2024 year kicked off amidst the palm-fringed beaches and vibrant culture of Puerto Rico. After ringing in 2024 under a kaleidoscope of fireworks in Rincón, we embarked on an enchanting trip to the outlying island of Vieques. This remote isle cast its spell as we kayaked through the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world, Mosquito Bay. With each paddle stroke, the waters sparked to life in a dazzling display of nature’s magic, fish illuminating the depths like shooting stars. It was an experience that will forever etch itself into our memories.
With winter’s chill fading into the rearview mirror, our thirst for adventure led us to iconic rail journeys that showcased America’s vast and diverse landscapes. We rode Amtrak’s famous California Zephyr from Chicago’s towering skyline all the way to the sun-drenched streets of San Francisco, reveling in vistas of alpine peaks, rustic deserts, and the shimmering Pacific. The City by the Bay seduced us with its rolling fog, zigzagging streets, and fresh seafood pulled straight from the sparkling bay. From wandering the trails at Muir Woods to sipping wines amid the rolling vineyards of Napa and Sonoma, these were moments that defined the very essence of seeing America.
Yet our wanderlust yearned for grander horizons in 2024, and we heeded the call of Italy’s fabled cobblestone alleys and ancient ruins. Our Italian odyssey kicked off amid the elegant grandeur of Paris before whisking us away to the sun-drenched shores of Sicily. Catania’s baroque splendor gave way to the hustle and bustle of Naples, where we learned the secrets of perfect Neapolitan pizza from seasoned masters. We wandered the eerily preserved streets of Pompeii, froze in awe before the Renaissance masterworks of Florence, savored the fabled cuisine of Bologna, and lost ourselves in the romantic canals and piazzas of timeless Venice.
Each stop was a delicious assault on the senses – the aroma of simmering ragu, the chime of echoing church bells, and laughter and clinking glasses spilling from sidewalk cafes at every turn. From savoring wine windows in Florence to getting gloriously lost amid the tangled alleyways of Naples’ Spanish Quarter, we drank deeply from la dolce vita (the sweet life), allowing Italy’s intoxicating zest for living to leave us deliciously drunk on wanderlust.
As summer faded into fall, we found ourselves pulled back to the comforting embrace of home soil and familiar trails. We revisited cherished gems like the quaint lakeside towns of Northern Michigan, where we paddled the serene waters of Pretty Lakes and watched the sunset blaze over the iconic Mackinac Bridge. Yet we also pushed our boundaries, exploring new pockets of our backyard like the sprawling sand dunes along Silver Lake and the crumbling remains of Detroit’s abandoned zoo on Belle Isle.
Each jaunt was a reminder that the most epic adventures are often waiting just beyond our doorstep. As we finally settled in to map out our travels for the coming year, one thing was certain – our thirst for exploration was only growing fiercer.
With 2025 stretched out before us, we can’t help but buzz with excitement for the epic adventures lying in wait. We have our sights set on the pristine waters and untamed wilderness of Ontario, the vibrant streets of Mexico City, and perhaps even a return to Europe’s hallowed cobblestones. One thing’s for sure – our paddles are ready, our packs are prepped, and our wanderlust is insatiable.
So, fellow explorers, stay tuned as we embark on new frontiers and revel in the wandering soul of our #goseedoexplore ethos. The path is never-ending, and the greatest adventures are yet to come! What travel dreams will you chase in 2025?
Thanks for stopping by! Check out our Go See Do Explore Podcast, available wherever you listen to podcasts. To read about some of our previous trips, visit my Trips Page. If you like my photos be sure to “like” my Facebook Page and follow me on Instagram! For my list of gadgets to make your travels easier, click here. To see inside my camera bag, check out my Gear Page.
From Pena Palace, we took another Bolt to Quinta de Regaleira. We did not pre-purchase tickets to the Quinta, but the line was short by the time we arrived and we were able to use our Lisboa Card for a discount. Quinta de Regaleira is famous for its Initiation Well (left). The Initiation Well is mysterious because it is a circular stairwell into the ground with no known purpose. It is recommended that if you want to walk down the Initiation Well you get there early because a line forms later in the day. We arrived around noon and had to wait a bit but it was worth it.
