Author Topic: The World's Most Beautiful Places... Reality as exciting as the Dream?  (Read 17004 times)

FamVestor

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Like most here... one of my Big Dreams Post-Fire is to constantly travel the World. My Wife and I already take regularly trips(Japan, Korea, England, France, Austria,) Lots of Road trips and love it. Does the adventure of it all kind of die off post-fire?

What inspired this post was looking at National Geographic's 100 most Beautiful Places Magazine, happy to say I can already check off a few of these, hope to check them all off during my lifetime.

Abooki

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Definitely is one of the reasons that inspired us(my bf and I) to look into early retirement. We have been to Amsterlands Netherlands, Palermo Italy, Rome Italy, Munich Germany, Cologne Germany, London and Brighton in the UK, Swaziland, and Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. And this year Uganda. I don't see our travel ever decreasing when we get to FIRE- we love meeting new people and experiencing new cultures.

Accidental Fire

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I've been to all seven continents and around 40 countries. I love travel and have seen many of the places listed in on the map, but lately I'm refocusing on good old 'murica!  On the surface it seems I've traveled extensively through the US but I still have 5 states that I haven't even visited which is a shame and there's just so much to see at home.  I also want to bike across country, preferably by two different routes, so I can 'slow travel' and see things on a more intimate and local scale.

Bottom line, I will always have a bucket list of travel destinations (Croatia and Petra in Jordan come to mind), but we have so many riches here at home. I'm in a 'phase' right now to focus on that.

bwall

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The list seems to be a bit top-heavy and display normal Northern Hemisphere bias.

Only 12 places in all of Africa and South America. Really?

Accidental Fire

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The list seems to be a bit top-heavy and display normal Northern Hemisphere bias.

Only 12 places in all of Africa and South America. Really?
Yeah, I just noticed that now that you said it. Victoria Falls is not even on there, I mean, really!!  It's a bucket list place to say the least....

dougules

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The list seems to be a bit top-heavy and display normal Northern Hemisphere bias.

Only 12 places in all of Africa and South America. Really?

Yeah, this is very heavily weighted to the gringo trail.  Zero of the world's most beautiful places are in West or Central Africa.  Saguaro NP is beautiful, no doubt, but Huacachina in Peru should bump it.  And Europe has more under "Peaks and Valleys" than the world's two highest mountain ranges combined.  Sorry to be the buzzkill, but this kind of bias annoys me to no end. 

deborah

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I've been plenty of places in Australia that I would add to that list, being as beautiful or better than several of the other Australian places. However, it's all in the eye of the beholder. And precisely when you behold the place! The West Australian reefs at low tide at sunset are just extraordinary - they are so close you can swim to them from the beach, and with the pink sunset glowing through the 3 metre translucent coral piles, they are just stunning!

I would add that it also depends upon what you know about the place, or learn about it. I find visiting early Australian rock art and places that have 40,000 years of human endeavour in front of your eyes are just gob smacking. Or some amazing geological formations... And stromatolites may look like cow pats, but it is still fascinating to stand in front of them.

JoeBlow

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The list seems to be a bit top-heavy and display normal Northern Hemisphere bias.

Only 12 places in all of Africa and South America. Really?

Yeah, this is very heavily weighted to the gringo trail.  Zero of the world's most beautiful places are in West or Central Africa.  Saguaro NP is beautiful, no doubt, but Huacachina in Peru should bump it.  And Europe has more under "Peaks and Valleys" than the world's two highest mountain ranges combined.  Sorry to be the buzzkill, but this kind of bias annoys me to no end.

I like Saguaro NP but I can think of easily a dozen places east of the Rockies more beautiful.  Number 7 isn't even top 3 in the state.  Goat Rocks?  Mt St. Helens?  Mt. Adams?  Several places in the Columbia River Gorge?  Others?

Are they just counting things that are not off the beaten path?

