I Was Blessed with Awesome Travels in 2011 !

Looking forward to new, exciting adventures in 2012. And gratefully remembering how lucky I’ve been in 2011, having awesome opportunities to travel.

NYE in Lubanzi, WIld Coast, South Africa. No fireworks... Only wilderness...

I was blessed in 2011: I traveled extensively, revisiting places where I’d already been and discovering new ones, meeting interesting people, getting new friends and feeling awesome emotions. Thus, when Leigh – whose Hike Bike Travel website is one of my favorite readings – invited me to write about the memorable experiences (in every sense!), I had in 2011 – taking part to the idea launched by Jeremy of Budget Travel Adventures – I felt it was a great opportunity to remember. And be grateful to life.

So… Here’s the good, and a little of the bad, of my 2011 awesome travels.

Best Domestic Travel Destination

There’s much more than Florence, Siena and the Chianti in Tuscany, thus discovering the area between Pisa and Lucca, a bit like a local, was a lovely experience. I enjoyed the calm and warmth of Casa Gentili, savored excellent local food, discovered an overlooked little gem like the Calci Charterhouse, admired the awesome frescoes of Villa di Corliano and had a great time at Piaggio Museum.

Lucca, a little gem of Tuscany

 Best Travel Experience

When I was a student, I often traveled to Greece. At that time, I had little money and the Lira (the once Italian currency) being very week there were not many European countries a student could afford. Since I started working and could afford to travel farther away I never went back to Greece until my best friend proposed to spend a few days together in the Cyclades Islands. I discovered Mykonos, with its iconic white windmills, and the lovely Folegandros, smaller, simpler and relaxed, with awesome wild beaches.

White and Blue Mykonos

Best International Destination

I can’t help pointing at South Africa (where I still am currently), a country that has been fascinating me for a long time. I’ve been hesitant for a long time, not sure it would be a friendly country to travel alone. Then, curiosity and attraction were stronger and so I came to discover this amazing country, its culture and the wild landscapes. My journey isn’t over yet, and there’s still a lot to discover!

Drakensberg is... Stunning!

Worst Travel Experience

As strange as it may sound, the most disappointing trip in 2011 was… New York. I went in February to attend the Social Media Week and was keen to go back in a city which I had enjoyed so much the previous times. Maybe it was the cold – close to unbearable – maybe I was not in the right mood, truth is that I found New York dirty, noisy and unfriendly. For the first time in many years, I was happy to go back home and escape what I felt like a concrete jungle.

New York City... What happened between me and you?

Most Embarrassing Travel Moment

For some strange reason, I recently got the bad habit to play with fire by being often late at going at the airport, and mixing up flight dates and time. Coming back from London in April, I found out once arrived at Heathrow that my name was not registered on the flight. Astonished and a little angry as I thought that was a mistake from the airline, I insisted for a while in saying that it was impossible and my name had to be on the list. Well… Indeed it was, only I was supposed to leave the following day. Shame on me…

Best Local Destination

Only a short ride from Milan, where I live, Castell’Arquato is an enchanting medieval town where time seems to have stopped long ago. Tiny cobblestone streets, well preserved historical monuments, smooth hills and excellent food make it a perfect spot for a daily outing from the bursting city.

Lovely Castell'Arquato

Best Travel Lesson 

Hostels can be a wonderful experience! I know… That might sound obvious. Still, it was not  obvious to me until very recently. I’m not a 20-something since long, not even a 30-something. When I was working in the Corporate world I was a Director, earning a decent salary and although I’ve never been the ‘5 stars hotel or nothing’ traveler, I was lucky enough to afford medium accommodations and good restaurants without having to worry too much about the budget. Things changed and I had to apply a significant downsizing in my day-by-day life, but I’m far too wild about travel to give up exploring another little piece of world because my budget has become more limited. Right now, I’m having a wonderful journey through South Africa traveling by bus and staying in backpackers lodge, sleeping in dormitory. I got to know lovely people with whom I shared a beer and the joy to travel. And you know what? I don’t miss a hotel room at all!

* * * * *

It’s time to invite a few of my favorite travel bloggers to share some of their memorable 2011 travel experiences.

Angela at Chasing the Unexpected

Samuel at Nomadic Samuel

Zoe at The Quirky Traveller

Iain at Mallory on Travel

Follow Jeremy’s link to the “Best of Travel” Rules  for all the details.

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