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Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Top Ten Tuesday: The Most Memorable Places I've Visited
8:19 PM
Today's Top Ten Tuesday prompt is: Non-bookish Freebie. You can make a list about literally anything as long as it doesn't have to do with books (unless you really want it to be about books—that's okay, too). My mind always goes blank when confronted with freebie topics, especially if they're not about reading, so I did a slight twist on Jana's idea from the last time we did this prompt: Top Ten Most Memorable Places I've Visited. In the many years I've been doing TTT, this is a topic I've never done. Woo hoo!
As always, this fun weekly blogging event is hosted by the lovely Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl.
Top Ten Most Memorable Places I've Visited
I'm not the most well-traveled person in the world, but I added it up and, not counting the United States where I live, I've visited nine countries (eleven if you add in airport layovers in Peru and Japan). I'll cross two more—Jordan and Israel—off in December, provided our tour doesn't get cancelled. In addition, I've been to 33 of the 50 U.S. states, plus Washington, D.C. In October, I'll be visiting three new-to-me Southern states, which will put me at 36. I've been around a little bit, so I thought it would be fun to share the ten most memorable places I've visited in my country and around the world. In no particular order, they are:
1. The Columbia River Gorge (southwestern Washington and northwestern Oregon, U.S.A.)—I'm a bit biased having been born and reared in this GORGEous National Scenic Area, but it really is a stunning place featuring majestic Mt. Hood, the glittering Columbia River, lush forests, gushing waterfalls, and more.
2. Basilique du Sacré-CÅ“ur de Montmarte (Paris, France)—This beautiful basilica sits atop a hill, giving it a sweeping view of Paris, especially if you climb up the steep, claustrophobic stairs to the dome. The view at the top is almost as breath-stealing as the hike to get there!
Runner-up in Paris: the Palace of Versailles
3. Boracay Island (the Philippines)—White sand beaches, crystal clear water, swaying palm trees...what could be more relaxing? Ahhh...take me back!
Runner-up in the Philippines: Camiguin Island
4. Capilano Suspension Bridge (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)—My maternal grandmother's second husband (who also happened to by my grandfather's first cousin) was Canadian. They lived in the Vancouver area before he died in the early 1990s, so I visited them there many times as a kid. This suspension bridge and the park that surrounds it was one of my family's favorite attractions there.
Runner-up in Canada: beautiful Victoria, British Columbia
5. Vietnam Veterans Memorial (Washington, D.C., U.S.A.)—Washington, D.C., is full of interesting, important sites, but the one that stands out to me is this one. My uncle was killed in the war when he was just 22 and seeing his name on that vast wall along with all the other fallen soldiers is just...sobering. I've been there twice and was equally moved by the experience both times.
Runner-up in Washington, D.C.: the gorgeous Library of Congress
6. Whitby (England, Yorkshire, U.K.)—My mother's maiden name is Whitby and, while none of us has ever been able to make a connection between the city and our family, she has always wanted to check it out. I have, too, so last year on a trip to the U.K., my husband and I made a point to stop there. We spent a fun day exploring the old town, strolling its cobblestone streets, shopping in cute boutiques, climbing the 199 steps to see the Abbey ruins and cemetery, and enjoying the stunning views from up high.
Runners-up in England: Chester, the Lake District, and the Dales
7. Dunn's River Falls (Ocho Rios, Jamaica)—This mighty waterfall is a big tourist attraction and, no wonder, it's awesome!
Runner-up in Jamaica: the beaches (I haven't seen much of Jamaica, honestly. Both times I've been there, I mostly stuck around the resort.)
8. Castell Conwy (Conwy, Wales, U.K.)—After a whirlwind two-week family trip to England, Scotland, Wales, and Paris in 2021, I asked my kids what their favorite part of our vacation was and they both said Castell Conwy. Conwy is a vibrant market town with a scenic riverside setting. My kids had a blast running all over the grounds of Castell Conwy, exploring the ruins. The views from the castle's towers are simply spectacular.
Runner-up in Wales: Snowdonia
9. Culzean Castle (Ayrshire, Scotland, U.K.)—My father's ancestors come from the proud Clan Kennedy of Ayrshire. Of all the clan's castles, Culzean is the grandest and most beautiful. Its clifftop setting is as picturesque as can be.
Runners-up in Ayrshire: Dunure Castle and Turnberry Lighthouse (even though its owned by He Who Shall Not Be Named, the grounds are open to the public and the views are stunning)
10. Salto del Laja/Laja Falls (south central Chile)—Although the most memorable site I visited in Chile was the El Chiflon del Diablo under-the-ocean mine in Lota, it was an uncomfortable and rather terrifying experience, so I'm going to highlight this lovely waterfall instead. It was much more pleasant.
Runner-up in Chile: the scenic Bio Bio River, which reminds me of the Columbia River (see #1)
There you go, ten of the most memorable places I've been. Have you traveled to any of them? Where are the most memorable spots you have visited? I'd love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog.
Happy TTT!
