Yes, late February is a tad late for a post announcing anything to do with 2018. But what can I say, my plans took a little longer than usual this year to start coming together! In fact, I’m still in the thick of confirming loads of these, which does give me a small, minor heart attack every time I think about it, but, well, I did say I wanted to start being more spontaneous in my travels. Right? Right.
This is going to be such an incredible year. Looking back, 2017 was a pretty tame one for me and that’s just fine — it was what I needed at the time. But now, looking forward, I’m ready to shake things up again. Some of the plans in this post excite me, some of them straight up scare me, and most of them are a combination of the two yet to be calibrated. One thing that’s for sure? I’ll be sharing every second of each of these adventures right here — and I hope you’ll join me for them.
January-March // Asia Adventures
In January, I went on my my first trip of the year, a little domestic getaway in Thailand. I spent three nights camping and glamping in Kanchanaburi Province before heading to Bangkok for three nights of an urban fix. Starting the year by getting back to nature was exactly what I needed — I can’t seem to get enough of camping these days.
In February, I have had some seriously exciting stuff happening! My tourist visa extension expired earlier in the month and I had to leave the country to restart my next one. As I loathe the easy option of doing a bus-and-boat bounce to the Burma land border and back that’s popular with expats and long-term travelers (to me it feels like paying to be motion sick for 24 hours) I decided to make a trip out of it I tossed around several options — Sri Lanka, Japan, and Goa were all top contenders.
But then, a pretty enticing invitation landed in my inbox — an influencer campaign at Telunas Resorts, a private island in Indonesia. No wifi, over-water bungalows and ocean as far as the eye can see? Twist my arm! So Ian and I spent three nights in the Riau Islands of Indonesia and three nights in Singapore — which you’re actually going to read about pretty soon! Now that’s my kind of visa run.
As soon as I got back I hopped right into the PADI Digital Underwater Photographer course that you guys chose for me on Facebook! I loved taking a few days to enjoy the island I live on underwater — and I can’t wait to share everything I learned. It’s always nice to have an adventure at home.
Right now, I’m heading in for a long-overdue appointment: my PRK eye correction surgery. As some of you know, this has been a long time in the making. It took me a while to accept the disappointment that I wasn’t a candidate for Lasik or ReLex, but once I wrapped my head around the more painful recovery and longer healing of PRK, I realized I still didn’t want to live the rest of my life wearing contacts every day.
So I’m finally doing it! My surgeon advises I should expect to spend at least a week in Bangkok recovering. I can’t wait to write about my first experience with medical tourism. (Watch out, Botox! Just kidding! But not for long!)
In March, I’ll be laying low and recovering from surgery back in Koh Tao, as soon as I get the okay from my doctor to go home. I’m hoping towards the end of the month I’ll be cleared to dive again and can take in a coral propagation course and get some serious practice with my new underwater strobe.
I’m not exactly sure where it’s going to fit in yet, but I’ve been loving exploring Thailand’s National Parks so much lately, I’ve begun planning a pretty epic three-day hop around a few of them in Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces. I get really excited at the thought of being able to write really comprehensive guides, like I did for Khao Yai National Park, that will help other travelers to Thailand explore them too!
April-May // Middle East Exploring
In April, I’ll be dusting off my passport again for an adventure I was so excited I already announced it months ago: The Middle East! I’m so glad I did though because you guys gave me some incredible ideas and insights, and I made a lot of planning decisions based on them.
For example? You convinced me trying to solo backpack through Egypt was only going to end in tears. For reasons of fun, convenience, hassle-avoidance, logistics and beyond, I’ll be joining a group tour through the highlights of ancient Egypt! The tour starts in Cairo to take in the pyramids, explored the ruins of Aswan and Luxor, and sails up the Nile on a felucca (my one non-negotiable of the trip). More details on which company and which tour coming soon!
Next, I’ll get a taste of independent travel through Egypt as I head to Sinai and the Northern stretch of the Red Sea to take in a mini-liveaboard from Sharm el Sheikh, and finish off in the backpacker and scuba diving paradise of Dahab. This is going to be so epic and is really where my heart is focused right now — think camel riding to remote dive spots, spending the night in Bedouin camps, and hiking to the top of Mount Sinai. Due to time constraints, I decided to save the Southern Red Sea and a longer liveaboard for my next trip to Egypt… for this first one, there’s just too much to take in and I just couldn’t seem to tear myself away from land for too long.
