I’ve traveled a fair amount and a friend once asked me what my favorite places in the world were. Traveling teaches me so much about people, the land, and how diverse we are. Much of my inspiration comes from traveling, too. Here’s my top 10 list of favorite places:
- Hawaii — Hawaii is the most beautiful tropical location I’ve ever visited. I’ve been there twice, spending time on Maui, Kauai, and The Big Island. The combination of rain forest, gorgeous beaches, and amazing hikes makes Hawaii very special.
Highlights — The Road to Hana, snorkeling with colorful fish, swimming with wild dolphins, seeing the active volcano on The Big Island (Kilauea), hiking the “sleeping” volcano (Haleakala) on Maui, hiking the Napali Coast on Kauai, body surfing, fresh fruit smoothies, waterfalls, and captivating sunsets. It’s an amazing area.
- Hawaii — Hawaii is the most beautiful tropical location I’ve ever visited. I’ve been there twice, spending time on Maui, Kauai, and The Big Island. The combination of rain forest, gorgeous beaches, and amazing hikes makes Hawaii very special.
“Infinity 3” (0318) Pastel & Watercolor: Bimini, Bahamas. ©2003 Anne S. Katzeff
Bimini, Bahamas — My first experience swimming with wild dolphins was in Bimini. We lived on the ocean for a week on a 90-foot catamaran, leisurely cruising the waters, hoping that the dolphins would find us (or we’d find them). And we did find each other, again and again! In between dolphin swims, we’d relax or snorkel or snack or nap, until we heard the enthusiastic cheer, “DOLPHINS!” Then everyone would gather on the lower deck, put on their snorkel gear, and jump into the water for another glimpse or perhaps a fabulous interaction with the dolphins. I’ve returned to swim with the dolphins there several times. Bimini Spotted Dolphins are the most friendly and exciting of the dolphins I’ve swum with.
Highlights — I began working with pastels right after I began swimming with wild dolphins. Swimming with the dolphins had such a profound effect on me that I wanted to find a way to express the experience through my art. The vibrant colors and wonderful textures of pastels drew me right back into that ocean world as I painted. Soon I was led to paint other “landscapes” in nature that moved and inspired me.
“Antelope Canyon 2”
American Southwest — During college, I helped move a friend to Fort Collins, Colorado. We packed up all of her belongings into a car and drove west. After finding her an apartment, we explored the 4 corners area of Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah. I was officially smitten. I kept going back over the years, each time focusing on a particular area in order to get more familiar with it.
Highlights — Colorado: Boulder is like Cambridge and San Francisco in the Rockies; Mesa Verde.
New Mexico: Chaco Canyon; Acoma.
Arizona: Canyon de Chelly; Sedona (Oak Creek Canyon is one of my favorite hikes); Grand Canyon; Antelope Canyon.
Utah: Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park, Arches National Park; Canyonlands National Park; Monument Valley
- Paris, France — I love walking in Paris and seeing the iconic sites.
Highlights — Champs Elysees, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Jardin de Luxumbourg, Musee D’Orsay, Rodin Museum, and Montemarte (Sacre Coeur). A couple of side trips stand out, too: Villefranche-Sur-Mer and Giverny (Monet’s home). The patisseries and crepes are out of this world!
- Switzerland — There’s nothing like the Swiss Alps, with their strenuous and satisfying climbs to breathtaking views. What made Switzerland unique for me was its emphasis on sustainability, cleanliness, and excellence in creating precision instruments.
Highlights — The Alps, Berne, Lucerne, Interlaken, Jungfrau, Swiss chocoolate, cheese fondue, and rosti (potato dish).
“Infinity 3” (0318) Pastel & Watercolor: Bimini, Bahamas. ©2003 Anne S. Katzeff
- Costa Rica — What wonderful people who care for their beautiful land of incredible diversity. Two features about Costa Rica that I really like: they are a peaceful nation (have no army) and they boast a 95.8% literacy rate.
Highlights — Monteverde (amazing bird-watching) and Osa Peninsula; swimming with 6 different kinds of wild dolphins (and bluefin tuna!).
