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How do I sum up my travels of 2023? They have been a bit random, with little journeys in random spots every time we may match them.
Additionally — much less Italy than we’ve had in YEARS. Consider me, we’re going to make up for it in 2024.
This 12 months was all about getting married, and Charlie and I have been very busy placing on our weddings — our civil elopement in Prague in April, our large Prague marriage ceremony in Might, and our medium-sized Boston marriage ceremony in July.
Travels have been a little bit of an afterthought this 12 months — however they have been enjoyable.
So what made the checklist of my favourite new locations of 2024?
In 2012, I selected locations like Iceland, Montenegro, and South Africa.
In 2013, I selected locations like Japan, Berlin, and the Scottish Highlands.
In 2014, I selected locations like Sri Lanka, New Orleans, and Skellig Michael, Eire.
In 2015, I selected locations like Nicaragua, Albania, and Chicago.
In 2016, I selected locations like Puerto Rico, Alsace, and Western Australia.
In 2017, I selected locations like Ukraine, the Florida Keys, and St. Petersburg, Russia.
In 2018, I selected locations like Antarctica, Hokkaido, and St. Croix.
In 2019, I selected locations like Newfoundland, Georgia, and Lake Orta, Italy.
In 2020, I selected locations like Mexico Metropolis; Viñales, Cuba; and Vis, Croatia.
In 2021, I selected locations just like the Aeolian Islands, the Berkshires, and Valle d’Aosta, Italy.
In 2022, I selected locations like Naples, Martha’s Winery, and Guanajuato, Mexico.
As normal, I’m solely together with locations that I visited for the primary time in 2023 — in order that excludes locations that I’ve visited earlier than, together with Paris, Salzburg, and Český Krumlov. One exception: the Second Time Round award.
Ischia, Italy
When it got here time to decide on the number-one new vacation spot of the 12 months, I knew in my coronary heart that Ischia was the place that made my coronary heart beat quickest. (It’s a bit ridiculous, as Naples was my favourite new vacation spot of 2022, however…I assume I do know what I like!)
Ischia is so near being the right island. It doesn’t have the large vacationer hordes of Capri and the Amalfi Coast — as an alternative, many of the vacationers are locals, usually Neapolitans. They arrive right here to take pleasure in seashores, scorching springs, and the ocean, together with unbelievable pizza and seafood.
You’ll be able to loosen up in Ischia, or store, or head to an agriturismo to eat the island’s signature stewed rabbit, or hike up a mountain. The island is a veritable Rorschach check, being no matter you need it to be.
Methods to get to Ischia: Ischia is among the best Italian islands to get to! Simply fly into well-connected Naples and hop on the hourlong ferry.
Smartest thing to do in Ischia: Take a ship journey across the island for the day! There are scorching springs on the sting of the ocean, cute fishing cities, caves, and naturally — a fortress. We splurged on a non-public boat journey and it was surprisingly inexpensive.
Learn extra: A Information to Ischia, Italy — The Better of Ischia Island
Patagonia
The very first thing I seen about Patagonia was the clouds. They have been lengthy, streaky, and opaque. That’s as a result of the wind right here is fierce and unyielding. I like you could see the weird clouds in so lots of my pictures.
Patagonia feels prefer it’s on the fringe of the world. You’ve received fierce mountains to climb, monumental glaciers to admire, rivers, lakes, and loads of wildlife — particularly guanacos, the llama-like creature that add a lot to the panorama!
Individuals spend their lives dreaming of climbing in Patagonia, and I’m so glad I received to hike up and down and up and down the “Patagonian flat” hills — together with a tricky hike to the bottom of the towers in Torres del Paine that I’ll always remember.
I particularly liked spending time at Ecocamp Patagonia, which is offline, principally self-sufficient, and allows you to really feel linked to the encompassing panorama.
Methods to get to Patagonia: You will get flights from Buenos Aires to El Calafate, or from Santiago to Puerto Natales (nearer to Torres del Paine) or Punta Arenas, then journey by bus.
Smartest thing to do in Patagonia: Hike. No matter your climbing degree is, go on a wonderful hike that exhibits you what this area has to supply.
Learn extra: Extra is coming, however for now you may learn a bit about Patagonia in my November-December 2023 recap.
