It's hard to pick... I'll always remember the train ride through the breathtaking mountains of Switzerland, in South Africa the local culture around Coffee Bay and the people who treated me like family during a rainy, off-season stay in Hermanus, and paradise in Koh Tao Thailand knowing if I ever go back it will probably have become a built up tourist destination.

Posted By Allison on February 25, 2011, 2:26 PM

I have visited allot of places worldwide for work and for pleasure. Without a doubt the most memorable place I've visited is Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery.

Posted By Sailnaked on February 26, 2011, 8:17 AM

I would have to say driving up the mountain to Mount Rushmore and seeing the faces through the trees! It gave me goosebumps and it is still one of my most favorite places I've been to.

Posted By Pam on February 26, 2011, 9:36 PM

For me, it's "Villa of the Mysteries" in Pompeii. For my wife, it's the hall inside the Great Pyramid at Giza.

Posted By David Emery on February 28, 2011, 11:24 AM

What is the most memorable place you've ever visited?

Amalfi/Positano/Capri(Amalfi Coast)

Posted By dbcaribislander on February 28, 2011, 11:35 AM

Our stay in Manarola Italy is my most memorable with Venice being a close second. However, I had a lifelong dream to go to the Greenbrier in West Virgina which we did a few months ago and that brought more tears of joy than anywhere else I have ever been. Couldn't believe I was actually there after hearing about it as a newly wed 30 yrs ago.

Posted By KM on February 28, 2011, 11:52 AM

papua new guinea

Posted By greta on February 28, 2011, 12:17 PM

Without a doubt the place that haunts me still is the ranger look-out/weather station on the top of Mt Washburn in Yellowstone National Park. All you can see for 360 degrees is the park and it shows no sign of man whatsoever. It is even more spectacular in a thunderstorm and incredible at night with only the dark heavens above. A moderate hike makes this accessible to most....BJG

Posted By Barb Groscost on February 28, 2011, 12:21 PM

I have visited Jerusalem, Norwegian and New Zealand Fjords, Utah national parks, Mount Haleakala in Maui, snorkling at reefs, Amalfi coast, Alps mountain tops, and many other great locations. The most special was the day I visited Gettysburg National Battlefield, read the historical markers, viewed the terrain, and remembered the price paid for liberty there and during two additional years of war.

Posted By Jim Dingwerth on February 28, 2011, 12:44 PM

Capetown South Africa and the surrounding wine lands. Breath taking views, unbelievable people, great flora, animals, cheetah rescue, what more could you want.

Posted By tom lohrmann on February 28, 2011, 1:02 PM

Some years ago, my wife and I were staying in the Parador in Santillana del Mar, Spain which is a few kilometers West of Santander. The weather was very poor and we decided to abandon our plans for the day, but I asked the concierge if we might get into Altamira, the Sistine Chapel of prehistoric cave art. He just laughed and told me that there was little chance since there was a 3-year waiting list and they only allowed about 30 people per day into the cave due to the fear of damage from carbon dioxide from visitors' breath. Well, we took a chance, drove over and luckily got in a couple of hours apart. I remember being awe struck by the Egyptian museum in Cairo, but nothing in the World compares to seeing human art dating between 25,000 and 35,000 years old. We will never forget the experience. Now the closest you can get is the replica cave in Madrid.

Posted By TravlinFool on February 28, 2011, 1:34 PM

How to pick just one? I would have to put Tiberias, on the Sea of Galilee; Conwy, Wales; and a jungle school on the Orinoco River in Venezuela on the top of the list. Oh, and camping in some Inca ruins up in the mountains of Bolivia. As I read this list, I realized how very blessed I am to have traveled so much. Here's to many more adventures!!

Posted By Christie on February 28, 2011, 1:53 PM

It is difficult to pick just one, however I would have to say The Taj Mahal in Agra, India. Absolutely breathtaking, to see it in person still gives me goosebumps!