In Oregon, I am not sure I would rate Crater Lake the best place in the state but If they rated it any higher, they would have to list a bunch of other places.  I would probably rate the 3-sisters area higher.  Especially the view from the summit of South Sister.  Jefferson area, especially Jefferson Park is a hidden treasure.  Mount Hood area is not far behind.  Oh and what about the Oregon Alps (Wallowa/Eagle Cap) area?  Amazing.

As far as California goes, I have less experience.  The Redwood forest is beautiful however I think the Lost Coast is more "beautiful".
« Last Edit: April 30, 2017, 10:53:49 PM by JoeBlow »

sol

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They don't appear to be ranked in order, just numbered so you can find the labels. Don't get hung up on the ordering.

I think much of the apparent bias is just due to the distribution of poverty.  It's hard to call someplace "most beautiful" when there are starving child lepers in the streets begging for scraps, no matter how nice the local geology might be.  Africa absolutely has some of the best scenery in the world, and also some of the worst nightmare slums.

And one last tidbit for those people hoping to travel more in retirement:  visiting interesting places does not make you an interesting person.  I've been to approximately half of the spots on this map, and I'm the world's most boring family man.  I think some people hope to "find themselves out in the world" and in my experience, that's just not how it works.  You are still you, no matter where you go. 

JoeBlow

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They don't appear to be ranked in order, just numbered so you can find the labels. Don't get hung up on the ordering.

I agree with the rest of what you said but if they were not ranked in order, why are the numbers all over the place?  1, 2 and 3 should be right next to each other if that was the case.  Otherwise they should do it alphabetically if it is unranked.

sol

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Re: The World's Most Beautiful Places... Reality as exciting as the Dream?
« Reply #10 on: April 30, 2017, 11:13:19 PM »
if they were not ranked in order, why are the numbers all over the place?

They are grouped thematically.  The first 25 are all "peaks and valleys", not the 25 most beautiful spots overall.  They're all over the place because the peaks and valleys are all over the place, compared to the shoreline or city groups.

JoeBlow

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Re: The World's Most Beautiful Places... Reality as exciting as the Dream?
« Reply #11 on: April 30, 2017, 11:24:17 PM »
if they were not ranked in order, why are the numbers all over the place?

They are grouped thematically.  The first 25 are all "peaks and valleys", not the 25 most beautiful spots overall.  They're all over the place because the peaks and valleys are all over the place, compared to the shoreline or city groups.

Ahhh.  I missed that part.  I still disagree with it but it is just an opinion so no use complaining about it more.

dougules

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I'm feeling bad now for getting caught up in that map and pooping on your dreams.  Traveling sounds awesome.  It's what I'm hoping to do when I get there.  (Just find some better articles that are less biased.  Latin America has just as many amazing spots as any region on that map.  Africa probably does too if I had to guess.)

flyingaway

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Travelling around the world is what I want to do most in my remaining life. I have been in all 50 U.S. states and more than 30 other countries and areas. I plan to visit 10 places each year for the next 20 years or so. The only problem we have now is that I like to visit off-the-beaten areas with challenges and my wife likes to visit well-developed areas with good hotels and restaurants. Unfortunately, I only went to about 21 of the 100 listed most beautiful places and I do not have a desire to follow that guide.

I budget about 25% of my retirement expenses on travel, which could be more if needed.
« Last Edit: May 01, 2017, 12:34:08 PM by flyingaway »

albireo13

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What about Woburn, Ma.????

YK-Phil

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I've traveled all over the world, in part due to my family history and my free unlimited travel passes when I worked for a major airline. In retirement, I have no interest in air travel and faraway destinations. But give me a tent, camping equipment, a nice mountain bike and drop me in the Valley of the Gods in Utah or the Canyons of the Ancients in Colorado for the winter and I'll be the happiest guy in the middle of nowhere.
« Last Edit: May 02, 2017, 06:48:43 PM by yyc-phil »

deborah

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Further to what Sol said...

If you have gone to places that everyone goes to, you can talk with them about how it was.

