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

[El Floppo]

I'm a city slicker I guess because Florence, Italy, tops it for me. Maybe parts of Barcelona, too. I haven't been through many places in Europe, so I would imagine it would change daily. Want to so badly see Prague and Paris soon.

Just got back from barcelona and this trip made me fall in love with the place- just an amazing metropolis.

Wow, very cool. The Gothic Quarter and Antoni Gaudí's architecture is just stunning. The city is, really. Unbelievable. I wish graffiti wasn't so endemic, but that's a quibble that was forefront on my mind fading into a quibble.

Only thing is the anti-tourism there is nuts. I heard they've started using waterguns to drench obvious tourists. It's sort of a good thing because maybe it will make people stop acting like entitled tourists and try to blend in better.

So.. i just got back. Literally. Bupkis.

 

[rockaction]

EVERY SINGLE BUILDING...stunning. couldnt walk down a block in any neighborhood i visited without finding amazing buildings- from different eras. Then the variation of urban design from the gothic quarter on out to more modern "rational" street layouts, always with moments that catch your eye, provide relief from it being too urban. So walkable.

I totally forgot what you did for a living (and studied as your life's work) for a moment. That makes sense now that you loved it so much. Sounds like an amazing experience for you, Flop. Glad you got to go.

 

[rockaction]

I'm a city slicker I guess because Florence, Italy, tops it for me. Maybe parts of Barcelona, too. I haven't been through many places in Europe, so I would imagine it would change daily. Want to so badly see Prague and Paris soon.

Just got back from barcelona and this trip made me fall in love with the place- just an amazing metropolis.

Wow, very cool. The Gothic Quarter and Antoni Gaudí's architecture is just stunning. The city is, really. Unbelievable. I wish graffiti wasn't so endemic, but that's a quibble that was forefront on my mind fading into a quibble.

Only thing is the anti-tourism there is nuts. I heard they've started using waterguns to drench obvious tourists. It's sort of a good thing because maybe it will make people stop acting like entitled tourists and try to blend in better.

Worst I experienced was one particular waiter who was going to serve us the kind of food he wanted to and correct portion sizes depending on our sizes. I had to laugh at it in the end. I should not have had large frites (or whatever it was). I actually had tons of friendly people trying to get me to try their uncle "Charlie" or whatever his name was every time I walked down the street!

 

[Terminalxylem]

Another vote for Yosemite NP, all of it, but Glacier Point stands out as the one spot that truly took my breath away.

Of the places I have never been, the one place that may trump Yosemite (from photos I've seen) might be the Patagonia area in southern Argentina.

Yeah, it’s high on my list. More beautiful than Yosemite imo. We’ve talked about going back, but to the Chilean side.

Other top places:

Milford Sound
Flying to base camp on Denali
Arenal, Costa Rica
Delicate Arch
Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone
Dawson Pitamaken Loop, Glacier NP
Molokai Sea Cliffs

 

[Terminalxylem]

Naturally Beautiful:
Maui

Right on with this one. I guess we do agree. I've never been to a more naturally beautiful ocean than the one I was at in Maui. Breathtaking.

Really? I can see Lanai'i but I really didn't dig Maui's beaches/water.

I liked the beaches and water in the Bahamas, like Guana Cay much more.

Several Maui beaches are consistently ranked among the top in the country.

While beaches aren’t my cup of tea, I wouldn’t be surprised if Maui was the island visitors liked the most. You’re the first person I’ve ever seen rank Lanai higher.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Naturally Beautiful:
Maui

Right on with this one. I guess we do agree. I've never been to a more naturally beautiful ocean than the one I was at in Maui. Breathtaking.

Really? I can see Lanai'i but I really didn't dig Maui's beaches/water.

I liked the beaches and water in the Bahamas, like Guana Cay much more.

Several Maui beaches are consistently ranked among the top in the country.

While beaches aren’t my cup of tea, I wouldn’t be surprised if Maui was the island visitors liked the most. You’re the first person I’ve ever seen rank Lanai higher.

Maybe I just liked it because it was less busy.

And I wonder what people are comparing Maui to - Myrtle Beach? Venice Beach?

 

[Manster]

RE: Yosemite

We hit it just right. Full moon. with the moonlight reflecting on the rocks. Think Ansel Adams.

Amazing!

The entire eastern Sierra front is special. I really miss that part of the world.

Yea just got back from a couple weeks in and around Yosemite and Tahoe. Did some camping, some climbing, some swimming, some hanging and drinking. So pretty

Jealous....

