Travel Blog Tag!! :)

This past week I was able to get a little caught up on reading some of my favourite blogs and introducing them to Kelly too. We came across a blog called Underland to Wonderland a few months back and immediately loved Danielle, as she is a fellow Disnerd like us and always has fun things to read.
You can check her blog out and where we got this lovely Travel Tag from here: http://www.underlandtowonderland.com/2015/03/the-tmi-travel-tag.html Thank you Danielle! :)

1. What was the last country you visited?

Lucy: That would be England last Christmas. :) I was there for two weeks and it was the best. It still feels strange saying that I visited England as I still consider it home.
Kelly: Same for me! I was lucky enough to go home for 6 weeks before Christmas, it was so nice being there for that long as I got to see loads of family and friends and spent practically everyday with my Nanna and Grandad too! :)

2. How many countries have you visited?

Lucy: I think 6! Italy, France, America, Portugal, Scotland and Wales. We have been lucky enough to visit many States in America though too! :)

Kelly: 6 countries but we've visited most of those more than once. We've been lucky enough to have been to Portugal twice as that was a family holiday we liked growing up, and then Italy on 3 separate occasions to visit family!  

  3. What is your favourite place on the planet, that you have been to?
Lucy: This is a tricky one for me to just pick one place, as of course, I adore Italy. Praiano is probably one of my ultimate favourite places in this world. It is simply beautiful and just perfect, in addition to being home to many members of my family. However, St Pete beach has become a most treasured place in my heart and when I dream about the Loews Hotel and my wedding day, it makes my heart flutter and I look forward to when my husband and I will next visit. :)  

 

Kelly: I would definitely have to say Italy because of our family ties as well as it being beautiful and home to the best food in the world. I do really want to visit there again soon, as we were quite young on our previous visits so I feel there is so much more I have yet to do, see and appreciate. I do have to say also that I really enjoyed my 8 months in Florida, can't go wrong with being 15 minutes away from Disney World.

4. Favourite place in your home country?
Lucy: My house and my Nanna and Grandad's house. Even though I know technically that's not what this question means... :p there's no place I'd rather be when I go home than Heaton Mersey! :)

Kelly: I would have to agree with Luc on this. England is a great place with lots to do and see but there is no place I love more than being at Nanna and Grandads house. It's cozy, comforting and there is always the best food in the kitchen! :) Oh and the Harry Potter studio tour in London would probably be up there too...if you live in England and haven't been there yet, what are you waiting for??

  5. If you could board a plane now, where would you go?
Lucy: You probably know what's coming... are you bored yet? :p Of course and with no shadow of a doubt, if I could get on a plane now I would go home! :p

Kelly: DITTO!! There's no place like home!! :)

6. What's your cup of tea - Tropical island getaway, snowy ski break, or city exploring trips?

Lucy: Ooh, I think it depends. I love exploring places and experiencing different cultures and cities but after our wedding and spending a few days in St Pete and then again for our anniversary, I do enjoy relaxing and reading books on the beach or by the pool. I like this too because I get to see my husband relax and not worry about work. :) I admit sometimes I get a little restless sitting by a pool for too many hours, but then I also have lazy moments when it comes to wandering around for too long! :p However, I would love to go to New York again with my husband, as the two days we spent there two Christmas's ago, were perfect for exploring the city and it was just magical. And meeting Zachary Levi sure did add the magic too, if you were wondering! :p So yay for exploring cities.  

 

Kelly: Hmm this is a hard one, I like sunshine but if I'm honest after my time spent in Florida I realized I'm not a beach person...think Miranda Hart explaining what it's like. I don't like getting too hot and sweaty or getting sand everywhere and I'm not really keen on swimming in the ocean either, sharks and stingrays...no thank you. I love exploring but if I'm completely honest I think my perfect holiday would be a food related holiday, going somewhere to just try the food. I would also love to experience a snowy break, not necessarily to ski but more so to sit in a log cabin (I LOVE log cabins) by a roaring fire with a cup of coffee and a book or Harry Potter on a big TV! :)

7. What are your top 3 hand luggage must-haves?
Lucy: First and foremost my most precious possession, Nobby, oh yes, he has to travel in my hand luggage because then he can be with me at all times and I don't have to worry about losing my luggage. If I'm staying over night anywhere he always comes with me...much to my husbands delight! :p Hmm, then I would say a book, if I'm travelling I like to read and then I would say lip balm/hand cream! That's 4 but they are my check my bag over and over for.

