It's hard to imagine wanting to leave Milwaukee during the middle of the summer -- and we're not saying we do.

But everyone has a list of places to visit before they leave this earth, and here's ours (and why). Add your own picks using the Talkback feature below.

Molly Snyder Edler
Staff Writer

1. Iceland: I want to see Bjork perform in her home country. And I like Reyka vodka.

2. Tikal, Guatemala: I have been to Guatemala twice, but I never got to see the ancient Mayan ruins in Tikal.

3. CBS Television City, Calif.: I want to spin the big wheel on "The Price Is Right" before I die. While I'm in California, I want to people watch at Venice Beach, too.

4. Japan: I appreciate many aspects of Japanese culture such as the food and art, but most of all, I love to observe innovative fashion -- particularly flamboyant footwear -- which puts Japan in my top 5.

5. Brazil: I love Brazilian music, particularly Gilberto Gil and Bebel Gilberto.

6. Malawi: Actually, I would like to visit numerous African countries, not only to absorb the beauty, but also to see the injustices that are going on. I am certain this kind of experience would put my "problems" in perspective and inspire me to take action.

7. Niagara Falls: I'm not picky if I check out these massive waterfalls from the United States or Canada, but enough people have told me I have to see them someday, and so I will.

8. Hawaii: A little cliched, but Hawaii sounds like a tropical paradise and a place where I could truly relax.

9. Woodruff, Wis.: As a fan of all things wacky, I plan to take my kids to see the world's largest penny next summer. It's 10 feet and weighs 17,452 pounds.

10. Ireland: I spent an entire summer traveling in England and Europe, but because of health issues, I was unable to make it to Ireland which was supposed to be my final destination. I'll get you someday, Ireland!

Julie Lawrence
Staff Writer

1. New Delhi, India: This would actually just be a starting point for the trip of a lifetime for me. My grandparents took a sabbatical there in the '60s and their stories have fascinated me my whole life.

2. Bangkok, Thailand: The colors, the history, the beaches of the Andaman Sea, the food!

3. Tokyo, Japan: What I love are the extremes: The beautiful, ancient traditions on one hand and the bold, progressive technology on the other hand.

4. Wellington, New Zealand: In my mind it looks exactly like landscape scenes from "The Lord of the Rings." I need to go confirm my suspicion.

5. New York City: Never been. Figure I should go.

6. Vancouver, B.C., Canada: In a dream world, I'd take a month and hit up Toronto, Montreal and Quebec as well. O, Canada!

7. The Mediterranean Sea: OK, this is a bit vast, but I could potentially explore three continents were I to cover the entire Mediterranean Basin.

8. Andalusia, Spain: Do I really need a reason? How about the Santiago Calatrava-designed Alamillo bridge at night?

9. Rural Washington state: It's arid, mountainous, and vegetable gardens thrive most of the year. I could live here.

10. Seoul, South Korea: It's difficult to wrap my mind around a city this large. I think it can only be understood through experience.

Drew Olson
Senior Editor

1. Stockholm in the summer: I need to find out if I have any rich, long-lost relatives.

2. Sydney, Australia: I've heard nothing but good things.

3. Penobscot Bay, Maine: Near Dad's birthplace. Need to have some lobster with locals.

4. Austin, Texas: Music and BBQ -- my two favorite things. I'll take Brewers TV guy Brian Anderson, a local, as a tour guide.

5. Tokyo: The city was the most likable character in "Lost in Translation."

6. St. Bart's: Wanna party like a rock star.

7. Dubai: Former Milwaukee Mile honcho Craig Stoehr raves about it and Tiger Woods hangs there. It's gotta be cool.

8. Cameron Indoor Stadium: Never seen a Duke home game in person.

9. Amsterdam: Because I never made it there in college, which is probably good because I may not have left.

10. Rome: For the ruins. For the wine. For the pasta. For the hell of it.

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5 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review.

Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by swami says on Aug. 18, 2008 at 2:42 p.m. (report)

I cannot be the only one to want to go to EGYPT!?!

Posted by cybershaz on Aug. 18, 2008 at 10:23 a.m. (report)

These are great lists! I looked through and thought it'd be fun to put my 2 cents on some of the places I've been from those lists: Cuba - Havana is probably my favourite city in the world. Been there 3 times and nothing compares to the soul of the wonderful people. Japan - Toyko is a blast, and Harajuku is perhaps the most fun place in the city. Brazil - Been to Sao Paulo and into the country. Beautiful country with great food and people. Just beware some of the crime in SP. Niagara Falls - Growing up 45 min. away on the Canadian side, it's like my backyard. Super-tourity but worth a trip to see it. Ireland - Go to Dublin for St. Patrick's Day - the best way to do it! NYC - Love this city...especially the east village. Vancouver - Great vacation spot anytime of year. Be sure to hit Vancouver Island as well as head inland to some of the wineries. Mediterranean Sea - There are great cruises around the Mediterranean that include stopoffs in North Africa (we visited Libya and Tunisia on one). Austin - One of my fave US cities. Not much more to say. Dubai - Recent trip (and blog) about this ... it's safe, friendly, clean and spectacular. Have tea at the Burj Al Arab. Rome - We spent a day here and went to all the landmarks from Dan Brown's Angels and Demons. Nerdy but fun. London - Second home to me as I spent much of my life here. Camden Town is not to be missed. Blackfriar's is potentially the oldest pub in the city. Grab a pint and watch life go by. Tiny Europe (Luxembourg, Vatican City) - Small countries are fun - want to round out the list as well. Sweden - Did 'around the sound' from Malmo up to Helsingborg. Beautiful country.

Posted by mitchgat on Aug. 18, 2008 at 8:43 a.m. (report)

Sydney is definitely on my list... SAVE, SAVE, SAVE!!!!

Posted by High_Life_Man on Aug. 18, 2008 at 8:32 a.m. (report)

Niagra Falls is Wisconsin Dells with giant waterfalls. Very touristy. Stockholm is a beautiful city, but a tad boring. Be sure to see the giant, ancient ship they pulled from the water and rebuilt. It's incredible. Visited Amsterdam for my second time about 6 weeks ago. It's a lot dirtier (physically and morally) than I remembered. It has gotten a lot more corporate...and the red light district is getting smaller. Don't need to go back.

Posted by arks00 on Aug. 17, 2008 at 9:18 a.m. (report)

@Molly. I can second the Niagra Falls trip, I didnt think it would be anything to spectacular, but my wife and I went there last week on a trip to upstate NY, the falls are amazing(we were only on the US side). What made it even better was riding the "Maid in the Mist" boat directly into the falls on the river... now that was pretty damn cool.