Head in the Clouds: Aspirational Travel
With vacation season upon us, and today marking National Tourist Appreciate Day, I thought it would be the prime occasion to reflect on my personal travel aspirations. I love exploring new places and immersing myself in unique culture that can only be experienced through travel. I truly think travel enriches both the mind and heart, and personally, it inspires me. While I have been fortunate to enjoy opportunities to travel abroad, there are some destinations that are at the top of my must-see list at the moment.
Authentic Thai food, amazing beaches and culture in abundance. This is what comes to mind when I think of Thailand. I have been dreaming about a visit to Thailand for some time, welcoming the opportunity to sit on the scenic beaches, explore the Grand Palace and temples, interact with elephants and take a jungle trek through lush scenery. This amazing destination would be a feast for the eyes, and then some.
To me, Dubai represents opulence, in the best way possible. We’re talking the world’s only “7-star” hotel (Burj al-Arab) towering above the Persian Gulf, the world’s tallest building (Burj Khalifa) and the stunning Palm Islands (yup, in the shape of a palm tree). Not to mention all the shopping opportunities, including luxury shopping centers like the Mall of the Emirates and Deira City Centre and the city’s various souks (markets). I’d love to marvel at the architecture of this booming cosmopolitan city.
While studying abroad in London, I had the amazing opportunity to take weekend trips to some of the most exciting destinations in the world, including Paris, Barcelona, Dublin, Edinburgh and the Greek islands of Crete (the largest Greek island located at the southern edge of the Aegean Sea) and Santorini. With the warm ocean breeze, genuine hospitality, delicious Mediterranean food and stunning sunsets (the small town of Οία, perched atop the caldera on Santorni Island is famous for them), Greece easily became my favorite getaway that summer. Though I only spent a weekend there, I absolutely fell in love with Greece, and vowed to return to visit both the culturally rich Athens, and the rest of the Greek islands.
If you have any travel tips or must-see spots at any of these destinations, Tweet me at @heartNsd.