Saturday, January 2, 2016

Travel Link-Up: Favorite Travel Memories from 2015


We're only two days into the New Year, but already John and I have been researching our next holiday options. This year, we'd like to stay relatively local and explore more of Europe. We've always wanted to visit Croatia for its beautiful beaches and Dubrovnik's gorgeous Old Town, so that's on the list. I've had a long, unfulfilled craving for authentic Italian food and wine, so discovering a new part of Italy is a must - suggestions always welcomed! I've also been dying to see Gaudi's architecture in Barcelona, so Spain is another possibility. So many destinations, so little time!

Last year, I visited some magnificent places, and it's been so fun to reminisce through this blog post:

In February, Udita and I took a BFF girls' trip to Brussels - and had the most fantastic time. We spent an afternoon sampling chocolates at Pierre Marcolini and window browsing at some of the beautiful antique shops. We stayed at the gorgeous Dominican Hotel and were treated like royalty! It was our first trip together and it made me realize just how fun it is to travel with a friend.



We're so silly together.

Shortly after, John and I packed our bags and headed off to Sri Lanka for an incredible adventure. We started the trip at the beautiful and peaceful Apa Villas in Thalpe before heading to the historic Galle Fort for massages and lunch at the luxurious Amangalla Hotel. During the latter part of our trip, we stayed at The River House in Balapitiya, which was a life-changing experience for me. Situated in the middle of the Sri Lankan jungle, we watched bats cross the sky at sunset from our balcony, stood stock-still as monkeys swung from branch to branch by the pool, and took a river safari cruise at dawn. I actually cried when we had to leave! We'll be back.



In the spring, my best friends Udita, Kara, and Deborah came to visit me from the U.S. We had a staycation in London, but also visited Oxford and retraced the steps that John and I (literally) took when we were first dating as students. We stayed in Woodstock and spent a beautiful day at Blenheim Palace after going punting the day before.



I thought that Sri Lanka would be our "big" trip for the year, but in August, an unexpected opportunity came up for me and John to travel to Singapore on behalf of Thomas Cook as part of the Singapore Tourism Board's #GetIntoSingapore campaign. I remember thinking that it probably wouldn't happen, but a few weeks later, I found myself swimming in an infinity pool overlooking the Singapore skyline just 20 minutes after we'd landed! It was the foodie experience of a lifetime, and I loved our spontaneous visit.




Finally, in December, my family came to visit me in London and we spent Christmas in our new home. Before that, we took a trip to Paris and Bruges to soak up the festive atmosphere - it was magical! I loved showing my parents some of my favorite stops in Paris and we had a little accidental shopping spree on the Champs Elysees (oops!). Bruges felt like a little Christmas village with its twinkling lights reflecting on the city's serene canals.



What were your favorite travel memories from 2015? Do you already have trips booked for 2016? I'd love to know!

This post was part of January's Travel Link-Up on 2016 Travel Wishlists and 2015 Travel Memories, hosted by Emma, Angie, and Jessi. Head over to their blogs to read more link-up posts! Happy travelling! :)

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22 comments

  1. All of these sound like wonderful trips! I'm so jealous that you went to Sri Lanka!

    http://thecourtneydiaries.com

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    1. They were, Courtney! I can't recommend Sri Lanka enough - it was such an amazing, amazing trip. The food, the people, the scenery ... I absolutely loved it and wish we could have had more time there!

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  2. What an amazing year of travel! You've been to some lovely places and your photos of Brussels bring back memories of my own trip there. I've got a few trips planned already - a weekend in Bilbao, a good few days in Budapest and a cruise for my grandparents' diamond wedding anniversary but also want to visit Slovenia later this year too. Plus a few UK trips thrown in for good measure!

    Lisa | Not Quite Enough

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    1. How exciting, Lisa! Bilbao looks and sounds amazing ... Budapest is one of my favorites and a place I long to return to. How fantastic that you'll be celebrating your grandparents' diamond wedding anniversary on a cruise! I bet they'll love having their family there for such a special trip. Have a wonderful year ahead!

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  3. What an amazing year of travel, you've inspired me to want to visit Sri Lanka :)

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    1. Thank you, Angie - you've had some utterly amazing adventures yourself! You have to visit Sri Lanka ... you would love it! Aside from Thailand and Vietnam, it's been one of my favorites.

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  4. That's so awesome that you traveled so many cool places. I'm especially jealous that you got to go to Singapore haha, that is definitely on my list!
    I didn't do any traveling last year, because I had to work and save up some money, but hopefully this year I'll be able to take one trip somewhere.

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    1. Thank you, Farrah! I definitely feel very lucky that I got to see a few different places last year - travelling can be so expensive! I hope you get to take a trip this year - let me know where you end up going if you do!

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  5. Unexpected last minute trips are the best! Italy is my favourite place in Europe especially the Cinque Terre so I'd definitely check that out. Croatia is on my list to visit this year too so I hope we both get to go :)

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    1. Yay! I hope we both get to go to Croatia too, Ayla! I *love* Italy ... also looking at the south of France now!

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  6. I am forever jealous of anyone who has swum in an infinity pool in Singapore! It is on my bucket list.

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    1. It's an experience I never thought I'd have, Sarah! Fortunately, there are a *lot* of hotels with infinity pools in Singapore, so you can choose from a few! I definitely recommend visiting, as there's so much to see and do.

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  7. Well, I'm talking about our next travel adventures - my other isn't so convinced as yet 😉

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  8. I'm desperate to get to Sri Lanka at some point, maybe next year. I did a lot of Europe in 2015 and I can't recommend Norway enough, especially the train from Oslo to Bergen as it is absolutely stunning.
    Cx
    charliedistracted.com

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    1. I've been wanting to go to Norway for a while, Charlie - a really good idea and one that I'll definitely look into! Sri Lanka was just ... amazing. I can't recommend it enough. I'm looking forward to following your adventures this year! So excited for you x

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  9. brussels, london girls trip, and israel were my exotic destination highlights, and LA, denver, and boston topped my USA faves this year! can't wait for 2016 travels, which should definitely include another J+U trip!

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    1. YES! Maybe Amsterdam in the spring!??! I can see some really hilarious moments there ... ;) Maybe with some Dutch businessmen ... be sure to bring your zebra game.

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  10. I would love to visit Sri Lanka - it looks magical! What a fabulous year :)

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    1. Thanks for reading, Jessi! Sri Lanka was phenomenal. I would go back in a heartbeat!

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  11. Sri Lanka is definitely on my list after hearing about it from friends I met at college who were from there. My bf's aunt is from there as well, and I get so jealous seeing their photos when they go back to visit.

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    1. I think it's often overlooked as a vacation destination, Dannielle, and I have no idea why! The beaches are stunning, the hospitality is amazing, the food is out of this world, and there's so much to see/do! I think you'd really love it :)

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