Where is the most beautiful place you have ever been? (1 Viewer)

[timschochet]

I am traveling in France right now. Before this week, I would have offered 4 places tied for this question: the Island of Maui, Napa Valley, California, the Amalfi Coast of Italy, and Bodrum, Turkey.

But right now I am Biarritz, France and this tops them all. It is the most exquisite beach/coastline I have ever been to.

Thoughts?

 

[General Malaise]

Gary, Indiana surprised me.

 

[zamboni]

Iceland for me. Scotland not too far behind.

 

[timschochet]

Iceland for me. Scotland not too far behind.

I want to go to both. Any city or place in particular?

 

[JohnnyU]

Driving I64 through the Blue Ridge mountains in West Virginia in the fall. The Redwood Forest in California was beautiful. Italy sure had some beautiful spots, like Venice and Lake Como. I think the black hills of South Dakota is beautiful. So was the Big Sur along the coast of California. In my own backyard, the North Shore drive along lake Superior in Minnesota is a a must do.

 

[The Dreaded Marco]

Without much thinking the first place that came to mind is Norway.

 

[higgins]

New Zealand

 

[B Maverick]

So many to choose from....

My first thought was Alaska. I have never seen such sharp colors in nature. Absolutely outstanding.

I also remember seeing beauty through several national parts in the western US (Zion, Bryce) and places in Colorado and Washington.

Denmark and Norway had several pretty spots.

 

[Yambag]

With the caveat that "beautiful" is subjective, it's easily the Ligurian Coast in Italy. Hits all my boxes: small villages, pastel buildings, beaches, hiking, great food/wine and people.

 

[Don Quixote]

Kauai - Na Pali Coast and Waimea Canyon.

 

[Navin Johnson]

Kauai - Na Pali Coast and Waimea Canyon.

This

 

[JohnnyU]

If I had to pick a couple of places I vision as beautiful places I’ve never been to, but would love to visit, would be Austria and New Zealand. A third would be Greece.

 

[Parrothead]

Best- All out breathtaking beauty- Glacier National Pk, Montana
2nd place- San Juan Mtns - Telluride, Co
3rd Place- the stark beauty of the high road from Sante Fe to Taos NM
Hon mention- beaches of Anguilla

 

[the moops]

Iceland
Swiss Alps
Redwoods (in particular Smith River)
Various parts of the Utah desert

 

[JohnnyU]

Best- All out breathtaking beauty- Glacier National Pk, Montana
2nd place- San Juan Mtns - Telluride, Co
3rd Place- the stark beauty of the high road from Sante Fe to Taos NM
Hon mention- beaches of Anguilla

I did some gold prospecting at your 2nd choice. Also took a dump up there. Had to use my socks to wipe with.

 

[zamboni]

Iceland for me. Scotland not too far behind.

I want to go to both. Any city or place in particular?

In Iceland, we were based in Reykjavik, which is a very nice town, and did a lot of day trips out to glaciers, waterfalls, etc.. The whole country is beautiful, so you can't go wrong anywhere. In Scotland, we started in Edinburgh (also a very interesting city with great history) and worked our way up through the Highlands and Isle of Skye. Would have liked to have done more, but our time was somewhat limited.

 

[zamboni]

I also remember seeing beauty through several national parts in the western US (Zion, Bryce)

Agree with this - will also add Monument Valley on the Arizona/Utah border.

 

[Desert_Power]

Grand Canyon and Sagrada Familia immediately come to mind.

North of SF from the Golden Gate Bridge to Muir Woods to wine country is quite a collection of beauty, but a little spread out.

I need to get a better island contender.

 

[JohnnyU]

I also remember seeing beauty through several national parts in the western US (Zion, Bryce)

Agree with this - will also add Monument Valley on the Arizona/Utah boarder.

I would like to see that as well. I once lived in NM, so I should have done it then.

 

[zoobird]

Santorini

 

[JohnnyU]

Gary, Indiana surprised me.

Who wins between Gary, Indiana or Tijuana, Mexico? I suppose whichever one you survive?

 

[Max Power]

Thailand was amazing. At the same time Bangkok was pretty dirty.

 

[JohnnyU]

Thailand was amazing. At the same time Bangkok was pretty dirty.

Hot and humid?

 

[El Floppo]

just got back from Capri... that's a riser for me.

Maldives were pretty spectacular.

but honestly- been so many, and so many are tied to the moment visiting.

my favorite spot- and it's a beautiful one- is Dad O'Rourkes bench on Mt Tamalpais with enormous views that are constantly changing with the light/fog conditions. my go-to spot for every emotional need since I was 16.

 

[quick-hands]

Gary, Indiana surprised me.

Who wins between Gary, Indiana or Tijuana, Mexico? I suppose whichever one you survive?

either way you will be surprised.

 

[JohnnyU]

Grand Canyon is just a big hole in the ground. Went to the south rim back in the early 90s.

 

[Max Power]

Thailand was amazing. At the same time Bangkok was pretty dirty.

Hot and humid?

yep and all the locals wore long sleeve shirts and pants and it was baffling to me at the time

 

[nirad3]

I've never been anywhere outside the US except Mexico (Cancun, Rosarita, etc.) and Canada (Vancouver, Toronto area). So my choices are on the limited side. I'd have to say Maui. Maybe The Road to Hana?

 

[JohnnyU]

Thailand was amazing. At the same time Bangkok was pretty dirty.

Hot and humid?

yep and all the locals wore long sleeve shirts and pants and it was baffling to me at the time

Actually there is something to that. Locals do that in a lot of hot places.

 

[Ilov80s]

Coming into Budapest down the Danube at night with the city all the bridges lit up is pretty spectacular. Really any views of Budapest are inredible.

