Given that by the time you read this, I’ll be on my way to the airport, now seems like a good time to update you on my travel plans for the next few months!
Earlier this January, I outlined my travel plans for the year – travel plans that were few and far between. Back then I wrote that my lack of plans was making me nervous, “because, for better or worse, I’m the kind of person who needs to have a holiday in their calendar. Without that dose of adventure on the horizon, I feel claustrophobic.”
With nothing but blank pages to look at, I shared my travel dreams for the year instead, and I’m happy to report that six months later, it looks like quite a few of them are about to become reality! Here’s what’s in the travel books for the rest of 2017…
California, June 2017
Today, Mr. Stories My Suitcase Could Tell and I are on our way to California for a very important event: his grandparent’s 60th wedding anniversary (yes, you read that correctly: they’ve been married for 60 years!).
While of course the focus of the weekend will be on family celebrations, we’re squeezing in 24 hours in San Diego before the festivities begin further north near LA, and I’m looking forward to seeing the sea again (I haven’t been at the beach since I was in Scotland), as well as soaking up the sun, and finding the best fish tacos in town. I’ll also be attempting my first ever social media detox while I’m in Calfornia, so stay tuned for the results of that experiment!
London, July 2017
Thanks to the magic of Scott’s Cheap Flights (I’m signed up to the annual premium service), I managed to snag a return flight to London in peak summer season for a mere $400 (that’s about £310, and almost unheard of during off-peak times, let alone in the middle of summer!).
The last time I was in London was in October 2014, when my final USA visa interview fell the day after the Cosmopolitan Blog Awards (I may have felt a little worse for wear as I waited for the immigration officer to shout my name). In other words: it’s been far too long since I’ve been in the British capital, and I’m really, really looking forward to visiting one of my favourite cities again.
I’ll be meeting up with my family when I first arrive, and will be back again at the end of my trip for another few days with friends before my flight back to the USA. Nearly all my longtime friends live in or around London (or a cheeky wee train ride away), so I’m beyond excited to catch up with them.
Madrid, July 2017
My travel dreams came true: I’m visiting a new (to me) country this year! Spain has been on my travel wish list for quite a few years now. It’s one of the most popular countries for British tourists to visit – usually for “fly and flop” holidays” – and yet I’ve never been; the country was in my 2014 Wanderlust Wish List post, and the more I learned about the place, the more I wanted to visit.
Well, it’s finally happening. After our weekend in London, my family and I will be spending a week in Madrid before we all head back to Scotland for a bit, and I’m already looking forward to drinking all the sangria and eating all the tapas.
The Outer Hebrides, July 2017
Ever since I moved to America, I’ve said that in an ideal world I would be able to visit home at least twice a year. In 2015 I wasn’t even allowed to leave the country, and last year I managed to get back to the islands once, in March… and this year it’s finally happening!
Content on travel to the Outer Hebrides makes up a large portion of this blog, so I’ll be doing some research for new stories, as well as for my ongoing behind-the-scenes “secret” project. (Get your name on the newsletter to receive the details on it before everyone else!) And of course, I’ll be spending much-needed quality time with family and friends, too.
To be decided… Autumn 2017
Mr. Stories My Suitcase Could Tell and I have not been on a holiday together, just the two of us, since we spent a weekend on the Riviera Maya in Mexico over a year ago. In other words: we are well overdue a romantic escape!
Whether we stay local (like we did one winter in Cape May), or go further afield is still up in the air – you can bet I’ve been watching Scott’s Cheap Flights like a hawk. I’m currently dreaming of Savannah, Oaxaca, or Cartagena… If you have any suggestions for long weekend locations for New Yorkers, let me know!
Arizona, November 2017
Mr. Stories My Suitcase Could Tell spent his teenage years in Arizona, and his family still lives there, so we’ll be spending a few days in the desert over Thanksgiving. I’m looking forward to some more desert hikes and fresh air – the landscape of the South West is so different to anywhere I’ve been before, and I enjoy the change in scenery.
So there you have it: my updated travel plans for 2017!
While I love long-haul travel, I like to remember that travel can be found in the most unexpected of places, and in between these big adventures we’ll be embracing my “local travel” mantra and exploring everything New York City and the north east has to offer.
____________________
What are you up to for the rest of 2017? Do you have any tips to share for any of my upcoming destinations?
Let me know in the comments below – I’d love to hear from you!
____________________
Please note: this post contains some affiliate links. This means I make a small commission if you buy something I love and recommend (at no cost to you, of course). Find out more on the FAQ page.
I have travelled very little in the USA but I once spent three weeks in California and loved the places and the people so I am a tad envious of that. Having ‘commuted’ to New Zealand every year for a decade I confess to having become rather tired of air travel so whilst I still enjoy being in foreign lands the thought of getting there has begun to pall. I hope that your year turns out to be all that you hope for it.