(Sources: In May, I’ll be crossing over into Israel and spending three weeks exploring everywhere from Eilat to the Dead Sea to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv before taking a mini-road trip around North Israel and the Sea of Galilee. I’m trying not to overplan this portion of the trip, and just kind of see where the wind takes me, but I know that I want to explore modern Israel and soak up plenty of sun and sea! I’m just starting to dig into hostel research here, so holler at me with any great ones.
Now, here’s the sad news: I realized pretty quickly that my original plan of visiting Egypt, Israel and Jordan was unrealistic give my time constraints. I preferred to deep dive into two rather than do a whistle-stop tour of all three (and knew I’d be much less likely to go back and explore further if I’d already seen the highlights), and so for the pure logistical reasons of it makes most sense to fly into Egypt and fly out of Israel and I can travel overland between the two, Jordan got axed — but only for now. I know, I know, it’s a bummer — but I’m always happiest when I spend more time in less places.
(Sources: The upshot? I realized it was only $100 more in flights to add a two-day stop in Kuwait en route to Egypt. What the heck — when else am I going to go to Kuwait? And it seems twenty-four hours is the perfect amount of time to take it this little city state. So I’m strongly considering hitting up three Middle Eastern countries after all — just a slightly different itinerary than I originally anticipated! If any of you have been to Kuwait, hit me with your advice in the comments.
(Sources: June-August // Home in Each Hemisphere
In June, I’m heading back to the East Coast for a long-awaited adventure — my 200 hour yoga teacher training! After much reflection and research, I’ve decided to do the training with Y7 Studio, a hip hop hot yoga studio in New York and Los Angeles that I’m obsessed with.
It’s not the most traditional choice, but their classes really set me on fire, and having this certification will open up a world of opportunities to share my favorite unique styles of yoga as I travel, and open up a world of other specialty certifications only open to those with a basic yoga or fitness background (Pound Fit and Buti Yoga trainings, here I come!)
Due to both the cost of the training itself and finding housing in New York City, this is a huge investment and one that I hesitated so many times over making. But as my mom texted me one night while I was once again crunching the numbers and trying to figure out if I could justify something like this, “follow your dreams, sweetie.”
(And if you or anyone you know in New York needs a responsible subletter for the month of June…you know who to email.)
In July, the month is still being sketched out, but after a weekend in Martha’s Vineyard with my family, Ian and I are planning to reunite in New Orleans. While I’ve been several times, I’m still excited to go see it through fresh eyes with Ian, who’s been rating it as his most anticipated American city for quite some time, and is heading there for a bachelor party.
After, I’m bringing Ian to Florida! My dad is a Disney Vacation Club member, as you all now know, so I’m also crossing my fingers that we can arrange a little family reunion in Orlando, and then Ian and I are heading to Miami. I’ve visited Miami twice but I still feel like I have SO much to explore, especially Little Havana and Wynwood. And Ian’s the perfect person to explore them with. I must admit, I’ve been very tempted to scrap this chilled out USA-exploring and head to Mexico or Jamaica instead, but I have a feeling I’ll be craving some family and familiarity and down-time by this point. We’ll see.
One thing that’s set in stone? I’m super excited to announce that I’ll finally be heading to The Florida Keys, my most anticipated Sunshine State destination! I’ll be there for three nights for my friend Ashlee’s mermaid-tastic Bachelorette Party (seriously, I’m going to Mermaid School… again) and will probably book a few extra nights to scuba dive and explore Key West solo once the festivities are over. I’ll definitely be spending some time exploring the other Keys on my way back to Miami — including a possible stay in an underwater hotel — so leave me your best tips for the whole strip!
In August, I’ll be heading back to Thailand for most of the month. Normally I don’t like to bounce back and forth across the globe so much but I’ll make an exception to be a bridesmaid in my friend Suze’s wedding and attend Tao Festival!
Also, and this is something that’s pretty nail-biting to announce, I’m in the process of planning my first ever Wanderland Women’s Dive and Yoga Retreat for August on Koh Tao. Can you hear my squee-ing with excitement through my laptop? I hope you guys will be as pumped about this as I am — if you already are, make sure you’re on my mailing list to be among the first to get the official announcement (sign-up forms are in the sidebar and below!)
