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Travel Recap: 13 Countries in 2022

12/30/22 | Ecuador, France, Ireland, Monaco, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, Travel, Turkey, United States, Year in Review

After 2020 and 2021 I remember starting this year with people saying they just wanted a “precedented” and normal year after too much uncertainty and unprecedented times.  COVID definitely through the world for a loop the past few years and this year my personal life was anything but what I had planned.

As 2022 comes to an end I wanted to take a look book at some of my fond memories, many of which revolve around travel.  Even I was even a bit surprised that given everything I was able to visit 13 countries in 2022 and only one of them was a business trip (where I would have gone anyway). I doubt I will ever hit 20 countries in a year, making 19 countries in 2019 my record, but hey, a girl can dream!    In chronological order, here were my international travels:

_______

1) United States x3 | I started the year in Florida for New Year’s, the  visited San Fransisco for work in June, and went a third time in October to visit my family in New England.

Keniston Covered Bridge in Andover New Hampshire

2) England | The majority of my year was spent in the England (a good thing otherwise it would void my visa) and besides checking out new places in London we visited many beautiful countryside spots in Devon, Wiltshire, Somerset, Gloucestershire, and more!

London Fashion Blogger at Stonehenge wearing Mesh Turtleneck by Cabi Clothing
3) France x2  | In March I went on a solo trip to Nice for a long weekend and in September went back to France with Mark visiting Paris and spending a week biking in the Loire Valley.

Kelly and Mark and the Colonnes de Buren:Les Deux Plateaux in Paris
With Mark in-front of the 15th century Chateau Royal d'Amboise

 

4) Monaco |  Only a 20 minute train ride to Nice I spent a day in Monaco eating, shopping, and photographing the gorgeous micro-nation.

Cartier Jewels in Monaco on the Place du Casino (Casino Square)
The Oceanographic Museum of Monaco

5) Scotland | We took a quick weekend trip up to Scotland (it is less than an hour flight London to Edinburgh) to see the castles along the English / Scottish border.

Tantallon Castle - Scottish Castle

6) Portugal |  For Easter break in April we went to Lisbon and Porto which proved a lovely trip despite our lost luggage but makes me sad every time I think about it as it was just a few weeks before the twins were born.

Azulejo Tiles at the Sao Bento Train Station in Porto

7) Sweden | For the “Late May Bank Holiday” also known as Memorial Day Weekend Mark and I spent a few days in Stockholm revisiting some of the spots from my 2016 trip as well as ticking off some new ones.

Colorful Homes in Gamla Stan, the Old Town - 13 Countries in 2022

8) Spain | In July we traveled to Spain and while I have been a few times over the years but it was my first time to the Canaries. We split our week of Summer sunshine between Fuerteventura and Tenerife and just thinking about it makes me want to go back.

Fuerteventura recap - Piscina Natural, the natural lava pool

9) Netherlands | In late August we went to Amsterdam for a weekend as Mark had never been to the Dutch capital and enjoyed gorgeous weather on the canals for a few days.

Wearing Ecowish V-Neck Spaghetti Strap Bowknot Sleeveless Lace Mini Dress in Holland

10) Ireland | In early October I took an overnight trip to Dublin to surprise my Nana while she was on holiday there and it was definitely  one of my best weekends of 2022.

11) Turkey | In mid-October Mark and I flew to Istanbul for a long weekend where we both explored the Turkish captial for the first time and had an amazing time celebrating at a co-workers wedding.

Hagia Sofia from Sultanahmet Park with Red Dome and Minarets

12) Poland | Of the 13 countries in 2022 I visited Poland was the only one I went to for the first time flying out in November for a snowy weekend in Gdańsk where I fell in love with their Christmas market.

The Gdansk Christmas Market - Travel Blogger at on Tkacka Street - 13 Countries in 2022

13) Ecuador | Last but certainly not least only two weeks ago we went on a family holiday to the Galapagos which you can read about here!

Family photos with Galapagos sea lion pups on the beach on Isla Santa Fe

 

Did you visit any new countries in 2022?

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Comments

  1. Stephanie says

    January 11, 2023 at 2:36 pm

    I’ve always wanted to go to a Christmas market and will have to make an effort to get to one soon…

    That emerald watch is gorgous and what did you thiink of Stonehedge? Was it worth the visit?

  2. Nan says

    January 11, 2023 at 11:38 am

    I visited Portugal after reading your blog posts and it didn’t dissapoint.

    The people, countryside, seafood and of course the porto and their local wine were beautiful and delicious.

    Great recommendation.

  3. Linda says

    January 11, 2023 at 7:52 am

    You certainly do get around and fabulous to get to go to so many amazing places.

    What were your top two favorites?

Hi, I am Kelly and welcome to Sparkles and Shoes, a fashion, travel, and lifestyle blog founded in 2012.  After six years of living in London I am back in New York with my husband and two littles! 

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