Can I pick two? I'm picking two.

My first choice would Nome, Alaska. I've wanted to visit the state, and a childhood obsession with Balto left a special place in my heart for Nome.

The real reason I want to visit Alaska, though, is the Northern Lights. They fascinate me. So beautiful, so otherworldly. They're about the closest thing Earth has to magic. I've always wanted to see them, and I suspect I always will. I could probably see them just as well, if not better, from somewhere like Fairbanks, but Nome is an adventure, and it would mean fulfilling a childhood dream.

My second choice would be Fingal's Cave in Scotland. Scotland has always been another curious travel obsession of mine, and the of Staffa is particularly interesting because it actually belonged to my distant family. I like caves, I love Scotland, and I love somewhat obscure family history, how could I resist?

Well, obviously, the first place on my list of dream destinations is Japan. The week I spent in Tokyo last year was one of the best weeks of my life, and I want to go there again. (Check the "spring break trip" tag on my Tumblr if you wanna see pictures.) I also told my dad I'd take him with me next time I got to go; my mom came on the first trip, so it's only fair.

I'd also like to see a handful of places in the Middle East, but sadly those will have to wait until I know I'll be safe as an American in those places.

France would be awesome. I know all the cool stuff and most of the population is in Paris, but honestly I'd be happy if I got to visit any part of the country. Now if only I spoke French...

I remember, I once had to do an assessment for my Ancient History class, where we had to choose any sort of site, and do a powerpoint on it. I chose Skara Brae, in Orkney:



And I've wanted to go to Orkney - Orkney in general - ever since. So windy and cold, they don't get much trees there, and their mythology and folklore is so bloody fascinating. Just - anywhere, look anywhere on this here site: http://www.orkneyjar.com/
There's a certain old-fairy sort've mystique to it all (bit of influence from the Celts and such,) but with an added focus on the wild seas and waters that surround the islands. Lots of selkies and mermaids and such, but it's the Finfolk that entice me the most - mysterious, nomadic, amphibious sorcerer-types, unparalleled in boating, blamed for various mysterious disappearances. Some rowing silhouette, dark under the moonlight, vaguely human but you know it isn't. Also:


The Old Man of Hoy!


The Ring of Brodgar!


Puffin Island, the legendary Orkney island that is famous for looking exactly like a puffin with a fish in its mouth!


I, er. I also feel like I should probably see my own fancy sites, too, so, ah. Here's Uluru!



It's a rock!

Actually, there area about a billion places I'd love to go in the real world, given the chance. I suppose the top of the list would be Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

(Side note: If I weren't an overly excitable twerp I'd've found much nicer, smaller images for this, but, as it is, I think they do the place justice. But I'd be lucky to have the patience of a five-year-old, so these'll just have to do. :P)



I'm a huge fan of symbolic detail, and so while Rosslyn Chapel is hugely high on that list as well, I was asked to pick a place which, frankly, is a smidge unfair. But I probably made that clear in the title, so, erm. Moving on.



The idea of a city of temples is just immensely appealing to me, and I'm a huge fan of the imagery of the vedas of Hinduism, though I don't count myself a member of the religion.

It's just an interesting place, and not all that commonly mentioned.

Also--hS! Petra's a brilliant choice. I've been twice, actually, and I can tell you it's as gorgeous as it seems. While the treasury itself is obviously gated off, in the totally-not-Canyon-of-the-Crescent-Moon valley leading up to it, you've got tons of places to crawl around in leading up to it that were also built by the Nabataeans and make use of the same architectural style.

The colours in the exposed sandstone in the last picture have even more contrast in one of the smaller shrines I found.

On top of that, the rock formations themselves are beautiful, with weird, Lovecraftian shapes to them that are eerily beautiful. It feels like it's full of secrets, and it would, strategically, make a lovely place to hide out with enough resources.

If the walk seems a bit much, there are also people selling carriage, horse, and camel rides, setting up their own small enterprises on-site.

I'd have to say the most curious thing about the place is the fact that the treasury itself, both times I visited, was surrounded by cats. All over the place.

So, erm, forgive the travel infomercial, but I just really, really like Petra and I thought you might appreciate more thoughts on the place.

There are so many places I'd love to go, most of them in the UK. I guess, if I had to pick one...

Stirling Castle, in Scotland.





Robert the Bruce is my many, many times great-uncle and he once laid siege to this castle, which I think is way cool. Not to mention, it's a pretty building. Apparently the place has been besieged no less than eight times, and it's also seen a number of monarchs crowned there. So yeah, since Hogwarts is out of the question, I'd like to visit this castle instead. :)

Maybe London or Paris. But I'm an actor and you can't make it without being in LA so...

Since I'm a Basic Bob, my first answer would be London or Rome (two places I *really* want to spend some more time in!), with Athens and Louisiana being the next two...

But if we're talking one specific landmark we have on our bucket list, for me it has to be the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland.

I don't really have specific dreams like that. Partly because I sort of passively want it all. ^_^; So I'm gonna cheat. Behold, CNN's Seven Natural Wonders of the World. If I had to pick just one... uh... the Northern Lights, I guess. I'd like to visit Alaska sometime. (Sweden or Norway, too, but Alaska is maybe a bit more feasible for me.)

That's a good start. There's also, um, pretty much everything on this site, which is kind of janky and doesn't have nearly enough pictures, but still.

I've actually been to Yellowstone National Park! It's really incredible. A lot of it smells like overcooked eggs, but it's so worth it. Oh, and Niagara Falls, too! The surroundings are a bit too tourist-trappy for my liking, at least on the New York side, but the falls are still awesome.

~Neshomeh

These day's it's known as Benin City, but Edo was once the capital of the Empire of Benin (most of which is now in modern-day Nigeria, none of which is in modern-day Benin). A prosperous, mighty, and well-organized African empire is, you'll all be shocked to note, right up my street; I'm not sure whether it'd be more learning experience or pilgrimage, or if there's even a difference.