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One purpose why I’m so glad I’ve my month-to-month recaps is that I can look again and see the perfect journey moments of my yr abruptly!
This yr took me to 13 international locations: Czech Republic, UK, France, Italy, Vatican Metropolis, Germany, US, Canada, Spain, Nepal, Bhutan, Qatar, and Panama. I named a number of locations my favourite new locations of 2024.
It was an important yr, and I really feel so grateful to have the ability to do that for a residing, 14 years after quitting my job to journey and weblog full-time.
Let’s check out the perfect journey moments of 2024!
Throwing the fortieth Birthday of a Lifetime in Korčula
Relating to my birthday, I’ve performed it small so many instances. For my fortieth this yr, I made a decision to take a giant swing — and invite a number of of my closest buddies to certainly one of my favourite locations, the island of Korčula in Croatia.
And YES. It paid off. My buddies got here in from the Czech Republic, the US, Canada, and Germany. We booked two locations to remain, together with a home proper on the water.
We spent a lot of the week hanging out on our tiny seashore, having meals collectively, going out for drinks, watching bizarre occasions on the Olympics on the iPad.
Charlie and I organized a wine tasting bike journey to Lumbarda for everybody, we went to a conventional Moreška sword dance, we climbed into the outdated metropolis wall for cocktails, and we ended up in an area wine competition one evening. Plus there was loads of exploration of Korčula city — although we didn’t discover a lot past that!
And on my birthday itself, we had the perfect day ever — a ship journey across the islands, docking in peaceable bays, snorkeling round a shipwreck, diving off the boat, blasting music, and ingesting loads of my favourite Grk wine from Bire Vineyard.
It was the perfect birthday I ever may have dreamed of, and I’m so grateful to my buddies for making the journey. I’ll always remember it!
Assembly Elizabeth Gilbert in Berlin
The furthest I’ll go for a day journey? Round 2.5 hours every approach. Perhaps a bit longer if it’s for one thing actually particular. However as quickly as I noticed that Elizabeth Gilbert was coming to Berlin — with a meet-and-greet!! — I knew this could be value spending 9 hours on a bus in a single day!
The meet-and-greet was earlier than the present. I wore a brand new Sézane outfit: this purple prime and these matching pants. I greeted her and he or she the very first thing she advised me was, “You look glamorous!” I’ll be taking that go with endlessly!
I can barely keep in mind what we talked about, however we talked about serving to solo feminine vacationers and the way every little thing modifications however it’s nonetheless the identical.
As for her discuss — it was unbelievable. It was about mercy, and the way she discovered it from her late accomplice Rayya, who appeared like an unbelievable girl. She left our complete room enthralled, and I truly determined to stroll 40 minutes to the bus station reasonably than hop on public transit afterward, simply so I may maintain ruminating on what she stated.
So many individuals unfairly malign her as a result of she traveled the world and wrote a phenomenally profitable e book about it. However the purpose she was capable of get that e book advance within the first place and the explanation why the e book turned a large hit is as a result of she is a tremendously gifted author.
If you happen to get the prospect to see her converse, do it. Even in case you don’t know something about her. You received’t remorse it.
Opening the Vatican Museums at 6:30 AM
Some journey actions are actually once-in-a-lifetime, and I don’t suppose something I’ve achieved is extra once-in-a-lifetime than taking the Key Grasp’s Tour of the Vatican Museums. On an early March morning — Charlie’s birthday! — we entered the darkened Vatican Museums with a information and small group, and opened every room for the day.
The Vatican Museums are residence to a number of the most gorgeous and priceless artwork on this planet, and they’re normally mobbed with vacationers. Attending to expertise them empty, and seeing the magic as the sunshine switches have been turned on? Simply unbelievable. Folks on the tour take turns opening the doorways, and also you’ll by no means guess what’s behind the subsequent one!
As a result of it was Charlie’s birthday, I requested the information if he may open the Sistine Chapel — and he or she stated sure. It was so cool that he obtained to do this, and even cooler that we obtained to expertise the Sistine Chapel with simply our small group, no big crowds or guards chanting, “Silencio.” You may even purchase duplicate keys within the present store, and we did!
We obtained to expertise this tour free of charge due to Walks comping Charlie by way of his work — however this can be a very costly tour. A number of hundred {dollars} per particular person. However I feel that in case you are a giant Italy fan or artwork lover, that is merely a once-in-a-lifetime expertise that you’ll always remember. I do know I received’t. Save up for months if you have to. It’s value it.
Taking a Experience in a Self-Driving Automotive
When my buddies and I have been in Scottsdale, we found that there have been self-driving vehicles selecting up passengers throughout city. Then one evening, we ordered an Uber and obtained a message — “Would you want a self-driving automobile?”
Um, positive! Let’s strive it!
