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2022 was a yr of lovely journey moments. This yr took me to 9 international locations — Mexico, the US, Czech Republic, Italy, Germany, Iceland, the UK, Portugal, and Austria — and 9 new locations that I named the perfect of 2022.
Going by way of my month-to-month recaps to create this publish was an absolute pleasure. And it jogged my memory that plenty of my favourite journey moments are round good surroundings, good meals, and good folks. (Then once more, three of those are HIKING. When did I develop into a hiker?!)
Additionally, you may discover that a number of of those moments — the tacos al pastor cooking class, Sardinia crusing journey, Xochimilco boat journey, and Lucha Libre wrestling occasion, have been Airbnb Experiences! Airbnb Experiences might be my favourite place to e-book excursions and actions proper now, as a result of it’s principally small, unbiased tour suppliers fairly than huge companies.
That may change. In spite of everything, Airbnb lodging was universally funky and various earlier than huge builders received maintain of it. However the experiences are nice for now.
And with out additional ado — listed here are my finest journey moments of 2022.
Getting Engaged in Lake Como
Getting engaged after three years collectively was undoubtedly the spotlight of the yr! Charlie requested me to marry him in a backyard in Bellagio, Italy, near the shores of Lake Como.
Sure, I did know the proposal was coming. (Who proposes out of the blue? That’s insane!!) I knew it might occur someday on our three-week Italy journey this summer season. However I didn’t know he would put it aside for the final night time of the Italy journey!
He advised me he waited as a result of he wished it to be someplace particular to us. Lake Como was already particular for us as a result of it was the primary place we went away collectively, and it’s the sort of place we’d return to time and again.
After the proposal, we celebrated in our favourite fashion — wine and salume. Beginning with two glasses of glowing Franciacorta, adopted by Barolo for me and Amarone for him, and many meats and cheeses.
I really feel so fortunate that I discovered Charlie and we get to spend our lives collectively and can take many, many extra journeys to Italy!
My Sister’s Wedding ceremony in Cape Cod
My sister and brother-in-law have been among the many {couples} who pushed again their weddings on account of COVID. They determined to have a micro-wedding in 2020 and push again the massive wedding ceremony till 2021. The next yr, their wedding ceremony venue was bought and the brand new proprietor canceled all of the weddings. I’m sorry, THE FUCK?!
Lastly, lastly, they’d their initially deliberate Cape Cod wedding ceremony in September. I used to be the maid of honor. And was this wedding ceremony EVER well worth the wait.
Not solely did the venue (Nauset Seashore Inn in Orleans) exhibit one of many Cape’s finest seashores, this wedding ceremony introduced so many individuals collectively and saved the nice vibes going all night time. Lots of people mentioned it was the perfect wedding ceremony they’ve been to, and it’s most likely the perfect one I’ve been to, too!
And I admire that Sarah and Matt didn’t really feel like they wanted to incorporate all of the traditions. Speeches? HELL NO TOO BORING. First dance? ONLY 10 SECONDS THEN EVERYONE JOINS IN. Dramatic first entrance? NOPE WE’RE HANGING OUT BEFORE. Children? NOPE LOL. Cake? HOW ABOUT CAPE COD DIRT BOMBS INSTEAD?
So grateful that they have been in a position to have their dream wedding ceremony.
Mountaineering to a Reside Volcano in Iceland
Once in a while, you time a visit completely. That was the case for the Iceland highway journey Amanda and I deliberate for August. On August 3, Fagradalsfjall volcano on the Reykjanes peninsula started erupting. We have been scheduled to reach on August 12.
Straight away, we switched round our itinerary so we may hike to the volcano on our first day. We awoke early, parked within the very busy parking zone, and set out on our journey.
It took about two hours to hike to the volcano — first, we handed the hardened lava of the 2021 eruption, then climbed a steep hill with switchbacks, then hiked a newly cleared path throughout a lava subject — then handed the development automobile doing the clearing! From there it was cautious stepping as we averted the lava clumps.
After heading downhill, we lastly noticed it: a volcano violently spewing shiny pink lava within the air.
That second took my breath away. How fortunate was I to be in the identical place as this volcano?!
We sat down on the hill, had a protein bar and water picnic, and watched the lava dance, surrounded by a whole lot of our new finest buddies.
By August 21, the eruption was over.
Scientists consider that there might be a number of extra eruptions on the Reykjanes peninsula over the following decade. When you’re in a position to time your journey to see the volcano, DO IT. You’ll be so glad you probably did it!!
Studying to Cook dinner Tacos al Pastor in Mexico Metropolis
Lots of people love to do cooking classes on their travels. Me, not a lot. I’d a lot fairly do a meals tour and chill and luxuriate in myself fairly than having to do the work. I’m a recipe-follower, not an creative cook dinner by any measure.
