Happy evening everyone! I hope all of your Christmas preparations are going well and that you are all doing OK even in these crazy times. I’m doing a bit of a different post tonight. My friends Monkey’s Tale and Wanderlustig (from Calgary, Canada and Munich, Germany respectively) nominated me to participate in the 10 travel photos in 10 days challenge. I then also retrospectively received nominations from the amazing Salsa World Traveler’s Blog and Marie at HopsSkipsandJumps.

Now I don’t quite have the commitment to post every day, especially as it’s Christmas this week. So I’m cheating slightly and posting 10 photos in 1 day (it’s still technically in the rules right, as I’ve done it within 10 days ha!). So without further ado, here are 10 travel photos, with a little explanation as to why I’ve chosen them as my top 10!

10. Monastiraki Square, Athens

I’ve chosen this photo because 1) it’s a beautiful view of The Acropolis and 2) it’s from my last ‘proper’ holiday abroad, in January 2020, to Greece. I can’t believe that it will end up being over a year of not leaving the UK – especially now with Europe cutting off flights for us due to our new ‘mutant’ strain of COVID. Sigh. If you want to read more about Athens, then you can here.

9. Jersey, Channel Islands

This photo makes the list due to the unexpected feeling of absolute joy of visiting Jersey. I wasn’t expecting it to take my breath away – but the beaches could have been Caribbean not British, there was a lot of history, beautiful walks and lots of good old British castles. You can read my guide to Jersey here.

8. Fisherman’s Bastion, Budapest

Making the list because in January 2019, a unique visit to Budapest meant having the city (almost) to ourselves in the snow. It was beautiful and I totally fell in love with it. Sunrise at the Bastion was really special, and there wasn’t anyone else in sight.

7. Top of the Rock, New York

On the list because it’s an iconic view and definitely something everyone should see with their own eyes – the beautiful view to the Empire State Building from the Rockefeller Center is a must for anyone visiting New York City.

6. Brandenburg Gate, Berlin

For anyone who reads this blog, you already know I love Germany. I’ve visited Berlin multiple times and it holds a special place in my heart for the sheer amount of amazing things there are to do there. It’s also really a visit to Berlin in 2012 that really piqued my love of travel, and for that I am forever grateful.

5. Framlingham, England

I chose this photo because this year, England has become the main destination for travel for me. I’ve enjoyed exploring my own back yard – we are lucky to be blessed with hundreds of historic buildings, and our castles are incredible places to visit. I’ve chosen this particular castle because it’s a special place for my family as my Mum grew up in Framlingham, and my grandparents still live there. I’ve put it in the top 10 because the familiar, the every day, the normal – can be equally as beautiful and worth appreciating as the far away and the exotic. If 2020 has taught me anything, it’s to appreciate all the little things we often take for granted.

4. Gardens by the Bay, Singapore

And now to the exotic – when you’re used to English botanic gardens, nothing can compare to the incredible gardens in Singapore. This indoor waterfall was one of those ‘wow’ moments which will stay with me.

3. Ja Manafaru, The Maldives

Chosen because it’s the last time I felt really warm, a visit to The Maldives in May 2019 (how quickly time flies) was a true slice of paradise. A beach holiday like this feels a long way off at the moment – here’s to hoping for 2021.

2. Chattanooga, Tennessee

This sunrise hike in Chattanooga is one of my most treasured holiday memories. It was truly epic and I felt completely calm, relaxed and in awe of nature. It was one of those moments where you feel humbled, and so small in the world.

1. Nuremberg, Germany

Number 1 on the list is from a visit to Germany in 2017. Nuremberg was a special, special city to me. It has left a mark on me as I had the most amazing time full of happy memories. One thing that really stood out for me was it’s beauty, set against its backdrop of a shocking history as it was home to the Nazi party rally grounds. This photo sums up the reason I love travel – learning things, appreciating the beauty of places, and understanding that every country is complex and worth doing more than scratching the surface of. This is a beautiful lake, but the building is the old Nazi Congress Hall, now an incredible museum about Nazi era Germany. Nuremberg also has a lot to offer beyond its history and you can find out about it here.

And on that note – there are my 10 travel photos in 1 day. I hope you enjoyed them and have a very happy Christmas all.