Been on a world tour lately?
There are so many places to see, so many that I wonder about, and of course, locations I fell in love with years ago and hope to experience again.
If money were no object, if the usual responsibilities of adulthood were no issue, if you could travel anywhere in the world, do you know what your top 10 destinations might be?
Would you pass through on a quick visit, or try to stay for a period of time — one month, three months, perhaps a year and taking side trips from that location — were such a luxury possible?
When I was younger, I was a born traveler, and perhaps at heart, I still am. There are locations I’m hungry to see and cultures I would love to immerse myself in – putting down “temporary roots” for several months.
And must I really put Paris on this list? (I won’t bother. It’s a given!)
Top 10 Places I Want To Go
Martinique: Did you know that the nickname for Martinique is L’Ile Aux Fleurs (The Island of Flowers)? This is a resort destination I haven’t visited, and I understand la Baie de Fort-de-France is a jewel. Perhaps a few weeks gazing into crystalline waters under a glorious sun in Les Antilles might be just what the doctor ordered? (And of course, they speak French and Creole.)
Guernsey and Jersey: The Anglo-Norman islands (or Channel Islands) are not usual contenders for “top 10 places to go,” but from what I’ve read and heard, they possess all the beauty of the English countryside, the stunning sights of St. Peter Port, Victor Hugo’s home (when he left France) – and – offshore banking! Besides – they have genuine Jersey cows (move over Texan Blue Bells), and they still speak an old Norman dialect. How cool is that?
Cherbourg: Speaking of old Norman locales, yet another unexpected travel destination, this Norman city is rich in history (stretching back more than 1,000 years), and is a place I’ve been curious about since seeing 1964’s Les Parapluies de Cherbourg (The Umbrellas of Cherbourg) with Catherine Deneuve. (Yes, a Chick Flick.)
French Riviera: Eh oui, I have indeed spent time along the Blue Coast – in Nice, having traveled through the South of France at various times. But it has been several years, and I would welcome returning without the constraints of a schedule, and able to avail myself of a luxurious spot. Perhaps my fantasy destination – Hotel la Pérouse?
Venice: Hard to believe (I tell myself), but I haven’t traveled to Italy despite the number of occasions when I was so close – just on the other side of the border in France. And I want to see all the usual sites – Rome, Florence, the Tuscan countryside – and Venice. But I’ve always wanted to go and stay – able to speak Italian (si – e vero) – parking myself in a village for two or three months.
Spain: As with Italy, I’ve yet to make it to Spain. I would happily tour Barcelona and Seville, though if I managed to get myself to Spain, I would hit the Prado in Madrid. (How could I skip this incredible museum?)
Istanbul: Friends who have visited Turkey tell me that Istanbul is a gorgeous city. The crossroad of Asia and Europe, I daresay this is a destination on my list. Check out this YouTube video with the top 5 sites to visit in Turkey. (How can you not want to go?)
Athens: Though I’ve been to the Greek Isles (and would love to go back), I only changed planes in Athens without the opportunity to explore. Come to think of it, I’d return to the Greek Isles in a heartbeat – pulling my own little Shirley Valentine – and possibly staying, indefinitely.
England: I’ve passed through London on business, and once, through Blackpool. But I’ve never had the occasion to visit the English countryside. I admit it tempts me with its sheer beauty, which I’ve only seen on the big screen. (Howard’s End? Are you really there?)
Buenos Aires: South America is totally uncharted territory for me. Not only would I like to see the pampas of Argentina, but I understand the capital of this enormous country is fabulous, with its mix of European influences, and Spanish spoken with an Italian intonation!
More?
I know, I know. There’s the rest of Europe, Central America, South America, Africa, Asia. There’s Australia and New Zealand. There’s Canada! (And everywhere else, including most of this country.)
Of course, there are distinctions to be made among travel for pleasure and travel for work, not to mention relocating – for a temporary period or indefinitely.
And with relocation, we would like to imagine that if moving involves a great distance or dramatic change, it is due to a desire to make so significant a transition.
Perhaps I’d best imagine myself a future in which my passport is always current, and a small bag is ready. Did I mention that I’m very efficient when it comes to packing for overseas travel?
Your top 10 list of places you’d like to go? Are they constantly evolving – as are mine?
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My issue is that I hate the travel conditions nowadays — miserable. I’d like to transported on a magic carpet back to Isfahan (beautiful city), see Red Square (what do you call it nowadays?) and compare it to my folks’ recollections, the Grand Canyon again (amazing, and this time hike down from the rim but away from the tourists), some of the best cathedrals of Europe (some to revisit, some I’ve never seen), and some backpacking in New Zealand (magic carpet, get me there, with my gear).
Sounds like you’ve seen some fascinating places. (We could all use that Magic Carpet to “get there” these days!) Grand Canyon – I need to add that to my list.
I have to agree with Paul, the getting there part has lost a lot of its luster in recent years with distrust, security, razor thin margins for airlines, and the delays caused by the fragile interconnected schedules. Once you are there, the experience begins. My travel goals tend to specific experiences like seeing molten lava in Hawaii, a fossil dig somewhere, visiting places where people and ideas I admire were born, cycling in Utah, and of course, a cappuccino with a cute travel partner. A long term stay in Italy would be fun too.
Molten lava! Fossil dig! These are cool travel goals, batticus. (Cappuccino with a cute travel partner – love it! And I’m with you – so to speak – on that long-term stay in Italy.)
Since Paul has a magic carpet, I’d hitch a ride to London, cir. 1600.
And I’d like to live in Los Angeles, cir. 1900. I’ll send you some oranges.
Time travel, too, Wolf! Yes!!!
I’d like to visit Japan and Dubai. A visit to Turkey and Morocco would be nice too. Alas, these are not adventures that we can take with a five year old. Maybe when she is older.
Ah, this whimsical sort of imagining is exactly what I need today. I do have to agree that the getting there issues make travel so frustrating. We’d hoped to use some vacation to go to Switzerland this year, where my husband went to school for four (nonconsecutive) years — tickets from the West Coast were absurdly expensive. It seemed a bit too much like the tail wagging the dog to pay the cost and then feel financially hamstrung while we were there, so we’ll wait and dream … and check sale fares, if there are ever any.
Let’s hear it for the sale fares, when we can find them!
My vote goes for Jersey Island, one the best channel islands. I have been there five times and every time was a unique one, I liked everything. Whether the food, the environment, even the doctors in Jersey were amazing, I mean their attitude towards patients was outstanding and caring.