Travel Tuesday: 3 Places

This is my first foray into the trends and series that exist in the travel blogging world.  I can't promise that I have enough discipline to regularly participate, but one might as well start somewhere, right?

This Travel Tuesday's theme is:

Share three places - the place that you love the most, the place that you cannot wait to visit, and the place you live now.

Westminster Abbey
(c) Thrifty Gypsy

1.  London, UK:  I really ought to buy one of those corny "I <3 London" t-shirts because it's true.  I never expected to fall so hard for London.  I prefer to live in small towns or rural countryside, but that city took my breath away.  The combination of history, culture, and the fact that so many of my favorite movies and books are set in London makes this an easy choice of the place I love the most.  Singing "Feed the Birds" on the steps of St. Paul's, paying my respects at Chaucer's grave in Westminster Abbey, marveling at the imposing nature of the Tower, enjoying bangers 'n mash, fish 'n chips, and a good English ale at various pubs, giggling as I recalled the snide comments from "Pride and Prejudice" about relatives living in Cheapside as I walked to our hotel on Gracechurch Street... all these moments resulted in one glorious weekend spent in the capitol of the English-speaking world, and I cannot wait to return for more memories.

(c) Thrifty Gypsy

(c) Thrifty Gypsy

2.  Rome, Italy:  Although there are many places I can't wait to visit (see here and here!), my road will lead to Rome this summer, and I can't wait!  I studied Latin through high school and college, and it will be a surreal experience to see Roman ruins in person instead of through the dull pages of my textbooks.  I want to enjoy gelato on the Spanish Steps like Audrey Hepburn in "Roman Holiday," and feel small under the dome of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.  And so much more!

Source

St. John's Episcopal Church ("Give Me Liberty, Or Give me Death!")
in Richmond, VA. Source.

3.  Richmond, Virginia:  It's no secret that I'm a fan of Richmond.  We experience all four seasons without the harsh winters of farther north or the unbearably toasty summers of further south.  We are within two hours or less of mountains, rivers, beaches, and Washington D.C, which makes filling your weekends full of events an easy task!  Richmond is emerging as a cultural hot-spot for restaurants and festivals, and we have a little of everything when it comes to history: Native American, colonial, the War for Independence, plantation life, etc.  Recently, Frommer's named Richmond a Top Destination for 2014!  (I know, we were just as surprised as you!)  While there are many things that may interest a tourist, there are even more reasons why Richmond is a great place to live, particularly the rural counties surrounding the city.  Great schools, varied and affordable entertainment, fairly low taxes, good shopping, good food, and a growing diversity of culture.  And you just can't beat the natural beauty of the James River...

Float Trip!
(c) Thrifty Gypsy

(c) Thrifty Gypsy

Maidens Landing, Goochland VA. Source.

So those are my three places!  What are yours?

~ Just a Thrifty Gypsy

Linked up through Melanie, Bonnie, and Tina.