Places you would, or wouldn't go back to?

[travel193]

The one place I would love to go back to is Antarctica, so pristine and untouched and amazing scenery and wildlife.

Sensational! How did you end up there?

 

[love_the_life]

......
Places I would love to return
Svalbard, Norway - Like being on another planet. You feel so close to the raw power of this planet and unfortunately it's fragility.

Agree about Svalbard - it's magical, especially cruising up round the coast of Nordaustlandet with its massive ice cliffs.

 

[drron]

Our next trip is redoing some of my favourite things plus adding from the bucket list.have been to Antarctica-mawson's hut.Not going back as such but will be going to the Falklands and South Georgia-they were bucket list items along with Tristan De Cunha,machu picchu,Iguazu falls and the gorillas of Bwindi.Also doing another game lodge but in South Africa.

 

[Nukie]

Sensational! How did you end up there?[/QUOTE]

We did an 18 day expedition trip from Ushuaia, had lots of zodiac landings to see the wildlife. Very jealous of drron going there, South Georgia is amazing as is the Iguazu falls! Next trip for us is the Panama canal, bit different.

 

[JeffVader]

Yeah. Lord Howe is one amazing place. Went 5 years ago on a friends recommendation and seem to go back every year. Haven't heard a negative report. Going again in April. Can't wait. Great beaches, hikes, bikes, animals, coral, scenery, views, people, I do go on..

 

[AnnaB]

Would go back:
Scotland, next time in summer or spring instead of trying to brave the snowstorms in January
Sweden, my second home
Denmark, love the people and their ways. Copenhagen has such a slow city pulse and everything is so soft in a way.
Hong Kong, loved the diversity and all the culture. Kind of like the best of China, without the rudeness and bad manners.
Tallinn, Estonia. So much to see but too little time. Need to go back and do it again


Would not go back:
Rest of China
Siem Reap, not that its bad, its just that we have been there and seen what we wanted to see.
Bangkok (unless I cant avoid it). Its big, horrible traffic, hot, full of smog and unfortunately last time we had some really bad experiences.

I am a bit torn with Russia.... I went to St Petersburg just after the wall fell and it was not fun. I am not a fan of Russians or their ways, they can be quite rude and you have to be rude back or they walk all over you. The place itself is amazing and just fantastic, but the people!

Same with France, problems started at the border and people were just rude. Tried to get help when my car decided to break down, but all I got was snorts and people walking away. Might go back and see what I missed, but it would be a fly in, see it and fly out!

 

[Irishbazz]

Have to agree with Bali & coughet. Bali, I hated from the outset - thankfully we were again on a photo-shoot and trips into the "city" were few and far between, but I got so sick and tired of touts and having stuff thrust at me to buy, I was at the stage that I wanted to throttle the next one who came along.

Sums up Bali for me. Constant hustle from everyone once you step off the plane.

 

[ALH]

Cuba. Interesting place with great food and some wonderful people. However, had some frustrating times with endless lines and slow service

 

[Buzzard]

Sums up Bali for me. Constant hustle from everyone once you step off the plane.

Back in the 90's I traveled solo around Bali on a motorbike for a couple of weeks.
Once I left Kuta and went to parts where tourists don't generally go I had a fabulous time.
Villages where people don't speak English, places where YOU become the tourist attraction, people taking you in to do things with their family (on separate occasions I was invited to a funeral and a trip to one of the big temples, having been properly dressed in traditional garb first).
Seriously, it was one of the best holidays I have ever had and the real Balinese are wonderful IMHO.

 

[Boca68]

Will go back:

Seychelles
Cocos island
Whitsundays
Japan
Malaysia
French Riviera/Monaco
Greek islands

Wont go back:
London
South Africa
Prague
Brasil

Your username is Pele, but you won't go back to Brazil?

I love Brazil, but each to thier own. But, the username connection intrigues me.... care to share?

 

[LadyC]

Back in the 90's I traveled solo around Bali on a motorbike for a couple of weeks.
Once I left Kuta and went to parts where tourists don't generally go I had a fabulous time.
Villages where people don't speak English, places where YOU become the tourist attraction, people taking you in to do things with their family (on separate occasions I was invited to a funeral and a trip to one of the big temples, having been properly dressed in traditional garb first).
Seriously, it was one of the best holidays I have ever had and the real Balinese are wonderful IMHO.

