My Travel Favorites of 2018

I’m a person who loves to reflect and look back on my year and figure out my very favorite things. So, this year, I thought it might be fun share my travel favorites of 2018 with you guys in a much more stripped down way. It’s superlative-style, and just a different way of rounding up the year instead of simply by destination.

FAVORITE ACCOMODATION – 9 HERTFORD STREET – LONDON, ENGLAND

Irony of all ironies, we didn’t get a single flipping photo of this amazing flat and we stayed there for THREE WEEKS! That just goes to show how homey it was. It ceased to be “accommodation” and became a home. We stayed in the three bedroom flat that  became the perfect home base for the 6 of us who were staying there. It’s the perfect spot for groups and has an insanely amazing location between Hyde Park and Green Park.

FAVORITE ANIMAL EXPERIENCE – SPOTTING HIGHLAND COWS IN SCOTLAND

Highland cows are one of my very favorite animals, so getting to see one of those grazing in a field was one of the things on my Scotland bucket list, and we did it! We were driving around the Isle of Skye when we saw this guy and a buddy grazing in a field and Matt got the perfect pic of him! It’s no secret that I’d love to have a small farm with a couple of highland cows on it.

FAVORITE ARCHAROLOGIAL SITE – CLAVA CAIRNS – INVERNESS, SCOTLAND

As a lover of archaeology + history, this is hard for me to choose. However, my love for Outlander helped push Clava Cairns at the top of my list. My mom and I are both lovers of the Outlander book series. So, when I knew she was meeting us in Scotland, I found some amazing standing stones that also had passage tombs in the same site. They’re so rural and lesser known, that there aren’t massive crowds and you can explore/be hands-on for free! It’s a win, win, win! This 4,000 year old structure quickly became a favorite in Scotland!
RUNNER UP: Along the same lines, it’s a passage tomb in Ireland called Knowth. It’s another archaeological marvel.

FAVORITE BEACH – PRAIA DOS ESTUDANTES – LAGOS, PORTUGAL

All of the beaches in Lagos were simply stunning. However, Praia dos Estudantes was my favorite because it had it all. Sandy spots, the adventure of climbing through cliffs, sea shells and sea arches. What more could a beach-goer want?

FAVORITE BEER – THE MONASTIC SPECIAL OF ST. GILE’S NO. 3 – PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC

Czech beer is amazing. We didn’t have a single beer in Prague that we didn’t love. That being said, the Three Roses Brewery had the best beer we tried in town! My favorite was The Monastic Special. This brew has it’s roots in a monastery. It’s both malty and hoppy and just all-around amazing. Matt’s favorite was their summer weisse which was a nice combo of banana + citrus flavors. (It’s that cloudy beauty pictured above.)
RUNNER UP: 4 by 4 Brewing Company‘s Flip Fantasia IPA. This is a brewery in my hometown and this is one of my very favorite beers I’ve ever had. It’s a caramely + hoppy IPA! 

FAVORITE CAFE – CAFÉ BABALÚ – REYKJAVÍK, ICELAND

 
We spent several days in Reykjavik – just under two weeks – so we got quite acquainted with Café Babalú. Matt isn’t a coffee drinker, but he loved their cocoa. I enjoyed their coffee drinks and chai lattes! Plus, their super quirky decor is amazing! If you go you have to go into the bathroom.
RUNNER UP: Elephant House in Edinburgh, Scotland. I mean, it’s the birthplace of Harry Potter. Enough said!

FAVORITE CAFE FOR TEA – CAFE BABA – TANGIER, MOROCCO

I’m a great admirer of the late Anthony Bourdain, so every time I go to a destination that I know he visited, I like to check out one of his favorite spots. Cafe Baba was at the top of my list. Not only because of Anthony, but the rock and roll connection – the Rolling Stones came here and not only sipped the delicious mint tea, but smoked some hash. It is still very much notorious for that. It’s quite smoky in there, so be prepared for that. We were there during a soccer game, so I loved the atmosphere.

