OK, so the game plan is to start with my "Been to List"And here it goes, in no particular order, just as it comes to my mind. And, some of these places I have been to more then once.
Ireland (Dublin, Kinsale, Dingle, Galway, Westport)
Well, what can I say about Ireland...I love it. Not necessarily Dublin, although I enjoyed the city, but the small towns and tiny villages are really what make it amazing to see. The only other place on earth that I have visited with such green hills was New Zealand. But back to Ireland...the people...such hospitality, you never meet a stranger in that country and the pub life...such fun...the music and singing...you can't help but join in, even if you can't carry a tune (like me!) So, maybe I'm a little bias, I have roots there, and it was my most recent trip, but when I was in the taxi going to the airport for the flight home, I truly did not want to leave, and that doesn't happen alot, it's one of a only a few places that I have felt "that drawn to"!
Northern Ireland (Derry, Portrush, Belfast)
I saw Northern Ireland (or as the locals say "Norn Iron") during the same trip I visited "The Republic". It was interesting to see the contrast between the North and the Republic. Part of what I think made it so fascinating was having a tour guide for the entire trip who was from the North and could clearly explain "The Troubles". The 2 cities visited seemed more industrial then other areas, but once up on the Antrim Coast the wild beauty of the North shined through. I am glad I got to see the 2 countries and learn about the history of such a troubled country.
Italy (Rome, Sorrento, Pompei, Capri, Florence, Sienna, San Gimiagnano, Gaiole in Chianti, Venice, Pisa, Lugano)
Ahhhh...Italia, what can I say...the food, the history, the scenery, the vino! I have such fond memories of Italy maybe because it was the first overseas trip I took way back when, or maybe it was the second time when I was in college and went back to Florence, or maybe it was the third time when I spent an unforgettable week in Tuscany with a great group of 20 friends! Words just don't do Italy justice...you have to see it to believe it.
Hong Kong
I decided to go to Hong Kong because I wanted to start seeing Asia and I figured Hong Kong would be a good first Asian city to visit since there are many English speakers there. I went during Chinese New Year 2004, which was the Year of the Monkey. As it turned out, the year I was born was also the Year of the Monkey. I enjoyed my time in Hong Kong, but the weather did not cooperate and because of the New Year holiday many businesses and attractions were closed. So, if I make another visit, it will not be during the Chinese New Year. I was only there for a week and wished I had more time to go and explore Mainland China, but that will have to be another trip!
Australia (Melbourne, Cairns...Great Barrier Reef...Sydney)
For as long as I can remember I had always wanted to go to Australia. At the time I booked this trip, none of my friends were interested in going with me. So, I researched various singles tours and found one that looked good. I loved Australia, but in the end I was not thrilled with the tour company, but met a great gal who I have stayed in touch with (but I digress). I started in Melbourne, then headed to Cairns up near the Great Barrier Reef and then onto Sydney. Melbourne and the Great Barrier Reef were great, but I LOVED Sydney. The best part of my time in Sydney was doing the Sydney Harbor Bridge Climb. Yes, you read that right, I climbed to the top of the Sydney Harbor Bridge. And from a tip we got from some other travelers we booked the climb for about 3pm because that way the climb to the summit was during the day and we could see for what seemed like forever and on the climb down the sun was setting behind the Blue Mountains...it couldn't have been more gorgeous!
New Zealand (Auckland)
New Zealand was the last segment of my Australia trip and unfortunately only for 3 days, which was no way near enough time. We stayed in Auckland on the North Island. From what I've heard the South Island is even more beautiful. I did do a day trip to an area in the far north of the North Island about 4 hours from Auckland and it was beautiful. We got to see the first settlement in NZ where the Maori and the English signed a treaty and the small town of Russell. It was one of the best days of that trip.
San Francisco, CA
I've been to San Francisco 2 times and considered it one of my favorite U.S. cities. The first trip there was with my mom and we had such fun. Although mom wasn't too thrilled that I made her trudge up the hilly streets of San Francisco.
Napa Valley, CA
Napa was a side trip when I was in San Francisco with my mom. We had a great time seeing a few of the wineries and just having a really nice mother daughter trip.
Monterey and Carmel, CA
These two spots were part of my second trip to San Francisco with a friend who lived in San Francisco. We had a great time driving down the coast and what a beautiful coastline it is. Carmel is just adorable!
