TRAVEL HIGHLIGHTS 2022

JANUARY 2023

To me 2022 was an amazing year for travel, with many travel highlights. Despite all the difficulties in the world right now, we were able to visit many countries and tick off items of the bucket list. The year was relatively COVID-restriction free which made planning and country-hopping a lot easier than the two years before. I finally was able to visit the UK again and overall was super happy with all the stunning locations that I got to experience.

10) Wales

I did not write my blogposts on Wales yet, but I had to include Wales in my travel highlight list anyway. We went camping in Wales for a few days, as part of our big UK road trip and were surprised at the amazing campsites. Wales had some of the most beautiful campsites we had ever seen. No need to make reservations, just drive up to a local farmer with a pitch of grass and get the best views. Snowdonia features pretty landscapes and family-friendly hikes and should definitely be on your travel list if you like camping and hiking.

9) Edinburgh

Edinburg is one of the most put-together cities I have ever seen. Most buildings are built in the same type of stone, which provides the city with a very clean look. Colorful restaurant and shopping facades provide just the right amount of color to keep it from looking boring. Among my favorite spots in town are Circus Lane, Victoria Street and Calton Hill. Read my Instagram guide on Edinburgh here.

8) Belgium in spring

This year lockdown restrictions were already being eased in spring time, which created the opportunity to visit some of the neighboring countries for some spring spectacle. In Belgium I visited Leuven for its wisteria and Mechelen for the cherry blossoms. Belgium features a few super picturesque cities which provide the perfect backdrop for spring flowers, definitely a must if you have the opportunity. A few years ago I visited Ghent in the wisteria season and was super impressed with the old buildings that were overgrown with dreamy, purple flowers.

7) Santorini

The only reason that Santorini isn’t higher on this list is because I had visited before. However, on my second visit, the spectacular views of the whitewashed buildings with the Aegean Sea as its backdrop still took my breath away. There is a reason it is such a popular destination and that is because it just is that good! You can come for a few days or for a week, you won’t get bored on this scenic island.

6) Barcelona

Barcelona holds a special place in my heart, as I spent a magical summer learning Spanish there. There was a time where I got to visit Barcelona yearly, but it had been quite some time when I revisited in the beginning of 2022. Being in Barcelona I immediately felt like I belonged there and I was super happy to introduce Hugo to this vibrant city. I didn’t spend my time just visiting old favorites, I even managed to visit a new Gaudi house: Casa Vicens.

5) Istanbul

After having seen Istanbul feature in many movies, I was very eager to visit all its rooftops. When @thegingerwanderlust organized a group tour to Turkey, I knew I had to join this tour. During this trip she took us to the best rooftops, mosques, restaurants and museums in Istanbul. I felt I only scratched the surface of this bustling city and I know I will come back one day.

4) Athens

To be honest, Athens or Istanbul, it’s a toss… It is probably just that I had less expectations of Athens. I expected Athens to be all about the Acropolis, and even though it is visible in all its stunning-ness from every corner in the city, Athens had so much more to offer than just the Acropolis. I absolutely loved the vibes of the city and the old neighborhoods Plaka and Anafiotika and I highly recommend a city trip to Athens.

3) Scottish Highlands

We visited the Glencoe region and Isle of Skye of the Scottish Highlands and loved the stunning nature in this region. One of the greenest spots I have ever traveled to, just driving was a feast! We made some of the most beautiful hikes in this area, absolutely loving our hikes to the Old man of Storr and the Hidden Valley of Glencoe. Try to spend at least one week here, to let it all soak in.

2) Milos

Milos is one of the new popular kids on the block in the Cyclades. Not as popular as Mykonos (yet), Milos certainly has a lot to offer. We loved taking a sailing trip exploring the caves on the island, as well as swimming in the moonscape Sarakiniko. If you visit in the shoulder season you will still feel like you have the island to yourself. Make sure to visit before it gets really popular!

1) Cappadocia

The indisputable number one of this list: Cappadocia. Cappadocia was part of my Turkey group tour and I was so happy to finally witness this natural phenomenon with my own eyes. It doesn’t hurt that there are hundreds of balloons flying by during sunrise… definitely worth an early rise! To make the best of our time in Cappadocia we hired ridiculously extravagant dresses and took our pictures with absolutely zero shame!

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