Karlovy Differ, Czech Republic
When it got here time for our “micro-moon” — a quickie close by getaway after our civil marriage ceremony in April — we selected Karlovy Differ, a Bohemian metropolis recognized for its thermal scorching springs. Karlovy Differ has blossomed into a serious tourism vacation spot for spa journey (in addition to a world movie pageant each summer season).
That is the right two-night getaway within the Czech Republic. You’ll be able to go to the Moser Glassworks — a really cool place the place you may watch glassblowing artists at work — stroll alongside the river, hike up into the hills, {photograph} the elegant structure, and eat some scrumptious meals.
A whole lot of the lodges have spas constructed into them — some with heated swimming pools, saunas, hammams, chilly rooms, and extra. I like to recommend having fun with your individual place and likewise reserving one of many larger spas like Resort Thermal.
Methods to get to Karlovy Differ: Karlovy Differ is a 90-minute drive northwest of Prague, and there are buses there from Prague and close by German locations.
Smartest thing to do in Karlovy Differ: Get a spa go for the Resort Thermal! The out of doors heated pool has wonderful views over town, and indoors there are a number of saunas and steam rooms at totally different temperatures.
Learn extra: I wrote a bit about Karlovy Differ on my April 2023 recap.
Greenland
I knew I needed to have one large solo journey journey amongst a busy 12 months of weddings and occasions. So I picked a spot that my husband has zero want to go to — the Arctic. Greenland could be the northernmost place I had visited, and one of the crucial distant.
Greenland wasn’t every thing I had imagined. It wasn’t as placing as Iceland or Antarctica, and I used to be shocked how little Indigenous tradition was constructed into the fledgling tourism trade.
Even so, that is the sort of place that leaves you in disbelief — the thought that folks stay right here, have lived right here for hundreds of years; that whales play proper outdoors your (tiny) commuter ferry boat; that the sunrises right here forged gold gentle over the black sand seashores.
For those who’re a fan of offbeat and hard-to-reach locations, check out Greenland. It’s going to blow up within the subsequent few years as soon as they open up bigger airports that may host jets from Europe and North America.
Methods to get to Greenland: You don’t essentially should take a cruise ship right here! In truth, I like to recommend you don’t. You will get direct flights to Kangerlussuaq from Copenhagen on Air Greenland, and from there you may journey Greenland by flight and boat.
Smartest thing to do in Greenland: It’s all in regards to the outside right here, and I adored each hike that I did. However the exercise I might prioritize if I have been you’d be a visit to Eqi Glacier — and in case you can swing it, spending two nights at Glacier Camp Eqi, staying in a little bit crimson hut in entrance of the groaning, calving glacier.
Learn extra: What’s it actually wish to journey to Greenland?
Perast, Montenegro
I’ve been in love with Montenegro since my first go to in 2012. Montenegro has at all times felt like a quintessential summer season vacation spot for me, all limestone cliffs and shiny blue water. This 12 months, I made a decision I needed to rejoice my birthday in Montenegro — however as an alternative of my normal Kotor, we went to Perast.
Perast is a tiny, beautiful city about 20 minutes up the street from Kotor. You’ll be able to stroll from finish to finish in about 20 minutes. Historic palazzos fill the city, now repurposed as guesthouses and waterfront eating places.
You’ll assume that Perast wouldn’t have sufficient leisure to maintain you for a multi-day journey. And but I actually loved my 4 days right here! Come right here with the intention of taking it sluggish and also you’ll actually take pleasure in your self. Particularly in case you turn into a daily on the Pirate Bar.
Methods to get to Perast: There are Blue Line buses that run up and down the Montenegrin coast from Herceg Novi to Kotor that cease on both facet of Perast. It’s a couple of 20-minute drive from Kotor, however beware — summer season visitors right here will be bumper-to-bumper!
Smartest thing to do in Perast: The one factor that everybody does in Perast is go to Our Woman of the Rocks, a tiny island within the bay with a church. However for me, I simply liked strolling via the quiet city, taking swims off the “seashores” (extra like cement platforms on the sting of the Bay of Kotor), having fun with the sunsets, and giving the finger to each big cruise ship making its method to Kotor.
Learn extra: A Detailed Information to Perast, Montenegro
Oxford, England
I’m so glad Charlie and I started visiting a brand new vacation spot in England earlier than his buddy’s annual fall bonfire in England. It’s getting us to go to new locations — and Oxford is totally a brand new favourite.
Oxford is among the hottest day journeys from London, simply west of town. It’s a college metropolis, dwelling to the numerous schools of Oxford College, and is a serious filming vacation spot for the Harry Potter films.
