Where would you tell a first time visitor to your country to visit?

[dps]

Chicago, maybe.

[Maladict]

The best part of my 3-day weekend trip to Amsterdam was the day we got so bored and decided to go to Brussels.

[Syt]

For Austria, Vienna seems like a logical choice, because that's where pretty much 70+% of tourist attractions are - museums, palaces etc. If that's your jam, Vienna it is.

That said, I don't think it gives an impression of "typical" Austria. Vienna is much more cosmopolitan than most of Austria, and the mountains are a ways off.

Salzburg would be an obvious alternative candidate with its picturesque old town, and the medieval fortress nesting on the hill. Also: mountains nearby. However, you can't make a step without stumbling over other tourists.

I think my recommendation would be a toss up between Innsbruck and Graz. Innsbruck has the mountain vista and is generally representative of the mountainous, more conservative parts of Austria. Graz is in Styria, "the green heart" of Austria - beautiful countryside with rolling hills, and a smaller, progressive town with a huge student presence considering its size, but still retaining its historical charm.

[Eddie Teach]

Yeah, I have the same feeling about NYC. It's one of the world's great cities, but not really representative of America. For instance, they have a useful mass transit system. Madness.

[Admiral Yi]

To be representative, a city would have to be bland and generic.  NYC would be my first pick.

[dps]

To be representative, a city would have to be bland and generic.  Des Moines would be my first pick.

FYP.

[Richard Hakluyt]

For England it would have to be London.........boring!......but it would be very strange to start anywhere else.

For USA I would nominate the road-trip. I really enjoyed mine (thanks katmai  ) and there is the space to do it properly.

[Josquius]

Edinburgh.
Pretty and touristy yet real and British.

If I meet another person who upon me saying I'm from the UK start talking about their trip to London I shall stick them.

[garbon]

Edinburgh.
Pretty and touristy yet real and British.

If I meet another person who upon me saying I'm from the UK start talking about their trip to London I shall stick them.

Edinburgh as a first time in UK? I like it but I don't think that makes any sense...as a person who doesn't despise London.

[The Larch]

I'm not sure if I'd associate Edinburgh with Britishness. 

[The Larch]

Link, out of curiosity?

El Souvenir| Viajes

I was not expecting mexicans. 

[mongers]

It would have to be London, you'll find something to your taste there.

Depending on remaining time, you'll probably be based there to, so maybe a couple of day trips or overnights to other picturesque cities, perhaps take the train to Edinburgh and enjoy the countryside on the way.

Oh and a day trip to Oxford, easy coaches, a fair few tourists but worth it for the museums.

Don't do the cheap day trip to Stonehenge/Salisbury and then on to Bath, too many tourists in the exact same small locations.

Alternatively why not do a train journey to Brighton to enjoy the reinvigorated English seaside, short distance from London.

[Grey Fox]

This is going to be mostly capitals right?

Not for Canada.

I have no idea if you're going to say just one location in a country as big as Canada...

But definitely not one of the cities.  Not Toronto, not Vancouver.

Screw it - I'm going to say Dawson City, Yukon.  The Klondike. 

It's a good choice.

We have different types of wilderness.

I think Saguenay Fjord is pretty suitable. Only Fjord outside of Norway, Whales, Forests, Poutine.

[Camerus]

Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal. I'd choose one of those based on the individual and, because Canada is so big, whereabouts in N America they were.

But I am a hard core city slicker. 

[Malthus]

This is going to be mostly capitals right?

Not for Canada.

I have no idea if you're going to say just one location in a country as big as Canada...

But definitely not one of the cities.  Not Toronto, not Vancouver.

Screw it - I'm going to say Dawson City, Yukon.  The Klondike. 

For Canada, I'd say a canoe trip to Algonquin Park.

Reasonably accessible, gives a taste of the wilderness that inspired some of the most iconic Canadian artists without excessive travel from civilization (that is, Toronto.  ).