This post is in collaboration with hotels.com, but all views are my own.
Since we’ve been in lockdown again I’ve found myself thinking about travel, and I’m sure I’m not alone. My mind’s been buzzing with the plans we had that have been postponed until next year, looking back at the replacement plans we managed to take (just) and well it’s been quite a year for not really going anywhere much, hasn’t it? It seems though that my travel feet are getting itchy it seems - and realistically, for us, for the time being our travel plans will be in the UK. But really that’s no hardship as there’s plenty of beautiful places to explore and it’s not that unusual for us to take a UK break either. The real pondering though is do we go somewhere new-to-us, or go back to somewhere we’ve been before as a couple, or revisit places from our childhood holidays.
One of the places that I’ve visited a few times, both as a child and more recently with MOH, is York. It’s one of those places, that for me has a bit of magic, and even though our most recent visit is now ten years ago (no, I’m not sure how that’s happened either) but it’d be great to go back as there’s so much to see. And so, I was curious to see how many of the things on the “best things” list I could tick off - six easily, which is great, but that also makes we want to head back again.
But that trip, which I’m struggling to believe was 10 years ago, but was also easy to date - you’ll see why - was also memorable as it coincided with the volcano in Iceland erupting and disrupting travel. I was so glad I’d reserved our seats on the train, and that our train was one that still ran. Phew.
When we’re away we explore as much of where we are as we can on foot, and I’m certain we clocked up a healthy number of steps walking the City Walls, exploring York Minster, wandering up and down and around The Shambles, climbing up Cliffords Tower for some spectacular views, before heading to Betty’s for refreshments and then later full of cake people watching in the gardens and dragging ourselves out again in the evening. I know enjoying yourself is hard work.
And you know what? I’d do all of those again, but I’d also be keen to take a look around the National Railway Museum too - MOH is convinced I’m a secret travel nerd, but I dispute that - there’s nothing secret about it! Remember that time we spent a whole day at BMW World in Munich? Yes, exactly.
With its mix of history, shops to explore and cakes, as well as my new discovery, it’s probably just as well we’re still currently in lockdown. None of us can be sure what the tiers system will bring until it’s confirmed later in the week, but if 2020 has taught us anything, it’s to plan where we can, check the current restrictions and do what’s sensible. But most of all, to make sure we take the opportunities that come our way, safely.