Saturday, January 15, 2011

My Must See Travel List

One of my favorite things to do in life is travel. In fact, it borders more on an obsession. I love the planning aspect of travel and I love seeing and experiencing new places. I also love capturing these new experiences with my photography. Although I've seen a lot of places in my life, I still have a massive list of places I still want to experience. I thought I'd do a blog on some of my top "must-see" places.

1. Paris- I've lived in Europe two years and still have to go to Paris. I know, I know...this has to be rectified. I'm hoping to go this spring for at least a few days and cannot wait to see this city!


2. Norway- my Grandmother's side of the family came from Norway and a relative of ours wrote a whole book on their history. I'd love to see Norway and get an idea of the land where some of my ancestors came from.

3. Egypt- I'm not sure I'm going to be able to visit here before we leave Europe, but it's on my list before I die. I want to see the pyramids and take a cruise down the Nile.

4. St. Petersburg and Moscow, Russia- There's a teeny tiny chance that I could take a cruise there in August, but I think Moscow is out, unless I want to shell out a bunch of money to take an excursion there. I think Russia is fascinating and would love to explore the country.



5. African Safari- Sean is not on board this adventure at all, but luckily I have friends and family that want to go too. I think about the pictures I could take on a safari and get so excited about seeing a continent that I've never stepped foot on.

6. Plitvice Lakes Park, Croatia- Have you seen pictures of this place? It's gorgeous! I'm doing my best to go see this place sometime this summer.



7. Normandy and the D-Day Beaches- I'm a huge WWII history nerd and this is one place that Sean and I have decided we HAVE to go to before we leave Europe. I really think that once I get on the beaches that I'm going to cry. I just can't imagine not being overwhelmed with emotion when seeing that place.

8. Warsaw/Krakow and Auschwitz Poland- Another WWII history lesson with Auschwitz and I really, really want to see what Poland is like. I've read a few books about Poland and it's really sparked my interest on seeing the places that were described in the books.

9. Hawaii- I'll be honest, I didn't always have a great desire to see Hawaii. I'm sure some of you out there are wondering what the heck is wrong with me for thinking that, but after seeing the pictures of a fellow blogger who lives there and reading the book about the leper colony in Hawaii, I've been dying to see Hawaii and all its islands.

10. Yosemite National Park- I've been fortunate enough to see a lot of the major National Parks in the west, but this is one park I haven't had the priviledge of going to. I'm hoping once we move back to the States that I'll get to add it to my list.



Do you have any must-see places on your list?

24 comments:

❈ Annie - Blonde Glambition ❈ said...

Oh how I love your list!!! Egypt has always been on my list, but I just wish it wasn't so expensive :( I also would love to do a Grecian Getaway. Thank goodness we're still young so we still have a lifetime to visit all of these places :) Now if only money would grow on tress...haha :P

BTW....Auschwitz and Normandy are an absolute must...life changing. When we went to Paris, we were able to find a reasonably priced tour to Normandy for the day. It's worth every penny.

I can't wait to hear about all of your upcoming travels. Plus I completely agree that you should visit Hawaii :)

Katie said...

You're going to LOVE Plitvice. Some friends and I spent two months working in Bosnia and several of them went to Plitvice (I was in NE Bosnia so not nearly as close to Croatia as my friends in Mostar, Bosnia.) They said it was absolutely incredible, peaceful and beyond gorgeous. I'm jealous I never got to go to Croatia while I was there.

Sara said...

I studied abroad in Poland for a summer. Life changing. I would live there the rest of my life if I could. Gdansk is gorgeous and it's on the Baltic, I didn't get to see Warsaw, but I lived and Krakow and visited Auschwitz, Belzec, and Majdanek. We also went further south and on into Hungary. It was all so wonderful.

Dana said...

The Smithsonian in DC!

Kirstin_Tedrow said...

I love your list they all seem like they would be great places to visit!

My top two places would have to be Ireland and Australia

Eve said...

I love your list! I have some of the same places on my list. I've never been to Europe, so theres that. Paris and Italy are on the top of my list. My sister and I always said we'd go to Egypt someday. African safari would be amazing. I've also always wanted to see the Northern Lights even though I don't like the cold. I loved crossing Australia that off my travel list last month! I want to go back. This year we are hopefully going to China. I really want to see the Great Wall! I also want to climb Mt. Fuji and maybe see Angkor Wat before we leave Japan.

Jes said...

Hawaii was never really on my list either until I found out I'm going there and then I got super jazzed about it! I'll be sure to post lost of photos when I get back =)

The Mrs. in Stilettos said...

I love your list!!! We went to Paris twice and you will LOVE it!!! J was in Egypt for a year as well so he can give you some tips if you make it there! Sorry I haven't been around for a while!!! I am back and will be chit chatting more and more!

Jessica @ Wanting Adventure said...

That list is pretty much perfect, in my opinion! I want to see all those places. :) I think a safari sounds incredible and the pictures from Croatia makes me want to go there right now!

Anonymous said...

I have a big list too! Normandy is on it.

My husband and I actually found a cruise that tours all the battle sites, I'm almost positive Normandy is on it and I know you get to go through Iwo Jima, but they still don't do tours of the island and I'm pretty sure it ends at another site in Japan. Sadly, it takes a month and we just haven't been able to afford the cruise or the month off work. :(

But my list is long! I'm hoping to see England next year. My cousin has lived there for ages, so there is really no excuse for us to not have been there.