September-December // Home and Who Knows!
In September, after what I hope will be a relaxing Labor Day on Martha’s Vineyard, it’s wedding and conference time! I have a wedding in New Hampshire, a wedding in Long Island, and anywhere from one to three travel conferences (the guarantee is TravelCon in Austin, Texas, where I’ll be speaking on monetizing my blog — and ticking a new state off my list!)
I’m also considering adding a shorter Wanderland Retreat over a long weekend in September or October on another island close to my heart, Martha’s Vineyard! Stay tuned for more info on the intimate Wanderland Yoga and Photography Retreat I’m hoping to bring to life here.
After that? It’s all up in the air! I definitely will need to get out to California at some point to see my dad and dog, so that’s probably where I’ll head in October, and I’ve promised my family I’m spending the holidays at home this year after a four year hiatus. Obviously, this far out, details are super sketchy, but I’d love to make dog-friendly trips to both Santa Barbara and Big Bear. Oh! And one of my childhood best friends just announced a move to Atlanta, where I’ve been long overdue for a visit — so I’d like to fit that in over the fall as well.
And well — that’s what I’ve got so far! But it’s kind of a good start, no?
Believe it or not, I actually already have a few big bucket list trips sealed on the calendar for 2019 — but I think I’ll wait till next year’s post to reveal those π Well, I told you guys I was ready to really travel again — let’s do this!
Tell me, which of these plans are you most excited to read about? I always get excited to know you all are excited about a trip!
And more importantly, what do YOU have planned for 2018?
I don’t see Jacksonville on here but I need to meet Ian so we will figure out where to meet you in F-L-A!
Don’t think I haven’t noticed the lack of J-Ville on here! In fact while writing this post I looked up those Britney tickets… starting at $400 a pop. BRITNEY WHY. Obviously, we need to make a Florida meetup happen, with our dudes!
So EXCITING!! Egypt is right at the tippy top of my destinations list- canβt wait to watch your trip unfold!
On another note… I hope this isnβt creepy, but Iβm an interior designer and Iβve just finished renovating a 3 bedroom apartment in Park Slope, across the street from Prospect Park. My boyfriend and I live there, but we have two empty bedrooms. Everything is brand new and freshly updated- if you need a place to stay for the month of June, weβd love to host! We also travel all of the time so we are pretty much professional Airbnb-ers and weβll likely be in and out, but itβd be so fun to swap stories and host a fellow explorer. Youβd also have your own bathroom! Again, I hope this doesnβt weird you out, but the door is open for you if you need it ????. Please feel free to stalk my Instagram (@stephaniecoffaro) to confirm Iβm not a total loon.
Cheers from a fellow DVC member !!
Um, not creepy at all! (And you have a stunning Instagram account!) Please shoot me an email — I’d love to discuss this further! <3
wonderful! ps, sent you an email a few weeks ago. I know you are a v. busy bee so of course no hurry at all, but i’ve had friends and clients tell me that occasionally my initial emails end up in junk folders so just wanted to make sure you didn’t think i forgot about you π hope you and your eyes are healing up nicely!
Oh my gosh, the SAME THING HAPPENS TO ME! Going to go dig around in my junk folder… why does this happen to us?!
Technology, right?! Holler if I need to resend. I wrote you a short novella ????
How exciting! This sounds like a fantastic year of travel. Iβm so excited to read about your trip to Egypt – that is seriously such an amazing trip to be able to take. The thing Iβm most excited about, though, is that you are coming to my hometown of Austin for TravelCon! I saw Mattβs post about it earlier this morning on Insta and will be buying my ticket for sure. I hope to be able to meet you at the conference!
Oh that would be awesome Danielle! SO SAD that I have a wedding the same weekend so I’ll only be there the first day — so please look for me and run up and say hi when you do π I’ll be around for a few days before the conference as well exploring!
Ahhh Wanderland photog & yoga retreat on Martha’s Vineyard? COUNT ME IN. No but seriously I hope I can make it happen because that sounds amazing. Don’t do it on September 2 please. Haha. π
It would be SO great to finally meet you Maddy! And yeah, I’ve been struggling with picking a date as I know Labor Day is so busy but I figure who can take time off the weekend right after?!
