Powered by Blogger.

What is Your Dream Vacation?

Do you have a dream vacation? Is there a place that is in your heart and dreams that you want to visit? It may be a mile from home, somewhere in your state or halfway around the world, but it's the place you long to visit.

I've had a number of places on my dream list. Paris, Jerusalem and Venice were at the top of my list and I 've had the good fortune to be in all three places. Once I'd seen them other places joined my list. I got to Istanbul and Thailand and last summer I visited Stonehenge and Dublin, two places I'd longed to see.

Stonehenge at the end of the day
 
 

      Trinity College Library in Dublin

I had a wonderful time in both England and Ireland and return trips are definitely on my agenda.

One place that has been in my heart for decades was Japan. I dreamed of seeing Kyoto in cherry blossom time, but it was just that, a dream. The timing didn't work and a few times it was just too expensive. But last spring I mentioned this idea to my friend, K, and we decided to go ahead. My thought was "I'm not getting younger and Japan isn't getting less expensive." We booked the trip, I put down my deposit and didn't think much about it. I mentioned it in a conversation a few months ago, giving the same reasoning. I'm not sure to whom I was speaking, but their reply was, "Japan is getting less expensive. The yen is weaker against the dollar."  I guess this is the time for my trip to Japan. We will visit Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka and I'm hoping that the cherry blossoms will greet me in Kyoto, as I've long dreamed. I am also going on to the Republic of Korea for a short visit to Seoul.

I don't have any pictures yet of Japan or Korea, but be assured that there will be lots of them. I've started a board on Pinterest -- a link is in the top right page of the blog -- and am doing lots of reading. It's really started to become real that a forty year old dream is about to take place.

My question of the day is: What is your dream vacation? It can be a trip to a national park in your state, a special restaurant and inn in the next town or a country on the other side of the world. It's the place that your heart leads you to.

This post is part of Blogelina's Week LongCommentathon Event. This is a very fun way to meet new bloggers. If you're stopping by as part of the Commentathon, welcome! Love meeting new bloggers and love having visitors to Buttercupland.

Thanks to all who gave me technical advice for my ailing mouse. It just needed new batteries and I'm all set for at least the next six months. Sure enough the blue light on the back was out and it came right back on as soon as it got two new batteries. So glad to be back in business.

Today was a glorious day in New York City, sunny and clear. We are due for rain tomorrow, but as long as it's not snow or ice, I'm a happy person. I did a lot of walking today and loved it.

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care.   

50 comments

Sola Scriptura said...

I dream of going on a really long cruise around the world. It sounds like you are very well travelled!

Kerin said...

It's wonderful that you've been able to travel and see as many places as you've seen!
It sounds like you are really looking forward to this next trip!
I'll be looking forward to seeing all of your great pictures.

I'm somewhat of a homebody, and there are so many wonderful things to do and see in our own "backyard".
If I were to pick one place outside of the country, I think I'd pick Scotland :)

Have a happy day!!

~K.

Nellie said...

What a wonderful trip you have planned, Buttercup!

I'd love to travel to England and Ireland. Not sure that's going to happen, though. My next favorite site is New England! Love Martha's Vineyard!

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

I have always wanted to go to Paris but my other half only wants to travel to places that have a beach. As a result, I am covered with freckles and the closest I have gotten to France is the bread aisle in the grocery store.

Your trip sounds very exciting.

Tracy said...

I know someone who is going to Kyoto this weekend for that very reason of the yen is weaker. Wow, two people with the same idea.

We are off to London in two days and looking forward to our vacation there.

Karen Jones Gowen said...

My dream vacation would be an eating tour through the south of France, staying as we go in small bed and breakfasts.

Dee said...

It's wonderful that you've been able to travel so much and I enjoyed the beautiful pictures you shared. I would love to take a yearly trip to some place fabulous. As a matter of fact, my dream vacation is to spend an entire summer in England. That's at the very top of my bucket list... :)

Anonymous said...

You have visited some awesome places and how exciting about Japan and Korea. John was in Korea in the service.

My dream vacation would either be to Ireland or to Boston in Autumn!

Yesterday I posted about Little Free Libraries...wondering if you see them in your travels....there is an index of locations on my post.

Unknown said...

My travel bucket list is LONG! But I was able to fulfill a life long dream of being in Ireland with my family last year. Being in my mom's homeland with my siblings and my kids was amazing!

TARYTERRE said...

