Finally, Our Exciting Travel Plans for 2013 Revealed
Linda McCormick | Jan 29, 2013 | Comments 29
Imagine the scene: You’re sitting on a long-haul flight from London to Singapore. You’ve just settled into your seat – the one you didn’t book in advance because you trust the judgement of the check-in staff – and start planning your viewing for the next 14 hours ahead. You’re excited. You’re a sucker for good inflight entertainment and on-tap beverages.
Then, the seats in front start to fill… with a mother and her two young children. One wild (but could charm the knickers off a nun), the other doing a very good impression of a limpet. The mother is travelling alone, and although exudes an air of calm, you know deep down is already frazzled. Your heart sinks. You should have booked your seats.
Correct.
This is fair warning to all those travelling on Singapore Airlines in June. We could be those people.
I’m excited. Super excited.
I haven’t been home for a few years and miss both my family and Europe like crazy! Well, Europe anyway. Kidding, mum!
I’ve had flights booked for a while; was just finalizing our entire travel plans, about to book accommodation in Spain and extra flights, when plans changed. Story of my life! Someone in the family has announced exciting plans of their own. But it’s all good. So, although I know where I’m going, the order of travel isn’t set in stone.
Still, I can reveal – finally – where we’ll be spending some time this year.
First stop: Singapore. Image: chensiyuan
We fly from Melbourne to Singapore at the beginning of May and will stay for a few nights before flying on to London.
We usually stay at the Transit Hotel within the airport, which is a godsend and essential for someone like me who can’t sleep on a flight. The hotel can be booked by the hour, so it’s perfect if you need to stretch out, or if you have kids and want a short break.
This time we’ve decided to treat ourselves to a little stopover holiday and will relax into holiday mode during a mellow stay in one of Singapore’s ecolodges.
Although regarded merely as a transit hub by many travellers, there’s actually a lot packed into the little island. I’ve stayed for up to a week on previous trips and always manage to find some new hideaway.
London is always calling.
Image: Diliff
Our next stop is London, where we plan to stay for a few days catching up with old friends. I lived in London for 15 years and my partner for 10, so the people we met there are like our extended family. We’ve spent so much time together, been through a lot together, and we miss them terribly so can’t wait to catch up in the flesh.
From there we travel to my hometown, Derry. Yep, or Londonderry – you choose. It will be amazing to spend some time with my family as the last year has been, erm, testing! My youngest, who will be a year and a half then, will meet her maternal side of the family for the first time, and it will be wonderful to see what type of relationship blooms between Alannah, my eldest, and her cousin. They both have fiery little personalities, so it should be fun!
Derry-Londonderry is the European City of Culture 2013, and just happens to be my home town.
Image: Discover NI
Derry is the City of Culture for 2013 and has a programme of events running throughout the year, which means I won’t be short of something to do every day. I’m mostly looking forward to revisiting old haunts since the city has been revived for the occasion. And on all reports, holding the title of the inaugural City of Culture has injected no small amount of excitement into proud residents.
View from Horn Head across to Dunfanaghy, near Creeshlough.
Image: Shimbo
We’ll also be heading to Donegal to stay for a while; in a little place called Creeslough. It’s where a lot of my family live and where I spent many a summer holiday, so it has a very special place in my heart. We’ll stay in a tiny little two-bedroom cottage on the edge of a farm that was once my Granny’s and is now my sisters. Such wonderful memories of this part of the world make me smile every time I think of the place.
The roof of Casa Mila in Barcelona, our spiritual home.
Image: Linda McCormick
No trip home would be complete without a trip to Barcelona – our spiritual home. My husband and I lived there for a short while a few years ago and continually talk about moving there on a more permanent basis. We both love the place, and the regions around it. We got married in Sitges, just outside Barcelona, and we’ll be in Spain for our anniversary so no doubt we’ll spend a few days there, too.
Unfortunately, Dan has to fly home for work – damn regular jobs – but I’m hoping to stay on for another month. I may be lucky and convince my sister to fly as far as Singapore on the return flight with me, but I may not manage to pull it off.
So, it could be just me and the two chicks flying home. Yikes!
This is where you step in and tell me you’re flying the same route and just happen to love kids (even the crazy ones) and can’t wait to share the load. Or am I expecting too much of my fellow travellers?
Anyone? You know you want to!
