Happy Friday! I’ve decided Friday is officially my favorite day of the week. Friday is the beginning of the weekend — it’s the exciting bookend where you know you have two days to relax before the work week starts up again. It’s not the dreaded bookend of the weekend being over. (I mean really, who likes Sunday anyway?) Therefore, Friday really is amazing.
The other reason Friday is amazing? The Friday Five 2.0 linkup, of course! Today’s topic is “dream vacations.” I’ve (maybe not so) strangely enough posted this exact topic before — on the old Friday Five, in fact! You can read it here if you’re interested. I was reading it over while I was thinking about my updated dream vacations list and while yes, many have stayed the same, a few have changed. Check out my current five places I’d like to go — I can’t help but daydream about them in the winter!
5 Dream Vacations to Dream About in Winter
1. Hawaii
I used to want to go to the Caribbean, and I still do. But something about traveling around that area kind of worries me. When my husband and I went to Jamaica for our honeymoon, it was beautiful and we had a wonderful time while we stayed at somewhere similar to this Exceptional villas in jamaica. But now that I’m a mom I view the world differently and I realize a lot of those islands are third world countries and not always the safest for tourists.
Plus, the Hawaiian islands are incredible and I’ve never been there before. And we have friends that live there and we miss them so much. Hawaii, therefore, tops my list of dream vacations.
2. Disneyland
Disney is truly the happiest place on earth. You could be the scroogiest of Scrooges and still have an amazing time at Disney. I went there several times when I was young, and we took our son when he was 3. Now we’re just waiting for the day we can take both of our kids together. It’s going to be amazing! I’ve been looking at holiday rentals near to Paris (see more properties here) and I think I’ve found the perfect one already! I don’t think we’ll be going for a while but at least I’ve got the accommodation sorted.
3. Alaska
Okay so I guess this shouldn’t really be dreamt about when it’s cold out, but I do really want to travel to Alaska. I want to see the aurora borealis in person. I want to get lost in the woods (figuratively, definitely not literally) and explore. The wildlife, the vegetation, and the beautiful landscape. I just want to see it and experience it in person. I want to take it all in and soak it up.
4. Costa Rica
I want to go to Costa Rica and sleep in a treehouse. I don’t want to do anything else while I’m there. Oh, except maybe zipline. And the waterfalls. OMG, all the things! Interested in treehouses like me? Check out this article. You don’t just have to stay in a treehouse either, there are loads of other things that you can do in Costa Rica, so it is well worth a visit. You can click here to find more information if you are interested in learning more.
5. Any beach in Florida
Sometimes when it’s cold and drab in Cleveland, I could really care less where I go. Any beach in Florida would do if I’m being honest. I went to Clearwater in college. That was a fun little town. Maybe I’d go there again, though I’m not sure it’s a great place to go with little kids. Any Floridian readers? Where’s a great, kid-friendly beach?
Thinking about all these amazing vacations really has me pining to travel. Thankfully I’m in the throes of planning a summer family vacation, so it’s keeping me fairly busy. There are so many places I want to visit! I’m constantly searching for hotels near Wembley Stadium since London is also on my travel bucket list but I won’t be going there for a while. It helps having something to look forward to even if it is several months away.
Don’t forget to link up with Fairytales and Fitness and me for the Friday Five 2.0! If you do choose to link, please make sure your post is in the “five” format. It helps readers read quicker and engage more!
Oh, and before I forget. I created a stellar recipe on Thursday night. You won’t want to miss it on Monday so be sure to come back and check it out. And if you have a vegetarian recipe, you should consider linking up with Annmarie and me for Meatless Monday. It’s a ton of fun!
Have a great weekend!
xo
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52 Comments
I wonder if HI & AK will appear on every runner’s list? Although I’ve been to both (and if you have friends on HI — hit them up! It’s our favorite place in the world — so far, anyway), sadly, I have not seen the Aurora. 🙁
I should’ve been the Safari Half on my list . . . pretty sure I’m never doing it, but running through a wildlife preserve (they do have helicopters with armed guards) sounds awesome. And a little bit terrifying — especially since there’s the old joke, I only have to run faster than the person in front of me. And I don’t!
Uhhhh… yeah, that sounds a little frightening. I guess no better way to run fast than through a wildlife preserve. Haha! I wouldn’t think much of it except the armed guard thing… so… I will read your recap when you run it, but I’ll sit that one out. 😉
I miss Mexico. I wish I was going back there BUT NO FREAKING ZIKA. I would also like to go skiing again, so maybe I throw the Swiss Alps in there (this is a dream, right?)
Yes, no zika. No good! My friend moved to Austin and they were thinking about a second baby but she said they’re waiting until after her contract is up.
Swiss Alps would be amazing.
Hawaii is amazing. I have not run there (yet). And, of course, YES to anything Disney 😉 (I’m not 100% sold on the Disney races, though. Maybe if they were half the cost with half the people?)
I’m with you — I’m not sold on Disney races either. Expensive and too many people. BUT! The parks are awesome so a trip there is always welcome. 🙂 (But honestly, there’s so much walking around, I’m not sure I would have fun if I ran one of the races, too.)
I’m heading out today for hopefully an amazing vacation! But for vacations I’ve already taken, probably either Puerto Rico (also a race-cation!), Patagonia, or a good ol’ family summer vacation to the Outer Banks of North Carolina!
Yes, Patagonia! I would LOVE to go there. It looks just amazing. Have a great trip!
