Last year, for the first time ever, I decided to share my travel plans and goals. In fact, I provided quarterly updates throughout 2018, and every time I wrote about my travel plans, y’all seemed to like knowing where I was going and where I’d been (according to the analytics…).
After debating (again) whether to share my plans and goals for this year, I decided to go for it. Why not, right?
In 2018, I had no big personal events influencing my travels, so I went into the year with a blank slate, though I did end up having a number of work trips in the latter half of the year that I took advantage of to squeeze in some leisure time as well (gotta love those bleisure trips!). I ultimately went to a number of amazing destinations on my bucket list plus a few other places based off of where work took me.
This year, I started with another bleisure trip/personal event when work and a friend’s wedding took me to Mexico not once but twice in January, which was an amazing way to start 2019 (plus it gave me the chance to fall in love with Mexico City).
Now that my Mexican adventures are over, and I’ve spent the last few weeks laying low after months of lots of travel, I’m ready for the rest of 2019. Here’s what’s on the list:
Travel Plans
Iceland
Years ago, when I was moving to London for grad school, I had the choice between a two-hour or a 10-hour layover in Iceland. But who wants to spend a long layover in Iceland when literally moving to another country with way too much luggage? Not me. So I chose the former, but I’m excited to finally and properly make my way to Reykjavik for some Icelandic winter exploration.
Hong Kong
Oh, how I love thee, Hong Kong. This will be my fourth (fifth?) brief stint in Hong Kong. Basically, every time I travel to Asia I go through Hong Kong (aka every time I go to Asia, I’m using points to fly on Cathay Pacific). I love this city immensely and am excited to once again be there before heading to my next stopping point in Asia.
Vietnam
New country alert! That next stop after Hong Kong is Vietnam. I knew when I was planning this trip that I had to go somewhere new. With limited time, I had to make some tough choices about where to go. So, I’m saving Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City for another trip and taking myself to the beautiful cities of Danang and Hoi An. PS - I planned this before the New York Times recommended Danang as a place to go this year! Just saying…
Thailand
The final stop on the Asia 2019 tour: Thailand. I’ve only been to Phuket, so I’m looking forward to returning and spending a few days in Bangkok this time around. I will not be making it to northern Thailand, unfortunately. That was another hard choice, but the time of year I’ll be in Thailand is not the best time to go north (it’s one of the worst, actually), so that’s going in the “next time” bucket.
South Florida
I go to South Florida all the dang time, so this isn’t new, but I’m heading there in May for an exciting reason: to see my forever FLOTUS, Michelle! After missing her book tour stops in Brooklyn in December, I got tickets for Florida in May, which worked out well because I’ll get to go having already read her fabulous memoir, Becoming.
Italy
Work is taking me to Venice, which will make this my second visit to Venice and my fifth visit to Italy. I’ll pretty much be working the entire time, though I hope to squeeze in some free time here and there when I can. After the work part of my trip is over, I decided not to extend my time in Italy because I’ll be heading to…
Copenhagen
Copenhagen has been on my list of places to visit foreverrrr (need the extra Rs to emphasize how long it’s been on my list). Well, no better time to visit than after a work trip to Italy, right? Right. I’m so excited to explore this city that I’ve heard such great things about. I haven’t even begun to figure out what I’m going to do there, so recommendations are, of course, welcome.
London
Last year, I was so sure I’d make it to London even though I didn’t have any definitive plans. I even had a moment in December when I gave serious thought to a last-minute weekend trip, mostly because I adore London during the holidays, but I decided to be practical and stay put. Well, not this year. I’ll definitely be seeing you again, Londontown.
Jamaica
Like Florida, Jamaica is more or less always on my travel list. I’ll likely be going there for the holidays but I believe I may also be going earlier in the year to celebrate some big family birthdays. The details are still being worked out, so we’ll all just have to wait until my quarterly update for more information.
Not to be travel greedy (okay, yes, to be a little travel greedy), but here’s what’s either tentatively on the list or where else I’d love to go in 2019:
Travel Goals
Vancouver
A friend and I are currently discussing a trip to Vancouver. Not sure where or when or how, but we’re both travelers so I’m sure we’ll figure out the logistics and feasibility soon enough.
New Orleans
Though I went to New Orleans last year, some friends and I are in talks to go this year for a girls’ weekend. Again, not sure where or when or how, so we’ll see!
The Alps
Last year, I specifically said I wanted to go to Chamonix, France, in part because I had recently watched the Parts Unknown episode there (still missing Anthony Bourdain immensely). This year, i’ve decided to be more general and just go with the Alps. Could be the Swiss Alps, French Alps, Italian Alps or another country that has the Alps. I am open.
Oman
To be honest, I don’t have high hopes that I’ll make it to Oman this year, mostly because of lack of vacation days to give this place the proper time it deserves. But, you never know. So I’m putting it on the list again and seeing what happens.
What are your 2019 travel plans and goals?
