Here’s my current top 10 list (+ 5 more), in no particular order (except #1 & 2, which I hope will be my next destinations):
Dordogne River and an aquaduct
1. Paris & the Dordogne and Provence areas– Paris is a place I need to know. I went there 20 years ago and have missed all it has to offer since, but its museums and architecture have been calling me. And these other 2 parts of France are too nice to pass up (so I hear). I like the idea of Dordogne not being as crowded and touristy.
Beynac chateau, Dordogne
2. Italy– OK, another obvious one, but I just love Italy, and there are so many places I haven’t been– Cinque Terre, Amalfi Coast, Pompeii… Plus, the last time I was in Rome, I announced that I would never come back! It’s time to forgive Rome its chaotic, crowded nature and explore it again. We may try to do Christmas time in Rome next year.
San Gimignano-- so many places to return to and new ones to discover
3. Salvador, Bahia, Brazil– I haven’t been there but it’s my kind of place: historic, cultural, and beautiful (in architecture and nature). There is amazing music, grand colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, lively & unique culture, and great beaches. My husband went last year and has been raving about it since. Plus, it’s on the New York Times’ list of places to go in 2010 and has a new gallery of Auguste Rodin sculpture.
Pelourinho, the historic center of Salvador
4. Egypt– To be honest, I don’t know that much about Egypt, but the pyramids, the archeological museum, and the markets are high on my list of must-sees. 
5. Copenhagen– this city represents what I love about many European cities– it’s modern, progressive, clean, and at the heart of the green movement. Check out “Green Copenhagen.”
Kongens Nytorv, Copenhagen
6. Japan– I went to Japan last summer for just 3 days, and I loved it! Lots of history, friendly people, great aesthetic, and a lively modern culture. I definitely left feeling like I had to go back. Next time I would base part of my time in Kyoto. We spent just several hours there but the city, with its numerous temples, hills of Japanese maples and cherry blossoms, and museums, deserves a few days.
Shinto Itsukushima Shrine
What a train ride!
8. Costa Rica (or somewhere else in Central America)– Again, never been but want to go. Every time we fly to Brazil, we pass over Central America when we’re about half way or less to Brazil. Central America is pretty close to the U.S., there’s lots to do there, and I love animals and nature.
Poas Crater
9. Turkey– The more I hear about Turkey, the more I want to go there. I love architecture, including mosques, so visiting the famous mosques in Istanbul and seeing the amazing Roman ruins would make me happy. But there’s also a vibrant culture, great markets, and some really beautiful scenery, all of which I can’t wait to experience someday.
10. California– I live here, but dang, there is so much to do here (see my previous post), and I’d like to have at least one place on my list that I think I can actually get to soon! For me, places new and old (to revisit)– Yosemite, L.A., San Diego, Muir Woods, Calistoga, Monterey, and on and on…
Esalen, Big Sur, CA
11. Berlin– There is so much buzz about this city, people saying over and over that you need 5 days minimum to visit its wealth of sights, so it’s piqued my interest. Plus, I was in Berlin’s huge, ultra-modern, brand-new train station 3 years ago on our way from Amsterdam to Prague– just based on that station, my husband and I regret not having stopped for a few days.
Museum Island, Berlin
Makarska, Croatia
13. Buenos Aires– There are many, many places in South America that are worth visiting; I didn’t include them because after all my trips to Brazil, I’m in the mood for travel to places that are not around there. However, I should at least mention one, and if I had to pick only one, it would be Buenos Aires for its architecture, cafes, culture, and cheap prices.
City Hall
14. China– China is another place that intruiges me more and more. I know that I will love its ancient history, its modern cities, its temples, and its incredible natural beauty. Plus, I have a soft spot in my heart for the Chinese since so many of my students are from there, and I find most of them to be really lovely people.
15. Vietnam– Last but definitely not least on my list is Vietnam. Last semester my students (who come from all over the world) did a presentation called “Great Destinations in My Native Country.” This was a wonderful assignment because the students got to show the best of their native countries and the rest of us got to learn about so many amazing places in the world. Everyone was blown away by the images from Vietnam. What a beautiful country! And the people are possibly the nicest I have ever known.
