the title says it. what are some of yours, and why?

17 responses total.

I haven't been to a lot of places, but I liked Paris.  It has culture,
style, great restaurants, and great pastries.

yes, parisian pastries are really everything they're rumored to be, unlike
much abroad. there is, as somebody or other has noted, a museum for just
about everything in paris. i found the restaurants, though, to be overrated.

my favorite place abroad is undoubtedly london. i don't think there's a 
place on the globe that could be more fun for the english speaker: museums
aplenty, all first rate and including some exquisite smaller galleries; 
plenty of history and magnificent architecture; terrific street markets;
excellent, cheap transportation; and of course, the best theatre district,
classical and popular, in the world--in any language. what's more is, lon-
don is only a short distance from so much else worth seeing, not only in
england, but in the other countries on the british isles and on the con-
tinent. as well, london is a genuinely international city: people from all
over the world visit it, making any time there additionally interesting and
illuminating.

oh--and one more thing: rent there is cheaper than in ann arbor.

I once took the train between Oslo and Bergen.  Each way was about 4 or 6
hours, as I recall, and each trip was the most startlingly beautiful scenic
traveling I'd ever done--before or since--and I recommend it to anyone.

The train passes through forest, tundra, fiords, more tundra, more fiords,
more forest.  The waterfalls and water at the base of the fiords was the 
most incredible crystal-blue.  I took this trip in August, and there was
still plenty of snow on the tundra, even though the temperature was very
comfortable.

One suggestion, which will become obvious.  If you are sitting at the north
side of the train on the way to Bergen, try not to look across at the other
windows, and sit on the south side on the return trip.  That way, you won't
miss anything.
 

I've never been abroad.  If money/time were not a problem, where would you
suggest someone to see?  [Not that I'm going any time soon, am just curious.]
What about in Non-Europian countries?

This response has been erased.

If money were no object, I would first travel through
Europe.  Then, I would head down through Mexico, through
Central America and down into South America.  I hear Chile,
for example, is a really beautiful country.

I fondly remember a hill on Tortola, British Virgin Islands.  It was between
Road Town and the bay (where the Rum factory was).  It looked out over the
ocean and the other islands in the chain.  I could sit there and look out
for the rest of my life.  The people where friendly, laid back and unhurried.
The rum was the best I have ever tasted (and mixed with the juice from a
freshly picked coconut was pure ambrosia), the seafood fantastic.  The
weather was perfect, about 75 everyday, sunny with a small shower every
afternoon (I was there the last week in June, which is the rainy season).

This summer Jerry and I took three weeks to visit Paris and London and then
to motor through the Cotswolds and the sourthern coast of England.  Paris is
without a doubt, to me, the most beautiful city in the world, and I love
cities.  Dont go looking to make friends though.  I grew up in NYC so I
didn't expect friendliness in spite of the fact that we communicated in French
asked for little and are certainly not "ugly Americans" in any sense of the
word.  But in spite of an aloofness and arrogance on the part of the
Parisians, we had the most marvelous time.  I was in a cast (broke my fibia
a few weeks before we left the States) and we had to see the city slowly
(Museums in a wheelchair were the most fun-I never tired).  If you are in
love, or want to be, go to Paris with your lover and it will rekindle or
ignite all of your passions.  The food, the wine, the smells, the shops, the
beautiful people,.  . .I could go on and on.  London was great, great fun.
The people were marvelous.  Saw "Phantom" from the 10th row orchestra with
a days notice.  Walking the streets from Soho to Bloomsbury, meeting and
chatting with folks-terific.  But let me warn you all.  The prices in both
places were astronomical.  Both European inflation and the deflated value of
the dollar made it impossible to spend less than $300 per day per couple
(and we travelled far less than first class.)  We stayed in B&b's and
tourist class places we wouldn't touch in the states.  A mush less expensive
and more relaxed place to go which combines the sea, good food, great
people and beautiful vistas is the Southern Coast of Portugal called the
Algarve.  Takes a long time to get there but once there, rent a car and
wander.  Most service people people sp[eak English because the Brits have
long ago discovered this vacation paradise.  (Although I always learn the
basic courtesies and Jerry learns the currency in the native language before
we go.)  We took a luxury apartment on the ocean with a balcony that faced
Africa, an olympic sized pool, beaches that were breathtaking for less than
$70 per night.  And marvelous dinners (great seafood) for $20 total.
Lisbon was hot, crowded\ and very smelly (they dont filter their gas) but
the small town of Sintra north of Lisbon was not to be believed.  More
expeeensive than the Algarve but filled with fairy tale castles (many of
which rent rooms) mountains, and charm.  Anyone, seriously thinking of going,
contact me.  I will let you know about great placs to stay and eat.

