Strangely for us, we haven’t made many plans for 2015 yet. 2014 was an epic year of travel – 39 flights including visits with Mr P to UAE, Dubai, Venice, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Cornwall, Sardinia, Greece and Vienna…. We’ve no plans to keep up that pace this year, but we still have 12 months to plan for and a dreamy updated bucket list?
A view I saw a lot of this year – where might it take us this year?
This months inspired choice of travel link up theme is about wish lists and 2015 travel plans, so I have started putting our plans together! I’ve managed to get through to June and we have three trips confirmed! What’s more, we’ve got an afternoon tea at Brown’s later in January to discuss the ideas (looking forward to trying their dairy-free)! Check out the great arrangers of the link up – Kelly, Emma and Rebecca.
Rural staycation in Cambridgeshire
One trip we already have booked is to Cambridgeshire, in just a few weeks time! We have been invited to The Crown Inn and are excited about our stay! I don’t know the area, but the dates we’ve picked mean that it falls just after a massive sign-off at work and so comfy country accommodation and some tasty pub dining will put us back together again nicely, with a nice country walk for good measure before we head home! The Crown is a restaurant/pub with rooms and this niche is something I am a big fan of – very homely, only a handful of rooms (which look sumptuous) and a guarantee of friendly service and care.
Photo – from The Crown Inn
Paris – is always a good idea
In February we have booked a return trip to Paris – we had some Virgin miles rapidly approaching their use-by date and so a free Eurostar trip seemed like a good idea! 5 years back we had a summer weekend in Paris and ever since have wanted to go back and have a slower mooch around. Relaxing breakfasts, people watching, wrapping up warm and seeing the sites when they aren’t busy. I really want to go back to Montmartre – we found a hidden away local restaurant on our previous visit and I’m sure there is more like that to find. The trip is actually just before my birthday, so I think that will call for some treats? We were going to stay at the Westin with SPG points, but I have just done an about change – I stumbled on the most gorgeous B&B accommodation – Eliel – and immediately booked us in here instead, it looks like a little haven away from the city! I haven’t been to France since I needed to follow a dairy free diet, so I am slightly nervous – however if I have to have steak and chips more than once, then it isn’t the end of the world!
Paris – September 2009
When in doubt – head to Cornwall
May is not a month for a holiday, it is an epic working month for me. But that means that April does need a preparatory break! April is also host to our 5th wedding anniversary! I’ve started looking at ideas, Gozo and Malta were winning (with Greece close behind, and Madeira too, which Mr P raves about) but plans change (life changes) and we’ve had an about turn and decided that June is now the month to go long-haul!
Sundowners at the Mount Haven hotel, Marazion, Cornwall
As a result – April will do us proud with a return to Cornwall, probably staying at my grandparents house and exploring some more of Cornwall! I haven’t been to the site of the Eden Project since before it was built, so that deserves a visit and the Lost Gardens of Heligan will make another gorgeous spring day out! I am already looking forward to walking the coastal paths in the spring and enjoying some more great Cornish fayre!
Welcome to our Cornwall!
The Maine attraction
Comfort in the air
And then to June – well, off we go to Boston (BA first class was overdue and the airmiles have mounted up and we got a bit giddy in cheering ourselves up this New Year) – but we’re not stopping in Boston having been before… We are planning on hiring a car and seeing what delights Maine has to offer! Although perhaps a short internal flight to get us further north would be a wise plan? I haven’t started to plan this trip yet, so any suggestions and advice much appreciated! I loved the space and relaxing speed of Cape Cod when we visited before and heading up towards Nova Scotia really looks like it is going to offer more, and better – with lakes, mountains, log cabins (and hopefully no bears!)
