I was there forty years ago, so maybe it has changed a little.  I hope so. 

This is a great flea market.  I got my souvenirs here. 

This town has to have more commercial attractions in the area than any place else.  You can also see gators in the wild and manatees though, and Clear Water isn't far away.  My favorite playground. 

I used to live near here, but I cannot recommend a visit.  In DC there are lots of interesting things to see -- but this isn't it. 

I was there on business and discovered a far more interesting place than I expected.  They even have a famous Egyptian Mummy.  Who'd have thought it? 

The Cathedral and the Roman Museum next to it are world class attractions -- well worth your time.  Go up to the top of the Cathedral for a great view of the city.  (Stairs though -- no lift.)

Actually this is a dried up lake bottom.  It looks like Mars.  (It really does.)  But there is water not far below the surface.  It was named Death Valley because some folks crossing it died of thirst.  The odd thing is that they only had to dig a few feet to find water where they died.  There is also special salt water tolerant fish that live in the Valley.  I once visited it on New Year's Day, and found that barriers had just been taken down.  There had been a flooding problem just a few days ago. 

This town started out as a palace for the Roman emperor Hardrian.  My background is in classical history, so when I went to Croatia on business, I made sure to took time off to fly over to Split.  This has to be one of Croatia's top five attractions. 

A world class attraction.  After I moved to Germany, this was the first place I went to on holiday that was outside of Germany.  It was well worth my time. 

While I was here I ran into a European that was working in the area.  He planned to visit the US and wanted to know how King's Canyon compared to the US Grand Canyon.  I assured him the Grand Canyon was a hundred times better.  I would be difficult for Australia to have a truly grand canyon since it is the most flat continent on the planet. 

The architecture is magnificent.  As I recall, I believe it is a copy of those in London.  I had a discussion there with the locals about their Government and ours.  The Canadian was unaware he did not live in a democracy. 

I was there in 1990, as the wall was coming down.  There were still goose-stepping soldiers on the East side of town.  The palace held the most remarkable, world class, museum exhibits.  Egyptian artifacts were most important to me. 

One of the top ten natural wonders in the US.  Get an air boat ride -- it is a blast. 

Beware of the monkeys.  Watch your possessions and your glasses and camera especially.  They will steal them, destroy them and climb on you. 

The top natural attraction in the US.  Even though you know what is here -- seeing it is a jaw dropping experience. 

Fes has a number of major attractions, and the market is among the best.  It is truly medieval. See the leather factory. 

Fes has a number of major attractions, and the market is among the best.  It is truly medieval. See the leather factory. 

The museums here are a world class attraction.  This is not to be missed. 

This is where the Monterey Bay Aquarium is located.  In my opinion, that aquarium is one of the best in the world. 

I used this as a jumping off point for other places of interest.  Sunsets on the beach are wonderful. 

This is one of the great world class attractions.  The mega-fauna and terrain are fantastic.  Timing is critical, as this land is submerged to an extent every year by the rains in Angola. 

If you are in Costa Rica you are near certain to see this volcano.  When I was there it was erupting (a little) and made an interesting morning photo.  This apparently happens often. 

This is the real thing -- a world class US natural attraction -- and has been one for a very long time.  If you happen to be in the area, this is a must see. 

An interesting old city that retains medieval charm.  I recall freshly decapitated goats and a tannery that used pigeon poo among other treatments for leather.  Very photogenic.  

Worth a visit if you are in the area, but not enough by itself. 

A world class attraction. Iconic and photogenic. 

This is a world class attraction, but a little off the beaten path.  One of the best large caves in the US.  Well worth your time.

A real spectacle,but not my style.  I am no party animal.  Nevertheless, there are historical sites and museums not far away.

I have been several times, but I am always a little disappointed. I don't think this lives up to Walt's vision. 

This is an excellent diversion for a few minutes,but not a major attraction.  I recommend it if you have time, but there are other things I recommend in Melbourne as well. 

The monster makes this place famous, but I didn't see it.  To me, what is more interesting is that the north side of the lake is a part of the North American Plate, left over from the days of Pangea, while the European Plate is on the south side. 

I got this same picture when I was there.  The Vatican and Colosseum are world class attractions, but the Trevi Fountain is clearly a lower rank -- unless you are a fan of the movie "Three Coins in the Fountain."  The fountain does not have enough clear space around it to really show it off. 