Fishing Village, Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
I really want to go to Antarctica at some point. Now, that needs a lot of preparation. Correct timing and budget. Needs correct camera too
Won’t go there just with a pocket camera.
France!!!
Yes I have been there and highly recommended!
Hi Jenna!
Well I’m from Costa Rica and I love my country; is a great paradise to visit. Here you’ll find only nature. I hope you visit it one day. You won’t regret and you will love it.
First, I love travel, but I haven’t the opportunity to visit other country yet. But this is my list of places that I’m going to visit one day.
1. Italy
2. France
3. Jerusalem
4. Korea
Very nice post!
Thanks for your comment, Viviana! And thanks for the encouragement to visit Costa Rica. I will definitely get there someday. We have Italy and France in common. I honestly haven’t thought about Jerusalem or Korea much, but I’m sure they’re wonderful. Have you checked out RunawayJuno’s blog all about S. Korea?
You’re welcome!
No I haven’t, I don’t even know it. But, I will love to check it out!
Hi Jenna:
I’m a CA girl too (native) and I just booked a quick trip to VT/NH to see the fall foliage. After seeing the fall color several years ago I pine for it each fall. I had a great trip planned that would have put me in NYC 2 weeks after 911, to start a trip to NH and VT. That trip got cancelled and I’m just getting around to planning a new one – and this is mainly to help me pass time before the big Florence trip in April/May.
My favorite place from past travels is Interlaken, Switzerland. Switzerland would, indeed, be a great place to visit with your cute little guy. My friend and I rented bikes in one town and were not given locks so we inquired. The Swiss gentleman looked shocked and said that the Swiss are so honest that you could drop a large piece of gold in the street and come back 2 weeks later and there would be a Swiss person guarding it from people traveling though Switzerland until you returned. We left the bikes by the side of the road while we hiked and sure enough, they had not been touched. It’s so GREEN, and CLEAN there.
I also love Canada and New Zealand. But right now, I’m all about all things Italian!
Linda,
Thanks for the recommendation of Interlaken! I enjoyed reading your story about the safety there. It sounds like a place I would love. I have also seen amazing photos of New Zealand lately. It seems like a paradise.
I came across a couple websites that you might find useful when you are in Florence. They are written by an American art historian who lives in Florence: http://arttrav.com and http://www.turismo.intoscana.it/allthingstuscany/tuscanyarts/
I spent 2 weeks in Istanbul and 1.5 weeks in Buenos Aires (obviously not on the same trip!) and loved them both.
My list is:
1. India (going next March – can’t wait!)
2. anywhere else
I’m something of an opportunistic traveler. My in-laws travel for several months out of each year, so we usually try to join them for a couple/few weeks at least every other year. Since they’ve been nearly everywhere, we often wind up in places that would not be on most folks’ top 10 lists.
How exciting about going to India. What a place for photographs! I know it is an amazing place with so much history; someday I will get there and I’m sure I’ll love it.
I like that you said “anywhere else” for #2 on your list– that’s actually about how I feel. I felt kind of silly after making a “list” because I kept thinking of more places I want to go. The whole world is worth exploring.
How fun about the opportunities that come with joining your in-laws. Sometimes we can be pleasantly surprised when we go places we may not normally have thought of, and it’s nice to do it with family.
although this post is older, wanted to add my 1 or 2 cents!
what a great list. Dordogne region is wonderful….I hope you get there,.
we traveled all over Italy when living there, so for an upcoming family trip (to Italy) I am in a dilemma of a new place to visit. After asking some friends there, it looks like the Tuscan Archipelago it may be! several small islands off the coast, and I hear natural (protected), wild and beautiful. I’ll let you know….
How lucky for you that you are having to think of a new place in Italy to visit! I am in love with that country.
Have a great time on your trip, and, yes, I’d love to hear about it.
It’s been a long 7-plus years since we left Italy with baby in tow (the baby is now 8!) . will be interesting to finally go back to our old home. not going until 2012 but I think planning is just as fun as the trip, so stretching it out
Oh, planning is SO fun!