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

  3. This is always the challenge when you travel, finding such beautiful places you would love to return to & yet knowing that are so many more for your eyes to behold.

    Best of luck with your challenge! Some wonderful choices:)

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  4. I agree with your choice Jo, though I haven’t visited some of the suggested locations. You won’t be surprised that the view from Orsay is my favourite here. What a capture! Have fun on the beach next Saturday!

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    1. Thanks, Paula 🙂 This was a very spur of the moment post. I’m sure I should have Warsaw or somewhere Polish in here. I’m letting the side down! Glad you like the Orsay shot. 🙂

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  7. This is a great post. 🙂 I saw the Sagrada Familia when I was on a school trip in 1972 (oh dear, that ages me a bit!) and I am sure they told us that it was due to be completed in 60 years, because my friend and I thought we would be able to visit when it was. I don’t think there is much chance of them managing it in that time frame now!

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    1. No, it’s not going to be finished in a hurry, Elaine 🙂 but it’s very beautiful as it is. Thank you! Glad you’re making the most of your Indian Summer. It’s deserted us already. Ah, well- Algarve here I come 🙂

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    1. A certain person thinks he’s going to be lazy these 2 weeks, Sue. 🙂 What do you think are his chances? Bare in mind that it will be hot (well, 27-30C- that’s my idea of hot). Vigorous paddling? 🙂
      Enjoy your trip and take care.

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      1. Perhaps Mick could tie you to a beach chair. 🙂 Yes those temps are hot by our standards too.
        We leave for Italy on Sept 19th so perhaps we will cross paths before then. I am planning to blog live from the trip so be prepared to push me up those Tuscan hills. 🙂

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  14. An intriguing challenge to think of five places to return to. Of course you sell your choices with wonderful images, and I can quite understand why you’re now thinking of places omitted. For me, returning somewhere almost seems a waste of the rest of the world, since I started travelling late. But I’d like to go back to Zagreb, because it’s a lovely city and as a for a base for exploring more Croatia: Budapest for its baths; Broken Hill, because it gives access to friends and the desert. Poland goes without saying: I’m beginning to see that I could spend the rest of my travelling life exploring it, in between a feast of twins.

    I’m so lucky to be able to see unseen parts of the world vicariously. Thank you. And enjoy loafing in the sun.

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    1. I’m trying to fathom how I can get to Croatia next year, Meg. I so want to see Hvar, Korcula and Rovinj. But then there’s Florence! I haven’t been to Italy for years. I’m thinking I might get away with a city break next year some time? (don’t tell Mick! 🙂 ) I sometimes wish I didn’t have the travel bug and was a contented stop-at-home. But it’s too hard to imagine 🙂 Thank you- I have a Monday walk and then I’m gone.

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  15. Keep traveling Jo. I love your photo inside of the Sagrada. I too would love to go back to Barcelona and Paris but there are just too many new places to discover.

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    1. That’s exactly how it is! I go back to the Algarve because we have a home there, but if I can persuade my husband to go anywhere else, it has to be somewhere new. 🙂

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  16. Thanks for the nomination Jo, Ben of Flights.Camera.Satisfaction http://flightscamerasatisfaction.com/ has already nominated me, but I didn’t get around to writing the post – been in a bit of a blue funk recently. I may give it a go, but purely out of interest. I’m not bothered about “being in it to win it”. As Andrew says though, how do you choose just five places? o_O

    Enjoy the Algarve – given the dismal August we have just have I’m wondering whether I can persuade the OH to consider the Algarve or Spain to retire to. What do you think? Is it easy to buy a house out there? Given the hassle it takes over here, I suspect it’s not. ANYWAY – do relax! Lay by the pool and read loads of books and drink wine and cocktails. Then go for a little stroll in the sunset. Visit a garden or two. Climb the hills. Drink champagne. And soak in all that sun.
    Jude xx

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    1. Sorry about that, Jude. I did it as a very last minute thing and it seemed to fit with 6WS and saying ta-rrah! I just grabbed 5 commenters from my last post without checking. I’m not sure if the competition aspect is still running anyway, but I was curious to see your 5 (though I think I could guess at least a couple of them). I can’t believe I didn’t even include anywhere Polish! 🙂
      August’s been pretty good by our northern standards and I was just wondering if we’d miscalculated and gone too early as it appears we will miss some decent weather. It will be 27-30C there so not too much rushing around 🙂
      Book a week’s holiday and come see what you think? That’s what we did. I can give you the name of our agents, who still manage the house for us when we’re not there? It was pretty easy- see a house, fall in love! 🙂 Do it soon because prices will rise. You’d get a good bargain right now.

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