Mid-Winter break begins today, pretty much as soon as the kids get off the bus at 3:00pm. It has me thinking about some of my favorite places that we have travelled over these years - some during February break, others in April and many during the summertime. I gathered a few of my favorite pictures and some of my artwork that was inspired by our travels to share with you.
No matter where we have travelled in the world, if you ask my son what his favorite vacation spot was, he will always say Atlantis in the Bahamas! So, I thought it fitting that I start with a picture of his favorite destination of all.
The beautiful waters of the Bahamas and the abundance of gorgeous fish inspired this piece of work.
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| The London Eye |
I am partial to London. We lived there for two years and my husband still works there now - so we are lucky enough to get the opportunity to travel back and visit our friends and see our favorite sites. It is a wonderful walking city with plenty to keep you occupied throughout your stay anytime of the year.
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| The Queen's Guard at Buckingham Palace |
My version of the Queen's Guard ...
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| Hampstead Creperie |
The Hampstead Creperie is our number one destination whenever we get back to London. It is worth the long queues to have a crepe with chocolate and banana for dessert or our favorite savory crepe, ham and oozing melted cheese. Yum! These guys can be found on the High Street in Hampstead. Simply the best.
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| Venice |
This past summer we finally got to Venice. It was one of the most beautiful places that I have been to in my lifetime. If you have a "bucket list" then make sure that Venice finds a place on that list.
My version of Venice ...
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| A place to tie up your gondola |
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| The streets of Venice |
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| Even the mundane tasks are made beautiful |
Paris is an all time great destination for any age. So much to see and do and get swept away by. You can never get tired of Paris and what she has to offer.
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| Paddington Bear at a cafe in Paris |
Many years ago our son had a school project where Paddington Bear had to travel with him on vacation. He had to document Paddington's trip in photos and in a journal. This Paddington Bear had some of the best trips courtesy of the children at The American School of London. I wonder if he ever made it back to Peru?
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| An artist in Montmartre, Paris |
There is my young son having his portrait done by one of the many artists that set up shop in Place du Tertre the artist filled square atop Montmartre.
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| Park Guell, Barcelona |
This little Hansel and Gretel house in Park Guell by Antoni Gaudi is located in Barcelona Spain. We had the opportunity to travel to Barcelona last year and were transfixed by the surrealist works of Gaudi. His imprint is on architecture everywhere from the famous Park Guell to the Sagrada Familia. Barcelona is a warm and welcoming place to visit with food that is out of this world!
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| Sagrada Familia |
My pictures do not do Gaudi's Sagrada Familia justice. You have to stand before it to begin to process it's magnificence. The Sagrada Familia has been dubbed the 8th Wonder of the World and you will agree when you have to opportunity to lay your eyes upon it.
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| Finland |
I can't talk about great vacations without giving a shout-out to our trip to Finland - quite possibly the most adventuresome trip that we have ever taken. Above is a picture of one of the Sami-people, reindeer herders, that we met. He taught us how to drive a reindeer pulled sleigh and introduced us to the indigenous people of Scandinavia. It was a trip of a lifetime.
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| Wood Island Lighthouse, Biddeford Pool, Maine |
Maine has always pulled at our heartstrings because of it's rugged beauty and beautiful unspoiled beaches. There is nothing like a lobster roll from our favorite little places in Maine. The real-deal: a toasted bun, fresh lobster meat and just the tiniest amount of mayo to hold it all together. It's pure and it's simple and we crave it all year long ...
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| View from Little Beach in Biddeford Pool, Maine |
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| A gorgeous Maine sunset |
There is so much to do when you vacation at home. We are so fortunate to live in an area where there is so much to offer. From the ICA to the MFA and the Celtics to the Red Sox there is something for everyone both young and old...
A few months back we decided to act like tourists in our own hometown. You will be surprised by how much fun you have. The
segway tours in Boston are a really fun way to see the city. We went with Boston Gliders as our tour guides. You get a wireless audio tour that is led by a guide that takes you to all the hotspots in Boston. Sure you look a little goofy but that is half the fun of being a tourist - isn't it?
New York City can't be beat for a fun filled travel destination especially when you are travelling with teenagers. The city offers so much excitement from theatre, restaurants, tourist spots and just plain shopping. This is one of our frequent mini-vacation spots throughout the year.
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| The boys take Manhattan ... |
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| Times Square |
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| Franconia Inn, New Hampsire |
If you are not tired of the snow as of yet and a skiing adventure is on your list, the Franconia Inn is a great place for a weekend stay. Cannon Mountain (the ski home of Bode Miller) is a stone's throw away. You can skate, cross country ski, snowshoe and sled all in it's backyard. You are only 2 plus hours away from Boston so it is easy.
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| The barn at The Franconia Inn |
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| Charlie the Horse in Franconia, New Hampsire |
We loved meeting Charlie the belgium work horse who pulls the sleigh for his owner Charlie ( which came first - I don't know?!) at the Franconia Inn. There is something magical about a sleigh ride on a crisp, cold night with the stars twinkling above your heads.
Thanks for letting me share some of my favorite destinations with you. No matter where you go or what you do this week or this weekend, I wish you a happy time with your family.
see you soon,
Ellen
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I will be NEEDING one of each of these new prints!! Especially the Venice print, I think it is my favorite!!!
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