These posts are some of my favorite to work on each year because I get to s l o w d o w n and reflect on all my travel memories from the past twelve months. Everything I get to do– big or small, near or far, solo or shared– is so special to me, especially considering what’s going on in the world right now š I never take travel for granted. It’s a huge privilege and something I work very hard to be able to do, but I know it can be taken away at any time for a number of reasons, which is why I always make it a priority.
So how did 2023 go? Let’s start with what I hoped to do this year. I just re-read my recap for 2022 (The Year of the Extrovert), and at the end I shared my goals for 2023. I wrote this:
“In 2023 I do see myself returning to a bit of solo travel, but Iāll hopefully strike a good balance between alone time and connection. Iām actually hoping to learn a new skill to help me connect with even more people next year. Thatās kind of cryptic, but thatās what Iām planning for my travels in 2023ā more physical and mental challenges than Iāve ever done before.”
Now that the year is over, it’s so cool to look back on that goal knowing it came to fruition. The cryptic skill I was mentioning was learning a new language! I was signed up for Spanish lessons but wasn’t sure how long I’d stick with it, or if it would bring me any new connections, or if I would use it during my travels… so I didn’t want to talk about it too much yet.
But it’s now been a whole year of Spanish lessons! I definitely used it on my travels which was so satisfying, even though my skills are very basic. Wanting to practice a language brought me a new connection, too– my partner is a native Spanish speaker. So yea, it’s kind of crazy to look back on my goal knowing I worked really hard at it all year and that it’s been so rewarding!
The mental challenge of learning a new skill was definitely there, and I also completed my biggest physical challenge in 2023 as well. I walked 100 miles of the Camino de Santiago in Spain! That was my main solo trip for the year, but I balanced a few solo trips with friend getaways and adventures with my boyfriend. I had no clue that’s how my year would go! If you’re currently in a season of life where you’re feeling stuck or craving a change, know that just one year can make all the difference if you are intentional with what you want.
That was a really long overview, but now I’ll do some blurbs about what I got up to each month during “Mi AƱo de EspaƱol.” š
January
I started my Spanish lessons but didn’t do any travel. January is always a rest month for me. I take time to reset, stay cozy at home, and recharge. But somehow by the end of the month, it feels like my whole year is already planned! lol.
February
I continued my tradition of escaping to a Caribbean island during winter. This year it was a solo trip to Puerto Rico! I had my first transaction in all Spanish just 6 weeks after starting lessons. Granted, it was only like 3 sentences to buy a museum ticket, but I understood everything and was able to respond–the best feeling! Not to mention how good it felt to be in the sun and to swim with bioluminescent plankton under the moon. You can read all about that trip here:
Solo Female Travel in Puerto Rico (one of my best performing posts this year!)
March
March was an amazing month, maybe my favorite of the year! It took me to Vegas to finally see Adele after being postponed a year (an absolute dream!) and to San Francisco to visit family. Although I’ve been to Vegas and SF many times now, they’re great cities to return to because there’s always something new to discover.
April/May
This spring, I got to put my Spanish to use more–in Spain at that! I packed up a small bag (the least I’ve ever packed for a big, international trip), laced up my hiking boots, and hit the trail. I think back on my time walking the first section of the Camino de Santiago so fondly (and quite often). It’s a trip I would recommend to so many people for so many different reasons, but especially to those feeling stuck about something in life. I had much needed time to myself to think, relax, read, enjoy nature, challenge my body and mind, and let go. I also met wonderful people whose stories I’ll never forget and whose strength inspires me. I plan to write a whole post about this experience soon.
June
I seriously can’t stay away from NYC for long. I went back in June for another friend trip (SO good for the soul) and spent a few fantastic days eating pizza, seeing shows, and walking Cornelia Street. I also discovered a restaurant in SoHo that gives solo diners a free glass of champagne. Shout out to Balthazar! My friends headed home before me, so I grabbed a street-side table, did some people watching, read a good book, ate a fabulous meal, and drank free champagne all before heading to see a show on Broadway. The perfect solo date!! If you’ve ever wanted to travel solo but feel unsure or unconfident about it, treating yourself to a solo dinner is a great way to test the waters.
July
I didn’t board any flights in July, but I did explore a new-to-me place in the midwest for another friend trip: Put-in-Bay, Ohio. It’s a great destination for drinking and has lots of pool parties, but I would also recommend it to couples looking for something different to do (you could make it more low key and the town is really cute). I mean there’s not many islands in the midwest–def something different!
September
My boyfriend and I went to Asheville, NC, in September with stops in Kentucky on the way there and back. It was so much fun! I had been wanting to check out Asheville (and Buck-ees) for years. The Blue Ridge Mountains and Biltmore did not disappoint. We also ate at one of the most sought out restaurants in Asheville, a Spanish tapas bar called CĆŗrate. I obviously couldn’t resist booking a table– it was my year of Spanish after all! I will definitely have to work on a full blog for this trip too.
I also snuck in another trip to NYC to see Daniel Radcliffe perform on Broadway. And yes I took myself to Balthazar again!
October
In the fall, I went on another solo trip, this time to Maine. I was there slightly early for peak foliage, but it was still beautiful. I felt so recharged after a few days looking at pretty leaves and eating lobster rolls. My day in Acadia National Park was super foggy, so I did miss out on some of the epic views there. I’ll have to go back!
November
In November my boyfriend and I spent a long weekend exploring Detroit. I had wanted to go for years. That could be another travel theme of my year: finally visiting places in the US that had been on my bucket list for too long (Asheville, coastal Maine, Detroit). We had a wonderful time admiring the Diego Rivera mural, riding in a Model T, and eating some of my favorite meals of the year. Michigan continues to impress me and might be my second favorite state, after California. I have my work cut out for me, because I’d love to put together a Michigan travel blog soon as well.
December
My last trip of the year was to Truckee, CA, to meet the newest member of my family! It was a very low key cabin weekend that I hope becomes a new holiday-time tradition. Truckee is so worth visiting–it’s a quaint, picturesque mountain town with fascinating Donner party history.
Around Chicago
I also wanted to give a special shout out to Chicago because I did a few day and overnight trips there this year. I always find something new to do and have the best time in the city. Some highlights include karaoke in Chinatown, the Skydeck at Willis Tower, dinner at Aba, seeing live jazz at Rosa’s, wandering around the Art Institute, and High Tea at the Peninsula Hotel. Our day visiting The Morton Arboretum (about an hour outside of the city) was one of my favorite days of the year–you have to go in the fall if you live nearby and haven’t been yet! Anything that combines walking in nature while experiencing art is a yes from me, so I also have to mention the holiday light show at Chicago Botanic Garden.
So What’s in Store for 2024?
I’m so happy with how my travels went in 2023. I worked on my Spanish consistently and made it a focus of my adventures like I had hoped. Come to think of it, Spain was the only new country I visited! “Spanish” was my “word” this year. I love picking a word for the new year instead of setting specific resolutions because it helps guide my decision making in a less stressful way.
I’ve decided that my word for 2024 is “save.” I have some financial goals I want to hit, so I’m interested to see what trips I’ll do (or won’t do) with this in mind. I already have an exciting summer vacation planned, so even though I’m wanting to save more, I’ll definitely still be out exploring! Happy New Year and thanks so much for following my travels š I hope you had an amazing year of adventures as well!
Words
“You live a new life for every language you speak. If you know only one language, you live only once.”
–Czech proverb
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The Ultimate āGirls Gotta Eatā Guide to NYC (the only other post I wrote this year besides my Camino packing list and Puerto Rico blog)
To All the Boats I Loved Before (2021 Travel Review)