Favourite Country visited and why

Canada - massive and brilliant scenery (but only done bits of British Columbia via Rocky Mountaineer train - and Alberta by coach)

Scotland - brilliant scenery, lovely pictureresque country to visit without costing a lot, whether the East or West.
 
Switzerland, loved Geneva. Maybe it was right place right time but it was relaxing, pretty and smart.
I went in February, avoided the madding crowds 👌
 
England.🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
Stunning countryside, great beaches, great little villages/towns, great real Ale in proper pubs, no foreign currency to worry about, weather great never too hot never too cold, no long delayed flights to get here, great proper food, a fantastic annual sporting calendar, and we’re no longer tied down by the EU idiots in Brussels making decisions which are ours to make.

Scotland’s not too bad either some stunning scenery and fishing so it’s a 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 as well.
 
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Canada definitely closely followed by Tobago....both wonderful in their own way and I'm lucky to have been to both.
 
USA . . . . specifically the Red Rock Country & Canyons of Northern Arizona/Southern Utah and the Sierra Nevada mountains of California (Especially Yosemite NP and it's surrounding area)
 
The two of us have been fortunate to have visited many ,in excess of 30 ,and 4 continents.
So many for different reasons bring back special memories and I can’t think of one that has disappointed.
But we both love Italy in Europe ( 7 holidays there)Lake Garda,Venice( LdeJ) ,Pisa and Florence,Rome,Sorrento( twice) ,Sicily.
With beautiful scenery,plenty of historic and cultural Sites to visit and of course great wines and food😉

Malaysia(including Singapore * and Borneo) …maybe 10 times at least( we do have family there) in Asia.…with A fantastic range of food and culture.Last visit sadly 2016 on our way back from …see below…and to Singapore only.We did once visit India on our way back from Malaysia which we loved except it was the worst food of anywhere we have been and we love that kind of food normally.

For Australasia both of New Zealand and Australia( we did a cruise there in 2016) too difficult to choose one as Two different countries but both so much to offer….and we got the chance to visit two of the film sites for Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit…….in New Zealand…and to visit Sydney for a few days.

San Francisco( in 2018) our cruise terminated there ,for North America…sad to hear how it appears to have become so less safe.
However the highlight,well for us,was transiting the Panama Canal,something I had always wanted to do.

* Yes I know Singapore is not Malaysia but brother and sister in law live there,both originally from Penang like the wife ,so it was usually a combined visit.

Many Of our recent visits have been courtesy of cruises…the only way to travel for us these days though not had any holiday or even a night away from home for coming up to 3 and a half years…Covid restrictions followed by a lot of house renovations,etc have seen to that.
 
Probably Jamaica. Off the tourist track that is. Only time I've been subject to (mild) racism, which actually made that day and I had a good laugh about it.
 
Germany.
Was there in the 1950s on National Service.
Have been back many times and going again soon.
Went to the Oberammergau Passion Play last year. Wonderful.
Stunning scenery and The Rhine is fantastic.
We were there with friends a few years ago and it was my Birthday (can 't remember which one).
Got some digs which only did B & B so went out for a meal.
Got back about 10.30 and the owner was outside with a trumpet playing 'Happy Birthday'. Fantastic.
Love the whole country.
 
Enjoyed a tour of Barbados whilst on a Cruise.
Very pro British & I found myself wanting to speak like Roger Moore 😁.
Interrailing holiday in the 80's, managed 10 European countries. Italy, Austria & Switzerland were all beautiful as expected but blown away by what was then Yugoslavia. Belgrade, Split & along what is now the Croatian coast.
 
Greek Islands .... the smaller the better , been going since the mid 70's , the people, history, scenery, and the food has improved 100% from the lukewarm mousaka they served back in the 70's !
 
China. Walking on the great Wall was a great memory, Tiananmen Square was eerie because of it's history. The terracotta army, the panda's, theYangtze river.
Truly amazing place to visit.
 
My favourite type of thread. Always love reading about where people have been. I'm not an envious type of person but reading threads like this makes me realise how much of the world is still out for me to see. On my bucket list I've got Japan booked for next year but then still want to do South America and a cruise up the inland passage and into the Rockies. Closer to home, the Italian Lakes is high on the agenda.

Loved the various Greek Islands i've been too, about 12, New Zealand and Australia were both fabulous, must go back to New York and I'd love to do about six months touring America although I daresay a few places might spoil my dream i have of them..
 
