Lately: Wanderlust

It happened folks, summer ended. The winter boots are out in force for muddy walks with Polly and any day now I’ll be digging into my wardrobe for woolly hats, mittens and warming up my fingertips over the open fire.

It’s around this time of year I take a quick glance towards next year and think about the places we might visit and holidays we will enjoy. We decided to pass on Glastonbury Festival next year so we could afford a late summer break instead, as we’re off to Western Australia at the end of the March for Easter with family.

Researching, booking and planning holidays is all part of the experience and before I book anything (we have to save in advance as we don’t have credit cards) I love making up lists and browsing the internet for places new and old to venture to. Here’s four destinations on my must/need/desperate to visit list…

Dubrovnik | We went on holiday to Croatia when we first met and I’ll never forget the blue Adriatic sea, amazing food and the friendliest people. We stayed on Lopud island just one of the islands off the coast of Dubrovnik, and enjoyed 7 delicious days of walking, swimming, eating and playing numerous games of UNO.

I’d love to go back and explore more of the old town, perhaps because Kings Landing in Game of Thrones is set there, but also because it’s my idea of complete paradise. We’re only planning a short break away next year, so maybe somewhere we’ve already been is a good choice? Top 3 things I’d like to do in Dubrovnik:

1. Go on the cable car to take in views of Dubrovnik and the coast from Mt Srd.
2. Go on a Game of Thrones walking tour. Do not judge me.
3. Try kayaking followed by a seafood lunch.

Iceland | I’ve wanted to go to Iceland for many, many years now. Reykjavik is on the priority list so I can enjoy all the culture the city has to offer as well as venturing further north to discover the Northern Lights. Top 3 things I’d like to do in Iceland:

1. Visit Reykjavik old harbour. I love fishing towns and villages (definitely a fisherman’s daughter).
2. Go to the Geothermal Baths in Laugardalur.
3. Experience the Northern Lights. Ever since watching Local Hero as a kid, I’ve wanted to see the Northern Lights. Perhaps, next year?

Cinque Terre | This was meant to happen last year but then we bought a house, then Glastonbury happened so instead we put it off for a more financially viable year! But oh my, doesn’t she look pretty? Cinque Terre, a Unesco World Heritage site since 1996, is made up of five fishing villages on the west coast of Italy. Top 3 things I’d like to do in Cinque Terre:

1. Visit all 5 villages (Monterosso, Riomaggiore, Vernazza, Corniglia and Manarola) and try walking most of the coastal route between them.
2. Photograph the colourful homes and businesses that cascade down the cliffsides.
3. Read A Room with a View by E.M Forster while sipping Limoncello.

Portugal | It’s ridiculous I’ve never been to Portugal. I’ve always favoured going there rather than Spain, but have been to Spain three times. On the top of my list is Porto, I do love a medieval town! Top 3 things I’d like to do in there:

1. Wander the quaint cobbled streets and covet tiles (whilst eating a tasty pastry from many of their bakeries).
2. Visit the old part of the city, Riberia.
3. Visit the Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art.

What’s on your wanderlust list?

P.S Been to any of the above travel destinations?

Disclosure: Collaborative Post. All images via Thomson.