You know who just lives 2.5 hours from Atlanta, right…
Aquarium dive and Coca Cola Museum, HERE WE COME!
Hi Alex,
Are you able to tell me which tour you are going on that has a Felucca and ends in Hurgada? I’ve been searching for my Egypt land trip and can’t find one that does that. I am going in September so want to book soon!
Thank you!
Emailing you right now, Lisa!
Sounds like an exciting year. I can’t wait to read about your Egypt and Israel adventures.
As for us, we are heading to Las Vegas, Fiji, Lake Powell (a family favorite), Hawaii, and hoping to fit in another trip to Paris this fall. π
Happy travels!
I am DYING to get my mom and her future husband and all the kids to a lake boat on Lake Powell. I think they would love it so much! Please let me know if you blog about the trip so I can send it to my mom and try to convince her π
I love reading these travel plan posts! Congrats on pulling the trigger on your yoga cert (something I’ve been waffling on myself for a few years) and moving forward with the Wanderland Retreats. The Koh Tao dive and yoga retreat sounds perfect. If I weren’t planning a trip to Peru with my boyfriend in August, I’d already be considering reallocating those savings for a trip to Koh Tao! So excited to read about your Middle East trip, yoga training, and retreats. Hope all goes well with the surgery!
Aw, well I’m sorry we won’t have you this time, but perhaps next year π I’m definitely hoping to do more if these go well! And thank you for the well wishes!
Such a fun itinerary! I’d love to go to Egypt, so looking forward to those posts for sure! Few quick notes from me:
1. I have never been to Kuwait, but my 2 doggies are from there! I volunteer with a local rescue in Baltimore called Wings of Love, Kuwait. We have adopted out over 400 hundred Kuwaiti dogs in the Baltimore area so far π
2. Key West is so fun, you will have a blast there. I really liked the butterfly conservatory! I think I’ve made this rec before on a post, but for you, The Turtle Hospital on Marathon is a must visit!
3. Wynwood is such a hip neighborhood, I’m sure you will love it. The walls are fun and I hear they are always rotating with different art. I know you aren’t much of a beer person, but if you are with Ian, there are a handful of breweries within walking distance. Veza Sur is one of the newer ones and was my favorite.
Have so much fun on your upcoming travels!! I have already done NYC and California (Santa Barbara, Paso Robles, Monterey/Carmel) so far this year. Loved Santa Barbara and Paso, highly recommend checking out Paso if you like wine! Have Asheville, Denver, and Martha’s Vineyard (your house!!) planned over the next few months, but hoping to add in a bigger trip to Europe or some other new places this fall. Happy travels Alex!!
That’s so random about the Kuwait dog rescue! Who would have guessed π And yes, the Turtle Hospital is totally on my list! And thanks for the Wynwood tip too!
SO excited for you to experience Martha’s Vineyard, hope you fall in love!
This looks like an amazing year!! I am so excited to hear about Egypt and Israel, those are at the top of my bucket list. Could you also consider doing a budget breakdown of your travels?
Hey Cate! I’ll definitely do budget breakdowns for those two destinations. I try to do them here and there when they are interesting or relevant π
I always really look forward to these posts, and this one got me SO excited for you! Sounds like the perfect balance of new and old, hopefully not too hectic but definitely really inspiring. When you’re in LA, would love if you did a reader meet up!
^Been following you for awhile but don’t comment very regularly π
And thank you for doing so π Comments literally make my day!
Aw, you’re so sweet! I’ll definitely keep a reader meetup in mind as plans progress! Getting back to California feels so far away but I’m excited to start planning it, eventually!
I always loveeee reading travel plan posts, and your plans are so exciting! I’m really looking forward to your Middle East posts as I’m dying to visit the region. I was hoping to make it this year, but I think I’ll be spending more time in Scotland and Southern and Eastern Europe. Also, I love the sound of your yoga and photography retreat, so I hope you’ll be hosting more in the future π
I love reading travel planning posts too — and writing them, of course π Here’s hoping these retreats go well and I can put a few on the books every year! I love the idea of showing you guys around some of my favorite places <3
Yay Austin! Get ready to eat good food!! π
Ah, I can’t wait! I’ll only have a few days but I’m already drooling thinking about them π
So excited for you!
