After sharing my previous post about my UK adventures in 2024, I eagerly grabbed my diary and photo gallery to dive into the thrilling task of counting how many days I spent abroad or in transit this year.
The answer? A whopping 63 days! That's practically two whole months of exhilarating exploration! And guess what? Almost none of it was pre-planned, and much of it didn't break the bank. Is this the magic of being self-employed or simply the result of embracing every opportunity that came my way?
Join me on this exciting journey as we unravel the months:
January - February - India
My first visit in 15 years! Completely spontaneous. My mother wanted to go, and as I was helping her book, we found a perfect window for me too. Add a couple of reward flights, and voilà!
Total days - 16 exploring Gurgaon, Delhi, Jaipur, Hoshiarpur, and Ludhiana, reconnecting with family and witnessing a country's transformation over a generation!
March - April - Cruise 1
Mostly April, as March was a whirlwind of UK travel. Destinations included Vigo, Spain; Lisbon and Porto, Portugal; and Cherbourg, France, all while accompanying my father. Gorgeous weather, stunning places, though the 700+ under 18s were a bit much. Total days - 7
May - let's call this a UK travel month. Enough said.
June - Prague, Czech Republic
Invited to deliver a workshop at a mini conference, I found an amazing travel buddy and incredible hosts. I even stayed an extra night to explore on my own. My last visit was two decades ago, and this experience was entirely different. Total days - 4
June-July - Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
Another spontaneous weekend, accompanying my mum to visit long-distance family who feel more like friends. Returning to a place I last saw in 2006. Total days - 3
July - Madrid, Spain
A long weekend with a friend, filled with cooking, drinking, partying, and, most importantly, meaningful conversations and accountability. Total days - 3
August - California, United States
From Anaheim to San Francisco, with a splash of Sonoma County and San Jose, balancing family time, amazing friends, and the edge of a convention. The most expensive trip, but absolutely worth it! An unforgettable summer adventure. Total days - 17
September - no travel, firmly in London with my brother visiting.
October - Cruise 2
Another unexpected opportunity with my father, this time more about the experience on the latest Cunard fleet. Destinations included Belgium, Netherlands, and France. And I discovered my new favorite cheese! Total days - 4
November - Spain (again!)
This time with my brother. We aim for a European trip once a year, usually landing in a different part of Spain. This year it was Seville, Cordoba, and Malaga. A return flight hiccup meant Total days - 6
December - Madrid, Spain (again!)
This trip was sparked by conversations in July and an opportunity to deliver the same workshop from June in a new setting. More time with my friend and more cooking! Total days - 3
There's so much to reflect on here. At a glance, I've spent a lot of time with family on these travels, with other trips tied to professional networking opportunities. I am truly grateful for all of it.
I'm not sure if I've found what I was subconsciously searching for. I know 2025 won't look like this... or at least it hasn't started that way... but then again, none of these adventures were planned at the end of 2023, so who knows? 2025 could bring a whole new wave of adventures!
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