As the new year looms, I've started doing one of my favorite things: picking out where we might go in the coming 12 months.
Since we traveled far less in 2016 than we did in 2015 (due to my 2nd pregnancy), I'm excited to have so many possibilities open to us. No more worrying about the Zika virus! No more wondering how I could travel without panicking about being so far from my doctor! No more waddling and being tired!
Our son is still really little--one month old as of last weekend--so we're going to have to ease him into a few of the trips that are mentioned below. We'll probably start out with a few easy road trips to nearby places and see how he does. Our 3 year old, Britton, was an awesome traveler when she was a baby (and still is), so I'm hoping her little brother follows in her footsteps.
Below, you'll find the destinations that we're hoping to see in 2017. We probably won't get to all of them since our budget and Landon's time off only goes so far, but we can dream big. Right?
My picks
- Italy. I'm all about Italy lately for some reason, and it's been my #1 choice for our next travel destination for a few months. However, this probably isn't going to happen this year since Landon and I have talked about Spain (see below) being one of our major trips in '17.
- Crystal Springs, Florida. There exists a place where you can swim in incredibly clear water with manatees, and that place is Crystal Springs (you can probably guess how it got its name). Back in August, I was playing on StumbleUpon and found this video of a couple paddleboarding down Crystal Springs while manatees swam underneath them. Ignore the fact that I've never paddleboarded in my life: I have a new bucket list item that needs to get check off this year.
- Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. Way back in late elementary school, my parents took my sister and I on a road trip through Virginia, and the Shenandoah area was the major high point of that trip for me. I'd love to take a trip there again to explore a few of the caves and relax amidst the gorgeous scenery.
- Somewhere island-y. I start getting antsy for beaches and 90 degree weather around March 1, so I'd love if we could fit in a trip to an island. Aruba, Bermuda, the Bahamas, the Florida Keys--I'm not picky. Just show me the beach.
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| Cinque Terre, Italy |
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| Shenandoah Valley |
Landon's picks
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| The Alhambra, Grenada, Spain |
- Spain. Landon minored in Spanish in college and has long wanted to visit Spain. In fact, we were in the early stages of planning a trip there in 2012 when we found out that we were expecting Britton; we decided that we probably should save the funds for our first kid. Since then, we've gone on several international trips, and all have been my picks. I think it's only fair that Landon gets to pick our destination for once! Right now, we're thinking of going to Madrid, Barcelona, Grenada, and Seville (and maybe Cadiz if we're there during Carnival). If you've been, send over your best advice and can't miss spots.
- Hiking on the Appalachian Trail. He and one of his long time friends have been wanting to do a few sections of the AT for a few years now, and they're finally going to get around to it this spring. I've read way too many scary stories about creepers in the woods to want to go with them, but I know they will have a great time sans kids and wives for a few days.
- A cruise. While I like cruising every few years, Landon would be happy doing a cruise every 6 months or so. We might be able to pull off one of those short cruises to the Bahamas...which would hit two of our destinations at once since I'd get some island time in there, too!
Britton's picks
- Cape Canaveral, Florida. Ever since she and I went on a mama-daughter press trip to the Space Coast a year ago, Britton hasn't stopped talking about the place with the rockets. She's even talked about trading a big 4th birthday party for a long weekend to Kennedy Space Center, so you know she's serious.
- Walt Disney World. What 3 year old doesn't like the Disney parks?! Mine definitely took after me and thinks we need to visit at least once a month.
- Somewhere that requires an airplane ride.
- Preferably Walt Disney World via an airplane ride.
What travel plans do you have for 2017?
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