Don’t pack your suitcase without it.
The Travel Bug Shoe Bag. Places To Visit.
The Speicherstadt. Hamburg Germany
This is the ‘City of Warehouses’. In Hamburg, Germany. It’s the largest warehouse district in the world. The buildings stand on timber-pile foundations made of oak logs. It was built from 1883 to 1927. The architect is Carl Johann Christian Zimmermann. And the architectural style is Gothic Revival.
The district was built as a free zone to transfer goods without paying customs. As of 2009, both the district and the surrounding area are under redevelopment. As the first site in Hamburg, it was awarded the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site on 5 July 2015.
The Speicherstadt is a major tourist attraction in Hamburg and is the focus of most of the harbor tours. There are several museums like the Deutsches Zollmuseum (de) (German Customs Museum), Miniatur Wunderland (a model railway) and the Hamburg Dungeon. The Afghan Museum was also located here, but closed in 2012.
The buildings are also used as warehouses. As of 2005, the companies in the Speicherstadt handled one-third of the world’s carpet production, and other goods including cocoa, coffee, tea, spices, maritime equipment, and electronics.
Stunning beauty. And function. All in one complex.
It has to be on your bucket list when you visit Germany. ~Carol❤
Credits
Wikipedia. The Speicherstadt.
Photo By Thomas Wolf
The Lofoten Islands Norway
The Lofoten Islands are draped across the turbulent waters of the Norwegian Sea, far above the Arctic Circle. This rare wilderness outpost offers an untrammelled landscape of majestic mountains, deep fjords, squawking seabird colonies and long, surf-swept beaches.
Bring your fishing rod because it’s known for its excellent fishing. As well as spectacular nature attractions such as the northern lights and the midnight sun. And the small villages, like this one, that are off the beaten track.
Kayak between the islands. Go fishing for the catch of your life. Or look for sea eagles soaring in the sky.
“The beauty of this place is simply staggering.”
Lonely Planet
A very good reason to book a ticket. And pack your bags. Bring your thermal underwear! ~Carol❤
Photo #1 & Text Courtesy Of Norway Powered By Nature
Photo #2 Courtesy of Aurora Borealis On YouTube. You must watch this.
The Best Place To Buy A Pizza In St Thomas. The US Virgin Islands. The Caribbean Sea.
What happens when you give up your Wall Street job?
Toss in the teaching position?
And operate a private chartered yacht business for 8 years?
And you get a hankering for pizza one night while moored at St Thomas?
If you’re Sasha and Tara Bouis, you open a floating pizza parlour. PiZZA Pi. And become the best rated of all 195 restaurants in St. Thomas. In the Caribbean.
And become of the envy of everyone who wants to leave the rat race behind. ~Carol❤
Photo & Story Courtesy Of Business Insider Australia
Prague Astronomical Clock
Created in 1410, it was made by clockmaker Mikuláš of Kadan and Jan Šindel, then later a professor of mathematics and astronomy at Charles University.
It’s mounted on the southern wall of the Old Town Hall. In the Old Town Square.
So what is an Astronomical Clock?
It’s a clock with special mechanisms and dials to display astronomical information, such as the relative positions of the sun, moon, zodiacal constellations, and sometimes major planets.
The Prague Astronomical Clock is also a clock that has a moral compass.
The four figures flanking the clock are set in motion on the hour, and represent four things that were despised at the time of the clock’s making.
From left to right in the photographs, the first is Vanity, represented by a figure admiring himself in a mirror.
Next, the miser holding a bag of gold represents greed or usury.
Across the clock stands Death, a skeleton that strikes the time upon the hour.
Finally there is a figure representing lust and earthly pleasures.
On the hour, the skeleton rings the bell and immediately all other figures shake their heads, side to side, signifying their unreadiness “to go.”
There is also a presentation of statues of the Apostles at the doorways above the clock, with all twelve presented every hour.
There are 13 major astronomical clocks in the world. All worthy of a visit. The Prague Astronomical clock is the oldest.
Would you put this on your bucket list? ~Carol❤
Text Courtesy Of Wikipedia
Closeup Of The Astronomical Clock Courtesy Of Steve Collis from Melbourne, Australia – Astronomical Clock, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=24306300
Photo Of The Clock Tower Courtesy Of James Grimmelmann – Flickr, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1123285
The Peninsula of Istria. In the Adriatic Sea.
The Peninsular of Istria is shared by three countries. Croatia. Slovenia. And Italy.
