This post veers off the beaten path from what I've previously written in this blog. For one, when I was creating my blog schedule at the beginning of the year, I knew exactly how I was going to tie this post into the main themes of HealthLikeMe. Sadly, the idea leaked its way out of my brain since the first week of 2019. But, alas! I can still congratulate myself because... I (accidentally) officially have my first "uncategorized" entry! Anyways, getting back on topic -- This post about the joys of getting to go and explore different places will detail my favorite destinations, places I'd love to go back to and ones I'm dying to visit for the first time! The states -I guess you can say I have been to at least one state in each of America's regions. Ever since I can remember, I've wanted to go to Boston and see a true autumn with all the colorful tree leaves! I finally got the chance to for my 26th birthday in 2016. I didn't see changing leaves since we went in December, But, I still had the time of my life - Copley Square, Martha's Vineyard, watching the Patriots win in a bar in downtown Boston, trying "chowdah" for the first time - all amazing! Earlier that year, I was back on the East Coast in NYC. And I completely acted like your typical Manhattan tourist. There's nothing like having a Guinness at O'Lunney's in Times Square. Highlight: Seeing Wicked on Broadway at the Gershwin Theater and visiting Ground Zero. Next time I go: Explore the other Boroughs. Chicago, November 2014. The Windy City was windy, cold and then colder because it sits on Lake Michigan, and it has towering skyscrapers that if you go between at the wrong time it steals your breath. My wish is that I could've spent a lot more time there. The older architecture and seeing one of the Great Lakes was astounding. More importantly, I saw the Bean! It's one city I definitely need to go back to during a better weather season. Keeping on the road west, I most recently got back from San Francisco. Another birthday trip! My Golden Birthday last year was a lot fun — I walked a lot, ate a lot, shopped a lot and drank a lot. We had a local San Franciscan who’s also a family friend take us around. The night we had set aside to celebrate my birthday was magically dapper. We all got gussied up and ate at a restaurant on the bay and after we had champagne at the hotel rooftop lounge called The View. 360 degrees view of downtown San Fran at night at the Marriott Marquis! Beautiful! That was my highlight of the trip. Sadly, some of the other legendary views couldn’t be seen because of the terrible air quality from the devastating California fires. When I go back, it’s wine tour life! I have been to California once before. I don't remember much seeing as I was two. But at least I can say that I've been to Disney Land. Speaking of Disney... Back on the East Coast I have a blurry memory of Orlando and South Beach, Florida. Not for the reasons a 28 year-old could give (I was 13 at the time), but simply because I can attest to nothing much exciting happened. I do love the water though, so playing in the Atlantic FTW! I'm a native Texan, so any place considered in the Southwest Region is basically home for me.
EurOpe -I probably could go on and on about the two times I crossed the “pond”. Each time left deep impressions on my heart. I won’t crowd this page and bore you with all the minute details, so I’ll just touch on the details of the sites that stole my heart – and food that stole my stomach – along with destinations I have yet to travel to that are on my bucket list. Italy – the food and the history! We stayed in a bed and breakfast for a few days while we roamed Rome. Homemade Italian pasta? Yes, please! I had to it without the veal though. The Trevi Fountain was just as the rumors say it is. I made my wish and I have to admit that part of my wish was that there weren’t so many people crowded around. While getting a guided tour through the city and its museums, we snacked on gelato and portable pizza! I was not disappointed. Favorite part? Going to the island of Capri. Breathtaking! Greece – I’ll never forget getting lost on Delphi at night with my friend. Or throwing up in Athens. Or wading in the Aegean Sea. All have very funny stories. What stole my heart here however were all the islands we sailed to on a cruise ship. Every day we woke up on a new island. **Turkey was included with the Greek Island tour even though part of it is in Asia, not Europe. Here, I got to visit Biblical locations such as Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary where I was in awe of how even Europe pales in comparison to the ancient-ness of that Holy Land.** Spain – we stayed in the heart of Madrid and spent all day incredible and infamous Museo Reina Sofia. This time I went, I was of legal drinking age in Europe so you know I took advantage of authentic sangria! Just like in Italy, I had to do special pasta dishes because in Spain, they literally cook pork with everything. Lots of historical traditions (and research for me) both Catholic and Islam as to why, but essentially: no jamon for me, thank you! Still left to visit: the UK and Ireland. I’m a writer after all! The Nordic countries. Minus Greenland. The Baltic States. Basically just so I can eat pastries all day. And Austria because of its culture that’s tough to beat anywhere else! I am hoping that my love of travel will take me to even more! Canada sounds fun and South America will most likely call my name very soon! Shake up your life -Traveling is one of the things I value about my life. Not everyone has this luxury. I grasp the opportunity to expand my mind by learning anything new about the places I visit, and I also simply let go, relax and enjoy myself! So I strongly encourage y'all to bite the bullet and always say yes to taking a trip whenever the opportunity presents itself.
For further travel destinations and inspirations, check out my "Pack Your Bags" board on Pinterest!
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