Six word Saturday

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Five places to go back to

The light cascades down over you

Sagrada Familia in Barcelona

I was invited a while ago by Booked.net to take part in their promotion and maybe have the chance to win myself an iPhone6.  All I had to do was write a post about 5 places I would be happy to go back to.  It’s a tempting idea and it just happens to work well with my Six word Saturday.

Barcelona had to be on my list.  Gaudi’s work left me speechless (and you should know, that’s not easy to do!) and I would be more than happy to revisit Parc Guell.  The main reason for going back would have to be to observe the progress of the incredible Sagrada Familia.  It’s not due for completion for a number of years yet so I shall postpone my revisit a while.

Especially with the swimming pool!

The lovely location of The Vintage Hotel on the banks of the Douro

Somewhere far more serene than Barcelona, the Douro region of Portugal made a lasting impression on me.  Using Porto as a base, I had only a couple of days to explore the natural beauty of this landscape.  The highlight for me was cruising back from Peso da Regua along the Douro River, the vineyards rolling away on either shore.  I am quite determined to return some day and stay in one of the hillside villages where I can savour the pure, clear air. (and maybe sample the grape)  Springtime, with the blossom all around me, would be ideal.  Or Autumn, when all those vines turn wine red!

The frocks shimmered in the dark and then began to change colour

Shimmering frocks at Lumiere 2013, in Durham Cathedral

The city of Durham is right on my doorstep, and I return to it again and again.  The University and student population make it a lively place and there’s always an event of some kind going on. Currently the Cathedral is fund raising via their Buy a Lego Brick campaign.  I did, of course, and it’s fun to return and see the project grow.

If you really want to see something special, you should time your visit for Lumiere.  This event only takes place once every two years, the next being November 2015.  It’s a long way off, but put it in your diary.  I’ll be there!

Theview from the cafe in magnificent Musee d'Orsay

The view from the cafe in magnificent Musee d’Orsay, Paris

How could I not include my new love, Paris, in my list?  I wandered far and wide around the city and found nothing to disappoint. Even sitting on the top deck of an open top bus with the rain streaming down my neck didn’t seem so bad in Paris!  The wonders of Versailles and Monet’s incredible garden at Giverny will stay with me forever but I would love to go back.  I don’t really think it matters how or when.

A place where the spirit soars

The Algarve, a place where my spirit soars

My last choice won’t come as a surprise to anyone who knows me, and I’m returning there on Monday.  The Algarve is where I am at peace with the world.  I have spent endless hours wandering on its beaches, and hope to spend many more.  Tavira feels like home to me, and that’s always a reason for going back.  It’s time for another glass or two of port in this beautiful riverside setting.  I’d love it if you could join me there some day.

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I won’t be around for Six Word Saturday next week.  I’ll be wandering on one of those beaches!  But I hope you’ll still join Cate at Show My Face.

One of the entry conditions of the Booked.net promotions was to name 5 other bloggers to participate.  I’m not sure if we’re out of time but my nominations would be Le chic en Rose, lolawi, Behind the Story, Stranger in USA and Hey Jude.

“Booked.net – Top Destinations to Go There”

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123 comments

  2. Wonderful post Jo and thanks very much for my nomination to list 5 places I’d like to go back to (gosh there’s so many!). Am flattered you thought of me – I have just got in and as it’s quite late here in Perth will quickly do up my list tomorrow if that’s not too late? Excuse my ignorance but do I just do a post and refer back to you and Booked.net or do I nominate other bloggers too? Enjoy your trip to the Algarve 🙂

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    1. Hi Rosemay 🙂 I did this post as a bit of fun because it fits with 6WS and tells people I’m away next week at the same time. Looking at the Bookednet site they’re up to 132 entries so I’m assuming its still ongoing. It’s entirely up to yourself whether you want to nominate, or even refer back to me. Have a look at the website and see what you think. I wouldn’t rush it because I have no idea if there’s a prize still up for grabs. I just thought it would be fun to see where you’d pick 🙂 Thank you!

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      1. Thanks Jo – I think it’s a great idea for a post and it has set me thinking where would I pick?! Not sure if I’ll actually nominate for the competition but I’m very happy to refer back to you and your wonderful blog. I’m definitely going to do a post on 5 Places I’d Like To Go Back to but I won’t rush to do today – it’s my daughter’s farewell party she leaves for London on Wednesday – it will be quite an emotional few days! I’ll check out the Bookednet site too – that’s a new one for me. Thanks for your great support I really appreciate it, enjoy the Algarve 🙂

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      4. Hi Jo have done my weekly post on “Five Places To Go Back To” – it was a great idea (didn’t actually nominate anyone else but referred back to your blog!). It was a good one to work on for me this week as I was feeling rather bereft following Mlle’s departure on Wednesday night 😦 Now I can settle down for a while and start planning future travels 🙂 Hope you have had a great time in the Algarve too 🙂

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  5. I have only been to Paris – which I would love to revisit. As for the other places – they sound intriguing. I am astounded especially by the incomplete building in Barcelona. That ceiling you showed us looks magnificent.

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    1. There isn’t anywhere in the world quite like the Sagrada Familia, Colline! I have a post on it somewhere. A truly mesmerising place 🙂
      But still so much world to see!

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    2. I don’t know how I left Italy off the list and Poland should definitely be there, but it was a very last minute, spur of the moment thing, this post. Needs must 🙂
      Thank you! Mick thinks we’re going to be lazy (tee! hee!)

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      1. Stringer would kind of head for it once we’d checked in to whatever hotel we we booked into – he was a huge fan of the impressionists.
        In spite of the fact that we were in Paris 4 times, we never got to see the entirety !!!

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  12. Jo, magical post ….. that Musee d’Orsay shot – top class. Who doesn’t want to go back to Barcelona ???!!!! Magical city in more than one why. Paris, no done it seen and have a T-shirt that I bought far too small.*smile
    But I would mind visit any of the other places for the first time – and I think you should have that Iphone.
    Just another fantastic post in works and images.

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      1. Yes, you can .. it’s from Lido. *smile – she gave us the wrong sizes .. we didn’t notice until we was back on our hotel and was going to try them on – I never laughed like that for years. Cost an arm!!! After Chicago when I have located it – I will mail it to you – never had it on. Going to be a pleasure to pass it on to you *smile

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      3. I know you were ….. but now you are going to get it. Neither you want or not – there is somethings that shouldn’t been joked about. *laughing

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  13. Lovely, Jo. You are well traveled. 🙂 I’ve kept Paris on my list, the whole of France for that matter. We were at Honfleur this Spring, Paris last year. Major travels (rented cars) other years.
    Barcelona has seen me enough. Gaudi’s work will never finish, I think he wanted it that way.
    Sydney, AUS, needs me again, as does Tuscany, Italy. Of course London and we like Wales a lot. Think I counted five yay’s and one nay for you.
    But we won’t stop until the wooden box or a silver urn needs us. I do want Mrs. Jim to have a folded American flag, given to her by as traveling U.S. soldier.
    ..

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    1. Good for you, Jim 🙂 I have to admit, Italy nearly made it onto my list, but if I return I want to see Florence and that would be new to me. 🙂
      May you travel together side by side for many years to come!

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    1. I saw you on there with a couple of entries, Rich 🙂 They are up to 132 now so I’ve no idea if it’s still running! Michael tells me that we’re going to be very lazy. Expect I’ll manage to spoil his fun a little.

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