East coast beaches – stunning
Beyond that – well we haven’t thought that far, focussing instead on having a brand new year stretching out in front of us, having banished the old one! Perhaps we’ll be a little impulsive this year – picking last minute mini-breaks (last minute for me would probably mean booking at least a month in advance) depending on what is needed and where work is taking us? We’ll probably continue with our love of the staycation – even more of Cornwall, a revisit to Norfolk (guaranteed – as we have a wedding near Norwich in late June), perhaps some time in the Lake District and undoubtedly some more of Anglesey and Snowdonia. I look forward to sharing another year of travel with you! Plenty of time to recharge, explore new places and spend time with friends and family.
Sounds like you have an amazing year planned already! Wish I could be so organised. Enjoy your travels and happy new year
Author
Thanks Andrew – you too! Impulse buying to beat the blues on new years day definitely helped!!
Nothing like a bit of impulse buying to banish the blues! 🙂
Your trips to Cambridgeshire and Paris sound so lovely! I can’t wait to read about them 🙂 All the best for 2015! xx
Author
Thanks Kasha! Can’t wait for our trip to the Crown, such a treat a the perfect time!
You can’t beat a bit of impulse travel purchasing – I’m now going to Berlin as of yesterday evening! Sounds like you have some lovely plans for the year already, and who knows where else it might take you?
Author
Some people hit the shops… We buy flights 😉 a good habit I think!
haha, yes an extremely good habit.
haha, yes an extremely good habit.
Sounds like a great start to 2015 with your travel plans; France is difficult with the gluten dietary requirement and I ended up eating a lot of omelettes in Marseille but Paris is slightly different so fingers crossed. Check out Helmut Newcake as they do gluten free so it’s possible they might have some diary free options for you.
Boston First Class sounds blissful, we need to book our tickets as well – we have 2 x companion tickets to use and thousands of points – told the other half that maybe we fly to KL instead and then jump across to Hong Kong – so many fabulous hotels to stay at.
You’ll be my neighbour when you’re in Cambridgeshire as I’m in Bedfordshire – so close….
Happy New Year Anna xx
Author
I just did an about turn and changed our accommodation for Paris – found a stunning little place, that has a kitchen too (just in case). I would love to go to KL, it’s a great stepping stone to a paradise island! See you in a few weeks – Elton is the same weekend as afternoon tea!
Just showed my other half the SPG luxury collection hotels in Langkawi which look incredible, am hoping when we contact BA that they will have availability on that route to use our companion ticket!
Haha brilliant, sometimes getting somewhere with a kitchen helps enormously, we did that in Germany and it saved me a number of issues with gluten free meals xx
Sounds like a great start to 2015 with your travel plans; France is difficult with the gluten dietary requirement and I ended up eating a lot of omelettes in Marseille but Paris is slightly different so fingers crossed. Check out Helmut Newcake as they do gluten free so it’s possible they might have some diary free options for you.
Boston First Class sounds blissful, we need to book our tickets as well – we have 2 x companion tickets to use and thousands of points – told the other half that maybe we fly to KL instead and then jump across to Hong Kong – so many fabulous hotels to stay at.
You’ll be my neighbour when you’re in Cambridgeshire as I’m in Bedfordshire – so close….
Happy New Year Anna xx
Wow that place in Paris is amazing, a really unique concept of upmarket B&B! I used to live there and go back quite a bit so would definitely bear it in mind. The Crown Inn in Cambridgeshire looks lovely too
Suze | LuxuryColumnist
Author
Fantastic, it’s great value too! They look like 2 absolute gems – can’t wait to try them out! Definitely have the hallmarks of good mini-breaks!
Wow that place in Paris is amazing, a really unique concept of upmarket B&B! I used to live there and go back quite a bit so would definitely bear it in mind. The Crown Inn in Cambridgeshire looks lovely too
Suze | LuxuryColumnist
Author
Fantastic, it’s great value too! They look like 2 absolute gems – can’t wait to try them out! Definitely have the hallmarks of good mini-breaks!
Wonderful plans!!! I’m super excited to see your Maine explorations especially!
Author
I had better start my research!!