Doing the John Muir Trail is on my bucket list....some day

 

[waiver wire]

there are so many beautiful places and I have only been to about 40 countries and alot of them have been listed
Sistine Chapel blew me away

 

[titusbramble]

Slow train from Köln to Mainz along the Rhein has so much beautiful scenery it's probably my pick.

 

[rockaction]

And I wonder what people are comparing Maui to - Myrtle Beach? Venice Beach?

Lots of votes for Maui here . . .

Must be too many people for you considering everybody here is listing it (that's earnestly what I thought upon reading your post).

 

[Andy Dufresne]

And I wonder what people are comparing Maui to - Myrtle Beach? Venice Beach?

Lots of votes for Maui here . . .

Must be too many people for you considering everybody here is listing it (that's earnestly what I thought upon reading your post).

I just meant the beaches aren't my thing. Most of the rest of it is great. Haleakala, Hana, Iao Valley... We've been there twice and explored a whole bunch of the place.

Great except for the road that goes around the northwest part of the island, that is. I was told it's not worth the drive. I didn't listen and it's not.

 

[rockaction]

there are so many beautiful places and I have only been to about 40 countries and alot of them have been listed
Sistine Chapel blew me away

I have to say that I forgot all about that room(?)/area/chapel or just never considered it a "place."

I just . . . it was one of the rare moments I've ever felt perfectly content to just sit there and be exactly in that moment without doing a thing but observing silently and reverently. It was as close to heaven on earth as one could get in my world.

 

[Terminalxylem]

Naturally Beautiful:
Maui

Right on with this one. I guess we do agree. I've never been to a more naturally beautiful ocean than the one I was at in Maui. Breathtaking.

Really? I can see Lanai'i but I really didn't dig Maui's beaches/water.

I liked the beaches and water in the Bahamas, like Guana Cay much more.

Several Maui beaches are consistently ranked among the top in the country.

While beaches aren’t my cup of tea, I wouldn’t be surprised if Maui was the island visitors liked the most. You’re the first person I’ve ever seen rank Lanai higher.

Maybe I just liked it because it was less busy.

And I wonder what people are comparing Maui to - Myrtle Beach? Venice Beach?

Well, you would love Papohaku Beach on Molokai then.

I actively avoid beachgoing, but have never seen such a broad swath of uninterrupted white sand, with nobody else there.

 

[JohnnyU]

Naturally Beautiful:
Maui

Right on with this one. I guess we do agree. I've never been to a more naturally beautiful ocean than the one I was at in Maui. Breathtaking.

Really? I can see Lanai'i but I really didn't dig Maui's beaches/water.

I liked the beaches and water in the Bahamas, like Guana Cay much more.

Several Maui beaches are consistently ranked among the top in the country.

While beaches aren’t my cup of tea, I wouldn’t be surprised if Maui was the island visitors liked the most. You’re the first person I’ve ever seen rank Lanai higher.

Maybe I just liked it because it was less busy.

And I wonder what people are comparing Maui to - Myrtle Beach? Venice Beach?

Well, you would love Papohaku Beach on Molokai then.

I actively avoid beachgoing, but have never seen such a broad swath of uninterrupted white sand, with nobody else there.

Why do you avoid beaches?

 

[In The Zone]

Cades Cove and in 13 "short " days my wife and I are going to ride the 11 mile loop on our ebikes during no vehicle Wednesday. Can't wait.

 

[Terminalxylem]

Naturally Beautiful:
Maui

Right on with this one. I guess we do agree. I've never been to a more naturally beautiful ocean than the one I was at in Maui. Breathtaking.

Really? I can see Lanai'i but I really didn't dig Maui's beaches/water.

I liked the beaches and water in the Bahamas, like Guana Cay much more.

Several Maui beaches are consistently ranked among the top in the country.

While beaches aren’t my cup of tea, I wouldn’t be surprised if Maui was the island visitors liked the most. You’re the first person I’ve ever seen rank Lanai higher.

Maybe I just liked it because it was less busy.

And I wonder what people are comparing Maui to - Myrtle Beach? Venice Beach?

Well, you would love Papohaku Beach on Molokai then.

I actively avoid beachgoing, but have never seen such a broad swath of uninterrupted white sand, with nobody else there.

Why do you avoid beaches?

Don’t like sand, sun, or water, unless it’s frozen.

 

[Mookie]

Western Massachusetts when the leaves are going off.
Acadia National Park
Saddleback Lakes and the Elephant's Perch, Sawtooth National Recreation Area
Zion National Park (the view from Angel's Landing)
Bryce Canyon
Machu Pichu, Peru (hiking through the Sun Gate)
Napali Coast
Plitviče Lakes National Park, Croatia
Cliffs of Moher, Ireland

 

[InDitkaWeTrust]

I'm a city slicker I guess because Florence, Italy, tops it for me. Maybe parts of Barcelona, too. I haven't been through many places in Europe, so I would imagine it would change daily. Want to so badly see Prague and Paris soon.

