Looking back at 2016

What a year! Taking the time to think about what I’ve been able to do in the past 12 months makes me realise just how lucky – and busy – I’ve been. I won’t touch on how awful this year has been in terms of world events and politics, and instead I’m going to share with you a few of my favourite moments and photographs from my travels. One of the reasons why I love sharing on City Cookie is that my photos have a place to live and be seen by like-minded travel lovers.

 

January:

I started the year in Myanmar. To be honest it was the worst New Year’s Eve of my life, but the country made up for it with its temples and monkeys. I loved riding dirt roads at the back of Chris’s scooter, surrounded by dozens of beautiful temples in Bagan.

The biggest highlight for me was climbing Mount Popa with monkeys jumping all around us:

 

February:

Chris’s parents took us skiing in Méribel, which was such a treat! We stayed in a lovely cosy chalet with a gorgeous view and ate so much great cheese!

A photo posted by UK Travel Blog ✈ City Cookie (@citycookie) on Feb 12, 2016 at 12:09am PST

 

March/April:

My Mum and I went to Japan together! This is definitely my most memorable trip of 2016. We had both been dying to visit for years and I was beyond excited about going there. I could hardly believe I was there! I’m dying to go back in 2017…

From the cherry blossoms and the bamboo forest to the busy Shibuya crossing and the temples, I loved every second of being in Japan.

I shared so many photos on Instagram while I was there and I still have plenty that I’ve saved for later.

 

May:

With Spring in full swing, Chris and I got a train up to the Lake District. Chris got organised everything as a Christmas present to me, and I was so happy to get away from London and hang out with adorable little lamb by the lake. We stayed in a great bed and breakfast in Keswick and ate the best Cornish pasties ever!

We did a big hike to get an amazing view of the lakes, and my legs were sore for days afterwards…

A photo posted by UK Travel Blog ✈ City Cookie (@citycookie) on May 8, 2016 at 12:34am PDT

 

We also went over to York for a weekend, mainly for a friend’s wedding but we managed to fit in a lot of exploring! It was my first time there and I was so impressed. I recommend York to anyone looking for a weekend trip in the UK.

 

June:

I went to Iceland to spend time with family and to see my grandmother. I wrote my guide to Icelandic food and discovered some lovely waterfalls in Reykjavik.

 

July:

July was a very London month, and one of the highlights was travelling to South London to see the Mayfield lavender fields. I’d been wanting to wander around a lavender field for a while and it was a great way to spend an afternoon with friends.

 

August:

In August I went to see my parents in the South of France, which was so nice because I used to spend all my summers there when I was little. We went to see the Gorges du Verdon which are amazing!

This is even more gorge-ous in real life! Seriously so beautiful. Be prepared to stand in line if you want to rent a boat, though!

A photo posted by UK Travel Blog ✈ City Cookie (@citycookie) on Aug 19, 2016 at 2:16pm PDT

 

Chris and I also went to see his family in North Wales, and we met up with some friends who drove us to Penrhyn Castle in their awesome vintage Mini.

 

September:

September was busy! Chris and I went to beautiful Lopud island in Croatia (I still haven’t written about that!), and I went to Porto with some girlfriends. Lopud was so peaceful and relaxing and had the most perfect blue sea, while Porto was a fun city break with lots of great food and a lot of walking!

 

A photo posted by UK Travel Blog ✈ City Cookie (@citycookie) on Sep 10, 2016 at 4:30am PDT

 

 

October:

In October, Chris and I booked a speedy trip to pretty Stockholm. We got really cheap flights and only stayed one night but it was perfect for a weekend and we saw most of what we wanted to see. I’ll admit it was a bit tiring, but so worth it!

 

November:

This was a quiet month, which was actually really nice. I did go to Brussels for a weekend to spend time with my Dad on his birthday!

 

December:

My whole family went to Barcelona for a weekend to celebrate my Mum’s birthday. It’s such a great city, with really unique architecture and amazing food. More on that in a future post!

 

I miss beautiful Barcelona, its architecture and its tapas! ✨

A photo posted by UK Travel Blog ✈ City Cookie (@citycookie) on Dec 18, 2016 at 2:26pm PST

 

and soon…. New York! Chris and I are (meant to be) packing for NYC right now. We’re flying out this afternoon and I am so incredibly excited! Send me your tips!

 

I have to say, out of all of these trips, Japan was definitely the highlight of the year for me. I had been wanting to go there for years and now I’m dying to go back!

What’s been your highlight of 2016?