Thanks Rae — I’m excited toooo!
Lots of exciting plans! And so nice that you’re gonna be in the Middle East this spring as well! If you’re looking for a nice hostel in Tel Aviv/Jerusalem I can highly recommend Abraham Hostels. It’s one of the best places I’ve been so far (and I’ve been in many hostels the last couple of years ;p) with a perfect balance of chilling and doing stuff (+ they love to work with awesome travel bloggers like you as well). And can’t wait for your diving experiences in Dead Sea, that’s gonna be quite some experience as well I think π
I’ve definitely heard really great things about Abraham Hostels… they are a top contender as I start to dig into that planning!
This sounds so exciting! I really look forward to your dispatches from the Middle East. I just moved to Rhode Island and would SO be down for a yoga retreat in Marthaβs Vineyardβeven though Iβm terrible at yoga!
Eh, the thing I like about yoga is you can’t really be bad at it… yet there’s always room to improve π I’d absolutely love to have you!
So excited to hear about your travels to Egypt and Israel and the keys!!
I am finally going to make it to Peru this year, after wanting to go for several years. I was originally planning a trip to Peru when I first came across your blog almost 3 years ago. After reading your blog though I changed my post-grad trip to Southeast Asia instead (and so glad I did!). But I’m really looking forward to peru in 2018!!
Can’t wait to read all about your adventures
Oh my gosh I LOVE LOVE LOVE Peru. You’re going to have the most magical time! Seems like a million years ago that I was there…
So please let me know who the friends are who talked you out of backpacking solo through Egypt because they are now MY best friends….XO
Ha, it was all my readers, here in the comments of my last post about The Middle East! So you can thank all of them π
What a FUN year you have planned!
I’m so so excited for your Egypt travels, I’ve been dying to go for so long and after a planned then last minute cancellation its long overdue. I’m looking forward to hearing what tour group you go with!
Also can’t wait for you to announce your Koh Tao Girls Retreat ????
Yayyyy I hope you can come π And I love that Egypt seems to be the trip everyone is most excited about… because I think it’s the one I’m most excited about too, ha ha. I just can’t wait <3
I have to say Iβm super excited about your Middle East travel plans. I swear one day I will explore more than just Asia and the Middle East is on the top of my list of areas to go! Iβm just fascinated by that part of the world. And your plans sound particularly interesting. Also, congrats on going for it with the yoga training. Your mom sound like sheβs the best π
She is! I feel really lucky to have parents that have encouraged me to chase my dreams and live an nontraditional life, but also gave me a strong foundation of basic life skills and common sense so I’m kind of grounded in reality while doing so. Can’t think of a better gift to give your kids.
I love love love wrap ups & travel plans! I get so excited myself when I read about other people’s plans! It’s a pity you’re not going to Jordan, I’m going this year and I was hoping to use your tips & tricks. I can totally understand why you would skip it though. I have a lot of fun trips planned this year, but I think I’m looking forward to Peru the most π
Well I’ll have to get your Jordan tips for my eventual trip instead π It was a hard call to cut it but I think I’ll be happier in the long-run!
What about visiting some of Canada after LA? Autumn in BC and the Rockies would be amazing.
I do have a lot of Canada still to check off the list! I was actually thinking about a return to Manitoba — dying to go to see the buffalo in Ridings Mountain National Park!
IM currently diving on a liveaboard in Raja Ampat and heard amazing things about the whole Egyptian liveaboard expΓ©rience so enjoy it!!
That, Komodo and Galapagos are now on my diving liveaboard bucket lists.
Israel is apparently super hip right now. Canβt eait to get tips and ideas from you before planning my own venture out there!!
Also this yoga thing sounds awesome. Once you hit a certain level in your practice that teacher training idea starts ticking. Iβm a 40hr a week job holder but it seems like a great 6 weeks off!!
I agree, even if I don’t teach regularly you just start to want to understand the practice more regularly in a way you can’t get from just hitting the mat a few times a week! My training is actually less than four weeks, so maybe you can sneak it in more easily than you think someday π
Great post; I love getting to see all your travel plans in one list! Tbh I’m kinda most excited to hear about Kuwait, cause that’s not any sort of mainstream travel destination XD
Yeah, I can barely find any travel blogs about it… it’s going to be fun π Just booked my flights there last night!
