A Premature Bucket List

I'm one of those people who gets uber over-excited for things way in advance and counts my chickens before they hatch and all that. So, in the true spirit of being ME, I started making my bucket list for when (or "if" would be more appropriate, I suppose) I'm in the U.K. for graduate school next fall. Here are the things on that very premature list:

France--I love love love Paris. Like the song on Anastasia says, ♫Paris holds the key to my heart♫. This time, though, I'm determined to see parts I haven't yet seen. Perhaps Strasbourg, Lyon, Toulouse, Bordeaux?

Strasbourg

Lyon

Toulouse

Bordeaux

Greece--I've had so many mixed reviews about Greece, that I think I need to check it out for myself, whether that's Athens or Santorini. Or both?

Athens

Santorini

Turkey--Istanbul I have heard great things about. Also, while I'm in the Middle East, I will fulfill my dream of seeing Jerusalem. Abso-frickin-lutely.

Istanbul

Jerusalem

Germany--This is dedicated to Dad. But I really do want to go, and I have for quite some time. I'm thinking Heidelberg or Hamburg. 

Heidelberg (okay, someone went a little crazy with the "saturation" toy on photo editing)

Hamburg

Spain--YES, I will go to Spain. San Sebastian, perhaps? I'm determined. 

San Sebastian

Amsterdam--The Netherlands are always spoken highly of by those who've been. And who am I to ignore people's advice?

Amsterdam

Belgium--Brugge, Ghent, maybe Brussels. I was supposed to go on a day-tour in Belgium last year, but I chose the Loire Valley instead. So this time, it's Belgium or bust.

Brugge

Leona Lewis concert--I've been wanting to go to one, but she doesn't tour much in the U.S. Plus, if I'm at UCL, I'm living in Leona land--she grew up in Islington.

Leona

Another Jude Law-type experience--I paid 10 quid to see him in Hamlet in Leicester Square. Also, I slept on the street in a garbage bag to get the ticket. But I'm so down for another experience like that.

Jude in Hamlet

Ireland--I'm determined to give it a second chance because I'm absolutely sure Ireland is everything I ever dreamed it would be. This time I'll skip out on Wicklow and Dublin, though.

Glendalough

Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland--parts of Highlander were filmed here. I haven't seen that, but that won't stop me. 

Eilean Donan

Caerlaverock Castle, Dumfries, Scotland--Family Castle? No brainer!

Caerlaverock

Canterbury--see picture and/or Canterbury Tales

Canterbury

The New Forest--I like forests, in general, and this one's in Southern England

New Forest

Brighton--For sure for sure I'm hitting up Brighton in all of its 19th-century glory

Brighton Royal Pavilion

The Giant's Causeway--in Northern Ireland. Check out the pic. 

Giant's Causeway

Portmeirion--North Wales. 'Nuff said.

Portmeirion (once again, with the saturation overload)

The Eden Project--This thing looks legit. AND it's in Cornwall. 

Eden Project

Kenilworth Castle--Definitely want to make it here since we didn't make it there on Wales Study Abroad, and some big events in history happened here (possibly involving a certain historical character I may or may not have a crush on)

Kenilworth

The Cotswolds--Everybody asks me if I saw the Cotswolds when I was in England. I have to say no, I didn't. And to think I was actually in Gloucester without seeing them. Blast.

The Cotswolds

The Lake District--another one everyone asks me if I've seen. That's a negative. So far.

The Lake District

Chatsworth House--supposedly Jane Austen based Pemberley off of this place.

Chatsworth House

Right now you're thinking I'm crazy to think I'll visit all these places during a schoolyear. It's not feasible, I'm sure. But I will visit at least some of them. Even if I don't end up there next  year for school (heaven forbid), I'm going to take a travel expedition to salve my poor, deprived spirit. And I wouldn't mind some good company, either.