Had a very similar experience driving through India. If we had only visited the major cities, I would have hated it. The countryside and people in the little towns along the way made the trip a much more pleasant experience.

 

[Irishbazz]

Back in the 90's I traveled solo around Bali on a motorbike for a couple of weeks.
Once I left Kuta and went to parts where tourists don't generally go I had a fabulous time.
Villages where people don't speak English, places where YOU become the tourist attraction, people taking you in to do things with their family (on separate occasions I was invited to a funeral and a trip to one of the big temples, having been properly dressed in traditional garb first).
Seriously, it was one of the best holidays I have ever had and the real Balinese are wonderful IMHO.

I guess in 20 years things can change. Not doubting it would be a better experience going the rural route, just not for me.

 

[RB]

Still plenty of places to see for the first time but of some visited

Alaska-yes plenty more to see & would repeat Marine Highway & White Pass & train/bus journeys. Thought we saw more of the real Alaska than if we did a cruise & a led tour
Canada-Loved Banff, Jasper etc, would like to see some of the East
Slovakia, Croatia Slovenia Poland Austria-would like to see the changes/progress
Estonia Latvia & Lithuania-liked the cities & rural areas
India-want to see Central parts & over to east coast
Romania & Bulgaria-loved the countryside
New Zealand-like to see the south of Sth Island
Czech Republic-plenty more great small towns to see
Greece-loved Paros & Antiparos & I am sure there are more great ones. Thought Meteora was amazing but rarely hear about it
Sri Lanka-like to visit the north & east, loved the other parts we saw
Germany-have really enjoyed parts of the south but have not seen much of the north
Portugal & Spain-great spots & particularly want to see more of Nthn Portugal
Italy -Excellent. Been many times with Como & other lakes highlights along with Dolomites-loved the 3 valleys we have visited & would gladly revisit. Also want to see more of the Sth, thought Sicily was intriguing
Cambodia-like to see more of beaches to south
Vietnam-might be a bit too busy for me now but Cat Ba Island & journey along Mekong were great at the time. Seems to be many resorts now at what were "innocent" tourist places eg Nha Trang & Mui Ne
Fiji-love the people
France-not a fan of Paris but liked the rural areas
Indonesia-have seen Bali (liked away from Kuta) & Lombok but not keen to return overall
Malaysia-loved Cameron Highlands & journey across to Penang-wonder if the driving habits are better
Mexico-went to a conference in Cancun & thought the hotel area was a long way to get to the Qld Gold Coast! Did like the old town & Chichen Itza & other Mayan ruin sites we saw
Singapore-have only been there in transit & enjoyed
Thailand-won't go back to coughet (was fun in 1989) but want to visit other islands & the north. Reading various trip reports makes me want to check out more of Bangkok
Australia-still plenty to see & no part I would not revisit (well maybe not Byron Bay again!)

Maybe having never lived in a major city means I am not much of a fan of big cities & prefer more rural areas. I also look back at my first Europen trip in 2000 & I am grateful we decided to head east rather than visit the UK which was the more traditional path at the time. I guess age will also mean we change our travel style/destinations

 

[RoMambai]

I'd go back to all the places I've travelled to with the exception of Kiribati. That place was rough. The hotel room had electricity only from 1800-2400, no TV and was full of flies. And it was the best place on the island. The food was mediocre too from memory - imported tinned fodder from Australia. The people, however, were amazing.

 

[get me outta here]

A long time ago I went to Moscow for 3 days on my way to LHR, on Aeroflot. The plane and FAs were bad enough, but when I landed it was a cross between a Chekov play and a Catch 22 with my visa. I felt very scared at the way I was treated and felt that I and my baby could just be disappeared by these people. I just wanted to get the next plane out. Fortunately, two other pax and I joined up and we went around together which made it more comfortable. Was all the usual being watched the whole time and a woman stationed in the corridor of my hotel. The baby had to sleep in a drawer. Not sure I'd go back even now.