Just got back from barcelona and this trip made me fall in love with the place- just an amazing metropolis.

Wow, very cool. The Gothic Quarter and Antoni Gaudí's architecture is just stunning. The city is, really. Unbelievable. I wish graffiti wasn't so endemic, but that's a quibble that was forefront on my mind fading into a quibble.

Only thing is the anti-tourism there is nuts. I heard they've started using waterguns to drench obvious tourists. It's sort of a good thing because maybe it will make people stop acting like entitled tourists and try to blend in better.

In the heat of the Barcelona summer, that sounds more like a blessing than an annoyance.

 

[InDitkaWeTrust]

The biggest issue with any of these beautiful sites these days are having to dodge the instatokers and yougramers. I swear every 15 feet in the Jardin la Tour Eiffel you had to walk around some girl in a weird pose who had a guy filming on his phone. God forbid you cross through the camera's line of sight...

 

[El Floppo]

I'm a city slicker I guess because Florence, Italy, tops it for me. Maybe parts of Barcelona, too. I haven't been through many places in Europe, so I would imagine it would change daily. Want to so badly see Prague and Paris soon.

Just got back from barcelona and this trip made me fall in love with the place- just an amazing metropolis.

Wow, very cool. The Gothic Quarter and Antoni Gaudí's architecture is just stunning. The city is, really. Unbelievable. I wish graffiti wasn't so endemic, but that's a quibble that was forefront on my mind fading into a quibble.

Only thing is the anti-tourism there is nuts. I heard they've started using waterguns to drench obvious tourists. It's sort of a good thing because maybe it will make people stop acting like entitled tourists and try to blend in better.

In the heat of the Barcelona summer, that sounds more like a blessing than an annoyance.

I was looking forward to it, tbh. prior to the trip, my news was filled with all that stuff about angry, aggressive protests.

I was all over Barcelona at a ton of super-touristy spots. didn't see a single protester. and unfortunately- with the temps in the mid to high 90s, didn't get squirted.

 

[Divinetulip]

Maldives
Bora Bora
Lake Tahoe 35 years ago

For me, the beauty of Tahoe is not at the lake itself, but the area that surrounds it......but I understand what you are saying.

Fathiye in Turkey. Believe me it's heaven on earth. Beaches. Life style. Food. It's so nice I bought a little condo there

Capadoccia and the Princess Islands off the Coast of Istanbul are also beautiful places in Turkey.

Istanbul is my favorite international city I’ve been to.

It is beautiful for sure.

 

[Terminalxylem]

The biggest issue with any of these beautiful sites these days are having to dodge the instatokers and yougramers. I swear every 15 feet in the Jardin la Tour Eiffel you had to walk around some girl in a weird pose who had a guy filming on his phone. God forbid you cross through the camera's line of sight...

That’s why you choose places that are hard to get to - even 30 minutes hiking into the backcountry makes for a vastly different experience in most NP.

Better yet, go to places that require technical skills to access.

 

[pecorino]

Kingdom of Tonga, the islands of Vava'u and Ha'apai, specifically. Miles of untouched sand and surf and not a hotel nor human in sight. I was actually super sick for a couple days during the week we were there (ate something, I think) and it was still an experience I'd do all over again.

 

[Zow]

The boundary waters between Minnesota and Canada were quite stunning as well. Pristine lakes and trails untouched by most civilization.

Just cold as **** even in July and there are bears and stuff along with stupid mosquitoes. Loved the people in Minnesota as well as the culture and education but, man, the climate there is so awful compared to other places.

 

[El Floppo]

Kingdom of Tonga, the islands of Vava'u and Ha'apai, specifically. Miles of untouched sand and surf and not a hotel nor human in sight. I was actually super sick for a couple days during the week we were there (ate something, I think) and it was still an experience I'd do all over again.

Whoa! I wnt with my family when i was 20...also got the sickest ive ever been- but brought a flu with me.

We rented a sailboat and sailed around the islands... Lifetime highlight amazing trip. Never met anybody else whod been

 

[UncleZen]

Naturally Beautiful:
Maui

Right on with this one. I guess we do agree. I've never been to a more naturally beautiful ocean than the one I was at in Maui. Breathtaking.

Really? I can see Lanai'i but I really didn't dig Maui's beaches/water.

