My Best Travel Places

 

I was asked to write a blog article about my most awe inspiring trip.  This turned out to be harder than I thought.  Since I liked different trips for different reasons (and no trip is perfect), I found I couldn’t come up with one great one.  Instead, I did a “Best of” list.  This one’s for you Glenna! 

 

Best Food – Paris, France 

This one was easy.  Although I love Italian food, the food in Paris is just in a class by itself.  Even an omelet, eaten in a rundown café with a barking German Shepard underfoot, was the best I’ve ever tasted.  And don’t get me started on the chocolate crepes.   

 

This rating doesn't extend to Southern France, however.  I loved Nice, but the food wasn’t anything special. 

 

Best Photos – Croatia and The Greek Islands 

It’s all beautiful.  The land, the architecture, the seas, the sky.  I’ve never seen such blue water. 

 

Most Exotic – Turkey 

The call to prayer, the spice markets, the décor, the sights.  It truly feels like a foreign country, but in a good way.  I didn't expect to like this trip. I was wrong. 

 

Best Wildlife – Africa (Honorable Mention Alaska) 

Africa is pretty exotic too but I remember it best for the wildlife.  I went on safari in Swaziland and again in South Africa.  I saw elephants, warthogs, zebras, giraffes, baboons, water buffalo, wild dogs, jackals, impala, rhino and even two cheetahs in the distance.  No lions though.   

 

In Alaska there were a lot of bald eagles and seals.  But my favorite sightings were the close-up views of the Orcas from the cruise ship. 

 

Most Adventurous – Costa Rica (Honorable Mention New River Gorge, WV) 

In Costa Rica I got to zipline for the first time and it went on for hours. That was quite the adrenaline rush.  Afterward we could swing on a big harness rope out over the trees.  That was pretty cool too.  There was a tiny 80 year old Japanese-American woman in the group who put us all to shame with her enthusiasm. We couldn't let her upstage us.  

 

Then there were the two West Virginia white water rafting trips…The first time I didn't know what I was getting into. The second time I knew better and swore never to do it again.  Nerve racking experience, but exciting too. 

 

Most Friendliest People – Australia and Italy 

I met a lot of Australians during my travels, both in “Oz” and around the world.  All but one were super friendly and fun.   

 

I mention Italy because of the men.  My first time in Italy, I was 29, just off a long plane ride, not looking my best in comfy sweats, no make-up, rat’s nest hair.  And I still received more cat calls than I ever had in my life.  My feminist side said I should be offended.  But I have to admit, it was a morale booster.  

 

Most at Home – Australia and Canada 

Exploring Sydney, Australia and various cities in Canada like Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Victoria, I felt perfectly at home and could imagine living there.  Not having a language barrier helped.  Also Australians are super friendly and Canadians are really nice.  Not that I'm stereotyping or anything. 

 

Most Walkable City – Sydney, Australia and Barcelona, Spain 

I love to explore cities and some are just made for walking, even if they have great public transport.  It helps if they aren't too crowded or overrun with cars.  With lots of safe and easy ways for pedestrians to get around.  I remember both Sydney and Barcelona as being very easy to navigate.  And the sights weren't bad either. 

 

Best Museums – Paris, London, Amsterdam (Honorable Mention Washington, D.C.) 

While Washington D.C. has a lot of great museums I have to say the museums in Paris (Louvre, D'Orsay, Renoir), London (National Gallery, British Museum) and Amsterdam (Anne Frank, Van Gogh, Rijksmuseum) stand out in my mind.  And I've visited A LOT of museums. 

 

Best Beach – Crete (Honorable Mention Hawaii) 

Hawaii has beautiful beaches, no question.  But I remember a beach in southern Crete as the most beautiful I've ever seen.  Of course that could've been because I’d just spent the day hiking through Samaria Gorge (equivalent of 57,000 steps) and I was exhausted and starving.  We had to reach the beach by 5:00pm to catch the last boat out until morning.  At that point, probably any beach would've seemed like the most beautiful in the world.  But it really was. 

 

Best Countryside – Switzerland  

Whether on a bus or a train I encountered one breathtaking view after another in Switzerland.  Cities like Lucerne are beautiful.  The Mountains are beautiful.  The lakes are beautiful.  If it wasn't so expensive I'd live there. 

 

Most Fun – China 

This one was a surprise. I think I was expecting a repressed people.  But that wasn’t what I experienced.  People in China are crazy, but in a fun way.   

 

Being a tall, white woman I stood out in China.  The Chinese call us Americans "Big Noses" and love to have their picture taken with us.  They think we’re hilarious.  I was somehow persuaded to dance in some local celebration with a big goofy mask over my head.  I made a total fool of myself.  But it was all in fun and I enjoyed it.  Afterward, I was swarmed by locals who wanted their picture taken with me.  I felt like a rock star. 

 

What is your favorite travel place and why?  Anything you don’t agree with?  

 

Also, check out my two part travel series, if you haven't already. 

Travel Part 1 - The Pros and Cons 

Travel Part 2 - Insights