We laughed the entire time we have been within the automotive, having fun with the expertise as we drove throughout Previous City Scottsdale, making dialog with our nonexistent driver! And actually, a brief five-minute drive was excellent — I don’t suppose we’d be snug taking this on the freeway!
Waymo is the self-driving automotive firm working in a number of US cities in the intervening time (at the moment the metro areas of Phoenix, Austin, Los Angeles, and San Francisco). In addition they accomplice with Uber, therefore us getting the choice of a Waymo after we ordered an Uber. If you happen to’re curious, give it a strive! It’s enjoyable!
Reacquainting Myself with Florence
It’s arduous to consider that TWENTY YEARS AGO TODAY, I used to be learning overseas in Florence. And I can’t consider I wrote my retrospective about my semester overseas TEN YEARS AGO. My god.
I’ve returned to Florence a number of instances since then, however all of them have been for comparatively fast journeys. This time, I wished to return for a number of days and totally analysis town to create my most detailed Florence information.
And actually, it felt SO good to be again in such a well-known metropolis, but with such a special mindset 20 years later. I visited all my outdated favorites, from the Uffizi to the Medici Chapels, in addition to locations I had by no means made it to, just like the Bargello and Casa Buonarroti.
And I made positive to go to my favourite sorts of locations. The Gucci Museum, with its superior shows of luggage and superstar outfits. The good cocktail bars, like Manifattura, serving completely Italian-made spirits, and Procacci, with its tiny truffle sandwiches.
That is what I really like about journey — you’re attending to know a vacation spot, however you’re additionally attending to know your self and who you’re right now. I liked my newest Florence go to a lot.
Visiting the Umbrella Cowl Museum
Probably the most stunning, pleasant, and enjoyable place I visited in 2024? Simply the Umbrella Cowl Museum of Peakes Island, Maine, simply off the coast from Portland!
This place is an absolute gem. Initially — who would ever resolve to make not an umbrella museum, however an umbrella cowl museum? A wonderful woman named Nancy, that’s who. She is all about celebrating the mundane!
There are umbrella covers from everywhere in the world right here, in every kind of classes. I imply, there’s even a show of “attractive umbrella covers” behind closed doorways! And Nancy even performs the accordion and teaches you a music about umbrella covers!
My buddy Beth and I laughed the whole time we have been right here. Actually a joyful place. It’s solely open between Memorial Day and Labor Day — so in case you’re in Maine, it’s so value hopping on the ferry to verify this place open for your self!
Profitable Blogger of the 12 months on the TravMedia Awards
Earlier this yr, after years of collaborating in TravMedia occasions, I made a decision to lastly apply for certainly one of their awards — Blogger of the 12 months. A number of months later, I came upon I used to be nominated, and would attend the ceremony in London.
And that evening, I received the award! I used to be happy about it, particularly since I submitted my weblog put up about Greenland as my entry. I’m glad that put up resonated with folks.
For any of the journey trade kind individuals who is likely to be studying this — know that in case you settle for your nomination, you’re committing to attend the awards in London. If you happen to apply, win, and don’t attend, they offer your award to another person.
So don’t apply until you’re able to make the journey. For that purpose, I feel I’ll let this be my one and solely award from them, and can cheer on whoever wins subsequent yr.
Getting My Eyebrows Microbladed
This is likely to be an odd factor to placed on a “finest journey moments” listing, however it’s the smartest thing I did for myself this yr — and has made a giant distinction in my routine throughout my travels! I obtained my eyebrows microbladed — it’s mainly getting a semi-permanent tattoo of your eyebrow hairs.
My eyebrows have gotten thinner and patchier over time, and for the previous few years I’ve been filling them in with a forehead pencil earlier than leaving the condominium. However after getting them microbladed, my eyebrows are good to go, on a regular basis. Take a look at the earlier than and after within the image above!
It has made a HUGE distinction in my every day routine, and that features throughout my travels. These days, I solely fill them in when I’ve a full face of make-up. Only a swipe of mascara and a few concealer and I’m good to go.
Simply know that it would take you a number of periods. My first session didn’t stick, however the touch-up from my second session nonetheless appears nice, eight months in. It ought to final round a yr.
The Lunch of a Lifetime in San Sebastián
When planning our journey to the Basque Nation — and our valuable few nights in San Sebastián — I did a lot analysis on the place to eat. One place that stored displaying up was Bar Nestor, with the caveat that getting in is a little bit of a problem.
You see, solely the primary 12-16 folks in line at Bar Nestor get the tortilla, which is supposedly among the best tortillas within the Basque Nation. And if you wish to be one of many first 12-16 folks in line, you have to get there early. Like, at the very least two hours earlier than opening.
The primary evening, we confirmed up 60 minutes early and it wasn’t sufficient. The following day, we confirmed up two hours early — and also you solely wait one hour, as a result of they begin taking names one hour earlier than opening. The three of us obtained the final two tortilla spots.
