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2024 was a quieter year of travel compared to 2023 but I still traveled a lot and there were definitely some stand-out highlights.
In 2024 I traveled to eight countries – two of them new to me – and eleven U.S. states. During the first six months of the year, I hung out with family and friends in New Zealand and Sydney, did a six-week Southwest road trip, saw the northern lights in Alaska, explored Cuba for three weeks, soaked up the sun for a few days in Mexico, roadtripped through Utah, California and Oregon, returned to Vegas, revisited two of my favorite cities – Seattle and Vancouver – multiple times, and embarked on a two week Canadian Rockies road trip.
In the second half of the year I did a one-week Vancouver Island road trip with my brotherr, hiked a lot, traveled all over Washington, worked my third summer season at the Gorge, caught the fall colors in Telluride, spent five weeks exploring Costa Rica and the San Blas Islands of Panama, finally got my varicose veins lasered, and spent the Christmas season soaking up the vibes in Denver, before traveling to New Mexico and Arizona to visit family.
Before I get into my travel wishlist for 2025, I thought I would review my 2024 wishlist to see what I managed to do and what didn’t end up eventuating.
Review of My Travel Wishlist For 2024
Re-Visit Sydney
Yes, I did make it back to Sydney for one week in January, staying between the eastern and northern beaches.
Six Week+ Southwest RV Road Trip
Yes, we did a six-week Southwest road trip visiting southern Arizona, southern New Mexico, and Texas.
Take a One Month Winter Trip to the Caribbean
Yes, we spent just under a month in the Caribbean. We spent just over 3 weeks traveling in Cuba and another 5 days on the Caribbean coast of Mexico between Cancun and Puerto Morelos.
Do At Least One Multiday Hike
No, I didn’t get to do a multiday hike this year, unfortunately.
Hike in North Cascades National Park and Mount Baker
Yes, I did a couple of trips to North Cascades National Park to hike, and I did one incredible hike in Mount Baker too after a couple of false starts.
Back To My Fave City – Vancouver
Yes, I did return to Vancouver three times this summer and it was great to be back.
Visit Two New National Parks
Yes, I visited two new-to-me National Parks in February – Guadelupe Mountains National Park and Big Bend National Park in Texas. I did try to visit Lassen National Park too, my last National Park in the west, but when I was in the area in May there was too much snow to make it worth visiting.
Canadian Rockies Road Trip
Yes, I did a fantastic two-week Canadian Rockies road trip with my friend Dani visiting Calgary, Canmore, Banff, Jasper, Yoho National Park, and Fernie.
Catch the Fall Colors in Colorado
Yes, although I missed the peak, I did see some beautiful fall colors in Telluride, and I caught them at their peak in Golden too.
Visit a New Island in Washington or British Columbia
Yes, I did visit two new-to-me islands in Washington – I spent two nights on Vashon Island and drove over to neighboring Maury Island too. I also returned to Vancouver Island in British Columbia on a week-long road trip.
Costa Rica Trip With My Dad
Yes and No. I did spend four weeks in Costa Rica but unfortunately my Dad didn’t join us on the trip. We are planning a shorter trip closer to New Zealand in April together instead.
German Christmas Markets Road Trip
No, I couldn’t swing a trip to Germany between getting back from Costa Rica and spending Christmas with family in the U.S. – maybe next year.
Christmas in Colorado
Yes and No. While I will be spending Christmas proper with family in Phoenix, I have been doing lots of fun Christmassy activities in the Denver area before we head down there.
My Travel Wishlist For 2025
Visit at Least Two New Countries
I am already booked to visit two new countries in January – Qatar and Tanzania! I should also be visiting another new country in April – it’s looking like it will be Samoa or possibly a different Polynesian island – and hopefully Uruguay and Chile at the end of the year or beginning of 2026 too.
Finally Visit the Middle East
While I have technically been to the Middle East – geographically Cyprus is in the Middle East – I have not been to the Middle East proper so I am excited to spend four nights in Qatar as a stopover on the way to Tanzania. We’re mostly planning on exploring Doha, but we will probably do a day trip to see more of the country as well.
Beach Hopping in Zanzibar and Pemba
I am really excited to be spending two weeks between the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba at the beginning of our Tanzania trip! Everything is booked for this already. I am especially excited about Pemba which receives much less tourism than Zanzibar and is unspoilt.
Go on Safari in Tanzania
We are booked one of the week-long Tanzania safari tours visiting Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara National Park. I can’t wait!!
Summit Kilimanjaro
The last week of our four weeks in Tanzania we will be hiking the 7-day Lemosho route to the top of Kilimanjaro (hopefully we will make it to the summit!)
Visit Madrid
I am excited to spend three nights in Madrid as a stopover between Tanzania and Mexico. I have been to Spain numerous times but this will be my first time in Madrid.
Return to Mexico
We will be spending one week in Mexico revisiting two of our favorite spots – Mexico City and Sayulita. We have a family wedding in Sayulita so we are especially looking forward to that.
Do a Multi-Day Hike in New Zealand
I don’t have any plans for this so far but I would love to do a multi-day hike in New Zealand while I’m there if I can fit it in. The two-day Cape Brett Track in Northland is number one on my list.
Family Trip to a Polynesian Island
I’m hoping to do a 10-12 day trip to either the Cook Islands, Samoa or Tonga at the beginning of April with my Dad and brother and I am super excited to experience another Polynesian island (I have only been to Hawaii and Fiji so far, and obviously I am from a Polynesian country – New Zealand).
Hike in the Dolomites
This one is a long shot but I really want to try and make a Europe trip work in fall, depending on what my work situation is. And if it is early enough and not too cold, then the number one place I want to visit is the Dolomites – ideally to do a multiday hike between huts.
Alternatively, I am also interested in Romania, Albania, Montenegro, and Macedonia, and I can never discount two of my favorites – France and Greece.
Hop Around Some German Christmas Markets
Depending on my possible Europe trip timeline, I would love to end the trip by visiting some of the Christmas markets in Germany, and maybe catch the Christmas celebrations in London for a few days too.
Travel Around Patagonia
At the end of the year and beginning of 2026, we want to travel around Patagonia and the Lake District of Chile/Argentina for around six to eight weeks. We would probably fly into Buenos Aires and spend a few days exploring there and maybe some of Uruguay too.
Go on an Antarctica Cruise
I have a friend who is planning to get a group together to do an Antarctica cruise in December for her birthday and if we can get a last-minute deal (and we can afford it) we will definitely go – it’ll be my last continent.
So those are my plans and hopeful plans for 2025 – what are yours?
Check out my Travel Wishlists for the past few years for further inspiration:
- My Travel Wishlist For 2024
- My Travel Wishlist For 2023
- My Travel Wishlist For 2022
- My Travel Wishlist For 2021
- My Travel Wishlist For 2020
- My Travel Bucket List For 2019
- My Travel Bucket List For 2018
- My Travel Goals For 2017
- My 2015 Travel Plans Revealed
- Update and My Travel Plans For 2014