What countries have you visited, and how would you describe them?

[Krisno]

These threads are timeless i think! Here's my list, for the record I live and work in the Netherlands, so i won't count that one:

Belgium: Great fries and waffles. Pretty bland for the rest as far as I'm concerned.

Germany: Berlin Berlin Berlin! It's the only reason to go to Germany imho. Berlin is simply the awesomest city in Europe. Great wursts as well.

Denmark: I visited Copenhagen a long time ago. Can't remember much except for the throat killing language!

France: France in the winter sucks. Some parts of France (Paris in particular) look like Fallujah and terrify me. Hot women though. Especially the French Arab girls!

England: Only seen London really. Liked it a lot though, especially because everyone speaks English! I just love the contrast between tradition and modernity there.

Poland: Lived there for 7 months and fell in love with the place. Its perhaps not the prettiest country, but its history and its struggles will inspire everyone.

Czech Republic: HOT women! HOT HOT HOT!

Ukraine: Wonderfully eastern block atmosphere. Great people! But a bit dangerous if you're not white such as myself. I had a potentially dangerous confrontation with skinheads when I was there.

Italy: All the stereotypes are true. They're passionate, and italian men are macho's. I was there when Italy won the world cup in 2006, it was crazy.

USA: On two separate occasions I've been to San Francisco and the Bay Area, and New York City. I loved it, and I think DUMBO in NYC is the most beautiful place in the world. Americans work too hard though me thinks, everyone in the shops look so tired there. I will definitely come back someday to see more of the vast national parks.

Indonesia: The land of my ancestors, and full of fascinating and heartbreaking contrasts. Rich vs poor, peaceful vs violent, beautiful vs polluted. Jakarta is actually a major clubbing and party destination and Indonesian girls are drop dead gorgeous (and liberal). But those are well hidden secrets, and maybe that's for the best. I wouldn't want Indonesia to turn into a second Thailand.

Thailand: I've only seen Bangkok and that's where the ugly face of capitalism is seen everywhere. Everything there seems to be organised around robbing foreigners of their money. Great food though, and the ladyboys are even cuter than the actual girls there.

Malaysia: Very similar to Indonesia, but a lot less fun and a lot more Islamic. I actually left earlier because I didn't like the place.

Singapore: It's not the wealth or the high tech buildings that make Singapore great. It's the people. Singaporeans are among the most easy going Asians in the world. They're great to hang out with, and their accents are the best!

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Only time I have been outside the US is when we wnt to Mexico (for my brother's wedding). Impressions I had:

- Very hot (duh)

- Way too many losers selling timeshares. At the airport, we were quite literally surrounded by them.

- Nice resort (Riviera Maya) and town (Playa del Carmen) which was all that we actually saw of Mexico.

 

[BolianAuthor]

Germany: One of my favorite places to visit... nice countryside, great culture and people, great music.

England: Another very fun place for me... love how green everything is, and I love the weather, because I'm big on fog and rain. And you gotta love a British accent!

Canada: I enjoyed my time there... it wasn't THAT different from either the USA or England, IMO.

France: Was there very shortly to visit some relatives when we were in Germany. I'd like to go back to experience it some more.

 

[Finn]

Canada: Just like New Hampshire and Vermont where I went

Germany: Bavaria

Austria: Salzburg

France: Paris- interesting

Mexico: From deserts to humid coast to the rainforests.

Curacao- garbage all over the beaches and dutch villas.

 

[BolianAuthor]

If I could visit ANY place in Europe right now... it would be the town of Winterswijk, in the Netherlands... look at it on Google Earth... it is THE CLEANEST, most beautiful little town I have ever seen. I would love to visit it.

 

[Vulcan Princess]

Canada: I went to Alberta and British Columbia. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking. The people are friendly.

France: I've only been to Paris. It was really cold when I went. I loved the museums. The people were much nicer than the stereotypes. (I'm sure it helps that I speak French.)

Israel: I've been to Jerusalem and surrounding areas twice, once on a choir tour and once for a study abroad program. There's something about the place that just calls to me and I would love to go back someday. (Time, money, and political situations permitting.) The cab drivers and shop keepers are really rude, though.

 

[Zulu Romeo]

Let's see:

England - home for about 10 years. The North, especially in South Yorkshire, is very friendly and with great countryside and history. Sheffield and Nottingham have good night lives and restaurants. Northumberland is good for the occasional visit or two. I'll also recommend Warwick and Stratford-upon-Avon for those looking for something touristy to do, as well as obligatory visits to Oxford and Cambridge to take in the sights and the punting. London is like living on another planet: massive, noisy, crowded, and with a cosmopolitan identity so far removed from the rest of the country that the culture shock hits you as soon as you leave the train station; but the city has so much going on that you can't just visit it for the day. Also, Hastings Beach is nice for the occasional day out.

