Well hello to you my reader chums! It's no secret that I'm missing the travel way of life and craving my next big adventure. Travel is something that's part of my everyday thinking, either I'm on a trip away, preparing to go, or planning one - I just adore every aspect of it.
2020 was a difficult year for us all and one thing I missed was getting on a plane and exploring the unknown. I'm hoping this year's travel picks up and I can get back to it, but for now, I thought I'd look back and share some of my favourite memories and moments.
There are plenty of countries and cities I've adored exploring for a multitude of reasons but the experiences I got up to there, topped everything. Here are my top 5 travel memories.
Meeting the elephants in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Elephants are my favourite animals; they're such gentle and beautiful creatures and when I was travelling, I had the opportunity to meet them at a local sanctuary in Chiang Mai. I went to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary on a day trip and it was located around an hour and a half out of the main city of Chiang Mai. I did plenty of research before I headed to a sanctuary as I was fully aware a lot of the sanctuaries weren't legit and I wanted to go to a place that would properly care for the elephants.
The experience was something I'll keep in my heart for the longest time. I was able to make the food for the elephants, feed them, stroke them, bathe them and learn all about the beautiful creatures. The day was once in a lifetime and I'd love to relive it again.
Stepping into Time Square, New York for the first time
The Big Apple is a city like no other; the hustle and bustle, broadway scene, shopping centres and bucket loads of attractions to see. I adored every minute of New York when I went for my 21st birthday, I didn't want to leave. It's a city packed with so much excitement and fun - and I would love to do it over again.
As much as I enjoyed every minute of it, my favourite had to be seeing Times Square for the first time and attending a Broadway show. The overwhelming senses of flashing lights, loud talking of people and bustle of the traffic, filled my heart with joy and I loved it. There's nothing that comes close to it.
Kayaking in Halong Bay, Vietnam
There were so many favourite moments in Vietnam and I long to go back but one that will always stick with me is kayaking in Halong Bay. I did a day trip to the bay from Hanoi and even though it was a long day, it was worth every single moment of travelling.
Halong Bay is one of the most beautiful sights I've ever seen. I was able to climb to the viewpoint above it all to get the full birdseye view of it and I was actually able to be in the bay with a kayak. The experience was memorable for two reasons: firstly as it really helped me overcome my fear of being on open water and secondly, the surrounding views were something out of a postcard. The bay and its crystal clear waters are something locked in my brain forever.
Looking over the Tuscan hills in Monteriggioni
Italy will always have a place in my heart. I'm lucky enough to have visited Rome twice, Venice, Milan, Florence and a couple of the other towns in Tuscany. I've loved every minute of all of those trips and it's hard to pinpoint my favourite memory as there are plenty.
However, when I was in Siena, I took a trip up to Monteriggioni which is a gorgeous, walled town, located above the Tuscan hills. It's tiny and filled with stunning Tuscan architecture, churches, a couple of restaurants and shops. I loved being in this town as it was away from the bustle of Florence and I was able to experience the most beautiful sight of the Tuscan hills.
Watching the sunrise above Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia
I feel like I only scratched the surface with Cambodia. My favourite moment without a doubt had to be visiting all the temples in the Angkor Archaeological Park - they were so incredibly beautiful and packed full of history.
One morning, I got up and booked a tuk-tuk for 4am to watch the sunrise over the famous Angkor Wat. I adore a sunrise; the combination of reds, purples oranges and pinks is a glorious sight and seeing that above the Angkor Wat was even more magical. A once in a lifetime experience.
I hope you enjoyed this post. What are your favourite travel memories?
Thank you for reading <3
These all look so incredible! I remember meeting elephants in Thailand, and loving how powerful they felt, but so gentle at the same time. I was hoping to visit Vietnam last summer, and would love to go to New York at some point. Hopefully we can all travel again soon!
ReplyDeleteYes, exactly that! I hope you can go to Vietnam and New York at some point x
DeleteVisiting an elephant sanctuary and Times Square are two dreams on my bucket list!
ReplyDeleteKaty | www.katystephenson.com
I hope you can do it soon!!
DeleteI would love to visit an Elephant sanctuary, that must have been the most amazing experience! New York is amazing, I visited in 2017 and loved the city!
ReplyDeleteIt really was! We went in the same year, how amazing xx
DeleteI love this post! I'd love to visit New York one day, so thank you for sharing this x
ReplyDeleteThank you! I hope you can go one day xx
DeleteYou have some memories of some great experiences. I can’t wait to be able to visit places in the uk and abroad safely soon.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Me too xx
DeleteI love this post! You've had some amazing experiences and I can't wait till we can travel again. Meeting elephants must be pretty amazing!
ReplyDeleteTash - A Girl with a View
Thank you lovely! Me too xx
DeleteVietnam and Cambodia looked absolutely amazing! I am so glad you had to experience such great places Della! Hopefully we will get to travel soon x
ReplyDeleteThank you so much lovely! xx
DeleteWhat gorgeous places you've visited! It's a shame travel will be banned for a while. I would love to visit New York and have a shopping spree. Thank you for these ideas, adding to my travel bucket list!