Las Vegas, NV
I'm not a gambler at all. But lots of conferences take place in LVNV and that was the reason for my first trip there. I've been 3 times. The first was for an international fitness conference and it was lots of fun. And, since my cousins live there I tacked on an extra day to visit them. The second time was to meet up with a friend who lived there and I spent 4 days seeing the sites of Vegas with him. The last time I was there I was heading to another conference in Anaheim, CA and flew into LV visited my cousins and then rented a car and drove across the desert to Anaheim. I don't think I would have visited LV if I didn't know people there or had a conference to go to.
Anaheim, CA
So back in my fitness instructor days I liked to go to the big annual international fitness conference that is usually held out west. One year it was Anaheim, so Dori and I met up out there for the conference and 4 days of sunny California in July...at least the humidity wasn't as bad as in SC! Beside the conference we spent the day at the Knott's Berry Farm water park and one evening at DisneyLand...it was good fun and great weather!
Orlando, FL
Orlando...vacation mecca! I have lost count of how many times I have been to Orlando. But I do remember the first time I was ever there. It was 1976 and our family vacation to DisneyWorld, when it was still just the Magic Kingdom. We drove from NJ to Florida in my dad's beige Chevy Nova...stick shift with no airconditioning in April. The things I remember! :) Since that first time there were several other family vacations to Orlando and then once I moved to SC the trip to Orlando became much easier...only about 5 hours by car. I've been several times for (yes again) fitness conferences. But now there is so much more then there was in 1976! :) I like going there just because there's so many more choices or options of things to do then here at home!
Charleston, SC
Since I've lived here in the SC lowcountry I've made several trips to Charleston for both business and pleasure. It's pretty city filled with lots of history.
Atlanta, GA
Having several friends who have moved from here to Atlanta, I try to get to Atlanta a few times a year. I like Atlanta when I visit, but I'm not too fond of the traffic situation around the city. For me the best part of Atlanta is the shopping! And like Orlando, there are so many more options for entertainment and restaurants in ATL then there is here.
Philadelphia, PA
I haven't been in Philly for a long time, unless you want to count a layover at the airport on my way to Italy a few years ago! I lived in Philly right after I graduated college and thought it was a pretty nice city, and another city with lots of history.
Pittsburgh, PA
I was debating if I should even put this one on here because although I've been there twice it was for business trips both times. Spent most of my time inside doing work or in a hotel since when I was there it was the dead of winter! So, unfortunately I don't really remember a whole bunch about Pittsburgh.
Boston, MA
I've got lots of very fond memories of Boston. Having spent a good amount of time there during college. It was and probably still is a really fun town, especially for college age people! :) There were always some funky place to hang out or neat shop to browse through!
Providence, RI
I loved living in Providence! I spent my 4 years in college in Providence and it is a great little city. I haven't been back in a very long time, but have heard lots has changed since the early 90's. There was always so many things to do and just a great college town in general.
Newport, RI
Well, you can't live in Providence for 4 years without going to Newport at least once, and in my case I went much more then once. The mansions, the ocean, the cliff walk....just a picture waiting to be taken!
New York City
Growing up in the shadow of the Big Apple I couldn't help but visit the city on a regular basis. I don't even recall the first time I was ever taken into NYC because from the family photos I have seen I was a toddler at the San Genaro festival. As a kid I went to Madison Square Garden for the Circus and Ice Capades, Concerts, and hockey games. I was taken to numerous Broadway shows and how could I forget the night when I was 12 years old and my parents took me to see Evita on Broadway with Patti Lupone, it was the night after the Tony Awards and she got a standing ovation and was presented with dozens of roses...after that I memorized the entire score to that show and to this day I could probably still sing it! :) Then there were the times as a teenager when my sister and I would head into Greenwich Village ("the village") every weekend we could to hang out, check out the used clothing stores and walk through Washington Square Park. How could I forget the year I went to Times Square for New Year's when I was freshman in collage and then the big job I got at the Crowne Plaza Manhattan at 48th and Broadway! I could probably write an epic about my NYC trials and tribulations, lets just leave it with I spent alot of time in that city in the 80's and 90's! :)
Oh my God! I can't believe how long this is taking...be patient!
Chicago
The windy city! Since my sister lives not to far from this city it's only natural that I've been there a few times. I have to admit though, that I've never been there in the winter, but one trip I made at the end of October it snowed, so, needless to say I tend to go there in the spring or summer. But I digress...I really like Chicago, compared to how I remember NYC, it was a very clean city. The buildings are pretty cool to look at too and the food is awesome. I went this one Italian place (can't remember the name now) but it was amazing, in a little neighborhood...you couldn't beat it!
