Wanderlust

I've been particularly wanderlust-y lately. Part of it has to do with the nearing of summer vacations, and another part has to do with my reminiscing of my study abroad trip which I took around this time four years ago. (You can read a little about that trip here, here, and here.) I just want to get up and GO. (This e-card couldn't be more perfect.)

I've been putting off serious travel, opting for when I'm "older." But the reality is that life happens now, and often times sometimes the "perfect" time never comes, and after reading a comment made by Lydia on my Paris post (2014!!), I finally came to my senses:

"...so often we put stuff like that off, waiting for when we have more money or less going on at work or just a million reasons not to when you are forgetting the most important reason why you should."

Profound, Perspective. Perfect. After all, "travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer."

just a few of my travel plans...

To hold me over, I will go over past trip pictures, do some preliminary planning, and go on a little adventure around town. Truly the best thing about living in NYC is it's diversity, and the ability to "escape," right in my own backyard.

What are your travel plans? If you have any hesitations, what are they?

Always A Good Idea.

I would describe Paris as my favorite place I've never been and lately it's all I can think about. It's a place I've always wanted to visit and a trip I've dreamed about taking for a very long time. I think it's time to make that dream of walking along the Champs-Élysées and through the Latin Quarter and The Marais, all the while exploring and eating my way through the city, a reality. 

A trip this special requires lots of planning, planning that beings now. I have a few ideas already of what I want to do while I am there, so here's a look at some of my Paris to-do's.

Wishes to Wander...

"We must go beyond textbooks, go out into the bypaths and untrodden depths of the wilderness and travel and explore and tell the world the glories of our journey.” 

print via

Lately, my need for travel has been at a considerable high. Whenever I see a plane, I can't help but wish that I too were on my way somewhere, as I watch it disappear over the horizon. There's nowhere in particular I want to go at the moment; I just have a great need to be and see somewhere else, somewhere new. Since travel is completely impractical for me at the moment, reading, dreaming, and pinning, will just have to suffice for now. Here are some of my favorite travel posts from around the web:

• How to pack two weeks in a carry on. As a serial over packer, I am determined to try this.
• A sweet read from this Sunday's Times: A Chocolate Tour of the Caribbean.
• Six ways to get free Wi-Fi when you travel.
• With all this talk of an impending coffee shortage, a trip to the worlds best cities for coffee may be mandatory. Immediately. 
• How to Escape the Grid and Unplug on Vacation.
• As a loyal Royal, I am very happy to see that Royal Caribbean will be rolling out new menus including lactose and gluten free offerings. 
• Truly inspiring indeed: "wanderlust-inspiring travel photography." 

It's Carnaval!

As the countdown to Lent begins, many places around the world are celebrating with one last party: Carnaval!  It's no secret that I left part of my heart in Nice, so of course the carnival I want to experience the most is the Carnaval de Nice. Sure, Brazil is the biggest and most talked about celebration, but it's a bit too much T&A for me. Nice is the original, and nothing beats the original.

The Carnaval de Nice is comprised of the carnival parade, the flower parade, a parade of lights, in addition to lots of other entertainment from around the world. In looking at pictures from the past few years, it is amazing to see all the effort and work that goes into all the floats and costumes in conjunction with the overall theme (This years theme is "King of Sports" for this years Olympics.) 

*images of the carnival parade, flower parade and parade of lights via nicevarnaval.com

"For over 15 days, the city hums to the rhythm of this genuine, fairy-tale event … get a passport for the celebration and let the magic do its work … come and forget the dullness of winter and take in the sun on the French Riviera!" 

Oh Nice Carvnaval website, how I wish I could...

Wanderlust As of Late..

While everyone was prepping for the Super Bowl Sunday, I spent the afternoon on my couch watching Wealth TV. I know the name of this channel sounds pretentious but it really isn't. (I tried to explain this to my mom as a Bentley whizzed by in a commercial...) Wealth TV features great travel shows which is perfect for when the Travel Channel is having a Ghosts Adventures marathon...

After watching shows about Barbados, Italy and Australia, it was LUX Lifestyles that had me captivated with an hour exploring the beautiful Greek islands of Santorini and Mykonos. Greece (especially Santorini and Mykonos) has always been on my "to go" list, but not as prioritized as say, Paris. However after Sunday, it definitely has bumped up closer to the top of my list. As soon this whole debt crisis gets sorted out, Santorini and Mykonos will be a destination for sure...

Santorini, via

Santorini, via

Santorini, via

Mykonos, via

Mykonos, via

Mykonos, via

Where does your wanderlust have you itching to go? Have you been to Greece?

Travel Wishes for 2012

When I saw this quote from Anthony Bourdain, I couldn't help but save it, commit it to memory, and just really want to put it into practice this year. 2011 was a great travel year, and I really do hope 2012 will be too. With graduation this year, I feel compelled to travel even more this year, as who knows how much time I will have once I *gulp* get a grownup job.

My 2012 travel list includes:

New Orleans, Louisiana

As I stated before, New Orleans is probably my number one place to visit this year in the States. Ideally, I would like to make this trip during football season, but summer wouldn't be bad either.  I just cant wait to soak up all the culture the Big Easy has to offer. 

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

It has been YEARS since I last visited the Cape, but its hands down my favorite place in New England.  From the beaches and the stunning scenery, to the abundance of seafood, I hope to head up there for a relaxing weekend come summer.

Paris, France

I have always wanted to go to Paris, but lately it feels more like more of a must, than a want (that is two different things, right?) It seems like not a day goes by without some sort of reference to Paris. From literature, to music, to adventures (Hello, Ladurée!) they all feel like signs that all roads lead to Paris in 2012.

In a dream world, in 2012 I would love to travel to:
Morocco
Morocco encompasses everything I love in one place: rich history and culture, beautiful scenery and one of the most unique and distinct cuisines in the world. While I know that it may be awhile till Morocco is in fact a reality, it is hands down one place I would go to in an instant.

Have you thought about where you would like to travel to in 2012 yet? Where?