My favourite 10 places around the world
A friend of mine recently asked me this question over dinner, and I seriously couldn’t answer. Doing a top 3 list was impossible, so I settled for a list of my favourite top 10 places around the world. I cannot rank them, so here they are, in no particular order.
California, United States
California, my favourite American state
No surprises here 
I first went to California 10 years ago, but it was when Mr. O and I started visiting as a couple that this American state became one of our favourite places in the world. We have been going back, at least once a year, for the past 7 years and it remains a firm favourite. We love San Francisco, where we try to go every other year, fell madly in love with Monterey and Carmel and its delicious wines (need to go back to Napa and Sonoma again!), but the Desert Cities is where we find peace and quiet (and a bit of shopping) and recharge batteries every year. The LA area, especially Santa Monica and Beverly Hills are obligatory stops, as is the lovely San Diego. I love the weather, the relaxed lifestyle, the stunning scenery and the food. Oh and the wine!
Paris, France
Paris is always a good idea
Paris will always be Paris – or as Audrey Hepburn said “Paris is always a good idea”. I know it is a cliché, but there is something special about the French capital – from delicious macaroons, to outstanding food (onion soup and oysters always come to mind) and shopping (yes, please). I always have fond memories of getting lost in Saint Germain de Prés and discover yet other areas. Being so close to it, I should go more often.
Sydney, Australia
Sydney, Australia – can’t wait to go back one day
Sydney will always have a special place in my heart. Somewhere I always wanted to go, but being so far away it isn’t easy at all. It was the first stop of my honeymoon and a place I will never forget. I would love to go back and explore not only this amazing city, but the rest of the country. I will never forget climbing Harbour Bridge very very jet lagged and going to nearby Manly. Oh and wine tasting in the Hunter Valley.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – stunning beauty and oh those drinks!
One of the most beautiful cities in the world, Rio de Janeiro is somewhere I have been to twice and will go back again anytime. Thanks to friends who know the place really well, we got to know our way around this stunning city, which is home to outstanding restaurants and shops. It has a unique setting, which makes it one of the most incredible cities I have ever been to. And I even managed to find a little private beach. Don’t wait for the World Cup or the Olympics – if you get a chance, just go.
New York, United States
New York, USA – truly the centre of the world
It was a special moment, the first time I went to NYC. I was 21 and immediately after the 9/11 incidents. I felt an energy that I had never experienced before and ever again. I fell in love with this city, which I promised to visit at least once a year, every year, a promise I have never broken. May sound silly, but when I am there, I do feel I am in the centre of the world. I love how each season changes New York dramatically and can’t wait to go back soon.
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona – the perfect European city
Barcelona may be one of the most perfect European cities - great location, which means short flights, fantastic weather, great people (seriously, some of my best friends and nicest people I have ever met are Catalans), amazing food, culture, history and, of course, shops. I have been fortunate to have lost count of how many times I have been to Barcelona (mostly, thanks to work), but everytime I go, I book another flight to go back. And now it even has a great beach.. another excuse!
Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon or Lisboa – the home of the magic custard pastries, and Mrs. O
Lisbon is my hometown, and where I lived for most of my live. The more I travel around the world, the more I miss it. My family, my friends and great memories and, of course, “the light” (something I never quite understood until I left). Mr. O loves Lisboa too, and only 2h30 away from the UK, not difficult to get to. A place I would urge you to go if you haven’t been yet.
Moorea, French Polynesia
Moorea in French Polynesia, the most amazing place I have ever been to
Moorea was the star destination of our amazing honeymoon and, without a doubt, the most amazing place I have ever been to. Not easy to get to, and possibly a once in a lifetime trip, but it must be because of places like this that the word paradise was invented. One of Tahiti’s islands, it is a place I will never forget.
Menorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
Menorca is one of the most surprising places I have been to in Europe. The underdog of the Balearic Islands, the least known of all, and possibly the prettiest. Turquoise waters, delicious food and of course the place where mayonnaise (derived from Salsa Mahonesa, after Mahón, its capital) was invented. The only problem? Lack of suitable accommodation. Development is very controlled, which I totally understand, but I would love to go back and would love to hear any lux recommendations for this island.
Miami, Florida, United States
Miami Beach, my first “beach” of the year
Miami Beach is, alongside Barcelona, another perfect city. Slightly urban, definitely very cool, with amazing beaches and the rest – shopping, restaurants, bars. May not be to everyone’s liking, but it does it for me. We have been going every May for the last 5 years – it is still cold(ish) in Europe, and it is where I usually get my first tan of the year. We couldn’t make it this year and I can’t wait to go back. We now don’t stay in Miami Beach anymore, preferring Bal Harbour or Hollywood, a couple of miles out as you can get all the sleep that you want/need, and nip into town for some excitement when necessary. That and a coconut cloud martini.. perfect!