FAVORITE CASTLE – DUNNOTAR CASTLE – NEAR STONEHAVEN, SCOTLAND

Dunnotar Castle was an absolute highlight of our time in Europe. The castle itself is mostly in ruins, but it isn’t solely the building that made this castle my favorite – it’s the location. We were there as the fireweed started to really bloom and it’s built on top of a big, beautiful cliff overlooking the ocean. It’s just amazing.
RUNNER UP: Burg Eltz – This German castle is much more than simply remains and it’s tucked away in the mountains. It’s just as beautiful, very rustic and worth a visit.

FAVORITE FESTIVAL – WORLD CUP WATCH PARTY/MAINZ FESTIVAL – MAINZ, GERMANY

When we were in Germany the world cup was going on and Jason got us hooked on watching it. Jason took us to Mainz, right across the river from Wiesbaden got a big outdoor viewing party. It was so much fun! We drink a few beers + some wine and ate sausages. Then we left the festival celebrating a Germany victory high-fiving people in their cars cheering all the way to a random festival along the Rein. We ate junk food, listened and sang to musicians and took the train back to Wiesbaden in the wee hours of the next day. It was wonderful!

FAVORITE GARDEN – KUKENHOFF, NETHERLANDS

Matt and I traded off on planning itineraries while traveling full time. He had the Netherlands. Although seeing the tulips (my favorite flower) has been a bucket list item for me for most of my life, I hadn’t put it together that it was time for that! Matt, however, did. He made one of my biggest travel dreams come true by taking me to Kukenhoff!

FAVORITE HARRY POTTER MOMENT/SITE – WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER – ORLANDO, FLORIDA

This will likely not be a category every year, should I continue this post series. However, this year was pretty dang magical! I got to visit multiple Harry Potter-themed destinations in the UK, a bookstore that inspired the Hogwarts library in Portugal and probably the most magical experience, I visited the Wizarding World of Harry Potter for the second time. Although, I had been once before, it was before Diagon Alley was open. So the park was extra-magical and I bought an interactive wand, which meant I was truly a witch for the day!

FAVORITE HIKE – KLAKKUR – THE FAROE ISLANDS

The hike to the top of Klakkur was nothing short of breathtaking. The 360 views you got from the top were show-stopping, awe-inspiring and beautiful. Although we did several spectacular hikes, this one just takes the cake.
RUNNER UP: Fairy Glen on the Isle of Skye. This was a close one because I loved both of the hikes so very much. Fairy Glen’s other-worldly landscape is nothing short of magical.

FAVORITE MARKET – BOROUGH MARKET – LONDON, ENGLAND

   
Our friend Ron who we visited in Canterbury told us about the Borough Market and we’re so glad he did! Several markets are filled with kitschy souvenirs for tourists to pick up. However, Borough Market had a very local feel to it! This market dates back to 1756 and was built under bridge. We found amazing food options, grocery items and this gorgeous garden shop. (I totally bought that pot I’m holding in my hand.) I would put it as a must-see in London. P.s. it’s closed Sunday.

FAVORITE MEAL – CHICKEN SPECIAL + CHOCOLATE CAKE – PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC

I know I already mentioned Three Roses Brewery in Prague, but they’re about more than just beer! One of the greatest meals we had on the entire big trip was that chicken. It was so perfectly seasoned and the light, brothy gravy added even more flavor, not only to the chicken, but to the bed of root veggies as well. Be sure to save room for dessert too! The chocolate cake with cream and sour cherry sauce is amazing!

FAVORITE MUSEUM – BRITISH MUSEUM – LONDON, ENGLAND

The British Museum made this anthropology-major’s heart soar! I actually got a little teary-eyed seeing The Rosetta Stone! That 2200 year old stone decoded ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. Then I also got to see a decent-sized Moai. Rapa Nui is a dream destination for me, so I always love seeing these cute little guys around the world.

FAVORITE NATOINAL PARK – SNOWDONIA NATIONAL PARK, WALES

 
We cannot figure out why people aren’t totally gaga for Wales! Snowdonia National Park is a magical wonderland. We hiked up on mountains and around lakes. It was just magical. I also love that the paths here are made up of stone, so it gives it that extra wild feeling.

