For me, it's a combination of the following:

1. I speak the language - and I feel very awkward going some place where I don't. (Although I should probably learn Spanish given how much I come here). I also speak French and German and so speak the local language when I'm there.

2. I work on a contract that covers countries from China to Spain ... therefore I get to deal with people in those places, and those time zones - whereas when I'm here I'm totally away from work.

3. I'm single and my friends are generally broke or married and I am neither, so our travel plans don't align. Therefore it's a good place to travel solo.

4. Space, views, weather, cost and cars all work out well.