I had a lot of fun writing this post – thinking about the destinations, going through photographs and actually writing it. Travel is, without a doubt, my passion and I work hard to make sure I can go somewhere nice whenever possible.
Something else I have also realised – I am a repeater. If a love a place, I always go back. From this list, the only places I haven’t been back are Sydney and Moorea. I have been through my calendar for this year and also realised that every place I have been to.. was a place where I had been happy before. So I decided to be more adventurous and go somewhere I have never been – the next new stop will be Girona, which surely will be special.
The point of this all? To inspire you to go somewhere new, and create new memories in the company of those that matter to you. No excuses, now!
xo
Mrs. O
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Great post!!
I lack some places you described, soon to be discovered!
From my personal list, Sao Tome e Principe is definitely there…the nature, the beaches, the friendly people… Don’t count wirh luxury or shopping, but somehow perfect!
Thank you, Renata. I am keen to explore a bit more of Africa! Who knows when!
Hello Mrs O, i love your blog. I live in australia and have always dreamt of going to tahiti (since childhood!)…. i find it interesting that you seem to prefer moorea to bora bora…. i only recently started to consider moorea and although i would love to do both we could do moorea (in overwater bungalow) for a total budget of around $6000 whereas bora bora is looking more like $8000 – so for us it is a considerable difference, especially if we could get what we want out of the trip by just visiting moorea (what we want is: overwater bungalow experience, stunning lagoon colour) – thats pretty much our requirements…. what do you think? would we regret not seeing bora bora also?
Hi Olga
I can’t put my finger on it, but definitely preferred Moorea. There was more to do outside the hotel and loved it that the restaurants would pick you up for dinner so you weren’t stuck at the hotel. The hotel was also much nicer as it was new. We stayed at the now Hilton Moorea 
I’m in love with Portugal too and Paris is always great.
I still haven’t been to New York and I’m desperate to go! I’ll definitely be planning a trip to Rio for the Olympics, but maybe I’ll have to have a quick trip there before too!
Rio is an amazing place and worth a visit. As for NY.. well, NY is always a good idea
I’ve been to 7 of your 10
I can’t believe that Prague doesn’t make the list, unless of course you’ve not been there (which I would also find hard to believe, lol)
Another one I’d definitely have in my own top 10 has to be Thailand.
Vegas would be another one…. oops, I should shut up now or I’ll be here all day
….and by the way, you need to get that Berlin trip sorted sooner rather than later – fascinating place.
I know I know
I went once but it was for a conference and can’t pretend I know it. The funny thing? It is where Mr O and I first met – so we definitely have to go back! One day! Thailand.. on the list for future travels!
This is the problem, too many places to go and only 1 life! Vegas, been 3 times, has to be done – but not top 50!
So, you met Mr O in Prague, but it doesn’t make your top 10 ?
Is there something you’re trying to tell us,lol ?
LOL, it could have been anywhere, sadly! It was a conference
Wow, it’s difficult question to answer! I love your choices. I would definitely agree with Rio, Lisbon and Portugal. I might add Bristol too, or even London even though I chose to leave it. I’m definitely adding Moorea onto my wish list!
Victoria recently posted..What life would have been like if I’d never left my hometown
Hi Victoria, thanks for stopping by! The list isn’t perfect – it was nearly impossible to write it.. London is a mad omission.. but didn’t want to drop others. I shall publish part 2!!
We were talking about going to NY for my sister’s 30th- if we do I am coming to you for tips!x
whatkatedoesnext recently posted..Without him I wouldn’t have got better…
Hi Mrs. O,
I love reading travel stories and experiences! Of your favorite 10 places around the world, Barcelona would be the first I’d really like to visit.
It’s not possible now but I hope to also be able to see all the places you’ve seen and experience the same wonder and joy.
Thanks, you have inspired me to keep following my dreams of travel!
California and Paris… I understand COMPLETELY.
I would really love to visit your home country, starting with Lisbon.
Pola (@jettingaround) recently posted..Book pick: ‘Paris: Wish you were here!’
Oh, would love to show you around
didn’t you like the look of those pastries?
Oh, I did… Too much even!
)
Pola (@jettingaround) recently posted..Book pick: ‘Paris: Wish you were here!’
Mental calories don’t count!
Moorea is such a lovely place!
I think I am in love with that beach it’s like heaven.
Melly Schug recently posted..Timber Doors – The Perfect Option for Your New Home
Thanks Melly
It was a trully special place!
Hi! I just found your blog and LOVE it… I’m glad 2 of your top 10 are in Spain, which is where I’m from!
