Take 5 – Places I’ve never been

A COVID travel fantasy.

Today, you’ve caught me dreaming of all the places I’d like to go when international travel resumes, so here are five places I’d like to visit that I’ve never been to. In the meantime, make use of the chance to travel domestically and help local businesses – which is great to see many people already doing.

Norway

Lofoten is an archipelago in the north of Norway. Photo by John O'Nolan on Unsplash.

The mountains, the glaciers, the fjords, Trolltunga, Lofoten, remnants of Vikings…there are so many amazing and jaw-dropping things to see in this Nordic part of the world. Nearly two-thirds of the country is mountainous, making for great hiking and skiing environments, with some 50,000 islands scattered along the coastline. Also, it’s a great place to spot the “Northern Lights” from.

Iceland

Iceland is actually quite green. Photo by Robert Lukeman on Unsplash.

Whilst being fairly cool, Iceland has been travel hotspot in recent years, although the peak of that boon period is behind us, it still remains high on my list to go to. For many similar reasons for wanting to go to Norway, I want to go to Iceland as well, and given their geographical location, it would make sense to do them together in the one trip. Tremendous landscapes that beggars belief makes Iceland a wet dream for anyone with a camera. Situated between Norway and Iceland, maybe I’d even attempt a quick stop in the equally majestic Faroe Islands.

Hallstatt, Austria

The insanely beautiful lakeside town of Hallstatt. Photo by Hasmik Ghazaryan Olson on Unsplash.

I mean, just look at that picture. Do I really need to say anymore? When I was in Austria a few years back I unfortunately didn’t get to travel to this town which is straight out of a fairy tale. Obviously, this place is in high demand so expect plenty of tourists, but remember to take in the views and not just pictures. The lake, the mountains, the Alpine houses are all rather wonderful.

Scotland

Kilchurn Castle, Lochawe, Dalmally, Scotland. Photo by Connor Mollison on Unsplash.

If my previous article on the Nectar of the Gods didn’t hint at my underlying appreciation of Scotland then hopefully this will reinforce it. Scotland has some beautiful countryside and scenery, which if you haven’t noticed is kind of a running theme with this list, with access to such beauty improved by the NC500 tourist route. It is the home of Lochs, (Whisky) stocks and two (thousand) smoking castles.

Lake Bled, Slovenia

Would make for a great painting or setting for a novel. Photo by Artem Sapegin on Unsplash.

I’m definitely hitting up Eastern Europe when I go back with Lake Bled in Slovenia at the top of the list. It’s the type of place you’d expect someone to write a best-selling novel next to or become the next Monet or Van Gogh, I mean, it is just so beautiful from every angle. Located only 50km or so from the capital city of Ljubljana makes it easy access...for you and everybody else trying to capture this picturesque slice of Slovenia.

Japan and The Dolomites in northeastern Italy are very much on my list as well, but we’ll leave them for another time.

So, I best get planning and there is currently no better time to do so! But first, more daydreaming…