[Mithalwen]

I think that Rivendell deserves a mention.

It never suffered an assualt - even Gandalf had trouble finding it in The Hobbit and poor old Boromir was lucky to get there at all. It has lovely gardens, the stars there are fairest of all, lots of good food and comfortable accommodation. It is a centre of healing and learning and is multicultural - refuge for the Elves, base for the depleted Dunedain, home for a retired hobbit and welcoming to all enemies of the one enemy. I would love to see the mellyrn of Lothlorien and some of the dwellings of the Noldor in the Elder days ( can't help thinking of Gondolin as an Elvish LAs Vegas - some of the descriptions are a bit gaudy!) - but Imladris has everything save the sea.......