I had the pleasure of meeting Rachelle of Adventures Around Asia at a Seattle Travel Massive event. We then decided to get together before she returned to her expat life in China to attend a Master’s program. I haven’t been able live in another country for long periods of time with the exception of studying abroad in France. I salute those who are able to travel and live in other countries as I work behind a desk to pay off my college debt. I take trips that my vacation allows and explore on the weekends when not at work. I try to stay busy, but there is always more I can see. Short vacations mean there are places I would like to return to because the trips were cut short or rushed through.

1. Aix-en-Provence

Aix holds a special place in my travel story; it is where I studied for six weeks. One of my first international trips, I wish I would have immersed myself in the culture more, learn more about the city, and travel to the local neighboring cities. I would wake up, do school work, go to class, and go out almost every day. I stayed in an apartment with a roommate from the States and regret not staying with a host family. This trip was about making friends, but I should have done more which is why I want to return.

Aix is the city of fountains and has so many. The Cours Mirabeau is the main street that is lined with gorgeous trees. The best part of this city is it is walk-able. I don’t think I ever took public transportation since the weather was amazing in the summer, and it was faster to get places on foot.

Main Street of Aix 2007

2. Paris

Paris is a city for romance. I headed to Paris for a short weekend via the TGV and spent two nights and three days in the city. It was not enough time. Even though I made it to the Musée du Louvre, La tour Eiffel, Notre-Dame de Paris, Café des Deux Moulins (Amelie’s cafe), Moulin Rouge, and the Père Lachaise Cemetery, along with taking a boat cruise on the Seine. I would give anything to return and practice my French.

Louvre 2007

3. New Zealand – South Island

After graduating my undergraduate degree, I decided to spend 2.5 weeks in New Zealand. Even though most of the time was spent on the South Island, it felt like a whirl wind of a trip. I would love to return and spend more time around Mount Cook, Mount Aspiring, and hike one of the famous walks.

Queenstown

4. Iceland

I traveled to Iceland in March 2013 to see the aurora borealis. It was a perfect time since it was low travel season, but I really want to go back and drive the entire Ring Road and hit up some of the Interior of this amazing outdoor wonderland.

Ring Road Glacier

5. Chile’s Torres del Paine

A few years ago, Andy and I were sightseeing around Buenos Aires when we were telling someone our plans of hiking the “W” trail in Torres del Paine. They then informed us that part of the trail was closed because someone tried to burn something in the park, which caught a portion of the park on fire. I was only in South America (Argentina and Chile) for 3.5 weeks so waiting was not an option. We backpacked 4 nights and 5 days in the park but had to change our plans. I would love to go back and hike the entire “W” or the Circuit.

lago nordenskjöld

I would like to thank Booked.netTop Destinations to Go There for inspiring me to share the places I would like to return from my travels and want to nominate five other travel bloggers.

Can’t wait to see what destinations they would all like to return to!

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