Scotland - home for over 20 years. Fantastic mountains in the Grampian region, and some nice beaches off the north east coast. If you get a chance, visit the northern isles such as Orkney. In terms of cities, I recommend Edinburgh for the tourism, Glasgow for the shopping and night-life, and Aberdeen for the food. The less said about Dundee, the better.

Wales - a nice place to visit. I've only visited the south of Wales, avoided the big cities and the industrial areas. Rather quiet. Milford Haven was good for a day visit, and Tenby is rather quaint.

France - only visited the north and east of the country. Very industrialised, those parts. Dunkerque was overrated. Rained a lot too.

Germany - visited Rhineland, which was beautiful, and central Germany. Great people, good services.

Netherlands - focused on Amsterdam. One of my favourite cities to visit, with great atmosphere and shops, but a LOT of cyclists.

B*****m - only driven through. Nice service stations.

Switzerland - picturesque, friendly place. Visited Basel, which is one of the great European cities.

Austria - lovely Alpine setting, Salzburg was a delightful place, and wonderful mountains.

Czech Republic - focused on Prague, which was utterly superb. Had great weather. Good transport facilities, lots of tourist things, good nightlife.

Italy - blessed with the best weather, the vineyards and farmlands are very atmospheric. Stayed in the north of Italy mostly: Verona has great amenities and of course the Arena, and Venice was great if a little crowded.

Dubai - only visited the airport, but was busy and bustling.

Thailand - again, only visited the airport, but not too bad.

Singapore - again, the airport, which is quite swish, with nice shops.

Sri Lanka - hot and humid place, lots of coconuts and excellent food there. Colombo extremely busy but lots to do there, including flying Sri Lankan kites. Kandy probably the most pleasant place, with a more temperate mountainous feel, but beware the army ants. Nuwara Eliya is COLD and was cloudy. Plenty of other sightseeing places in and around the hillier parts of the island. I avoided the North.

Australia - only passed through. Nice airport. Nice hats.

New Zealand - my favourite non-British country. Visited only North Island, but in summer months it is amazing (I suggest going there from January to avoid the mozzies). Auckland is huge relatively speaking, and is so different in atmosphere that it feels like another country compared to the rest of the island. Beyond Auckland is more beautiful land and the Bay of Islands. Bay of Plenty remains my favourite part of that island - I have quite a few contacts there. From the small town of Whakatane you can visit the volcano of White Island for all your sulphurous needs. Finally, Whale Island, a shorter boat trip and permit away from the same place, is the greatest place in the entire world.

 

[Maestro]

England -- Nice and welcoming. Great history, great beer, great tradition. Beautiful architecture. Not sure it's wise to be a Yank there the opening of the soccer season.

Canada -- It's like America. It's like England. It's like both. And it has Dr. Xavier's Academy for Gifted Children!

France -- Paris is a dump and the Parisians are rude. Never go back to Paris.

Austria and Switzerland -- Like a Germanic version of England. Which is sounds redundant but actually isn't.

 

[Kirkman1987]

Mexico - I only crossed the border with some relatives who were doing some shopping when I was a kid. whatever town we went to wasn't a very nice area. I know a fellow student who has studied in Mexico however that loves it though. I'd really like to go back.

Japan- I love Japan. Great food, rich culture, and very polite and friendly people. The button on the Japanese toilet however was a rude awakening however.

South Korea - I actually will be going to South Korea again in August to take part in the annual military drills. I can't wait, as my last visit was some of the most fun I ever had. I have dear memories of working and becoming quick friends with the ROK forces. I most remember the crazy parties in the city squares. There are entire blocks with nothing but dance clubs and young people filling the streets. Beautiful women who were into me......that's always a plus. Although close to one another, South Korea is very different from Japan. Not as bright and cheery.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Japan- I love Japan. Great food, rich culture, and very polite and friendly people.

Is it a problem for those who don't know the language? Is there enough English in use?

The button on the Japanese toilet however was a rude awakening however.

Dare I ask what this means?

 

[Kirkman1987]

Japan- I love Japan. Great food, rich culture, and very polite and friendly people.

Is it a problem for those who don't know the language? Is there enough English in use?

The button on the Japanese toilet however was a rude awakening however.

Dare I ask what this means?

Honestly, It wasn't much of a problem. It helps if you try to learn some basic Japanese before going, just to be respectful and navigate around a little better. generally though, you will find everyone there willing to help you along. Very friendly people, and if you go somewhere with lots of tourism, some people will know partial english.

Some Japanese toilets have a device on them that shoots a warm burst of water to clean you between your cheeks.

 

[6079SmithW]

Germany (and by "Germany" I mean Bavaria)- Visited when I was nine, first time out of country, don't remember much except that I was mostly homesick. It is the land of my ancestors (my grandparents) and my grand mom took me to see her side of the family. I have many relatives there, most of whom I've never met.

