My 2017 Travel Goals

I’m a little behind on the travel goals train,  but I’ll give it a go. To be honest, this list has been typed up on my phone since September last year. I’m going to break it down by month so I don’t slack on the planning. I have great travel ambitions for 2017, especially in and around Europe as this is my last full here (I think) living here, so I need to make a crap-load of hay while the sun shines. Some items are set while others are my best laid plans. Please come along for the ride in person, or virtually 😉

 

Winter Months – January to March

January is  a great head start as I started the year of by travelling to these three countries over five days. Talk about whirl wind speed! Regardless, I’m going to give myself credit for that one.

January: Prague– Czech Republic, Vienna– Austria, Bratislava– Slovakia

Work is absolutely nuts in January, February, and part of March so by the end of that, I will be ready to just chilllllllllllllllll and get my groove back. So, I’m headed to the Phillipines for 9 days, but making the most of a stopover in Qatar to see Doha for 30 hours! I’m taking advantage of the free transit visa that Qatar started in January. It applies to ALL nationalities but only applies on flight booked through Qatar airways and for layovers between 5 hours and 96 hours. Application is online. Click here to find out more. Back to the topic … images from the Phillipines keep me motivated :). My ticket is booked, i just need to figure out accommodation and stuff

March: Qatar, Phillipines – Coron & Boracay

 

Spring – April to June

April marks the beginning of better weather, so I’m hoping for a quick weekend jaunt to Budapest, Hungary at the end of April. Budapest was in my plans for last year but it didn’t work out.  City of baths, I’m coming for you!

I find that a lot of people are surprised that I haven’t been to Italy. Well, I tried last year, ticket bought, accommodation booked and everything. Alas, my visa didn’t arrive in time. I was so hurt!! I plan on going to Rome, Florence, and Cinque Terre at the end of May. While I’m at it, Ill make a stop at the Vatican, because why not?

I’ve wanted to go to Russia for the longest time, I don’t even know that I have a good reason. Pictures of St. Petersburg have long drawn me in 🙂  Plus, I’m intrigued to see beautiful train stations Russia is rumoured to have. My point is, Russia has always seemed like a great unknown to me. I’m ready to find out in June, potentially with a local and with friends!

 Summer – July to September

I hope to be back in Amsterdam for work in July, so I’m going to do what I do best, which is tag on a side trip over the weekend. Bruges and Luxembourg are only hours away by train. A friend from work whom I met in Amsterdam last year, and another from university in the US live in this tiny nation! Bruges, Belgium just seems to peaceful and beautiful. I have a feeling this will be one of those ‘go with the flow’ unplanned trips.

August!!! I can’t wait for August. I haven’t seen much of the African continent, and its time for me to explore My motherland, all four corners of it. Last year I did get to visit Morocco so I’m getting better. In August, I’m happily playing third wheel to one of my BFFs and her husband and we’re going to Kenya and Tanzania for two weeks. We met in our first year of University, in little Winona Minnesota and we’ve talked about going to Kenya together. In a way, I’ve put off going to Kenya until we’re able to do it together, because we promised we would way back in 2003. I’m so incredibly thankful that its happening.

My friend is Kenyan by the way. I lived with Kenyans at different stages through university so I know quite a bit about Kenya and a few Swahili songs and phases. I can’t wait to finally use those phrases,  eat at Canivore, and drink Ketepa Kenyan tea (Kenyans can drink tea!). I’ll soon be dreaming of seeing my friend’s childhood home in Nyeri, trying a Tusker, riding through Amboselli National Park in my safari outfit 😉 . I’ll check out Mount Kenya, Masaai Maraa, get in a Matatu and convince myself that I blend right in. I dream of topping it off with a visit Mombassa and Malindi , eating nyama choma in Kenya but skipping the ugali (no offense). In no particular order!

I know I’m pushing it with a possible 5-day trip to Croatia at the tail end of September, but a girl can try! Croatia has been on my radar for about 5 years now and I think its super-underrated. Hoping to go for an extended weekend, if my boss doesn’t question my days off.

Autumn – October to December

I’m taking a break in October, as I did last year. I always need a month to recoup financially and just embrace my stomping grounds. I’ll get back on the road to Cape Verde (I hope and pray this works out ) for 5 days. This small but beautiful African nation is surfers paradise, warm, beautiful. The islands are a blend of their Portuguese and African influences.

December will have me back at home in Lagos. It’s been a few years and it’s time to go home. I’m excited to just be, and eat, reconnect, and reflect! If I get to visit a West African country like Gambia or Togo, I’d be quite pleased. Let’s not plan on that for now though.

 

So with that being said, here we go! Prague, Vienna, Bratislava, Qatar, Philippines, Russia, Budapest, Italy, Belgium , Luxembourg, Kenya, Tanzania, Croatia, Cape Verde, and Nigeria! (+plus little everyday adventures within the UK). 2017 is about to be LIT!

Where are you off to this year?

 

XOXO,

Dee