[Pyramid*]

Oh good thread!

Hard pushed to define only 5 but here goes: in no real preference of order

1. Edinburgh - like many cities: has an incredible amount of history and architecture and background. Fascinating place.

2. Bangkok. For it's complete and utter contrasts - from the shockingly poor, to it's riches, corruption, for it's Skytrain, the cleanliness in areas, and utter deprivation in others. A real mixed bag

3. Muscat. Love the scents, sounds, the architecture, the history and it's ecclectic mix of history and modern day living.

4. Rome. for outstanding architecture and its famous landmarks, catacombs etc, sights, foods, people, vitality.

5. Athens. Need I say more: again, back to history, with its amazing architectural creations. Also for it's complete madness on the roads. Seeing as I'm in the 'rough area'... I'll throw Knossos in Crete in there too for all of the same reasons.

Having been lucky enough to have visited most of these places a great many years ago before real massive tourism kicked in: and having gone back years later: I realise how fortunate I was to have travelled so extensively as a child/student.