Kelly: Surprise, surprise I have the same answer, Mandy (my teddy) has to go in my hand luggage, no getting lost or going under the plane for her. Must have a book of course and definitely need my blistease (Blistex) or a lip balm.

8. Any travel tips to share?
Lucy: Hmm Kelly is way more organized than me. I feel I have become a little more last minute with everything these days as I am used to travelling a lot. When it comes to going back home to the UK, I procrastinate so much because I know if I forget anything I have clothes and a bedroom full of stuff there! So I'm not certain I am best to give tips.  :p In saying that, I would say knowing where important travel documents and passports are, are key! :p Ooh and bring little snacks with you so you don't have to spend money in the airport, as airports can get very expensive.

Kelly: My husband taught me this and it worked for when I went on Route 66, I didn't want to take a huge suitcase because I wanted to take my bags on as hand luggage, but I had two weeks to pack for, so I rolled all my clothes instead of folding them and I fit more stuff in!

9. Most embarrassing moment abroad.
Lucy: I've probably, most definitely had embarrassing moments abroad but non that really jump out at me. Hmmm, I will have to think on that one.

Kelly: Same here, I can't actually think of one right now...but now I'm going to have one pop into my head at some random time of day!

10. Biggest disappointment.

Lucy: I remember when we went to Portugal for the second time when we were younger, we went to find our Villa and pulled up to a house that was dark and had construction all around it. Inside all the curtains were closed and everything was dirty and damp. Now my parents are really good with stuff like this, they are amazing people and don't like to get mad or be rude to people, but I can remember them trying to get switched to a new place and I think we got taken to another one that was the same until we got to a nice place. My Mum and Dad were being so patient and calm but I could tell with four small kids in tow they were tired and really disappointed with it all.

Kelly: That was so long ago but now Luc mentions it, I remember that too. Other than that we've been very lucky with places we've been to! Ooh actually when we were on Route 66, we stayed in the famous Wigwam motel in Arizona, where you sleep in a room that is built like a wigwam. Well driving through the town and on initial arrival to the motel, myself, my sisters and our Dad were like "ok this is very different to what we were expecting" there was nothing to do in the town and the Wigwams looked very old and a little scary at first. So initially we were a little disappointed but in the end it was a fun experience!

 11. Nicest surprise.

Lucy: I'd have to say that everything about the Loews Don Cesar in St Pete surprised me and I fell in love with the place. Chris and I had no idea of the grandeur of the place when we were planning our wedding and then once we visited it took our breaths away. One of the reasons I adore the place too, is that for all it's grandness and regal presence, everyone that works there is wonderful and down to earth and I never feel out of place when I go. It still has such an element of homely and cozy. :) The last time Chris and I went for our 1 year wedding anniversary, they even surprised us with chocolate covered strawberries and Champagne. :)

Kelly: Both times my husband and I have been to Disney hotels, we have been surprised by the utter scale and detail of them. We had seen pictures and Disney videos online, but actually being there in person is something else. We stayed at Port Orleans Riverside for our honeymoon and The Animal Kingdom lodge for our one year anniversary and both places were amazing. It's quite something to wake up at three in the morning to nip to the bathroom and seeing three giraffes out of your hotel window. Definitely a place I would recommend!

12. Three places at the top of the travel bucket list.
Lucy: I really want to visit San Francisco with my husband, so we can visit the Beat Museum, I've been wanting to go for the longest time to see the original script of Jack Kerouac's On The Road. Another place I've always liked the idea of visiting is New Orleans, it looks so pretty and rather fascinating. Then I would have to say everywhere in Italy! :)

Kelly: I would love to travel all around Italy so that's my top one. We've only ever visited the smaller towns but have never been to Rome or Milan so that would be fun to tick off the list. I also like the idea of Colorado, every time I see a picture of the ski resorts at night with the snow and twinkly lights it makes me smile. For my last one I'm going to say San Diego for a Nerd HQ...its a must for me and my sisters! 

