Happy New Year everyone!
It feels like only a month or two ago that I sat at my desk and told you all about my travel plans and dreams for 2015. I won’t go into a ramble on how time flies by faster every year (boy, it really does), but what I will do is fill you in on my travel plans and dreams for the months ahead…
This year’s adventures are starting straight away, in a mere three weeks time. Some of you may have noticed that my husband and I never actually went on a honeymoon after our New York nuptials last January – quite the turnaround for a couple that met at a street food stall in China and got engaged at an izakaya in Tokyo.
The Green Card saga was a big part of us delaying our honeymoon, but as it took so long, instead of a traditional honeymoon, we’re celebrating our anniversary at the end of this month with a relaxing holiday. We’re heading somewhere warm for a few days, with what will hopefully be beautiful scenery and good food: we’re going to Puerto Rico!
Not long after we return it will be time for another little adventure. March is apparently a big month for travel bloggers: I’ve been asked by friends and fellow bloggers if I’m going to the Women in Travel Summit in California, or the Women’s Travel Festival here in New York City. And while I’d love to reunite with Mel Hattie, and hear what I’m sure are going to be awesome talks from Meg, Kristen, and Andi, I’ve told them all no, not this year.
Why? Because I’m going home to Scotland. And I can’t wait!
Despite the amount of travelling I’ve done over the years, I’ve never gone this long – it will be 14 months – without going home to the Outer Hebrides.
My birthday is in March, and I can’t imagine a better way to spend it than with my nearest and dearest, and reveling in the comforting familiarity of a place where you have deep roots.
My husband will be joining me, and I’m excited to show him more of my favourite place in the world (although he’s definitely most excited about the food – my father has promised him some Ceann Cropic this time, and we may even try and find him some Guga in Ness).
Then there are the unexpected travel plans, which if you follow me on Facebook you’ll already know about: my all-expenses paid, all-inclusive holiday to Mexico with Cheap Caribbean! My friends and I had fun at the beach-themed photo booth, catching up with each other while simultaneously tweeting about why we wanted to win a Cheap Caribbean beach holiday. I simply couldn’t believe it when my name was called out as the winner, and now I’m busy looking at our calendars and trying to decide when to escape to the Mexican coast.
Another hard-and-fast travel goal of mine this year is to see more of New York City (and New York State).
While in 2015 I did discover a few new sides to the city that never sleeps, for the most part, everyday life took over, and adventures tended to happen elsewhere. I’m determined to change that this year, with micro-adventures taking in the incredible array of food, culture, and history that resides in the city.
Somewhere in between plans and dreams is Helsinki, the Finish capital. I wrote last year about why I want to visit the city, and how you could help me get there thanks to the #HelsinkiSecret competition. Maybe I’ll be sipping coffee and eating cinnamon buns by the harbour, and maybe I won’t – but I’m keeping my fingers crossed all the same.
As for travel dreams, those trips that may or may not materialise? There’s the possibility of returning to Montreal, to experience it in warmer weather, and to catch up with my good friend who’s living there at the moment. Another dear friend is heading to Jamaica for her birthday this summer, and I would love nothing more than to be there to celebrate with her.
Germany is on the wishlist too, as one of my best friends from university has recently moved to Dresden. Having your closest friends scattered around the world can be hard – but it can also be a blessing when it comes to travel planning!
Here in the USA, I would love to see more of the country’s wilder areas.
I learned last year in Maine and Cape May how much I enjoy escaping the city, so I’m keeping my options open and day dreaming about the likes of Alaska, Wyoming, and Montana (and of course, a return to my now-beloved Maine). I have family in Florida too, and I’m watching those winter flights deals to see if I can squeeze in a sunny weekend escape when the East Coast temperatures plunge below zero.
Looking back over the last few years of travel, many of my most exciting adventures have been more spur-of-the-moment rather than painstakingly planned out (I’m thinking of Kenya, Amsterdam, and my long weekend in London), so I’ll of course be leaving some room for travel surprises this year too. As for now, I’m off to crack open my Puerto Rico guidebook: the countdown is on for my first suitcase story of 2016!