However Charlie and I learn gushing opinions of this tacos al pastor class in Mexico Metropolis and determined to do it. Tacos al pastor should not the sort of dish you make for one individual — the meet is usually shaved off a large trompo at a road stand.
From the second we have been welcomed into Chef Raja’s lovely courtyard, I knew we had met a kindred spirit. A sort and fascinating man in addition to a culinary faculty teacher, he took us to a market, gave us a lesson on choosing the fitting produce, and taught us all the things from methods to roast chiles to the correct knife abilities for every of the greens.
We every made our personal little trompo for one which day, utilizing a pineapple slice and a wood dowel, and roasted the pork to perfection. We made all the things we ate, right down to the tortillas and salsas.
This was only a charming day, begin to end, and Chef Raja and his spouse have been so pretty. Their residence shouldn’t be removed from Coyoacan, so it’s a pleasant exercise to pair with a go to to that neighborhood and Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul.
Strawberry Season in Prague
This may be a bizarre factor to placed on this record, however I swear it was considered one of my favourite moments of the yr. Individuals eat in-season produce within the Czech Republic for probably the most half; good luck discovering asparagus in October or golden beets in April.
However June was when strawberry season hit. Out of the blue the farmers’ markets had strawberries popping out of their ears.
I purchased an enormous basket and took it residence. Then promptly demolished the whole basket. THESE WERE THE BEST STRAWBERRIES I HAD EVER, EVER, EVER TASTED. And so they’re from the Czech Republic!!
It solely lasted two weeks or so, however MAN, that was probably the most scrumptious time of yr! Throughout that point I made a couple of baked items and went by way of a couple of extra baskets, standing over the sink as I ate so the juices may run free.
I must hold June free subsequent yr so I don’t miss these magical weeks of strawberries!
Mountaineering the Path of the Gods in Italy
The Amalfi Coast is among the most lovely locations on the planet — however you may be a bit dissatisfied if you go to in actual life. The cities are beautiful to view from the water, however they’re crowded, troublesome to get round, and intensely costly.
However for me, the spotlight of the Amalfi Coast is mountaineering the Path of the Gods. From right here, you get to hike far above the cities of the Amalfi Coast, having fun with the unimaginable magnificence with none of the crowds (simply hikers and goats!).
You begin this hike within the city of Bomerano and proceed till you attain Positano. You’ll have a number of hikers on the path with you (which I feel makes it a good selection for solo feminine vacationers), and also you’ll need to {photograph} all the things in sight. Every time you suppose you’ve seen the perfect view, one other will unfurl behind you.
I’d think about it a reasonable hike with a couple of spots of scrambling. Not as unhealthy as I feared. Truthfully, the worst half was all the steps heading right down to Positano!
Good Fall Foliage in New Hampshire
Now that I’ve a New Hampshire web site, I write rather a lot about fall foliage. It’s the busiest time of yr in New Hampshire, and just about the one time of yr that brings worldwide tourism.
This yr, I knew I wished to deliver Charlie on a fall foliage journey after Sarah and Matt’s wedding ceremony. We headed as much as the White Mountains in early October and the timing couldn’t have been extra good!
Reds, yellows, and oranges have been exploding so far as the attention may see. I discovered absolutely the good day and vacation spot to be October 7 in Pinkham Notch, the place we drove the Mount Washington Auto Street all the best way as much as Mount Washington, the very best peak within the Northeast US.
We then drove to Glen Ellis Falls and Jackson Falls, having fun with extra foliage views with waterfalls earlier than leaving for Maine.
Rising up in Massachusetts, I actually had no thought how good we had it in New England till I left. When you’re considering fall colours within the least, you MUST head to New England within the fall!
An Unimaginable Crusing Day in Sardinia
We took three boat journeys in Sardinia. A mediocre huge group tour in La Maddalena, a enjoyable speedboat journey in San Teodoro. However the perfect journey of all was our crusing journey in Alghero.
What made this journey nice? Essentially the most lovely sailboat I’ve ever been on, helmed by Captain Andrea. An ideal-sized group: us, a younger German couple on their honeymoon, an Italian household of 4, and Andrea’s girlfriend. An open-ended itinerary: Andrea taking us to wherever seemed good fairly than making an attempt to knock off an inventory of spots. Paddleboards and snorkeling gear for us to make use of.
Nonetheless, months later, I’m enthusiastic about the lunch Andrea served — it was easy Sardinian fregula pasta with tomatoes, meat, and cheese. But it surely was SO DAMN TASTY, and it was served on that beautiful boat, with a prosecco toast adopted by wine.
