This time of year puts me in mind of all things golden – from fizzy bubbles in glasses of champagne to baubles and tinsel and flickering candlelight. It also reminds me of the amount of money that gets frittered away on gifts that are either unwanted or will get used a handful of times and then forgotten about. Wherever possible I try to gift experiences rather than objects – theatre tickets, a spa day, a skiing lesson or cookery class. Experiences live in your memory for ever and there’s even a chance you’ll come away with a new skill. Of course, the gift of adventure is my favourite; I would quite happily go without the latest, greatest iteration of phone/computer/tablet in exchange for a hot air balloon ride, wouldn’t you? And while I would be thrilled that you thought enough of me to buy me a diamond necklace, would you mind awfully if I swapped it for a ticket on the Trans Siberian Express? With that in mind, here are some golden moments from past travels.
A stunning exhibit at the Tacoma Museum of Glass.
A golden pig in Seattle’s Pike Place Market.
Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge en route to the Lost Coast.
These gorgeous, ruffled, puckered, golden hills of California.
Last but not least, this cheeky European Goldfinch outside my window in Ireland.
If you would like to join in this week’s travel theme (everyone’s welcome!) here’s what to do:
- Create your own post and title it Travel theme: Golden
- Include a link to this page in your post so others can find it too
- Get your post in by next Thursday, as the new travel theme comes out on Friday
- Don’t forget to subscribe to keep up to date on the latest weekly travel themes. Sign up via the email subscription link in the sidebar or RSS!
xxx Ailsa
Romance is the glamour which turns the dust of everyday life into a golden haze. – Carolyn Gold Heilbrun
You must have been warned against letting the golden hours slip by, but some of them are golden only because we let them slip by. – James M. Barrie
Where's my backpack? 
Golden moments!! 😉
The best of moments! 🙂
Funny you should choose ‘Golden’ and the WPC theme is ‘Yellow’. 🙂 The goldfinch is exquisite. Happy weekend to you, Ailsa.
Ha, I love it, two perfectly synchronous themes, that should make for some interesting golden yellow posts! Happy weekend to you too! 🙂
Great golden photos. 😀
Thanks Raewyn. xxx
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Hi Ailsa, Give me a golden pig any day. Sesons Greetings.
https://almostitalian.wordpress.com/2014/12/19/the-golden-shoes-of-lucca/
Haha, those are the coolest golden shoes ever, Francesca, I kind of want a pair for myself. 🙂 Happy Holidays. xxx Ailsa
Thanks for another great challenge, Ailsa!
You hit the nail on the head! After grumbling and struggling and stressing over Christmas gifts year in and year out with the in-laws (MIL does the stressing that is which impacts the rest of us!), my sister-in-law and I have begun discussing alternatives that include experiences that allow us as a family to do things together rather than waste money on gifts not used, wanted or appreciated!
LOVELY photos as well. Great post!
That museum piece is really interesting!
Great golden shots – my favourite is the goldfinch!
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Such a cute little bird, Ailsa! And a golden pig, I didn’t know they still existed. 😉 Love the golden hills of California.
Here’s my entry: https://drieskewrites.wordpress.com/2014/12/19/travel-theme-golden/
Have a golden weekend x
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And a second one: https://drieskewrites.wordpress.com/2014/12/19/travel-theme-golden-ii/
Here is my entry for this week. ENJOY!
http://ceenphotography.com/2014/12/19/travel-theme-golden/
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Sometimes rain is golden… http://lagottocattleya.wordpress.com/2014/12/19/travel-theme-golden/
I have golden on the mind too. I posted a lot of pretty golden Christmas light orbs. I would link, but I don’t have the travel theme in my blog post title. Wonderful images! I love golden!
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A golden tower in Stockholm, Sweden:
http://vackrare.com/2014/12/20/golden
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Great photos, as always! My favorite is the first one. So beautiful! Here is my entry for “Golden”: http://shootngo.wordpress.com/2014/12/19/travel-theme-golden/
Those Californian Hills look like a big couch full of cushons to cocoon in and dream away…
Great theme for this time of the year, tough “not everything that shines is gold” says a dutch proverb…
But this one sure is :
http://dauwpics.blogspot.com/2014/12/travel-theme-golden.html
Have a golden weekend Ailsa!
Ailsa, I could not agree more. Experiences over things any day. Merry Christmas!
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Gold comes in many forms, but one of our favorites is a yummy Southern biscuit: http://ohtheplaceswesee.com/2014/12/20/travel-theme-golden/
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What a marvellous selection of golds. Here is my choice: http://travelwithintent.com/2014/12/20/golden-treetops-in-winter/
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Pingback: Las Vegas at Night | Jaspa's Journal
The Golden lights of Vegas…. http://jaspasjourney.wordpress.com/2014/12/20/las-vegas-at-night/
Pingback: Travel Theme-Golden | WoollyMuses
Pingback: Color in Minnesota Winter: Golden | conversation is an engine
Color is hard to find in a Minnesota winter: http://wp.me/pqJ7j-1V8
Pingback: Golden yellow | Looking at tiny stars
Pingback: Travel Theme: Golden | beyondpaisley
This challenge is much appreciated, considering how gray it’s been here lately. http://beyondpaisley.net/2014/12/20/travel-theme-golden/
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Golden light in New York Harbor: http://windagainstcurrent.com/2014/12/20/golden/
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