Dream Destination Bloghop
PARIS!
…and for me, the Eiffel Tower captures the essence of Paris…
… and I've been fortunate enough to visit this fabulous city in 1988 (yes, many many moons ago, which means I'm well overdue for another visit… which means back to seriously intense saving habits plus eating peanut butter and jam… LOL)
My first glimpse of this gorgeous structure, was during a Night Lights Paris Tour and here is an excerpt taken from my travel diary (which I located the other day…)
"At 8.30 p.m… Paris is beautiful. The Eiffel Tower is amazing… leaves one breathless… a beautifully, illuminated massive steel structure against a dark, velvety foggy night… this giant structure protrudes into an endless sky, brilliantly lit up! Pinch me somebody – I must be dreaming!"
My other dream destination is…
GREECE!
I once responded to a challenge based on a picture of Santorini.
You are in a boat approaching the island… describe your first impression, and your thoughts, as you approach the beautiful island of Santorini.
Response
Santorini rises from the water, a stark blue and white panorama of unparalelled beauty, classic and timeless; reminiscent of a confectioner's masterpiece, a multi-tiered creation of ancient whitewashed buildings, with its assortment of dome-shaped, square and rectangular cliff dwellings which nestle, cosy yet resplendent on the hillside, like an untouched giant white wedding cake on display.
It is surreal, the typical pinch-me-cos-I-must-be-dreaming moment, almost like being transported to another world, another dimension… I close my eyes… hold my breath… try to prolong the moment… capture the wonder and sheer breathtaking quality of the vision…
I can only imagine the true beauty of the island and don't think that my description does justice to the reality of what it is. Maybe one day I will get to visit and then I'm certain that I'll have to re-write the above to REALLY match this magnificent view! *sighs*
So tell me, what's your dream destination?
That pic of the EIffel Tower is gorgeous! It makes me wonder how they got all those lights strung up like that. It must have taken them ages, right? Greece is lovely too, and a wedding cake is the perfect way to describe it! Thanks so much for joining the hop. 🙂
Now you have me wondering about the same thing… how on earth did they manage to get that lighting done (and I'm trying desperately to stay away from Mr. Google…) 🙂
I have said for (many) years that I would like my next Big Trip to be to the British Isles. Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and England are on my bucket list.
I've seen many stunning pics of Scotland during this bloghop. I had NO idea how beautiful the place is! And there are so many castles…
How fun that you found your travel diary! I bet that was such fun to read and take a walk down memory lane.
When I was in college I was asked my idea of a perfect date and I still remember I immediately responded a weekend in Paris. LOL I didn't bother to think about the money involved in that but I still think it would be perfect. It must be such a romantic place and the Eiffel Tower is simply stunning. Another person chose Greece for the hop and had pictures similar to this one. This island seems almost too beautiful to be real! The white buildings and that amazing blue water and to die for. I hadn't thought about Greece before but now I totally want to go there too LOL.
Thanks for taking part in our Hop, Michelle!
It was fun to read the diary entries. Paris IS the city of romance.(IMHO) Greece is also gorgeous!
You won't believe this, but that was the same year I visited Paris! We could've been in the same city at the same time I didn't even know it…
Maybe we passed one another, or sat alongside one another in a crowded pavement bistro… who knows…
I'd love to see Greece.
I've been to Paris, but it was too brief. The next time I'd like to spend several days there.
I'd also like to return to Paris… spend a few days there… there's so much to see…
It sure seemed to do it justice! Delicious description of arrive in Santorini. Both pictures are lovely, and both destinations are on my list.
<a href="http://thewarriormuse.com/">The Warrior Muse</a>
Thank you. The first thing that came to mind when I looked at Santorini was – wedding cake!
Never been to France or Greece, but both countries are packed with beautiful places. France for the culture nerd, Greece for the sunshine peeps 🙂
Great post!
It's a double satisfaction, for the cultural nerd in me, and I am, by nature, a lover of sunshine! 🙂
Paris and Greece – yep, both on my list too!
Also, I just wanted to share, I am hosting a<a href="http://www.feelingbeachie.com/holiday-book-giveaway-thirteen-different-authors/"> massive book giveaway </a>(14 authors, 15 books)
That's a generous giveaway! Awesome stuff!
Both excllent choices and both beautiful.
Both are magical… and ideal getaway destinations!
Paris, a real dream! And to think you've already been. Awesome! I hope you get to go to Greece too!