I don't believe there is anything quite like this anywhere else in the world.  This is well worth your time.  A terrific movie location, used in an Indiana Jones movie for his childhood adventures. There are lots of spectacular arches -- which occasionally fall down-- so watch out. There are also dinosaur footprints and film locations used in John Wayne westerns (John Ford directing).  Colorado River runs here for more fun. 

It is said that once folks were searching for a location for a new temple.  So they put a symbol on an elephant and let it wander around.  Eventually the elephant came up this hill and died.  Like the elephant, I don't like climbing hills.  Nevertheless,the view is very nice, and the temple is beautiful. Worth you time, if you are in the neighborhood.

This is a great place for a movie,and I believe a couple of James Bond movies were done here.  I came on a Junk that had also been in one of the Bond movies.  Sea Kayaking here is also great. This place is well worth your time.

This is one of Turkey's top attractions, and well worth your time.  Most folks come to see the pools, as in the picture above.  But people have been coming here since before the Romans.  Mostly they came for the hot water baths.  The water is heated naturally and pours out leaving chemicals behind that create the white crystal structures.  At one time there was a temple that sat on a crack in the earth, where the water flows out.  The priests would go in with a small animal, the fumes would overcome it, and the unharmed priest would come out with the dead animal. Since the fumes were near the floor and the priest was standing up, he was not harmed by the fumes -- and we had another miracle.

I have been there, but beaches and diving are not what I do.  I did some sailing(on the Junk that was in one of the James Bond Movies), rode elephants in the jungle, and such.  See also my Blog

http://www.geckogo.com/Blog/103704543/Craigs-snaps/Escape-from-Thailand-/

You cannot beat this for free entertainment.  Street performers can put on a real show.  But I prefer the nearby Getty Museum.  I am not so much wowed by the collection as I am by the Museum building itself.  It was inspired by a Roman Villa at Pompeii, Italy. 

This is one of Peru's top attractions.  At night this place doesn't sleep, and is photogenic.  Go to the Cathedral and look for the painting of the Last Supper.  The "lamb"that they are eating is a Guinea Pig.  See also my Blog: 

http://www.geckogo.com/Blog/103704543/Craigs-snaps/Amazon-/

I was there a decade ago, and recall two things well.  First the snake charmers.  Some boys had some Egyptian Cobras.  They weren't doing much business, so I spent some time with them.  Because they weren't busy, I got some good photos.  The other thing I remember is that the plaza was full of local folks.  You'd think this sort of thing would be mostly for tourists -- but that was not true.  This is well worth your time.

I go here when I tire of Disney World.  This is different and worth your time, but not as interesting to me as Disney World, Bush Garden (Tampa), Sea World, and some of the others. 

This is really an interesting spectacle.  Katrina didn't cause much damage here -- this area lies on slightly higher ground.  I am not a party animal, but found plenty of historical sites and some museums nearby. I have been here several times on business,and always have a good time.

This is my favorite Bush Gardens park.  The Africa theme allows both subsaharan and North Africa attractions. Kids should do well here, but I always enjoyed myself as an adult -- maybe it was the belly dancers.  I liked this as much as the near-by Disney World.  I have actually been to Africa eight times in the past eleven years -- and this isn't a bad substitute, if you need something cheaper and closer to home.

Twenty-five years ago I used to live near here.  The Mojave Desert can be quite interesting, especially if you are not used to them.  The Joshua Tree isn't found much outside this area, and of course it isn't a tree.  It is a Yucca.  Yucca is normally a small or medium size plant, often used in home landscapes.  Yucca usually bloom in about May or June with a spike of off-white flowers.  Many of the old Western movies were filmed near this area, and Joshua Trees are often seen in the background. 

I have been there several times.  Twenty-five years ago I lived out in the desert and sometimes flew in or out of Las Vegas. Since then I have been back on business and once with my parents for a trip to the Grand Canyon.  For the most part I don't do expensive shows or gambling, but that doesn't mean I had nothing to do.  There are lots of free or low cost things on the strip.  Sometimes you can even get some free food.  For as far as I can tell, there is nothing quite like this anywhere else.  The spectacle is well worth your time.

After the Grand Canyon, this may be one of America's best natural attractions. I took my parents there a few years ago.  About half of all the world's hot water displays are here.  The rest are mostly in Iceland or the Kamchatka area of Russia.  There is a natural hot spot here -- a massive volcano.  It is also America's first National Park, and an inspiration for the entire world.  For example, Volcanoes National Park, mostly in Rwanda today, was established by Belgium's King Albert, in part in admiration of Yellowstone. 

