2022 Travel Year in Review
I know when the turn of the year happens, we all see an outpouring of highlights from influencers recapping their year. We see lots of positives and I don’t know about you, but for me, my years have often been rough as of late. While 2022 was certainly not without its trials and tears, it truly was one of the best years of my life. Big goals were achieved, life moments were realized, and my travels were some of the best to date.
I don’t say this to brag, but just to let you know that in my annual travel recap, despite these highlights, I want to remind you 2022 definitely had its lows. Still, I’m excited to share a closer look at my 2022 travels with some previously unshared stories, my travel by the numbers, and more!
Travel by the Numbers
Countries visited: 5 (US, Mexico, France, the Bahamas, and Jamaica)
US states visited: 5 (TN, FL, GA, CA, NC)
Cities visited: 13 (Nashville (TN), Orlando (FL), San Diego (CA), Los Angeles (CA), Atlanta (GA), Knoxville (TN), Gatlinburg (TN), Memphis (TN), Athens (GA), Playa del Carmen (Mexico), Paris (France), Rennes (France), Mont Saint Michel (France))
National parks visited: 1 (Great Smoky Mountains National Park)
Total flight legs: 10
Miles driven: 5112
Top Travel Highlights of 2022
You know what else happened this year…I got my freaking PhD in Chemistry! So of course, science destinations and science events are my JAM when traveling. Naturally, seeing a rocket launch is a once in a lifetime type of thing for most people (who don’t live nearby).
When I visited Orlando with my research group for a combustion conference, and SpaceX was launching a Falcon 9, I think all my fellow scientists would have understood why I skipped the conference that day.
We took to Playa Linda Beach on Canaveral National Seashore with the Launch Console app in hand because it has a compass pointing you in the direction of the launch.
When it was time, the sound alone was enough to make me tear up! What an incredible sight and to think it’s the accomplishments of thousands of scientists. It was truly unforgettable. I highly recommend experiencing it if you get the chance!
2. Experiencing the Wizarding World for the first time
Hello, huge Potterhead here! 👋 On the same Orlando trip as above, we got the chance to extend the trip by a few days because the conference overlapped with our spring break.
I was so excited to head to the Universal theme parks for the Wizarding World specifically. While I’m from Los Angeles (home to Universal Hollywood), we actually only have the Hogsmeade/Hogwarts part in LA, whereas in Orlando they have the full Diagon Alley and Carkitt Market, plus an operational Hogwarts Express!
And let me tell you, if you like Harry Potter or just amazing immersive experiences, these theme parks will not disappoint!
It was an absolute joy to experience these parks and rides, and especially to try Butterbeer and the other tasty wizard treats!
Related read → Guide to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando
3. Having a staycation in San Diego
Another trip, another conference. The American Chemical Society’s national meeting brought me to San Diego, which I’ve visited frequently in the past, but never solo and never without a car.
Being grounded near the conference center made this little solo trip feel like a staycation. I got to visit some of the best restaurants including my all time favorite breakfast spot, Café 222, on my university’s dime.
I even used a Resort Pass for daily access to one of the big hotels on the marina so I could use their adults only pool for the day!
Book a day pass, spa pass, or cabana at a resort starting at only $25.
4. Spending a weekend in Memphis with Memphis Heritage
One reason travel bloggers start blogging is to be able to make travel a job. And while that sounds nice and all, the real way to do that is by working with local tourism boards, non-profits, and companies who sponsor your travels.
It’s not every sponsored trip that you get to work with an incredible non-profit, so when I visited Memphis, Tennessee with Memphis Heritage I was so excited! They work to preserve historic structures in Memphis. It was such a unique lens to experience Memphis through.
And I’m so glad I could promote their mission and create content for them!
5. Relaxing in Mexico after surviving the stress of buying a home
Buying a home is stressful. Buying a home when you’re about to graduate, therefore ending your super reliable grad student income…is even more stressful. Somehow earning a PhD doesn’t equate to being able to pay a mortgage. I cry.
Don’t fret, it worked out after lots of tears. Where’s the travel highlight, you ask? It was using credit card points for an all-inclusive vacation to Mexico (to this amazing adults-only hotel, the Royal Hideaway Playacar) after all was said and done.
I’ve never spent my credit card points so quickly without hesitation.
The trip was wonderful, relaxing, and a much-needed breath of fresh air after months of intense stress. The ocean cures all.
6. Traveling solo to Paris
Some places are just impossible to tire of. For me it’s New Orleans and Paris. I had been to Paris twice before as a kid and college student, but getting to return as a solo adult was a really exciting (and sometimes nerve-wracking) journey…seriously the amount of anxiety I felt about getting from the airport to my hotel upon arrival was ridiculous.
I was so grateful to be there getting to plan my own itinerary, navigate solo travel in Paris, and rekindle my love for the French language (I studied French for 8 years and studied abroad at a language institute in Vichy, France).
