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2022 was once a very good yr of go back and forth. After taking the primary steps again into post-pandemic go back and forth in 2021, 2022 was once about reaching long-held desires.
The most important dream was once to consult with my two ultimate areas in Italy — Calabria and Sardinia, which I did in Might and June, respectively.
Does that imply I’m completed with Italy? Please, it’s me! You realize I’ve a ton of Italy journeys forward of me. And a part of me now needs to peer if I will be able to consult with each and every province in Italy (maximum areas have round 3-5 provinces…)
I believe like this yr was once general slightly quiet in comparison to the previous. Pre-pandemic previous, a minimum of. Alternatively, I believe like there was once an extended stretch of huge journeys with way-too-short breaks in between, from June via October. As soon as that was once over, I felt like I used to be able to sleep for a month!
Lesson realized — don’t plan a whole summer time of journeys with most effective 5-10 day breaks in between! Past due thirties Kate can’t deal with that anymore!
However I’m feeling just right about it. And extremely thankful for the privilege of touring the sector.
Let’s dive into my favourite new locations of 2022.
So what made the listing of my favourite new locations of 2021?
In 2012, I selected puts like Iceland, Montenegro, and South Africa.
In 2013, I selected puts like Japan, Berlin, and the Scottish Highlands.
In 2014, I selected puts like Sri Lanka, New Orleans, and Skellig Michael, Eire.
In 2015, I selected puts like Nicaragua, Albania, and Chicago.
In 2016, I selected puts like Puerto Rico, Alsace, and Western Australia.
In 2017, I selected puts like Ukraine, the Florida Keys, and St. Petersburg, Russia.
In 2018, I selected puts like Antarctica, Hokkaido, and St. Croix.
In 2019, I selected puts like Newfoundland, Georgia, and Lake Orta, Italy.
In 2020, I selected puts like Mexico Town; Viñales, Cuba; and Vis, Croatia.
In 2021, I selected puts just like the Aeolian Islands, the Berkshires, and Valle d’Aosta, Italy.
As same old, I’m most effective together with locations that I visited for the primary time in 2022 — in order that excludes locations that I’ve visited previous to this yr, together with Sayulita, Lisbon, and the South Coast of Iceland. One exception: the 2d Time Round award.
Right here they’re: my favourite new locations of 2022!
Naples, Italy
Finally this time, I in spite of everything made it to Naples. How did it take goodbye, such a lot of journeys to Italy, sooner than I finished up right here?!
Neatly, it was once so price it. Naples is my #1 favourite vacation spot of 2022. And that’s no longer all — Naples is now considered one of my favourite puts in Italy, and I feel Naples and Bologna are my two favourite towns within the nation general.
My favourite factor about Naples is how unpretentious it’s. Locals love who they’re and don’t see the want to cater to vacationers. Should you come right here, you might be anticipated to evolve to their way of living — they received’t be bending over backwards to make you extra “at ease.” And sure, this town can continuously be slightly ramshackle, even within the fancy neighborhoods — however that provides to the allure.
After which there’s the meals. Should you revel in pizza the least bit, you MUST make a pilgrimage to Naples as soon as to your lifetime. I like pizza underneath atypical cases, and I used to be completely obsessive about the pizza we had there!! It in reality stands head and shoulders above anything else you’ve had. And that’s sooner than you upload the seafood and remarkable truffles.
If I had been to put across anybody message about Naples, it could be to not be fearful of it. Most of the Naples stereotypes are according to the town within the 90s or previous; it’s no longer the similar position these days. Come for a minimum of two complete days and revel in your self. Hope you’re able to devour the whole lot in sight.
The way to get to Naples: Naples has an especially well-connected airport with considerable flights everywhere Europe. It’s additionally a big teach hub in Italy with heaps of rapid trains from Rome and past (however just right success discovering a quick teach additional south).
Absolute best issues to do in Naples: Consume the entire pizza you’ll be able to (particularly from Da Michele and Sorbillo should you get the danger), discover the underground tunnels of the town, take the metro to Vomero for perspectives of the town, have a complicated dessert at Cafe Gambrinus (preferably a delizia al limone cake), wander the By means of dei Precepi with the entire nativity units, take an afternoon commute to Procida or Pompeii or the Amalfi Coast.
