It’s that time of year again! Time to reflect on the year gone by, celebrate the accomplishments, acknowledge the setbacks and look ahead to the future and a brand new year!
I keep a running list of my travel adventures in my phone throughout the year. It not only makes creating this post a bit easier, but it is also a way capture all my travels in one visual. When I take step back, I’m always a little shocked at what all I’ve been able to squeeze in and beyond grateful for all the amazing experiences I’ve had.
So here goes, my 2018 travel recap plus a preview at what I have on my itinerary for 2019!
JANUARY
Montreal: My year kicked off as it has for the past three years, celebrating the new year with dear friends in Canada. My Russian and I spent a week eating, drinking, laughing, skating and most importantly relaxing in snowy Montreal.
FEBRUARY
Hawaii: I decided to step outside of my comfort zone and booked my first solo trip in years. I spent three sun-filled days exploring the island of Oahu. It was just what I needed to re-focus, rejuvenate and get inspired!
Related Posts:
Packing List: Hawaii in the Winter
First Timer’s Guide to Oahu’s North Shore
12 Things To Consider When Planning Your First Solo Trip
West Virginia: A few weeks after Hawaii, my Russian and I along with 18 of our closest friends took a road trip to West Virginia for a 4 day ski trip. We wound up not having much snow, but it was so nice to relax and have fun with friends in a cozy cabin in the woods.
MARCH
Atlanta: For Valentine’s Day, my Russian surprised me with tickets to the Blake Shelton concert in Atlanta. When the concert rolled around in early Mach, we headed to Atlanta and spent a fun afternoon in the city. We found a yummy BBQ spot and cute bar for happy hour drinks before heading to the stadium for the show. Afterwards, we treated ourselves to some greasy food at a late night diner. Yum!
Related Post:
A Night Out In Downtown Atlanta
London: Most of my extended family on my dad’s side lives in London. I don’t get to visit often, but when I do it’s always a good time. At the end of March, my dad, my Russian and I headed across the pond to celebrate my aunt’s 50th birthday. It was quite a bash! We also managed to squeeze in some sightseeing, which I was really excited about!
APRIL
Iceland: One of our biggest trips this year was a 5 day visit to Iceland. Despite a bit of drama getting there from London, we missed our flight and got delayed a day, we eventually made it and met up with another couple who we spent the week traveling with.
We started our trip in Reykjavík then hit the road! We only had a tentative itinerary, which made sightseeing much more relaxed. We saw some incredible sights along the way including a glacier lagoon, stunning black sand beaches and even spotted the northern lights!
Related Posts:
21 Facts About Iceland To Know Before Your Go
Exploring Iceland: First Impressions
The Complete Iceland Itinerary For Your First Visit: Part 1
The Complete Iceland Itinerary For Your First Visit: Part 2
MAY
Nevada: In early May, my high school besties and our significant others all headed out to Vegas for a bachelorette party. We spent 3 fun filled days roaming the strip, relaxing by the pool and even participated in a highly competitive scavenger hunt! After the group departed, I hung back for a few extra days to explore what Las Vegas had to offer off the strip!
Related Posts:
Day Trip: Off The Las Vegas strip
Tips For Planning the Ultimate Destination Bachelorette Party In Vegas
7 Reasons To Visit Las Vegas During The Holidays
JUNE
Raccoon Lake: In June, I headed back to work at Delta, which meant slowing down on my travels a bit. But I did get to enjoy a few weekends at the lake back home in Indiana. Since getting our lake house and pontoon a few years back, spending summer weekends at the lake has become one of my favorite pastimes and it’s where I’m truly able to rest and relax.
JULY
Cleveland: In July, I visited Cleveland, Ohio for the first time to attend my friend’s wedding. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it! The city sits along the shores of Lake Erie and has a beautiful beachfront, hiking trails, fun nightlife and a ton of great restaurants. I’ll definitely be going back!
Related Post:
7 Reasons You Need To Visit Cleveland
Tulum: I had been wanting to visit Tulum for the longest, so I was excited that I finally got the chance to in July. My Russian and I spent 3 days exploring the ruins, sipping fresh margaritas, devouring guacamole, swimming in refreshing cenotes and relaxing on the beach. It was a lovely little getaway and I definitely want to go back!