It was a joy.
Related read → Solo travel tips for Paris
7. Visiting a bucket list destination (Mont Saint Michel)
That same trip, I was actually there for a conference (do we sense a theme here?). The conference was in Rennes, France and one of the best things that these international conferences tend to do is have an excursion on a half day. Ours was to Mont Saint Michel, a total bucket list destination for me!
This is a small island off the northwest coast of France that sometimes becomes inaccessible due to high tide (although they’ve since built a bridge that allows access). The whole thing is topped with a beautiful abbey. It’s a total underrated gem in France so I was so excited to visit!
We spent the day there and while the itinerary was planned for me, which led to some annoyances, it was hard to be upset living a dream!
Not to mention when we toured the bay at low tide, we got to experience quicksand!
Related read → How to travel as a student (including conference travel)
8. Visiting the Wizarding World (again) with my mom
One of my favorite things about traveling is seeing it through the eyes of my loved ones. When I visited the Wizarding World for the second time this year, I went with my mom, who had also never been before.
A fellow Potterhead, she was just as impressed with the immersive world building they’ve accomplished in Orlando.
It was so much fun to take her around and get to experience one of my favorite fandoms with her!
9. Cruising with my family
It’s not where you go, it’s who you’re with. My family are my favorite travel companions! We’ve been traveling since I was a kid and I’ve even planned trips to Israel and Disney World with them so when we got the chance to cruise together on Norwegian, it was truly a highlight!
What made it even more special was that I’ve been away at college and grad school for 10 years. I get to visit my family in Los Angeles once or twice a year but it’s usually rushed. To be able to have a slow, relaxed, fun five days with them was a gift.
Some Travel Lows
In my past year in review posts, I haven’t usually shared travel lows, but I definitely want to make it a tradition. That way we’re all reminded that the highlight reel of social media isn’t the whole story…and neither is this blog post.
1. The late train snowball effect in France
When I was in France, I had a meeting with a French National Lab to tour their facilities and speak with their scientists. The meeting was in Orléans, but I had to first get there from Rennes (where my conference was).
After making it to the train station on time at 5am, I waited for my train to Paris, which ended up being over an hour late. The station employees told me to board a different train that had arrived to my current station in the meantime.
I had to switch train stations in Paris and because I was running late, I missed my connection to Orleans by I kid you not 1 minute. The train had left without me.
Not only had I pre-purchased my ticket and was out the money, but now I was stuck in Paris running *extremely* late to my meeting.
I caught a bus and they were very understanding, but it was super stressful and made me super exhausted for the meeting.
2. Breaking a new suitcase after its first use
Another France story because this one was such a heartbreaker. Until this trip, I was a tried and true checked bag type of person. But if you hadn’t been paying attention to 2022 travel news, checked bags were getting lost and delayed like no other! It was AWFUL.
So for this trip, I bought a carry-on suitcase. It had great reviews and I’m still loving it to be honest. This was a 2 week work/play trip so my suitcase was PACKED.
However after getting so used to TSA pre-check where you don’t have to remove your liquids, I completely forgot to remove them when going through French security on my way home. I had to quickly remove them and then carry my now sprawled open suitcase to the exit where I attempted to get it closed again.
In that process, I ripped a zipper pocket. Ugh! On the first use! It still works fine but dang it!
3. Hurting my tailbone cliff jumping in Jamaica
I’m currently writing this while sitting on a rolled up blanket that I’ve shaped into a makeshift coccyx pillow. Why you ask??
Because on my final trip of the year (a cruise to the Caribbean), I jumped from ~20 feet into a waterfall pool but landed wrong, unfortunately bruising my tailbone.
That one hurt…and still does. Good thing I don’t have any crazy adventures planned for a couple more weeks!
4. Getting sick after returning from Mexico and the consequences
Some days you’re watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle with a crêpe in hand and other days you return home just to be greeted with traveler’s diarrhea, am I right??
When we got back from Mexico I was fine for a couple days but then caught an awful stomach bug that would not let up. In case you’re wondering, they don’t prescribe you antibiotics until you’ve been sick for more than 10 days…so waiting that out was a joy. *eye-roll*
Not only was a couch-ridden and eating the world’s most boring diet, but I had to miss out on my third conference trip of the year, this time to Vancouver.
While I have been to Vancouver before (in 2008), I was really looking forward to seeing some family there, exploring the area, and attending the conference banquet at the aquarium. But, so it goes.
That sums up the year pretty nicely! I hope you had a great travel year in 2022 and I hope that 2023 is even better for you! If you already have travel plans, tell me where you’re going in the comments!
Want more travel stories? Read these:
- the road trip from Hell where everything that could go wrong…did
- how my family traveled because of Halloween (TW: death)
- photo diary of Japanese food from my 13-year old eyes
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