Learn extra: I wrote slightly about Naples in my April 2022 recap.
Guanajuato, Mexico
Should you’re a Mexico fan however haven’t been to Guanajuato but — you want to drop the whole lot and move. I’m critical. Guanajuato has turn out to be considered one of my favourite locations in Mexico (in conjunction with Bacalar, Mexico Town, Mérida, and Oaxaca).
Chances are you’ll know that Guanajuato is famously colourful, with just about neon sunglasses dominating the panorama. You could know that Diego Rivera is from right here, or that the town has curving alleyways and an extended listing of museums. However it’s far more than that. Guanajuato is ready tune and tales filling the air.
Like Naples, Guanajuato isn’t a town that caters to you — to foreigners, a minimum of. It’s an drastically well-liked town for Mexicans, however that’s principally it. Little or no English is spoken — so little that it took me aback! However that’s what I liked about Guanajuato. I needed to paintings more difficult to know and be understood right here.
The number one job to do in Guanajuato is the callejeonada, an revel in the place a roving band of musicians takes you on a excursion of the town, preventing to sing, dance, and play tune alongside the way in which. It’s completely in Spanish, however don’t let that forestall you should you don’t discuss it! It’s goofy and amusing and SO celebratory!
(I’m nonetheless dumbfounded that such a lot of bloggers’ posts about Guanajuato don’t even point out the callejeonada. Actually everybody in the street repeatedly tries to promote you tickets!! Have been they too afraid to move?!) In consequence, this position remains to be slightly of a hidden gem for foreigners.
The way to get to Guanajuato: Guanajuato is a well-liked town for Mexicans to consult with and there are flight connections everywhere the rustic. You’ll be able to additionally take the bus from San Miguel de Allende (90 mins) or Mexico Town (slightly below 5 hours).
Absolute best issues to do in Guanajuato: Pass at the callejeonada strolling excursion throughout the town with the musicians, discover the colourful streets, take the funicular as much as the most efficient view on the town, consult with the Alley of the Kiss and try a smooch around the balconies, consult with Diego Rivera’s space, move on a meals and tradition excursion, move wine tasting or mountaineering within the surrounding hills.
Learn extra: 35 Amusing Issues to Do in Guanajuato, Mexico
Martha’s Winery
FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLY, it took place!! As a Massachusetts local, I’ve been joking in this put up for years that MAYBE the impending yr would be the yr I in spite of everything make it to Martha’s Winery and Nantucket. Neatly, my sister’s Cape Cod wedding ceremony gave me the easiest alternative!
Past due September, it seems, was once the easiest time to move. It was once incredible — and remarkably empty. All through the times, we had denim jacket climate and had been continuously the one folks on seashores!
The Winery is SO lovely, and I liked the sensation of calm that settled over me for my complete consult with. I liked the lengthy drives via farmland, the walks via lovely cities like Edgartown and Oak Bluffs, getting to understand Winery Haven extra deeply, and taking the teeny-tiny Chappy Ferry, which seems find it irresistible’s going to fall into the ocean!
We stayed on the Nobnocket Inn in Winery Haven, a good looking upscale mattress and breakfast that was once my favourite position the place I stayed in 2022.
Total, I actually liked my time right here — and now I’m curious to peer how Nantucket compares!
The way to get to Martha’s Winery: There’s an airport at the island, with flights to locations across the Northeast in top season, however you’ll be able to additionally take the automobile ferry from Woods Hollow, Massachusetts. It takes about 45 mins.
Absolute best issues to do in Martha’s Winery: Wander the Victorian properties of Oak Bluffs, spend sundown on the Aquinnah Cliffs, consult with the small farms promoting produce around the island, window shop in lovely Edgartown, hire a motorcycle and discover, consult with the Martha’s Winery Museum in Winery Haven, take the tiny Chappy Ferry to Chappaquiddick Island, in finding your own favourite coastline at the island.
Learn extra: A Information to Winery Haven, Massachusetts
Italian Riviera
What’s the Italian Riviera, precisely? It’s the sea coast within the area of Liguria, which extends from the French border to Tuscany.
I had technically been right here sooner than — after an alcohol-drenched weekend in Great all through my semester out of the country. My pals and I principally crashed at the coastline in Santa Margherita Ligure and didn’t transfer till it was once time for our bus to depart. Yeah, that’s why I don’t rely it as a consult with.
