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Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Travel life lists


Last week, I was on the isle of Capri. It was a day excursion from where we were staying in Sorrento, and it was somewhere I had wanted to go for a long time. And yes it does have more than a whiff of glamour about it. Little expensive boutiques lined the narrow winding streets, and the villas cling to the hillsides. Apparently Gorky, Lenin and Stalin stayed on the island before the Russian revolution. The house Gorky had was truly magnificent.
Actually, the entire holiday in Sorrento included places where I had wanted to go for a long time, places that were on my travel life list -- Pompeii and Herculaneum chief amongst them. And having been there, I do understand why they feature on so many must-visit-this-place-in-my-lifetime lists. You can see photos from my trip on my blog... And when I went searching for links about the Villa of the Papryii, I discovered the Smithsonian life list -- 28 places to see before you die or they disappear.
Some of the destinations are on my list, and others are not. It is the thing about lists -- all down to personal preference and bias.
But the whole experience had me thinking about why and when I put things on my own personal list and whether or not I agreed with the list as both my husband and I are keen travellers. I find my list is far more bent towards history, than towards nature. My husband's list is more bent towards nature. We compromise...
The only problem with going to see somewhere that has been the top of your list is that then you have to find a new chart topper... I think in my case it is Venice. And yes, there is a definite Italian/Greek bent to my list. I blame extensive reading of Harlequin as a teenager...
So I wondered what tops other people's lists? Or is there anywhere people have gone that they thought -- oh I must tell people about this...

In other news: My Regency -- A Question of Impropriety is officially published in the UK tomorrow. So if you are interested in winning a sign copy. Please email me at Michelle@michellestyles.co.uk with the answer to the following question -- what book is the heroine reading when she drives her gig into the mud puddle at the start of the book? You can either click on the browse feature or find the extract on my website.
Please put tote bags contest in the subject line. I will draw the winner on 13 November. Good luck.

UPDATE: Laurie G was the first name out of the hat. I have also emailed Laurie. Many thanks to everyone who entered.

10 comments:

Avi J said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Avi J said...

Hi Michelle, what tops my travel list is of places l have been is Surrey in England. I just loved how beautiful and peaceful the country sides are. I have Italy on my list of places to go next.

Donna Alward said...

Haha, I know the book but since I already have it, no need to answer. :-)

Life lists. Most of mine aren't particular sites, but maybe like your dh, more about countryside/nature. Capri is on it, as is Siena and a good part of Tuscany. I do want to go to Normandy and Juno Beach. I want to go to Stonehenge, to Salisbury in general, and to Salamanca.

I hope one day...travel to Europe can be really prohibitive from this side of the pond...$$$$$!

Gina said...

On my life list l want to go to New Zealand. l just love the scenery and wild life from the pictures l see.

Michelle Styles said...

Surrey is lovely. England topped my list for a long time. Which was why I spent my junior year of college here, met my husband and the rest is history...

My son has been to the NOrmandy beaches with his school but I think he found the WWI battlefields moving. It could have been the gap of a bout five years.
It is far easier to travel around Europe for me and my family, living in the UK.

My husband keeps muttering New Zealand. Apparently you can rent a camper van and drive around. The scenary looks goregous...

pjpuppymom said...

Hi Michelle! Italy tops my life travel list even though I've been there three times. There are still parts of the country left to explore. I'd also like to visit Scotland, Ireland and Australia. Maybe one of these days when our US $ gets a little stronger.

Helen said...

I have not had the chance to travel but places I would love to visit are England Scotland Ireland and Wales I have read so many wonderful books over the years that have taken me on "trips" to these countries that they are places I must see one day.
Congrats on the book release Michelle another one to add to my must get list.

Have Fun
Helen

Michelle Styles said...

PJ -- Yes, I know what you mean about the strength of the dollar. The British pound has declined against the euro as well. One of the things I found was that a number of restaurants were willing to give cash discounts which helped.

Helen -- I am biased. The UK is a great destination. London is an expensive city, but there are ways to get around the expense.And there is a lot to see outside of London.
And yes, I am pleased about QI coming out. I went to the local supermarket yesterday, and they only had two copies left! But then it is set in the Tyne Valley...

The thing about travel is that when I was growing up, I thought it was wonderfully mysterious. But then I learnt all you had to do was to buy a ticket and go! Luckily all my family enjoys travelling as much as I do.

Laurie G said...

I'd love to go to visit Croatia. My neighbor is from there. She says that it's beautiful, less crowded and cheaper!!

Michele L. said...

My favorite dream destination to go to is Barbados and Bermuda! The sunshine and blue waters looks amazing!

Ireland, Scotland, Germany and Italy also would be fun to see also!