hearty food, classical music, museums, etc. and St. Wolfgang is relaxing in the evenings after a day of being outdoors.

For my favorite country that keeps calling me, hands down it’s Italy. I have stayed in over thirty cities/villages, and it’s hard to not plan a trip there. Last June after two years of not being able to go, it became even more dear to sit in the piazza of Cremona and be surrounded with everything I love! The cathedral, the clock tower, the piazza gathering place in the evening, the historical buildings, the wonderful music, the terrific food, and of course, the people.

I have 3 and they date back many years. I describe them in this way:
Florence is my first love as I was enraptured by it and the ‘golden doors’ from a book read to my class in grade 6. I have visited twice and hope to again.
Paris has my heart for all the reasons that it does for many. I have visited 7 times and hope to many more times.
London has my head. I studied English literature in university and love the history as well.

While I try to go to new places each time I travel, when I can add 1 of those cities to the itinerary I do.

I have been lucky enough to travel to Switzerland many times. My husband's former employer had an office in Geneva. I traveled there with him as often as possible. I feel at home in Geneva, and really in all of Switzerland. One part of my family immigrated from canton Bern in mid-1800s. I have been to the minuscule village where some of them lived and something just pleasantly clicked for me there. I hope to return to Switzerland this year.

I also feel at home in Germany, particularly Bavaria and areas along the Rhine. I am often puzzled when posters here write they don't particularly care for Munich. I love it there and have yet to run out of things to do. I am still grieving the closure of Pension Lindner and am searching for similar type lodging in the Altstadt area close to the Marienplatz. So far no luck. Part of the draw in Munich are the many flea markets. I need at least two weekends in a trip to visit them all. I enjoy speaking with the vendors. Although my German language skills remain quite limited I am able to visit with and even joke with the vendors. As a side note...for reasons I do not understand, vendors often just give me things at no cost. For example I bought a cooling rack. The vendor said I had to take both on offer and threw in the extra. I use both racks every time I bake.

This thread has been interesting to me. I look forward to reading additional posts.

travelergirl, it’s been really interesting for me, too! I have loved reading what different people love about the places they feel most at home!

I have the problem that I love everywhere I go (although obviously some places more than others), so haven’t done much purposeful repetition.

Thanks, everyone, for taking the time to share!

Travelergirl--Munich doesn't grab me like other places in Germany do, but I don't dislike it. I too loved Pension Lindner!
one place we stayed on our recent trip was Hotel Lux which we loved, partly because the lady we saw every morning was so nice, sort of like PL. You might check it out.

We don't usually return to destinations that we love because we want to see new places, new cities, new countries, and new continents. And we only have limited time and funds. We are in our 70's and will travel for as long as we are healthy but who knows how long that will be.

With that said, we did visit Prague twice. It is one of our favorite cities, so beautiful! We love the architecture; the Old Town, the Charles Bridge, and especially the Vysehrad neighborhood. We were willing to put up with the crowds. And, no, I don't think Prague is Disney-ish. Prague was bombed during WWII but not as heavily as other European cities. It was not totally destroyed. So many beautiful buildings are the originals. And there was some reconstruction, of course. So, to me, it doesn't make sense to describe the old, original, beautiful buildings as Disney-ish. Yes, Prague is over crowded, but for good reason. And so are other beautiful cities. We visited Prague twice, once in 2003 when our younger daughter was studying there for a semester. We also visited Krakow at the same time, another gorgeous city that was spared a lot of the destructive bombing raids. We visited Prague a second time in 2009 with both of our daughters because our oldest daughter hadn't seen Prague. On this trip, we visited more places in the Czech Republic, such as Cesky Krumlov, Karlovy Vary, and Telc. We purposely added some new places to our second visit to Prague.

We have also visited France many times because our oldest daughter lives there with her husband and family. So I have a special place in my heart for France. We spent a week in Paris once and I could easily return. Our daughter lives in Provence so we spend most of our time there and absolutely love it. We never get bored visiting the same lovely villages, markets, and countryside drives. On our last visit we spent a wonderful day in Marseille, and I love it! I could spend more time there.

Other places that really speak to me and I find so beautiful and memorable that I would love to return to if we have the time is Andalusia in Spain: Seville, Cordoba, and Granada. In addition to their historical and cultural sites, they are beautiful cities architecturally and very atmospheric. And we love the food! Love Seville's plazas, fountains, architecture, parks and gardens. Love Cordoba's Juderia with its narrow lanes, white-washed buildings, and flower patios. And Granada is so different with its tan-colored buildings and its hilly location.

For a specific country, I would love to return to Greece and visit places we haven't seen yet. We visited Athens, Santorini, Naxos, and Nafplio, but I would love to return and visit Rhodes, Crete, Paros, and more of the Peloponnese Peninsula. The appeal of Greece? The beauty of the islands AND the mainland; the Aegean Sea; the fresh fish and shellfish; Greek salads; the ancient ruins; and the mountains.

I notice that many people have said New Zealand is one of their favorite places. We are hoping to visit Australia and New Zealand in 2024 so I am happy to know that others love it so much. But if we love it as much as everyone else, it probably wouldn't be a place we would return to because of the distance.
This is a fun thread!

Does anyone visit a place and then after getting home, read about it or swap stories with friends and find out you missed something, and then feel the need to go back? It happens to me all the time. And now I have an urge to revisit, Scotland, England, France, Italy, Greece...

Every time, Allan!

What’s more, I often have a list that I DO know about and don’t get there. In a large city, I think it’s unavoidable. My list for Budapest will fill another 2 weeks - and partially because I subbed in some things I didn’t know about for things I did.

Another example is my summer trip to Scotland, where my friends and I wanted to spend a few days out of Edinburgh toward the Highlands. We started with looking at Pitlochry and lodging was more than we wanted to pay so we moved on to Air BnB with a house in the tiny village of Camserney (population 20 - “now 24” our host said looking at us), just outside Aberfeldy. We had no idea how great it was till we were there. I would love to have another week at least. We popped into a pasture with a herd of Highland coos (fed them by hand) - with the owner, of course; walked the Kirks of Aberfeldy of poetry; and never made it into the castle or nearby gardens. Had no real idea any of that was there ahead of time. Ok, I just made myself yet again want to go back.