My favourite second? We pulled up subsequent to a different boat, and we noticed that there was a unadorned previous man on board. We began guffawing, the Germans began guffawing, the Italian children began guffawing. “Welcome in Italy!” the Italian dad mentioned to us with fun.
This was the perfect exercise we did in Sardinia, and I can’t converse extra extremely of Captain Andrea, who made all the things look easy. Among the finest days in Italy this summer season. (Although Charlie received stung by a jellyfish.)
Xochimilco and Lucha Libre in Mexico Metropolis
Xochimilco had been on the prime of my Mexico Metropolis record ever since our deliberate tour was canceled in March 2020! This yr, we returned to Mexico Metropolis and I lastly received to participate
Xochimilco (SO-chee-MILL-ko) is among the finest cultural partying experiences in Mexico Metropolis. You get a spot on a brightly painted wood boat and also you meander across the canals, consuming numerous alcohol and blasting numerous music.
When you come right here on a Saturday, it’s WILD. However in the event you go throughout the week, when it’s quieter, e-book a tour with Airbnb Experiences. We received on our boat with a enjoyable mixture of vacationers and traveled across the canals, consuming good meals, consuming numerous beer and tequila, even hiring a mariachi band on a ship to serenade us a couple of songs!
A number of folks on the tour advised us that in the event you’ve completed Xochimilco proper, you don’t bear in mind getting residence that night time. Eek! However man, what a enjoyable party-tastic day!
And we saved that going. That night, we have been off to Lucha Libre — Mexican skilled wrestling! (One other pandemic-cancelled occasion in March 2020.) It was wild and humorous. However what made it most particular was this Airbnb Expertise, the place our group truly met a wrestler for drinks earlier than going to the present.
That was the perfect thought ever — as a result of all of the sudden we had somebody to cheer for! When he received into the ring, we screamed like lifelong followers!
Each of those occasions have been SO MUCH FUN. However actually, I’d make Xochimilco the ONE occasion you do this day. We have been exhausted by night.
(Additionally superior? We met a cool couple from Atlanta in Xochimilco and satisfied them to affix us at Lucha Libre that night time. A number of months later, I used to be consuming a sizzling canine in Reykjavík, Iceland, and I heard, “Hey Kate!” It was that very same couple!)
Peter Pan Afternoon Tea in London
Charlie and I’m going to London a couple of instances a yr — to see his household, for our buddy’s bonfire celebration, for infrequent work occasions. And actually, we’ve sort of gotten into the behavior of doing the identical issues each time we go. That’s such a waste for a metropolis as vibrant as London!
So we determined to make an effort to do new issues on our final journey. We noticed The Tempest on the Globe Theatre, had a dinner in whole darkness at Dans le Noir, went to the boys’s trend exhibition on the V&A Museum.
However my favourite was the Peter Pan afternoon tea on prime of the Shard. I LOVE afternoon tea, however when it’s themed this properly, it brings it to the following degree!
I introduced my buddy Dylan and collectively we loved fairy mud cocktails, mushroom chimneys, Hook’s lime inexperienced cake, Tinkerbell cookies with gummy crocodiles, and SO way more. And we received to take pleasure in all of it from the highest of the Shard, with a few of the finest London views on the town.
Subsequent time I’m in London, I’m reserving method forward for one more themed afternoon tea!
Mountaineering to Múlagljúfur Canyon in Iceland
I used to suppose that Iceland was too overtouristed. I used to be incorrect. There are elements of Iceland which have numerous tourism — the Golden Circle, Lake Myvatn, and the South Coast are amongst them — but it surely’s well-managed and much from harmful.
However is it nonetheless doable to get off the overwhelmed path? Undoubtedly. Significantly within the Highlands and the Westfjords.
Amanda and I have been sticking near the vacationer path for this journey. However we discovered a completely magical place — Múlagljúfur Canyon. Near Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, Múlagljúfur Canyon is on the finish of a really tough highway, making it powerful for non-4 wheel drive automobiles.
We spent about an hour mountaineering up into the canyon — and have been rewarded with the view above.
It’s the finest place I’ve ever seen in Iceland. Think about the mist within the air, dashing waterfalls on all sides of you, a chicken gliding low and straight by way of the canyon. Think about the recent scent, the spongy moss beneath your ft.
Better of all, we have been two of only a few folks there and for awhile had that view utterly to ourselves.
This inevitably brings questions — “Why would you point out this place in the event you don’t need folks going there?” — however I’m assured that the fitting sorts of vacationers will discover their method there. The remaining will suppose Jökulsárlón is the good factor they’ve seen.
What have been your favourite journey moments of 2022?