Istria is a perfect holiday destination. Plenty to do if that’s your choice.
But if you want peace and quiet, you will find privacy and silence in the medieval hill towns. Just perfect for writing that book!
It’s a given that whichever town you choose, it will win you over with its charm.
Motovun, also known as Montona, is the birth place of the Formula 1 champion Mario Andretti. It’s a small town in the interior part of Istria, above the valley of the Mirna River. Surrounded by green Istrian landscape and wine roads, the town is also famous for its summer film festival.
Up the same river valley is located Buzet. It is an authentic Istrian town that was settled in ancient history and is known as the town of truffles.
When are you packing your bags? ~Carol❤
Photo And Text Courtesy of France Bike
The Painted Hills. South Australia.
Located in William Creek, South Australia. Population of 10. Nobody quite knows on which property The Painted Hills are located.
“The exact location of the Painted Hills, and on which property they are, is a secret. The pastoral leaseholders are keenly aware of the need to preserve these delicate rock formations.”
“They are incredibly fragile, but due to the fact they are highly protected, they are in pristine condition,” says Trevor White, the pilot of Wrightsair, which conducts aerial tours of the hills.
They are also known as the Anna Creek Painted Hills. Because the air route to get to the hills is to fly first over Anna Creek Station.
Anna Creek Station is the largest cattle station in the world. At 24,000 square kilometres, it’s larger than both Belgium and Israel.
Newly discovered this century, it’s thought these hills will become as important to Australian tourism as Uluru.
There’s no road access to these hills. Viewing is done by air only. ~Carol❤
Photo Courtesy Of Wrightsair
Quote Courtesy of The Sydney Morning Herald
The Simpson Desert.
The 4th largest desert in Australia. And the largest sand dune desert in the world. It traverses the Northern Territory. Queensland. South Australia.
These camels are part of Australian Desert Expeditions. Which is a not-for-profit, registered environmental organisation.
It partners with leading universities. State and national government land management authorities. National conservation organisations. And private research institutions. To conduct scientific and ecological survey expeditions into remote regions of the deserts in Central Australia.
2018 survey expeditions are almost booked out. You can sign up as a volunteer.
Since 2008, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has closed the Simpson Desert to tourists during summer. Too many rescues. And deaths. From tourists not adequately prepared for the rugged driving conditions in extremely hot conditions.
Is this a desert you would visit? ~Carol❤
Photo Courtesy of Australian Desert Expeditions
The Twelve Apostles in Marine National Park. In the Southern Ocean.
Just one of the many sights along the 400 kilometre round trip on the Great Ocean Road in Southwest Victoria.
This Australian National Heritage site was built between 1919 and 1932 by returning soldiers. To commemorate the veterans who fought and died in World War I. This road is the world’s largest war memorial.
It travels through rocky cliffs. Rainforests. Old volcanoes. Rivers. Waterfalls. Rugged coastlines. And charming fishing villages.
Is this on your bucket list? Have you already travelled the Great Ocean Road?
By the way. There are only 8 apostles left. Their limestone composition makes them fragile and susceptible to disintegration. ~Carol❤
Photo courtesy of Bookmundi.
How gorgeous is this lioness and her cubs?
Kruger National Safari Park. South Africa. Is a viewing park. The only shooting is done with cameras.
This is the largest game reserve in South Africa. It’s home to over 500 bird species. 100 reptiles. Nearly 150 mammals. Multiple archaeological sites. And a stunning diversity of trees and flowers. Visitors can explore the park in vehicles with rangers. Take a bush walk. Or fly above in a hot-air balloon.
A friend has just returned from a visit here. She and her husband are still digesting all the wonders they saw.
Is this for you? ~Carol❤
Photo courtesy of Siyabona Africa.
The Indian Pacific.
Australia’s unrivalled luxury train. And one of the great train journeys in the world.
Twice a week it takes travellers from Sydney NSW to Perth WA. Who are on the journey to see the picturesque scenery that only the Australian outback can deliver. The journey is 65 hours. Making it one of the longest train routes in the world.
This chance to see the Australian outback at grass roots level, in comfort, should be on everyone’s bucket list.
Have you taken this train trip? Would you? ~Carol❤
Photo courtesy of tourismkit.com
The Kimberley in WA.
This is what international tourists to Australia hanker for. Remoteness. Untamed. Waters teeming with freshwater crocodiles. An exquisitely beautiful outback wilderness.
This is the real ‘Crocodile Dundee’ country.
