Five Places I'd Revisit

It's easy to get fixated on pacing through that travel bucket list to try and conquer as many countries on that scratch-away wall map as you can, while you can. When there's so much of the world to see, it often seems backwards in returning to a place you've been before when there are so many new and exciting destinations at your fingertips. But, there's a reason why places linger in your mind; whether it's the food, atmosphere or memories that draw you back, it's something to take note of. Occasionally a place will stay with me and initiate that 'I'd go back in a heartbeat' response whenever it's mentioned or memory evoked. For me, looking back through holiday photos is a sure-fire way of identifying the places that mean the most, sparking that motivation to get back on SkyScanner and get flight-booking. These are a few destinations I'm keen to see more of..

Pamukkale | Turkey

Whilst on holiday in Antalya a few years ago, we visited Pamukkale for a day (after a sluggish four hour drive each way). It is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Southern Turkey formed by travertines (a form of limestone deposited by hot springs) which really look like something out of this world. Beautiful pools of hot springs and cascading waterfalls obviously is going to draw in huge crowds but it's worth the hustle of tourists for the views alone. The natural formed phenomenon is beautiful and easily somewhere you could spend all day taking in the surroundings. Pamukkale, meaning 'cotton castle' in Turkish, also homes the ruins of Hierapolis, a Greek/Roman city complete with an ampi-theatre, Cleopatra's antique pool and spectacular views from the peak. The pictures speak for themselves and just looking at them makes me want to go back. There is too much to fit in within a few hours after travelling, and it would be amazing to spend the night in the Pamukkale village, waking up to this view every morning. Hot air balloon ride's are also a must in Turkey (especially as it's close to Cappadocia, the land of fairy chimneys) and that's definitely one for the bucket list next time.

Sintra | Portugal

Lisbon took a little while to warm up for me when I first got there (I think arriving on a Sunday can often be an anti-climax when the atmosphere has died down from the weekend and everything in sight is shut), but after a day or so I completely fell for the city. Every step you take there's a photo-worthy shot to be taken and beautiful views of the city are usually just a flight of steps away (it's a very hilly place). Sintra was a must-see when in Lisbon and truly is something out of a fairytale, or perhaps a fairytale film set. There is almost too much to do in a day and that does mean that you can leave feeling you're going through an itinerary desperate not to miss anything, consequently not spending any time to really take in what's around you. I'd recommend Sintra to anyone visiting Lisbon as somewhere to spend a day but if I went back, I would love to stay in one of the hill-side boutique hotels to properly experience the place at my own pace.

Marrakesh | Morocco 

I visited Morocco for the first time in May this year and we only had a fleeting visit to Marrakesh, but it was enough to get a feel of the place and understand why it's undeniably somewhere you'd want to go again and again. Due to unheard of torrential rainfall and consequent landslides across the Atlas mountains, our trip to the city was short but sweet with only a mere twenty four hours to explore. On return, I'd love to see the Yves Saint Laurent gardens (if only for that beautifully cobalt blue wall), have a traditional hammam massage in a Turkish spa (the Turks do spa's the best) and perhaps venture outwards of the city into the Atlas mountains again purely for the views.

Rome | Italy

One of the most beautiful cities I've ever visited, two days were spent trying to fit in the entire tourist to-see list for Rome by foot and it exhausted me. Nevertheless, I wouldn't hesitate for a second in returning; the Italian food, picturesque pallazos and fountains are tempting enough and there's only so much you can do in 48 hours. The Trevi fountain was on the top of my to-do list but scaffolding and restoration works meant it wasn't as magical as imagined so that's first point of call next time. It's one of those places that you could spend hours wandering round into the night and never get tired of the streets. Looking at these photos again has made me want to go back more than ever.

Hvar | Croatia

A hedonistic, paradise island that lies just off the Dalmation coast was our last destination on a Croatian island hopping trip a couple of years ago. Picturesque by day and wild by night, Hvar has so much to offer and is the perfect place to spend a few days when you're in need of somewhere relaxing but full of life. A trip here wouldn't be complete without spending some time on a boat exploring the nearby islands (or a ideally a yacht) but due to a dodgy speedboat and an unexpected breakdown in the middle of the sea, we didn't get a lot of time to do this. A small hike to the top of the island at sunset is also a must. 

All ph. taken by myself. © A E S T H E T I C A L