Posted By julie on February 28, 2011, 2:18 PM

It's a great question - what place has stuck with you for a lifetime -- so I asked it of 75 remarkable people. They range from Natalie Portman to the Dalai Lama, from Arthur Frommer to Matt Groening. The book is called "My Favorite Place on Earth," published in 2009 by the National Geographic Society. The website: www.myfavoriteplacenatgeo.com. I hope you enjoy some fascinating answers to a great question.

Posted By Jerry Camarillo Dunn on February 28, 2011, 2:40 PM

It's a tie for me; Dachau, Germany and the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. Two years ago my husband and I toured Dachau and I was left speechless for easily 3-4 hours. There are no words that can describe what you see, feel and hear there. All I can say is, I pray to God nothing like that ever happens again. Contrast that with the glory of the Sistine Chapel, which also left me speechless for a few hours. You hear about it, read about it, see pictures of it, but nothing, I repeat nothing, can prepare someone for seeing it in person. It literally brought me to tears as I could see Michelangelo on his back for 4 years painting and painting. Amazing.

Posted By Vanessa W on February 28, 2011, 2:44 PM

We have been so very fortunate in the last 10 years or so to travel to many wondrous places that might show up on one's 'bucket list' such as China, Egypt, Turkey, Alaska, Hawaii, Peru and Machu Picchu, some of our national parks etc but if I had to pick one place that was absolutely 'jaw dropping'...it would have to be the first sight of the Khaznah as we approached it via the Siq. Petra is just an absolutely amazing and most memorable place that defies adjectives! We have an upcoming Antarctic sailing with a landing or two everyday in Dec so possibly this journey could change my mind but Petra will forever be right up there!

Posted By betty on February 28, 2011, 2:45 PM

For me it has to be Montserrat outside of Barcelona, Spain. There is a Benedictine Monastery and famous boy's choir and school on top of this mountain along with a beautiful basilica. When my friend and I visited it was so beautiful that it seemed "spititual". We both stood in the courtyard in front of the basilica, looking up at the mountain top above us. The clouds were swirling and the sun was peeking through. We both were thinking about our deceased spouses and how much they would have loved seeing this place. And then we seemed to know that both our spouses were indeed there with us in spirit!! I will NEVER forget Montserrat!

Posted By Noreen on February 28, 2011, 2:49 PM

Easter Island. We were in Santiago, Chile & couldn't pass up the opportunity to fly to Easter Island for a few days. A most unique place, with a most unique history. Very amazing!

Posted By Lynn on February 28, 2011, 2:52 PM

For me, the most memorable place is Canterbury Cathedral in England. Having read and heard so much about it for most of my life, one woulde think me prepared to visit. But I was absolutely blown away by its ancient majesty. The history was almost palpable. The experience of entering the crypt where to shrine of St. Thomas Becket once stood was to feel its presence still, 400 years after Henry VIII had it destroyed and Becket's bones scattered. The town itself oozes charm and old world ambience.

Posted By Michael Long on February 28, 2011, 3:14 PM

Robin Hoods town in England-- can't think of the name because I'm old-- but I think it was Nottingham- had to go there to see where Robin Hood did his deeds-- but the most memorible place was a McDonalds in the middle of Robin Hood land-- and I watched 2 young girls playing and acting silly and I thought to myself no matter where you are little girls are all the same-- I am the mother of an adult girl now-- but that will forever be in my mind when I went to Robin Hood land.

Posted By Quinn on February 28, 2011, 4:11 PM

Oh to pick one place is hard! But it has to be when I went to Australia during summer of 2010. I did almost everything you possibly could do there, but Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge and getting a jaw-dropping view of Sydney at Night is a memory of a lifetime.

Posted By Gina on February 28, 2011, 5:35 PM

Oh so many to actually pinpoint, the Yasawa Islands of Fiji were the most relaxing and economical, Kauai the most picturesque, and Australia and New Zealand for their amazing culture, people and true adventure!

As you travel, you realize people work to live, not live to work!

Posted By Maura Duffy on February 28, 2011, 5:49 PM

Kathmandu, Nepal. It was like stepping back in time in many ways, and the Kathmandu Valley was breathtakingly beautiful.