I liked the beaches and water in the Bahamas, like Guana Cay much more.

Several Maui beaches are consistently ranked among the top in the country.

While beaches aren’t my cup of tea, I wouldn’t be surprised if Maui was the island visitors liked the most. You’re the first person I’ve ever seen rank Lanai higher.

Maybe I just liked it because it was less busy.

And I wonder what people are comparing Maui to - Myrtle Beach? Venice Beach?

Well, you would love Papohaku Beach on Molokai then.

I actively avoid beachgoing, but have never seen such a broad swath of uninterrupted white sand, with nobody else there.

Why do you avoid beaches?

I live on the space coast in Fl and my house is about 7 miles from the ocean. I almost never go to the beach because I'm not a fan. It's all hot and sand gets everywhere and in the water is stupid stuff like sharks, stingrays, jelly fish, etc.

 

[nirad3]

Man, I envy a lot of you. I know I'm one of the leaders in the clubhouse that is the "how many states have you been to" thread, but in my nearly 52 years I've never been to Europe or anywhere tropical besides Maui and Cancun. Once my kids are self-sufficient I'm hoping I still have enough life in me to get some exotic locations under my belt.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Taj Mahal as the sun went down.

 

[Terminalxylem]

I actively avoid beachgoing, but have never seen such a broad swath of uninterrupted white sand, with nobody else there.

Why do you avoid beaches?

I live on the space coast in Fl and my house is about 7 miles from the ocean. I almost never go to the beach because I'm not a fan. It's all hot and sand gets everywhere and in the water is stupid stuff like sharks, stingrays, jelly fish, etc.

I live 3 miles from the beach, famous as one of Obama’s favorites. I’ve been once in 22 years.

The drive along the coast is beautiful though.

 

[Hastur]

I was in the Philippines for a month about a decade ago. So many amazing places, hard to rank them.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

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?

Have you let them know you are American?
They love that there.

Iceland for me. Scotland not too far behind.

Scotland has many great sights.
Edinburgh has many, the view from the Castle is one. Glasgow is not for sightseeing
My pick is driving through Glencoe on a sunny day (good luck lol), with snow on the mountains.
Roads are tourist infested though and overtaking is almost impossible with only one way to get in and out

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Taj Mahal as the sun went down.

Vegas?

 

[Don Quixote]

Taj Mahal as the sun went down.

Vegas?

Must be the one big, beautiful buil-ding in Atlantic City.

 

[Mr. Mojo]

Big Greece fan here.
Last year we went to 4 of the Ionian Islands (Corfu, Kefalonia, Ithaca and Zakinthos).
They were all fantastic!

 

[KarmaPolice]

Taj Mahal as the sun went down.

Vegas?

No, Agra.

 

[the moops]

The boundary waters between Minnesota and Canada were quite stunning as well. Pristine lakes and trails untouched by most civilization.

Just cold as **** even in July and there are bears and stuff along with stupid mosquitoes. Loved the people in Minnesota as well as the culture and education but, man, the climate there is so awful compared to other places.

Honestly I find the boundary waters overrated in terms of beauty. it is obviously ****ing awesome because how remote and untouched it is, but it's not just the cold or humid or mosquitos. To me it it's just that of the 1000 + lakes in there, they kinda all blend together. And yes, personal bias, but flat landscapes with beautiful trees and nice lakes always finish below mountain streams or tropical beaches or high desert stuff.

 

[El Floppo]

Taj Mahal as the sun went down.

Vegas?

No, Agra.

Vegas is totally agro, sure.

 

[waiver wire]

there are so many beautiful places and I have only been to about 40 countries and alot of them have been listed
Sistine Chapel blew me away

I have to say that I forgot all about that room(?)/area/chapel or just never considered it a "place."

I just . . . it was one of the rare moments I've ever felt perfectly content to just sit there and be exactly in that moment without doing a thing but observing silently and reverently. It was as close to heaven on earth as one could get in my world.

I remember that day fondly
I signed up for the early tour before it opens , so there was only 20 of us in the room for about 30-40 minutes before the masses. I then wandered around the for awhile , made my way back for a 2nd gander for another 20 minutes , the more more exploring and back for a 3rd visit. They was a choiring practicing for an EU anniversary. Stood there forever just listening to them with the incredible background.
Sagrada Familia was my #1 most beautiful place until the Sistine Chapel

I preferred Fiji over Bora Bora but the over water bungalow is cool to do once in your life

 

[Riffraff]

Been to plenty of nice places.
But in the last year, the best view was just a day trip semi-locally.

