My New Happy: 5 Places I Want To See Before I Die

Friday, September 19, 2014

5 Places I Want To See Before I Die


It's time for the second topic in the new link up series with my blogging buddies.  On the following Fridays we'll be writing about our Top 5....  I hope you'll join us!



I had a really hard time choosing the Top 5 places I want to see before I die.  My list of must visit travel destinations is long and varied - as my younger son says, I want to see everything!  But I had to pick 5, so here you go!

--Paris.  I know it's cliche to choose the City of Love, but I really, really, really want to go to Paris someday.  I want to visit the Louvre, stroll the streets, have a baguette and cheese at a cafe, and go to the top of the Eiffel Tower, all while wearing a jaunty beret. And the fashion!  Chanel, Dior, Lacroix - heaven.

--The Ice Hotel in Sweden.  I may have mentioned a time or two that I am always cold. Why would I spend money to stay in a hotel room made of ice?  I have no idea, but when I see the pictures of the beds piled high with warm reindeer hides, it looks so cozy. The architecture and interior furnishings are amazing.  The Ice Hotel is built each year in November out of 4,000 tons of snow and ice.  And each spring it melts away into the River Torne.  I'd probably only make it one night, but I'd love to try.



--Abu Camp in Botswana.  Someday I want to go on a safari, but not just any safari. The elephants in Abu Camp were rescued by American conservationist Randall Moore from zoos abroad.  He brought them home to the land where they were born, and they are your means of travel through the Okavango Delta.  Riding on an elephant provides access to areas that are otherwise impossible to reach, and offers an up close view of wildlife on the Delta.  It doesn't hurt that the accommodations include luxury style tents and three course gourmet meals.  Their website says, "Becoming part of an African elephant herd is an extraordinary privilege that we seek to show to those who visit us".  Yes, please.


--Westminster Abbey in London.  I admit it, I'm a huge royal family nerd.  I was glued to the TV when Prince Charles and Diana were married - ditto for Prince William and Catherine.  I know it's silly to have Kings and Queens in modern day life, but there's something so magical about the whole institution.  I guess it's the little girl in me who wanted to be a princess.  I would actually love to see all of the beautiful architecture in London, but I'm especially drawn to Westminster Abbey.


--Bora Bora. More specifically, I want to stay in a bungalow suite over the water at The Four Seasons Bora Bora.  After I've frozen to death at the Ice Hotel, I'll jet over to Bora Bora to thaw out - and probably never come home.  I mean, seriously, just looking at the pictures makes me feel romantic and happy.  


So there you have it.  I will probably have to win the lottery or receive an inheritance from a long lost relative if I actually hope to see any of these places before I die.  But a girl can dream, right?

I hope you check out the other ladies, and join us next time for the Top 5 favorite pictures I've taken.



50 comments:

  1. The Ice Hotel would be amazing to see! I'm always cold so I don't know how long I would make it but it would be a fun place to stay!

    Jill
    dousedinpink.blogspot.com

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    1. I'm sure I wouldn't make it very long - but it's just so pretty!

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  2. Oohhhhhh.... Bora bora is a good one! I've never heard of the ice palace, not sure I could stay, makes me cold just thinking about it.

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  3. I've only been to one, I'd love to join you visiting the others!

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  4. Saint Augustine said, "The World is a book, and those who do not travel see only a page." What's your opinion?

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  5. I've been to Paris and to Westminster Abbey. I don't know about checking into the Ice Hotel, but seeing the Northern (or Southern) Lights---from somewhere is on my list. We visited the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, Thailand. It is also an elephant rescue sanctuary: http://www.boomeresque.com/wanna-feel-kinda-small-our-visit-to-the-elephant-nature-park-near-chiang-mai-thailand/ We are leaving for a trip to South Africa in October that will include a 3 night safari near Kruger National Park. On my list, are seeing the ruins at Ephesus in Turkey and Petra in Jordan. We are probably going to Israel at the end of March, so I hope we can tack those onto that trip. (We get to travel by tacking extra days onto my husband's work trips. He's a medical researcher and they collaborate globally----so, yay!) I hope you get to visit the places on your list. You can easily do Paris and Westminister Abbey as part of the same trip. You can just nip across the English Channel on the Eurostar train that uses the Chunnel.

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    1. Lucky you to get to travel with your hubby! We were supposed to be able to see the Northern Lights here last week during the solar flares, but I never could catch them.

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  6. You and me, Paris. Maybe we'll invite the others.

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  7. I definitely agree with your first two! Very much.
    I'd love to see northern lights in Alaska, and just all of Alaska really. I'd love to see London for many reasons, as well as the French and English countrysides.
    Australia too!

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    1. My husband really wants me to go to Alaska with him - I'm thinking a cruise of the Inside Passage?

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  8. I'm a big believer in goals and dreams. I have been to Paris and Westminster Abbey & slept through northern lights on an Alaska cruise. We are going back this summer and I hope to ask our "butler" to wake me up!