The Kimberley’s sandstone cliffs and limestone gorges are world famous.
This is Mitchell Falls. A breathtakingly beautiful four tier waterfall. Which embodies the beauty and rugged character of the outback.
Have you visited The Kimberley?
Is this a location you would visit? ~Carol❤
Photo courtesy of Experience Oz Blog
How gorgeous is this view of the The Northeast Aegean Islands in Greece. Specifically. Pythagorion. On the island of Samos.
What’s not to like about twilight on this island!
I have a friend who lives here. Her life would be the envy of everyone.
She left Australia 20 years ago, when she was 32. To visit Greece. And has never returned home to live.
She’s fully employed. Has a gorgeous Greek man in her life. They travel. They eat delicious Greek food. And she will never leave her idyllic island life.
Is this for you?~Carol❤
Photo courtesy of Travel+Leisure. Photo is by Stuart Black/robertharding/Getty Images.
Australia has some of the most breathtaking pastoral lands in the world.
This is Vasse Felix Wine Estate. In the Margaret River region of WA. Margaret River is a wine paradise for growing world-class Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay wines. Seriously award winning wines.
This 50 year old estate was purchased by Robert Holmes à Court in 1987. And is now owned by Robert’s son. Paul Holmes à Court.
The loving way this estate is managed shows in the amount of money and time that’s been invested in developing it.
If you’re ever going to Margaret River. This estate has to be on the ‘must see’ list. ~Carol❤
Photo Courtesy Of Augusta-Margaret River Mail
Train stations fascinate people all over the world. Including me.
This is the fine dining room at Gare de Lyon’s station in France. It’s called Le Train Bleu restaurant.
Built in 1900, this is one of the most famous train stations in France. And one of the most famous restaurants in the world.
Imagine whiling away your time between connections sipping a bottle of the best French wine. And dining on the crème de la crème of fine cuisine.
You will. Of course. Be well pressed. And well dressed. When dining there! ~Carol❤
Photo Courtesy of CNN Travel
I love bikes. Have always loved bikes.
And when a posse of bikes on a weekend road trip vroom vrroommm past my rural property. Cruising down my two lane country road. On their way to wherever. I’m at the gate. In awe of their power.
This is a vintage 1945 Indian Chief Civilian Model bike. Originally made for the New York City Police Department. Fully restored in 2000. 2,887 miles since restoration. 1200 CC. This is a powerful bike.
For sale in the USA by its 4th owner. USD$40,000. AUD$58,000.
Think of the road trip back home! ~Carol❤
Photo courtesy of Classic Motorcycle Consignments.
This gorgeous 1954 Austin Healey is just perfect for tootling through the vineyards. Or just a drive along a country road. Channelling John Denver.
It’s a nostalgic car for me. My first beau at uni drove an Austin Healey. He came from a very wealthy British family. And had the car imported from the UK.
This one is for sale in South Australia. $82,250. It’s had the same owner for 35 years. And has been completely restored. Down to the finest detail.
Can you see yourself behind the wheel of this classic car? ~Carol❤
Photo courtesy of Mossgreen Auctions
This photo is courtesy of @JoeCaccese.
He aspires to living in this boathouse one day in Lago de Braise, Italy.
A mountain lake in the Dolomites. In the Southern Limestone Alps.
What. A. View.
With crystal clear water the colour of jade.
I should start packing now!
Who’s coming with me? ~Carol❤
We all have fantasies.
Mine is to live on a beautiful houseboat. Very much like this teak cruising houseboat.
It was recently for sale in Thailand. Price? Expressions of interest only.
The interior is beautifully finished in teak. And resembles a 1920’s vintage cottage.
Before I could express my interest, it was SOLD! So living on this beautiful boat will definitely remain a fantasy.
What’s your fantasy? ~Carol❤
Photo Courtesy of Baht&Sold
The beauty of classic cars. Just in case you want to buy a last minute gift for the person in your life who adores classic cars. This vintage blue 1953 Chevrolet 210 is for sale in Victoria. $45,000.
580,000 kilometres. It’s a 6 cylinder. 3.9 litre engine. With automatic transmission.
What a lovely road trip that would be to pick it up. And drive it home. The admiring glances from other motorists would be non-stop.
The fire engine red 1953 Chevrolet 210 is not for sale. Only to be drooled over on Pinterest.
What is your fantasy gift? ~Carol❤
Photo Blue Chevrolet Courtesy of Just Cars Australia
Photo Red Chevrolet Courtesy of Pinterest
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