If you want people to hang on your words, go somewhere that you want to go for your own reasons, not because it is in some list. You're likely to know more about it before you go, be more interested while you are there, and remember more about it when you come back.

Greenback Reproduction Specialist

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There are a bunch of places not on that list, that should be on that list up here in the PNW. But I'm glad they are not, it means there will be fewer tourists when I go visit : )

I would guess a lot of those places spend A TON on advertising to attract tourists, which is why they are well known and made the list. Would also explain why there are not many listed in Africa as someone suggested.

cerat0n1a

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It's a strange list. Loch Katrine is a nice enough man-made reservoir in the Trossachs, but I doubt it would make many people's top 30 places in Scotland.

Plitvice Lakes in Croatia is stunningly beautiful, but go there in summer and you will literally be in a line of people several miles long walking through the park.

deborah

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I can't imagine anyone spending a heap on advertising the Devil's Marbles, so I don't know how they made that list.

Villanelle

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It's a strange list. Loch Katrine is a nice enough man-made reservoir in the Trossachs, but I doubt it would make many people's top 30 places in Scotland.

Plitvice Lakes in Croatia is stunningly beautiful, but go there in summer and you will literally be in a line of people several miles long walking through the park.

And the fact that "the highlands" is listed as one place is a bit odd.

I've seen but a small fraction of the world, and I think the Isle of Skye is the most spectacular place I've been.  That place resonated with my soul in a way that was intensely spiritual.  Even just typing this, I feel some small bit of that magic coming back, and my eyes get sort of watery.  I'm still overwhelmed with I think of my [much too] short time there. 

This seems like a good idea for a spin off thread.

cerat0n1a

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I've seen but a small fraction of the world, and I think the Isle of Skye is the most spectacular place I've been. 

Skye is indeed fantastic, but I like Harris even more.

fasteddie911

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I've been to all seven continents and around 40 countries. I love travel and have seen many of the places listed in on the map, but lately I'm refocusing on good old 'murica!  On the surface it seems I've traveled extensively through the US but I still have 5 states that I haven't even visited which is a shame and there's just so much to see at home.  I also want to bike across country, preferably by two different routes, so I can 'slow travel' and see things on a more intimate and local scale.

Bottom line, I will always have a bucket list of travel destinations (Croatia and Petra in Jordan come to mind), but we have so many riches here at home. I'm in a 'phase' right now to focus on that.

Same mindset here.  Haven't been to nearly as many countries or States, my current travel bucket list is likely smaller than most and I just don't have a strong interest or desire for many international locales for various reasons.  As a nature person some of my most memorable and enjoyable trips were to the US national parks and various roadtrips throughout the country.  There is some breathtaking beauty to be found in our own backyard and the fact that it's my home country makes it a little more special.

dougules

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I've been to all seven continents and around 40 countries. I love travel and have seen many of the places listed in on the map, but lately I'm refocusing on good old 'murica!  On the surface it seems I've traveled extensively through the US but I still have 5 states that I haven't even visited which is a shame and there's just so much to see at home.  I also want to bike across country, preferably by two different routes, so I can 'slow travel' and see things on a more intimate and local scale.

Bottom line, I will always have a bucket list of travel destinations (Croatia and Petra in Jordan come to mind), but we have so many riches here at home. I'm in a 'phase' right now to focus on that.

Same mindset here.  Haven't been to nearly as many countries or States, my current travel bucket list is likely smaller than most and I just don't have a strong interest or desire for many international locales for various reasons.  As a nature person some of my most memorable and enjoyable trips were to the US national parks and various roadtrips throughout the country.  There is some breathtaking beauty to be found in our own backyard and the fact that it's my home country makes it a little more special.

Everybody has different interests for travel.  There are definitely so many amazing things in the 41 states I've been to, but personally I'm not going to skip out on Thailand to get North Dakota in.   

Slee_stack

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Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and, even then, is fickle depending on one's state of mind at the time.

A physically boring place can be quite beautiful in the right circumstances.  Likewise, picture perfection can end up coming across as highly overrated.

