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Friday 25 March 2011

Exciting City Breaks

My daughter who lives in Paris, is getting very excited, as she is off to Rome for the weekend   with a group of girlfriends. 

I've already been to Rome, so I'm not really jealous this time!  Last year, they went to Barcelona and the year before to Seville.  Now those are two places that are definitely on my list to visit.  I think Seville would probably be my first choice, as it is not such a big city.  I've also heard that Seville is the most romantic city in Spain, so I know that I would absolutely love it there.

The Old Town of Seville

I think I love City Breaks almost as much as I love going on a week or two week break.  One of my favourites (apart from Venice, which my older Followers - and I use that word loosely, you understand! - know that I absolutely adore) was Florence.  I can still remember sitting outside in the balmy night  air right next to the Duomo, enjoying a wonderful Italian meal. 


Believe it or not, the Duomo took six centuries to complete  and is now one of the most enduring symbols throughout the whole of Italy.

I was very lucky indeed that, for my 60th birthday, my family arranged for me to go to Prague.  Now that was absolutely wonderful and if you ever get the chance to go there, I would thoroughly recommend it.  I should say here that the April of my 60th birthday, was the hottest April I have ever known!  So we were still sitting outside at 11 p.m. at night, people watching and generally soaking up the wonderful ambience of this beautiful city. 

The old town square in Prague, with its origins in the 12th century, is one of the most beautiful historical sights in Europe. 


Old Town Square, Prague.

I'll finish off today with a couple of quotes on spring.

"All through the long winter, I dream of my garden. On the first day of spring, I dig my fingers deep into the soft earth. I can feel its energy, and my spirits soar." ~Helen Hayes.

"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome." ~Anne Bradstreet.

"I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden." ~Ruth Stout.

 
I would just like to give a very warm welcome to new Followers of my Blog.  I really do value every one of you, from the very first one to the very latest one.  Thank you all for  your support.

32 comments:

Bethe77 said...

OH! Such beautiful delights and short holidays to go on. OH Thisisme I think I would love them all each and every place mention. But I think I would love Prague as it is one of th city's on my bucket list.
Blessings

Anne in Oxfordshire said...

We were meant to go to Prague in December .. We hadn't booked anything but so pleased we hadn't.. remember we got snowed in ... I know a few that had to cancel or were cancelled.

I haven't been to Rome or Venice, or Florence .. But have been to Barcelona which I loved ..But as you know I ADORE Paris , so a bit jealous of your daughter who lives there ...and is going to Rome ..:-)

Anne in Oxfordshire said...

Ooopp... Have a great weekend .. Mine is going to be a lonely one, with hubby in Oz and then off to Malaysia .. with work. take care xox

Southhamsdarling said...

Bethe77 - Yes, you must try to see Prague. It really is a beautiful City.

Anne in Oxfordshire - Well, it was so lucky that you hadn't booked anything for December. That snow played havoc with so many people's travel plans! Hopefully you will get to go there in the future, but you're right - Paris IS beautiful. I take it for granted now, as I am able to get there quite a lot! Sorry to hear that your weekend will be lonely. You will probably feel it more than ever with Diane having returned to France :( Hopefully the weather will be nice, so that you can perhaps spend some time in the garden.

Lyndylou said...

I went to Prague for my 40th birthday. I just loved it!

Unknown said...

Thanks again for all you did and the comments on my special day yesterday. I had more attention than I ever had and met some of your friends that I didn't know.
All those places you mentioned sure seem great. It's a shame that big pond is separating us your part of the world. Your pictures do help me at least get a feel for what they are like. Have a great weekend & will be sure to get some good pictures of the goat dairy that Linda & I will be visiting this weekend.
Odie

Becky said...

I like that term... "City Breaks". You are right. They are quite different than a week's vacation (or holiday!). David and I enjoy taking City Break's ourselves. We are hoping to take one in April for our anniversary! ~ I love the photo's as usual and hope to someday visit these beautiful places!

Unknown said...

I appreciate this post as I have recently been reading about travel in Europe. Italy seems to be high on the list of favorites. How lovely that your daughter will have an adventure there. Prague sounds wonderful too.
And thank you for connecting us to Odie. We discovered that we are practically neighbors in the real world:)

BB said...

It's funny. Every significant birthday I've had has been a rough time except for 40. And for that I had to throw myself a party. Rich just cooked. Sounds like you've had some wonderful travels in your lifetime. I hope Emma enjoys Rome. I know she's been so excited. Hugs This!!

Shady Del Knight said...

You're quite the globetrotter, Thisisme! It must be wonderful to live in England where you are relatively close to the great cities of Europe. I envy you for being able to soak up the history, architecture, culture and great foods that those destinations offer. Disney World can't compare to what you have experienced!

SkippyMom said...

It all sounds so lovely. You have such fabulous opportunities living in Europe with it's history and legacies.

I wish we could get there some day.

I love your pictures. :)

Jumble Mash said...

I'm completely jealous.

colenic said...

I love your pictures...I loved Florence- I took hundreds of pictures in the day that we were there....we sat in a similar spot for our lunch and had super yummy gelato for dessert...thanks for the trip down memory lane!!