FAVORITE NEW TRAVEL PRODUCT – BEES WRAP

We worked with Bees Wrap this year and we had a hunch that we were going to love these for travel and we certainly do! These were amazing for storing excess food that we had cooked with or brought home. Or even to seal up and take on a day trip somewhere. They’re a great alternative to single-use plastic wrap, which isn’t good for the environment. And they’re much more packable than a food storage container! I highly recommend picking some up!

FAVORITE NON-BEER DRINK – PORT FROM PORTO, PORTUGAL

I had always enjoyed Port wine, but after working with Cockburn’s Port Lodge and Croft Port Cellar we walked away with a quick education in Port and a love for this Portuguese delicacy! I’ve learned I love tawny ports and Matt loves ruby ports! Yum, yum, yum!
RUNNER UP: A Banana White Russian from the Lebowski Bar in Reykjavik, Iceland. Plus, the company was amazing!

FAVORITE PARK – ST. JAME’S PARK – LONDON, ENGLAND

St. Jame’s Park was my favorite green space in London. Not only is it so lush and beautiful, but it also has super-stunning views of Buckingham Palace. I loved walking through this beauty.

FAVORITE PLACE OF WORSHIP – BONE CHAPEL IN FARO, PORTUGAL

We saw a lot of churches, mosques and temples across our big trip, but the bone chapel in Faro, Portugal definitely stood out. This isn’t the only bone chapel out there, but it’s the first we’ve seen! This church is decorated by the vertebrae and skulls of monks who have passed away.

FAVORITE STORE – THE MAP HOUSE – LONDON, ENGLAND

My father-in-law and I share a love of maps. So, I was very excited when he took me to his favorite map store, The Map House. When we arrived he asked the shopkeeper to show us the Missouri maps. I giggled, assuming this was a joke. Why would a British map store have maps of Missouri? Upstairs, however, he laid out map after map – all vintage – of my beloved home state. It was here that I became the proud owner of an 1860 map of Missouri. My whole family is from here, so it was unexpectedly moving seeing the towns that hold my family ancestry laid out on the map. I am now also the proud owner of an 1845 map of North Carolina – a super sweet Christmas gift – and very special as it’s where Matt and I fell in love. Plus, the destination of my favorite Blue Ridge Parkway hike is even labeled. Can you believe it?! (It’s Devil’s Courthouse, in case you were wondering.) This is a must for any map-lover.

FAVORITE STREET ART – THIS BEAUTY IN REYKJAVIK, ICELAND

I’m a huge fan of street art. Some works are fun or funky, some are beautiful, some are controversial and some are insightful or moving. This falls under the moving category. Just about a week after we discovered we had an end date to our time abroad, I found this mural while wandering around Reykjavik. I love the saying “Collect Moments, Not Things“, and this was a beautiful, memorable reminder of that mantra.

FAVORITE SUNRISE – LAGOS, PORTUGAL

The Beaches of Lagos made for a truly spectacular backdrop to sunrises and sunsets. However, one morning there we saw a truly spectacular sunrise that illuminated the sky shades of pink and lavender, and the ocean reflected it beautifully.

FAVORITE SUNSET – THE MAGICAL MIDNIGHT SUN NEAR HÖFN

From our guesthouse just outside of Höfn, Iceland we caught a truly spectacular and unexpected viewing of the midnight sun. We didn’t see the sun go down much at all in our almost three weeks in Iceland. However, one night of our Ring Road road trip, we were already in pjs and in bed, just wrapping up our day when we looked out the window and saw this amazingness over the mountains. I threw on a jacket and my hiking boots and soaked up the midnight sun in all of its glory!

FAVORITE WATERFALL – SKOGAFOSS – ICELAND

Although Skogafoss wasn’t a new waterfall for me, I got a totally different perspective of this amazing waterfall than I did in 2017. Matt and I took a midnight hike to Skogafoss which meant that we had the entire waterfall to ourselves. We passed a grand total of three people in the two hours or so we were hiking around this area. I had always known you could climb up and see Skogafoss from above. What I didn’t know is that you could continue up the river and look at cascade after cascade along the way.

I hope that your year was filled with amazing adventures and travel favorites. I’d love to hear which places made your favorites in these categories! Help me grow my wander-list by sharing yours in the comments below!

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