Solo female travel expert, focusing on travelling around a 9-5 job, getting the most bang for your buck and soft-adventure experiences.
Firstly, happy new year! I took a break from blogging in February because of how busy work is for me during January – but I’m back now – hope you didn’t miss me too much (ha – unlikely)!
2017, you’ve come round too quickly, but in some ways not quick enough. Whilst in 2016, I spent the year visiting some amazing places and experiencing new things – as much as work/exam restrictions would allow me to anyway! The year was also filled with unexpected sadness following the passing of my beloved Nan and other bits and bobs that I won’t bore you with now!
With the coming of the New Year, I am already thinking about where I can travel to this year – I’ve currently only got one trip booked but as soon as I know how many exams I will be taking this year/how much annual leave I need to dedicate to them, I will definitely be booking more!
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You may have noticed that I have become the short-haul European city break Queen (is that a title you’re allowed to give yourself? Sod it, I’ve done it now). At the moment, these are the easiest trips for me to do and I love having loads of little trips spread out across the year!
Marrakesh, Morocco
In March I have a trip booked to Marrakesh with Callum and I can not wait! Marrakesh has been on my wishlist for ages and increasingly more people are telling me that I should go. We’re looking at doing as many excursions from the city as possible – I am loving the look of the overnight Sahara Desert camping experiences. Sarah has got me obsessed with the idea and you can read her blog posts about the experience here and here.
Luxembourg
Why would you want to go somewhere so small and insignificant? Yes, that’s a question I’ve been asked many times. But Luxembourg has a huge draw on me at the moment and I don’t necessarily mean Luxembourg City (however, it is gorgeous and I would obviously dedicate at least a day to it)! I want to rent a car and go castle hunting in the countryside during the Summer and also complete the Mullerthal Trails which look incredible. With a country so compact and plenty of flights from the UK, I’m hoping that I can fit a quick trip to Luxembourg into a UK bank holiday.
Slovenia
You may be aware that I am absolutely OBSESSED with Slovenia. I visited for the first time in 2015 and I am itching to get back. I was in the country for 4-5 days last time and it wasn’t enough (I was also really unlucky with weather on my trip to Bled/Bohinj/Vintgar Gorge which you can read about here). I have made a pact with myself not to revisit places that I have already been to as there is so much of the world left to see, but I feel like I still have unfinished business in Slovenia and I want to show everyone else how magical this country is!
RELATED: Read all of my posts about Slovenia here!
Balkans Roadtrip
I am in love with the Balkans. There are so many little towns and attractions that I want to visit in the whole area. Ideally, I would hire a car and explore the whole of Croatia, Bosnia and Montenegro but I think I’d never want to come home!
With so many busy seasons at work this year and potentially a few exams, I very much doubt that I will be able to make any long-haul trips – but a girl can dream!
South Africa
I was meant to be volunteering in Zimbabwe during 2016 but had to cancel my plans due to study commitments – this does not mean that my dying need to visit the Southern African countries has diminished! At the moment, I’m hugely lusting over South Africa in particular! I want to go on safari in Kruger National Park, hike Table Mountain, explore both Cape Town and Johannesburg, see the penguins at Boulders Beach – I turn into an over-excited tourist just thinking about it.
The Philippines
I’d be lying if my obsession with the Philippines doesn’t stem from Christian‘s videos earlier this year. If you’ve never considered the Philippines as a travel destination, maybe you should watch this epic drone video. Christian also has plenty of daily vlogs from his time there which I was obsessed with!
Indonesia
Bali is a popular destination for a lot of people at the moment but I want to expand past Bali, I want to backpack through the entirety of Indonesia. I have become fixated with the gorgeous country but don’t think that it will be a possibility to get long enough off work to do it this year!
The Entirety of South America
I have not made it a secret that I am hoping to have a sabbatical from work once I am fully qualified and use the time to travel around South America – the countries/islands at the top of my list at the moment are Peru, Chile, Ecuador, Bolivia, the Galapagos Islands and Easter Island. Whilst this is more likely to transpire in 2018, I am far too excited at the prospect to not include it here!
RELATED: Read my South America bucket list here!
During 2016, I tried to visit as much of the UK as possible and there’s still so much left for me to see! Edinburgh ended up being one of my favourite destinations of 2016, so here’s hoping another UK gem will steal my heart in 2017!
Northern Ireland
I want to fly into Belfast and explore the city before heading out to some of the really iconic attractions of the area such as Giant’s Causeway. I know a lot of people who fly to Ireland regularly to see family and they don’t understand my dying need to visit!
Peak District
I am happiest when surrounded by mountains and lakes. Fact. So how the bloody hell have I never made it to the Peak District?! Let’s not forget that the town of Bakewell is also in the Peak District and who doesn’t love Bakewell tarts?!
Three Peaks Challenge
Following on from the aforementioned love of mountains, I would absolutely love to be able to conquer the Three Peaks Challenge! If you aren’t familiar with the concept, the challenge involved hiking the highest peaks in England, Scotland and Wales (usually within 24 hours). Am I fit enough to do this? Absolutely not. Is that going to stop me? Absolutely not.
More of the Scottish Highlands
It’s no secret that I fell in love with Scotland last year. How I hadn’t yet visited that glorious northern territory is beyond me. I’d love to spend a week or so driving around the Highlands, basking in the glorious scenery. I think that all we’ve learnt from this post is that I like pretty scenery.
RELATED: Read about my day-trip to the Scottish Highlands with The Hairy Coo FREE tours here!
Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post and all thoughts are my own.
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I’m dying to go to Slovenia too (I’m still trying to convince Shane of that holiday haha). Your wishlist is so similar to mine – especially all the long haul destinations! I really hope you get to visit South Africa though!
If you need any tips or anything for Marrakech let me know! 🙂
xo April | April Everyday
Hi Danielle, I have only just had time to have a little explore of your blog after the ice lolly twitter talk the other night!! I love this post and so many places on your wish list are the same as mine!
Brazil, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and Croatia probably make up my ultimate top4 of the moment, but I will be googling Slovenia and researching after your glowing recommendations!
I visited Indonesia last summer, we spent a week in Java and explored Lake Ijen, Borubudar, Mount Bromo and Prambanan. Then made our way over to Bali and the Gili Islands! It certainly was an active first week and there were points when we were wondering why we didn't just go straight to the beaches! However on reflection, it is these times which create the most memories and we visited places that not many people will ever do in their lifetime which I absolutely love!
I have done a #30B430 list, and climb the three peaks is on there too! I just need to figure out the logistics and when I can do it!
I want to make more use of my weekends and visit places in Britain, the Cotswolds, the Lakes but also exploring London are what I am currently thinking about!
You have inspired me to spend my Friday evening researching and planning!
Love Abi xxx
Aw this comment has made my Friday evening – I'm glad you're feeling inspired!
Your trip to Indonesia sounds incredible, I definitely want to do a trip like yours – the active first week sounds like my cup of tea!
Most people think I'm mad for waning to do the three peaks challenge, so I'm glad you agree!! It just works out to be so expensive, gah!
Xxx
[…] RELATED: The Peak District was actually on my list of places I am dying to visit in 2017 – find out where else I want to visit here! […]