Posted By Mary on February 28, 2011, 5:57 PM

I've visited many of the spots mentioned already, and they are all wonderful, but the place that comes back to my mind over and over is Ellis Island and the stories told by the archives and exhibits there. Assisi in Italy probably comes next. Full of tourists, the town still has an atmosphere of peace and spirituality that I feel must linger from Francis' and other spiritual beings time there.

Posted By Hettie on February 28, 2011, 6:09 PM

I am fortunate enough to have been to many places filled with sights/sounds/smells/feel/ one must experience to full appreciate. I have no favorite. Camping on the Serengeti and hearing the night sounds was more than memorable. The hyenas night sounds stay in my memory.

Posted By bernie on February 28, 2011, 6:44 PM

I came from a very large family.
I was in the middle--4th child.
When I was little, on Sundays, we we load into the station wagon and drive 'south' to the Cape or 'north' to the mountains, wherever my Dad decided we should go. I always loved the mountains versus the Cape (Cape Cod)...the mountains had height and beautiful landscape...waterfalls, gorges, snow, gorgeous trees, animals....The Cape was the most boring drive...sand, scrub pine, sand, scrub pine, until you got to the beach...everyone had to grab something and carry it to our location...best time was on the Vineyard, visiting relatives...took the ferry, spent time at the big house, picked blueberries,
bonfires on the beach, riding in the back of a pick-up truck with my siblings and cousins.

As a teenager, driving my older sister back to school in southwestern Virginia. My Mom always made it quite the adventure...We kept track of everything...date, time, mileage, what we spent for gas, food, tolls..what time we hit Sturbridge,
Hartford, Tappen Zee, NJ TPK...all the way down
the Skyline Drive. We always stopped at great places...she made she we hit the highlights in a roundabout way....Bristol, VA to Monticello, VA to
Williamsburg, VA to Washington, D.C.!!!

I always wanted to be a travel agent...never fulfilled my dream...but have always traveled and can never get enough...make it a point to do trips whenever possible!

traveler229

Posted By traveler229 on February 28, 2011, 7:23 PM

Most memorable? - Morning cruise through the Lamaire Passage of Antarctica. We had beautiful weather and great morning light. Of course it was 4:00 am since it was summer. The staff provided an excellent breakfast with lots of hot chocolate. It was fulfilling visually and for our tummies.

Posted By Kelly Krick on February 28, 2011, 8:00 PM

Mt. St. Helens Windy Ridge during the first summer which it was open for visitors after the BLAST. For as far as the eye could see (10 miles) there where LARGE trees blown over and looked like wooden matches all lined up when dropped from the box. No green just brown.

A decade later on my next trip, it was still impressive; but nothing like that first summer.

Posted By Allen on February 28, 2011, 10:33 PM

We've been blessed to now visit 95 different nations over a 70 year period.Our first visit to Bangkok's gold-covered Buddist temples were startling,the mts. around Queenstown,NZ were breath-taking,unforgetable was the pain of Dachau Nazi concentration camp,the golden Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem,but the 3 hour ferry from Vancouver,BC to Victoria still has to be at the top.

Posted By Rev. Gene Burgess on February 28, 2011, 11:07 PM

I am an a traveler. My most memorable spot was a small three mound mississippian site. Not many visitors and little security but with a few RV sites. The night of my stay I walked the mounds alone in the moonlight, an experience I will never forget.

Posted By Sylvia Anderson on March 1, 2011, 2:48 AM

My favorite small town has to be Loches, France. A small town of 7,000 people with a castle, donjon and so much history and picturesque.

Posted By Isabelle Passini on March 1, 2011, 8:41 AM

The best experience I've had among many is hiking Lake O'Hara in Yoho National Park in British Columbia or other hikes within 2-3 hours of Lake O'Hara.

Posted By Doug Echols on March 1, 2011, 10:44 AM

So many memories, but the one that will always stay is of World War II veterans at the War Memorial in Washington D.C. sharing their experience with family members.

