As the year winds down, and I think we’d all like to forget 2020, I wonder where travel will take us in the coming years and what it will look like?

In the meantime, we can dream, plan and figure out if our bucket list destinations are really still on our to-do lists?

We all really need to appreciate the people we meet on our travels as they enhance our experiences and cement our memories.

Giovanna -our Capri guide

 

Agostino -a fabulous guide on the Amalfi Coast

Their lives have changed with these lockdowns just like ours. This week was a very difficult one. So how do we move forward?

Visiting with family

Back to memorable travel trips.

Anniversary trip to Capri -special touches arranged by our guide

Arno River -Florence

We are all looking forward to creating more of those unforgettable memories.  There are many gardens in the USA I have dreamed of visiting forever like Dumbarton Oaks and ones I want to revisit like Morikami Japanese Gardens,DelRay Beach, FL  Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and Viscaya both in Miami.

Morikami Japanese Museum & Garden

Viscaya Gardens, Miami

I hope to get back to Vail skiing and visiting with relatives.

Vail, CO

I’ve always wanted to tour some of Europe’s famous gardens like Monet’s Garden in Giverny. I’ve been lucky enough to get to some beautiful gardens both here and abroad.

I want to go back to New Zealand:

Of course, the obvious, go back to Italy!

Italy in 2021 or 2022!!

Some of my favorite itineraries have been: Venice to Florence to Tuscany (Greve in Chianti, Montefioralle, Siena, Pienza, Arezzo, Montepulciano, Montalcino, Montecchiello, then Lucca and Pisa.

Villa Bordoni, Greve in Chianti

Venice Grand Canal

Another 2 week excursion was Milan, Monza,  Bologna, Lake Como, Florence, The Italian Riviera and the Cinque Terre

Milan Duomo

Bellagio

Many trips have included the Amalfi Coast.  We made our home base in Ravello one trip and traveled to each of the towns on the coast including Capri.

Faraglioni Rocks Capri

Another Amalfi Coast trip we stayed between Naples and Sorrento with friends, rented a car and drove all over the coast. (a lot of driving!!)

Ravello

Positano

On another, I was lucky enough to accompany a fabulous group of women to document their journey and we started in Naples, boat to Positano, onto Pompeii, Matera, Puglia, (Savelletri di Fasano, Alberobello, Lecce, Martina Franca) then Rome and back to Naples.

Pompeii

Borgo Egnazia

Matera

One winter trip, I visited a friend stationed in Vicenza and we visited Verona, Asiago and Venice.

Verona

One thing I have found is not to be overly ambitious. When renting a car be prepared for how much time you really want to spend in the car! 

Also, stop and consider how much traveling you are really willing to endure while in a country. We rented a car in Tuscany and boy did we drive a lot. 

Siena

Since many of us now work or always were able to work remotely, the office has taken on a different meaning. In theory, we can work from anywhere.  Where would you go if nothing was stopping you?

Florence in the evening after the tour buses depart!

What destination will move your soul?

The world is a magnificent place! We need to treasure it.

Mount Aspiring National Park – Matukituki River

Please leave your comments! I love to hear about your adventures. Let me know what you might want me to write about 🙂 Happy Holidays! Stay safe! I’d love if you follow my Away We Go – blog: www.lensidesigns.com

links for other blogs mentioned above: Why Do we Travel; Amalfi Coast, Venice, Florence, Milan, Cinque Terre, Italian Riviera, Siena, New Zealand, Gardens to name a few.