*Travel plans for the rest of the year are still in the brewing stages, but so far I’m thinking Tasmania, Queensland and of course more local travel within the state of Victoria. It looks tiny compared to the rest of Australia, but is still roughly the size of the British Isles so much more of this wonderful state to explore.
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Unfortunately we plan to be flying back from the US instead of Europe Linda… Good luck with that!
Heh, heh, was only joking, really
Sounds amazing – you’re going to have a ball!!
I KNOW! Can’t wait
I’m so excited for you Linda that you are heading back to Europe this year. It sounds a fabulous trip. As much as I’d love to offer my help for your return trip, I’m hoping I’ll be able to get away myself!!
jenny@atasteoftravel recently posted..Tuesday Travel Bite: Amman
Ah thanks, Jenny. I’m sure you’d much prefer to spend you hols without kids. Next time, eh?
Sounds like you guys have a great trip planned for this year! I didn’t realize Singapore had ecolodges – it’s not the first destination that comes to mind when you think of ecotourism. Great to see so many destinations embracing the concept though!
Reena @ Wanderplex recently posted..The ultimate guide to finding great food when traveling
Hi Reena, no, it’s certainly not, but like anywhere, there are little hidden gems if you look for them
Congratulations on your plans! I know these are a long time coming and I hoe they work out.
I was hoping we’d be able to cross paths in Europe, but I’m flying back on May 23
We are always missing each other!
This is definitely fantastic news . . . and I’m sure your children will charm the pants off the flight attendants too
OH. MY. GOD… It could happen! We land in London on the May 10. We will make it happen!!
I did it last year Linda, me ‘n the boys went home for 6 weeks without the husband. London, we lived there for 8 years, Wales, home, and driving all over the country visiting friends that I hadn’t seen in 5 years, since I moved to Australia. Seeing as we were in the N Hemisphere we had 10 days in Florida, too, it’s so cheap to do from the UK! We had a brilliant time, don’t worry, if anything it was easier flying without Dad, we made a good team. Have a great trip!
Alyson recently posted..Feeding George The Groper
Easier than flying without Dad? That’s a grand statement. Gives me hope. Cheers
I could be that person Linda! Can I really be saying this …. I miss my long hauls without my toddlers (now grown up and flown) because these days I always get to sit by a snorer, a head loller or the biggest person on the plane. Give me a fractious toddler anyday!! So happy for your plans, your heart must be doing triple somersaults!
Johanna at ZigaZag recently posted..Australia Day in Margaret River
Heh, heh, Jo… I might just give you a call! And yeah, very excited. It’s all good.
Sounds like a great trip. I’ll be curious to hear about Derry-we were in Belfast a few years ago and really liked it.
Larissa recently posted..There’s no place like Earth: The world as home
Hope to get a good few posts up later this year, so stay tuned!
Wish I could say I’m going to Barcelona too. Would really love to see Gaudi’s work there!
Aleah | SolitaryWanderer.com recently posted..Remembering the Unforgettable Beauty of Santorini
Gaudi is one of my favourite architects. If you ever do get the chance to go, make sure you visit his museum at Casa Batlló, too; it reveals a lot of his structural secrets. Genius.
What a great year planned!! Can’t wait to follow along on your journey.
wandering educators recently posted..A Lesson in Italian Salami & Sausage Making
It is! And that’s just the beginning of the year
Agree with you on Singapore. I thought I’d loathe the place, find it stuffy and dull, but it’s a really interesting little island with a lot packed in there.
Theodora recently posted..A Load-Shedding Mystery
The best way to see it is to know someone there… they know the best spots. One year we befriended a Muslim family who took us to their favourite restaurant in one of the suburbs. Was a great night.
Singapore has been at the top of my list for quite some time, so obviously I’m a little jealous:)
D.J. – The World of Deej recently posted..Avenue of the Oaks – Picture of the Week
Oh it’s an awful place, really
If you happen to pop down to Seville, get in touch! Buen viaje(s)!
Cat of Sunshine and Siestas recently posted..Applying to to the Auxiliares Program: How to Apply to be a Language Assistant in Spain
I have wanted to visit Seville for so many years. So many places, so little time!
Great plans. I haven’t been to any of those places and would love to visit them all – especially those in the UK and Ireland.
Jeremy Branham recently posted..My birthday dream trip and travel confession
Just a few places to add to an ever-growing list then!
Lucky you…
Time to pack up stuffs. Good luck
Cj Thapa recently posted..Great Himalayan Trail in Nepal