2.18.2010

Where Would You Go...


Vietnam photos courtesy of my friend Katie from her relative's recent trip...

If you could go anywhere?

That was the question Bryan, the girlies (well Audrey) and I pondered over pizza at our favorite local spot last week. Bryan is more well-traveled than me, having toured Europe pretty extensively after college and living in Turkey for a couple of years, so his dream trips veer to the slightly more exotic... Think Vietnam, Easter Island and Palau.

My sweet francophile Audrey picked Paris. Full stop. She's dying to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower, and I'm dying to take her there. In fact, so much so that (despite having already been to Paris) it's at the top of my list too. Perhaps I'm just not as adventurous as Bryan. (Although those photos above do have me quite intrigued by Vietnam...)

the bungalow at the Hotel Saint Cecilia

But really at this point, I'd happily settle for a quick Austin getaway.

I've had a crummy past couple of days, including (but not limited to) an über graceful fall up the stairs at work yesterday. Seriously, who falls up the stairs?? Not only was it mildly humiliating, but it was incredibly painful, and now I'm limping around with a goose egg on my left knee. So yes, a little getaway would be pretty nice right about now.

Specifically I'm dreaming of a respite involving a couple of nights at the amazingly cool Hotel Saint Cecilia in Austin... My first love will always be the Saint Cecilia's sister property, the San Jose, but I've been dying to give this place a spin for a while, and after some hotel research with my friend Christine for the Renegade Craft Festival in Austin later this spring, I'm obsessing over it again.



more fab pics from the Saint Cecilia...admit it, these make you want to go there too ;-)

38 comments:

Kristin said...

I have been daydreaming about a return trip to Hawaii. Not really exotic, being a US state and all but I really love the place. And I have been craving to be in water ever since becoming pregnant!

Hannah said...

My husband and I have been having the "where to next" conversation as well! I feel you, as we are having a hard time deciding between Brazil, Argentina, Japan and Vietnam for our next trip. I've heard Vietnam is amazing, so maybe it will have to move to the top of the list...
Though quick getaways are pretty great too!

Anne said...

I just got back from a week-long getaway to the British Virgin Islands. February is a fantastice time to get away!
*I posted a few photos on my blog.

That Girl in Pearls said...

If I could go ANYWHERE, I might want to take the chance to go to Australia. I've seen quite a bit of Europe and South America. Some Africa. But never Australia. It seems so far away!! Like going to another world. Not sure when the a chance would present itself, but if I could, I would!

Hope your knee gets better!!

Beatriz.
thatgirlinpearls.com

chelsea said...

There is something in the air this week. I know a lot of people having crummy weeks (myself included!). All of your travel options sound fantastic. I hope you get away soon and that your knee heals! I could totally see myself falling up the stairs.. in fact I think I've done it:)

Rachel said...

Jos, I fall UP the stairs. all. the. time.

I would actually be sort of shocked if I fell down the stairs at this point.

You're not alone.

livin wide said...

grew up in austin and i'm gonna have to say despite being well travelled myself, there is not place like home. it's the best place in the world! (santorini is a close second - think about heading to greece asap!).

thanks for the heads up for the crafts fair - it's now on my calendar!

Anonymous said...

We got back from Austin yesterday. It was fabulous. You should definitely get away, even a short while helps refuel you. And I fall up the stairs quite often.

The Depressed Yogi said...

Yes come to Austin!!! And please let me know if you have any time to meet up for a quick coffee at JO's or something. I'd love to meet you ;)

Rachael said...

I've traveled a decent amount, but I've never been to Texas...so I would also love a quick getaway to Austin! It seems like it has such a unique, laid-back vibe.

I recognize the pics as Halong Bay in Northern Vietnam, where I was lucky enough to go a few years ago. It was definitely one of the most spectacular places I have ever been.

karey m. said...

i like. and i would like to stay there someday soonish.

as for where i'd go? anywhere. i just love to go...

xoxo.

KJ said...

I'd take Austin in a heartbeat. One of my most favorite cities, period. I have a chronic case of wanderlust chronically at battle with my anxiety at being far away from my little ones. I'd take a getaway to just about anywhere that promises to prepare my food and make my bed and provide warm sunshine all day long.

Estelle Hayes said...

Don't feel too bad. I fell up the stairs just two days ago. And I had an epic fall one night in Boston just after I got engaged and had a wee bit too much bubbly. Scratched the heck out of my engagement ring and had to have it repaired the next day while we were in New York.

Anywho, I've wanted to go to Istanbul since I was a kids. I'm so intrigued by it. I'm also dying to go to Capri and to Greece. Ahhh, and the day dreaming begins.

Jessica said...

Where wouldn't I want to go? I've got a bad case of wanderlust. Greek Islands, Paris, NYC, San Fran, Prague, Amsterdam, Key West, New Orleans, the list currently goes on and on.

Ana Degenaar said...

We've been living in Brazil for over a year now. I must say it is a beautiful place to visit, exotic and adventurous but nice and peaceful at the same time...

I've been dying to visit The Netherlands for a long time, I love their view on fashion, design and specially their so famous Stroop Waffles and tea.

Hope you get a nice time on your getaway♥

tinypaperheart said...

wow, such dreamy photos. :)

Sarah Bradley said...