13. Favourite food discovery. 
Lucy: So I LOVE everything and anything you can get from Italy, Italian food is my absolute favourite but if we are talking about a discovery I'm going to go with trying Churros for the first time when we were little and went to Florida! :) They are the best things ever!

Kelly: Ooh tricky, it's hard to remember all the food we've eaten over the years, I mean we've been to Italy three times!! With that being said I am going to pick something we ate years ago when we visited our Auntie Guiseppina in Padova Italy, she made artichoke risotto and it was delicious. We still remember it to this day and are yet to try making it ourselves ,but it was so good!! I'm also going to mention here, discovering the lemon trees in Italy...Sorrento lemons are HUGE!!

14. Why do you travel?
Lucy: I have to admit that as I have gotten older I have become more of a homebody. I do love the idea of travelling and seeing the world but when it actually comes down to it I love being curled up with my family. In saying that though, I know I am incredibly fortunate to have been to all the places I have been already and for that I am very grateful. When I do travel though and the reason I do enjoy it, is because of the sense of adventure and learning and experiencing new places.

Kelly: Right now, we travel to visit home but I do enjoy traveling to experience new places, see the world and also to spend quality time with the people we travel with. It's fun to share new experiences with friends and family!

 

15. What 3 things would you take on holiday/going travelling if you could?

Lucy: Hmm, not really sure about this one. I guess I would say that I would very much love to take my Nanna and Grandad to the likes of New York so my Nanna could see her sister and see where she has lived for the past how many years, as my Nanna has never been to America. But alas, they are older now and can't fly. I wish I could take my Grandad to Italy again too but I know he's a little too old for that now. Without getting too emotional, that would have to be my answer. I don't have pets and there's nothing material that I feel I need or can't travel without...expect Nobby! :p

Kelly: Aww to Luc's answer. I get that too, I would love to be able to show Nanna and Grandad where we live here and what we get up to. Other than that I don't think there's anything else I would need that I couldn't already take!

16. Have you picked up any phrases from travelling?
Lucy: I can't think of any off the top of my head, though I try and pick up little bits when we go to Italy and I try and talk to my family and use what I know, even if it's just "Ciao, Come' Stai?" :)

Kelly: Not really. We've always had our mum and grandad in Italy for when we don't understand our relatives. I am hoping that after doing Rosetta Stone, I can pick up more things and speak for myself next time we go back though!

 17. What two places would you not go back to and why?
Lucy: I really don't want to be mean about a place, as everyone will have a different experience to someone else, but we went to Paris a few years back and I can't say that I have any desire to go back. I wasn't really keen on the place at all.

Kelly: Like Luc said, each to their own. I don't wish to be mean about a place someone else loves but Las Vegas and New Mexico weren't really my cup of tea!

18. Your dream travel companion.
Lucy: My husband!! :) I love going on adventures with him. I also love visiting places with my Dad and sisters, and Mum and brother too when they come along. :) All of whom have different personalities that definitely make travelling with an experience! :p

Kelly: My family are my favourite travel companions and I wouldn't really want to go anywhere without them. Like if I say a dream someone, where would we be going and how long would the trip be?? I  mean I have lots of "famous" people I love who I would love to sit and talk to for a long time, but actually going on a whole trip with them, I'm not sure. Saying that if Chris Evans, Rupert Grint or Zachary Levi fancy a road trip, I'm on board!

19. Most surreal travel moment.

Lucy: For this I will send you (again, how many times will I link this post :p) to a previous post... New York, Broadway, The Rockefeller Tree at Christmas time and Zachary Levi...need I say more??! :p http://sweetisalwaysinstyle.blogspot.com/2014/01/i-heart-new-york.html

Kelly: ^^^^^^^Rub it in why don't you...WE GET IT, HE IS AWESOME...YOU ARE WELCOME!!!! :)

20. Three people you would like to see do this tag - (#tmitraveltag responses on twitter)
Our lovely friends Angie from Chocolate and Lipstick and Meg from She puts her makeup on and YOU! :)  

Hope you all have a wonderful week! :)

Lucy and Kelly xx