Ah, I love this post! And am probably MOST excited about Egypt! I told Ryan it’s on my list, and he gave me some major side eye… so I can’t wait to read about your take/experience there. How do you feel about safety there? I think that was his biggest concern.
I can definitely understand that reaction, given the number of high-profile incidents in areas frequented by tourists. They gave me some pause, but the same could be said for many major cities in Europe over recent years too, and that hasn’t seemed to stop the flow of tourists too drastically. As I plan the trip I’m constantly surprised with the number of security measures in place to protect tourists around Egypt, especially in a tour group. I’m feeling pretty good about going!
Good luck and happy healing with all the eye stuff. Can’t wait to see your posts and pics from the ancient Egypt tour. That’s been one of my biggest dream destinations since childhood!!!!! <3
Me too — I’m so thrilled to finally be making it happen! Still feels like a dream!
Girl, I hear your excitement through the screen and I couldn’t be happier you are reinvigorated to be hitting the road big time again. CANNOT WAIT for your experiences in the Middle East. 2018 is going to be a big one. I’m already calculating which MV trip will work for me π and YAY, I see you ATL!
YES! So excited to explore a new city with you! (Okay, well, technically I was there when I was like 12…)
This is a celebratory post, although New Year is already over. Way to go Alex!!!Rooting for you.
From the hammock of A.I.W.A.S (Alex in Wanderland Appreciation Society) aka the un-official Tucker Cheerleader π
Haha, my favorite kind of cheerleader π Looking forward to one or two trips with Tucker this year!
Cannot WAIT for the Israel/Egypt Instas and posts. I’d love to take my mom to Israel for her 50th so this will be so helpful! Travel plans are so exciting, so congrats!!! On our end, we’re posted up in New Orleans through April, then heading to Maine for the summer and Vermont for the fall (husband and I both work from home), with trips to Hawaii next week an Iceland in August. Hoping for some cool plans in Nov-Dec, so we’ll see! π
Wow, that would be an incredible 50th present, Kaitie! And, um, your year literally sounds like a dream!
Ahh so great that youβre planning on doing your yoga teacher training. I think itβs something youβve mentioned on here in the past so itβs fantastic youβre doing it. Your retreats found fab! Wish I could make Koh Tao. Maybe a pop up one day retreat in Southern California? π
If these go well, who knows what will be next π And yes, here’s to making long-time dreams come true!
Hi! I found your blog while looking for Hawaii tips and have been following for the past week or so! Your 2018 is shaping up to be an exciting year and I’m very jealous of all the travel you’ll be doing! One thing to note- I have not visited Kuwait BUT I adopted a dog from there because they do not treat them well. So as an animal lover I HAD to give you that warning. Steer clear of the Friday Market where most of them are squished into a single cage- its heartbreaking. I am looking forward to seeing photos and hearing about the rest of your trips!
This is crazy — TWO comments from people who have adopted dogs from Kuwait. What a coincidence! Thank you for the warning, that would definitely upset me.
WHAT AN EXCITING YEAR!!! Wow. Beyond excited to read about your Middle East adventures. And thrilled for you to finally be doing your yoga teacher training course.
Best of luck recovering from eye surgery x
EEEEEEE thank you π I just loved writing this post and now I am loving hearing what you guys think about it all. I’ve been on a booking rampage since I pressed publish on this… it’s all really starting to feel real.
sort of unrelated… but looking for a good surf/yoga retreat in latin america – thinking mexico, costa rica, or nicaragua. do you have any good leads/recos? anything greatly appreciated! thank you!
sidney
@iamsidthekid // for life
@littlebeingbigworld // for travel
Hey Sidney! I would check out Chica Brava in San Juan del Sur — I interviewed one of their former instructors here! Hope that helps!
Holler if you need Atlanta recs!
Once I get it on the calendar, I will! Thanks Caroline!
So excited to hear what you think about Austin, Texas!!!
If you want some ideas while you’re there, I wrote a post π https://www.peanutbutterismyboyfriend.com/peanutbutterismyboyfriend/2015/12/22/7osmd81h9t6vsk47o7z8okkabdidoj
Also – if you want to sound like a local – it’s “on” Long Island, not in π
Ugh, I ALWAYS struggle with “on” or “in” when it comes to islands! Ha! I never know which to go with!