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Willie Mcgrotty said:
Enjoyed a tour of Barbados whilst on a Cruise.
Very pro British & I found myself wanting to speak like Roger Moore 😁.
Interrailing holiday in the 80's, managed 10 European countries. Italy, Austria & Switzerland were all beautiful as expected but blown away by what was then Yugoslavia. Belgrade, Split & along what is now the Croatian coast.
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Us two too,had to try the flying fish burger as we saw so many on our ship ( the Arcadia)as we got closer to Barbados.Thought they were birds until it was pointed out what they were.Quite tasty.Went to the fish market where they were brought ashore and watching the ladies gutting them ready for sale.
Nice island as you say….our excursion took us to Harrison’s Caves….worth a visit if anyone goes there in future.
 
bleach51 said:
Us two too,had to try the flying fish burger as we saw so many on our ship ( the Arcadia)as we got closer to Barbados.Thought they were birds until it was pointed out what they were.Quite tasty.Went to the fish market where they were brought ashore and watching the ladies gutting them ready for sale.
Nice island as you say….our excursion took us to Harrison’s Caves….worth a visit if anyone goes there in future.
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Over 25 years ago for us bleach.
Holland & America was the cruise line made up of mainly Canadian or Northern State yanks passengers.
The locals struck me as being slightly more upmarket compared to other islands.
Remember our trip taking us to a historical fortress whereby we got a history lesson on how in danger the island was to invasion & was only the British that saved the day. That was the moment I asked a slightly pointless question in my best Queens English 😁
 
Willie Mcgrotty said:
Over 25 years ago for us bleach.
Holland & America was the cruise line made up of mainly Canadian or Northern State yanks passengers.
The locals struck me as being slightly more upmarket compared to other islands.
Remember our trip taking us to a historical fortress whereby we got a history lesson on how in danger the island was to invasion & was only the British that saved the day. That was the moment I asked a slightly pointless question in my best Queens English 😁
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Set sail Jan 5th 2018 from Southampton first call Madeira( another place due to cruises we have been to twice) then a long Atlantic trek before arriving in Barbados.
Passed the cricket ground where the statue of Sir Garry Sobers stands on our trip to the Caves and then on our way back to Bridgetown passed all the homes of all those rich UK tax exiles😉 before finding this tiny cafe where we had our flying fish burger.

We did Holland America on our New Zealand to Australia Cruise in Nov 2016.Met a load of Americans and Canadians obviously….it was when Trump got elected and the news came through on board ….talk about a split ship…..politically that is.Always remember this loud mouthed Yank saying to anyone listening ( impossible not to) on the bus Ferrying people to and from one of the Ports back to the ship( the Noordam) …Trump is going to make America great again and wincing along with most of my fellow bus passengers.
 
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bleach51 said:
Set sail Jan 5th 2018 from Southampton first call Madeira( another place due to cruises we have been to twice) then a long Atlantic trek before arriving in Barbados.
Passed the cricket ground where the statue of Sir Garry Sobers stands on our trip to the Caves and then on our way back to Bridgetown passed all the homes of all those rich UK tax exiles😉 before finding this tiny cafe where we had our flying fish burger.

We did Holland America on our New Zealand to Australia Cruise in Nov 2016.Met a load of Americans and Canadians obviously….it was when Trump got elected and the news came through on board ….talk about a split ship…..politically that is.Always remember this loud mouthed Yank saying to anyone listening ( impossible not to) on the bus Ferrying people to and from one of the Ports back to the ship( the Noordam) …Trump is going to make America great again and wincing along with most of my fellow bus passengers.
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Brought it all back to me, like you say all the lovely colonial homes & the cricket ground at Bridgetown. We were on the Ryndam bleach. We were only early 30's & kept getting asked if we were Mr & Mrs Ryndam (wtf). Eventually we learnt it was a bit of a strange tradition on H&A ships that a mystery couple were named after the ship. I lost interest when told you couldn't win anything 😁
 
I love Malta particularly Valletta. But I visited Yugoslavia for my honeymoon and found it to be a beautiful place especially lake Bled.
 
Difficult to choose … Would say Italy (Tuscany) normally but in Alsace France now and love it here 👍🙂
 
A vote for Portugal. I've been three or four times and never been disappointed. The south has some great beaches and loads of sunshine, Lisbon and Cascais area is a treat in itself, loads to do and see and Porto with its ease of access to the wine area of the Douro Valley cannot be beaten in my book. Wonderful people, great food aswell.
 