I think that by far some of the best natural scenery on Earth can be found
in Ontario, particularly the region between WaWa and White River, as well
as the entire Lake Superior region.  One simple word of advice--actually
several simple words of advice--never drink lake water unfiltered.  Other
than the fact that the water will put a speedy end to your happy life, and
the fact that it is so cold that after 5 minutes you will experience 
hypothermia, Ontario is quite a wonderful place to be.  I reccomend it to
everyone.

I had a marvelous year living in London as an "honorary" research
assistant. Footloose and fancy free, it was. Went to the opera for 7s,
and sat in the gods. I was already a Scottish Country Dancer when I
went, and could find dances every night of the week - I even won a
bronze medal in the Harpenden Highland Games for the Fling (my British
friends thought it was a real hoot that an American competed). Paris I
only visited (once, forcibly, because my motorbike coil burned out
in front of the Louvre). I spent one summer wandering through Europe
on that bike, through Belgium, France, Switzerland, Italy, Greece,
Jugoslavia, Hungary, Austria, Germany and the Netherlands - I cannot
imagine how I could name a *favorite* place, it was all so marvelous.
(But, I would not do it again!) But now...I haven't been off North
America since 1977. Times change. 

Ah, the Algarve!  Although my father's family is originally from the Algarve,
we were largely limited to places within driving distance of Lisbon when we
took  a short vacation there ages ago.  Of course not everybody can go to meet
up with cousins in Portugal, but I do heartily reccomend the pousadas--a kind
of government hostel.  Several of them are in castles, and it was just great, 
especially since we were virtually the only ones there.
 
Portugal--England's oldest ally!

Has anyone been to Russia this year?  I can guess it's not a restful vacation. 
I'm wondering what the real rewards are, aside from living history in the mag. 
I'm interested in survival tips, caveats, recommended places and any       
anecdotes." ."

Why are you going to Russia?  I used to be interested in visiting since my
grandparents originated from there, but after hearing stories about the
weather, the architecture, the difficulties getting around and the general
gloominess, I have changed my mind about going.  Except for St. Petersburg. 
Are you going for pleasure or business?

I have a friend there now who is spending a year at Moscow State Univ.  I first
planned to go about 7 years ago, had my visa and was about a month from
departure when I had to cancel because of a family emergency.  I promised
myself then tI'd go later.

If you like skiing, here's a great place to go... Idaho! I lived there for 8
months, the landscape is beautifull all year long, beautiful lakes, mountains
and in winter time you can go to Silver Mountain up in Kellog, Sweitzer and 
you are a few hours from  Canada where the Banff area is beautifull in that
matter too.

One place I've never been but I would LOVE to someday [like other family
members have] is to Ireland. Photos/video that I've seen have been beautiful
along with the fact that I'm half Irish. My mother's parents were both born
and raised in Ireland and came to Detroit as adults [and met here [and met
at an Irish gathering on Belle Island].  So lots of relatives still live there
that I could visit--and one of my Mom's cousins and husband came to visit,
her daughter was an older brother's au paers[r? for a couple years, etc.  

If your grandparents were Irish, actually, you legally are Irish and entitled
to a passport.  Same with your mom.  Under Irish law, if your parents or
grandparents were Irish nationals, you are too.  You just need to get yourself
into the foreign births registery and then submit an application for the
passport.

All you need to do is establish your relationship (copies of your parents and
grandparents birth certificates should be sufficient to establish the chain)
and wait.  Call you your nearest consulate or embassy for the paperwork.

Response not possible - You must register and login before posting.

- Backtalk version 1.3.30 - Copyright 1996-2006, Jan Wolter and Steve Weiss