Places to visit again

Travel – it’s all about seeing somewhere new? Right or wrong? Well, I guess in some ways it is – it is fantastic to discover a new place and fall in love with it, and it is motivational to have a bucket list full of more amazing places still to visit.  But there is also something rather reassuring in returning to somewhere you know and enjoy and exploring it further, but with some local knowledge.

Gorgeous coastal scenery in Cornwall

My love affairs with Cornwall and Norfolk are well documented and these are places we regularly visit – being less than 4 hours from home.  But to go back to somewhere abroad, is that a good idea when there is a whole world out there to see? It might not be as wonderful as you remember, or it might have changed?  We haven’t done enough return trips to overseas places ourselves, but there are a few places that I think deserve a revisit.  Since we visited them last we’ve grown up, our tastes have matured (read increased in fussiness and $$$) and we have a better idea of exactly what we look for in a getaway.

#Paris is always a good idea – absolument. Lovely weekend of walking and sightseeing with obligatory fizz! Also – thank goodness for #lactase – not a fan, but needs must (crepes, croissants etc)!!

This year we have already been back to Paris and will return to Boston in June.  Going back to Paris was a great idea – we had seen all the main sights before so this gave us time to mooch, have relaxing long lunches and go where our legs carried us!

There are many more reasons to why we travel (I loved writing that article, please read and enjoy) than seeing new places so without further ado – where would the Parkers like to go back to soon…

Caribbean

Lovers Leap – Jamaica

Years back we had a holiday in Antigua and Barbados – I wasn’t taken by it! Lovely and warm, gorgeous beaches – but so many tourists.  Then a few years back Mr P had been working with the Jamaican Tourist Board and was spell-bound so we took the first opportunity that came up to visit and I got the bug back.  The Caribbean way of life is relaxed and slow with a gorgeous climate and scenery that is hard to beat.  Find an island that fits your needs (we wanted rustic, less tourism and azure sea) and you will want to return to that island (I could easily do another trip to Jamaica) or another in the same niche.  Choosing is difficult though – there is such a choice!  We have long yearned for a bare boat charter in the Grenadines which means that we can sail about as we please and choose some private anchorages.  Or perhaps to Bequia which has a few small and gorgeous places.

Arabia

Beautiful view of Abu Dhabi Grande Mosque

We’ve had 2 trips here now – once to Oman and then more recently we visited UAE and Dubai.  I love the climate, visit at the right time (not their summer) and it is hot, but it isn’t humid, and so it is a very easy heat to manage.  The hotel scene in this part of the world is second to almost nowhere.  We have had luxury stays at the Chedi in Muscat and at Qasr al Sarab which is nestled deep in the empty quarter desert.  There is something in Arabia for everyone, just please respect the culture – it is awful to see westerners visiting the sites with no comprehension of how they should dress and behave.  I’m very tempted to return soon – it isn’t a long flight for us from the UK and so makes a good alternative to the Caribbean, although it is markedly more expensive.  I’m quite taken with the Al Yamm Villas which offer beach paradise without the 2nd long-haul flight on to the Maldives (that trip I’m lining up for my 40th in a good few years time).

South Africa

Fun at Table View / Bloubergstrand

A place that is dear in our hearts.  This was the first real holiday that Mr P whisked me away on, pulling out all the stops (to his detriment now, I have expensive tastes) with upgrades and complimentary luxury hotel stays.  It is also where we chose for our honeymoon where we went to Cape Town and Stellenbosch and then headed to the Drakensberg, KZN and St Lucia as well.  There is so much more to see and with no real time difference from the UK, time isn’t wasted with jet lag.  We love a good bottle of fine wine and exploring more of the wine region (on a bike) is calling to us.  I’d love to see the wild coast and also visit in spring when the wild flower meadows are said to be stunning.  I’d also like to combine some more time in SA with a trip into Namibia or perhaps Mozambique which is a country with a fast-developing tourist industry.

Greece

Monemvasia is unique and stunning

How is it that I hadn’t been to Greece before 2014? Well – Mr P insisted and I fell in love with the scenery, the views, the pace of life, the food, the hotels…. You get the idea!  We only dipped our toe into Greece with a day in Athens and 4 days in the Peloponnese, but we loved it.  Previously I had thought Greece was overrun with Brits – party islands and big budget resorts always seem to be what comes to mind.  But look carefully off the beaten track and there are some gorgeous places to stay and visit where you will feel like you’ve left the outside world behind, especially the British contingent!  I think we will return in the shoulder season again, and hopefully see some of what the islands have to offer. There are so many islands, we are spoilt for choice and with more BA flights and small new hotels continually opening, there’s lots still to discover. I would love to either fine another hotel as rustic, hidden and luxurious as the Kinsterna or find a villa with a view and a pool.

Sardinia

Sardinian views are stunning

We were lucky enough to be competing in an international sailing regatta here last year – Porto Cervo is not only super-expensive but is also one of the sailing ‘Mecca’s’ and it was my first time there.  The only trouble with going somewhere for a regatta is that you don’t get to see enough off the country – although the views from the yacht were stunning!  So that has left us wanting for more.  The flights let us see down to countless azure bays and empty beaches which were stunning! I would love to find a white-washed villa with a private pool and a view – kick back and relax and then pootle around the island in a soft-top Fiat 500 stopping at villages as we go!  The Maddalena islands also need investigating, and then why not take a longer trip and latch on some time in Corsica too?

What do you think? Visit somewhere new, or stick to what you know? I think a good mix of new adventures and old faithful friends is perfect! Where would you like to go back to? What would you do differently?