Cape Flattery - Just a short hike on an indian reservation for the NorthWest most point in the continental US / lower 48.
Ruby Beach just down the coast
Kalaloch Tree of Life was a nice stop

 

[timschochet]

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?

Have you let them know you are American?
They love that there

I don’t think I could exactly hide it.

But everyone has been very friendly.

 

[rockaction]

I signed up for the early tour before it opens , so there was only 20 of us in the room for about 30-40 minutes before the masses. I then wandered around the for awhile , made my way back for a 2nd gander for another 20 minutes , the more more exploring and back for a 3rd visit. They was a choiring practicing for an EU anniversary. Stood there forever just listening to them with the incredible background.
Sagrada Familia was my #1 most beautiful place until the Sistine Chapel

I think we also did the early tour. I just can't remember. It was early to me. It was June and it was still cool, so it must have been. Heh.

Sagrada Familia was also seen on that same trip because after Rome and Florence we went to Barcelona. Barcelona was beautiful, but I'd have to go with the Sistine Chapel as probably the apex of beauty that I can remember. I was in awe. I was also moved in Barcelona, too. I hope we keep those cities intact and those buildings sacrosanct. It would be almost beyond evil to lose them for any reason other than time.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

The Temple of Poseidon at Sounion. The view is fantastic.

 

[steelerfan1]

Banff, Alberta

 

[zamboni]

Banff, Alberta

Heard great things about Banff. Canadian Rockies are high on my bucket list to visit.

 

[The Longtime Lurker]

Currently vacationing in Copper Harbor Michigan. Not sure if it's the most beautiful, but it's certainly up there.

https://imgur.com/a/JNu3EpD

 

[Instinctive]

New Zealand. Basically all of it.

 

[El Floppo]

Naturally Beautiful:
Maui

Right on with this one. I guess we do agree. I've never been to a more naturally beautiful ocean than the one I was at in Maui. Breathtaking.

Really? I can see Lanai'i but I really didn't dig Maui's beaches/water.

I liked the beaches and water in the Bahamas, like Guana Cay much more.

Several Maui beaches are consistently ranked among the top in the country.

While beaches aren’t my cup of tea, I wouldn’t be surprised if Maui was the island visitors liked the most. You’re the first person I’ve ever seen rank Lanai higher.

Maybe I just liked it because it was less busy.

And I wonder what people are comparing Maui to - Myrtle Beach? Venice Beach?

Well, you would love Papohaku Beach on Molokai then.

I actively avoid beachgoing, but have never seen such a broad swath of uninterrupted white sand, with nobody else there.

Why do you avoid beaches?

Don’t like sand, sun, or water, unless it’s frozen.

Sounds like you picked the perfect place to live for yourself.

 

[Zow]

The boundary waters between Minnesota and Canada were quite stunning as well. Pristine lakes and trails untouched by most civilization.

Just cold as **** even in July and there are bears and stuff along with stupid mosquitoes. Loved the people in Minnesota as well as the culture and education but, man, the climate there is so awful compared to other places.

Honestly I find the boundary waters overrated in terms of beauty. it is obviously ****ing awesome because how remote and untouched it is, but it's not just the cold or humid or mosquitos. To me it it's just that of the 1000 + lakes in there, they kinda all blend together. And yes, personal bias, but flat landscapes with beautiful trees and nice lakes always finish below mountain streams or tropical beaches or high desert stuff.

I get that. Again, a lot of this is subjective so my memories of places comport with my memory of what I felt when there. With the boundary waters, I remember sitting out with my uncle (wonderful guy, lifelong Minneapolis resident), smoking a cigar and sipping bourbon after a long ay of hiking and portaging, and, due the to island campsite we found, looking out at a 270 degree view of just a pristine lake at dusk. This was just before going back to law school for my third year, I was still struggling with that breakup, etc. so real adult life stressors were hitting me hard but in that moment looking out over the lake at dusk after a long day of legitimately difficult physical work trekking and canoeing and without any sort of text messaging/social media to distract me where I could just sit and look for a second - was beauty.

My take on the boundary waters is that I am really glad that I did it (week - long trip where we covered lots of miles) and look back on it fondly, but I have zero desire to ever do it again.

 

[the moops]

My take on the boundary waters is that I am really glad that I did it (week - long trip where we covered lots of miles) and look back on it fondly, but I have zero desire to ever do it again.

We agree here. I may do it again, but probably not

 

[Andy Dufresne]

I've lived my whole life in Minnesota and have never seriously considered visiting the Boundary Waters. I mentioned it to my wife that we should go and her answer amounted to "mosquitos."

I doubt I'll ever go.