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2022 was a yr of gorgeous 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 very best of 2022.
Going by means of my month-to-month recaps to create this put up was an absolute pleasure. And it jogged my memory that a whole lot 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 turn out to be a hiker?!)
Also, 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, had been Airbnb Experiences! Airbnb Experiences might be my favourite place to guide excursions and actions proper now, as a result of it’s principally small, impartial tour suppliers somewhat than large firms.
That may change. After all, Airbnb lodging was universally funky and various earlier than large builders received maintain of it. But the experiences are nice for now.
And with out additional ado — listed below are my finest journey moments of 2022.
Getting Engaged in Lake Como
Getting engaged after three years collectively was positively the spotlight of the yr! Charlie requested me to marry him in a backyard in Bellagio, Italy, near the shores of Lake Como.
Yes, 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 time. But I didn’t know he would reserve it for the final evening of the Italy journey!
He informed 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 type of place we might return to again and again.
After the proposal, we celebrated in our favourite type — wine and salume. Starting 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 in Cape Cod
My sister and brother-in-law had been among the many {couples} who pushed again their weddings because of COVID. They determined to have a micro-wedding in 2020 and push again the large marriage ceremony till 2021. The following yr, their marriage ceremony venue was bought and the brand new proprietor canceled all of the weddings. I’m sorry, THE FUCK?!
Finally, lastly, that they had their initially deliberate Cape Cod marriage ceremony in September. I used to be the maid of honor. And was this marriage ceremony EVER definitely worth the wait.
Not solely did the venue (Nauset Beach Inn in Orleans) showcase one of many Cape’s finest seashores, this marriage ceremony introduced so many individuals collectively and stored the nice vibes going all evening. Lots of people stated it was the very best marriage ceremony they’ve been to, and it’s most likely the very best one I’ve been to, too!
And I respect 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. Kids? NOPE LOL. Cake? HOW ABOUT CAPE COD DIRT BOMBS INSTEAD?
So grateful that they had been capable of have their dream marriage ceremony.
Hiking to a Live Volcano in Iceland
Every every now and then, you time a visit completely. That was the case for the Iceland street journey Amanda and I deliberate for August. On August 3, Fagradalsfjall volcano on the Reykjanes peninsula started erupting. We had been scheduled to reach on August 12.
Right away, we switched round our itinerary so we may hike to the volcano on our first day. We wakened 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 car 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 crimson 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 tons of of our new finest pals.
By August 21, the eruption was over.
Scientists consider that there will probably be a number of extra eruptions on the Reykjanes peninsula over the subsequent decade. If you’re capable of time your journey to see the volcano, DO IT. You will probably be so glad you probably did it!!
Learning to Cook Tacos al Pastor in Mexico City
Lots of people love to do cooking classes on their travels. Me, not a lot. I’d a lot somewhat do a meals tour and chill and revel in myself somewhat than having to do the work. I’m a recipe-follower, not an ingenious prepare dinner by any measure.
But Charlie and I learn gushing evaluations of this tacos al pastor class in Mexico City and determined to do it. Tacos al pastor should not the type of dish you make for one individual — the meet is often shaved off a large trompo at a avenue stand.
From the second we had been welcomed into Chef Raja’s lovely courtyard, I knew we had met a kindred spirit. A sort and attention-grabbing man in addition to a culinary faculty teacher, he took us to a market, gave us a lesson on choosing the appropriate produce, and taught us all the things from find out how to roast chiles to the right knife abilities for every of the greens.
We every made our personal little trompo for one which day, utilizing a pineapple slice and a picket 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 had been so pretty. Their dwelling will not 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 could be a bizarre factor to placed on this checklist, however I swear it was considered one of my favourite moments of the yr. People eat in-season produce within the Czech Republic for probably the most half; good luck discovering asparagus in October or golden beets in April.
But June was when strawberry season hit. Suddenly the farmers’ markets had strawberries popping out of their ears.
I purchased a giant basket and took it dwelling. Then promptly demolished your complete basket. THESE WERE THE BEST STRAWBERRIES I HAD EVER, EVER, EVER TASTED. And they’re from the Czech Republic!!
It solely lasted two weeks or so, however MAN, that was probably the most scrumptious time of yr! During that point I made just a few baked items and went by means of just a few 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!
Hiking the Path of the Gods in Italy
The Amalfi Coast is among the most lovely locations on the planet — however you could be a bit dissatisfied whenever you go to in actual life. The cities are attractive to view from the water, however they’re crowded, tough to get round, and intensely costly.
But for me, the spotlight of the Amalfi Coast is mountain climbing 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 believe makes it a sensible choice for solo feminine vacationers), and also you’ll wish to {photograph} all the things in sight. Each time you assume you’ve seen the very best view, one other will unfurl behind you.
I’d contemplate it a average hike with just a few spots of scrambling. Not as dangerous as I feared. Honestly, the worst half was all the steps heading right down to Positano!
