Following on from my first post, in this series entitled “Unforgettable Adventures, My Favourite Cities Revealed”, this second post looks back on my favourite places of interest thus far.
Scanning back through my blog posts, huge photo collection and pure memories of all the museums, places of worship, parks, monuments, annual exhibitions etc it was quite hard to narrow it down.
Whilst my Top Five seemed like a nice round number to write about I’ve only managed to narrow it down to six and I really cannot place them in any ascending or descending order but suffice it to say they are very different!
Top Six Places of Interest To Date
Firstly my two favourite museums:
National Memorial and Museum, Oklahoma
This museum brings to life how just one minute of time can change hundreds of peoples’ lives. It had a profound effect on me and I left the city, whilst on our Route 66, cross America road trip back in 2023, with not just indelible memories but also a real respect for time and the need to make the most of our lives.
I couldn’t help but write, in detail, about my experience here.
There have been many such incidents worldwide but this National Memorial and Museum really resonated with me. It is a powerful and deeply moving site dedicated to the victims, survivors, and rescuers of the April 19, 1995 bombing.
Set on the former grounds of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, it combines a serene outdoor memorial—featuring symbolic elements like the Reflecting Pool and the Field of Empty Chairs—with an immersive museum that chronicles the tragedy and its aftermath through artifacts, stories, and interactive exhibits.
Together, they offer both a place of quiet reflection and an educational journey into one of the most significant events in modern American history.
Alcatraz
I have visited San Francisco on two separate occasions originally in 2013 with my two children and then again in 2017 with my husband.
No visit, in my opinion, to this Californian city is complete without a visit to this memorial to prison life and it has the best audio tour I’ve ever experienced.
The island is one of the most iconic landmarks in San Francisco, famed for its dramatic setting in the middle of the bay alongside its history as a maximum security federal prison. In operation from 1034 to 1963 it once held notorious inmates like Al Capone, George “Machine-Gun” Kelly and Robert Stroud, the famous “Birdman of Alcatraz”.
In this modern era this major tourist attraction, which requires you to buy tickets well in advance in order for you to traverse the waters by boat, is managed by the National Park Service.
Visitors can explore the preserved cellhouse whilst learning about daring escape attempts. You also get to understand what it was like for the families of the prison guards who lived there whilst also looking back and enjoying sweeping views of the San Francisco skyline.
The island also has a deeper cultural layer, having been occupied in 1969 by Native American activists, making it a place of both historical and social significance. This stark former prison turned heritage site is definitely one of San Francisco’s most compelling and atmospheric attractions.
Next my favourite religious building
The Mosque Cathedral of Cordoba
This stands out for me as one of the most beautiful but also interesting religious buildings that I’ve ever visited. It stands not only as a place of architectural brilliance but a unique example of religious unity in a world that is full of religious conflict.
The Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba is definitely one of those rare places that stays with you long after you leave and that I had to write about on our trip through Western Europe in 2023.
At first glance, it’s a masterpiece of architecture—endless rows of striped arches, intricate Islamic detailing, and, at its heart, a soaring Renaissance cathedral. But what makes it truly unforgettable is its story.
Built on the site of a Visigothic church, transformed into a grand mosque, and later consecrated as a Catholic cathedral, it carries layers of history without erasing what came before.
Walking through it, you’re not just seeing a building; you’re experiencing centuries of faith, change, and coexistence all in one space.
Next my favourite parks and gardens:
El Retiro Park in Madrid
This is my favourite park in the world to date which I visited originally in 2018 and then went back to in 2023, writing an article on my blog proclaiming my love of this beautiful central city green space
Amongst many, I’ve been fortunate to visit Central Park in New York, many parks in Central London, the City Park in New Orleans and the Millennium Park in Chicago but this is the best in my opinion.
Originally created in the 17th century for the Spanish monarchy as a royal retreat and opened to the public in the 19th century , El Retiro Park is now Madrid’s most beloved green space.
A vibrant hub for both locals and visitors alike it is a harmonious blend of landscaped gardens, grand monuments, and cultural landmarks set across more than 125 hectares in the city’s heart.
At its centre lies the tranquil boating lake, overlooked by the striking Monument to Alfonso XII, while the elegant Crystal Palace offers a luminous setting for contemporary art exhibitions. The park’s design shifts from formal French-style gardens to more natural, winding paths, dotted with sculptures, fountains, and hidden corners.
Beyond its beauty, El Retiro is alive with atmosphere and for me whether you’re rowing on the lake, wandering beneath centuries-old trees looking for the ideal picnic space, or simply pausing on a sunlit bench to read a book, the park captures Madrid’s balance of history, leisure, and everyday life.
Keukenof Annual Flower Gardens in The Netherlands
We have visited Keukenof on two separate occasions, firstly in 2023 as part of our Western Europe three month train adventure when I was totally amazed and had to write about how I felt. It was truly beautiful, imaginative and inspirational.
Our second visit was last year when we returned to The Netherlands to explore a few more places such as Utrecht and Gouda whilst also fitting in a Keukenof revisit.
The Keukenhof Gardens are less a garden and more a living tapestry—where millions of tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths bloom in sweeping waves of colour each Spring. Set against serene canals and leafy pathways, every turn reveals a new composition: bold ribbons of crimson and gold, delicate pastels layered like brushstrokes, and intricate floral designs that feel almost too perfect to be real.
Wandering through Keukenhof is like stepping into a painting that changes with the light—morning mist softens the hues, while afternoon sun ignites them into brilliance. It’s not just the scale that impresses, but the artistry: each bed thoughtfully arranged to tell a story of season, symmetry, and renewal.
As a visitor it really gives you an unforgettable reminder of nature at its most vibrant and meticulously choreographed.
If like me you have a garden at home you seriously cannot leave here without feeling inspired to go home and beautify your own patch however small or large!
And last but not least this wonderful quirky and artistic creation
Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch on Route 66
Out along a dusty stretch of old Route 66 near Oro Grande, California, Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch is exactly what it sounds like—and somehow much more. Created by artist Elmer Long, this quirky outdoor gallery is a forest of metal “trees” sprouting hundreds of colourful glass bottles that shimmer, whistle, and glow in the desert sun.
Each structure is handcrafted, many using reclaimed objects—old tools, signs, and bits of Americana—giving the whole place a scrappy, inventive charm. On windy days, the bottles hum softly, turning the ranch into a kind of accidental musical installation. It’s equal parts folk art, recycling project, and roadside oddity.
Despite its offbeat nature, this ranch was one of my favourite stops on our Route 66 adventure back in 2023 that I had to write about. It’s another place that I will never forget.
For me it epitomised the individualism of the people we had met en route.
This is art in its most imaginative form, what an inspiration Elmer must have been.
There’s no formal entry fee, no gift shop, and no strict rules—just a wide-open invitation to wander, take photos, and appreciate the beauty of turning junk into something unexpectedly magical.
In short: it’s weird, it’s wonderful, and it’s a reminder that even in the middle of the desert, creativity can take root—and sparkle.
A Midlife Adventure 