Holidays

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Over the past few years I have come to expect not just one holiday a year, but several. Added to which there have been lots of weekends away. Right now, we should be on holiday in France. But of course, because of closed borders and lack of access to anywhere outside of the house we are here at home. It felt right to devote today’s post to the holidays we have, places we have been and would like to visit in the future.

Where we’ve been

Our first trip away together was to France. When we got together I had just bought my apartment and had done so with some of the proceeds of my redundancy the year before. Since then we have travelled there numerous times often for short periods. Though last summer we spent 7 weeks in France and 2-3 weeks of it at the Apartment. It is the first place I will go when we are allowed to travel abroad again. I want to spend my money in that little seaside town as much as I do here at home.

A brief trip to Portugal was swiftly followed by weekends in Holland. We have travelled there many times since, mainly to Amsterdam. But last year we also travelled to Utrecht and Rotterdam (amongst others).

The next place was Spain. We travelled around Andalucia over Easter time and embraced some amazing cultural experiences. Only some of which were the food and drink! We have returned to the Seville area a couple of times since, once for Christmas and another for a festival called Feria.

We have also holidayed in Sicily, Northern France (Alsace), Belgium and Slovenia.

Then at the beginning of last year we travelled the furthest we have together when we holidayed in Cape Verde.

What we do

Holidays used be mainly about the beach and pool. I found it great to unwind and read tons of books. But I tended to get bored around day 3 or 4 and tired of the hotel food by day 5. Because those family holidays with my ex and son, were during school holidays it tended to be pretty hot. Something my body and skin doesn’t like.

Our holidays together are somewhat different. Often they are too packed with activity so we have had to learn to slow down a bit. Now I have to beg for a day by the pool! However I really love the things we do. Visiting churches and other historical buildings. Climbing hills to see views. Tracing the journey of soldiers and kings from various wars. Some ancient and others from World Wars 1 and 2. History is something I’ve always had a passion for.

I love to read up about the places we are travelling to, but it is G who generally choses where we go. He plans each day with keen precision that include stops for more churches and monasteries along the way. This can get a little dull though especially if you are made to take a guided tour in Spanish. Still it’s all part of the fun and it gives you stuff to laugh about later.

We love to embrace the local food and drink. Sometimes a little too keenly. At the coast I can eat fish, something that is difficult at home when you live with someone who doesn’t eat it. We read up on local delicacies and often give them a try and do so in smaller places where other tourists may not be.

Where we still want to go

There are so many places that we want to go and where I or he haven’t been. We haven’t really been outside of Europe together. Though there are plenty of places there still to see. I’d especially like to go to South America, G often talks of his trips to Brazil and Argentina. But also to the United States, I have only been to the west coast area and Vegas. But would like to see so much more. Then there is Australia and New Zealand…….

So many places to go and to see. Things to do and people to see. Being restricted not only to our own country but our own town makes us realise how lucky we have been. But also to think of the places out there we may like to travel to. Our house is filled with books, including lots of travel books. Opportunity to find new and different options.