I can't wait to hear about all your trips and see the pictures!

Anonymous said...

Bummer, I was wrong, the husband reminded me that the cruise starts in Australia, so it's only the Pacific theater.

Still it would be a fun trip to take if you can afford it.

*BECCA* said...

I absolutely love that list... & thanks for sharing the pics because Plitvice is now added to my own list! LOL Beautiful pic, breathtaking even...wowww, I simply have to go there! =)Currently my hubby and I have been discussing our picks for his duty station. We agreed over seas & have narrowed our picks down to Germany, Italy & Greece. I really, really want one of the last two, but his SGTs have been talking Germany up so much that I'm almost sure that's what he'll push for. lol EITHER WAY, I'd be pretty excited. =)

Samantha said...

I was actually planning on writing about this next wednesday... Pretty sure Crotia just made it onto my list also! :)

Mom in High Heels said...

Well, I've been to Paris about 9 times, but I'm closer than you. You MUST go though. Do not put it off. J'adore Paris! We might go back next month to visit the flea markets. Yay!
Normandy will change your life. We were there for 3 days and afterward I had a new found respect for the men who changed the world that day. You can read about it here if you like: http://myheelsarehigherthanyours.blogspot.com/2010/06/normandy-walk-through-history.html

We're hoping to go to Egypt this year before we PCS. Indy is DYING to go there. We're looking at going in late Sept or early Oct.

We also might take the Disney Med cruise again, which is so wonderful and takes you to many places (including Malta, which was my absolute favorite port and where I want James Bond to retire). They don't have their military rates up yet, but I can tell you from last year they are amazing. Our 11 night cruise was almost $4k LESS than it would have been if we'd paid the regular rate. Woohoo!

I'd love to visit Russia, but I don't think it's in the cards this time.

I can't wait to read about your travels!

Becca said...

Oh, a cruise that goes to Russia? From somewhere around here? Do tell!

London was tops on my list and I've done that now. I actually sort of hate traveling, especially by airplane. I don't mind roadtrips, since I'm in control of things.

I would like to zip up to Sweden, since I have some Swedish ancestors, just so I can say I've hit all of my ethnic roots. (German, British, Swedish). I've always wanted to go to Australia, but that's not likely.

In the US, I've never been further west than Utah. We really wanted to go to the Grand Canyon when we were living in El Paso, but never made it in that year. I'd like to see the Northwest Pacific coast. Haven't been to the extreme Northeaster US either, like Maine and Vermont. I love DC and haven't been there in about 20 years.

That's a gorgeous photo of Croatia!

Shoshanah said...

My top 3 places to visit are Greece, Egypt, and Australia. Don't even really have to think about it to come up with those

a girl from oz said...

firstly, just wanted to say I'm not sure how I found your blog, but have enjoyed reading it and love your photography.

Paris is lovely...been there a couple of times now. As well as the obvious sights (Louvre, Champs Elysees, Eiffel tower etc) there's a couple of other places I can suggest:

1. Mémorial des Martyrs de la Déportation - a memorial to the people of Paris who were deported during WWII. Its kind of tucked away behind Notre Dame, but well worth the effort to get to.

2. Hotel des Invalides - this complex has museums relating to the military history of France, and is also where Napoleon Bonaparte's coffin is.

And if you are ever in Berlin, you can do day tours out to Sachenhausen (the concentration camp on the outskirts). The same company also does free walking tours of Berlin (you pay a tip if you wish of whatever value you wish at the end of tour). Can highly recommend both these tours.

Julie Danielle said...

I want to see Ireland, Scotland, England and the Baltic sea area. I also want to go to Australia. I would love to be able to visit all 50 states. I think I am at 27 right now.

The Rest is Still Unwritten said...

I never really wanted to visit Hawaii either but it was my hubby's turn to plan the vacation and he choose Maui. I fell in love with it!!

We are going to Paris, Venice and Rome in April! I'm sooo excited! I cannot wait, we just booked our trip like 20 minutes ago!

Unknown said...

Love your post!!

My sister maybe will transfer to India end of the year for her study.I wish to visit there too once she settle down.I love to get my wedding album in Taiwan too..hopefully I can.

Angie said...

I love your list! I have one myself with a few similar places. I still want to visit Italy!

Anonymous said...

oooh!!! Norway is one of my dream destinations! My great grandfather was born in Bergen, Norway and I love a lot of music from there!!!

Always love visiting your blog!!!

xoxo

photos are awesome!

xoxo

Hannah said...

What a great list!!!! Might have to steal some of it!

Jenn M said...

Love your list! I know 3 girls adopted from Russia- their parents say it's lovely!

My list includes Ireland and Scotland, because my husband and I both have that as the majority of our heritage.

Canada, to see my husband's family...(but it'll prob be after the Army gets his citizenship done...)

I'm not really wanting to go to HI, but if we happen to PCS there, I'd be OK with it. I WOULD love to see Alaska...

I've only lived in FL, and now a bit in TX, and haven't traveled out of the SE USA, and 3 days in NYC other than that, so anywhere I can go, sign me up!