My 5 Dream Vacation Destinations + Our Next Trip!

Do you ever feel like you need a break from life? Like you just want to put a pause on everything that is currently spinning around you and just relax? Trust me I feel ya! Lately, Tim and I have been making plans for some fun upcoming travels and I am so excited for them. Some aren’t for a year, but just the idea of getting away to some dream vacation destinations makes me excited. There is just something about it. . . .

When it comes to traveling, I am not much for a short list. I’m kind of surprised Tim hasn’t lost his patience with me yet. I have lists upon lists of places I want to go and things I want to see while we are there that it doesn’t even seem possible to cram it into this lifetime! A girl can dream though, right? I thought I would do us both a favor and spill my top travel destinations with you guys! So here goes nothing!

My 5 Dream Vacation Destinations + Our Next Trip!- Monique McHugh Blog

1. Cinque Terre, Italy

A definite first on my must travel to locations is Cinque Terre Italy. To say I have an obsession would probably be an understatement. I can’t think of a more perfect place to visit: quaint countryside villages filled with rich Italian culture, great food, and picturesque beauty! Give me a glass of wine and a bowl of pasta and I’ll probably want to stay there my whole life! Actually, now that I think about it, feel free to just drop me off here and never pick me up. I think I’ll be okay! Italy is my dream destination and I am hoping it is everything I have dreamed it up to be.

My 5 Dream Vacation Destinations + Our Next Trip!- Monique McHugh Blog

2. Mykonos, Greece

You’re going to start to notice a pattern in my choices: think quaint ocean side towns with great food and killer views! If that is the description of pretty much any place I think I will want to go. Greece is pretty high on my list as well! We have some friends that live their and I would love the chance to visit them. Mykonos and Santorini are the most known destinations but I would definitely be open to learning about other great places to visit in Greece, so if you know if any definitely let me know!

My 5 Dream Vacation Destinations + Our Next Trip!- Monique McHugh Blog

3. Beirut, Lebanon

If you follow me on instagram you may know this already, but I am half Lebanese! My mother was born in Beirut and I have yet to visit this beautiful county that is home to so many great things about my childhood. Growing up, I wasn’t able/interested in learning Arabic and I really regret that! Something in me wants to be immersed in the culture and language so I can have that opportunity again. Crazy enough! My grandmother, aunts, and other family still live their and I have never met them. Not only is Lebanon beautiful, but it would be an amazing trip filled with family, good food, and and a cultural experience I know I wouldn’t regret!

My 5 Dream Vacation Destinations + Our Next Trip!- Monique McHugh Blog

4. Marrakech, Morocco

The desserts of Morocco have always intrigued me! When I started college at UF a couple years ago, I planned to study Arabic and go on a study abroad to Morocco, but with the intensity of Interior Design classes, I was never able to do that! So why not go now? The architecture is some of the most unique in the world, and it is another opportunity to pick up some Arabic while I’m traveling! I know many people think Morocco isn’t the safest place to travel but I think if you’re careful, anywhere is safe to travel to.

My 5 Dream Vacation Destinations + Our Next Trip!- Monique McHugh Blog

5. Spain

I can’t quite decide what area of Spain is not worth traveling to, all of it is so beautiful! Lucky for me, we have a home away from home along the southern coast in Malaga thanks to Tim’s parents! Fingers crossed, we will be able visit them next year and possibly even make some quick stops in my four other top destinations. Sounds like a trip made in heaven to me! Its so sweet to think of traveling and seeing family in other parts of the world. Once I make it to Spain, a day trip to Barcelona is definitely going on the agenda. Strolling through the streets, sight seeing and more good food. . . Hold on while I go pack my bags and leave now πŸ™‚

So there you have it! Those are my top travel destinations. . . for now at least. They do have a tendency to change but these 5 are always somewhere on the list. Tim and I have started making the plans for a big trip next year but since we promised each other we would travel every year when we got married, we had to choose a fun but close place to head in celebration of our 1 year wedding anniversary! I have to say, I am really excited for what we decided on and the trip is only a couple short weeks away!

My 5 Dream Vacation Destinations + Our Next Trip!- Monique McHugh Blog

We’re going to ARUBA!

The Dutch infused island is located just north of Venezuela and has some of the best beaches and snorkeling spots. I’m so excited to have a break from the business of life and just spend some time together for a week. Stay tuned for a full travel guide of Aruba including things to do, where to stay, and of course my favorite: what to eat!

Have you been to any of my must visit places?  I would love to hear your favorite things to do and see! Want to share with me your top 5 destinations? Please do! I would love to hear your favorite places to travel to and your favorite things to do there in the comments below or shoot me a message!

Photo sources and more of my travel ideas HERE!

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5 Comments

  1. Emilie Ogburn
    August 19, 2016 / 5:45 PM

    Hi Monique!

    I love hearing about your travel plans! Morocco is definitely at the top of my list right now too, amongst so many other amazing places! Have so much fun in Aruba! That is one of my favorite places that I have had the opportunity to visit. Beautiful blend of desert and tropical, and so so relaxing. Can’t wait to hear about your experience! (:

    • monique
      August 19, 2016 / 6:07 PM

      If you beat me to Morocco you have to tell me all about it! It seems like a really fun place to go. And I would love to hear your suggestions for Aruba πŸ™‚

  2. Kim McHugh
    August 23, 2016 / 12:20 PM

    Love your post about travel destinations. I too dream of a trip to Italy…that would be #1 on my list, though I think Venice and Florence and the Tuscany area would be where I’d like to hit first. In no particular order I’d like to visit Ireland, Iran and Costa Rica. Because I live in Spain, I will mostly get to visit some of the others on my list within Spain: Mallorca, Menorca, Seville and Zaragoza. Have a great trip to Aruba…your place is ready in Spain!

    • monique
      August 29, 2016 / 3:27 PM

      We should coordinate our trip to Italy when we come visit! Then we can do Spain and Italy destinations together which would make the trip even better πŸ™‚

  3. Asma
    June 21, 2022 / 2:35 AM

    We went to Marrakech recently and we fell in love with the city!!! It’s magical and I highly recommend it!

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