 

[Pele]

Your username is Pele, but you won't go back to Brazil?

I love Brazil, but each to thier own. But, the username connection intrigues me.... care to share?

Gday

My username is because i love football and i think Pele is the best. I finally went to Brasil in 2014 for the World Cup and wasnt that impressed. I dont hate the place but i wouldnt go out of my way to go back and that saddens me as i had higher expectations. They do have some things sorted- ice cold beers in long necks, picanha, buffet meals for example- but i didnt realise until i went there how poor and unsafe it was. I stayed with a friend in an upmarket area of Sao Paulo but even that wasnt really very safe. Then in Rio whilst nothing happened to me there was always the feeling you were only 1 block away from trouble. And it was expensive. Not really any cheaper than Sydney. My Brasilian mate says Brasil is a country with first world prices but third world amenities. An appalling situation for all but the mega rich. Rio is one of those places that look good from a distance but close up it is dirty and smells of p*ss. The beaches are overrated too.

Having said all that i have some great memories of Brasil(Tim Cahill v Holland ).

And to complete the story you might notice my joining date for this forum is July 2014. I took a 45 hour door to door trip (all in economy) on the way home from Rio to Sao Paulo to Doha to KL to Sydney and straight from Kingsford Smith to work. I was wrecked and thought there has to be a better way. I started my research on the internet, found this forum and havent looked back. Thanks to everyone here!

Pele.

 

[Fifa]

Our next trip is redoing some of my favourite things plus adding from the bucket list.have been to Antarctica-mawson's hut.Not going back as such but will be going to the Falklands

drron - From Stanley I can highly recommend a tour with Estancia Excursions to Volunteer Point to see the King penguins:
Explore with  Estancia Excursions - personal tours in the Falkland Islands

It was the most amazing day - we were driven in a Landrover Defender by a local farmer and on arrival at Volunteer Point we had plenty of time to wander around amongst the penguins on the beach and then visit their breeding area and all the chicks. Only four passengers per vehicle and lots of four wheel driving once we left the main road. Our group agreed it was definitely a highlight of our South America cruise and THE best shore excursion we have ever been on.

 

[Bindibuys]

Pele, I so agree with your comments about Sao Paulo. The one place in this world that I did not feel safe and could not wait to leave. Yet I loved Manaus and wandering around the streets.

 

[SuzieQ68]

This is a really interesting thread - especially the reasons behind AFF members decisions to travel to that destination again or not.

Have been lucky enough to visit many cities and countries, and places I definitely would return:

Top of the list is Thailand. Absolutely love it here (even BKK). Tend to spend quite a bit of time in Chiang Mai and Mae Sot for differing reasons. Avoid coughet (too touristy now), but still enjoy Hua Hin, Samui and out Kanchanaburi way.

Also love love love Italy (mainly northern) and especially Garda. Tend to try to stay away from the touristy stuff, and even though Garda is a little touristy (mainly German tourists), it's little backstreets and out of the way restaurants make it worthwhile. Also a great spot to catch the ferry that travels all around the lake.

Other favourites include:
Australia (best country in the world)
Luxembourg (absolutely gorgeous - and about 30 minutes to France, Belgium and Germany)
San Sebastian (the tapas trail here is amazing - cannot wait to go there again this year)
Brugge (the beer capital of the world IMHO - not that I really like beer)
Ireland (just because)
Fiji (stunning)
Greece, but especially Paros (one of the best meals ever, small but gorgeous island) and Crete (not enough time there first trip)
Vietnam (loved it - especially Hoi An)

Other places I've enjoyed (but probably won't go back again as I've seen it)

Mont St Michel (definitely one to visit if you're in France)
Sorrento (beautiful)
Ile De Re (a major holiday hotspot for French locals - not much English spoken!)
Santorini (loved it, but once was enough)
Hong Kong
Barcelona
Singapore

There's probably nowhere that I've visited that I wouldn't return to. If I had to pick one place, probably Naples (as mentioned in an earlier thread - can be a bit unnerving if you feel like you're being followed).

 

[cove]

30 minutes in Yuma CA was a refueling stop in the desert. No need to do that again.