Related Posts:
Eat, See, Do: A First Timer’s Guide To Tulum
A Morning At Tulum’s Cenotes
Tips For Visiting The Tulum Ruins
AUGUST
South of Italy: I always like to go somewhere special for my birthday and this year was no exception. In early August, my Russian and I spent 4 days exploring the South of Italy. We started out our trip in the small town of Lauro where we rented an adorable Airbnb right next door next to a castle! We sampled wine at a local vineyard, wandered the ruins of Pompei and even climbed to the top of an active volcano.
For my actual birthday, we drove to the Amalfi Coast and checked into a small bed and breakfast with stunning ocean views. We ended our stay with a romantic candlelit dinner by the sea. To say it was a magical trip is an understatement!
Related Posts:
An Afternoon At An Italian Vineyard
Birthday Reflections From Italy
SEPTEMBER
Paris: My mom had never seen Paris, so for her birthday this year, I took her to visit the city of light. We spent 3 days exploring the iconic city. We squeezed quite a bit in, maybe a little too much, including a 5 hour walking tour to all the major sights, a trip to Sacré Coeur and a very special dinner party at a local art gallery. We both enjoyed it, but were definitely worn out by the end of our stay!
Related Posts:
The Ultimate Paris Walking Tour
Visit Paris Like A Local
An Artist’s Guide To The Museums Of Paris
Austin: Earlier in the year, I signed up for the first ever TravelCon – a travel conference hosted by travel blogger and best selling author, Matthew Kepnes. It was a bit of an impulse purchase, but it turned out to be one of the most rewarding experiences.
I spent 3 days in downtown Austin, Texas surrounded by like-minded travelers learning from the best in the business about the ins and outs of blogging. I left with focus, drive and several new friends including the beautiful Tara McAndrew of Travel With TMc. I’ve already booked a spot at next year’s conference and I’m looking forward to reconnecting with everyone and seeing how much their blogs and businesses have grown!
OCTOBER
Frankfurt: My trip to Austin made me eager to continue pushing myself outside my comfort zone. So, in early October I booked a last minute solo trip to Frankfurt! I spent 2 days sightseeing and sampling delicious local food and their signature apple wine. I had such a great time! It made me want to add more solo adventures to my travel list next year!
Related Post:
What To See And Don In Frankfurt, Germany On Your First Visit
New Orleans: NOLA is one of my favorite U.S. cities, so when my friend invited me to tag along on her work trip in October, I didn’t hesitate! We stuffed ourselves at the Beignet Festival, danced the night away on Bourbon Street and even got to watch a traditional Second Line Parade that just happened to pass right by our AirBnb!
NOVEMBER
Aruba: When the temperatures dropped here at home in November, it was the perfect excuse to take a quick island getaway and enjoy some warmer weather. My Russian and I spent 3 glorious days soaking up the sun in beautiful Aruba. In addition to the beaches, this tiny island offers so much to see and do. My only regret is that we didn’t stay a few more days!
Related Post:
First Timer’s Travel Guide To Aruba
London: The day after Thanksgiving, my dad invited me on a last minute trip to London to visit family. I had about two hours between the time he told me about the trip to when I had to be at the airport! It was a bit rushed, but I enjoy spontaneous travel! I was only in London a little over 24 hours, but it gave me a chance to catch up with my cousins and extended family and enjoy a second Thanksgiving meal across the pond.
DECEMBER
Bruges: There are few things I love more than Europe during the holidays. So this year, my Russian and I decided to head to Bruges, Belgium to visit the Christmas markets. The cobble stone streets, winding canals and intricate architecture made me feel like we were in a storybook! We spent 2 days eating and drinking our way through the city, which was all dressed up for the holidays.
Related Posts:
Top 8 Things To See And Do In Bruges, Belgium
24 Hours In Brussels, Belgium
Checking Into Hotel Amigo in Brussels, Belgium
Hawaii: I ended 2018 pretty much where I started, in my favorite place – Hawaii! I didn’t travel solo this time. Instead, I stayed with 11 other girls who are all bloggers, creatives and budding entrepreneurs. While the trip didn’t quite deliver all that was promised, it was nice getting to meet some truly inspirational women and spend a few days in paradise!
PLANS FOR 2019
As I look ahead to 2019, I’m excited for new adventures! A few destinations I already have on my list include Japan, Croatia and Russia. I’m also eager to take my blog to the next level. I feel like 2018 was about learning and networking and 2019 is going to be about taking more risks, staying consistent and executing. I hope you’ll stay tuned!
What are you most looking forward to in the year ahead? I’d love to hear some of your travel/business/blogging goals for 2019! Share your comments below!
Cover photo by the talented Naba Zabih
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