Excited about the Bedouin camps and camels, and can’t wait to read about Israel (especially Tel Aviv – you need to watch Beauty and the Baker!).
Oooo — I’m putting that on my download list! I love watching movies about a place before going, or while I’m there!
Love your blog! Iβm applying to teach English in Thailand this coming October, so Iβve loved reading all of your posts. A few notes:
1. I went to Israel a few years ago and itβs incredible. The food, the culture, the people – all amazing. I stayed in a Bedouin camp for a night and saw the freaking Milky Way. It was amazing.
2. If Julesβ Underwater Hotel in Key Largo is the underwater hotel youβre referring to, skip it. I had to do one of my certification dives in their lagoon and thereβs zero visibility and my instructor said there is rarely a spotting of anything besides fish. Just a tip!
Hey Gabi! SO happy to hear your positive words about Israel, that’s the portion of the trip I’m deep in planning mode for right now! Eeeek!
As for the underwater hotel, yes that’s the one! Yeah I’m not too fussed about the dive itself, I just think the novelty of sleeping in an underwater hotel is a must! But good to know not to book any additional dives, ha.
Looking forward eagerly to your Egypt trip! Have fun and uncover mysteries π
Thanks Rekha! I too can’t wait π
So exciting, I can’t wait to follow along. Egypt sounds so magical!
Eeek, I can’t believe how soon it’s coming up. Pinch me!
I had bad experience in Egypt. Taxi driver asked 50.00 USD for ride to my hotel and I paid him. Usually tourists pay only 15.00 USD for the same ride.
That’s a frustrating start to a trip and a good reminder to always research standard rates ahead of time. I hope your trip improved!
What an immensely fun and inspiring year you have ahead of you! It seems the 200 hour yoga teacher training will be the highlight of the year (although it’s really hard to pick out ONE highlight among so many amazing plans). This is what I look forward the most to read about during this year. I clicked throught to the Y7 site and read about the program, it seems overwhelmingly comprehensive and intense! Good choice.
And best of luck with your eye surgery, you’ll be so happy you did it!
Just a heads up about Commentluv, the developer has not updated the plugin for over a year due to serious health problems, so it might not be safe to use and it doesn’t work with https-sites.
Thank you so much Katrin! Yes, it really will be a year of highlights and bucket list ticking. AS for the Commentluv, ugh, I know, I’ve been back and forth debating about keeping it or not. I know it slows down my site and I should dump it, but I do love getting to click through and see what some of my readers and fellow bloggers are writing about.
It’s so crazy that you have ten whole months all planned! That must be so much work. We’re camped in the middle of Wales and don’t even know where we’ll be tomorrow! You must be so organized. Any tips?
Ha, I wouldn’t really say it’s much a skill of mine π People just tell me I need to be somewhere (wedding, conference, work gig) and I put it on the calendar and plan around it! I’m actually quite disorganized — I’m always joking I’d love to hire a secretary!
You seem desperate to prove your worth through βtravellingβ. From the above itinerary of 2018 it seems to me that you are; opting for, yet again, a safe stint in Thailand. Then a group tour through Egypt (how adventurous) and then a 24 stop over in a lacklustre airport which youβre branding as β24 hours in a new country!β. Youβre American so I understand the hyperbole but how frustrating it is to see yet another pile of shite making a living off βtravellingβ whilst simultaneously returning to the city you claim to have βescapedβ from in a bid to make money and set yourself up with a short term career such as βyogaβ. From what I can discern, you are claiming to travel for 6 years but it appears as though youβre actually only travelling and exploring for 1 month maximum. Good luck with this blog but please – for the sake of those of us who actually take risks and explore foreign lands – accept that youβre only in this for monetary gain and youβre not expanding your horizons in the slightest.
Scott, this is just a mean-spirited comment. You kind of lost me at “pile of shite” — it makes anything else you say hard to take seriously once you start slinging names around.
What are your plans for 2020?
None yet, aside from my Wander Women Retreats!
Amazing that you actually planned a year in advance. as an Israli, I can approve π
Well, it was a rough outline π Some came true, some didn’t, and life threw me some curve balls in-between.
Amazing! How do you manage to plan your travel in advance? I mean sometimes things come up while traveling… many times due to some reasons I have canceled my plans which I had planned before.