I enjoy travel in small doses.  The idea of continual travel holds little to no appeal to me.  I envision eventually living in more places, but not up and travelling more frequently.


Does anyone here actually travel with a goal of becoming a 'more interesting' person?  I can't wrap my head around that.  Is that a status thing?


If I am to travel, it is wholly for the experience itself, not to entertain/enthrall/impress others with stories.

Fishingmn

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I get to check 2 of the places off that list next week on our trip to Ireland :)

Todge

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It's a list - everyone is going to disagree to some extent on the contents. Hell I can't even get my kids to agree on what we should included on the weekly shopping list!

MasterStache

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Only thing I will add is that my wife and I honeymooned in Tahiti, well Moorea and Bora Bora to be exact. We are one of the few rare couples that actually spent more on our honeymoon that the wedding itself. Heck, looking back, I would have just eloped and stayed an extra couple of nights in Bora Bora.

By far, hands down most beautiful beach and part of the ocean I've ever seen. Crystal clear water. Sharks and sting rays would swim up to and around our overwater bungalow at night. Was worth every penny.


JoJo

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They missed the Gobi Desert in Mongolia.  Some of the best scenery I've ever seen...
https://thehotflashpacker.com/gobi-desert-trip-mongolia/

ehzw

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I used to think I wanted to travel (or live in a new place every 3 months) for the rest of my life. I first travelled around the world 18 years ago, have been to all continents, at least 70 countries and typically go to 5 continents every year. In the last few years I started to travel less - I just don't enjoy it as much as I used to, as sad as that sounds. Of course it depends on the type of travel - seeing a new "well rated/impressive" church/waterfall/mountain/ancient ruin is unlikely to be as good as other ones I have already seen but meeting people and immersing in new cultures is still good. I am enjoying hobbies that require me to be home most of the time now. So I say, yes, the adventure might die off eventually.

By the way, I have looked at many many of these best/greatest lists in my life, and while none is perfect, my favourite by far is hillman wonders (but the site has disappeared? well there are some copies of it e.g. http://web.archive.org/web/20170411223019/hillmanwonders.com). The top 100 are ordered (with a few duds in there), with another 1000 listed by country.

MsRichLife

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By the way, I have looked at many many of these best/greatest lists in my life, and while none is perfect, my favourite by far is hillman wonders (but the site has disappeared? well there are some copies of it e.g. http://web.archive.org/web/20170411223019/hillmanwonders.com). The top 100 are ordered (with a few duds in there), with another 1000 listed by country.

I agree with this. I used the Hillman Wonders to prioritise my travels when I was in my 20s. Now I'm 40 and FIREd and planning to get back into traveling. Much of it will be caravanning Australia with my little family, but I'm also planning to return to undertaking solo trips once or twice a year while DH keeps the home fires burning.

CowboyAndIndian

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By the way, I have looked at many many of these best/greatest lists in my life, and while none is perfect, my favourite by far is hillman wonders (but the site has disappeared? well there are some copies of it e.g. http://web.archive.org/web/20170411223019/hillmanwonders.com). The top 100 are ordered (with a few duds in there), with another 1000 listed by country.

It has not disappeared. Works for me.

http://www.hillmanwonders.com/

Thanks for posting this, great site.


Ozlady

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Hillman Wonders just up cred for me when i saw Kashmir Valley and Lijiang and Shangri la up there...


JoJo

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I've been to 55 of the Hillman sites... I've been to way more of his top 50 than the bottom 50.    Some of the remaining are pretty high on my to do.

deborah

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I've been to 11. Nowhere near the most interesting places I've visited. I've visited almost all the places he mentions in Turkey and Australia, and while I would consider them to be good, there are others at both places that were miles better.

JoJo

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I've been to 11. Nowhere near the most interesting places I've visited. I've visited almost all the places he mentions in Turkey and Australia, and while I would consider them to be good, there are others at both places that were miles better.

