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5 Places Around The World That Have My Heart

30/09/17 ᛫ 16 Comments

Jimbaran Bay, Bali

In the past 3 years alone I have taken nearly 40 trips and visited 30 new countries. I suppose you could say that the frequency of my trips has made me a transient traveller, because I never stay in the same place for too long. Most of the time I travel to a new destination knowing that I probably won’t ever return, because in my eyes there is still so much more of the world to see. Generally speaking, I would always prefer to visit somewhere new than to re-visit a place I have already been, but there are a few places around the world where I’ve left a piece of my heart. These places all mean something special to me for different reasons and these are the places I would happily return to again and again.

1. Tuscany, Italy

I have always had love affair with Italy, but this was made even stronger when I visited Tuscany with Scott in 2015. It was our first holiday together so we planned an epic Tuscany road trip from Pisa to Florence, stopping off at Siena and San Gimignano along the way. It was a romantic mini adventure and felt like a rural escape from busy London life. I definitely fell in love in Tuscany and dream of returning.

Read: My Tuscan Road Trip Part 1 // My Tuscan Road Trip Part 2

2.Hoi An, Vietnam  

Scott and I spent 5 nights in Hoi An during our 6 week backpacking adventure through Vietnam and The Philippines. We travelled from the North to the South of Vietnam, and Hoi An was definitely my favourite place. The Vietnamese food is out of this world and the pretty colonial streets light up at night with colourful lanterns. My most vivid memory is when we hired a long boat and floated down the river at dusk. Hoi An is a slice of the magical and exotic orient that us Westerners dream of discovering. I would go back for the tailor-made shopping alone.

Read: My 3 Week Vietnam Travel Itinerary

3. Bali, Indonesia

I visited Bali when I felt like I was at a bit of a crossroads in my life. I was unhappy living in London and felt like I needed to make a change but I wasn’t sure what to do. I went to Bali on a press trip which only lasted 6 days but I remember that it gave me so much clarity and I had a lot of time to think about what direction I wanted to take my life. I had the most incredible spa treatment of my life at the Four Seasons Sayan and remember being brought to tears in a meditation class. The memories of this trip are so vivid and I would love to return to Bali again now that I feel much more sure of my direction in life.

Read: A Spiritual Escape at Four Seasons Sayan

 

4. Almuñécar, Spain

Almuñécar is a beautiful coastal town on the south coast of Spain, about 1 hour away from Malaga. Barely any Brits have heard of it because there is no British tourism there (a stark contrast to the likes of Marbella and Malaga). My parents discovered Almuñécar on holiday a few years ago and fell in love with it so much that they decided to buy a holiday home there for their retirement. So far I have visited Almuñécar twice and I am heading back again for a third today! It’s so nice to return to a place overseas that feels familiar, especially as I am so used to visiting new places every time I travel. I feel like it’s the one place abroad that I can truly switch off from my role as a travel blogger because I have already covered it on the blog and photographed it from all the best angles. Almuñécar is a place where I can still enjoy a regular holiday and I absolutely love knowing that I will be able to return there time and time again.

Read: 7 Reasons to Discover Almunecar, Spain


5. The Greek Islands

The Greek Islands is where I spent many a summer during my teenage years on our family holidays. For part of our holiday we would join a sailing flotilla and sail our way through the islands, mooring in the harbour of a different island every night. It was always such a sociable holiday and me and my sisters would always find ways to escape the parents and hang around with other teenagers in our flotilla (there were definitely a few teenage summer romances). I love how laid-back life is on the Greek Islands and I think I would appreciate it even more now I am older. The Greek Islands would still be my destination of choice for a classic sun-drenched European holiday.

Read: The Greek Sailing Diaries

What did you think of these 5 destinations around the world that have my heart? Where in the world have you left a piece of your heart and why? I would love to know! So please leave me a comment in the box below. Jess x

16 Comments

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Comments

  1. jossustravelpics says

    3rd April 2018 at 8:15 pm

    Sure the greek islands are nice but Athens is my favourite place in Greece. Im also in love with Aruba, Montenegro, Rome and Casablanca.