Charlie and I had been by no means large Liguria enthusiasts — however now it could be our favourite stretch of the seashore in Italy. Actually stunning seashores with vivid blue water, and heaps of cities with their very own personalities. And loads of pesto and focaccia.
So what had been my favourite spots at the Italian Riviera? I actually liked Camogli, a the town with a gorgeous coastline that’s extra well-liked by Italians than world vacationers. We stayed in Rapallo, which was once a bit of bit at the grungy aspect however I actually liked the vibe. And whilst Cinque Terre is legendary, the “6th the town” of Portovenere was once an attractive marvel.
I will be able to’t wait to get again to Genoa particularly. We didn’t have lengthy to discover, however I used to be already enchanted through the darkish, slender alleys and amusing wine bars within the outdated the town. They usually also have their very own colourful stretches of seashores!
The way to get to the Italian Riviera: There are very restricted flights to Genoa, however you will have an more straightforward time discovering a flight to Milan or Pisa and touring across the area through automotive or teach. Educate traces attach most of the cities alongside the coast.
Absolute best issues to do within the Italian Riviera: Spend an afternoon idling through the coastline in Camogli, take a look at the fondness boutiques and cafes in Portofino, have a amusing aperitif with loads of cocktails and appetizers in Rapallo, spend an afternoon exploring Cinque Terre and Portovenere, take a ship to San Fruttuoso, wander outdated the town Genoa’s slender streets, consult with Genoa’s colourful native coastline of Boccadasse.
Learn extra: I wrote slightly concerning the Italian Riviera in my June 2022 recap.
Westman Islands, Iceland
The Westman Islands are one of the most highest conceivable detours you’ll be able to take from Iceland’s Ring Street. This tiny archipelago is only a 30-minute boat experience off the south coast, and it’s completely magical.
In 1973, Eldfell volcano on Heimaey Island erupted, and it has since been the defining match that also reverberates these days. The island evacuated to the mainland (one islander died from fumes; whilst tragic, it’s a downright miracle that everybody else survived).
You’ll be able to find out about this on the Eldheimar Museum, or simply chat with islanders. Everybody has a tale — like our RIB boat information who instructed us her grandfather didn’t wish to evacuate with out his entrance door for some reason why, so he took it off the hinges and taken it at the boat!
Amanda and I spent about 24 hours right here and we were given to do with reference to the whole lot we needed to apart from climb the volcano: a RIB boat excursion, the museum, puffin-spotting, cocktails, the mythical swimming pool. I’d suggest spending one to 2 nights when you have the time. That is one of the vital stunning position I’ve woken up in Iceland.
The way to get to the Westman Islands: There’s a ferry from the South Coast the town of Landeyjahöfn, on the subject of Seljalandsfoss waterfall, to Heimaey Island within the Westman Islands. The ferry takes simply 35 mins and I like to recommend bringing your automotive. There also are expensive flights from Reykjavík.
Absolute best issues to do within the Westman Islands: Take a RIB boat excursion across the islands (and I like to recommend springing for the two-hour model — we needed we had completed that), climb Eldfell mountain, consult with the superb Eldheimar museum, move puffin-watching on the puffin lookouts, have funky cocktails at Gott eating place, consult with Skansinn and the black church, consult with the native swimming pool and revel in its trampoline water slide, keep in a hobbit space or small A-frame at Tenting & Glamping.
Learn extra: I wrote slightly concerning the Westman Islands in my August 2022 recap.
Tropea, Italy
Tropea is what folks assume the Amalfi Coast is. Are you searching for an excellent town constructed on cliffs, main all the way down to lengthy, golden seashores with swimming climate from Might via October? You get all that during Tropea — and the seashores are one million occasions higher, and it prices exponentially lower than Positano.
Calabria is considered one of Italy’s poorer areas, and slightly of a coarse position to go back and forth (you’ll listen extra about that during my upcoming “worst of the yr” put up). However Tropea is situated alongside the area’s extra evolved Tyrrhenian coast, and it’s turn out to be the tourism jewel of the rustic: all cliffs and blue water and monasteries springing out of islands at the sea.
