Oh, the Places We’ll Go…in 2015

January 16, 2015

berlin

Berlin, 2012

Happy Friday, everybody! We’re barely a few weeks into 2015 and the calendar seems to be filling up quite quickly. It’s like you blink and the calendar goes from blank to multi-colored with dates and events and excitement! In the first half of this year, we have some trips planned and a few more are already starting to come together. I feel like we live each year in six month segments between visits back to the States. It makes each year absolutely fly by, because there’s so much to look forward to and to fit in between those trips.

So even though I’m not quite finished telling you about Barcelona (one more post on all things food and drinks next week!), I thought I’d start talking about 2015’s trips. It makes me equally tired and excited to write them all down!

Dingle

There are a few spots around Ireland I still haven’t visited, and Dingle is at the top of the list. Dingle is one of Michael’s favorite places in the country and he spent several weeks there a few years ago studying Irish for his job as a guidance counsellor in an Irish speaking school. He still raves about it, so we’re joining a few friends for a weekend there in March, we hope!

Amsterdam

I’m about to pull the trigger on flights to Amsterdam in March as well, to spend a few days with my friends Ashley and Anne, who live in Berlin and Paris respectively. I haven’t been to Amsterdam in a few years, so I’m excited for a little exploring and lots of coffee shops and wine.

Berlin

I’m heading to Berlin for the Hive Conference for the first time in a few years. This year, I’ve had the opportunity to work with the Hive’s organiser and founder, Yvonne, to research speakers and write their monthly newsletter. I’m very excited about this year’s event – with speakers like Chelsea Fuss of Frolic and Corina of Cocorrina –  which returns to Berlin after a year in Copenhagen. I’ll get to see my friend Ashley again for a few days and hopefully visit the best and biggest craft store I’ve been dreaming about since my last visit.

Croatia

Michael came home a few months ago from a basketball fundraiser with two short-haul tickets on Aer Lingus for us to use within the year. This guy has the best luck when it comes to travel prizes. Our first year here, he won a whole trip to Amsterdam! We think we’re going to use the free flights to go to Croatia for a week around Easter time. Michael has two weeks off and we want to go somewhere warm-ish that we’ve never been before. We’re thinking of taking a whole week to do both city and beach in Croatia. If you have experience there, we’d love your thoughts!

Thailand

Gah. Thailand. It makes my stomach get a little nervous just thinking about getting on a plane for that long, but Michael has been wanting to go to Asia for a long time now. He’s been doing lots of research on places to stay and resorts to lounge, so I’m going to hold my tongue (and my breath!) and going along for the ride!

Somewhere New in America!

We’ll be in America again this summer, like always, this year probably in July or so. I’d love to do a little exploring to somewhere we haven’t been before within the States. Austin? New Orleans? Nashville? All those places are probably sweltering in the summer, but we’ll see!

Are you filling your calendar with adventures already? Any tips for visiting any of these places? You guys always have the best suggestions. Have a really wonderful weekend!

14 Comments

  • Reply Andrew Cenci January 16, 2015 at 9:09 pm

    Louisville, KY! Just google the awesome little summer city right on the Ohio River.

  • Reply Anne / Prêt à Voyager January 16, 2015 at 9:19 pm

    All of these places sound AWESOME! Excited to travel with + vicariously 🙂

  • Reply All things nice... January 16, 2015 at 9:42 pm

    You’ll be busy this year, lots of exiciting travels to plan 🙂

    All things nice…

  • Reply Nathalie Marquez Courtney January 16, 2015 at 10:01 pm

    Ooh, very intrigued by Hive, had been thinking of going! And Croatia is beautiful, was there last year and the year before. Are you into Game of Thrones at all? Dubrovnik is where a lot of scenes were filmed so there’s tons of stuff around that if you guys are fans. Also, definitely recommend the kayak around the Old Town, especially in the late afternoon. It takes 2-3 hours, including a break for snacks and swimming in a lovely cove, and is loads of fun. I’ll send you the link! x

    • Reply emily January 16, 2015 at 11:06 pm

      Oh man, that kayaking sounds AMAZING! I’m not into Game of Thrones, and I’m a little scared to mention it to Michael! Ha! I saw the opening scene where they killed the deer and couldn’t keep watching! Such a wimp!