IMO the Caribbean is great but Hawaii’s even better and more beautiful. I was preggo with Thing 2 the last time we were there and it’s time to return. Alaska was everything I dreamed of and MORE. Soooo clean and beautiful. GO! Costa Rica = paradise. Very humid paradise. I can’t even tell you my best vacay. Scandinavia would be up there. So would the Mediterranean. So much beauty on this earth!
That’s good to know about Hawaii vs. Caribbean. You’re a world traveler! When we’re ready for a big trip, I’ll be asking you tons of questions. Just FYI… 🙂
I can’t even imagine how much fun it would be to run in Hawaii! That’s one place I would love to visit for a racecation!
Hawaii looks so beautiful and relaxing. I would want to do all the things. Snorkeling, surfing, waterfalls, hiking, SUP, running. All of it!
Alaska is on my list for sure! all of the scenery alone would keep me going for sure
I know, it just looks so incredibly beautiful. I hope to get there someday.
I’m with you all the way!!!!!!!!!
Where shall we go first?? 🙂
Alaska in June is awesome, but in winter, I’m not so sure! I am dreaming of tropical places because… Chicago!
I know, right? Cleveland… #wheresthebeach?
How about Spain? That’s my next dream vacation for Europe.
Spain would be cool. I’ve never been overseas. Whomp whomp…
Great list! I just finished my Costa Rica trip review 🙂 It really is an amazing vacation destination. I’d love to see the Northern Lights some day too.
Oooh, I need to read it!!
If you want a good race in Florida that has SOME beach in it, but not all, I have two I can suggest: The Donna Marathon (also has a half option) and the Daytona Beach Half Marathon both are in February and part of their route is on the beach. I have done the Daytona one numerous times and love it. I haven’t done Donna but friends of mine have and have enjoyed it. 🙂
I don’t necessarily need a race. I just need a beach! 🙂 I’ll definitely look into these though, thank you!
I’ve been to Alaska in the summer, but I’d love to go for a short trip in the winter. I couldn’t stay long (hello, dark and cold), but I think it would be neat to experience. Plus there’s an awesome beer event in January in Anchorage to make it worthwhile.
I’d love to go back to Hawaii… Costa Rica is on my list too!
I would love to get to both places some day!
Well you can see where one of my dream vacations actually came true recently on my post today. It is one on your list as well. So I would say definitely do it if you ever get a chance!
I will! Loved your post today!
The best vacation (without kids) that my husband and I have been on was our western Caribbean cruise last May. So what did we do? Booked another one for this May, this time the eastern Caribbean! It’s so fun to be able to look forward to it all winter long. 🙂
That’s awesome. I would be so excited!!
Costa Rica is one of my favorite places in the world. I’m going there in May for a friend’s wedding and can’t wait!
That’s awesome! I would love to go there. One of my good friends is from Costa Rica. 🙂
That’s a great list! Although, I have no desire to go to Disney. Too many crowds, hard to run around people I would guess. But hawaii?? Thats on my bucket list for sure!
Oh I wouldn’t race at Disney. No way. I feel like that would be too much of a stressful situation for me to handle! But Disney parks are great as a guest. So much to do and see!
Hawaii would be a dream destination race for me. I’d love to race there!
I wouldn’t mind racing there. But I would love to just vacation there. Get a little r and r! 🙂
Well, I live in Florida, so it’s kind of like we’re on vacation all the time 🙂
I am desperate to go to Alaska. We have done Hawaii, and Mr PugRunner has been to Costa Rica, but I would like to go there, too.
We love traveling so much.
If I said I was jealous of you living in Florida that would be a huge understatement. Lol! Does it really feel like you’re on vacation all the time?
Nah. We still have bills and work and the same “what to have for dinner this week” issues as anywhere else. The weather is better in winter, though! I like it here but my dream would be to live in Manhattan. I’m just more of a city person. However, my family is happy and my parents are nearby, so I make the best of it 🙂
Want to trade? Though I’m nowhere near Manhattan… 😉
Costa Rica has so much to do!
You could visit multiple times and not repeat yourself.
Good to know! I really want to go, it looks so beautiful.
My BEST vacation would probably have to be when we went to San Francisco for a couple days and then drove down the coast to Monterey and Big Sur. But we keep going back to Colorado 3 years in a row now because we love it so much!
Oh that sounds amazing… I would love to do that. The Cali coast is beautiful and I’ve only been there once! And I’ve never been to Colorado but the hope is that we can head that way this summer!
Costa Rica is on my travel bucket list – I’ve crossed off Disney (USA & France) & have been on safari, although a safari is on my youngest son’s wishlist ?
Safari sounds amazing and I’ve always wanted to go but I almost worry if I would panic once I was on the truck. Were the animals super close? Did you ever feel in danger?
Yes the animals are pretty close – on the safari as well as in the lodges too. The safari vehicles are open topped but the driver/guides are experienced & well equipped and at no point did I feel unsafe. As regards to the lodge accommodation, you used the mosquito nets provided, locked up at night and followed the advice given. It was an awesome experience ?
I LOVE Costa Rica, though I’ve not done the treehouse thing. Sounds fun though. I did go ziplining, and it was amazing!
I hate the cold, but Alaska still made my list, too. 🙂
Clarinda, it’s like we’re of the same mind! I HATE the cold! But Alaska… 😉
Yes to all of these. The cold winter weather actually has us planning our next trip to both a beach in Florida AND 2 days at Disney. Is it April yet?!?
Oh that trip sounds amazing. Got room for a third person? Haha 🙂