Dream locations... Iceland, Australia, Paris, Japan, Ireland, Denmark to name a few. My dad lived in Japan back in the 50's and had a Japanese girlfriend. So I'd like to see where they resided. But traveling for me is burdensome because of my mobility issues so I'm an armchair traveler, only. Sounds like you are having the time of your life with these adventures. ENJOY.

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Oh, Carol, I am so excited for you!!! Guess what? This week I am applying for a passport because John and I are planning a trip to London to celebrate our 40th anniversary. It has been a dream I have had forever and it honestly doesn't seem real. Been watching lots of Rick Steves videos to help us plan.

Susie said...

Carol, Those are awesome vacations !! I would love to see a few of those places. I actually want to come to NYC again. Paris is a dream vacation for me. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

Mevely317 said...

I could sit and stare at this photo from Trinity Library for hours! You're so fortunate to turn your dreams into reality. :)
Since I first watched Dr. Zhivago I've longed to see Russia. But a trans-Atlantic cruise is right up there!

Jacqueline said...

I think I could go to Paris a million times! But if I could only do one thing it would be Hawaii - the smells, the foods, the water, the warmth!

Unknown said...

It sounds like you have such an adventurous life! I would love to see all the places you've mentioned. Your top three - Paris, Jerusalem, and Venice - are probably my top three too ;) I'd love to also visit Greece, and my hubby keeps telling me how amazing Germany is. I definitely share your wanderlust perspective and hope to get to visit these places someday!

Unknown said...

I have a dream! My dream vacation is a bit different, as I would love to jump in an RV and tour the East coast. I would love to hit all the major historical places and walk on the beaches of the Atlantic coast. I am ready! Road Trip!

Melinda said...

Hawaii is on my list.

Enjoy your trip, looking forward to
your pics.

M : )

Unknown said...

Have an amazing journey! I'm hoping to see all kinds of places in the next few years, one of which is Slovenia...if not now, when?

Elaine said...

Your pictures are gorgeous!

My dream vacation is to go to a beach where the water is blue and warm.

Alan said...

I am so jealous! You have been to so many places that I'm wanting to go to!

My DREAM vacation though is to go to Tokyo! There has been something calling me, ever since I have been little, to go there... I need to make it happen!

Unknown said...

How exciting! I do hope you get to see the cherry blossoms! That would be a once in a lifetime experience. I hope to make it to Italy one day.

Unknown said...

There are so many places I want to visit when we are able to more freely travel (right now we have limited finances and 4 daughters!). I've always wanted to go to Italy, Israel, Germany, London, and to see the pyramids in Egypt, not mention soooo many places here in the United States. And as strange as it sounds, ever since I saw a poster in my high school World Cultures teacher's classroom of Cappadoccia, I've wanted to visit there as well. If you make it to Japan during the cherry blossoms, you'll have to post lots of pictures. I'll bet it's gorgeous!

Unknown said...

My dream vacation is pretty much anywhere my family is. We want to make it to Yellowstone and are hoping to get there next year. We went to Glacier National Park in 2008 but my youngest son was only 6 and doesn't remember it so I would love to go back there now that he is older. Enjoy your trip and take some more beautiful pictures.

Jennifer said...

I would love to take several months touring Canada and the United States - preferably by train. Trains have always fascinated me.

Jenny18286 said...

I loved reading about your travel experiences - can't wait for the pics of Japan! I haven't done much traveling and I don't really have a dream travel place. Is that weird? I think it's because I live quite a ways from family and friends - every chance that I DO get to travel, I'm always excited to go back home and see familiar faces. I would like to explore more of the US though, and I think it would be cool to visit all 50 states (or at least all 48 contiguous states). As a kid growing up I always wanted to go to England. My brother and his family just moved there so that would be a cool place to visit AND reconnect with family :)

Rachel said...

Dream vacation is Bora Bora and staying in a hut with a glass floor over the ocean! I doubt we will ever be able to afford that vacation, as I would rather go to mexico 5 times for the cost of one trip here, but a girl can dream right?! :)

Angi said...

I don't really have a dream vacation. I always seem to be stressed during them and am happier to be home when it's all over.

Angi from Tim And Angi

Scarlett @Scarletts Excellent Adventures said...

Good for you for going for it! I would love to see the cherry blossoms as well, but may just have to settle for DC. Some of my dream trips are a cruise to Alaska, and maybe someday to go to Hawaii...and maybe Paris. Sigh!

Anonymous said...

My dream vacation is a weekend of silence at our local monastery. I need to go to there.

Tori said...

Your trip sounds so exciting! My dream vacations are to go hunting and fishing in Alaska and also to visit Australia and New Zealand. I hope you have the best time on your trip!