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    1. That's so funny - you definitely need to be awoken next time!

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  9. Ahhh Paris, I should have added that to my list AND Bora Bora because really, who doesn't want to go there!
    Fun fact: there's an ice hotel in Quebec, Canada!! might be cheaper to get to! http://www.hoteldeglace-canada.com/

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    1. Another good reason to go back to Quebec! I can't imagine anyone doesn't want to go to Bora Bora!

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  10. I've been to Paris and to Westminster Abbey in London--all beautiful. I would LOVE to see Bora Bora and REALLY want to go to the Ice Hotel!!!

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  11. All of those places sound heavenly! Paris - of course...who wouldn't? The safari where you ride on elephants - that sounds awesome. Never heard of the ice hotel, but...wow. Bora Bora - A beach with little umbrella huts...uh, yeah! Just pick one and start planning it. The only way to do it, is to just do it.

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    1. You are absolutely right. I need to start a little Paris account.

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  12. I love this post, and the ideas for this linkup, Lana! I was just going to link it to my Facebook page, and list my five choices there - but you inspired me to write a post. It will be on my blog this weekend.
    I love the variety of your choices. Our world has a lot to offer!
    I think you would be a wonderful traveling companion!

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    1. I think we would travel very well together! I'm so glad you joined our link up - loved your choices too!

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  13. May I come with you? I pack light and will supply lots of laughs. Great goals - I hope you reach them all!

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    1. Absolutely! I love to travel with anyone who can laugh with me.

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  14. The ice hotel is apparently lots of fun, I have friends who stayed there in July and said it was freezing even then but not as cold as dashing from a sauna to plunge into a river to cool off which is the thing to do in Sweden too!

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    1. Those Swedes are adventurous! I would be running toward the sauna!

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  15. Ooh, Bora Bora looks nice! I'd love to go to New Zealand sometime. And I'd love to revisit Scotland and England (and stop over at Ireland while I'm there). I'd also like to travel across the US. I've seen so little of our country. #SITSBlogging

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    1. I would love to see Ireland and Scotland too. Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  16. That Ice Hotel looks sweet! And cold, for that matter.

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    1. I'm not sure I would last long - but I'd like to try!

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  17. Bora Bora after the ice hotel sounds like a good idea! There are so many places & things I want to see. Some might not happen, but I'm going to make as many as possible happen. My next to cross off my list is the Smokey Mountains. This link up looks like a lot of fun! Going to mark this one for the future ; ) (Stopping by from SITS Girls Sharefest)

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    1. I hope you'll join us! The Smoky Mountains are beautiful! Thank you so much for stopping by.

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  18. I love all of these places.
    Why don't you start putting money away - $50 every paycheck or whatever you can afford? In a CD trust and every 2 years, or however long it will take you to save up for it and then just go....

    Visiting from Sits Sharefest. 300 to go...
    I have an important link, I'd like everyone to share and that's the pay it Forward campaign we have going on our website: http://bit.ly/1v35Aj5

    Have a HAPPY Saturday!

    Keep in Touch(ed).,
    KG
    www.touchedmagazine.com

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    1. You're right - I need to start a Paris fund! Thanks so much for stopping by.

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  19. I would love to go to Paris! The ice hotel I saw on TV & that'd be pretty awesome too. Ohhh Bora Bora would be nice too. I'm stopping by from SITS & I hope your having a great weekend!

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    1. Thank you! I think I first saw the ice hotel on tv too.

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  20. Hopping over from SITS Saturday. I would love to stay in Bora Bora, but you definitely have me curious about the Ice Hotel too....

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  21. Visiting from SITS - I would absolutely love to go to the ice hotel too!

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  22. I was lucky enough to honeymoon in Tahiti in an overwater bungalow- absolutely amazing. But now, ice hotel may have to be added to our bucket list- looks so cool!

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  23. I would love to go to France for the same reasons you would! I have never heard of the Ice Hotel...amazing! It's also hilarious that you would go there since you are always cold.

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    1. I know, I'm so strange :). You can come to Paris with Deena and me!

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  24. I'd love to visit all those places too. I am not so sure about Botswana but the rest I am all in 100%. =)

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    1. Botswana scares me a little - but I would really love to go on safari!

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  25. Bora Bora is cool and all if you really like the water and snorkeling. I went to Mo'orea (small island next to Tahiti) for my honeymoon. Got a Bora Bora experience, but also was able to go into town to have the cultural feel of the islands, and also got to do more land exploring. Still got to do scuba diving and snorkeling! Definitely a better option for a more adventurous vacation, and cheaper than Bora Bora!

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    1. I will definitely check this out because Bora Bora is EXPENSIVE!

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  26. Quite a few of these are on my bucket list as well. I am bound and determined to at least make it to the Eiffel Tower and Westminster Abbey! But the others are there just a little further down except maybe Bora Bora would that just be so nice!

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    1. I hope, I hope I get to the Eiffel tower someday!

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