My Favorite Place

I often get asked, “Of all the places you’ve ever traveled to, what is your favorite place?” I don't have an answer.

My favorite place? I can feel the perspiration break out on my forehead at the question. I hem and haw, search my travel memories for inspiration. I think really hard, giving this well-intended question lots of attention. And yet, no matter how much thought I give it, I always name a different place or evade the question entirely.

My favorite place is France, of course. It’s the first place I ever ventured completely on my own. I went on a study abroad trip with four complete strangers, plunged into a land where I spoke about two words of the language. I fell hard for France. I fell for the French language, the bakeries, the markets. I fell for the ancient villages, the rolling countryside, the beautiful cities. I fell for the customs, the requisite “bonjour” everywhere you go, the food and wine… the list goes on and on. This country is magic; when I return it feels like going home. France is my favorite.

But my favorite place to travel to is New York City. I go again and again, squeezing in weekend trips when I find a cheap flight. I go alone; I go with good friends; I go with no agenda except to walk and eat and walk some more. I love the energy, the endless possibilities, the bookshops, the extraversion, the restaurants, the parks, the people-watching, the bagels… I love New York so much. I’ve loved it unwaveringly since I first saw it at age fifteen. New York has to be my favorite place.

Lisbon, Portugal could be my favorite place I’ve ever visited— it’s certainly one of the most remarkable. (You can read the twelve reasons I fell in love with Lisbon here.) Suffice to say, I’ve never been anywhere quite like Lisbon. This ancient, colorful city packed full of age-old traditions, friendly people, and incredible food won my heart almost immediately. Every moment I spent wandering around Lisbon’s hilly streets felt like a movie. Lisbon is my favorite.

Oh, but New Zealand is the most beautiful place. The ever-changing landscape wowed me at every turn. Mountains, beaches, bright blue lakes, charming towns, artsy cities, vineyards, rolling hills... You name it; New Zealand has it. I fell in love with the fresh local food, the laid-back attitude, and the cafe culture. Is New Zealand my favorite?

Maybe Europe is my favorite. I love so many places in Europe; I love the ease of travel between these amazing places. Once you’re there you can just hop around: Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, Madrid... incredible cities are separated only by a cheap train ticket. The history and beauty that greet me at every turn in Europe never cease to amaze me, and I’m always dreaming up ways to return. Europe is my favorite.

So out of all the places I’ve ever traveled to, which one is my favorite? The truth is, I don’t have an answer to this question. Maybe I never will. Maybe I will fill the rest of my days visiting new places only to fall in love over and over again with each one. Maybe my favorite place is waiting to be discovered. Maybe it’s one of the places listed above. Maybe I’ll never be able to pick just one favorite place. Maybe my answer will change as I grow older and change. I don’t know, and that’s okay with me: I will happily pack my bags and continue to search for my favorite place.