Katherina recently posted..September Challenge: Where’s North Again?
Oh I love Spain
thank you so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment 
Lovely article!! I love my city Barcelona, also Paris is great!! Can’t wait to visit all the rest!
Oh gracias
I do love Barcelona, and Paris, and the rest. Could be a nice little project 
You need to go to the Highlands and Islands. They are the best
whatkatedoesnext recently posted..Oven-baked risotto with Parma ham and melted Brie
I love that your pictures of Barcelona include a photo of jamon. It is delicious!
Margaret recently posted..Mallorca: Frederic Chopin and George Sand slept here
How could it not? I forgot to add a glass of cava, surely had 1 or 3
Ps have you been to Scotland?! X
whatkatedoesnext recently posted..Oven-baked risotto with Parma ham and melted Brie
not properly. Been to Glasgow and quickly to Edinburgh
Yes- I do love a bit of Instagram! Only started using it a couple months ago- now couldn’t be without it!
whatkatedoesnext recently posted..Broken hands and broken heart
People now say I take great pics
ha ha
Great list! San Francisco, Monterey and Carmel are all beautiful, love everything in between them on the PCH. Can’t get to the Cali coast enough. A repeat traveler too, always find myself going back again and again to places like.
Aaron recently posted..Photo of the Week: Off the Beaten Path in San Francisco.
Hence why I resigned myself to “having” to go back to California every year
tough decision
my all the time favorite destination is San Francisco lol
I love SF
Hi Mrs O, your photographs are always amazingly colourful
whatkatemadenext recently posted..The curse of turning 30
Oh, thanks Kate
Instagram is a wonderful tool. Magic!
Not trying to sound bias but.. CALIFORNIA!!! Hehe. Great list. These are among are favorites as well.
Kieu recently posted..Our Ryokan Experience at Tanabe
Excellent
must say, very difficult to limit it to 10 places. Italy wasn’t happy!
Paula Cristina Neto recently posted..#FriFotos My favourite photos of the week #Summer
It was horrendous. Refused to do a top 5. Should have been Top 25! Didn’t even mention a place in Italy!
It makes me happy that you love California so much – I miss it!
Emily in Chile recently posted..Saturday in Santiago: FoodyChile Food Tours
I love it Emily, so much! Could pack up and go!
Great list, but where are the cross-country ski places
Traveling Ted recently posted..Cycling in Britain: Three Great London Climbs
Mrs O prefers warm places
I LOVE your picks!!!!! Rio is definitely in my top 3.
Andi of My Beautiful Adventures recently posted..Andi’s Pick: Hotel El Convento
Thank you, Andi
I need to go to Buenos Aires – it is almost shocking I haven’t been yet!
Lovely post, but you have now made my travel juices flow and want to plan something! We have some similar favourites – love California (in particular Santa Monica, where I’d move to tomorrow if I could), Menorca which is a beautiful and friendly island I’d love to re-visit and Paris, a city I’d barely scratched the surface on and am planning to explore more in the future.
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Thank you, Simon
I need to do a lot more of Pari. And us being so close (as in from the UK), there really is no excuse! Do you have any recommendations for Menorca?
I think listing your top ten was the way to go. It’s so hard to narrow down the places that you’ve enjoyed the most. We loved the pictures and are now adding Moorea to the bucket list.
Tawny- Captain and Clark recently posted..The world’s largest piece of recycled paper
Hi guys! And for you, I’d say it is only a 12h fly from LA to Papeete – not that mad. Seriously, if you have a chance, do go!
Mrs. O,
You are definitely right about Moorea. My wife and I were fortunate enough to stay in one of the over water bungalows at the Hilton Moorea Beach Resort. We managed to take a ferry from Papaeete to Moorea after disembarking from our cruise ship which sailed from Sydney to San Francisco. We re-boarded our ship the next day in Moorea. We first looked at this as a once in a lifetime experience but now we are trying to figure out how to go back and spend more time. Moorea is definitely one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Hi Lance and Sharon – I stayed at the exact same place, just as it was refurbished and was really really nice. If you guys are US-based, it is doable. For us, we have a 24h around the world flight. But I need to check again
Ooh… I love Barcelona, too. I must confess that I was not that impressed with Miami, though – maybe I need to go back
In my opinion. another place that should be on every traveller’s itinerary is Greece because, in addition to the beautiful scenery, amazing food and lovely locals, you get a sense of history every where you go.
Ana recently posted..One of a kind, please
couldn’t agree with you more Ana, Greece is a special place. I am hopeful that I will get to show Mrs O (and Mr O) around next year some time
Nikos recently posted..Say konnichiwa to new Japan Airlines inflight meal options!
