Happy New Year!!!
I hope your 2016 is off to a lovely start. I rang in 2016 with a huge group of friends in a tiny forest service cabin in the Montana wilderness. It was fun, relaxing, blissful and all-around amazing to get back into the wilderness for a bit–even a wilderness where we had champagne, a keg, and fresh Ciabatta bread ;).
A new year is a great time for taking stock and making goals for the new year, as we all know. I’ve moved away from specific resolutions as I hardly ever keep them and end up feeling guilty, and that’s no fun! However, I always like to make a list of some general goals to work towards in the new year. I’m sure it comes as no surprise to all of you, but I always include some TRAVEL goals and let’s face it, those are some of the most fun ones to make!
2015 was my biggest travel year yet. Although I will be moving to Hungary in just a few weeks, I don’t expect 2016 to be quite as travel-filled, as I will be coming back to the States in May for my sister’s wedding, so a lot of money will be reserved for that. But that doesn’t mean I won’t be taking advantage of my European location!
Hungary
I suppose this one is obvious since I am moving there in just a few weeks!!!! Still, I am looking forward to exploring more of Budapest and the rest of Hungary. Eger and Pecs are at the top of my list! I can’t wait to find more off-the-beaten-track places just like we did in the Czech Republic. Although my first contract is only for six months, I hope to extend so we can really get to know the Hungarians and their culture. I guess this means I should make yet another Bucket List!
Romania
As I will be neighbors with this country, it’s high time to visit the region, Transylvania, that I’ve wanted to visit since reading Dracula a decade ago. Every time I see a picture of this gorgeous area, I immediately want to jump on a plane! It looks so naturally gorgeous, and I love me a cute little village in a spectacular setting.
Slovenia
We were this close to visiting Slovenia last year, but our need to leave the Schengen zone quickly had us going straight to Croatia, rather than going to both Slovenia and Croatia. It’s also a neighbor of Hungary, so it’s time. There is so much to see in this tiny, undiscovered little country–from Lake Bled to Piran on the Mediterranean coast!
Italy
Somehow, I’ve only been to two cities in Italy! I would love to visit Rome and the Amalfi Coast, and Florence and Tuscany. I’m not sure both will be able to happen this year, but I hope to visit one of these regions! E really wants to visit Rome near Easter–it sounds awesome and yet crazy!
Western Canada
I will be coming back to America in both May and July, once for my sister’s wedding and once for the wedding of a dear friend. Along with visiting family, I’d like to visit the western part of Canada. I’ve been to Seattle countless times, but never to Vancouver, which seems like a crime! Also, considering I lived in a state right below some of the most beautiful areas of Canada for a large chunk of my life, it’s a shame I have yet to visit any of this part of the world.
Switzerland/Germany
I’ve been obsessed with the German Christmas markets ever since last year, and if we spend another Christmas in Europe, you bet I will be back! I would also love to re-visit the gorgeous Switzerland–I haven’t been in over a decade, and E has never visited!
Greece
If we hadn’t needed to leave Europe for visa reasons, I think we would have been all over Greece as a honeymoon spot (although I can’t say I was disappointed in our choice of Costa Rica and Panama!). I’ve wanted to visit both mainland Greece and the islands for as long as I can remember, I hope this is the year we can make it happen!
What’s on your 2016 travel wish list?