What are the most interesting places you've ever been?

[finnbow]

What places have you visited that you found the most interesting, enlightening or educational and why?

I've been to over 50 countries and all 50 states, and of all these places, the most interesting 3 were:

1. Soviet Union, April 1981 (Year after Olympic boycott). I went on a 8 day tour, 4 days Leningrad, 4 days Moscow. It gave me a clear view of what Soviet communism was all about. Dreary but highly educational.

2. Israel - 2 week vacation, Christmas/New Years 1983. Jerusalem is a mind-blowing place. Its sense of history overwhelms any other place I've been.

3. Kenya - 2 week photo safari, early 1980's. Seeing all the Wild Kingdom stuff up close and personal. Visits to Masai tribal villages was a trip too.

4. Runner Up - Istanbul. Beyond the fantastic sights (Topkapi Palace and Blue Mosque are incredible), the people are the most kind, gracious people I've ever met.