Tropea is all concerning the onions — huge, red, shockingly candy bulbs that compliment with reference to the whole lot. Certainly one of our favourite issues to do was once happening an onion excursion at a small farm and sampling the onions in a wide variety of dishes. (You’ll be able to additionally get onion ice cream in Tropea. Yeah, don’t suggest that one!)
It’s additionally price noting that many, many Italian-American citizens have roots in Calabria. Tropea is the most efficient reason why to return discover your heritage!
The way to get to Tropea: Attending to Tropea is slightly trickier than same old as a result of you want to fly to the airport of Lamezia Terme, which has restricted connections, then both pressure, take a taxi, or take the teach to Tropea (one hour riding, two hours through teach). It is going to most likely make maximum sense so that you can attach in Milan.
Absolute best issues to do in Tropea: Pass on an onion tasting revel in to pattern the native produce, consult with the island crowned with the church of Santa Maria dell’Isola, chill out at the pretty seashores, wander the streets of the outdated the town, check out a tartufo ice cream, take a ship commute out to Capo Vaticano, consult with Pizzo or Scilla for the afternoon.
Learn extra: Tropea, Italy: A spectacularly located coastline the town
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
After all Puerto Vallarta is on right here! Charlie and I spent a part of the wintry weather dwelling right here! (Wow, it feels perpetually in the past.) In many ways, Puerto Vallarta is the easiest position to spend the wintry weather — superb climate, great town existence, each busy and quiet seashores, tremendous simple to get to.
It’s completely stunning right here — seashores surrounded through blue mountains in each and every path. And the Bay of Banderas is house to such a lot of whales, you spot them with out even making a lot of an effort!
There’s heaps to do round right here, too. Strolling the malecón, the trail alongside the water, is one of the simplest ways to punctuate your day. Boat journeys to the encircling seashores or hikes alongside the sea coast are nice tactics to spend the weekends.
I can say that Charlie and I want we had deliberate our commute slightly in a different way — significantly, stayed within the Versalles community as an alternative of the Zona Romantica. Whilst the Zona Romantica is the middle of the whole lot happening, from excursions to nightlife, we felt like we had been dwelling in everybody’s holiday spot. Versalles was once a lot inexpensive and quieter with higher eating places.
The way to get to Puerto Vallarta: Puerto Vallarta is well-connected through air with direct flights everywhere North The usa.
Absolute best issues to do in Puerto Vallarta: Hike the path from Boca de Tomatlan throughout a number of seashores to to Playa Las Animas, move restaurant-hopping within the Versalles community, have margaritas and guacamole at the coastline each day, consult with the Vallarta Botanical Gardens, have a correct birthday celebration evening out within the Zona Romantica, consult with the Hidden Seaside within the Marieta Islands, take an afternoon commute to Yelapa and notice whales at the approach.
Learn extra: I wrote slightly about Puerto Vallarta in my January 2022 recap.
Northern Sardinia
Sardinia was once our twentieth and ultimate area to consult with in Italy — so we knew this needed to be a different commute. Sardinia could also be a huge island; you’ll be able to’t do all of Sardinia in two weeks until you’re racing round nonstop.
So we determined to pay attention to simply the north — and what an ideal resolution that was once. From the Costa Smeralda to L. a. Maddalena, from Alghero to Stintino, from San Teodoro to Santa Teresa, this a part of Sardinia is house to probably the most most lovely sea coast in Europe.
Right here you’ll be able to devour some attention-grabbing dishes you received’t in finding in other places in Italy (like culurgiones, pasta shells filled with minty potato filling and crowned with tomato sauce and olives). It’s an improbable position to street commute. And the seashores right here? SPECTACULAR.
I can say that Sardinia would possibly had been a LITTLE too beach-oriented for us. There wasn’t a lot else to do; even all through the most up to date a part of the day, museums would shut too! However if you wish to move all in on seashores, that is where for you. Sardinia is the explanation why Italians don’t move to the Caribbean a lot.
The way to get to Northern Sardinia: Olbia is the principle air hub, even though there are some flights to Alghero. You’ll be able to additionally take the ferry, like we did! We took an in a single day ferry from Genoa to Olbia, which was once a amusing revel in, and it allowed us to deliver our automotive and save a ton of cash on automotive apartment.