Canada- Niagara Falls was nice.

Mexico- Does Cancun count? Saw some neat Mayan ruins.

 

[Delta Belle]

England - only London. I've been wanting to go back and see Stratford-on-Avon at a more leisurely pace. I felt stupid hoping for a gift shop at Blenheim Palace, until the tour guide told us that opening these estates to the public is the only way the owners can afford sky-high British inheritance taxes.

Hong Kong - Crowded. Great public transit system, but I could never live with the Asian-style squat toilets. Five, six or even more people living in apartments that Americans would consider adequate for maybe two. Everybody talks on their cell phones in public. I wouldn't say that store salespeople are pushy, but I have wondered what the pitch would be like if they were offering their sons in marriage.

China - Took a day trip from Hong Kong into the border city of Shenzhen. On the street I saw a young woman in ball cap and blue jean shorts with brown highlights in her hair. She would have blended right in here in the West.

Mexico - visited Ensenada on a cruise. Hadn't realized that Mexico produces wine. I also crossed the border and visited Mexicali while I was down in that corner of California for a weekend. There was a Chinese market there that looked straight out of Los Angeles Chinatown.

Japan - Just passed through Narita Airport on the way to Hong Kong. On the big-screen TV I saw a commercial that was clearly an ad for a theatrical production in town. From the guys in leather jackets/t-shirts/jeans and the girls in poodle skirts and bobby sox, the show must have been Grease.

 

[RoJoHen]

I have never left the United States.

 

[Jax]

Spain (Been A LOT) - Both mainland and islands like Ibiza and Majorca. Always make you feel welcome, lovely weather and of course busy. Feels weird though due to how many British tourists they are because it feels like a home away from home and not an alien country. Plenty of places to visit and a mix of new modern hoilday locations and old sections of cities or towns. I would say go to the mainland over the islands because theres just more of a culture there and places to visit...Also Spain feels cheaper than England

Portugal - Similar to Spain of course though Spain being bigger has more places to visit. To be honest I love these countries and would love to maybe retire out there some day.

Wales - Yes its the UK but still a different country to England. Lovely people but so much wetter than England

Anyone visiting England, visit the Lake District area in the summer, its bloody beautiful

 

[Miss Chicken]

Sadly, I have never been out of Australia

The main reason is because I haven't been able to afford to travel. I especially would love to go to Iceland but I don't think i will ever get there.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

It helps if you try to learn some basic Japanese before going, just to be respectful and navigate around a little better.

It would probably be easier to learn to *speak* Japanese than to read it, yes? I think I could manage the former, probably not the latter.

 

[Subcommander R.]

Switzerland: I had a very limited time there, but I will always remember this odd little shopkeeper at the airport. My tour group was killing some time so we checked his wares. After about an hour I noticed a pattern. Every ten minutes he would get up, straighten all the newspapers so the corners lined up, turn every bottle of soda so the labels matched, and straighten every little souvenir snow globe.

Italy: Depends on where you go. Northern Italy is tasty cream sauce and full of fascists. Il Duce brand wine anyone? I made it as far south as Rome, and dear God those people can't drive.

Mexico: Depends. I've been to Tijuana, Rosarito, and Juarez. The Real Mexico, not the tourist Mexico. Awesome food and generally nice people. But very troubled.

Canada: Its like America but more polite.

USA: I live here so it shouldn't really count but oh well. The US is so big that it varies wildly. New York (IMO its a miserable shithole) and Mississippi are incredibly different. The regional differences would make all the difference to a visitor. I would suggest visiting the West coast or the Midwest. Avoid Chicago and New York. Especially New York.

 

[Kirkman1987]

It helps if you try to learn some basic Japanese before going, just to be respectful and navigate around a little better.

It would probably be easier to learn to *speak* Japanese than to read it, yes? I think I could manage the former, probably not the latter.

Yes, it's very hard. It's a completely different alphabet, so unless you memorize it you can't find similar words and context clues like you could with a country that uses Roman letters. I couldn't read it and it worked out ok. Transportation hubs and the like will often have English next to the Japanese text. The rest of the time you will just have to go off of visuals. It's amazing how much you can pick up by watching others.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

USA: I live here so it shouldn't really count but oh well. The US is so big that it varies wildly. New York (IMO its a miserable shithole) and Mississippi are incredibly different. The regional differences would make all the difference to a visitor. I would suggest visiting the West coast or the Midwest. Avoid Chicago and New York. Especially New York.

I suggest exactly the opposite. I love New York. It's the only place I go on vacation. And I thought that even before I got hooked on baseball (people keep asking me why I'm a fan of both the Yankees and Mets? There's your reason).