Perfect Fall Foliage in New Hampshire
Now that I’ve a New Hampshire web site, I write lots 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 carry Charlie on a fall foliage journey after Sarah and Matt’s marriage ceremony. We headed as much as the White Mountains in early October and the timing couldn’t have been extra excellent!
Reds, yellows, and oranges had been exploding so far as the attention may see. I discovered absolutely the excellent day and vacation spot to be October 7 in Pinkham Notch, the place we drove the Mount Washington Auto Road 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.
Growing up in Massachusetts, I actually had no concept how good we had it in New England till I left. If you’re thinking about fall colours within the least, you MUST head to New England within the fall!
An Incredible Sailing Day in Sardinia
We took three boat journeys in Sardinia. A mediocre large group tour in La Maddalena, a enjoyable speedboat journey in San Teodoro. But the very best journey of all was our crusing journey in Alghero.
What made this journey nice? 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 appeared good somewhat than making an attempt to knock off a listing of spots. Paddleboards and snorkeling gear for us to make use of.
Still, months later, I’m serious about the lunch Andrea served — it was easy Sardinian fregula pasta with tomatoes, meat, and cheese. But it was SO DAMN TASTY, and it was served on that attractive 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 outdated man on board. We began guffawing, the Germans began guffawing, the Italian children began guffawing. “Welcome in Italy!” the Italian dad stated to us with fun.
This was the very best exercise we did in Sardinia, and I can’t communicate extra extremely of Captain Andrea, who made all the things look easy. One of the very best days in Italy this summer time. (Even although Charlie received stung by a jellyfish.)
Xochimilco and Lucha Libre in Mexico City
Xochimilco had been on the prime of my Mexico City checklist ever since our deliberate tour was canceled in March 2020! This yr, we returned to Mexico City and I lastly received to participate
Xochimilco (SO-chee-MILL-ko) is among the finest cultural partying experiences in Mexico City. You get a spot on a brightly painted picket boat and also you meander across the canals, ingesting a lot of alcohol and blasting a lot of music.
If you come right here on a Saturday, it’s WILD. But when you go throughout the week, when it’s quieter, guide a tour with Airbnb Experiences. We received on our boat with a enjoyable mixture of vacationers and traveled across the canals, consuming good meals, ingesting a lot of beer and tequila, even hiring a mariachi band on a ship to serenade us just a few songs!
Multiple folks on the tour informed us that when you’ve completed Xochimilco proper, you don’t bear in mind getting dwelling that evening. Eek! But man, what a enjoyable party-tastic day!
And we stored that going. That night, we had been off to Lucha Libre — Mexican skilled wrestling! (Another pandemic-cancelled occasion in March 2020.) It was wild and humorous. But what made it most particular was this Airbnb Experience, the place our group truly met a wrestler for drinks earlier than going to the present.
That was the very best concept ever — as a result of abruptly we had somebody to cheer for! When he received into the ring, we screamed like lifelong followers!
Both of those occasions had been SO MUCH FUN. But actually, I might make Xochimilco the ONE occasion you try this day. We had been exhausted by night.
(Also superior? We met a cool couple from Atlanta in Xochimilco and satisfied them to affix us at Lucha Libre that evening. Just a few 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 am going to London just a few occasions a yr — to see his household, for our pal’s bonfire celebration, for infrequent work occasions. And actually, we’ve type 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.
But my favourite was the Peter Pan afternoon tea on prime of the Shard. I LOVE afternoon tea, however when it’s themed this effectively, it brings it to the subsequent degree!
I introduced my pal Dylan and collectively we loved fairy mud cocktails, mushroom chimneys, Hook’s lime inexperienced cake, Tinkerbell cookies with gummy crocodiles, and SO rather more. And we received to take pleasure in all of it from the highest of the Shard, with among the finest London views on the town.
Next time I’m in London, I’m reserving method forward for one more themed afternoon tea!
Hiking to Múlagljúfur Canyon in Iceland
I used to assume 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 — nevertheless it’s well-managed and much from damaging.
But is it nonetheless attainable to get off the overwhelmed path? Definitely. Particularly within the Highlands and the Westfjords.
Amanda and I had been sticking near the vacationer path for this journey. But we discovered a fully magical place — Múlagljúfur Canyon. Close to Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, Múlagljúfur Canyon is on the finish of a really tough street, making it robust for non-Four wheel drive automobiles.
We spent about an hour mountain climbing up into the canyon — and had been rewarded with the view above.
It is the very best place I’ve ever seen in Iceland. Imagine the mist within the air, dashing waterfalls on either side of you, a fowl gliding low and straight by means of the canyon. Imagine the recent scent, the spongy moss beneath your ft.
Best of all, we had been two of only a few folks there and for awhile had that view utterly to ourselves.
This inevitably brings questions — “Why would you mention this place if you don’t want people going there?” — however I’m assured that the appropriate sorts of vacationers will discover their method there. The relaxation will assume Jökulsárlón is the best factor they’ve seen.
What had been your favourite journey moments of 2022?