Mark's Nifty Nine Lists of Top Travel Destinations

MARK'S NIFTY NINE LISTS

Everybody on TravBuddy is a travel expert; just ask any of us :-)

In the same way that my travel blog, "Mark's Miscellaneous Madcap Maneuvers", is a collection of random photos from my adventures, this review will be a compilation of my best-loved holiday havens. 

I have purposely omitted the United States from these postings because it's my native land. As Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz (a KANSAS gal) says, "There's no place like home!"

I claim no special insight or discernment for my choices. These are just the opinions and ramblings of a crazy American. They will be amended, updated and expanded (I cheat by linking some places together; it's hard to limit my selections) as my experiences increase and my memories decrease :-D 

Feel free to agree, disagree and give your own two cents worth.

MARK'S NIFTY NINE LISTS

FAVORITE NATIONS:
Eastern hemisphere
1. Italy
2. Greece
3. Ireland
4. 2 Oceania - New Zealand & Australia
5. 2 Far East - China & Japan
6. 2 Mediterranean - France & Spain  
7. United Kingdom
8. Croatia
9. Tunisia

Western hemisphere (USA excluded)
1. Belize
2. Brazil
3. Canada
4. Colombia
5. Venezuela
6. Peru
7. Mexico
8. Jamaica
9. 2 Central American - Costa Rica & Guatemala

FAVORITE CITIES:
Eastern hemisphere
1. Paris, France
2. Hong Kong
3. 3 Italian: Rome, Florence & Venice 
4. Barcelona, Spain
5. St. Petersburg, Russia
6. Istanbul, Turkey
7. Queenstown, New Zealand
8. 4 Central European - Berlin, Germany; Krakow, Poland; Bratislava, Slovakia & Ljubljana, Slovenia
9. Sydney, Australia

Western hemisphere (USA excluded)
1. Cartagena & Rosario Islands, Colombia
2. Vancouver, Canada
3. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
4. Merida, Venezuela
5. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
6. Buenos Aires, Argentina
7. La Paz, Bolivia
8. Bogotá, Colombia
9. Montreal, Canada

FAVORITE TOWNS/AREAS:
Eastern hemisphere
1. Ravello/Amalfi Coast, Italy
2. Montalcino/Tuscany, Italy
3. Elounda/Agios Nikolaos, Crete, Greece
4. Dingle Peninsula/Ring of Kerry/Killarney, Ireland
5. Dubrovnik/Dalmation Coast, Croatia
6. La Cote d'azur/French Riviera & St. Remy-de-Provence/Provence, France
7. St. Andrews/St. Andrews Bay golf courses, Scotland
8. Transylvania/Carpathian Mountains, Romania
9. North Zealand, Denmark
 
Western hemisphere (USA excluded)
1. Placencia & Ambergris Caye, Belize
2. Machu Picchu, Peru
3. Osoyoos/Western Canada Mountains
4. Antigua, Guatemala
5. Manaus/Amazon area, Brazil
6. Negril/West Coast, Jamaica
7. Island of Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago
8. Lake Titicaca area, Bolivia & Peru
9. Cancun/Cozumel/Playa del Carmen, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico