Have you ever thought and dreamt about places you’d love to go back to?
For me there are many destinations to which I’d like to return and many many more I’d like to discover, so picking just 5 of my favourites was almost impossible.
What I decided was to pick my top 5 holiday destinations that I would love to revisit, in the hope they might appeal to readers looking for exciting or scenic holiday spots with the possibility of a little adventure thrown in.
On Safari, Madikwe, South Africa
There’s something about Africa that gets in your veins, like a drug from which you can’t break free. Once bitten, never shy for Africa will keep the beat of her heart in your heart always, and the animals and exciting safari experiences will lure you back to adventure. I am no exception.
One of the places I would most like to return to is Madikwe, one of South Africa’s premier and largest safari destinations, set in a game reserve of 75,000 hectares. It’s situated in South Africa’s North West Province which is bordered in the south by the Dwarsberg Mountains, while a short drive to the north west is Gaborone, the capital of Botswana.
From my journal
“Madikwe might be conservation-minded and malaria-free, but it’s home to the Big 5 (leopard, lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo) and we’re ticking them off rapidly. There’s a sudden rustle along with a rancid smell emanating from the Black Thorn. “Lion,” hisses the ranger as he gently eases the jeep into first gear, just in case. As if on cue a male lion saunters into view, and then a female, to confirm my suspicion that Madikwe really is a modern day Noah’s Ark.
It’s almost dark when we begin our return journey back to the lodge. The ranger swings the spotlight from side to side as the jeep jolts through the bush. We see an African kangaroo (a bush hare) and a jackal slinks across the road. Sometimes the honey-sweet aroma of the Black Thorn wafts our way, while the gentle ‘coo-coo’ of a dove hangs in the night air like a lullaby. I am dangerously lulled.
Suddenly there’s a roar so loud it makes my ear-drums rattle. The ranger spins the spotlight faster from side to side and pulls up abruptly. “There,” he says in a stage whisper, and there’s a collective gasp as we see, not 50 metres away, a pride of 7 lions devouring what we think is a wildebeest that isn’t quite dead. The noises the lions make as they feed are spine chilling; deep rumbles and angry outbursts, as mesmerising as they are scary, but soon the wildebeest lies still with one spindly leg and a small black hoof raised in the air like a flag.”
Historical Bath, England
We spent a weekend in Bath a couple of years ago and I’m not sure why we waited so long to visit. I was captivated by the living history and fabulous architecture and invigorated by the thought that this World Heritage Site contains well preserved ruins dating back to the Roman Empire. A torch-lit summer tour of the Roman Baths will forever be etched in my memory as we walked across 2,000 year old pavements beside steaming pools once used by toga clad Romans.
Then there was Sally Lunn’s, Bath’s Oldest House dating back to 1482.
Wow! What a far cry from the modern buildings of Perth in Western Australia!
Tiny rooms with low ceilings, and a cellar museum where we could see the Roman and Medieval foundations, and also the original kitchen with its faggot oven, Georgian range and old baking utensils.
Named Sally Lunn’s after a young French refugee who arrived in England nearly over 300 years ago it’s said that Sally had great buns! Or should I say baked great buns! A rich, round and generous bread now know as the Sally Lunn Bun which became a popular delicacy in Georgian England. Yum!
Bath’s a city for walking shoes, a camera, a love of history and an inquisitive mind.
Two days in the city wasn’t nearly enough, so I’d love to go back.
Island Hopping, Dalmatia, Croatia
It’s hard to pick just one town in Croatia, so I’ve gone for a region because we had such a brilliant time cycling and island hopping.
There are islands I haven’t yet visited which I’d like to get to, and I really encourage cycling as a great way to stay fit when you’re over 50 so I’d go back and do more cycling and island hopping, for sure, with the Katarina Line.
We adored bicycling around the hilly islands of Brac, Korcula and Hvar.
Out of season we didn’t experience huge crowds or full moon beach parties, we didn’t see with the glitterati from yachts and cruise ships descending on ancient ruins as we were warned, but we did sip a designer cocktail or two in the delightful old square at Hvar before climbing almost alone to the ancient fort on top of the hill.
From my journal:
“There were beautiful sea views as we climbed from Milna to Bol, and fields of poppies, mulberry, fig trees, pine forests, olive groves and vineyards. We came to a marble quarry and found out that the white marble was used, among other things, for building parts of the White House in Washington and the Reichstag building in Berlin.
After some kilometers we turned onto a gravel road and wound our way to Gazul, a little shepherd village with stone houses, where a traditional Peka lunch was served. Peka is a dish of meat and vegetables cooked for a long time over hot coals, and for us served with a reviving glass of the farmer’s home grown Schnapps.”
Tropical Beaches, The Philippines
Oh tropical in spades … and beaches, don’t mention the palm fringed sandy beaches please!
We lived in the Philippines for nearly 4 years, and holidays were spent on dreamy islands with palm fringed beaches; Boracay, Sangat, El Nido Palawan, Pandan, Mindoro and an island hopping trip I’ll never forget on a dive boat called The Coco Explorer.
One of my favourite places was Puerto Galera on Mindoro Island where we spent many long weekends and happy family holidays when our children were small. From our favourite accommodation, El Galleon, on Small Lalaguna we’d catch Bancas (wooden outrigger boats) to various white sandy beaches for lazy days snorkelling and exploring.
Puerto Galera is a tropical paradise echoing with the soft lap of waves and a soft breeze rustling through tall palm trees. There are beaches and coves, named and unnamed; mountains and forests with orchids and flowers; waterfalls and rivers; over 30 dive sites close to shore; and Puerto Galera Bay which has is possibly one of the most beautiful on the entire planet.
Sailing into Puerto Galera Bay for the first time on the ferry was without doubt one of the most memorable boat rides of my life.
I’d like to do that again.
The Himalayas, Nepal
For those of you who’ve read the start of my Memoir (Disconnected. A Memoir) you’ll know that we lived in Nepal for nearly two years from the time our son was just 5 weeks old. We lived first in Kathmandu and then at a remote construction camp near Mugling on the Kathmandu to Pokhara road in the foothills of the Himalayas.
We’d both done some trekking and white water rafting in Nepal before we were married and had fallen in love with the country; with the friendly people, the magnificent mountains, the sound of tinkling of mule bells on mountain passes, and village life in the Himalayas.
Hmm … It wasn’t quite the same with a baby. A decent standard of hygiene was really hard to maintain, and we were for much of the time located a three hour precipitous drive away from the nearest Doctor and without a telephone (I can hardly believe it now) so we were a little more tied to the house and focused on our baby. But we would often strap Sam into a baby-pack put him on our backs and head off for long walks to remote spots for a bit of local Dal Bhat (rice and lentils) and some Chai or beer with friendly villagers while Sam attached himself to the safety of my breast.
I’d like to go back again and trek – to get out in that pure mountain air and see Fish Tail mountain again at dawn from Poon Hill. I’d like to wander the streets of Kathmandu and infuse myself once more with its Medieval history and ancient Hindu and Buddhist culture.
And then?
I’d like to come home to Western Australia.
Why not tell us in the comments which places you’ve visited to which you’d love to return.
My name is Johanna Castro and I've been a freelance writer for over 35 years. Nine years ago I committed to blogging, and began documenting my finds about fashion, lifestyle and travel. On Lifestyle Fifty I share and ways to look good, feel good, do good and have adventures. It's all about The Art of Ageing and Living the Good Life. Everything I write about comes from the desire to help as many women as possible live their best lives after the age of 50.
You have been to amazing places Jo and experienced such a lot. My heart leapt when you described Puerto Galera on Mindoro Island. I wanted to be there so bad. We’ve not been to Philippines but the way you described it really grabbed me. Nepal has always called to me and your description “pure mountain air and see Fish Tail mountain again at dawn from Poon Hill.” made me say an inner “Wow”. I missed this post when it came out originally because we were overseas without a computer, lol.
What a great mix of destinations to return to, Jo. Although I’ve travelled quite extensively in Europe I haven’t been to Croatia (YET!!!) so you’ve definitely made me add that to my wish list. And I can see why you’d like to return to Bath – it’s a beautiful city.
Hello Carolyn, I’m so glad that I’ve helped you think more about Croatia – we shall very certainly go back. Loved it! Hope you’re still enjoying Europe or perhaps you’re home?
It was really difficult to pick a top 5 wasn’t it Jo – I’m with you on Bath, we lived fairly close for a few years and visited a couple of times. As a Roman historian I just love the place. As for Nepal – I’ll be back there next April and can’t wait. Okay – I think we need to get your husband to do a workshop on how to create those postcards. I think you’d have a few takers, even if it does mean us coming down to Bunbury 🙂
Hi Pam, How lovely to live near Bath. I didn’t know you were a Roman historian, that’s really interesting. Yes, I can’t wait to read your tales from Nepal next April – can’t wait! Dave would be chuffed to think that he should run some postcard workshops, he’s an engineer and doesn’t consider himself creative – but he is!
I happen to have just gone back to Bologna, Italy, where I am now. Going back allows you to see all the things you missed and reminisce about the places you have already seen. It’s great! Loved your post~
I would go back to Africa in a heartbeat. I agree there is something so special about it. The game drives were some of the best experiences of all my travels, and I hope to do them again soon.
I love the journal extracts 🙂
And so funny the way one leaves treasures in one’s homeland unearthed for so long –
I think I’m with you on a return to Nepal – sadly we were both really sick during our visit there so a return in full health would be a joy 🙂
Thanks Linda, I always wonder if putting journal extracts into posts is a good idea or if readers will go *Yawn*, so I’m glad you liked these 🙂 Yes, the tummy problem in Nepal is a real problem. We were constantly suffering when we lived there, so going for a holiday would require strict adherence to all things food and hygiene and even then you have to be lucky.
Jo, I have absolutely loved hearing about everyone’s favourite five travel destinations.I haven’t been to any of these places so you have definitely broadened my horizons. Croatia has always been one place I’d like to see and Bath in the UK. How did you do your postcards? They are fabulous.
The list keeps getting longer! I would love to revisit Spain and do the Camino de Santiago again. The opportunity to take time out and just enjoy being in the moment, with very little to worry about as well as experiencing the outdoors and getting healthy all at once was magic. I would then like to see other parts of Spain, with the colour, the vibrancy of the music, the history displayed in the architecture and enjoy paella, tapas and sangria. After that it would be back to the hustle and bustle of Rome, and then the Amalfi coast: the colours of the houses, the blue of the Mediterranean, the smell of the lemons and the taste of the fresh seafood. Bliss! Thanks Jo for encouraging me to think about wonderful memories, and that’s before I even contemplate the list of places, yet to be explored!
Wow Bernadette, you’ve inspired me! I would just like to pack a bag and take off to the destinations you mention right now, please! Thanks for popping by to comment today 🙂
I love reading lists like this. You have several I’ve yet to get to and several, like you, that I’d love to revisit. Thanks for reminding me of how poignant and nourishing it is to step back instead of always forward.
I can understand why you’d want to go back. I have only been to two destinations on your list — Bath and Africa — and I would go back! I love the way you put together your post too…very creative. 🙂
Your website is so upbeat-I love it Jo! And the photo collages of each place are really great. I am hard pressed to pick a spot to return to as there are so many on my list I still want to visit. I can always return to India, but each time want to visit a different part. It’s an interesting question to think about, as I have wonderful memories in each of the places I have visited, but I think I’d rather move on down my list.
Hi Alison. Thanks for your lovely words about my site and the photo collages (I have my dear hubby to thank for those) I think it’s always a little bit daunting to go back to places because you do want to preserve the good memories, and places change not always for the better. Hope you’re moving down your list and having fun 🙂
How wonderful your list is! I love reading posts like these because they grow my own list longer! Out of your five I’d be hard pressed to choose between Nepal and South Africa. Slowly we’re inching our way west in that general direction.
Most of those adventures would be new to me. I hadn’t realized that you’d led such an adventurous lifestyle – very cool. I’d go back to Nepal if I could fly there in business class. Otherwise 36 hours of travel puts me off – and the same goes for South Africa. Have you been to Canada yet? It’s not always cold.
Woah, Leigh! 36 hours, that would be a long one! Hah, so you see I have a hidden and nomadic past! No I haven’t been to Canada, but would LOVE to. One of these days ….
I would love to go back to Thornybush Game Reserve in South Africa We had the most amazing trip there. But since then it has changed ownership and hosts we had which we became friendly with are no longer there. When we went there we went without really knowing what we were going to. It was beyond our wildest expectations. AMAZING! To go back now and find it didn’t live up to our past experience…….would spoil our past memories.
In Australia? I am looking forward to the day when we go back to the Kimberleys.
Never been to Thornybush Game Reserve, Jill but have heard about it. Yes, you never know how things will be after a change of ownership, especially with something as intimate as a safari and game reserve company. I think you’d probably be better off going somewhere different without the baggage of expectation. Yes, the Kimberleys would be great to go back to, me too I’d love to … now they can’t change (not much anyway!)
What is Success?
budget jan
March 20, 2015 at 6:32 pmYou have been to amazing places Jo and experienced such a lot. My heart leapt when you described Puerto Galera on Mindoro Island. I wanted to be there so bad. We’ve not been to Philippines but the way you described it really grabbed me. Nepal has always called to me and your description “pure mountain air and see Fish Tail mountain again at dawn from Poon Hill.” made me say an inner “Wow”. I missed this post when it came out originally because we were overseas without a computer, lol.
Johanna
March 26, 2015 at 11:09 amThanks Jan – I’m so glad to have perhaps inspired you think more about and perhaps to visit some of these places.
Carolyn - Holidays to Europe
October 14, 2014 at 4:24 pmWhat a great mix of destinations to return to, Jo. Although I’ve travelled quite extensively in Europe I haven’t been to Croatia (YET!!!) so you’ve definitely made me add that to my wish list. And I can see why you’d like to return to Bath – it’s a beautiful city.
Johanna
October 14, 2014 at 5:20 pmHello Carolyn, I’m so glad that I’ve helped you think more about Croatia – we shall very certainly go back. Loved it! Hope you’re still enjoying Europe or perhaps you’re home?
Pam
October 14, 2014 at 12:12 pmIt was really difficult to pick a top 5 wasn’t it Jo – I’m with you on Bath, we lived fairly close for a few years and visited a couple of times. As a Roman historian I just love the place. As for Nepal – I’ll be back there next April and can’t wait. Okay – I think we need to get your husband to do a workshop on how to create those postcards. I think you’d have a few takers, even if it does mean us coming down to Bunbury 🙂
Johanna
October 14, 2014 at 5:22 pmHi Pam, How lovely to live near Bath. I didn’t know you were a Roman historian, that’s really interesting. Yes, I can’t wait to read your tales from Nepal next April – can’t wait! Dave would be chuffed to think that he should run some postcard workshops, he’s an engineer and doesn’t consider himself creative – but he is!
Irene S. Levine
October 10, 2014 at 2:47 pmI happen to have just gone back to Bologna, Italy, where I am now. Going back allows you to see all the things you missed and reminisce about the places you have already seen. It’s great! Loved your post~
Johanna
October 12, 2014 at 12:51 pmThanks Irene. Yes that’s a good point about seeing all the things you missed.
Lois Alter Mark
October 10, 2014 at 7:33 amI would go back to Africa in a heartbeat. I agree there is something so special about it. The game drives were some of the best experiences of all my travels, and I hope to do them again soon.
Johanna
October 10, 2014 at 7:57 amHere’s hoping you get back for more Lois!
Linda ~ Journey Jottings
October 8, 2014 at 8:55 pmI love the journal extracts 🙂
And so funny the way one leaves treasures in one’s homeland unearthed for so long –
I think I’m with you on a return to Nepal – sadly we were both really sick during our visit there so a return in full health would be a joy 🙂
Johanna
October 9, 2014 at 9:05 amThanks Linda, I always wonder if putting journal extracts into posts is a good idea or if readers will go *Yawn*, so I’m glad you liked these 🙂 Yes, the tummy problem in Nepal is a real problem. We were constantly suffering when we lived there, so going for a holiday would require strict adherence to all things food and hygiene and even then you have to be lucky.
Kathy Marris
October 8, 2014 at 4:20 pmJo, I have absolutely loved hearing about everyone’s favourite five travel destinations.I haven’t been to any of these places so you have definitely broadened my horizons. Croatia has always been one place I’d like to see and Bath in the UK. How did you do your postcards? They are fabulous.
Johanna
October 9, 2014 at 9:08 amHello Kathy and thank you. Yes I’ve also enjoyed reading about everyone’s top spots. The postcards my hubby created for me.
Bernadette Durrell
October 8, 2014 at 2:27 pmThe list keeps getting longer! I would love to revisit Spain and do the Camino de Santiago again. The opportunity to take time out and just enjoy being in the moment, with very little to worry about as well as experiencing the outdoors and getting healthy all at once was magic. I would then like to see other parts of Spain, with the colour, the vibrancy of the music, the history displayed in the architecture and enjoy paella, tapas and sangria. After that it would be back to the hustle and bustle of Rome, and then the Amalfi coast: the colours of the houses, the blue of the Mediterranean, the smell of the lemons and the taste of the fresh seafood. Bliss! Thanks Jo for encouraging me to think about wonderful memories, and that’s before I even contemplate the list of places, yet to be explored!
Johanna
October 9, 2014 at 9:10 amWow Bernadette, you’ve inspired me! I would just like to pack a bag and take off to the destinations you mention right now, please! Thanks for popping by to comment today 🙂
Carole Terwilliger Meyers
October 8, 2014 at 9:21 amI’d like to go back both to London and to Hampstead Heath, a suburb of London. I’ve been many times and an’t get enough of either.
Johanna
October 8, 2014 at 10:06 amAhh London, Carole. Yes, Hampstead is indeed lovely too.
Elaine Masters
October 8, 2014 at 6:26 amI love reading lists like this. You have several I’ve yet to get to and several, like you, that I’d love to revisit. Thanks for reminding me of how poignant and nourishing it is to step back instead of always forward.
Johanna
October 8, 2014 at 8:30 amThanks Elaine, Yes it’s sometimes revealing looking backwards … and it does help identify things to do in the future.
Marilyn Jones
October 8, 2014 at 2:47 amI can understand why you’d want to go back. I have only been to two destinations on your list — Bath and Africa — and I would go back! I love the way you put together your post too…very creative. 🙂
Johanna
October 8, 2014 at 8:31 amThanks Marilyn, I’m also really glad you liked this format … was experimenting 🙂
alison abbott
October 7, 2014 at 8:53 pmYour website is so upbeat-I love it Jo! And the photo collages of each place are really great. I am hard pressed to pick a spot to return to as there are so many on my list I still want to visit. I can always return to India, but each time want to visit a different part. It’s an interesting question to think about, as I have wonderful memories in each of the places I have visited, but I think I’d rather move on down my list.
Johanna
October 8, 2014 at 8:33 amHi Alison. Thanks for your lovely words about my site and the photo collages (I have my dear hubby to thank for those) I think it’s always a little bit daunting to go back to places because you do want to preserve the good memories, and places change not always for the better. Hope you’re moving down your list and having fun 🙂
Sonia
October 7, 2014 at 6:56 pmNice article ~ love your website. I’m Fun, feisty, funky and over fifty !
Johanna
October 8, 2014 at 8:34 amHi Sonia, So glad you like the website and fabulous to meet another fun, feisty, funky over fifty year old! Please pop back often 🙂
Betsy Wuebker | PassingThru
October 7, 2014 at 10:49 amHow wonderful your list is! I love reading posts like these because they grow my own list longer! Out of your five I’d be hard pressed to choose between Nepal and South Africa. Slowly we’re inching our way west in that general direction.
Johanna
October 8, 2014 at 8:34 amThank you Betsy, and glad that your travel bucket list has grown as a result.
The GypsyNesters
October 7, 2014 at 10:15 amHaven’t been to any of these places, but we can sure see why you would want a second helping of them all.
Johanna
October 8, 2014 at 8:35 amHello Gypsy Nesters! Thanks for popping by and reading today 🙂
Leigh
October 7, 2014 at 9:44 amMost of those adventures would be new to me. I hadn’t realized that you’d led such an adventurous lifestyle – very cool. I’d go back to Nepal if I could fly there in business class. Otherwise 36 hours of travel puts me off – and the same goes for South Africa. Have you been to Canada yet? It’s not always cold.
Johanna
October 8, 2014 at 8:36 amWoah, Leigh! 36 hours, that would be a long one! Hah, so you see I have a hidden and nomadic past! No I haven’t been to Canada, but would LOVE to. One of these days ….
Life Images by Jill
October 6, 2014 at 10:29 pmI would love to go back to Thornybush Game Reserve in South Africa We had the most amazing trip there. But since then it has changed ownership and hosts we had which we became friendly with are no longer there. When we went there we went without really knowing what we were going to. It was beyond our wildest expectations. AMAZING! To go back now and find it didn’t live up to our past experience…….would spoil our past memories.
In Australia? I am looking forward to the day when we go back to the Kimberleys.
Johanna
October 8, 2014 at 8:38 amNever been to Thornybush Game Reserve, Jill but have heard about it. Yes, you never know how things will be after a change of ownership, especially with something as intimate as a safari and game reserve company. I think you’d probably be better off going somewhere different without the baggage of expectation. Yes, the Kimberleys would be great to go back to, me too I’d love to … now they can’t change (not much anyway!)