ReplyDeleteEm x
Thank you! It really is, I hope you can go one day xx
DeleteI bet meeting those elephants was an incredible experience and one you won't forget! I loved reading your travel memories and hopefully you'll be ale to make more once all this is over! x
ReplyDeleteLucy | www.lucymary.co.uk
It really was the best day ever - thank you lovely xx
DeleteI've not really travelled much tbf, ive been to a few countries but never really done anything 'memorable' like you have, but i think it'd be such a dream to go to NY and to meet some elephants!
ReplyDeleteI hope you can do it all one day!
DeleteWow! You are so well travelled being so young. I love this! I was really hoping that 2021 would be the year I start my travelling journey but looks like it'll be 2022. I planned a big asia trip to Philippines, Vietnam and Bali for the end of 2020 that I didn't get to take so that's probably the first thing I'd want to plan again! My favourite travel memory is definitely driving from Canada down the coast to Disneyland. The views were incredible! x
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Thank you so much!! Oh wow, that would have been amazing, I really want to do the Philippines and Bali - I hope you can go soon. That sounds ace!
DeleteWhat a lovely collection that brings magnifiscient feelings.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing..
Omg such a cute places! <3
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Thank you!
DeleteWhat a lovely way to relive your favorite travel moments! Thailand and Vietnam have been on my list for a while, so I'm excited to hear that you enjoyed them. Xx
ReplyDeletehttps://explorewithhannahmarie.blogspot.com/
Thank you! I hope you can go one day xx
DeleteThis is beautiful! Wishing for more travels for all of us this 2021. 🙏 There's so much beauty out there to discover. 😞
ReplyDeleteThank you! There really is - fingers crossed x
DeleteYou've had some amazing memories on your travels. This pandemic has really made me wish I had travelled more beforehand but also makes me want to travel more after - if possible. I bet meeting the elephants was incredible! x
ReplyDeleteThank you!! I'm so grateful I was able to do so much beforehand xx
DeleteWhat a wonderful list, I miss travel even more reading your post. Thanks for sharing you memories :)
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Thank you!!
DeleteI'd absolutely love to go to New York and visit Times Square and all the other places that are calling me right now! Your travels look amazing and perked up my rater cold, snowy day today -- thanks!
ReplyDeleteI hope you can go soon! Aw thank you so much xx
DeleteThis is such a great post - such amazing memories. We'd love to visit an elephant sanctuary one day!
ReplyDeleteAll of them look amazing and I wish you many more memories like these. :)
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Thank you!
DeleteOut of these places, I would love to visit New York the most!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite travel memories are always from Mexico!
I hope you can go some day!
DeleteThese are looks incredibly awesome! I want to visit Thailand someday and the rest too! Thank you for sharing your great experience x
ReplyDeleteThank you! I hope you can visit some day x
DeleteThanks for sharing your top 5 travel memories, visiting Angkor Wat is also one of mine, climbing up the top was one of those experiences that you won't have again :)
ReplyDeleteNic | Nic's Adventures & Bakes
Thank you! I'm so glad you were able to experience that too x
DeleteWow, this all looks absolutely amazing! Elephants are so gorgeous - I'm very jealous �� That sunrise looks incredible too. Times Square must have been a great experience too, great post xx
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! xx
DeleteOh my god this post is amazing, it actually made me feel a bit emotional about what could be ahead for us soon! I would absolutely LOVE to go to New York, this whole thing has taught me to sieze the day so why not!
ReplyDeleteRosie
Thank you so much!! Yes me too, I hope you can visit one day xx
DeleteI've heard of that sanctuary in Thailand (as well as some others) and it's definitely a place I'd love to visit one day. Your travels look like so much fun and it's really inspiring for others to get out and see the world (well, when it's safe) x
ReplyDeleteThank you lovely! Let's hope we can all travel again soon x
DeleteAll your travel sounds so fun and fulfilling to do! I too am an admirer of sunrises. I enjoy watching views that give me peace. 😊 thanks for sharing this wonderful post xx
ReplyDeleteGood spots you picked for the post and enjoyed reading your experiences! Elephant sanctuary visit definitely seems like an amazing experience. Something I wanna experience too. Italy is a must visit. And the Cambodia shot is excellent. Loving your elephant shot, looking so fresh and good <3
ReplyDeleteIsa A. Blogger
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Thank you so much lovely!!
DeleteThese are some amazing memories I loved reading about them :) can’t wait to be able to travel again!
ReplyDeleteThese are all such great travel memories. Thanks so much for sharing them all with us.
ReplyDeleteThank you!!
Deletetraveling does indeed produce a lot of very interesting memories. superb
ReplyDeleteLove your list! I visited New York a few years back and adored it x
ReplyDeleteKatieLeanne.com
I so want to go to New York! It's definitely top of my bucket list
ReplyDeleteYou have so many wonderful travel memories! I can't wait till we can get back out there again!
ReplyDeleteKatie | katieemmabeauty.com
What amazing travel memories! I'd love to travel to New York once it's safe to again :) x
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Oh wow, you've seen so many beautiful places! I love New York too, it's such an incredible city. It's going to be so good when we can travel freely again xx
ReplyDeleteHannah | https://luxuryblush.co.uk/
A once in a lifetime experience. So great!
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Wow! You have been to some amazing places. I have always wanted to visit New York, I hope I get the chance soon.
ReplyDeleteA fantastic list I have the same photo from Times Square. Cambodia is one I would love to get to. That sunrise what a magical experience
ReplyDelete