Adios Barcelona!

As some of you might have guessed, I've been avoiding this post. There's something heartbreaking about leaving a beautiful city behind, even if it is only in writing. Saying good-bye to Paris after spending months expounding on all that I love about it was almost more than I could bear. I know the cliché about all good things coming to an end, but frankly, I think that's unfair and, rather than accepting it as a fact, will continue to rail against it for the rest of my adult life. I can't help it; that's just me.

All that said, I have run out of valuable information about Barcelona to share with you all. At the end of the day, my recommendations are a place to start, but they won't get you all the way there. Travelling is about discovering things for yourself and making your own memories. I challenge you all to find your own favourite hotels, restaurants and shops in Barcelona - or wherever it is that you're going next. (And, of course, tell me what they are so I can test them, too!) There's no feeling quite like walking through a dingy little doorway and finding a beautiful, aromatic restaurant on the other side. Not every little dingy doorway you find will open onto that kind of wonderful mystery. But turn those doorknobs, anyway... because you never know what glorious experiences you might miss out on if you don't.

That said, farewell Barcelona!

Our next stop on the One Suitcase, Seven Shopping Bags tour is London, England. I must admit, I had some misgivings about even including London as a voting option. It has never been my favourite city, which I believe can be explained by the simple fact that I like my foreign destinations to be truly foreign. Without a language barrier, unusual architecture or unfamiliar cuisine, London seems- to me, anyway- like home, with an accent. But since the capital of the United Kingdom won the vote, I've had nothing but enthusiastic responses... and I'm intrigued to find out what all the fuss is about.

But before London, we're going on a little detour... to Seattle, Washington. Since my first visit in 2006, I have not been able to contain my enthusiasm for the Emerald City. Vancouver is my home, and I love it, but I can't help thinking of Seattle as its prettier, more sophisticated older sister. I'm going to spend the next few weeks telling you all about my favourite Seattle hotels, shops, restaurants and attractions.

And then, for a special twist, I will actually be travelling to Seattle. Look for daily updates about my new discoveries starting on May 26th!

Bisous!