As Summer winds down, I cannot help but reflect on my annual Autumn travels throughout Europe. 🙂 The restaurants adorning the cobble stoned breezy alleyways throughout Rome. Where one can enjoy a meal in a shade-cooled setting for hours on end. Lake Cruise on repeat in Switzerland with an unlimited First Class Eurail Pass Tuscany ‘under the sun’ Villages of France My trips are never complete without a visit to any number of bookstores throughout England
While plugging away at work, perched on a semi-comfortable office chair in my remote work space at home, my mind occasionally wanders off to very specific corners of the world where I suppose my subconscious wants to be instead… Dean Village – Edinburgh, Scotland. I stumbled upon this timeless spot a mile or so from the bustling downtown area of Edinburgh. I thought I was dreaming…it was so beautifully preserved. Bougainvillea adorned white washed pathways on Santorini Island, Greece A stroll along the French Riviera This… Switzerland… all of it I can spend days walking across the greenest of pastures I’ve ever seen Where do you miss the most?
Do you miss it? Or have you been able to hang out in your favorite cafe for a while now? I suppose that depends on which part of the world you pin yourself. Then again, I suppose restaurants offering outdoor meal seating has sort of been the new cafe scene here in the states. I just hope they don’t get rid of them once it is very safe, or safer than today, to eat indoors. But I do miss it – sidewalk cafes in Paris, Rome, and other small towns and villages around the globe with mismatched tables and chairs, colorful uniformity and all variations of a place where you can simply sit and soak up the day while people watching. What is your favorite outdoor cafe scene?
So much has happened in the past few weeks that has kept me away from the creativity aspect of my life… Today I just needed to breathe… {featured image full credit and source – used only for inspiration and wanderlust}
Last night I had trouble sleeping, especially when my mind was racing over a health related conversations I had with my mother, among the many other day-to-day. So I tried to take off the edge by focusing on some of my travels through Europe and eventually fell asleep with thoughts of Salzburg, and the Sound of Music tour I took in early 90’s. A friend asked if we are allowed to travel later this year, would I consider it. And my answer was yes and this is the first trip I’d put together – a glimpse of five small European villages. Where would you go from this list of European Villages {featured images full credit and source}
Two years ago, I was fortunate enough to be driven around in England – you know – on the other side of the road, which I would never attempt – to travel through some of the most beautiful backroads to see not only parts of the country that are frequented by tourists, but also the side not many travelers explore – unless of course they drive. The Cotswold became my favorite that year, and I knew it would be a destination I would include in my 2020 June travel plans – until of course… But you know what – even though we can’t travel right now, I still want to share this article which lists the prettiest Cotswolds Villages – wish I could locate a set of illustrations of the same villages I bought 20 years ago at a street art fair, but sadly I think I may have sold them at a garage sale when I moved a few years later.
Travel by train is my choice, and if we had the luxury throughout the U.S. to do so in an efficient manner, I would be somewhere every weekend. So, I have to plan trips throughout Europe to experience some of the best train travel. Here’s a few I am considering, past Paris, during my next extended trip to England. How about you – do you love train travel? For some of the best adventures – go here
Two years ago, I planned a trip to England, which included The Cotswolds. Here’s the thing about the destination – it is best explored by driving. But there are trains/local transport, or tours which take you to the region, unfortunately mostly to the touristy parts. I was fortunate enough to experience The Cotswolds past all of that – the tucked away neighborhoods, shops and boutiques which were located off the beaten paths, and even strolls through the countryside. Either way you go, The Cotswolds are worth the experience. So you can imagine my aw, when I saw this article about a restauranteur and his 1919 Cotswold cottage renovation. Here’s how to experience some of the best Cotswold cottage stay
Although in England for business for two weeks, I am also hoping to get a chance to play tourist in a country I consider my second home for so many reasons. But in case I don’t get a chance to see outside of a working environment, and report back on whatever discoveries I’ve made along the way, I promise I will stay in touch. My favorite reference this week “you’re either in or you are out.” I wonder if I’ll have a chance to visit some of the best restaurants in London from this list Or a bar or two or three from the best bars in London 2020 U.K. best festivals for 2020 – I’ve emailed to family living in England, hoping to experience some of them Sustainable is the word for 2020 – and so are these shops in London to add to your list, in case you plan a trip out this way. Finally, Love this article about – How to Sustainable Travel in 2020
Keeping in line with my commitment to talk more travel in 2020, I am kicking off the topic with a list of the best hotels in Europe from here, and some of my top picks: {Featured image source, and a favorite hotel of mine – Le Meurice, Paris}
rawsilkandsaffron.com 