My husband and I just had the where to next conversation and it looks like we've settled on Thailand. I'm pretty dang excited!!!

Lucia said...

We took an inpromptu trip to Austin a few weeks ago -- just woke up one Saturday morning in a family-wide funk, decided we needed to clear our heads, and headed south. While we only stayed for the day (though we did get drinks at the Hotel San Jose, where we've never stayed but are dying to) it helped immensly in sorting out the various levels of angst brewing in our small set. The trip to the Big Top candy store certainly helped the wee ones, and my pregnant self too! So yes, head to Austin post haste. And tell me how that lovely new, absolutely perfect hotel concoction ranks. Shoot, we might just meet you there.

Lucia said...

and i always fall up stairs. it's the damned-est thing, ain't it. nothing quite so mortifying. hope the knee heals fastly.

Unknown said...

This time of year I think of Florence....Italy that is...so as to miss the influx of Spring breakers, and vacationers...smiles.

iheartkiwi said...

Kiwi and I just went to Paris on our honeymoon... We've both been there before but there really is no other place like it. It's magical. Your girls will love it.

This summer we are headed back to Thailand and Malaysia! The food, scenery, and people are amazing.

simplesong said...

you poor thing - hope you're recovering! and a weekend getaway sounds fab!

Elsa May said...

Oh - poor you! I hope all is healed soon. Vietnam would be a.maz.ing! My sister went last year and I've been dying to go for ages!

The Hip Homemaker said...

Vietnam is one of the most beautiful, amazing places! I saw the photos and my heart skipped a beat. Ha Long Bay is magical. I have so many stories and suggestions, if you want more info, shoot me a line. I would go back there in a heartbeat. Also at the top of my list are Greece, Morocco and the Galapagos Islands.

Maria | Vintage Simple said...

I'm sorry about the fall..! And if I could anywhere right now, I'd go back to Buenos Aires, because my best friend had a baby last year and I haven't even met him yet.

Second on the list? Sweden. Hands-down.

And Austin? It's a town that's been on our radar for a while now... Noah really wants to go visit the McDonald Observatory (we listen to NPR while we eat dinner, and Sandy Wood always comes on around that time!) I know they're not in the same place, but I could go for a little Texas tour. :)

xoxo,
-maria

Jennifer said...

When I first saw this post title I thought "Vietnam!" I've been very interested in going after several friends have been recently. The I saw the picture and the caption. Did your friend Katie go with the Vu family and blog about it on a site called "We love Vietnam long time"? If that's the case, it really is a small world. Cheers!

Kate said...

I'm with you on the crummy couple of days. Just this morning my garage door broke, then, already late for work, my daughter spilled an entire mug of (lukewarm) hot chocolate all over herself and the back seat of the car. Minor things, but on top of the larger things that have been going on lately, I'm ready for a long vacation in a far off place. You've inspired me to plan a fun weekend away somewhere closer in the mean time. Here's hoping things get better for you soon!

stewart and james said...

oh how fun to dream of a vacation!! but i'm with you - i'll take just about anything right now!
kristen

Julia said...

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear about the goose egg on your knee! Time to break out the light and fluffy skirts!

Of course those light and fluffy skirts would work perfectly on your Austin get-away!

Barchbo said...

Well, I'm already in Austin. So that's out.

Australia and New Zealand is my dream vacation, but I've been craving a trip to NYC these days. As much as I love Austin, there's no place in the world like the Big Apple!

Kathy said...

Hi J!
You are not the only one that falls upstairs! I have been known to do that a time or two myself...as to where I would go... any place quiet would be at the top of my list :)

Karey said...

The fjords of Norway, England, Denmark (during the tulips) or New Zealand.

Linda said...

I want the peacock necklace! Is that too much to ask I ask? I want it and deserve it. I start a brand new job on Thursday and would love to dress up my scrubs with this necklace. Thank you!

5 Kids With Disabilities said...

What gorgeous pictures! My favorite place, with the most colorful pictures, is Guatemala.
Lindsey Petersen
http://5kidswdisabilities.wordpress.com

Mrs. Potts said...

I have a serious traveling addiction. I get stir crazy if I'm stuck in one city for too long. I'll go anywhere, given the opportunity. But if I could really pick anywhere, I would plan a trip to tour all the countries that border the Mediterranean. Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Israel, Egypt, and Morocco. That's my dream.

Sorry to hear about that goose egg on your knee!

gretchen said...

feel better! for summer plans we made a list recently: scandinavia + amsterdam, or northern italy-southern-france-western switzerland, or vietnam-cambodia-thailand-singapore, or japan-tokyo, kyoto, inland sea and maybe a few spots on the coasts. decisions. decisions. beaches on martha's vineyard or hawaii or the maine coast would be nice too. i clearly have wanderlust and indecision.

Emily said...

Who falls up the stairs?
Me, on my first day of high school. AND I fell on this really cool sophomore girl that I totally had a girl crush on.
... thank god that's all over, right?!

I've never been to Texas, but Austin sounds awesome. I really hope to go someday. Currently though, I'm enjoying a 'staycation' at home in Vermont. :)

Kristin said...

My husband and I play this game all the time! And just like your little Audrey, Paris is most definitely at the top of my list. I want to eat my way through it from north to south, east to west. The pics are gorgeous...