Posted By Marianne on March 1, 2011, 11:35 AM

My favorite place is the tiny Japanese island of Zamami-jima. Who knew that in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, on an island with less than 200 permanent residents, I would find the one person who learned English at a town not far from where I was spent my youth! (The longer story has to do with coral beds, puncture wounds, village boats and a doctor on another island.)

Posted By Laurie on March 1, 2011, 10:11 PM

Glacier National Park.
We spent three days there.
After our visit, I have seriously considered retiring there.
What a wonderful place.

Posted By Ken on March 4, 2011, 11:30 AM

My favorite place is the the top of the Great Pyramid in Giza. In 1960, five American students studying in Munich for a year took a two-month trip with knapsacks and bicycles down through then Yugoslavia, Greece, to Egypt, then to the Holy Land, to Cyprus, Italy, and back to Germany. Am certain climbing to the top of the Great Pyramid is no longer allowed!!!!!

Posted By Swede on March 5, 2011, 11:20 PM

famine village on Achill Island Co. Mayo Ireland and Giants Causeway Co. Antrim Ireland

Posted By patty on March 6, 2011, 9:29 PM

The Amalfi Coast/Pompeii/Sorento/Positano/Ravello... The tiny pastel villages hanging onto the cliffs. Riding on the back of a Vespa on the narrow winding roads. Ducking your head to sail inside the Blue Grotto. Drinking Limoncello on Capri. Climbing to the top of Mt Vesuvius. Swimming in the Mediterranean. Nothing like it.

Posted By Tina on March 7, 2011, 12:11 PM

A place that has really carved a special niche in my memory is Brugge. I spent so many hours just walking and taking in the architecture that has survived up to 800 years! It was truly awe inspiring to stand in a place with that much history. I recall one morning passing by a beautiful church in the Grand Place and deciding to go in, spur of the moment. There was a sculpture at the front of the church donated by Martin Luther, ceilings that soared hundreds of feet, and a choir practicing at that moment. As the sun came streaming down through stained glass windows, it was so beautiful I was moved to tears! I often remember fondly all the incredible historical architecture, walks along the canals, and the lovely people in that gorgeous city. Brugge endeared themselves as an extra special place for this solo-woman traveler! I always smile when I remember that trip!

Posted By lori on March 7, 2011, 12:15 PM

In my 20's coming out of the train station walking into Venice. Like when Dorothy left Kansas and Oz was in color
Chris

Posted By chris on March 7, 2011, 5:29 PM

The sunset BBQ buffet dinner at the Rasa Sayang Resort, Penang. The sky was orange, the breeze rustled the palm fronds, the waves gently crashed & our noses were being assaulted with wafting BBQ smells. Seated with my beloved wife & daughters in paradise, I thought was in heaven. Oh, and then they put on a Bob Marley CD. I was in heaven.

Posted By nagoyafrog on March 7, 2011, 10:37 PM

The Monarch Butterfly Reserve in El Rosario Mexico. Absolutely spectacular to see millions of monarch butterflys clinging to trees, resting on the ground and fluttering through the air like snowflakes in such a remote and untouched place.......

Posted By Jean on March 8, 2011, 1:01 AM

July 2008 Kaesong, Noreth Korea.
Odd, strange, beautiful (in parts),humbling, depressing, nerve-racking.
That day I went was the last day the southern border was open. Will never forget it.

Posted By Liz W on March 12, 2011, 10:02 AM

Besides the antiquities of Egypt the most memorable place for me was Bagan, Myanmar (Burma). The plains are covered with hundreds of temples pink, red and white, some with stupas, some like pyramids. Very few visitors-- quiet and beauty as far as the eye can see. Truly a special experience.

Posted By Sandra Klein on March 12, 2011, 8:39 PM

The most interesting place that I have visited occurred during my military service in the 1960's. We were flying United Nations personnel and supplies from Pisa, Italy to what was then called Leopoldville in the Belgian Congo. We used to spend several days in Kano, Nigeria waiting for the next aircraft to come through. The market in Kano was the most fascinating place - with the mix of locals, the camel caravans coming from the north and the goods coming from the south, along with the Indigo pits, where the black cloth was dyed.

