Favorite Travel Destinations

This is about the time of year I begin to think about traveling.  Maybe it's because about 5 years ago I was on my way to Europe?  Whatever the reason, here's my list of my favorite (and least favorite) destinations (not including where I've lived a.k.a. Houston, Boston, Auburn, Grand Rapids).

1. Florence

            All other cities are in a race for second, and it's not even close.  Perfectly beautiful, full of art and history, amazing churches, great landscape, and the best food.

2. Paris

            My first step in Europe, and I can say at the time I was not looking forward to it.  Instead I was amazed at the many great things to see and do.  And the people were much nicer than I expected.  It helped that I stayed dirt cheap in a nice apartment in the heart of town next to the best market in town.  So nice I could walk just about anywhere I wanted to.

3. Gettysburg/Antietam/Civil War battlefields

            I love the connection of nature and history. 

4. Washington, DC

            A city I like so much I've returned 4 times.  Nearly everything is free, which just makes it better.

5.  Rome

            I probably would have appreciated it more if I had more time and/or I had not gone to it after Florence.  It's a little too hectic for me, but the amount of history and religion is breathtaking.

6. Colorado Springs

            The most memorable of the family vacations when I was young.  The Garden of the Gods was especially great.

7.  Old Quebec City

            A beautiful old city, it looks very European.  Part of a larger tour of eastern Canada.

8. San Diego

            Definitely my favorite part of California.  Expensive, but nearly perfect weather.  Both parts of the zoo are great, though again expensive.

9.  Kennedy Space Center

            The area is ugly, but you can't beat a shuttle launch.

10. Milwaukee

            A perfectly sized city with about everything you need.  Beautiful location on Lake Michigan.

Places I would be okay with never seeing again, in no particular order:

Los Angeles (hate hate hate the traffic, and incredibly dirty)

El Paso

Oakland

Venice (what a disappointment)

San Francisco (obviously I don't like California)