For the first half of last year, I had absolutely no travel plans in the pipeline. And then, things sort of kicked off in quick succession, with 2 long haul trips and several UK-based travels all in my diary. (Read my full round-up of 2017 here.)
2018, on the other hand, couldn’t be more different. January’s #TravelLinkUp (courtesy of Adventures of a London Kiwi, SilverSpoon London, and Follow Your Sunshine) asked us to outline our travel plans and goals for the next 12 months – I’ve already got 3 international trips planed for the first 5 months of the year, and hopefully a 4th if things all fall into place. I’m sort of already exhausted! So far, here’s what my year looks look:
January
For my first trip of the year, I’ll be returning to Norway for a trip with a difference. Back in 2012 I visited Oslo for a weekend and almost went completely bankrupt, and pretty much vowed to never return until I’d won the lottery.
But then my boyfriend turned 30, and I wanted to treat him to something special, and I know how much he loves cold weather… So long story short, we’re heading back to Norway. 🙃 To Tromsø, in fact, which is a city in northern Norway above the Arctic Circle. It’s a popular spot for catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights, so fingers crossed we’re lucky! Ian hadn’t actually heard of Tromsø before I surprised him with the tickets, but I think he’s looking forward to visiting somewhere new. It’s somewhere not a lot of people he knows have been, and it seems to tick all the right boxes of what he looks for on a trip!
The only thing we’ve got booked up so far is a Northern Lights chasing tour, but I’d so love to go husky sledding and head up the Fjellheisen cable car (one of those is a lot cheaper than the other though… I’ll give you one guess which.)
I’ve been obsessed with Vanessa from Snow In Tromso‘s Instagram photos – fingers crossed we’re lucky enough to get such gorgeous snaps as this!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQ3Vu-UAHxa/?taken-by=snowintromso
At the end of January, I’m hopefully heading over to Ghent in Belgium to check out the Light Festival. While I’ve been to Bruges a handful of times, Ghent is somewhere that’s completely new to me so I’d love any suggestions for things to see and do!
Doesn’t look too shabby though, does it?
February
Another month, another trip. This time to Lanzarote with Jet2.com. Lanzarote has always been somewhere that’s interested me, despite the fact it seems like everyone at some point went during their school summer holidays when they were, like, 11. The volcanic landscape is what really excites me, and I’m hoping we have time to head over to Timanfaya National Park, which is home to multiple dormant volcanoes.
May
I’ve got a ticket to the annual Traverse travel conference, which (very excitingly) is being held in Rotterdam. Never been to Rotterdam before, but it looks pretty quirky and I’m sure it’ll be a great event. I don’t know anyone else that’s going though, so if you’re heading out there please let me know!
And for the rest of 2018?
That’s all my confirmed plans for the first 5 months of the year. But, of course, I’m already looking to the second half of 2018. Ian and I loved dipping our toes into the Caribbean (literally and figuratively) so much, that we’re actually considering maybe doing a little cruise around more of the islands. But if that proves too pricey, we might opt for an alternative trip to Miami (and the Florida Keys! ❤️️) and then onto the Bahamas. If anyone has any tips on companies to go with or ways to get more bang for your buck, please let us know!
I’d also really really reeeeeeeally like to make 2018 the year I finally get to Marrakesh. Or Cape Town. Or both. But let’s see. Either way, I’m excited, and I can’t wait to see where 2018 will take me to!
Some really exciting travels in the works for you! I have been reading Van’s blog for a few years, and always drool over those amazing Tromso photos! Hopefully you get some of your own 🙂
Ohh I so want to go to Tromso too! And I’m desperate to hit the Carribean too, sounds like a lovely year of travel ahead! x
Sounds like the year is already off to good start!
Looks like you have some great plans for this year so far! I also have a ticket to Traverse but don’t know anyone who’s going either as it’ll be my first blogger conference! Have you been to the conference before?
For your January trip I thought you were going to say but then you won the lottery so you’re going back haha! Unfortunately not but I’m sure you’ll still have a blast! Hope you get to visit Marrakech and/or Cape Town. Both are amazing destinations:)
hahah could you imagine?! “Bye guys, I’m out.” One can but dream!
What an exciting year ahead of you! I have always wanted to go to Norway, hope that you get to see the Northern lights too!
Um, can we get another cat cafe trip in the diary before you have no room left please! What a way to start 2018!
You’ve got some exciting places lined up for this year! I’ve got my ticket to Traverse18 and I don’t know anyone (IRL) that’s going either! I’d LOVE to do a cruise around the caribbean (is there a better way to do the caribbean than that), but Miami/The Bahamas is also on my bucket list too! I hope you get to go!
xo April | April Everyday
Emily, you’ve got such an exciting year ahead! I can’t wait to hear about your trip to Tromso and fingers crossed you get out to the Caribbean again!