Planes, Trains, and Running Shoes

Wanderlust. I've got an incurable case of it. My mom made it a point to take us on a vacation every year. Sometimes, it was just a short drive away, other times, it was a little further away. I was 12 the first time I left the country, when we went to Santo Domingo to meet some of my Dominican family. The next time I left the country, for my 16th birthday, we went to London and I've been hooked ever since.

Being married to a pilot has its benefits (literally). We didn't get to do much traveling last year since we were saving all of our vacation time (and money) for our wedding and honeymoon, but this year is going to be different. We want to travel as much as we can before we have kids, so I've got my eye on a few places I'd like to cross off of my ever growing travel list this year. So, in no particular order, here's that list.

1. Brussels - I don't know what it is about this quaint European city that draws me so much but I'm dying to go there...especially after Kelly's recent string of posts about Brussles! Both of my parents have been to Belgium and loved it. It's an easy destination to get to from DC and the departure taxes (which is what we pay to fly internationally) are very reasonable.

Photo Credit: Kelly, Around the World in 80 Pairs of Shoes

2. Boston - Ah Boston. The first place I ever lived on my own. It seems like such a distant memory, those Boston days, but I'd love to get back there to see some friends and catch a game at Fenway...given their insane winters though, this likely won't happen until July.

This was the view from my apartment in Boston. It was so much cheaper than my view-less apartment in DC.

3. Geneva - Geneva was the first international destination I ever took off to on my own. I adored it. I made some amazing friends there and I'm itching to get back. The Pilot and I were on our way there last year when we ended up in Vegas instead, this year, I'd really love to get back to Geneva and show him this city that means so much to me.


4. Dublin - The Pilot and I have both been to Dublin, though I can hardly count my time there. I was there for about 3 hours (between 5 and 8 in the morning) before taking off on a backpacking trip around Ireland. Like Brussels, it's the perfect spot for a weekend getaway, so that's also on my list.

Trinity College, Dublin. Image by Brian Lawrence / Photographer's Choice / Getty Images.{via}

5. Hawaii - One of my dearest friends from my college days, Carolann, lives in Hawaii. We had our bags packed and ready to go last year for my birthday when a snow storm completely derailed our plans. I was hoping that we would make it there for my birthday this year, but with The Pilot and I both starting new jobs in 2015, that made it tough. I'm dying to visit Carolann this year and have her show me around!

Photo Credit: Carolann, The Two Year Honeymoon

6. New Orleans - In 2006, just 6 months after Hurricane Katrina, I went to New Orleans on a volunteer trip to gut houses. It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. It was heartbreaking. We stayed on Bourbon Street and there were 3 restaurants opened. I'd love to go back and see New Orleans revitalized.

Photo Credit: Lonely Planet

7. San Francisco - SFO is a given. My sister lives there and after meeting some of her cousins (her husband's family) at Sundance, I definitely want to go back and see everyone. Plus, I still haven't been to the A's Stadium!

Photo Credit: Lifeloc

8. LA - I've never particularly loved LA but The Pilot is dying to take a trip to the Dodgers Stadium, and well, I still haven't been to the A's Stadium. I'm hoping we can turn a San Francisco trip into a West Coast trip.

Dodger Stadium

9. St. Louis - When I tell other baseball fans that I haven't been to St. Louis yet, they're always shocked. I've heard great things about Busch Stadium, but I just haven't been there yet. I'd like a take a trip down for a ball game and go see the arch and...what else is there to do in St. Louis?

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

10. Orlando - The Pilot and I haven't been to Disney World since 2009. Epcot Center is calling my name...as our friends of ours who moved to Orlando in October. There's also a new Harry Potter World so there's that too.


So, these are the places I'm hoping to make it to this year...some I've seen, others I haven't. I might not make it to all of them, but hey, you never know! Have you been to any of these places? Any recommendations?