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Long haul - The Maldives for the snorkeling and diving
Closer - Egypt as above
Closer still - Italy food and history. South of France, Nice and Antibes.
Currently in Port de Soller, Mallorca for a first time visit and it's been superb.
 
I'd go for Romania again. Great history with Caucescu's palace and remnants of the commie regime everywhere, Vlad the Impaler's Transylvanian castle, super cheap accommodation and travel, Dinamo vs Steaua Bucharest Derby, great nightlife, skiing in the mountains at 10% of what you pay in the Alps, and beautiful beach resorts like Constanca.

Beautiful locals too 😄
 
Thailand, beautiful white sand beaches, friendly, chilled out people, great food, good night life, and nice countryside. Have friends living in small villages up north it’s different again up there. Quite expensive though, don’t believe what people tell you about it being cheap.
 
look.its.luke said:
I'd go for Romania again. Great history with Caucescu's palace and remnants of the commie regime everywhere, Vlad the Impaler's Transylvanian castle, super cheap accommodation and travel, Dinamo vs Steaua Bucharest Derby, great nightlife, skiing in the mountains at 10% of what you pay in the Alps, and beautiful beach resorts like Constanca.

Beautiful locals too 😄
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My mate has a Romanian girlfriend he has visited many times an rated it highly.

Might book a trip myself as it’s said to be cheap sounds good. 👍
 
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look.its.luke said:
I'd go for Romania again. Great history with Caucescu's palace and remnants of the commie regime everywhere, Vlad the Impaler's Transylvanian castle, super cheap accommodation and travel, Dinamo vs Steaua Bucharest Derby, great nightlife, skiing in the mountains at 10% of what you pay in the Alps, and beautiful beach resorts like Constanca.

Beautiful locals too 😄
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Been to Transylvania a couple of times. Really liked it. Beautiful and great wildlife. Sibiu is a fantastic little city.

Would probably go for Canada as my favourite country visited though (British Columbia and Vancouver Island).

Great holidays also in the Italian Dolomites, Madeira, Spanish Pyrenees, Stockholm and nearby Baltic islands.

Lots of great places in the British Isles too of course.
 
Love the Greek Islands. We went to Jamaica which was brilliant. We had a driver take us around the island to tourist and non tourist areas. Great people and and introduced us to the locals. Rastas. If you ever go " just ask for Dave" 😂
 
Fatboy said:
I love Malta particularly Valletta. But I visited Yugoslavia for my honeymoon and found it to be a beautiful place especially lake Bled.
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Mellieha Bay…another wonderful holiday,went out of season in November once and November into December the following year.Another Country to visit with plenty to see including Gozo which is easy to get to from MB,which by the way is a lovely setting….sadly the hotel complex we stayed at,which was great,has been knocked down so they can build a spa hotel😡complex….showing my age here…not for me
Also there is a big Blackpool fan,son of a very old friend,who lives and works on the Island….and who was at Southport last night for the match😁

Been to lake Bled too….many many years ago when it was still Yugoslavia
 
Scotland, so beautiful and sparsely populated outside the Central Belt. Mountains and beaches.

Switzerland many many years ago, beautiful mountains, but very regimented.
 
Japan for us, although it’s nearly 20 years ago we still go on about now. It was like flying into the future, the people are so friendly, calm, and polite. We never saw one piece of litter on any street in any city, not even a fag end. It’s a delightfully kooky place, fantastic food, ancient traditions sit side by side with high tech. We took the bullet train from Tokyo to Hiroshima now a modern city but a visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, was harrowing and left us totally stunned. Kyoto geishas, tea houses and amazing perfect gardens, beautiful city. On departure from Osaka, once boarded, the cleaners and maintenance staff line up outside the aircraft, bow, then wave and giggle! Loved the place.
Most beautiful country Costa Rica Central America, rain and cloud forests, soft sandy beaches, iguanas strolling along the beach, monkeys and Sloths in the trees, exotic birds, Pacific on one side and the Caribbean on the other. La Vida pura.
 
UK can’t beat it for me. Sitting in the van in Keswick ATM listening to the rain & occasional rumble of thunder. We’ve dodged it all day Barr a few drops on the morning dog walk, but saved by the trees. Been abroad to Spain Greece Turkey Czech Republic France amongst others. But I’m not bothered if I never leave the UK again.
 
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