Just because I'm not there yet doesn't mean I don't know where I'm going

Source: theyallhateus.com via Monika on Pinterest

Travel Changes You

“Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life - and travel - leaves marks on you. Most of the time, those marks - on your body or on your heart - are beautiful. Often, though, they hurt.” - Anthony Bourdain

Via my co travel wanderer friend, Ieva.

Paris, FR: Eiffel Tower 2006

Reykjavik, IS 2009

Nyhavn Canal in Copenhagen, DK. 2009.

Windsurfing. NW France 2006.

Olden charm. Montlucon, FR 2009.

Luxembourg City. Backpacking adventures. 2006.

Mont St Michel. France. 2006.

Te amo, Park Guell. Barcelona. 2009.

La Belle vue. Sete, FR. 2009.

Copenhagen: Wherever you go, don't forget where you came from

In Copenhagen.

This Danish sailor has got it right. With some pride, knowledge and integrity, he's ready to sail the Danish seas. And beyond.

Ready to set sail from the shores of Copenhagen.

If you had the opportunity to do so, where would you like to go and explore?

Currently Under Construction: Sagrada Familia

Sagrada Familia's figurative "Currently Under Construction" sign surely must have quite the story to tell, having seen much of Barcelona and world history unfold before it since its inception in 1882.

After 144 years of construction, all should be complete come 2026. Hopefully.

This beautiful masterpiece of a Catholic church in Barcelona, designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi, towers over Barcelona, piercing its skyline.

That fact that Sagrada Familia is visible from all around various part of Barcelona, it serves as a constant reminder of the city's heritage, foundation and artistic and architectural mastery as exhibited by its (most) famous architect, Gaudi and his impact on the makeup of the city (as seen in Sagrada Familia, Parc Guell, Casa Batllo and La Pedrera).

A Catalan jewel in Barcelona - Sagrada Familia

Stained glass window inside Sagrada Familia

Spires reaching high above Barcelona's skyline

View from Sagrada Familia - Barcelona and the Mediterranean  Sea

#FranceFriday: Never want to leave the French Riviera

Nice, FR is nice. Very nice.

Nice is the second-largest city in France's Provence region, following Marseille.

Let us relish in some gorgeous views of this beautiful city.

Your 'to-do' list in Nice should most definitely include:

• strolling the Promenade des Anglais
• enjoying the view from the local chateau
• soaking up the sun, sitting along the Mediterranean, on a pebbly beach
• tantalizing your taste buds with all the lavender and rose-flavored gelato you can manage
• enjoying the beauty of the city's (and overall region's) multitude of colorfully shuttered windows
• picking up a locally-crafted lavender product to take home with you

We left Nantes one October evening on an overnight couchette train and about 11 hours later, arrived in Nice the following morning. We left the chilly, autumnal northwest corner of France and seemingly traveled back through the season, seeing as we arrived to this...

Bienvenue! Our train has arrived

All who visit Nice simply must hike up to the top of the local chateau, located at the eastern end of the Promenade des Anglais. You will be rewarded with an outstanding view of the entire city similar to this one.

View of the Mediterranean Sea, Promenade and  Old and New town

Strolling, rollerblading and people-watching under the palm trees is made easy on the Promenade.

Promenade des Anglais

Don't forget to bring a sturdy pair of sandals when trapsing along the beach. Pebbly beaches are the norm here. I suppose this is a good way to engage the core and get an extra ab workout.

Pebbly beaches are the norm in Nice, FR

Fun Fact: Michael Jackson once stayed at Nice's Hotel Negresco, located on the Promenade des Anglais

Oxford, England: Pick Up Your Oxford Blues... and Alice Trinkets

Oxford, England. Home to more esteemed British academia.

Visiting Oxford in October 2008 was quite the trip. Literally. I had injured myself in Montpellier only a few days before leaving so I was obliged to awkwardly hobble about towns during my UK getaway.

I managed to snap a pathetic amount of photos due to the pain I was in. The one below is of an Oxford Blues shop. One of many stores in which visitors and students alike could purchase their very own Oxford blues. I, of course, couldn't leave this town with such a rich academic history without at least picking up a classic Oxford University tee-shirt.

Alice shop and Oxford Blues shop in Oxford, England.

Can't leave Oxford without an official University of Oxford tee shirt.

Alice in Wonderland fans may also be familiar with Oxford. The author, Lewis Carroll, was inspired by many aspects of the university, which he attended, and incorporated these aspects in his stories. A rowboat trip beginning at Folly Bridge served as the inspiration for the tale of Alice, a girl who created her own adventure.

So, as an homage (?) to Carroll and his wildly popular tales of Alice, her mementos can also be purchased about town.

Montpellier, FR: An aqueduct runs through it

Sunny Mediterranean Montpellier, located in southern France, is the capital of the Languedoc-Roussillon region. 

Its 17th century Saint-Clément aqueduct spans the "Les Arceaux" (The Arches) neighborhood and it was used to direct water to the city from the Saint Clément spring located 8.6 miles away.

The aqueduct has (obviously) become a staple of the city's geography over the centuries and is an integral architectural feature in the lives of Montpellier's citizens. It is dressed up with classy lighting showing off its characteristic features, while also serving as shelter for many local pétanque playing fields.

Massive 17th century aqueduct in Montpellier lit up at night

A little beauty lighting for the aqueduct