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Happy New Year! And it sounds like it’s going to be a great one. Some Puerto Rican sunshine sounds idyllic (the grey English winter has me dreaming of tropical beaches) and look forward to reading more of your US explorations too.
Happy New Year Lucy! Now that the temperatures have dropped in NYC I’m looking forward to Puerto Rico more than ever 🙂 !
I’m dreaming of Switzerland, but in reality I’m hoping to see PEI this year. If you ever would like suggestions for Alaska from a local, I’d be happy to help!
Oooh, PEI is on my travel wishlist too (it has been ever since I read Anne of Green Gables!) One day 🙂 And if I manage to make it to Alaska this year, I will be in touch – thank you!
Yay for Maine on your list! As a native Mainer I love hearing about when people fall in love with my home state. 2016 is bringing all over Central America, Europe, and finally Australia.
I fell head over heels for Maine last year, Katelyn, and I can’t wait to go back! Sounds like you’ve got a big travel year ahead 🙂
Just came across your blog and I must say I find it stunning and well-written! 🙂 Will be following along from now on! Good luck on fulfilling all your travel goals this year! 🙂
Thank you for the kind words, Adri!
Wow, sounds like one hell of a year you’ve got coming up! I am super jelly that you won a trip to Mexico, make sure you drink a large number of cocktails on my behalf 😉
Will you be heading to Stockholm for TBEX?
I’m sure there will be many beachside cocktails – I’ll raise a glass just for you Ashlea 😉 ! I don’t think I’ll make it to TBEX this year, at least not in Europe. Depending on my dates for Mexico, I might make it to the Minneapolis one, though. Attending TBEX has been on my to-do list for a year or two now, I need to make it happen!
Have been to Puerto Rico; you will love it. So happy to hear you are going “home”; love ceann cropic but not the guga. Ceann cropic was my one food request to my auntie when I visited a long time ago. Have a wonderful travel year and above all be safe.
Thanks, Christine 🙂 I’m very excited about Puerto Rico, especially now that the weather is getting cold here on the East Coast. But I am most excited about going home, as you can imagine! I have to say I never used to like ceann cropic (and I can’t even smell guga cooking!) but maybe I will try it this time!
Happy new year! That’s a pretty exciting travel plan you’ve got. If you have time, please do visit our country, the Philippines. 🙂
Happy New Year to you too! Hopefully I’ll make it to the Philippines some day 🙂
I’m sure you will love Finland, Katie – I went when I was a teenager and just adored it! The food is amazing. It’s definitely worth seeing.
Lovely to hear from you Roz 🙂 I’m keeping all my fingers crossed that Finland works out!
Your plans sound wonderful – especially the bit about going back to Scotland! We still reminisce mistily about our time in the Outer Hebrides (we named our dog Lewis, so that gives you an idea how much we loved it!). And get this – I won a competition too! And I couldn’t believe it either. I get to pick a trip to the value of $4000 from Peregrine Adventures, so I’m dreaming about far flung places too! Happy travels!
Oh wow, congrats on winning the competition! Peregrine have so many places to choose from… that will be amazing! I love that you called your dog Lewis 🙂 I am very excited about going home to the Hebrides!
I’m excited to read about you going home to Scotland! If you decide to head north to Rovaniemi after Helsinki, let me know. I have friends there who may be able to suggest a thing or two!
There will be plenty of Scottish travel stories to come 🙂 I think this is the trip I’m most excited about! And if I make it onto the Helsinki blog team, I’ll let you know. Fingers crossed!
Had to click this just for the catchy feature photo. The cover of the Lost Limbs album is also a great photo by you! Happy 2016 travels 🙂
Thanks, Jessica! And happy travels to you too 🙂
So many exciting plans! Puerto Rico sounds awesome!! Let me know if you have some time in Edinburgh or Glasgow, would love to have coffee 🙂 or if you go back to Montreal I may be around, who knows! Have a wonderful year 2016!xx
It would be so lovely to meet in ‘real life’! I’m only going to be in the Hebrides for this trip to Scotland, but maybe next time – or in Montreal 🙂 ! Have a great 2016 too! x