Where I’m going in 2017
I’m always hesitant to post about my travel plans too far in advance since so much of it seems to change–so much so that I rarely try to predict where the month, let alone the year, will take me. Some of my favorite trips in recent years have been very last-minute, and there are still places that I swore I would travel to that I still haven’t visited. I’ve learned to take advantage of destination weddings and cross-country work trips, but I’ve also had to be flexible when big days and big meetings get in the way of my travel plans.
So! 2017 is a big year of personal transition for us. I’m trying to stay realistic about how much travel is possible and probable–but also optimistic about visiting some new destinations and checking off some once-in-a-lifetime type of travel (aka honeymoon!). However, my biggest goal is to enjoy my favorite places in New York City and experience some new ones: I’m so grateful for my almost five years (!) of living in the greatest city in the world and I want to make the most of it. That said, here are my travel plans for 2017:
A winter escape to San Juan…
San Juan is the easiest tropical getaway from New York City: a few hours on a plane, and no customs or currency change to deal with. I’ve been to Puerto Rico twice before–once for a week with a girlfriend, and last winter with David for a weekend–and I’m so excited to be going back for a quick weekend in January. We booked the plane ticket using points, and I’m planning to treat my boyfriend to as many pina coladas as he can dream of as part of a belated birthday gift. Mostly: SUNSHINE PLEASE.
…and a winter wonderland in the Catskills
And the following weekend, we’ll be embracing all that is winter in New York with an escape to this cozy cottage in the Catskills. We’re going away with David’s sister and her fiance, and we’re planning on plenty of mulled wine, hot chocolate and board games in front of a roaring fire.
A Caribbean honeymoon
We’re keeping the details secret for now, but it should come as no surprise that our honeymoon will involve plenty of beaches, tropical cocktails and relaxing!
Third Annual Girlfriend Getaway
The first was a weekend of wine tasting and covered bridges in Bucks County and the second was a hunt for lobster rolls and lighthouses in Maine: Jillian and I haven’t decided where our next weekend adventure will be, but I’m certainly hoping to keep this tradition alive (even if we have added a baby and a puppy to the mix).
29th Birthday TBD
This is one of those things that might require a bit of flexibility this year: we’ve already been invited to a wedding on my actual birthday, and June is going to be a logistically challenging month since our lease is up at the end of the month. That said, I’m dreaming of celebrating 29 in Copenhagen, Jamaica, London or Nova Scotia. We’ll see what happens!
West Coast adventures
Despite having grown up in California, there are still so many West Coast destinations that I’ve never really visited as an adult. I’m hoping to remedy some of that this year. On my list: Big Sur, Yosemite, Seattle, San Diego and Lake Tahoe.
A trip with my mom
My mom and I have taken so many fun trips together, but our last one was a week in Paris two years ago. She’s semi-retired with a more flexible schedule now, so I’m hoping to squeeze in at least one mother-daughter bonding weekend!
Thanksgiving in Hawaii
I spent a few Thanksgiving and Christmases at my family’s timeshare in Maui in high school and college, and I have such incredible memories of snorkeling with sea turtles, grilling fish and pineapple for holiday dinners, and reading books on the beach all day long. You have to book the timeshare 13 months in advance for big holiday weeks and I’m generally terrible about making any plans that far in advance–BUT I managed to get on it this fall, and so I’m very much looking forward to introducing David to my favorite places in Kihei next Thanksgiving. Bring on the shave ice!
Where are you most excited to travel in 2017?
