I will freely admit that I love nothing more than a quiet weekend with no plans. Just at home. With Mr P. Relaxing, reading or staring into space.
These weekends are excellent.
This weekend was one. Few and far between.
And they let me think…
And plot and find inspiration for where to explore next…
In fact this weekend it was Mr P that presented plans for our next trips that he will be arranging for me!
The one that was for work but is now my favourite city…
So I’ve come to begrudge frequent business travel and now enjoy the rarity of work adventure these days. But work did take me to and from Washington more times than I care to remember. And those visits to DC were inspiring. It’s now my favourite city to visit and explore, and I would never have found it without work.
The one that opened the door to a new continent…
There is something to inspire every-one and every taste (literally) in India. We worked that out by scratching the surface. Hyderabad is a fascinating business destination. Delhi is a quick submersion in the culture. Agra ticks the Taj Mahal box. Jaipur is inspirational beauty. Goa is utter relaxation. And Mumbai is the ideal reintroduction into western culture.
The one we never expected to visit…
Watch the news too long and Israel would be far from the top of anyones visit list. But it was an unexpected pleasure. The culture, the food, the history, the climate. We had a magical trip and it inspired us to return in the not to distant future and carry on exploring.
The one where I was poorly…
Being in a beautiful place feeling miserable and poorly is good for recovery. It forced me to get up, dry my eyes (read – put on sunglasses), get on and get out. And doing that I learnt a lot about myself and what makes me feel better on a blue day. Sea air and a beautiful place. It’s easy to stop sweating the small stuff when you are inspired by nature.
The one where we reached a new level of zen…
It had been a stressful interview process for Mr P and so when he had a nice break before starting the new (dream) job we made sure we could totally relax and reconnect. Where better than a lighthouse. On an island. A mile offshore. In stunning Maine. Going nowhere. Watching the sea, the clouds and the birds and seals. It inspired a new level of zen-like being!
The one where I said yes…
There’s always a special place in the memory for places where big things happen. Westbay on the Dorset coast was where Mr P asked me to be Mrs P. On a beautiful blue day with the view of the orange cliffs behind us. I also remember we’d been celebrating a new job in the run up. We’d had enough fizz already, so we toasted his inspiration with fizzy beer!
The one where being offline is the only option…
Offline is the new luxury. And sailing offshore means going offline. Not scanning Facebook or Instagram is excellent. Instead it’s about the here and now, inspired by the freedom of sea and sky. I’ve deleted Facebook from my phone – a great freedom on land too!
The one where arriving is like coming home…
Well, home as I imagine it. The hidden gems, the charming places, the places that we only wish were like home. I’m on a bit of a winners roll with these right now. And recently back from Lisbon and Cascais I happily found two more. They inspire my #housegoals scrapbook…
The one I love to call home…
I cannot get enough of Cornwall. The landscape and the mining history inspires my imagination about what it would have been like back in the days when it was the richest place on earth. And the quiet little beaches and coves are so stunning that you forget any worries and just enjoy being there, feet in the sand and the sea.
Ending where I started, the ones at home…
We are lucky that 20 minutes from home we have some of the best sailing in the UK. Not only that we are spoilt for beach or forest walks. The cycling on the South Downs is excellent with many a perfect pub. But sometimes I just like to be sat at home, inspired by a book or researching the next trip.
Everywhere has the ability to leave one inspired. Thank goodness as my mind needs the exercise!
Cornwall’s popped up in a couple of ‘inspiring’ posts! I must get myself there. I understand travelling for work can quickly lose it’s glamour when reality sets in. Washington DC sounds like an awesome place to be sent though!
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Please do – it has so much to offer. There’s a link to my directory of local knowledge, vital if you want to see the real Cornwall!
I agree with your point that everywhere can leave you inspired! I think that is what makes such incredible destinations leaving a lasting impressions.
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Sometimes it is a cute little village not far from home, other times it is thousands of miles. All exploring and relaxing is good!
I mean how beautifully crafted is this post! I wish there was more! So mamy pictures of the sea makes it relaxing to my eyes!
#travellinkup
http://www.oryxlandlife.com
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Thanks Sahar – it’s full of memories of the places that have meant the most for whatever reason!
Ahh, some stunning memories here! And your pictures are just beautiful.
Polly xx
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Thanks Polly – some good and some bad, but everything sad disappears when you compare it to nature!
I think I need to visit Washington!
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Great city to enjoy – you need at least a couple of days for the memorials and museums
Loved, loved, LOVED this post. Quite possibly my favorite of yours!
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Thanks Jaime – I wasn’t entirely sure what to write then it was obvious, and fun!
Some amazing trips all round – I love reading these link up posts and finding inspiration for future travels!
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The topics are great right? As we have such variety – looking forward to my weekend reading!
Woah, that Israel photo is just so ethereal 🙂 What a fun and varied collection of destinations and occasions, Anna, such a rainbow of travel flavours!
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It is one of the most incredible places, sea, but so far below sea level!
You’ve well and truly opened my eyes to India especially Jaipur – I actually received a very tempting offer in my inbox earlier today from the Oberoi…3 nights for the price of 2…I’m trying to convince Mr O’T to say yes! I’m very intrigued my Maine, not somewhere I had every considered! I went offline for 3 days in the Maldives and it was pure bliss!
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Book it book it book it… And as for Maine – it’s a roadtrip kind of place, really fun to explore with no itinerary
So many inspirations! ‘The one where I was poorly’ brought make memories of being ill in India. While the rest of my group had gone out to visit a temple I stayed in my room, close to the bathroom. But it wasn’t long before I took a chair out to the balcony and watched a stunning sunset over a lake and thought with a smile on my face ‘What a fabulous place to feel poorly’.
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Exactly, we went through the trauma on one day and enjoyed the Giant’s causeway the next!
I feel the need for a relaxing stay somewhere beautiful, and an afternoon to properly peruse your posts at leisure Anna!
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Only if accompanied with champagne Emma! Likewise with yours – enjoying reading about Cornwall! My mum is there now visiting her mum and I want to be too!
Like you Anna, I can find inspiration anywhere I travel. People ask me my favorite place, and I usually reply India, but destinations can be invigorating for so many different reasons. I love hearing how each location was able to transport you.
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I think India is probably my favourite place to explore – a complete assault on the senses, so different to home!
Well, what a small world it is. I grew up in West Bay, Dorset. I went to school just along the coast in Lyme Regis. So West Bay has a very special place in my heart and I love watching it look so beautiful in Broadchurch. It is one of my most inspiring places 🙂
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It must be strange watching Broadchurch as so often somewhere not Westbay appears – we always try to work out where it might be!
So much inspiration from around the world! There’s a few in here I’ve got on my wishlist (Maine and Israel especially) and so often the places that I didn’t expect to visit (or sometimes like!) become my favourites.
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Couldn’t agree more, the unexpected ones I think because we didn’t have preconceived ideas are the ones that make the difference
great inspirations!
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Thanks Tanja, I need to find more!
So many lovely spots and sweet stories 🙂
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Plenty more to come hopefully!