However what I actually liked about Oxford was how the youthful vitality crammed town with a buzz. There was a lot good meals in every single place, a number of cool outlets, and loads of bookstores, in fact! That with the gothic structure stacked all through town, it looks like quintessential England.
Methods to get to Oxford: Oxford is a little bit over an hour’s prepare journey from London.
Smartest thing to do in Oxford: Go punting! You’ll be able to completely lease a riverboat and punt your self round a straightforward route, however we selected to rent somebody to do the punting and simply benefit from the view. (And it was simply as properly — we noticed some drained individuals who regretted going it alone!)
Learn extra: I wrote a bit about Oxford in my October 2023 recap.
Chile’s Lakes Area
Generally a vacation spot you select on a whim seems to be a delight. It took us eternally to decide on a spot for our work break in Chile — Valparaíso? Pucón? — then we selected Puerto Varas, which couldn’t have been higher.
The Lakes Area (Los Lagos) is extremely inexperienced, stuffed with rolling hills, farmland, large blue lakes, waterfalls, and even a number of volcanoes! This space was settled by German immigrants within the 1850s, and to at the present time there’s numerous German taste across the lake.
Puerto Varas is a good-sized city with some nice eating places in buying, however don’t miss heading as much as the extraordinarily photogenic Frutillar, which seems to be prefer it was plucked from Bavaria. A day of driving across the lake is a wonderful method to spend your time.
And in case you’re in search of journey, it is a good spot to go climbing, whitewater rafting, and even volcano trekking!
Methods to get to the Lakes Area: Puerto Varas makes an incredible place to base your self. It’s a wonderful 25-minute drive from Puerto Montt airport. It’s additionally a 4.5-hour drive from Bariloche, Argentina, one other lakeside hotspot.
Smartest thing to do within the Lakes Area: Go to Petrohue Waterfalls on a transparent day! These waterfalls are enormous and dashing, and if the climate’s clear, you may get pictures with the snow-capped conical volcano of Mount Osorno within the background!
Learn extra: I wrote a bit in regards to the Lakes Area in my November-December 2023 recap.
Cavtat, Croatia
By now you realize that I spend numerous time in Croatia. I like so as to add a number of new spots every time I go to, and the perfect one this previous 12 months was the little city of Cavtat (SAV-tat), which makes a pleasant different to Dubrovnik.
When summertime in Dubrovnik brings sweaty, pulsating crowds and sky-high costs, Cavtat is the right antidote. This seaside city is so quiet and stress-free. And the costs are a lot decrease, too! You are feeling your blood strain drop simply by being right here. And the seashores have that beautiful clear Adriatic water.
Better of all, there are ferries that go immediately from Dubrovnik to the previous port, which is a part of the Previous Metropolis of Dubrovnik. It couldn’t be extra handy. Thus far it looks like Cavtat is fashionable with Europeans, however I didn’t hear a single American voice throughout my keep. It nearly makes me surprise if I ought to say something right here.
Methods to get to Cavtat: Cavtat is definitely near Dubrovnik Airport than Dubrovnik! And there are lots of hourlong ferries from the previous port in Dubrovnik that depart on an hourly foundation.
Smartest thing to do in Cavtat: Take a protracted stroll across the Cavtat Strolling Path, which is on the sting of the ocean and encircles a forest. Cease by the Little Star Seashore Bar, e book your self a seaside chair, or simply take pleasure in a pleasant stroll.
Learn extra: I wrote a bit about Cavtat in my August 2023 recap.
Palermo, Italy
We headed to Palermo for every week in February, and although the climate was not our buddy (it was chilly and wet nearly on daily basis!), my love for town ignited. I’ve numerous affection for lesser-loved cities (or, usually, cities believed to be a bit extra “harmful” than the usual spots), and Palermo sh
Palermo is a wild and passionate metropolis with outstandingly scrumptious meals. The desserts are the best possible in Italy, in my view, and bakeries are in every single place. AND IT IS SO DAMN CHEAP. Critically. Individuals assume Western Europe is the costly a part of Europe, however Palermo was considerably cheaper than Prague!
Oh, and there’s the cultural stuff too! Palermo is stuffed with UNESCO World Heritage-listed monuments from the Arab-Norman structure affect, together with gorgeous golden chapels and historic cathedrals. Cultures have been mixing in Palermo for greater than 1000 years, and town is so a lot better for it.