Milwaukee, WI
It's only logical that since my sister lives half way between Chicago and Milwaukee, I take a side trip to Milwaukee too. Actually I've flown into Milwaukee's airport a few times, since it's so much easier getting in and out of there then it is getting around O'Hare, or, Midway (before the renovation...it was hellacious!). Anyway, I didn't really spend alot of time in Milwaukee, just one time to catch a really fun show called Triple Espresso...it was really funny and then another time to have a drink at The Safe House. The Safe House was alot of fun and had an interesting entrance...I won't spoil the surprise, but just know that it's not the easiest place to find!
Lake Geneva, WI
Another side trip while visiting my sister. I spent a nice relaxing weekend at a resort there and totally enjoyed myself. It's a pretty lake with some beautiful homes.
Phoenix, AZ
I'm not even sure if I should really count this. I've flown in and out of Phoenix a couple times when going to visit friends who live in Tucson. One time I stayed the night in there and another time I rented a car and drove down to Tucson (airfare was less expensive into Phoenix). So, I haven't really seen much of Phoenix, unless you count the time we stopped at the big shopping mall there on our way to Sedona from Tucson. But from the interstate highway it seems like a nice place! :)
Tucson, AZ
I love Tucson...ok, ok, maybe it's because my best and oldest friend and his family live there. But I love going to Tucson. What I like the most about this city is that although it is a sizeable city, it still feels like a small town, at least it does to me. The other thing about Tucson is the weather...I know the summers are brutal, but how can you pass up sunny, clear blue skies and 75 degree temperature in late November! I can honestly see myself living there, maybe when I retire! :)
Sedona, AZ
Amazing beauty! That's what immediately comes to mind when I think about the weekend I spent in Sedona. I was in Tucson visiting friends and we made a weekend side trip to Sedona. Some side trip, it was Memorial Day weekend and with the traffic it took us about 5 hours to get there, but all worth it in the end. The red rocks are such a natural wonder, and of course spending time there with great friends made it all the more better. In a way it is somewhat similar to Hilton Head since there is a large retired population there.
Cancun, Mexico
Two words...Club Med. Yup, one of 3 Club Med vacations I went on in my early/mid 20's. And I left left the Club Med "compound" a total of 2 times, well if you want to count the one SCUBA diving excursion I took, but that left right from the resort, and then a second excursion to a national park with an underground river we got to float down. That was lots of fun. So I can't regale any "wild and crazy" stories of drunken nights bar hopping in Cancun!
Martinique
This was my first Club Med vacation and I went it on my own. It was just what I needed/wanted at the time. The water was so clear that while standing in the water I could see my entire foot, toes and all! :) I enjoyed this first Club Med vacation and it was pure relaxation.
Freeport, Maine
The first thing that comes to mind when I think of Freeport is LL Bean! I've been to Freeport several times. The first few were when I was in college and would do road trips up there from Providence. Yes, and even in the middle of the night to shop at LL Bean since they are open 24 hours a day. On subsequent trips after graduating from college it was usually my mom and I going on shopping excursions. During one of these trips we had the BEST New England Clam Chowder I have ever had at a restaurant called Crickets, just down the road from the LL Bean store. Those road trips to Maine with mom were always such fun.
Burlington, Vt
While I was in college in Providence my best friend (who now lives in Tucson) was going to school in Ottawa, Canada and his mom lived in Burlington. So a road trip up to Burlington was a "no brainer". Although it was a long time ago, I remember really enjoying Burlington and thinking it was a great little city. Lots of young people, thanks to the University there.
Baltimore, MD
When I lived in Philadelphia I took a day trip to Baltimore, so I'm by no means a Baltimore expert. I remember checking out the Inner Harbor area and enjoying just walking around the city.
Williamsburg, VA
Another fond family vacation memory. It was 1976 the bicentennial of our nation and I was 8 years old. The family vacation that year was our first to Disney World in Orlando. The mode of transportation to Orlando...a Chevy Nova...no AC and no automatic transmission. One stop on the trip to Disney was Williamsburg, VA and it was great. I remember loving it and seeing the colonial way of life and all the hoop skirt dresses! Have never been back there since then to see what it is like now...hmm...maybe another return trip is in order!
