My family spent 18 months living in Florence when I was 15-16. Any traveling we did as a family we stayed pretty close to Italy. A summer trip to Greece. Down to Sicily. Interesting to think back on that time (1972-73), even though I was pretty young, my folks let me travel by train with my friends to Venice, Rome, several day-night trips to Bologna, where they regularly held concerts in the sports arena there.
Went back to travel Europe a few times in my early 20s. Amsterdam, Paris, Italy, Greece, Germany. Sadly, haven't been back since. ... Rome would have to be my favorite large European city. The history of the place alone can be pretty overwhelming, especially for a young person.
Have been to the Canadian Rockies and out to Vancouver Island. Took a trip to Tokyo a few years ago that was amazing. Drove out into the countryside to a traditional Japanese lakeside hot springs retreat on the shores of one of the five lakes that surround Mount Fuji. With a view much like this:
Don't think I've ever been more relaxed and at peace than I was after spending a half hour or so in the hot springs (inside the resort facility) then returning to my traditional Japanese quarters to put on a komono, lie on the floor with the iPod on looking out over the lake at Mt. Fuji. Pretty incredible.
Tokyo itself is a trip. Unbelievably large city.
Would love to make a trip back to Italy when the time is right. It's been almost 30 years!