Go to Bogen and click on the Gitzo link at the top of the page. They still haven't figured out that frames don't work well on a web site.

Gitzo is the best and most versitile tripod you can buy, for a lot of money. But most everything else is second best.

A tripod is the most important accessory you'll ever have, and a good one will last a lifetime.

Additionally you'll also need a head and I recommend a good ball head from Arca Swiss, Linhof or Really Right Stuff

I can wholeheartedly recommend the Slik Pro 330DX and Slik AF-2100 pistol grip ballhead, each about $80 at B&H. Add a short center column for $14 at B&H and you can fold out the tripod legs and get really low to the ground for nature shots. Don't get the (cheaper) AF-1100 pistol grip ballhead as it doesn't have a quick release plate like the AF-2100.

Everybody will have a different opinion on the best tripod, eg., I hate ANY form of ball head as I prefer to be able to set the 3 different parameters individually, so I use the Bogen 3030 pan tilt head. This one does not have the large VIDEO pan handle that gets in the way for still shooters.
I also suggest a head that has a quick release plate, so that the attaching plate stays on the camera or on the tripod collar of some longer lenses for faster mounting.
Tripod legs come in several varities as well. Look for one that has a reversible center collumn that allows the camera to be placed at ground level for macro and low angle shots.One that has the ability to spread and has a positive detent to hold the legs at different angles comes in handy in irregular terrain.
There are 3 basic types of leg locks: twist, lever and thumb screw; try them all to see which YOU find more convenient to use. I found that the Bogen 2021 was a good compromise; no longer available(?).
The heavier the tripod the more stable it is, BUT, would you will be willing to carry it any distance, is the question. The carbon fiber units save weight, but at a premium price.
The "ultimate tripod" can be life long quest, you are hereby forewarned.

Thanks Frans, Larry and Ronk for your advice. I'll definitely be putting much thought and consideration into this. It helps considerably hearing from each of you in terms of weighing out the pros and cons of the many types of mounts, heads and tripods.

Cheers

Above all, get thee to thy brick and mortar camera store if at all possible. At first glance, tripods look very much alike, but in day to day use they are highly individual. As Larry said, they are a very long term investment, and if there are aspects of your purchase you find irritating, you will be putting up with them for a long time. My ex- without my knowledge, surprised me on Christmas with a high-end tripod. She could not have made a worse choice, and it was a choice of living with one or the other. I did not return the tripod, and hated it for decades. It finally wore out, and I replaced it with the perfect tripod - for me.

A tripod that collapses into a small package is great for packing to travel, but takes longer to prepare for a shot. Try setting up a tripod with leg clips, sleeves and thumbscrews to see which is most comfortable for the price. Quick release plates, I find are wonderful and for me are worth the added price. Some folks swear by ball heads and others like pan-heads, though they are mainly aimed at video and movie cameras. Some tripods come with head as an integral part of the devices, others allow you to buy the legs and head separately. Bring the camera along, so you can actually get a feel of what the tripod will feel like in use. Be sure that the tripod is high enough to bring the camera comfortably to your eye. On the other hand, there are tripods that extend way above your head, weigh a bunch and may rarely be used at the maximum height. If the tripod is too heavy, there is a strong temptation not to carry it. If it is too light, it may offer little support. Only by hands on, will you know which one fits.

While at the store, consider a monopod and a tabletop tripod as well - I have all three, and all three get a lot of use. If you buy a tripod and head separately, the head can also be used on the monopod, extending its versatility dramatically. A monopod provides support with mobility. They are great for shooting action, since you are free to pan in the horizontal plane. In a crowd, a tripod is a hazard to tripping people, while a monopod is easily used.