See my Blog. 
http://www.geckogo.com/Blog/103704543/Craigs-snaps/

Forty years ago I was living in Germany, and this was my first holiday outside Germany.  This is well worth your time.  As a practical matter, the town owes its existence to Attila the Hun, but no one ever seems to give him credit.  As his army destroyed many local cities, the citizens fled into the swamp, and began to drain it --hence the canals.  But the town is sinking and will be underwater, eventually.  Even when I was there, flooding was a real problem.  I recall Saint Mark's Square as underwater, so that there were planks set up so you could walk through the square. I also recall my wife wanted to feed the pigeons, so we bought some seed at a store.  One pigeon saw us make the buy and told his friends. When my wife got to the plaza she was attacked by hundreds of birds.  It was like a scene out of the movie, The Birds. 

When I visited Paris, nearly forty years ago, I stayed in this area -- it was cheap and I was a lieutenant in the US Army stationed in Germany.  The photo above is of the unicorn tapestries.  They were displayed in a Roman Bath.  Since my educational background is in classical history I went in part to see the Bath. But it was the tapestry I really liked.  Since then I bought a couple of copies to hang in my home.  If you have a week in Paris, this is well worth your time. 

I grew up near here.  Unlike many amusement parks today, this is traditional Americana.  If you are spending a week or so in norther Ohio, you might want to consider this.  (On the other hand, why would you be spending a week in norther Ohio.  It's a good place to live, but I wouldn't want to visit there.) 

This has got to be one of the best ruined cities in Central America.  It is well worth your time.  As a side note, part of the original Star Wars was shot here. You can walk up to the top of the temple where the scene was shot and get the exact same view.  But unlike most movie sets, this is the real thing. 

I have been there several times as an adult,and I always find something interesting.  I did the back stage tour once, and do recommend it.  That tour does not take you on rides, but instead takes you underground to see the workings of the industry, and briefs you on the history of the Park.  My favorite ride is the safari in the Wild Kingdom.  I have been on safari in Africa a number of times, and I believe this is surprisingly realistic. 

This is one of the top attractions in Paris, but I have seen many churches. Still, this one is fairly unique in style and location.  If you are spending a week or so in Paris, it is worth your time. 

I have been there several times.  It must be one of Germany's top attractions and it is well worth your time.  But of course it is a modern structure, not a real castle -- nevertheless it comes with a great story.  The views are wonderful.  It come out of an age when very rich people could afford and great display -- that could not be maintained, and therefore ended up open to the public.  There is something similar in Kassel, Germany.  The water park there was built as a private folly, but ended up in public hands.  Sometimes the poor do benefit from the follies of the rich. 

The trip to the Summer Place was just because I was in Beijing and had some free time.  It was well worth the time, but as I was getting ready to go I stopped at a vendor's stall near the taxis stand, and was thinking about buying something.  I was actually talking to the vendor when an impatient taxis driver came over and got me into his cab.  I knew what the rate was because I came to the Summer Palace by taxis.  But as we drove along I noticed the meter was running very fast.  I had not gotten a good view of the taxis before I was rushed inside and had gotten into an illegal cab.  This is a common problem in many places -- you just have to be more careful than I had been.  I got off at the Beijing zoo, a poorer but wiser man.

This was a very nice experience, but a bit of a disappointment for me.  I made arrangements to go out on the Quick Silver for some scuba diving. They also have snorkeling, a walk down into a sub-sea level that allows viewing, two submarines that allow mobile viewing under water, and something that looks a little like a 19th century diving suit.  There are two reasons I was disappointed though. First of all, they asked about what medication I was on.  I am diabetic and taking some blood pressure medication.  Although I arranged this from the US on the internet, no one said anything about not going on the dive due to my medication.  Secondly, the reef seems to have lost color and may be dieing.  Another location or another company might be just fine. 

Everyone knows about the Grand Canyon and what is there, but being there is still a jaw-dropping experience.  I was once at King's Canyon in Australia.  A European was working there, he planned to visit the US and see the Grand Canyon,and asked for a comparison.  King's Canyon is about the best they have in Australia.  But Australia is the flattest continent on the planet -- so the ability to make anything like the Grand Canyon is really limited.  As best as I can recall, this is the top natural attraction in the US --and it deserves to be the top attraction.