Pocket Full of Grace said...

I would love to go to Main in the fall. Hopefully this year. Thanks for sharing your pictures!

Melanie said...

We too, would love to go to both Paris and Israel!

But our next big vacation would most likely be to the beach. I love the beach. And shells.

Nice to see a New Yorker today! I had to spend last weekend in bed and watched several seasons of "Blue Bloods" which had been highly recommended by my aunt. Hello, New York!

Unknown said...

I dream of going to Hawaii! It will happen some day when I retire. Until then, i'd settle for a trip to the Smoky Mountains. I haven't been there in a long time. I want to go visit friends who live there.

Unknown said...

I want to go back to Europe and see more of it. I have been to 6 countries on 3 different trips. 3 of those countries I want to go back to and see more of. Plus there are several countries in Europe that I haven't seen yet but would love to.

today my way said...

My dream vacation hopefully will not only be a dream - I would love to travel to New York. And it makes me shiver with excitement just as I'm typing this. To see the yellow cabs, tall buildings, ride the tube and practice my American accent. I believe I can make it happen somehow, someday. I can't wait :)


And have a wonderful time in Japan, Carol x

E.W. Allred said...

My favorite dream vacation has to include water. My husband and I don't share the same interest in water, but we try to accommodate each other, so I have had some great vacations. I have been on several cruises and loved them, but I haven't done a Hawaiian one and that is on my bucket list. I always love to spend time on the beaches of Southern California.

Unknown said...

My favorite dream vacation would be to just stay home and enjoy my family and all that I have around me! I live in a beautiful area with water, mountains, and beautiful views with tons of stuff to do! I travel a lot for work and feel like I just don't get to enjoy it as much as I would like.

Unknown said...

My dream vacation is to return to a favorite place, actually. Italy. Hubby and I are working on trying to get there soon. I want to hit some of my favorite spots plus a few new ones.

Andi said...

My dream vacation is a beautiful hut over the water in Moorea, but there always has to be a gentle breeze to keep me cool and plenty of umbrellas!

Unknown said...

Best wishes on your dream vacation! I have always dreamed of visiting Africa and riding camels in the desert. Not sure if it will happen at this point, but it's wonderful to know that our possibilities are practically limitless in this world.

Anonymous said...

My dream vacation is Disney World. My husband and I take our kids every year and we love it. I can't think of anywhere that I would rather go. Our family has such a great time escaping from the reality of life and playing together. I could talk about Disney all day long! I hope you have a fantastic vacation.

~Michelle said...

My dream destinations are Bolivia, Uganda & Tanzania and India. And my dream vacation for this coming summer, the Florida Keys.

I look forward to seeing your pictures when you do make the Japan trip!

Anonymous said...

My dream vacation would be to go to England. I have many family members there and would love to see them. Spain is also a destination that has been on my list for some time. One day!!! Thanks for the inspiration!

Yona Williams said...

My dream vacation is to go to Italy with my sweetie. I want to visit all of the major cities, and gain at least 5 pounds eating dessert (well, not really, but I'm a foodie, so that experience is important to me). My mother's side is from Italy, so it would be important to me to especially visit Rome and Sicily.

Unknown said...

There are so many places I would love to go. I would say that I could go back to London every year if it were possible. But I really would like to plan a trip to Spain and Portugal. I feel like I would love the culture and the cities. It is always a little scary for me to go places where I don't speak the language, but then I really feel proud when I meet the challenge. Thanks for your post. It is awesome that you have been able to travel to the places you have always wanted to see. Happy adventuring.

Daph said...

I loved this article! My dream vacation is ironically New York City. I went there in 2007 and it was amazingly fun, being so close to Broadway and shops and everything. My daughter and I had a great time. I'd love to go back when I save up some "dough".

RV Mama & Papa said...

My husband and I are planning to go to Europe in September. I can't wait.

Carla at Preschool Powol Packets said...

There are SO many places I'd love to see! At the top of my list are several places in Europe right now!

OhMyShihTzu said...

next year my husband and I are heading to Australia to visit a friend of mine, she is coming here this summer and we are doing an east coast road trip... But my husband and I are hoping to do a lot more traveling, especially here in the US.

AdrienneZM said...

Carol, my dream vacation list includes England and Ireland (to visit distant relatives and do family history research), Russia (took Russian in high school and college - I just want to go), New Zealand (we have friends there), Japan (one of my husband's cousins lives there), and to finish traveling to the remainder of the 50 states (I believe I have 15 or so to go). Great post. I look forward to seeing your photos from Japan! ~Adrienne