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Ok, not sure if I should really count this since it was for just a few hours on a cruise ship stop, but I do remember going to she a fort there that seemed pretty cool and how "cheesey" was I, stopping at the Hard Rock cafe there for dinner...sometimes you just gotta "go with the flow"!
St. Thomas
Another stop on a cruise. I enjoyed it, some nice little shops in the town area. Don't really remember too much else about it, it was pretty and warm, what more do you want during a cruise!
St. Martin
Actually have been here twice. Each time was during a cruise. The first time didn't really seem eventful. The second time (second cruise) St. Martin was our only stop because the ship was trying to "out run" Hurricane Lenny and St. Martin was the only place on the itinerary that we were able to stop at. That was the last cruise I've been on (1999).
St. John
Absolutely beautiful. Again spent a day here while on a cruise and took the whole day to just chill out on the beach at Half Moon Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and did the underwater snorkeling trail...very cool!
Asheville, NC
Spent a long weekend in Asheville, NC a few years ago right around Thanksgiving with my sister. We toured the Biltmore estate and it was beautiful all decorated for the Christmas holiday. I'd like to go back in the spring and see the gardens when they are in full bloom!
Los Angeles, CA
Not sure if I should really count this, because it was a stopover while on my way to (and from) Australia and New Zealand, but I did spend a day there when I was headed to Australia and did a Hollywood Tour before having to rush off to the airport to catch my flight. Honestly, from what I saw I wasn't really impressed with LA, but maybe if I spent more time there to see some of the sites instead of being "whisked" around on a whirlwind city tour I would feel differently about it! On the return I stayed in LA too, but never left the hotel, I fell into bed at 6pm and slept until I had to get up for my 6am flight the next day...travel to the land down under can really "tucker a girl out!
Ottawa, Canada
I visited Ottawa while I was in college and I was visiting my best friend who went to college there. Of course, being the not-so-savvy traveler at that point in my life, I went to Ottawa in February...what was I thinking! I really enjoyed my visit there, even in the cold weather and snow. I was there during some kind of festival on the Rideau Canal and it was lots of fun. Although I seem to remember almost not being able to get out of Ottawa because of a blizzard, but by the time my flight was scheduled to take off, the weather had cleared!
Campbelton, New Brunswick, Canada
Another visit "up north" but this time I was smart and went in the summer! Ken was working there I went to visit. It was a pretty small town, but there were some pretty water views and it was just fun visiting Ken.
Switzerland (Montreaux, Geneva, Lausanne, Bern, Zurich, Interlacken)
I could probably go on and on about Switzerland, but I will do my best to keep it brief. I lived in Montreaux, Switzerland for 3 months during a trimester study abroad program in college. It was such a great experience and I got to travel alot thanks to a Eurail pass, and long 3 day weekends from school! But some observations about Switzerland in 1989...amazingly clean and unbelievably beautiful. OK, so going to school on the shores of Lake Geneva, can't get much better. But I had such fun traveling all over the country by train and staying in youth hostels, which I have to say (at least at that time) were at times better accommodations then hotels! Also it was true that you could set your watch by the trains that ran in Switzerland, everything was always on time! Or so it seemed! And I always felt very safe there as a female student sometimes traveling solo, I never had a bad experience there!
Austria (Vienna)
I spent a long weekend in Vienna during my time going to school in Switzerland and it was one of the best trips I had done. No one from school wanted to go with me, so I did it solo and met up with a great girl from Australia and we hung out with each other the whole time, even shared a room at a hotel. Took in all the touristy things to do and just have all around good memories of that trip.
Germany (Munich, Cologne)
What I remember the most about my weekend in Munich was first, going to Dachau (Nazi concentration camp) and feeling very moved by all the history there. The second thing I remember most about Munich is the Haufbrau Haus...went there twice in one visit to the city because we had such a good time. The third thing I remember the most, and probably should remember the least was the crummy youth hostel we had to stay in because there were no free beds available at the recommended YMCA...oh well...maybe that's why I like to plan ahead now!