Southhamsdarling said...

Lyndylou - glad you loved Prague as much as I did.

Odie - it was a real pleasure to make that cake for your birthday. That goat dairy sounds as if it's going to be interesting. Hopefully they might have some baby goats there. Look forward to seeing the pics!

Becky - I look forward to hearing where you and David are going for your Anniversary in April. I think April & May is such a lovely time of year.

kneesandpaws - you HAVE to go to Italy. It is my very favourite place! That's amazing that you and Odie live fairly close to each other in real life. That's lovely that you are now in touch.

Bouncin'Barb - That's a shame that things haven't gone well for your special birthdays, but I'm glad you at least had a party for your 40th. Yes, I expect Emma & her friends will be drinking champagne as we speak!! Either that or hitting the shops!! Not long now before the move BB.

Southhamsdarling said...

Shady - yes, I agree, we are very lucky living so close to all these glorious places. It means, of course, that you can go there for a long weekend, whereas, for you, it would mean a real long haul :(

SkippyMom - It would be great if you could get to Europe one day. I know that you would love it!

Jumble Mash - sorry! Perhaps you might get to these places one day.

Colenic - Florence is beautiful, isn't it. I'm glad I brought back some happy memories for you today!

Chatty Crone said...

Do you realize just how lucky you are to live in a place - where people would love to visit - and that you are so close to so many wonderful places. You are blessed.

Sandie

Southhamsdarling said...

Chatty Crone - Yes, I do know how lucky I am. Blessed indeed!!

Rebecca said...

i am so jealous Paris, Rome and England that's it i;m packing my bags and moving in with you

Empty Nester said...

It's true---without winter we would not appreciate spring so much...which is why I don't appreciate spring as much as others--we always get robbed of our winter!

Hope your daughter has fun!

Southhamsdarling said...

Becca - you'd be more than welcome!!!

EmptyNester - you are very lucky then. Winter has been really long and quite harsh over here!

Belle said...

I'm with Helen Hayes (who I always loved), I think about spring all winter! It is here now and I am rejoicing in it.
Thanks for the photos.
I would love to see all the beautiful cities of Europe. Perhaps some day I will.

Teresa said...

beautiful pictures! ron and i want to do some weekend jaunts once he gets his leg situation under control. it will be nice.

i think i would love to visit all of the places you mentioned. beautiful!

Southhamsdarling said...

Belle - Yes, I always loved Helen Hayes. I think she played Miss Marple once!

Teresa - it will be really good for you and Ron to have a break once everything is all fixed up with his leg. You both certainly deserve it!

Katrina said...

Oh wow, those are all such beautiful places! I'm not much of a traveler right now since I still have many young children in the home, but one day... my husband and I would love to travel one day. Growing up, my mother was a flight attendant, and we always flew for free on stand-by. I used to travel a lot as a kid. My mom has been almost everywhere in the world. If you love traveling, being a flight attendant is a great career:)

Saw your blog on the weekend blog hop, and I'm now a new follower of yours:)

Katrina in CA, USA
www.theyallcallmemom.com

LindyLouMac said...

A lovely time of the year for a city break. I have been looking but never seem to get one actually booked. I hope your daughter has a wonderful time in Roma. :)

flowers on my table said...

Oh what a lovely post, so full of hope! I love to travel and city breaks are fabulous, there are sooo many places I would love to travel to. Your quotes are wonderful. Thankyou, love Linda x

Southhamsdarling said...

Katrina @ They All Call Me Mom - thank you so much for dropping into my Blog, and becoming my latest Follower. You are very welcome! That must have been lovely for your mum to be able to travel the world like that. I never used to be able to travel when I had my two young daughters, but, don't worry, your time will come!

LindyLouMac - Yes, I agree, it's a lovely time of the year for a City Break. I have been working in the garden and everything looks so fresh and all the flowering shrubs are out. Wonderful!

flowers on my table - you are so right, there are many, many beautiful places to visit! I'm glad you enjoyed the quotes. No-one else mentioned them!!

Anna said...

Hi!

I'm your newest follower from the Weekend blog hop. You have a beautiful blog:)

Feel free to check out my blog here: inadaze13.blogspot.com

Southhamsdarling said...

Anna - Hi there! Thank you for coming to say 'hello' and for becoming a follower! I will pop over to see you now!

Olive said...

I have been to Florence and loved it too! It was so beautiful and it was my favorite Italian city that we visited (we went to a lot of cities in 14 days). Now that we have two houses our days of travel are over! But that is okay. Have a lovely Sunday Tim.

Monica said...

What a beautiful and interesting blog...love hearing about your adventures!! I'm participating in the “Week-End Blog Hop” and I’m now the newest GFC follower of your great site. Hope you have a chance to check out my blog, have a look around and maybe follow me back!!
Monica
http://oldermommystillyummy.blogspot.com/

Southhamsdarling said...

Olive - I'm so glad that you have been to Florence too. It's just so beautiful, isn't it. The ancient Ponte Vecchio bridge on the River Arno!

Monica - How lovely to see you here, and thank you so very much for becoming one of my little band of Followers! Of course I will come over to see you too.