- Machu Picchu — Traveling here was a dream come true. We stayed at Wilka T’ika in the Sacred Valley, and coincidentally found ourselves traveling with a group of artists. I learned a lot being with these artists, particularly ways to carry tools as you hike to spots where you paint. We visited several sites near Cuzco and acclimated to the extreme altitude. Nonetheless, my first glimpse of Machu Picchu took my breath away.
Highlights — The grand scale of Machu Picchu mesmerized me. The challenging hike up Waynu Picchu caused my legs to scream, but when we reached the top and looked down at Machu Picchu, I stood silent on the soaring mountains, feeling humble and grateful.
- The Berkshires — I took a class called Painting and Yoga in the Berkshires at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health (in Lenox) several years ago. That’s when I made the leap from painting dolphins to painting landscapes. The class continues to be taught by one of my favorite teachers in the world, Linda Novick.
Highlights — The mountains are soft and wise. In autumn, the Berkshires are spectacular.
“Restful Ride to Ptown” (1007) Pastel: Provincetown, MA. ©2010 Anne S. Katzeff
Provincetown — Perhaps it’s because I’m a Pisces that I have such a strong affinity for the ocean. I feel very fortunate to live so close to Cape Cod. I love beach culture: shorts and tevas, beaches and sand dunes, waves and boogie boards, Stellwagen Bank and the Humpback whales.
Highlights — Whale watching on Stellwagen Bank (aboard the Dolphin Fleet), painting at Race Point, visiting art galleries, and eating at Napi’s.
- Vancouver Island — I never imagined that I would go here, until a fellow traveler told me about its Orca populations. From the moment we arrived in Vancouver, we were in awe of the land and culture, because even the airport is a welcoming treat.
Highlights — Ferry from mainland to Vancouver Island, Victoria, Telegraph Cove (saw the Orcas here!), Tofino, and Pacific Rim National Park. Lush, temperate rainforests, abundant wildlife, and clean, long, picturesque beaches.
If I could squeeze in another favorite place, it would be Italy. I went there in high school, flying for the first time and experiencing the culture, art, and food with some of my best friends. It was a whirlwind week as we stayed in Rome, Florence, and Venice, with a side trip to Pisa. The highlights included the ruins (Colosseum, Forum, Pantheon), the art (Florence), gondola ride (Venice), and the food. I love pasta.
I haven’t traveled quite as extensively, but I have been to places like Cannon Beach along the Oregon coast, to Pier 39 in San Francisco, the Washington coastline, Santa Monica, California, to a few New England states while painting murals for a Cabella’s store in East Hartford, Connecticut and to the Grand Canyon in Arizona. I grew up in Southeastern Idaho, so other than that and two years living in the Bay area in California, I haven’t seen much of this great vast country. I did however, have the good fortune of growing up in the center of rugged country which was surrounded by all the best known National Parks in the Nation. Our family drove through Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks several times a year.
I am also a second generation artist. My father started a nationally advertised plein air summer art workshop in 1970 and kept it going it until 1985. We painted outdoors in much of this beautiful country during those years. It was a rich and rewarding learning experience! I didn’t need to go to exotic places around the globe when there was so much at our own backdoor!
Your mural paintings are beautiful Russell!
One of the things I like about facebook is that it keeps me in touch with such thoughtful and soulful people as you…I love that you gave this question so much thought and want to visit many of the places on your list. I will create one as well and share it with you – then someday, we need to go somewhere together and try to bump one off both of our top ten lists. Deal?
