Favorite Places?

[popculturepooka]

So, I'm bored and interested in knowing about what places top everyone's favorite lists here. To be more specific, I'm generally meaning what your favorite cities are. You could mention a small town in Nowhere that you think is just one of the most amazing places on the planet, but at least mention a city or two. These can include places you've lived, currently live in, or just places you've visited that you have a certain fondness for. You can explain your reasons for liking that place or not.

This also a chance for you to disparage (or discuss; whatever suits your fancy) other peoples' choices of favorite places.

I'll line up to the firing squad first:

1 Yokohama, Japan (awesome city; close to Tokyo; where most of my Japanese family and friends are)
2 Cape Town, South Africa (most beautiful city I've ever been to)
3 Fukuoka, Japan (such a great city, I could see myself living there; close to South Korea, too)
4 San Diego, California (awesome beachy city)
5 Vancouver, Canada (another place I could see myself living)
6 Melbourne, Austrailia (again, another place I can see myself living, such a nice multicultural city)
7 San Fransisco, California (minus all the wierdos lol)
8 Miami, Florida (love the beach/nightlife)
9 San Jose, California (nice city)
10 Sacramento, California (soft spot for my hometown)

I love Table Top Mountain in South Africa.

[J Honcanese]

My personal top ten cities, in reverse order:


10 Lijiang, China
A beautiful, picturesque town of traditional houses with tiled roofs, canals and winding lanes. It's a must-see in Yunnan Province.

9 New York, New York
I love the skyscrapers and bridges, all the different neighbourhoods and of course there's Broadway musicals. And New York cheesecake and deli sandwiches.

8 London, England
I'm here at the moment (on a short stint) and it's an amazing city to live and work in. This is where the party's at! You can never get bored here: there's always so much to see and do and so much to soak up. And it really reminds me of home, which is a big plus.

7 Kagoshima/Ibusuki, Japan
I had the most memorable easter holiday here with my extended family nearly 10 years ago. It was my first trip to Japan and I have fond memories of the place.

6 Vienna, Austria
With its past and present so deeply intertwined with art and music, Vienna strikes me as being one of the world's most cultured cities. Impressive landmarks and gardens, royal palaces, churches, museums and galleries, and very good food!

5 Prague, Czech Republic
It has all the ingredients of a fairy tale city: a castle on a hilltop, a magnificent stone bridge, a town square and clock, pastel-coloured houses, cobbled streets and a thousand different spires.

4 Bath, England
One of Britain's most beautiful cities, surrounded by some of the best English countryside. I've spent the past 3 years here as a college student and there's a lot of memories (with even more to come).

3 Vancouver, Canada
Whenever I'm here I know I'm really on vacation. Laidback, friendly city in a spectacular mountain/ocean setting. And arguably the best sushi in the world!

2 Venice, Italy
My favourite place in all of Europe, it's simply breathtaking. For me the city pretty much defines magic and romance - it's like going back in time to another era.

And finally, the top spot goes to...


1 Hong Kong, China

Home. There is no other place like it on the planet.
It's New York, San Francisco, Shanghai, Rio and Sydney all rolled into one.

[eos]

There's no place like home...CHICAGO.

I'm not one of those homebodies that's never traveled out of the state before. I love to travel and have been to my share of places. But no matter how beautiful, lively, or different some other city is, after 3-4 days, I'm aching to come home.

[Adaon]

I would miss the San Francisco fog if I'm gone from SF too long, even if it's for a wk in another part of California. It's in my blood.

[Broomer]

In no specific order:

The Grampians, Victoria, Australia
See it and you'll see why

Bangkok, Thailand
OK, it's smokey, hot, sweaty and dusty. But the people are great and I've had the best times there. By myself and now, with my wife.

Penang, Malaysia
It's tourisy, there no doubt about it. But it's fun still

Tweed heads
It's a tourist town on the QLD/NSW border. It's a nice little town. Go see it.

Sha Tin, Hong Kong
I had the most fun as a kid scampering around the construction sites. Had the biggest shock when I went back a year or two ago.

Singapore
Missus' home turf. I have a bit of a soft spot for it. Almost say it's where everything started.

Melbourne, Australia
I've had my best and worst times here. It's a part of me.

[AliBabaIncorporated]

Man, I don't even have 10 places I could call my favourite ... now I feel deprived. Here's 4 in no particular order ...

Osaka: much more friendly and relaxed than Tokyo
Istanbul: lots of history, great views, amazing hospitality, and of course all my memories of running around the city as a clueless 15-year-old
Hong Kong: where I'm living now. The truly 24-hour city (whether for work or for play), and one where you don't need a car. Just try not to think too hard about the air pollution ...
Sydney: I was lucky enough to spend 6 months living here on the company dime, enjoying the beaches and mountains and harbour (not to mention the sampling of hot chicks from all over the world who came to study English, something we don't get in HK).

[AngryABCGirl]

1. ]Los Angeles: No place like home baby. I love the variety, the weather, the swag, the ocean, the party scene, and the attitude. I grew up nursed by different neighborhoods all over the city and it'll always be a part of me wherever I go.

2. Taipei: 24/7 lifestyle where so many stores just don't close. Love the people and the food and convenience, and of course my family.

3. San Francisco: Love the feel of the city- my soon to be new home. People are very friendly and open. Gorgeous place. I would do without the hippies though.

4. Hong Kong I love going to party and shop in Hong Kong, and the food and luxury are unbeatable, especially taking vacations from Taipei. Most of my best friends are from HK, so I have very positive feelings about the city.

5. New York No place like it. Great clubbing.

6. London: Incredible amounts of culture and class mixed together. Wandered around it as a 19-year-old studying abroad and had the time of my life.

7. Singapore Love the variety of cultures mixing together and the cuisine. Clean and convenient place to springboard trips across SE Asia.

8. Kaula Lumpur: Again, love the mix of cultures and things to do. Every sight is amazing.

9. Prague: Looks like a fairy tale. Part of my backpacking experience.

10. Amsterdam: Got lost here backpacking, and then smoked a lot of pot and went to look at Monet.

11. Barcelona: Have to add this last place. I love all the Gaudi Art interspersed throughout the city, the partying, and the food.

[tvbdude]

I haven't been to too many places but I like NYC. I go there at least once a year. Last year I went 5 times

[J Honcanese]

Blimey, did I really put London at No. 8?

It should be at No. 5, I'm not exactly keen on leaving at the end of this month!