Absolute best issues to do in Northern Sardinia: Take a crusing commute off the coast of Alghero for the day, wander Alghero’s Spanish-flavored streets after the solar is going down, consult with the well-known coastline of L. a. Pelosa and Asinara Island, keep at an agriturismo and devour till you’re crammed past measure, discover the islands of Molara and Tavolara, consult with the colourful the town of Bosa, wonder on the incredible transparent blue water in Santa Teresa or San Teodoro.
Learn extra: I wrote slightly about Sardinia in my June 2022 and July 2022 recaps.
2d Time Round Award: Hamburg, Germany
I first visited Hamburg in 2014 — a harried, rushed, and low-budget revel in that left so much to be desired. Don’t get me flawed, I loved Hamburg then. However it was once not anything in comparison to my 2022 consult with.
I returned to Hamburg for Traverse’s Reboot convention: an match excited about wellness, creativity, and productiveness for go back and forth content material creators, and my first convention since COVID started. They placed on such a lot of amusing occasions across the town, from a curler disco to a Beatles excursion!
And I actually love Hamburg. It concurrently has an overly fashionable really feel and a heat, bohemian ethos. It’s so effectively linked through public transportation and simple to get round. And it’s indubitably a town of neighborhoods, each and every with their very own persona, which I actually love.
And Miniatur Wunderland was once SUCH a pleasure!! That is considered one of Germany’s most renowned points of interest, with miniature fashions of places everywhere the sector, intricately constructed. You’ll be able to spend hours and hours there, taking a look on the tiny main points of Alpine lakes, Venice, and Rio de Janeiro, to call a couple of.
I’ve since came upon that Hamburg has a competition in August the place everybody clothes up as birds. I want to move.
The way to get to Hamburg: There are finances flights to Hamburg from everywhere Europe. It’s additionally well-connected through teach: two hours from Berlin, 4 and a part hours from Copenhagen, 5 hours from Amsterdam, and 6 and a part hours from Prague, which I loved drastically!
Absolute best issues to do in Hamburg: Spend a couple of hours marveling over the unbelievable international scenes at Miniatur Wunderland, take in the ambience or move on a Beatles excursion in St. Pauli, have a amusing evening out at the Reeperbahn, move to a curler disco with the Curler Skate Van, take a canal cruise across the town, recognize the Notting Hill-esque community of Winterhude.
Learn extra: I wrote slightly about Hamburg in my April 2022 recap.
The place I Hope to Pass in 2023
I haven’t visited a brand new nation since Cuba, within the closing days of 2019. That feels actually bizarre. One reason why is as a result of I’ve already been to each and every nation in Europe, and I haven’t been gung-ho for going additional than that or North The usa in recent years. However I’m hoping I go back and forth additional afield in 2023.
First off — 2023 is the yr Charlie and I are getting married! We’re having a Prague wedding ceremony in Might and a Boston wedding ceremony in July. So a large number of our power (and let’s be fair, cash) goes to be spent on that moderately than loads of go back and forth. Within the first part of the yr I feel we’ll most effective be happening quick getaways inside Europe. However who is aware of? Anything else’s conceivable!
We’ve already booked our “wintry weather get away” for February — western Sicily! We’ll be running from an condo in Palermo for per week, then spend a couple of days staying at an agriturismo and riding across the west. I’ve most effective been to jap Sicily, so this might be new territory.
We’re saving our honeymoon for December 2023, as that’s a time when we will be able to extra simply move off-grid work-wise. After going via our standards — a brand new nation for us each, just right climate in December, great luxurious inns, a lot more than simply seashores, surprising surroundings (for me), a wine scene (for him) — we’re leaning towards Chile.
I’ve been hoarding all my issues towards the honeymoon (with the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked and the Capital One Project X) so we will be able to get industry magnificence praise flights.
What a couple of mini-moon in the summertime? Yep, we’ll do this. However truthfully, in the end the marriage craziness, we would like our mini-moon to be simple and acquainted. So that can be a handy guide a rough commute to Salina within the Aeolian Islands, or Monopoli in Puglia. Each are particular puts that we like.
I’ve additionally been pondering so much about Morocco in recent years. Sure, even pre-Global Cup. So in all probability that might be one thing in 2023. Perhaps a go back commute to Paris. Perhaps a commute to the Egadi Islands of western Sicily, and even Pantelleria, all through the summer time. We will see.
What had been your favourite new locations this yr?