Van, I’ve got a whole bunch of places I’d like to visit! This particular list is places that I’ve been to so far. I’d love to compare where we’d like to go, that would be fun. And to meet up there, just the thought brings a smile to my face…. 🙂
Wow Anne, you are quite the worldly traveler! How inspiring! I hope SOON I can start mustering up the time and means to rival these tremendous adventures! Thank you for sharing 🙂
When Anne asked to list my 10 favorite places to travel to, I discussed it with my partner of more than 40 years. We have been fortunate to travel a great deal. It started – I loved Amsterdam (we were watching a program on TV that took place in Amsterdam)- the canal house we stayed in several times, the houseboat filled with flowers, the one filled with cats. I love Paris. (for many reasons). I love the south of France and the middle and the coastal towns and the north. I loved visiting Giverny where Monet lived and where water lilies and flowers still flourish. I love London. I love the English countryside, the stone walls, the English gardens I loved being within Stonehenge giving thanks to my ancestors. I loved the Isle of Wight and the tropical Chine that took you down to a 16th century pub on a sandy beach. I loved the isolated 16th century stone cottage I stayed in. I love Prague. I love the smaller old towns like Cesky Krumlov within the Czech Republic. I love Peru – especially the sacred valley. I love New Mexico, Arizona, New York state and New York City. I love the cloisters and the Metropolitan museum there. I love the Caribbean Islands I’ve been to. I love Costa Rica. I love California – the coast – San Francisco and the redwood forests and Mendocino and the ocean. I love New Zealand where my mother was born with its diverse and beautiful geography and friendly people. I love where I live – the river valley a short walk away, the bike paths along Lake Ontario, the fresh spring fed lakes several hours from the city, Niagara on the Lake etc. etc. I love our Rocky Mountains and amazing lakes, British Columbia and Vancouver Island, cathedral grove and the Wild West coast. I love our east coast and the rocky outcrops in Newfoundland and the amazing fresh water fiords. Almost everyplace we talked about there were at least ten places within the place that we at first mentioned that we loved. Our discussion was like a microscope of memories– everywhere we have travelled when we looked deeper we found other things we liked. I honestly can’t list just 10 places – we live in an amazing world and I’ve been lucky to travel and to paint in many wonderful places. Next trip we hope is a river cruise – Budapest to Bucharest – a passage to Eastern Europe. Even trying to plan that is difficult because we want a side trip to the Bulgarian Black sea coast where Bob’s mom lived. There will likely be 10 or more places within each town or place we visit that we will want to return to. Be open minded and happy and safe travelling with many good memories!
Cathy, your comment made me grin from ear to ear. I loved reading about all of the places you love, and so agree with what you say, esp. “we live in an amazing world and I’ve been lucky to travel and to paint in many wonderful places.” Believe me, it was hard to come up with a list of only 10 places! One key highlight for most trips is visiting friends or meeting new people who become friends, like YOU! Love ‘n hugs!
Thanks Anne. Meeting you was also a highlight.
luv
Cathy
I am so jealous reading about all the places you have traveled to and can only hope that one day I too will have the opportunity to see all those amazing places.
I have had the chance to travel some and if i had to choose my two favorite places I think it would be Amsterdam with the amazing landscape and The Grand Canyon in America, which is one of the most amazing natural made things I have ever seen.
Thanks, Anne, for letting us share our favorite places! I have traveled to many of the places already mentioned — the South of France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Mexico, the US eastern seaboard, New England, the US southwest and Britain. The best trip I remember was renting a convertible and driving up the US West Coast as far as northern California. We had an old guide book of “hidden places” — like cemetaries or natural rock formations, or places to see elk (we saw a huge herd!). Some day we want to continue that trip where we left off up to Vancouver! All our trips involve studying the local flora and fauna and those where we’ve met native animals are always the best and most inspiring.
Happy travels!
your trips have played such a major role in your personal and professional development. how impressive, indeed. am glad that I was your roommate for one of the earliest trips you took….maybe we can meet up again someday in Italy? this was fun to read.
I forgot to add my favorite trip – South Africa! The startling, eye opening contrast of the poverty in this country and the most beautiful, untouched (other than us humans on safari), landscape of this region is breathtaking. If I could have bottled the fresh, sage smell of the air to bring home with me I would have, indeed.
South Africa is on my wish list of places I’d like to visit. Your description is just lovely. It was quite the memorable trip to Italy wasn’t it?!
My favorites include the Pacific Northwest – especially the Hoh Rainforest and the coast along the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state. Prague is beautiful and Florence is amazing. I’m a big fan of Gloucester and Cape Anne in MA. I guess I should simply include most of the beaches on Boston’s North Shore. And Cape Cod in the winter. I hope to get to New Zealand in the next few years. I’d like to live there and really explore the south island.