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Everyone has a favourite place, somewhere that lingers in the memory long after you have arrived home. Travel + Leisure magazine wanted to discover what Australia's greatest travellers regard as their favourite destinations, so we put a proposal to 50 members of the Australian travel industry: Tell us your favourite places and why you love them.
The really great destinations can be visited time and time again. On each visit they reveal an aspect of their character you haven't seen or experienced before. You always leave reluctantly and with a strong desire to return.
- Richard I'Anson, travel photographer, Lonely Planet
We went to the people in the travel industry for a variety of reasons. Without exception, all have travelled extensively, both at home and abroad. They've spent time in the best-known cities, seen the famous sites, travelled well-beaten paths and searched for hidden gems, in some instances many times.
But more than that, our respondents, without exception, work in travel because they love it.
The 50 greatest destinations list is broken down into five categories - favourite country, region, city, journey and icon - be it natural or man-made.
We asked our respondents to name their top three in each category and give the reasons behind their choices. Then we collated them to come up with the top ten in each category. As an added bonus, and because the wonder of travel cannot be fully explored in five categories, we asked the industry if they had a "special something" they would tell us about. A place, a hotel or maybe a restaurant that fell outside the categories.
TOP TEN COUNTRIES
Ayers Rock - Australia
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Australia
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Italy
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France
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India
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Morocco
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Thailand
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New Zealand
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Japan
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US and Turkey
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Greece
Australia by a country mile with the biggest winning margin in any of the categories. The beaches, the outback, the cities, the regions were all mentioned when our respondents explained why Australia got their vote.
Europe still has strong appeal for Australia's travelling professionals. Again, diversity and contrast were the main reasons given, with la dolce vite in Italy outscoring le joie de vivre in France. India and Morocco's exoticism saw those countries pull in votes.
Krabi - Thailand
Vernazza - Italie
Taj Mahal, Agra - India
It is really hard to go past Australia. Our vast continent offers such a diverse range of experience.
- Sarina Bratton, managing director of Orion Expedition Cruises
TOP TEN cities
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New York
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Paris
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Sydney
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London
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Tokyo
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Florence
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Bangkok
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Barcelona
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Prague
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Dublin
Paris
Again, another clear winner. The Big Apple has fans everywhere, in all parts of the Australian industry. Arthur Hoffman, the CEO of Expedia, summed up the sentiments of his colleagues when he explained how the buzz New York gives off makes you feel like you are on top of the world.
Paris could only manage second position, something of a comedown for the city that consistently tops the world's lists of favourite cities. Its beauty, history, the grandness of the layout and its food and wine were all put forward as reasons why the travel industry, like the world, loves Paris.
Australia's only entrant on this list was Sydney coming in at number three, just in front of London, which surprisingly was England's only appearance in any of the lists.
New York
Barcelona
Sydney
As a city Paris has it all. The people, the Metro, the galleries, restaurants, shopping, dogs, the river, churches, pastries, wine, nightlife, hotels, the left bank, right bank, it just keeps unfolding.
- Andrew Burnes, chief executive officer, The AOT Group and deputy chairman of Tourism Australia
Now we have the Australian travel industry's answers as to what constitutes the 50 Greatest Destinations, Travel + Leisure wants to hear from you.
What are your favourite destinations?
What are the places you love and would return to?