Travel Wishes

We’ve all wished for travel: to be able to take the time off, to afford that time off, and sometimes, that we spent more time in a particular location. But have you traveled to a destination to wish for something?

Well-known wishing customs include throwing a coin into the Fountain of Trevi in Rome (which inspired the film Three Coins in the Fountain) and leaving prayer notes in the crevices of the Western Wall in Jerusalem. But what about other wish locations?

• The waters of the Upwey Wishing Well near Weymouth, England, were considered to be good for medicinal purposes. It was supposed to have been a favorite of King George III, who visited during his stays in Weymouth.
• The Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees near the Tin Hau Temple in Hong Kong are especially popular during Chinese New Year. Tie wish-making papers onto the wooden racks near the two banyan trees to make your wish.
• Visit the last home of the Virgin Mary near Ephesus, Turkey, and add your note to a wishing wall.
• During the Tanabata Festival in Japan, people write wishes on tanzaku papers and hang the colored strips on bamboo branches.
• Bubble Gum Alley in San Luis Obispo, Calif., is a modern, controversial wishing place. Over the years, wishers have left their chewed gum on the walls of an alley, in hopes of their dreams coming true.

On a recent trip to Aruba, I traveled along the northeast coast and saw stacks of rocks lining the road near the water. “It’s not an Aruban tradition,” said Juan, my guide. “It was started by tourists.” Many of those tourists must wish to come back to Aruba; the island has a 60 percent return rate for visitors.

Tourist or pilgrim, legend or truth, wishing places are fun for those who participate. What wishing destinations have you visited, and have your wishes come true?