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Oh wow! These are some amazing looking places! I've never been to any of them! But I am planning a trip to DC next year for an author event! I'm hoping to at least see the sites along the main drag like the Lincoln Memorial and everything else I can't think of this early in the morning! Lol.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful trip around the world. I have never been to the States but I enjoyed your pictures. I have been to quite a few of your European destinations and love them all, so I am sure I would have loved your American ones!!!
ReplyDeleteLoving seeing all these fabulous travel memories on everyone's posts this week.
ReplyDeleteThe husband takes beautiful pictures! 33 states is a LOT! I am a typical east coaster, been up and down this coast, but the middle has been largely ignored. I would love to change that.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you've been to lots of cool places! I haven't been anywhere nearly as cool. Travel is always my "someday" list. But if I will, well, time will tell. ;) Thanks for visiting my list!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness…I’m so jealous of your travels, Susan! Those pictures are stunning. I hope my husband and I can start traveling more now that our children are grown and on their own. Happy Wednesday!
ReplyDeleteLots of lovely places on here. I haven't been to any of them even the ones in my own country!
ReplyDeleteI remember standing in front of the Vietnam War Memorial and just sobbing. It is definitely a powerful reminder of war and loss.
ReplyDeleteAnd I would love to visit England and Wales. And really anywhere on your list. Lol.
I have been to a few of these places and they are wonderful! The suspension bridge I wish I would have been brave enough to visit. We were right there but did not end up going!
ReplyDeleteYou’ve been to some really beautiful places!
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I struggle with the freebie posts as well. If another blogger picks a topic that I really like, I make note of it and occasionally do that same topic for our next freebie post. But I always give them credit! Hehe. :)
Thank you for stopping by earlier.
What a great topic and fabulous places! ~Carol @ ReadingLadies
ReplyDeleteSo many beautiful places! We were actually just visiting Conwy last week! We didn't make it into the castle, just along the walls, but the town is lovely.
ReplyDeleteGlad a Welsh place made the list! I've not been to Conwy myself, but Wales is home to me and there are so many lovely places.
ReplyDeleteFun topic! I've been to about 30 states, D.C., Canada, and Mexico. I'm really hoping to visit Washington state sometime as that's where my Larksong Legacy series takes place. All the photos I've seen are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI love all of these pictures, but especially the waterfalls!! My husband and I went hiking the past two weekends in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park to see two different waterfalls. I blogged about them on my other blog...I have many posts from our travels over the years.
ReplyDeleteYou've been to some great places, Susan. I think my most memorable would be my trip to Scotland and Ireland, then last summer when my daughter and I went to Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Czechia. I went on a Caribbean Cruise and enjoyed some of the stops, but not as much.
ReplyDeleteYou have been to some amazing places!!
ReplyDeleteHere's to many more in the future!
Have lovely rest of the week.
Love seeing all the travelling posts this week! You've been to some stunning places.
ReplyDeleteThere were so many amazing sights in Scotland and wales! Love seeing these awesome places you visited!
ReplyDeleteThese pictures are gorgeous! Are they all yours? The Capilano bridge is one of the places on my want-to-visit list. There are so many places I want to visit, hopefully I'll get to do a few soon!
ReplyDeleteGreat topic!! I love to travel and wish I'd thought of doing the same topic you've chosen!! Btw, my husband is from the Philippines and I've some day I'd like to visit where he's from in Manila.
ReplyDeleteI love this topic. Great choice and a great list of places.
ReplyDeleteI did love all of Paris and would love to go back. Thank you for your highlights.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to go to both Whitby and Wales one day. SO fun to see some of your favorite places. :D
ReplyDeleteYou're giving me ideas for future travel!
ReplyDeleteWow, you've been to a lot of awesome places! I wish I could travel more.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been to the sites you mentioned in Jamaica, but when I went there we visited a bird sanctuary where we could feed the hummingbirds! (You hold a nectar bottle, and the birds perch on your fingers to drink.) It was so cool!
ReplyDeleteWhat gorgeous photos! Your husband is a vey good photographer. I haven’t been to any of these locations but would happily go.
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful! How amazing to see these places. I have not been to many countries and I wish I could!
ReplyDeleteI think you have been to all the beautiful places. These are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThese are utterly gorgeous places!
ReplyDeleteSo many beautiful places. I have been to a few. We went to the YS Waterfalls in Jamaica.. and they were less touristy and crowded then Dunn's. Isle of Skye in Scotland took our breaths aways as did Cannon Beach in Oregon. Thanks for sharing all these lovely places.. and inspiration for future travels.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a fun post, thnks for taking us to these places with you for a bit :) I've only also been to Paris and agree that the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmarte is so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteFantastic post! These places are gorgeous, and the only two I've been to is Washington DC and Israel. It's been a long time since I went, but this is making me want to visit more places around the world. I hope you have a blast on your upcoming trip!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this post since I also love to travel. Living on the Oregon Coast, I can second your praise of Astoria, Tillamook, and Victoria. We travel a lot in our RV and some recent favorites are Vancouver Island (we spent three weeks there), Alberta (we spent six weeks traveling to and from that area), and the Tetons (5 weeks traveling to and fro). I'm eager to get back to Canada in 2026!
ReplyDelete