Methods to get to Palermo: There are flights to Palermo in addition to Trapani, which is about an hour away. Palermo is well-connected with trains and buses going to totally different components of Sicily.
Smartest thing to do in Palermo: Go on the Traditional Sicilian Meals & Wine Tour! I completely liked this tour — not solely do you attempt so lots of Palermo’s uncommon delicacies, however you additionally get to have a number of sit-down experiences in eating places and check out a number of wines.
Learn extra: 22 Fabulous Issues to Do in Palermo, Sicily’s Scorching Capital
The Second Time Round Award: Buenos Aires
It was so exhausting to determine who to present the second time round award to! Copenhagen, Salzburg, and Český Krumlov have been all within the operating. However I needed to give the award to town that I visited on my first solo journey ever, on the age of 24, that I didn’t return to till age 39.
“So, has it modified?” a number of of my mates in Buenos Aires requested me.
“No,” I replied actually. “I’ve modified.”
Buenos Aires is a behemoth of a metropolis. There are such a lot of sprawling neighborhoods, every with their very own character, and a listing of issues to try this you received’t even be capable to make a dent in. You shouldn’t come right here for lower than 4 days.
However in case you give Buenos Aires the eye it deserves, you’re going to LOVE it. The eating places are excellent. The nightlife is SO enjoyable. And it’s probably the greatest value-for-money cities I’ve visited.
It’s additionally a spot that feels…properly, precarious might be the perfect phrase. Argentina has been going via numerous financial and political upheaval, and you may really feel the strain within the air. Change charges change every day, and there’s a separate trade price for money on the bottom.
I hope for the perfect for Argentinos. They deserve it.
Methods to get to Buenos Aires: Buenos Aires is well-connected by air and bus.
Smartest thing to do in Buenos Aires: Spend a Monday evening at La Bomba de Tiempo, an unimaginable percussion present that may have you ever leaping wildly with everybody within the viewers!
Learn extra: I wrote a bit about Buenos Aires in my November-December 2023 recap.
The place I hope to go in 2024
So what does the approaching 12 months seem like? I’ve a number of journeys deliberate, however they’re principally to locations I’ve already visited.
There will likely be a visit to London and Paris in February; a protracted weekend in Rome for Charlie’s birthday in March; a short getaway to Wrocław, Poland, in April (that one will likely be a brand new spot), and a visit again to the States in June.
Additionally — I’m turning 40 this August. I’ve determined that I need to spend my birthday in Croatia with mates — so I rented a spot and we’re heading to considered one of my favourite islands, Korčula!
Past that, there’s numerous empty area on the calendar. Which is ok! I don’t really feel strain to fill it (and I’m remembering how busy the previous two summers have been and the way I’d wish to be extra low-key).
However listed below are some concepts floating round my thoughts:
Ponza and Ventotene. I’d wish to proceed visiting new Italian islands, and these two intrigue me and would dovetail properly with a piece journey Charlie has this summer season. Ventotene is a tiny island between Ischia and Ponza that our boat information advised us about final 12 months, and we’ve been intrigued since!
Taiwan. Taiwan looks like the sort of place I’d love: nice mixture of cities and nature, compact, good infrastructure, fabulous meals. And nonstop flights from Prague — who knew?!
Camino Portugues. Is that this the 12 months I lastly do the Camino de Santiago?! If I do it, I believe I need to do the two-week Portuguese route from Porto to Santiago de Compostela.
Svalbard. I’ve been craving chilly climate journeys in August these days, and the final two years I went to Iceland and Greenland. Svalbard has been on my thoughts for subsequent. Now THAT would be the furthest north I’ve ever been!
Central Asia. This new-to-me area has been on my thoughts. I’d like to do a multi-country hop within the area — in all probability Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, with more often than not spent in Uzbekistan.
Morocco. Yeah, it was on the checklist final 12 months, too…I’m eager about it increasingly more. It’s a bit simpler to think about once I inform myself I don’t should do ALL of Morocco, that it’s okay to do a small portion…
Extra Christmas markets. After lacking Christmas market season completely final 12 months, I’d love to go to a number of new markets this 12 months. Alsace and western Germany may be good! And my buddy went to Bratislava this 12 months and was impressed at how good their markets have been — that will be a straightforward getaway!
Who is aware of what travels lie forward? Let’s go, 2024!
What have been your favourite new locations this 12 months?
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