    Reply
    • Jess Gibson says

      6th April 2018 at 3:16 pm

      I also love Athens! Thanks for your comment 🙂

      Reply
  2. terra says

    5th October 2017 at 11:18 pm

    I stayed in San Gimignano earlier this year and it was fantastic. Siena is also one of my favorite places, as we did a day trip there and I just loved the vibe of the city. Tuscany is just magical.

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      23rd October 2017 at 10:24 am

      Hi Terra. I completely agree! Tuscany is so so magical for me. San Gimignano was a highlight! I would love to go back there. It just oozes charm xxx

      Reply
  3. Eppie says

    3rd October 2017 at 10:37 pm

    Agree on so many levels… I rarely go back to the same place just because my bucket list is so long! However my top destinations including Italy, Canada and Cape Town – id always go back to.

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      23rd October 2017 at 10:25 am

      Glad you can relate Eppie! That’s why I think for travel bloggers a place has to be REALLY special to make us go back. I’d love to return to Cape Town too and Canada is so high on my bucket list! X

      Reply
  4. Angie Silver (@SilverSpoonLDN) says

    3rd October 2017 at 9:29 am

    I’m totally in love with Tuscany and Bali. The place that really has my heart is South Africa – it’s somewhere I dream of returning to one day.

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      23rd October 2017 at 10:25 am

      That’s so lovely Angie! I know you loved your safari. Africa is a magical continent and South Africa has so much spirit. I am sure you will return to all of your most loved countries! X

      Reply
  5. Jet says

    3rd October 2017 at 7:59 am

    Agreed – I also feel the pressure to get good coverage of new cities for my blog and my poor boyfriend has to take all the photos. I’m sure he would love for us to go back to some of the destinations we’ve been to before for a break from that haha. For me, I love South Africa, I used to live there and could go back 100 times. I’m the same as you in that once I’ve been somewhere I don’t want to go again because I’d rather see a new place but for me, South Africa is the exception,

    http://www.jettravels.co.uk

    Xxx
    Jet

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      23rd October 2017 at 10:27 am

      Thanks for your comment Jet 🙂 I think your boyfriend and my boyfriend may have a lot in common haha! It’s nice that you agree that revisiting the same destination gives you a bit of a break. There is so much love for South Africa on these comments which I love! I have only been to Cape Town in SA but think it’s a very special place. Xx

      Reply
  6. Hayley says

    1st October 2017 at 5:37 pm

    I LOVED this post – I recently did one kind of similar looking back at my top 10 travel destinations, it’s so nice to sit back and reflect on the beautiful places we’ve been to! I’m planning a solo trip to Bali and am so glad that I’ve read this post as it’s spurred me on even more to book the trip! Hope you’re having the best holiday love and getting in some relaxation!

    Hayley xo
    http://www.frockmeimfamous.com

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      23rd October 2017 at 10:47 am

      Thanks Hayley! Totally agree it is nice to share reflective travel posts as memories are so important! I think the trips that stick in your mind the most vividly are always the most special – although you don’t always realise it at the time! Your solo trip to Bali sounds incredible. Can’t wait to see what you get up to there! I hope you can get to Four Seasons Sayan xx

      Reply
  7. thegirlnextshore says

    1st October 2017 at 10:58 am

    I definitely have an affinity with Paris and Saint Tropez! x

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      23rd October 2017 at 10:49 am

      Thanks for sharing Honey! Two very gorgeous places! Paris is so magic xxx

      Reply
  8. Abi Street says

    30th September 2017 at 1:20 pm

    You’ve been to some absolutely amazing places! I desperately need a holiday

    Abi | abistreetx

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      23rd October 2017 at 11:18 am

      Thanks Abi! Writing this kind of post definitely reminds me of all the amazing places I have been. Hope you get to enjoy a holiday soon xx

      Reply

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Jess is an an award-winning travel blogger based in Yorkshire, navigating the world as a new Mum to baby Theo. Blogging about adventures both local and global.

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