I would love that
and we must fly with Aegean so Im automatically Star Alliance gold 
Only been to Crete, twice to the same place. Last time I went, I got engaged and all 
You need to read between the lines
we don’t stay in Miami per se.. we stay out and love the peace and quiet, lovely beaches. And then can head into town for dinner, when we fancy. Not always 
Things change with age 
Travel much Mrs O? Nice post love. Did you ever visit Melbourne when you went to Sydney? I think you will loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee it!
I know it’s hard to make top ten lists, you can’t fit them all in…
xxx
Nikos recently posted..Say konnichiwa to new Japan Airlines inflight meal options!
I didn’t. I really want to go to Australia properly. Make try some inflight meals?
Lists like this are such an interesting peek into a travel blogger’s personality. Your list seems to be mostly large, cosmopolitan, glamorous cities. My favorite places are small, quaint, and often quiet, usually surrounded by spectacular landscapes. Like Tavernelle, Italy and Thun, Switzerland.
Gigi recently posted..When You Imagine Me in Switzerland…
Hi Gigi, I never thought about it that way, but you may be right. I also love small places and I featured them whenever possible, like small hideaways in Portugal or Italy. One thing is for sure, I seem to like warm places like someone pointed out about this post
I must say I’m beyond impressed with your travels. In late 2011 I had gotten the bug to travel and have turned it off. Since October 2011, I went Boston, South Africa, Key West, Niagara Falls, California, Seattle, and Vancouver.
I love hearing/seeing/reading stories of travel. As a photographer, I always love seeing people’s real life photos while travel.
I hope to see all the places you have seen. Any sort of websites you used to get to those cities? Travel ideas?
Anyway, I’m always happy to see a fellow traveler.
Hi Christopher, thank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment and, of course, for your kind words. To be honest, I don’t know how i decide to go to places. Sometimes it is flight availability, reading about a great new hotel opening or a friend who knows me well suggesting a place he/she thinks I will love. My biggest problem? I am a repeater – I do like going back to places
which is a problem! Where are you based?
that’s great.
I’m based out of Detroit, Mich. I’m looking for my next vacation to be a 2 week trip to Europe (3 cities in 2 weeks) or Rio
Rio is quite a place. Been there earlier this year and loved it. And S. Paulo was a nice surprise. If Europe, what would be your top places?
Great list! Many cities – methinks you are a city girl! I have a few of those on my “top 10″, complemented by the Cape region, Patagonia, NZ and Tasmania.
Raul (ilivetotravel in Twitter) recently posted..Photo of the Week – Sydney Harbor from the Sydney Bridge
Or a beach girl? I like a bit of both, to be honest.. someone interestingly said that Mrs O likes the sun.. something I had never thought about. I need to get away from Europe and America.. lots more to explore, just like you suggest!
A truly awesome list….funny to hear you say you prefer Bal Harbour or Hollywood to South Beach. I’m very much the same:) FYI, there’s a new St. Regis in Bal Harbour that I know would be right up your alley!
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Hi DJ! It is very true
since the Sheraton was demolished (where the new St Regis is now), we have been staying at the Westin in Hollywood, and love it. Quiet, and of course, not far from Aventura. Also lots of great restaurants, I really like it 
I love reading about other traveller’s favourites places! I must go to Lisbon…everyone seems to love it! New York and Paris are favourites of mine also along with Barcelona but I would add Istanbul and Tanzania to my list! A fun post!
jenny@atasteoftravel recently posted..Broome’s Hidden Flying Boats
Istanbul, oh very very good! That is the problem with these lists. I can’t tell you how hard this way. And I could come up with a totally different list this week. Maybe I will add another 10
I love your picks so much. I can’t wait to experience Spain and Portugal with you. I’ll love seeing them from your eyes and hopefully fall in love with them as much as you have.
Leah Travels recently posted..Fall Girl
Oh, thank you, Leah! I will be delighted to show you around. I would also be very curious about your top 10!
Ana,
So love your writings and pictures. THis is a fantastic post about your favorite place around the world. Your energy jumps off the page.
I am certainly glad to see that NYC made the list! Hope to see you back here soon.
Best,
Joyce
http://twitter.com/joycemsullivan
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Oh Joyce, that is so sweet
thank you! Of course NYC made my list, such a special place. I will be back later this year, promise! 
What a lovely post. I have been to every place you mentioned except that beautiful island you mentioned in the French Polynesia. Travel is living.
I think I am going to book a flight right now – thank you for inspiring me. Somewhere new it has to be! Have you been to Berlin?
Thank you Maria
I have never been to Berlin – on the list. That is actually a great idea for a new destination!