Yeah, very subjective and heavy on the places he's visited.  In the top 1000 is a crazy amount in China but hardly any in central Asia which has some of the most beautiful mountain ranges and architecture too.

dougules

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I've been to 11. Nowhere near the most interesting places I've visited. I've visited almost all the places he mentions in Turkey and Australia, and while I would consider them to be good, there are others at both places that were miles better.

Yeah, very subjective and heavy on the places he's visited.  In the top 1000 is a crazy amount in China but hardly any in central Asia which has some of the most beautiful mountain ranges and architecture too.

That kind of makes sense.  China has well over twice as many people as the whole European Union, covers almost twice as much land, and has just as much history if not more. 

deborah

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I've been to 11. Nowhere near the most interesting places I've visited. I've visited almost all the places he mentions in Turkey and Australia, and while I would consider them to be good, there are others at both places that were miles better.

Yeah, very subjective and heavy on the places he's visited.  In the top 1000 is a crazy amount in China but hardly any in central Asia which has some of the most beautiful mountain ranges and architecture too.

That kind of makes sense.  China has well over twice as many people as the whole European Union, covers almost twice as much land, and has just as much history if not more. 
It depends on what you call history. Australia has some very significant historical sites - the Willandra Lakes contain the world's oldest known ritual burial and oldest known cremation. You wander among the sand dunes being shown bones of long extinct animals and middens dating from before human settlement of Europe. Absolutely amazing historical stuff. And then there is Murujuga - home of the world's largest and most important collection of petroglyphs including the world's first known depiction of a human face. Both these sites are absolutely amazing to visit, are stunning, and would be in my top in the world (certainly in Australia), and neither make it to the list

EscapeVelocity2020

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Both the National Geo and the Hillman's Wonders lists are pretty random, but that's what happens when you have a 'top 100' list.  What should actually happen when you travel is that you get to point #23 (maybe from one of these lists) and get diverted and find all sorts of awesome #23sub-a, b, c places.  That's the magic of slow travel.  It's not like I'm going to put the name of a beer garden in the Prague or Singapore on a list, but those highlights were more impactful and memorable that the tourist stuff.  And of course, nature is much more impressive if you are there at the right time, and can really suck if it's entirely the wrong time.   

JoJo

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Both the National Geo and the Hillman's Wonders lists are pretty random, but that's what happens when you have a 'top 100' list.  What should actually happen when you travel is that you get to point #23 (maybe from one of these lists) and get diverted and find all sorts of awesome #23sub-a, b, c places.  That's the magic of slow travel.  It's not like I'm going to put the name of a beer garden in the Prague or Singapore on a list, but those highlights were more impactful and memorable that the tourist stuff.  And of course, nature is much more impressive if you are there at the right time, and can really suck if it's entirely the wrong time.

Agree with this.  Had the most dreadful weather in Milford Sound.  Had choking smog in Beijing.  I'm not impressed by either. 

Verdure

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In terms of the US places selected, I think it's kind of stunning that there is nothing from the Great Lakes at all.   And personally I found the Everglades to be pretty underwhelming.

I think the most beautiful city I've ever visited is Prague. (I've been to 7 on this list so far)

dougules

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I've been to 11. Nowhere near the most interesting places I've visited. I've visited almost all the places he mentions in Turkey and Australia, and while I would consider them to be good, there are others at both places that were miles better.

Yeah, very subjective and heavy on the places he's visited.  In the top 1000 is a crazy amount in China but hardly any in central Asia which has some of the most beautiful mountain ranges and architecture too.