Portugal (Lisbon, the Algarve, Evora, Sintra)
1 week of a 2 week spring break, during my trimester in Switzerland was spent in Portugal and I LOVED it! There was plenty of rain at the Algarve, and it was March so it wasn't really beach weather, but I really enjoyed my time in Lisbon and Sintra. The best part of Portugal on this trip was how strong the dollar was back then (1989) and how cheap everything was. See, our arrival into Lisbon was after what seemed like an eternity on a train from Madrid and only seats open in the smoking car...cough, cough, cough! But luckily I turned to my trusty guide book, called the hotel I had decided to get a room at, after much help from a friendly local who showed me how to use the phone! And was able to talk to Tony the owner who had a room for us (me and my school mate Kim), but it wouldn't be ready until 9pm...no problemo...Tony picked us up a the train station and took us back to the hotel. We found a little restaurant down the street and had was seemed like the best meal ever. Now, it could have been because we hadn't eaten all day, no food car on the train and we didn't bring any with us (will never make that mistake again!) or because it cost us a total of $7.00, but it tasted like the best fish, potatoes, vegetables, bread, and 7-up soda I had ever had!
Spain (Barcelona, Madrid, Costa del Sol)
I've been to Spain a couple times. The first time was during a spring break trip to the Costa del Sol, more specifically the town called Torremolinas. It was a fun week, packed with day trips to Granada, Sevilla, and Gibralter. I went with a college friend Stacey and it was fun, but the most memorable part of the trip that I still carry with me today was the purchase of my leather bomber jacket that I still wear and love and how "beaten up" it looks, I will never give it away! The second time in Spain was during my spring break from school in Switzerland. The plan was to go to Barcelona, Madrid and then onto Portugal. I loved Barcelona so much that instead of staying just 2 days, we stayed 4 and only had 1 day for Madrid, but that was ok. I didn't really care for Madrid. At the time it seemed dirty and very much like NYC to me...not that that's a bad thing, it was just that I had grown up near NYC and Madrid didn't really impress me that much.
Morracco (Algiers)
I only spent a day here during my Spain spring break trip. It was the typical day tour/bus group. Although it is what I would call a "tea bag" visit (in and out very quickly) it was pretty interesting. This trip was the first time I had ever eaten couscous and thought it was good. Of course we had to go to the obligatory carpet store, snake charmer, and camel photo op, but it was interesting all the same.
Gibralter
As with Morracco this was part of the Spain spring break trip. We literally popped into Gibralter on the way to Algiers. Got to see the monkeys and the Union Jack flying high. Not much else to say about this destination.
Paris, France
I've been to Paris twice and each time I have never had a bad experience as so many people say you will have when you go there. The first time there I was in high school and went on a group tour my Spanish teacher put together. I remember it was such a fun time. It was the first part of a 2 city trip...London was the second city. The second time I was in Paris was during my study abroad when I went for a weekend. Especially that time, I was told the Parisiens will treat the tourist badly but as I said I never experienced any of that and have to say that the street-side crepe stands were the best...chocolate crepes were the best!
London, UK (Bath, Oxford, Windsor, Stonehenge)
It's been a long time since visiting London. But I've got such great memories. The first time there was with a school group tour doing high school and just loved London. The second time is probably the one I'm most fond of though. I was 19 and my sister was 17 and my parents let us go alone to London for a week, and we were equipped with BritRail passes so we could see Bath, Windsor and Stonehenge. Such fun we had even going to see 2 shows in the theater district. God, as teenagers! What a great opportunity! It was on that trip that my choices in restaurants left a lot to be desired and after a pretty bad choice I left the restaurant selections up to my sister. Luckily with a bit of experience and learning how to research and plan (much easier now with the internet!) I have gotten much better at choosing restaurants while on vacation!
English Channel (before Chunnel)
So, I know this entry is technically not a destination, but I had a funny story about this and wanted to include it here! On the school trip to Paris and London, Paris was first on the itinerary and then we took the ferry across the English Channel and made our way to London. I guess I hadn't really enjoyed the food too much in Paris and hadn't been eating much. So, when I got on the ferry (apparently an English ferry) there was a huge buffet full of bangers and mash...yummy. Or I was just so hungry I thought it was yummy. So, I filled up until I could barely walk. Well, being on the English Channel during bad weather (read...choppy seas!) and having a full stomach of bangers and mash was not a good combination. I'm sure you can guess by now, that I was turning a pretty shade of green and felt pretty miserable for the rest of the crossing. I was never so happy to see dry land then I was that day!
Belgium (Brussels, Brugge)
I've had the pleasure of seeing Brussels twice, once during a trip organized by my class at school as part of our final project (ok, we were travel management majors) and once on a long weekend while at school in Switzerland. I enjoyed it, but other then the Mannequin Pis, I don't remember a whole lot about Brussels. But I do remember the one day I spent in Brugge and believe it to be one of the prettiest places I have ever visited. It was so picturesque and maybe that as we were walking down the street church doors opened and a wedding party streamed out helped to make the setting even more magical. I haven't been back, but just may have to put that on my places to see again list!