      You should come over to The Hive! And you should scoop up a ticket soon! There are some amazing speakers and sponsors this year!

  • Reply Cate Talbot Ashton January 18, 2015 at 12:09 am

    Hi Emily – I just had to mention that there are some Waterville-area folks in Nashville, including our son Zeben who is working in the admissions office at Vanderbilt University. I’m sure he’d love to show you some of the sights!

    BTW, I check in on your site every once in a while – Ireland has always been on my list to visit but reading your blog is the closest I’ve come so far!

  • Reply Yvonne January 18, 2015 at 1:45 pm

    Here is to a fun travel year! You Thailand and Im going to China!

    Never been to Croatia, but I will use your Vienna tips, when I’m going end of this month!
    See you in Berlin!

    Yvonne

  • Reply Denis January 18, 2015 at 3:04 pm

    Hi Emily,

    I discovered your blog as a preparation for my move from Vienna to Dublin a few months ago. So far I was just a silent reader but after reading your recent post, I had to message you.

    What places do you plan to visit in Croatia??
    I am originally Croatian. If you need any advice let me know.

    Best,
    Denis

    • Reply emily March 14, 2015 at 3:00 pm

      Hi Denis, I’m not sure how I didn’t reply sooner, but I would love to hear any suggestions you might have for Dubrovnik and the surrounding area? We will be there for 5 days from the 25th to the 30th of March and are just starting out planning in earnest now. I’d love to hear from a local what are the best things to do there! Thank you! I hope you are enjoying Dublin so far!!

  • Reply Joi January 27, 2015 at 9:48 am

    oh wow….i am speechless, absolutely amazing plans! you go guys!! cannot wait to hear all about it! lots of love xx

  • Reply Jessica January 27, 2015 at 7:11 pm

    hey emily! when Nate and I visited Ireland, we went to Dingle. I have to say it was my favorite place! We went sea kayaking, and every place in that town is like a postcard!
    We will be in Istanbul, Cappadocia, Venice, Cinque Terre and Florence this March (Turkey and Italy). If we had enough time, I would have loved to taken a ferry from Venice to Croatia!!
    As far as future travel plans, we are thinking and researching a lot about Morocco. I would love to go for two weeks in September, camp in the Western Sahara desert, and sail to Spain. A lot of the research I have found is so discouraging… so we are reluctant but intrigued. Do you have any thoughts on that?
    As far as a visit to North America, I have been to New Orleans and I think you two would absolutely love it. Before I knew you were from Portland, ME, it has been on my bucket list for a long time. I am hoping to visit the National Arcadia Park in October. Also on my US bucket list: the Badlands, Yosemite, and Portland.
    I wish you guys happy and safe travels! I love reading about your adventures!!
    All the best,
    Jess

    • Reply emily January 29, 2015 at 11:11 am

      You guys have so much travel coming up this year! AMAZING! I’m so partial to Maine, and Acadia is beautiful. THe food in Portland is awesome as well, and it’s a cute little town worth window shopping in. I think the islands in Maine off the coast are so different than anywhere else, and the morning light. So good! We were thinking a little about Morocco, too, but your version sounds way more adventurous than I’m prepared for! Ha! My friend Ruth (ruaruth.com) was in Morocco and has been writing some posts about her travels you might enjoy. Look forward to hearing all about your travels!

  • Reply Sydney February 3, 2015 at 10:41 pm

    New place to visit in America? Alaska! you can take a direct flight from Frankfurt to Anchorage in about 9 hours. In 2015 I will be visiting Ireland for the first time, hopefully Mexico or Costa Rica too.

    • Reply emily February 12, 2015 at 10:24 pm

      Oh gosh, I hadn’t even really thought of Alaska! One day, perhaps! I hope you get to come here in 2015, let me know if you have any questions!

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