That kind of makes sense.  China has well over twice as many people as the whole European Union, covers almost twice as much land, and has just as much history if not more. 
It depends on what you call history. Australia has some very significant historical sites - the Willandra Lakes contain the world's oldest known ritual burial and oldest known cremation. You wander among the sand dunes being shown bones of long extinct animals and middens dating from before human settlement of Europe. Absolutely amazing historical stuff. And then there is Murujuga - home of the world's largest and most important collection of petroglyphs including the world's first known depiction of a human face. Both these sites are absolutely amazing to visit, are stunning, and would be in my top in the world (certainly in Australia), and neither make it to the list

Yes, every country has thousands of places that could easily compete with any others on the lists.  My main takeaway is just that a top 100 list is so very subjective.  Lists like this are great to give people ideas of what to look into.  I just wish people would say "My most beautiful places" instead of "The World's Most Beautiful Places."  It's going to be completely different for each person depending on what they like and what they know. 

kuchihige

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I've found in my travels it's much more about the people you are with the place you are.

Exotic and beautiful places are certainly wonderful, but it can be just as interesting to be in some un-famous town if your friend is showing you the secret swimming hole, taking you to the restaurant where he is friends with the staff, and bringing you to the weekly night ride bicycle meet-up.

lemonde

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I've found in my travels it's much more about the people you are with the place you are.

Exotic and beautiful places are certainly wonderful, but it can be just as interesting to be in some un-famous town if your friend is showing you the secret swimming hole, taking you to the restaurant where he is friends with the staff, and bringing you to the weekly night ride bicycle meet-up.

+1. After a while, all the places can easily blur together, but having the right company can make any place special.

Cap_Scarlet

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ok, but then the list has "London" .  I mean ...WTF....London is a massive place!

Its a bullshit list

JoJo

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Dicey

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It's a great jumping off point and a source of inspiration. Thanks for starting this thread!

limeandpepper

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Heading home now from this place and its pretty awesome (Grand Tetons). Don't know if its on.the list or not but should be.

I'm sure Grand Tetons is gorgeous nevertheless, but I have to mention that photo has been heavily doctored. The flowers are photoshopped on, for instance. Just in case anyone goes there with that exact scenery in mind. ;)

As for the question in the thread title, some places live up to expectations or even surpass them, some don't. And sometimes you just stumble upon wonderful things. Lists like this can be a nice rough guide, but trying out places that don't make these typical epic lists can also be incredibly rewarding.

Cowardly Toaster

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The premise of any list like this is fundamentally flawed. My approach to travel is to find a place and take a more extended trip to it, and even return for more trips. THis way you get to truly explore rather than rushing. For instance, my buddy and I spent 10 days travelling around Scotland and discovered many out of the way things. I'd much rather spend 10 days in just Scotland than running around the whole British Isles in the same amount of time trying to see everything.

Same with Moab UT, I've been there twice now and plan to return many times. For every famous natural tourist attraction, there are always 100 more waiting to be discovered.

limeandpepper

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Heading home now from this place and its pretty awesome (Grand Tetons). Don't know if its on.the list or not but should be.

I'm sure Grand Tetons is gorgeous nevertheless, but I have to mention that photo has been heavily doctored. The flowers are photoshopped on, for instance. Just in case anyone goes there with that exact scenery in mind. ;)

As for the question in the thread title, some places live up to expectations or even surpass them, some don't. And sometimes you just stumble upon wonderful things. Lists like this can be a nice rough guide, but trying out places that don't make these typical epic lists can also be incredibly rewarding.
oh yeah it CAN look like that for a bit in.the right season and time briefly but was still cold and snow in some places. Its like a picture taken in the desert after a season of high rain. Massive carpets of wildflowers as far as the eye can see then just gone after a few weeks or even days and just dry dirt for the rest of the year. I like to travel off season so almost never somewhere during the spectacular times but the lack of crowds and lower costs more than make up for that. This is also why I like to stay in one area a fairly long time rather than move from place to place. You can really see thing change over time and find all the little special areas if you aren't moving on in a few days.

I'm sure it looks very pretty during wildflower season. But that doesn't change the fact that the flowers in that particular picture are photoshopped on... they're not wildflowers, but from Schreiner's Iris Gardens. You can look it up if you like.

I'd be keen to see it in its true glory if you have your own photos of it, rather than this fake one taken from the internet. :)