Hi,
This question has nothing to do with "best places to visit". It's a much more subjective question: is there one country you have always (when you were a child for example) dreamt of visiting? This can be because of a book you read, of people you know, of stories your parents told you etc.
Have you finally been to this country? Have you been disappointed by its reality? Or on the contrary, have you chosen not to go there, to keep your dream and illusions alive?
Catarina
Reply to this I always wanted to visit Egypt. I did a project on Ancient Egypt at primary school and was fascinated by it. My grandad used to tell me stories of travelling to Egypt and riding a camel up the pyramids and my aunt talked about climbing one of the pyramids at sunrise. Unfortunately the reality is that Cairo is right beside the pyramids and yes, there is a Burger King there. There's no need for a camel trek across the desert and if you get on a camel it is just to be led up and down or pose for a photograph. Unless you are lucky enough to get there ahead of the crowds it will be swarming with tourists. There is a limited number of people who can go into the pyramid each day and woe betide anyone who tries to climb one of the pyramids.
If you want to find the 'real' Egypt there are plenty of out of the way places, bazaars hidden off the main streets, villages that still follow a traditional way of life, but the famous temples and pyramids have been preserved, sometimes moved, and are almost the equivalent of an open air museum. Having said that, it is all for the good if these amazing buildings can be kept and restored and not ruined by every tourist with the romantic notion of scrambling up the pyramid, wearing the soft stone away and picking up loose pieces of rock as a 'sovenier'.
Reply to this Hello Anna,
I totally agree with you - Egypt was also my dream, I had tried to learn hieroglyphs and was passionate about ancient stories when I was a kid - and you're right about everything you say about tourists etc. i was particularly disappointed with the sphinx, because there are buildings everywhere and you have to queue very long to go near the monument.. Not romantic at all!
The place I liked the most was the Karnak temple - a rare place where you can get lost with only few people...
Reply to this Afghanistan for me, in the last few years I've read every book I can get my hands on, watched every documentary, film etc., hopefully I'll visit in the not-sodistant future....
Reply to this Rwanda ... I was only 11 when the genocide happened, so I knew nothing about it, but after seeing Hotel Rwanda a few years ago I have wanted to visit so badlly!! We went in December ... and it was an AMAZING country, easily the most inspiring of all the places we've travelled to. It is incredible how far that little country has come in only 14 years!
Reply to this Mine is Kyrgyzstan, for some beautiful escapism.....
Reply to this Three stand out for me - Mexico, Madagascar and France. For various reasons - books, movies, language... Just returned from Mexico last month, and was in no way disappointed, on the contrary, want to go back there again and again. I'm still planning to pay a visit to my other two dreamlands, but I discovered that other more recent "obsessions" (like the one with South America) keep postponing the trip :-)
Reply to this Also ,Eypt is my dream!I always dream to visit Eypt just because of a book,once I read in my childhood!
Reply to this Right now ,I just only want to visit Tibet ,the Mistery Tibet .known as the 'Roof of the World', has become a dream destination for climbers, adventurers and regular tourists from all over the world. Visitors are guaranteed to enjoy the enthralling year-round snow, aerial mountains, mysterious religions, exotic customs and spectacular inhabitants of Tibet. The Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), short for 'Zang', is located in the southwest of China. The region extends along the borders of the Xinjiang, Qinghai, Sichuan and Yunnan Provinces to the north and east and the five foreign countries of Burma, India, Bhutan, Sikkim and Nepal to the south and west. Tibet covers an area of over 120 square kilometers , making it the second largest region in China after the Xinjiang Province. However, due to adverse conditions...
Reply to this I've got to jump on the Egypt bandwagon too - I was an anthropology minor, and have always had an interest in archaeology, so the idea of seeing the pyramids, the Valley of the Kings, the Sphinx and sailing down the Nile is a real dream of mine. I hope to do it someday!!
Reply to this Mine may be a really typical destination, but I've always wanted to go to Italy. Mainly for the history, sights, and great food. Also, I think it's a shame my name is Giovanni and I haven't been there! haha. However, I'm going to Europe for 2 months and will be spending 2 weeks in Italy!!!! Can't wait!!! 😊
Reply to this I always wanted to visit Libya.
In United States Marine Corps's hymn, there is a line of 'From the Halls of Montezuma, to the Shores of Tripoli ...'. I've been to Halls of Montezuma (Chalputepec Park in Mexico City), so there is still 'Shores of Tripoli' in Libya needs to be visited.
Other than the US Marines, Libya has so many ancient, preserved Roman structures and a nice blend of Northern African culture such as neighboring Algeria, Tunisia and/or Morocco (without its tourism). I might be wrong, but I would imagine Libya is still very 'authentic' - i.e. no Starbucks, youth hostels, McDonalds.
Unfortunately Libya is a closed for tourism for the moment, at least for Americans. It is possible to get to Libya, but one must content with high price, difficulties on gettin the visa, have to stick with tour guides etc - not so much for an independent tourist like myself.
Someday I will go to Libya.
Reply to this We travel as a family and right now we can't afford the airfare for all of us to go. But one day, I will take the kids to Europe; London and Paris are the two places I've always wanted to visit. I took french from 7th-12th grades with a dream of one day getting to France.
Reply to this Morocco... absolutely. I haven't had the chance because of growing concerns (about 10 years ago), but it should be prime to go now. I've always felt that there has to be some historical significance to the Western Sahara region to be fought over for the last 4,000 years. All major civilizations have fought there. From Hannibal, Alexander, the Romans, Byzantines, Catholics, Jews, Christians, Muslims, etc. Which brings me to believe that there has to be something out there. Because there is nothing there but sand and some (limited) rolling grasslands, something special has to be hidden.
Please pardon my speculation.
Sincerely,
Ryan Rodriguez
Reply to this South America, All of it, from Jamaica to cape horn..
I imagine it would take a while.
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