Places to Heat Up and Cool Down

I've had a bit of the wanderlust, lately. (Is it any surprise? I've been in virtually the same place for over six months!) While I have some short-duration writing-related travels coming up, I feel this overwhelming urge to pack a light suitcase, lock up my apartment, and disappear for a few months. Come this Fall, maybe I will. Until then, I'll have to scratch the travel itch with some internet-fueled heat-me-up and cool-me-down nomadic fantasies.

Top Five Places to Heat Up

It's warming up in Houston, but no so much that I'm bemoaning the heat. Hopping a plane to a tropical locale still seems like a good idea. (Check with me in a month and I bet it won't.) If I could get away to a steamy spot, here's where I might go:

Noordhoek Beach, Cape Town, South Africa

Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia

Moorea Island, French Polynesia

Ipanema Beach, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Santorini, Cyclades Islands, Greece

Top Five Places to Cool Down

Hot, beachy spots are all well and good, but the looming summer brings with it fantasies of cool weather spots that can take the edge off the sweltering months. Here are some destinations I'll be dreaming about when 95-degree temps and 95-percent humidity rolls into town:

Torres Del Paine National Park, Andes Mountains, Chile

Catherine Palace, St. Petersburg, Russia

Blue Lagoon Hot Spring, Iceland

Portage Glacier, Portage, Alaska

Ross Sea, Antarctica

Your turn. To where would you like to escape today? Is that different from last month? Or next month? What's your ultimate travel fantasy? Do share.

Hugs,
TLC
OH. MY. GODS. -- Dutton, May 2008
teralynnchilds.com

* The images in this post have been lovingly and respectfully borrowed from Lonely Planet, the cat's meow when it comes to traveler eye candy. Their Blue List books are especially inspiring.