Thanks Graham! I’m certainly looking forward to it all 🙂 California was lovely – it’s amazing to see such a contrast in landscape and culture within the same country! I’m not a fan of long flights myself, but as long as I have a few good books with me I’m usually fine!
Quite the year you are having and will continue to have. I share two of your destinations, Western Isles and Arizona. Mid June we’re off to South Uist and the Askernish Golf Club Bi-Annual Life Members Challenge. For those golfers who aren’t familiar with Askernish, it is a gem of an Old Tom Morris course recently (2008) rediscovered and restored to its former glory. If St. Andrews be the ‘home of golf’, Askernish most surely is its ‘soul’…! Arizona holds a special place in our hearts. We fell in love with the state ten years ago and now call it our seasonal home to escape the Canadian winters. It is truly the most diverse state in the country. One can drive a hour in any direction from Scottsdale and be in totally different topography. Desert, what desert…..! Anyway, safe travels and I look forward to updates on your Blog.
Thanks David! How exciting that you’re heading to South Uist this month! I hope the weather cooperates for your time on the golf course. Arizona is indeed a diverse state – it’s so different to anywhere else I’ve ever been! (And it’s definitely more comfortable in the winter than in the summer!)
BTW, Katie, I meant to comment on the magnificence of your Isle of Lewis. We had occasion to visit a couple of years ago and were overwhelmed with the beauty. We had as our personal guide our good friend Jane, who is a Sergeant with the Stornoway Police Force and she provided us with a wonderful experience and then deposited us at Ardhasaig House on Harris to enjoy the hospitality and culinary delights provided my your namesake, ‘Katie’ Macaskill….!
I’m so glad you had a good time in Lewis. I’ve heard wonderful things about Ardhasaig House – it’s on my “to visit” list for a “holiday at home” sometime!
I’d normally be jealous — but leave soon for the longest break I’ve had since college; 6 weeks traveling through Europe. SO ready.
You will love Spain. I spent 6 weeks there and loved all of it. I’d make time for Andalusia (and don’t rush it) and the Balearics, Formentera vs Ibiza. I’m a big fan of Arizona (GRAND CANYON!!!!) and also love the Southwestern landscape.
I’ve been to Savannah., Oaxaca and Cartagena — all share gorgeous scenery, historic districts and great food. One is a lot closer and easier to reach than the others (Savannah.) Really up to you. I couldn’t go to Mexico and ONLY see one city…it’s too great a country! So for a quick romantic getaway, I’d pick Savannah. It’s lovely.
Your airfare to London is CRAZY cheap. I spent (!) 4x that much…to splurge on an Open Skies seat outbound and semi-business class on BA on the way home. I don’t like flying and will be writing off that airfare as a business expense (meeting editors in London.)
I can’t wait to hear all about your European adventures when you get back!
I can’t wait to visit Spain. Unfortunately we only have 4 days so they’ll be spent in Madrid and some nearby towns (Segovia looks beautiful!). Andalusia has been on my wishlist for such a long time – that’ll have to be another visit. I think our weekend trip will probably end up being Savannah, as it’s the closest. But the scenery/historic districts/good food are the reasons I want to go to all three!
I couldn’t get over the airfare to London. When I saw the email I booked it immediately – it actually went up $20 in the time it took me to choose dates and book it. There are so many good deals in those emails… it’s very tempting when they land in your inbox every day!
Have fun on your trip! Looking forward to hearing all about it.
Thanks Marie! Can’t wait to catch up 🙂
Yay! Can’t wait for more Hebrides content <3
Yay I’m glad you’re as excited as me about it 🙂 Hopefully there’ll be lots of new stories this summer!
Will be looking forward to your blogs; enjoy your travels and be safe.
Thank you Christine! I’ll try and get up to Ness so I’ll have more photos to share with you 🙂
Give me a shout when you’re in London. Let’s catch up for a beer in one of London’s distended beer gardens
Thanks Roma! I’m not sure how much free time I’ll have since I’ll be there with family, but if I do have time that would be lovely 🙂
That should say sun drenched beer gardens
Enjoy your travels. I wont be heading back to the croft this year as the family are heading over to OZ to visit. Currently, I’m enjoying being a tourist in my own backyard as I have friends from home visiting at the moment.
Thanks Elaine! It’s always nice to have family and friends from home visit your new home – I hope you all have a great time 🙂 And I always think being a tourist in your own backyard can sometimes be just as fun as going somewhere far away!
My husband I recently visited Stornaway, his mother’s birthplace. Had a lovely visit and do plan on going again! We live in Kentucky and it was our first time there. I love to read your posts and encourage you to continue your travels 🙂
Hello Deborah – I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed your visit to Stornoway! It’s amazing to think of how far people from the islands travelled, and all the places they moved to!