Happy Holidays! I hope everyone is enjoying themselves and relaxing.Ā
Hereās my end-of-year wrap-up!
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Iāve done a lot of traveling in 2022 and below are my top 3 recommendations for places where I had the most fun. Originally, I was going to write a top 5 list, but because Iām picky, I narrowed it down. This is all substance and No Fluff!š š½āāļø
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If you end up going to any of my top choices or if you have any stories to share, give me a shout-out. Enjoy!Ā
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3. Colombia - After my month-long stay in Colombia, I could picture myself living there permanently. The locals were super friendly and even invited me on trips with them, which is something we justĀ donātĀ do here in the states- #StrangerDanger. I felt very comfortable there
and a month wasnāt enough time for me to fully explore the country. Iāll definitely be returning soon to catch up with all my Colombian friends. With its mountains, deserts, jungles, cities, and beaches, Colombia has a variety of experiences to offer even the pickiest tourist.Ā
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P.S. For those who are budget conscious, you can definitely afford to be bougie on a budget in Colombia. š
2. Portugal - The Pasteles de Nata (Portuguese
custard tarts) were delicious. I really enjoyed the culture, the museums, and the beaches. I hate seafood, but if youāre a seafood lover, youāll definitely satisfy those cravings in Portugal. The Fado music is great and itās an experience where people are freestyling and singing. I wasnāt singingā¦ so I felt a bit like the odd one out! Lisbon can also serve as a home base from which you can explore other cities. The locals know English well, so there isnāt a language barrier. After Portugal, I
now know way too much about maritime navigation, but I love learning about random things. š¤
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Must See items: Fado show, The Belem Area, Pink
Street
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1. Greece - Greece was fun to visit, but I wouldnāt be able to keep up with the
Greeks if I stayed there long term. They love to party! I really enjoyed seeing the beaches and learning about the history. And, whatās not to like about Greek food, culture, and nightlife? There are several islands I have yet to see, so Iāll definitely be going back. The next island on my list to visit is Crete! Greece is a fun vacation spot for all types of travelers
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Must-see items in Greece: Parthenon. Athens is a great place to use as a home
base because there are many side trips like Delphi, Hydra, and Santorini. Plaka area (day) Psyrri area (night).
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Honorable Mention:Ā
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The Netherlands - Bicycle lovers will feel at home in the Netherlands. If youāre not a cyclist, it also has great public transportation. Regarding food, I had way too many Poffertjes (mini Pancakes) and the rest of their food is good too. Go to Amsterdam if youāre into museums and historyā¦you canāt beat the
Dutch masters (Rembrandt, Hals, Vermeer, Stein). And of course, we canāt forget about Van Gogh. The Dutch do a great job at covering WWII with the Anne Frank House and the Dutch people are pretty tolerant and accepting of other ways of life. I would say that Amsterdam is pretty close to a perfect city, with its culture, nightlife and bikes. Definitely a fun time.Ā
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Must See
items: Van Gogh museum, Rijksmuseum, Anne Frank House, Canal Tour
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Special shout out to everyone that provided tips, information, and company throughout my 2022 travels. I wouldnāt have had as much fun if it werenāt for all of you. I canāt believe the yearās over already, but letās make 2023 even
better!Ā
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What places do you want me to check out in 2023?Ā Ā
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Cocktail of the Week Ā
Try this scotch based cocktail, the Blood &
Sand.
3/4 fl oz scotch
3/4 fl oz sweet vermouth
3/4 fl oz cherry liqueur
3/4 fl oz orange juice
Garnish: Orange peel
Preparation: Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake. Strain and serve.
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Random Travel Thought
Good thing I traveled to Peru earlier this yearā¦Ā Ā