I just came back from Paris, I am so in love with that city. I think its because you can just sit and people watch all day while eating amazing food…
Author
And the Parisienne’s dress so well – makes people watching far nicer!!
I just came back from Paris, I am so in love with that city. I think its because you can just sit and people watch all day while eating amazing food…
Author
And the Parisienne’s dress so well – makes people watching far nicer!!
Yes! Paris is always a good idea. Maine will be amazing – one of my favourite trips when I was a kid was a road trip that we did from DC to Nova Scotia and even at the age of 11 (23 years ago) I still remember eating delicious lobster in cute fishing towns. Enjoy.
Author
Mmmmm lobster! Tempted with flying up to Halifax, as Nova Scotia does look amazing
Yes! Paris is always a good idea. Maine will be amazing – one of my favourite trips when I was a kid was a road trip that we did from DC to Nova Scotia and even at the age of 11 (23 years ago) I still remember eating delicious lobster in cute fishing towns. Enjoy.
Author
Mmmmm lobster! Tempted with flying up to Halifax, as Nova Scotia does look amazing
Ahh what an amazing year of travel for you!! I’m so excited for you for your Maine trip, as that’s just the kind of nature exploring trip I love to do.
Excited to see how you get on in Nova Scotia…as for the bears, be sure not to sleep next to snickers bars if you go camping (though it sounds like you’re staying in a log cabin?! Amazing)..:)
Gemma
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Ssshhhh don’t mention camping, my husband might hear 😉
Ahh what an amazing year of travel for you!! I’m so excited for you for your Maine trip, as that’s just the kind of nature exploring trip I love to do.
Excited to see how you get on in Nova Scotia…as for the bears, be sure not to sleep next to snickers bars if you go camping (though it sounds like you’re staying in a log cabin?! Amazing)..:)
Gemma
Author
Ssshhhh don’t mention camping, my husband might hear 😉
I’m so envious that you have easy access to the Continent and even North America with cheap flights galore. It’s always a trek and expense for me to travel – part of the downside for living in paradise unfortunately. Happy 2015 travels to you both.
Author
We are lucky, and to have a passport that lets us travel so easily – it does make life interesting. I want to see more of the UK though, we have such beautiful places on our doorstep and so easily forget to spend enough time there!
Sounds like you have a fair bit in the calendar already, Anna… the Crown Inn looks like a lovely spot – I’m sure you’ll enjoy that. As for Cornwall, I shall be heading there at Easter. Before that, I’m in London again (right now as it happens), Tokyo and Singapore, so some interesting travels ahead also. Do get to the Lake District if you can… I know I’m biased, but it’s lovely 🙂 Feel free to contact me if you’d like any recommendations!
Author
I certainly will Paul! See you in Cornwall!! Perfect time to visit
Sounds like you have a fair bit in the calendar already, Anna… the Crown Inn looks like a lovely spot – I’m sure you’ll enjoy that. As for Cornwall, I shall be heading there at Easter. Before that, I’m in London again (right now as it happens), Tokyo and Singapore, so some interesting travels ahead also. Do get to the Lake District if you can… I know I’m biased, but it’s lovely 🙂 Feel free to contact me if you’d like any recommendations!
Author
I certainly will Paul! See you in Cornwall!! Perfect time to visit
Sounds like you have some great plans lined up Anna. I spent last night trying to book airlines. It’s such a time-consuming task-but I’m certainly not complaining. Like Noel, I wish it were easier to get to Europe for a weekend getaway, but there are plenty of spots around the States I have yet to explore. Happy travels.
Author
Where are you off to? I love and hate booking flights – so stressful when it should be the start of an adventure…
Sounds like you have some great plans lined up Anna. I spent last night trying to book airlines. It’s such a time-consuming task-but I’m certainly not complaining. Like Noel, I wish it were easier to get to Europe for a weekend getaway, but there are plenty of spots around the States I have yet to explore. Happy travels.