Netherlands (Amsterdam, Rotterdam)
Seeing the Netherlands was part of the trip that included Belgium with my fellow classmates in the travel program. I enjoyed Amsterdam and especially the Anne Frank house. The amount of bicycles the locals uses amazed me...seemed like the major mode of transport there. As for Rotterdam, the only real thing I remember about visiting there is that it seemed to be very industrial looking city.
Dallas, Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama
So, it's probably not fair to lump all these together, but if you've my previous post about my Thanksgiving 2005 journey to Tucson you will understand why I put all these together. In short I was delayed at the Dallas airport for so long and eventually my flight was cancelled so in order to return to work in time for a meeting (2 days later) I rented a car and drove from Dallas back home. The route I took out of Dallas was via Interstate 20, so I drove through all the states listed in this entry. I can't really say too much about Dallas since the extent of my visit there was seeing the airport, the car rental terminal and the highway at midnight. So some day maybe I will make it back there, but honestly, I'm in no rush to see Dallas. The other 3 states were pretty much a big blur since I was driving like a maniac and taking a nothernly route through the states, so I didn't see much of the coastal area, but I did cross the Mississippi. Some day I would like to go back to Louisiana and see New Orleans, but that will not be any time in the very near future since I'm sure the effects of Hurricane Katrina (August 2005) are still being dealt with there.
Savannah, GA
OK, so I may be a little biased, but I really like Savannah, especially the downtown area with all the beautiful homes and the tree lined squares. And of course the "big" shopping malls that I go to if I want to do any kind of semi-serious buying, since Hilton Head doesn't have all the major retailers (although we are starting too!). I unfortunately don't get to Savannah as much as I'd like to but when friends come to visit I always make it a priority to show them the town.
Jacksonville, FL
My visit to Jacksonville (other then just driving through on the way to Orlando) was back in 1999 for a Shania Twane concert. A bunch of my line dancing gang decide to go and we drove down got a few hotel rooms for the night and went to the concert. We didn't really get a feel for the city since we just went between the hotel and the arena, but maybe on one of my future Orlando excursions I can make a stop to check it out!
Jersey Shore
This entry is a right of passage if you grew up in the Garden State (NJ) like I did. As a state requirement you had to go to "The Shore" at least once during every summer you have lived in NJ. And I can do a bit better then that. As a kid my family rented a summer house (nothing extravagant) at the Jersey Shore for a few summers and they were always fun. We usually rented the house for 3 weeks or so and we would have family friends who also rented a house a block or so away and we were only a few houses from the beach...it was great as a kid...so much fun! We would spend the days on the beach swimming in the ocean and at night we would play miniature golf, or go to the boardwalk in Point Pleasant or Seaside. Point Pleasant always seemed to be kept up better then Seaside which we gave the glorious nickname of "Sleeze-side". Gosh, the things you remember. And it was always fun to head over to the Barnaget Bay side of the road and go crabbing from a dock in the bay...gee, it's that lyrics to a song! :)
Bahamas
Bahama Mamas...that what me a a high school friend could consider ourselves. As a treat we took a few days after high school graduation and went to the Bahamas for some fun and relaxation. Looking back I was probably to young to enjoy it there since it was mostly just hanging out by the pool and casinos, which we couldn't get into even if we wanted too. I'm not a big gambler now and wasn't then either! But it was a fun way to kick back and celebrate graduating from high school!
San Marino
As I said when I started this list, it is in no particular order, so you can probably guess that I thought of this after listing everything else. But I did go to San Marino on my first trip to Italy. It's a little tiny country in the middle of Italy. I don't remember a whole lot about it, but I do remember that I bought a really neat gold snake ring that I still have 20 some-odd years later.
The Vatican
And of course, a trip to Rome (both times I was there) would not be complete with a visit to the Vatican and even though the Vatican is located in Rome, it is it's own country so obviously I had to include that in my list. Although I am not a devote Catholic, I have to say that on my first trip to Italy during the Easter holiday, it was quite an experience being in St. Peter's Square with the throng of people and seeing the Pope at the window of his residence!
Well, this brings me to the end of my list, for now anyway. I'm sure this list will continue to grow as I travel to more places....The world is a big place and I've only seen a little piece of it!
Happy Wandering!
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