It was such a long, long time ago… but yes, I was fortunate enough to have that opportunity…
Paris is pretty magical. Did you know that nowhere in the world do as many people live per square meter as in Paris – not even in Asian big cities!
I had no idea! Thanks for the education!
I've been collecting amazing photos of the Eiffel Tower lately. No idea why other than it's absolutely beautiful and iconic. Must mean I plan to go there some day. :))
You feel and understand the true magnificence of this structure when it's in front of you… breathtaking… 🙂
Awesome pics! I wonder how they change a lightbulb when one goes out on the tower. Love Greece too–I chose the Greek island of Samothrace *it has Sam in the name, so it's meant to be*. We can meet there and share some Ouzo on the beach!
I saw your pic of Samothrace… it blew me away! How can such beauty exist in one place?
I love your passage from your travel diary! I'm glad that you made it to Paris, and I agree that it's high time for a return visit. Gorgeous photos! I'm ready to book that Paris/Greece adventure with you anytime!
Wouldn't that be cool? A Paris/Greek adventure… ? 🙂
I love what you shared in your diary with us~ What a gorgeous photo of the tower-swoon worthy! Cheers to pbutter n' jam-lol Thanks for visiting me
I love how you described Greece-what a glorious photo-yes, I am now adding it to my bucket list~ I love your picks!
Faced with a choice between a "fancy dish" or pbutter 'n jam, guess which one would win… every time? Yep. I love pbutter 'n jam… and could eat it every day.
I've technically been in paris but all I saw of it was the subway and the Eifel tower from the other end of the city before we boarded our next train. I would love to go back and see it for real one day.
And Greece- there's another place where the history alone would bring me to nivana. Wonderful choices and breathtaking descriptions you've shared!
Awwwww… so close and yet so far… maybe one day…
I've visited both those places, but in both cases would like to go back. Particularly Greece which I only really had a glimpse of (and then only 4 of the islands).
Only 4? That's better than nothing. You lucky ducky. So how many islands in total?
Oooh Paris!! City of Love (as my daughter says..too much tv..lol) I was in Paris a while back. Too bad we didn't get a chance to go up the Eiffel Tower. It was under renovations. I would love to go back again- Greece is sooo beautiful! Just look at the contrast between white and blue! Another dream destination I added to my list! 😀
I can remember we took a lift to the 1st level of the Eiffel Tower (it cost 7 French francs, which was the currency at that time), and then we walked to the 2nd level. That was the option. Not sure how it works these days. 🙂
I loved visiting Paris, and I've always wanted to see Greece! I love ancient Greek history and literature. You should check out Famous Greeks on audible if you're interested in listening to a condensed version of Greek history.
That sounds like a good idea. I'd love to learn more about Greece… and Egypt too!
You chose some awesome places, Michelle. Yes, seeing the Eiffel Tower had to be a breathtaking experience and Greece reminds me os a story written by one of my favourite writers – Gerald Durrell.
Hey Joy, I can remember reading My Family and Other Animals in grade 9 or 10… can't pinpoint the exact grade… that was many, many years ago. And the Eiffel Tower left me speechless… 🙂
Hi Michelle,
Had to have a second look at your photo of the Eiffel Tower. For one moment, I thought it was something else. Never mind, I was thinking rude 🙂
I love both your choices. I've been to southern France and had a wonderful time. Okay, the public toilets freaked me out. And now I want to go to Santorini in the Agean Sea. You paint a magical picture with your words, dear friend.
My dream destination is arriving at your blog.
Gary
He! He! You are too funny Gary. 🙂 and sweet…
I would love to go to Paris. I've always wanted to see the Louvre and the Palace of Versailles. Greece is so beautiful in photos, I'd like to see it someday too.
The Louvre is simply AMAZING! You have to see it to believe it.
Yes to both!! I love France. My fave cuisine and wine. And I've always wanted to see Greece. I have a friend with a house on one of the islands there. Just have to convince the hubby we should go. And oh Greek food!!! Yum-o!! Opa!
You have a friend there? So what are you waiting for… (do you have a tiny space in your luggage… to squeeze me in… 🙂 )
The closest I've ever been to Paris is Vegas. I know, pathetic. New Zealand and Ireland are neck and neck at the top of my dream list.
Both seem to be very popular destinations. I've learned about so many fantastic spots, places I'd never have dreamed could be so beautiful, via this bloghop.