Posted By Ray G on March 14, 2011, 1:37 PM

Mine -- I think -- would have to be hiking the Cinque Terre and visiting all five cities in one day. As the sun set, we approached Riomaggiore, and the end of the trail. Second place would be the hike down to Kalaupapa (old leper colony) on Molokai. Both had beautiful views and many rewards along the way.

Posted By Kelly on March 14, 2011, 2:21 PM

Venice. I've been to more beautiful places, but Venice was the most romantic moment in my life. Kissing my husband on the police dock in the fog. It is the memory I most hope to preserve forever.

Posted By debra on March 14, 2011, 4:51 PM

Istanbul. Have been there quite a few times. Probably the most exotic city I have ever been to.

Posted By Carolyn in SD on March 16, 2011, 5:17 PM

Ellis Island. This had to be one of the most awe-inspiring things I have ever seen. Walking through the front door into the vast hall and going through the rooms and reading about what immigrants had to endure to become an American, it was a very emotional feeling of respect and pride. I never would have dreamed that a building could draw out those feelings. I could visualize the immigrants cramming the hall in hope and fear. Truly a great experience.

Posted By mary on March 17, 2011, 4:44 PM

Hmmm...I would suggest New Year's Eve fireworks over the Burj al Khalif seen from our room at The Palace Old Town Hotel in Dubai, but then again maybe being hosted by a Berber family for mint tea in a mudbrick hut in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. My choices are inconsistent to say the least!

Posted By angela on March 21, 2011, 6:17 PM

Lake Louise, Canada.
The restaraunts are amazing!! The Chateau is gorgeous. We took a sleigh ride around the lake and skied up in the clouds where you could see nothing in all directions except miles of snow covered mountain peaks.

Posted By Janet on March 21, 2011, 7:04 PM

Petra, Jordan!

Posted By DB on March 24, 2011, 12:41 PM

Without a doubt Hawaii. My husband and I honeymonned there & I cried the day I had to leave to come home.The water was the bluest blue and the flowers were so much more vibrant.There were no snakes there, except one that was caged to allow the kids to see what snakes actually look like. It was awesome, perfect, nearest to heaven I've seen so far.

Posted By Edna Hall on March 24, 2011, 1:07 PM

I have seen memorable places in Europe & the Carribean but found it sad that so little was mentioned about the US & Canada -some of my favorite places -
the Grand Canyon @ sunrise, Yellowstone in winter (like another planet), the rocky coasts of Maine & Oregon, the Cascades in Washington, & the Atchafalaya swamp in Louisiana. The Canadian Rockies & their lakes & waterfalls are awesome!!

Posted By Mary on March 24, 2011, 1:14 PM

How to pick just one, or even ten?!!! Most memorable for me: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Nature at its most urgent and beautiful. Chobe National Park in Botswana--30,000 Birkenau Camp in Poland. Mankind at its most cruel--it must be remembered.

Posted By lizzie on March 24, 2011, 2:49 PM

Staring out at the ocean at the beach in Amalfi, listening to my favorite song, Secret Tear.

Posted By Tina on March 24, 2011, 9:41 PM

I have two for totally different reasons.

Tobago: My husband and I had a private beach and a hotel all to ourselves. We alternated laying on the rougher Atlantic coast with the smoother Caribbean coast. Paradise!

Edinburgh: I took my mom to Europe for the first time while she was in remission from cancer. We had other trips planned, but she never again felt up to the travel. Now I spread a little bit of her ashes everywhere I go. She's been to the Vatican, Great Wall, Brooklyn Bridge, Empire State Building, and the Old North Church.

Posted By Leah on April 7, 2011, 12:07 PM

I havent done a lot of international traveling but I cant imagine there being anything more beautiful than some of the national parks of Utah (Bryce, Zion, Canyonlands, Arches, etc). These places will just take your breath away they are that beautiful and so peaceful and serene. I left Utah feeling so refreshed and like I had some sort of spiritual uplifting. Highly recommend all of these places

Posted By Jillian on April 7, 2011, 11:06 PM