Inspired by Stephanie Fox’s monthly round-up, I’ve decided to create a year in travel and round up all of 2019’s trips into one place. It’s been a super busy year for travel and certainly one to remember.
Travel in January
The first 3 nights of January I spent in different cities, Liverpool, London and Doha. I headed to Doha in Qatar for 4 nights (or a long weekend) to discover what this beautiful country had to offer. Preparing for the World Cup in 2022, the city of Doha boasts an impressive skyline and some equally as impressive history. With Westernised Malls, the city still remains pretty traditional and a visit to the Souq Waqif is incredible.
Our 4 days in Qatar was jam-packed with a trip to the desert, a visit to Banana Island, watching the Marmi Festival, visiting the malls as part of Qatar’s Fashion Event and sampling lots of traditional Arabic food. For a full round-up of how to spend 4 days in Doha and what to eat you might enjoy the following posts;
The end of January saw me fly to Malaga to head to Andalucia for a week to take part in Who Dares Slims Bootcamp. Led by ex-special forces leader Jamie he put 8 of us through our gruelling paces with full days of exercise and adventure at a privately rented villa.
From boxing to caber tossing on the beach, climbing up the Mediterranean Steps in Gibraltar to completing an assault course it was strenuous but great fun. The team running the Bootcamp were incredible and really spurred everybody on. I dropped 10lbs in the week and thoroughly recommend a Who Dares Slims to anybody thinking about a weightloss camp. You can read about my full week experience below;
February
February saw my annual trip to Tenerife to visit my Grandparents while they were spending the winter months catching some winter sunshine. Up and coming and extremely popular with people of all ages Tenerife offers great weather, good nightlife (a few day clubs) and waterparks. The real jewel in the crown is the volcano, Mount Teide.
This was the first time in which I had been up Teide, it was absolutely incredible. The lava fields were spectacular and it’s certainly somewhere you should visit in Tenerife. Olivers out of Town is a great place to dine and Siam Park is a fabulous day out if you’re looking for the best waterpark in Tenerife. The cheapest tickets we’ve been able to find online are here. Discover more about Tenerife before you fly below;
- Tenerife – the top destination for some winter sun
- Olivers out of Town – the best Sunday Dinner in Tenerife
- Spotlight on Tenerife – Aqualand and Siam Park
- Spotlight on Tenerife – what to do in Adeje when the weather isn’t great
May
Another trip, another Canary Island. May saw a long weekend in Lanzarote where we stayed at Lanzarote Retreats. An eco-friendly dwelling with luxury yurts and villas. The concept behind Finca De Arrieta is simple, every aspect of the holiday rentals are designed to be environmentally friendly. With our own secluded sun terrace and outdoor kitchen, it was a twist on how we usually holiday which was refreshing.
We headed out on a Catamaran and explored the Green Caves too. If you’re interested in discovering eco-friendly holidays you can check them out and more about Lanzarote below;
June
Oh, we’re going to Ibiza. Back to the island. If you’re a regular reader you’ll already know that I’m a big fan of Ibiza. So when we booked a 5-day jaunt to the White Isle I was really excited. We headed back to San Antonio as it’s relatively flat and with my Mum recovering from her first knee replacement this was ideal for her.
We toured the island using the bus heading to San Eulalia, Ibiza Town and Playa d’en Bossa. There’s so much more to this beautiful island than the party town. The highlight of our trip for me certainly was the sunset whilst having our dinner at Savannah on the front. Heading to Ibiza for a hen party or just a Summer holiday? There’s plenty of tips and advice in all of the posts below;
- Top towns to visit in Ibiza
- Where’s good to eat in Ibiza (part II)
- Where’s good to eat in San Antonio (part I)
- Where can I relax in Ibiza
- What to wear in Ibiza
- Sunset Boats Ibiza – How to watch the Sunset Properly
- Best day club in Ibiza – O Beach
August
No rest for the wicked, August saw us head to Barcelona for a 4-day cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line to celebrate the Bon Jovi Runaway to Paradise Tour. 3,000 Bon Jovi fanatics from around the globe, hopped on the Norwegian Pearl for a rock and roll festival like no other from Barcelona to Palma and back again.
Bon Jovi headlining 2 shows; an acoustic storyteller set followed the next evening by his greatest hits. Support acts included Grace Palmer, Collateral, Stu Mac, Kris Barrass Band, Hannah Wickland and Betsy Gold. With music and events running all day every day. And a white party and an 80s party on an evening it really was a true bucket list trip. If you want to fan-girl (or guy) over Jon Bon Jovi or check out tips for cruising then the posts below will be right up your street;
- Bon Jovi Runaway to Paradise Mediterranean Cruise
- Top 20 tips for your first time cruising
- How to spend 6 hours in Palma
- The best way to spend 12 hours in Barcelona
September
A week in Portugal was just what was needed in September. Looking to catch the last bit of the summer sun we headed to Hotel California located in Albufeira Old Town with On The Beach Holidays. Taking in all the little village had to offer we spent the week enjoying the sun and all of the food and drink. There’s not much to do in Albufeira itself, although we did have a great day with friends in Vilamoura. If you’re looking for a hotel I do highly recommend Hotel California for its location and facilities. Read more about our trip to Portugal below;
October
Oktoberfest is the theme of October and a very quick overnight travel stop in Stuttgart with London Fashion Today, Popcorn & Pyjamas and Tripsget at the Cannstatter Wasen with Stuttgart Airport was on the agenda. Celebrating all the beer festival had to offer with the traditional dress for us all and armed with a Maß of strong beer we sang and enjoyed the traditions of the Wasen. With a whistlestop tour of the German city which is home to Porsche and Mercedez Benz we took in some of the historic town’s scenery as well as dining at a traditional Brauhaus. Germany on your travel agenda for next year? Especially the beer festival? Check out the following articles;
- Canstatter Wasen and all you need to know about traditional German Dress
- Best things to do the first time you visit Stuttgart
November
The one I had been waiting for. There’s no place like home, and when your home has the most hotel rooms in the world, is adorned with neon lights and rings the sounds of slot machines it can only mean one thing. It was time to head to Las Vegas! My birthday week is always spent in America and last year we headed to New York however this year we decided to travel back to the place we enjoy the most. A week on The Strip celebrating my birthday, Thanksgiving and Black Friday in the run-up to Christmas.
Undoubtedly our highlight of the trip was the Mariah Carey Christmas Show at Caesars Palace. We did also really enjoy Kiss Mini Golf in Rio. We saw Legends in Concert at Tropicana as well at Aerosmith Deuces are Wild Residency at Park MGM. This was a fantastic trip to end a fantastic year of travel. You can catch up with all of our Vegas articles below;
- How to spend 7 crazy nights in Vegas
- Easy ways to save money in Vegas and still live your best life
- 50 things to do in Vegas other than gamble
- Top 5 things to do in Sin City
- Must-see Vegas part II
- Tenors of Rock at Harrah’s (now showing at PH) Vegas
- Neon Boneyard Museum
- Mercato della Pescheria at the Venetian
- Giada at The Cromwell
- Sugar Factory Las Vegas
Next year’s travel
What’s on the agenda for next year? Who knows what trips it’ll bring, we’ll just have to wait and see. I’d love to visit Bali and Dubai. Possibly head back to Ibiza and discover some places I’ve never been before too. Where’s your next trip to? I’d love to know in the comment box below.