 

[Zow]

Beautiful is obviously subjective. For example, I find the following "places" as purely beautiful:

1. Wrigley Field for a day game with perfect weather. Similarly, Petco Park with the ocean in the background.
2. Torrey Pines golf course and hole 9 on Forest Highlands Canyon course. Similarly, some of the tee shots at Wolf Creek and Black Desert.
3. When you're east of Vegas coming in from Boulder City and you crest over the hill to the 215 exchange and see the strip.

But, from a purely geographical standpoint, my favorites I've been to are probably:

1. Half Moon/Montego Bay Jamaica
2. Lake Superior off Duluth, MN (just crazy to see that massive body of water in that area)
3. Airport Mesa in Sedona

 

[Desert_Power]

Coming into Budapest down the Danube at night with the city all the bridhes lit up is pretty spectacular. Really any views of Budapest are inredible.

Similar vibes, hard to get tired of the Charles Bridge in Prague at night.

 

[zamboni]

1. Wrigley Field for a day game with perfect weather. Similarly, Petco Park with the ocean in the background.

Going with that theme, sitting behind third base at PNC Park in Pittsburgh is as good of a baseball view as you'll get.

 

[Max Power]

Thailand was amazing. At the same time Bangkok was pretty dirty.

Hot and humid?

yep and all the locals wore long sleeve shirts and pants and it was baffling to me at the time

Actually there is something to that. Locals do that in a lot of hot places.

Our team had a designated local driver and he claimed it keeps the sun off him and keeps him cooler.

 

[Manster]

-Various spots along the eastern front of the Sierra (NV/CA)
-The Metolius River/Camp Sherman
-The lower Deschutes River canyon
-various spots in eastern Oregon mountain ranges, and desert.

I will also say I did a fair amount of exploring in central Nevada when I lived in Reno area.....about as remote, and desolate, as you can get. Big desert peaks.....nobody around.....crazy sunrise/sunsets. Those are the kinds of places I like.

The Scottish Highlands, and Ireland, were cool too, but don't hold a candle to the places I mentioned above, imo.

Na Pali coastline and waimea canyon are spectacular.....but I'm more of big mountain/desert guy. The country in the western US is where my heart is

 

[bigbottom]

Taking into account that beauty is subjective, my response would be my grandparents’ property on the Big Island of Hawaii. Unfortunately, it no longer exists as it was covered by lava about ten feet deep in 2018.

 

[MTskibum]

Thailand was amazing. At the same time Bangkok was pretty dirty.

Hot and humid?

yep and all the locals wore long sleeve shirts and pants and it was baffling to me at the time

I do that in Houston summers when outside.

Lightweight hoodie and long pants.

I will even wear a gator instead of sunscreen when on the boat.

 

[-fish-]

Maldives
Bora Bora
Lake Tahoe 35 years ago

 

[MTskibum]

Cloud peak wilderness area, lost twin lakes specifically.


It is above the treeline and the upper lake can have ice on it until mid July.

 

[B Maverick]

So many to choose from....

My first thought was Alaska. I have never seen such sharp colors in nature. Absolutely outstanding.

I also remember seeing beauty through several national parts in the western US (Zion, Bryce) and places in Colorado and Washington.

Denmark and Norway had several pretty spots.

As others said, its all subjective but thought I would mention a few others I think are worth seeing:
Lassen Lava Caves
Chichén Itzá
Poipu Beach, HI

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Sunrise atop Haleakalā volcano.

The Smokey Mountains in Tennessee in the fall.

 

[the moops]

3. When you're east of Vegas coming in from Boulder City and you crest over the hill to the 215 exchange and see the strip.

Oh come on

 

[InDitkaWeTrust]

The Douro Valley in Portugal. All the vineyards along the river made it nearest to a 360 degree picture postcard I've ever witnessed.

 

[zamboni]

3. When you're east of Vegas coming in from Boulder City and you crest over the hill to the 215 exchange and see the strip.

Oh come on

May depend upon who’s stripping.

 

[zamboni]

The Douro Valley in Portugal. All the vineyards along the river made it nearest to a 360 degree picture postcard I've ever witnessed.

Going to be there in a few weeks - definitely looking forward to it.

 

[InDitkaWeTrust]

The Douro Valley in Portugal. All the vineyards along the river made it nearest to a 360 degree picture postcard I've ever witnessed.

Going to be there in a few weeks - definitely looking forward to it.

Enjoy! We were there 2 years ago and had a fantastic time. Porto is a wonderful small-ish city to visit. If you're in Porto and want a michelin-ish experience, check out Gruta. Technically, it's a bib gourmand classification, but the food was amazing and really inexpensive for michelin rated.

 

[urbanhack]

• Sedona
• St. Lucia - Piton peaks
• Mountain hikes on the cascade mountains in Oregon
• Maui beaches
• Gold Coast beaches - Australia

 

[zamboni]

The Douro Valley in Portugal. All the vineyards along the river made it nearest to a 360 degree picture postcard I've ever witnessed.

Going to be there in a few weeks - definitely looking forward to it.

Enjoy! We were there 2 years ago and had a fantastic time. Porto is a wonderful small-ish city to visit. If you're in Porto and want a michelin-ish experience, check out Gruta. Technically, it's a bib gourmand classification, but the food was amazing and really inexpensive for michelin rated.

Thanks Will be spending a few days in Porto/Duoro Valley in addition to Lisbon and Lagos. Will definitely look into Gruta.

 

[Zow]

3. When you're east of Vegas coming in from Boulder City and you crest over the hill to the 215 exchange and see the strip.

Oh come on

I have incredibly positive memories of this view. Vegas did grow old for me, and I understand how it looks gaudy to some, but I genuinely enjoy it. Again, this is subjective.

 

[Scoresman]

Lake Como.