After a fast chunk at one other bar, we returned for our lunch. And this meal ASTOUNDED us in its simplicity. What do you eat at Bar Nestor? The aforementioned tortilla, which is among the finest I’ve ever had in Spain. Up subsequent, blistered padron peppers and a tomato salad coated with plenty of sea salt.
Then got here the xuleta — an absolute monumental slab of beef, cooked to uncommon perfection, topped with much more salt. It was elegant. Charlie and Nick have been truly gnawing on the bones by the top, it was so good.
Of all of the locations I ate in San Sebastián, Bar Nestor was my favourite — and sure, ready in that line was SO value it.
Getting Everlasting Residency within the Czech Republic
I’m extremely grateful that the Czech Republic has been so welcoming to me and my enterprise. From what I’ve heard from my buddies, it looks like such a neater course of right here in comparison with many different international locations. And it’s far simpler than what any immigrant from a creating nation goes by way of.
This summer time, I acquired my Czech everlasting residency! That is just like a inexperienced card within the US — the proper to remain endlessly, no extra visas.
Most individuals have to reside within the Czech Republic for 5 years and cross a language check with a purpose to get everlasting residency — however in case you’re married to an EU citizen, you possibly can skip the language check and apply after two years of residency and one yr of marriage.
Charlie continues to be thought-about an EU citizen within the Czech system as a result of he utilized for everlasting residency earlier than Brexit went by way of. And so I utilized for everlasting residency shortly after our anniversary and obtained it a number of months later.
I’m already having fun with the advantages — my new medical health insurance card is sweet for 10 years (!!), I now not should go to the overseas police after I renew my condominium lease, and after so many visits to the Ministry of the Inside this yr, I don’t want to go to once more till it’s time to resume my US passport.
The following step? Studying Czech so I can develop into a Czech citizen!
Climbing to Tiger’s Nest in Bhutan
If you happen to’ve seen anybody picture of Bhutan, it’s most likely Tiger’s Nest — a small monastery complicated constructed right into a rocky cliff. “If you happen to don’t hike to Tiger’s Nest, your journey to Bhutan is incomplete,” my information Sonam advised me.
I used to be a bit nervous concerning the hike as a result of I battle lots in altitude. Bhutan guides have you ever do the hike in your final day as a result of it offers you extra time to regulate to the skinny oxygen within the air. I had been in Bhutan for six days, plus two days earlier than that at altitude within the mountains surrounding Kathmandu.
Tiger’s Nest is a average hike, not likely technical in any respect — however the altitude can simply knock you sideways. So Sonam and I huffed and puffed as we climbed to the highest, taking frequent breaks to gulp air.
My objective was to make it to the perspective in two hours. I made it in 1:36. From there it was a hike down after which up once more to go to Tiger’s Nest itself! Then we did the entire thing in reverse, stopping at a restaurant to chug an orange Fanta earlier than heading all the way in which down.
I LOVE a hike with a giant payoff, and this was such a rewarding payoff. It was the proper solution to finish my journey to good Bhutan.
Cheering on the Arsenal Ladies’s Group in London
My husband is a giant fan of Arsenal soccer membership, however I had no concept till lately that the Premier League golf equipment have girls’s groups, too! So on certainly one of our journeys to London this yr, Charlie and I made a decision to go to a girls’s recreation at Emirates Stadium.
That is one thing I had no concept I wanted till I skilled it. Ladies’s soccer (let me make clear that that is soccer, simply in case that goes over any People’ heads) has had an enormous resurgence within the UK over the previous few years.
However what I liked essentially the most is that this recreation didn’t really feel like tokenism — it truly felt like equality. Positive, it was nice seeing the youngsters, each girls and boys, with do-it-yourself indicators for his or her favourite gamers. It was good seeing the teams of ladies of their matching staff scarves and hats.
However what I REALLY liked? Teams of gruff middle-aged males fixated on the pitch, beers in hand, yelling and moaning, taking the sport simply as severely as they might a males’s recreation. THAT is what advised me that girls’s soccer is getting taken severely within the UK.
(Additionally: on the tube trip to the stadium, there have been two drunk women having the slowest, most inane dialog concerning the recreation. After all it was on a stretch of tube with no telephone sign. However that’s additionally equality — the truth that drunk girls sports activities followers on the bathtub might be simply as annoying as drunk males sports activities followers!)
So I’m simply very glad that we’re at this level as of late. I hope to attend a WNBA recreation quickly within the US to proceed supporting the resurgence in girls’s skilled sports activities!
If you happen to’re planning a visit to the UK subsequent yr, I extremely suggest seeing if you will get tickets to a girls’s recreation. It’s surprisingly inexpensive (we paid one thing like 12 kilos, or $15, per ticket for the seats pictured above).
What have been your favourite journey moments of 2024? Share away!
