This months travel link-up theme is guilty pleasures – once again the lovely ladies Rebecca, Emma, Kelly and guest host Polly have thought of an interesting theme!! I have a few pleasures in travel, but I can’t say I feel much guilt about them…
Firstly enjoying champagne. There are many pictures of me with a glass in my hand – going away is always a special occasion for us. I associate my favourite drink (after tea, tea is my day to day favourite) with relaxing and being far away from my blackberry and the daily grind! Not a guilty pleasure, as it is clearly justifiable! How we have not visited Epernay and Reims yet I don’t know… they are on my bucket list!
Secondly flying first class. Again, this cannot be a guilty pleasure because I get so excited about any first class flights that I can never keep it a secret, and a guilty pleasure needs to be a secret? We’ve been lucky enough to do this a few times and have another pair of flights to the US in June to look forward to. 
Third – always having to say ‘i’ve got a dairy allergy‘. I’m not sure it is a pleasure to need special treatment, but I normally feel some guilt when a fuss has to be made over me. But I feel much better than when a mistake is made… But then sometimes a restaurant is inspiring in its ability to look after allergy sufferers (step forward The Black Rat, Winchester as one example) or I stumble across something really simple and tasty to enjoy!
Rather impressed with Lizi’s granola – tasty and dairyfree
So after a list of what I don’t really feel any remorse for, what is my guilty pleasure? Well I would have to say it is the amount of time I sleep when we are on holiday! I don’t think a trip goes by where Mr P doesn’t have a snap of me asleep in the middle of the day when we should be off exploring! All that time spent planning itineries and sometimes setting the alarm to get up with the larks and make the most of the day… It is often completely pointless, because the moment we are away and I have switched off all work thoughts, all I want to do is sleep. Put me in front of a beautiful view or on the beach with a good book, give me half an hour and I will have dozed off! Just imagine how much more we would discover if I was awake for more than about 6 hours a day on holiday!!
Resting my eyes (Harry Potter picture from JonFurley.co.uk)
A few other travel confessions while I am here….
I am sure that I’m not the only person that has an enormous collection of fancy hotel pens, notepads, soaps and smellies… I don’t think its a guilty secret, it is just downright embarrassing! Case in point – my soap collection – it is not possible to use soaps quickly enough to make a dent in this, I could easily start an Ebay business selling soaps?! Why do hotels leave us so many?!
So we have a few spare soaps…
And then there is my map-reading which, judging by photos that pop up all to often, could be questionable! I personally don’t think it is too bad, however I will leave you to decide!
Map reading is clearly a strength of mine!
I can’t read a map either. I don’t really feel guilty about any of the things that I enjoy ..I figure that I have worked hard and still work hard and have earned all of them 🙂
Author
I agree entirely, but I often feel guilty about the sleep as I want to be exploring – but relaxation first!
ANNA!!! That soap collection is IMMENSE! I know where I’m coming next time I find myself running low on smellies next time I’m in the UK. Love the collection of sleep photos too – that’s what holidays are for!
Polly
Follow Your Sunshine
Author
Just give me a shout what you need and any particular brand favourites… Looking forward to some good dozing over Easter!
Love your list of pleasures, guilty and otherwise! Holiday naps are so awesome – nothing better than drifting off on a warm beach or balcony. Wow that is a serious soap collection!
Author
I think when I get sunburnt it is normally due to sleeping in the sun, but Mr P is better at covering me with a beach towel if he notices!
Lovely post – really made me smile, especially the sleepy pictures and all those soaps!
I remember when I was little I collected miniture soaps that my Dad used to give me from his travels. I still collect quite a few now – you never know when they might come in handy – but my collection is tiny compared with yours. Thanks for sharing your not so guilty pleasures 🙂
Author
I think we may have to stop collecting soaps – like you, it is what I did when I was little…. but I’m still doing it!
I used to love collecting hotel toiletries! I don’t think my soap collection was every as big as yours but I remember at one time having a carry bag full of mini shampoos/conditioners/shower gels
Author
It is always nice to have some fancy shower gel in the cupboard and a different scent each day!
I’m with you on the first class flying. Although after I left the airline industry it doesn’t happen so much anymore. 🙁
Author
it is such a massive treat – keep up the air mile collecting, the less often the better it is!
I’m with you all the way on the napping – it’s just delicious isn’t it?
Author
I will let you know how many hours sleep I manage in Cornwall this weekend! Hopefully see you again soon – was a nice surprise on Saturday!
That is an impressive collection of hotel smellies you have there! Also hilarious all of those sleep photos!
Author
imagine the sleep photos i didn’t put up…
Couldn’t you find a longer Champagne flute than in that picture on the right? 😉
I can relate to what you say about sleep… you do all that planning and then, when you finally get some time out to go and travel, away from the daily grind, you can find yourself utterly exhausted! Travel often isn’t as relaxing as people think!
Author
Paul – I will keep hunting now you have set the challenge… quite tricky to drink out of actually, not easy to elegantly sup!
I would have to say that I don’t feel guilty about champers or First Class on the rare occasions I swing an award redemption. Preferably both at the same time, with caviar too 🙂 But the sleep thing is a good point. Or just plain tiredness that means that those plans to explore have to be put on hold while I catch up with rest. Not very rock and roll traveller, I know…
Author
not rock and roll, but making the most of all the perks that a trip away brings!
Ha ha! Brilliant collection of soaps! And as for champagne and napping they go hand in hand- too much of the first definitely leads to the latter 😉 fun post! x
Author
So very true, I hadn’t thought of that… naps often follow lunching… hmmm
Okay I don’t know where to start with this post Anna…okay the size of that champagne flute firstly had me in giggles; that’s exercise on holiday lifting that baby to the lips!
The soap collection…I’m in giggles seriously you do need to open an eBay shop! Am sure my other half will buy the Miller Harris soaps from you.
Sleeping and map reading, I’m there with bells on!
xx
Author
It was in fact difficult to drain that glass, as pretty as it looked! I will bundle them up for you!
Champagne, or wine in my case, amen! I have never had the pleasure of flying first class…one day 🙂
Author
it is a necessary progression if you like fine wine… wishing it soon!
That is a seriously large collection of soaps! It’s about the only freebie thing I never take from hotels anymore because I found they just sat in the bathroom for years and I could never clear the backlog! It’s so funny you mention tea because my guilty pleasure post was about just that!
Author
I will check out your post, I haven’t seen it yet! I can’t imagine a day with no tea!
The holiday nana nap is a true delight. *This is the life*
Author
I am very glad I’m not the only one – although I do worry I miss out on seeing new things, but sleep is always good!