Six photos in a collage all relating to travel
Sunday Stills,  Travel in general

Looking back at a year of travels (2023)

December 31, 2023 / 73 Comments

The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page

Saint Augustine

Of course, not everyone can travel and certainly not everyone is fortunate enough to be able to travel as much as we do. I wouldn’t want you to think that I don’t realise and appreciate that. But if you are in a position to travel, it would be such a shame not to do so; to read only one page of the amazing ‘book’ we inhabit!

As I did last year, and again inspired in a large part by Phil and Michaela, the Hungry Travellers, I’m looking back at, and summarising, a year of varied and exciting travels!

A travel year in numbers

In 2023 I had seven trips within the UK, four in Europe and three long-haul. I spent a total of 82 nights away from home (five of them on planes) and slept in 30 different beds. I took 19 flights and made nine journeys by train, 14 by road and one by ship! Here’s where they took me:

JANUARY

Newcastle

Starting the year in Newcastle, the second half of the week that had begun in the previous December

Bare tree and water with stone jetty
The mouth of the Tyne from Tynemouth, north east England

Memorable times: walks on the sands of Druridge Bay and in Tynemouth; discovering a new restaurant in Newcastle on our last evening there

Memorable sights: a rainbow over Druridge Bay on New Year’s Day; a kestrel hovering over Tynemouth Priory

FEBRUARY

Colombia

A wonderful tour through this varied and colourful country

Blue house with deep pink shutters
Colourful house in Cartagena, Colombia

Memorable people: Jean, our guide in Medellín, who was excellent company and impressed us by saving our lunch leftovers to give to someone living on the streets; José Arango, our host at the Finca Romelia who has devoted his life to amassing a huge collection of orchids.

Memorable times: discovering how Medellín is transforming itself from drugs capital to lively and liveable city; watching the birds at the Finca Romelia; wandering Villa de Leyva’s old colonial streets.

Memorable sights: the wealth of gold in Bogota’s Museo del Oro; colourful houses in Filandia, Salento, Guatapé and Cartagena; street art in Bogota’s Candeleria district and Cartagena’s Getsemani; spotting sloths in a Cartagena park; El Fossil, 110 to 115 million years old.

APRIL

Norfolk

An overnight stay with friends in their amazing home, converted from an old pumping house on the Fens

Straight line of water between flat fields
Drainage channel, Norfolk (the view from their deck)

Memorable people: friends Wendy and Steve, always excellent hosts.

Memorable times: drinking wine in late afternoon sunshine on the deck overlooking the drainage channel that runs directly under the house.

Tirana

A short break in a city with a fascinating recent history and lively restaurant scene

Imposing statue of a man on horseback
Skanderbeg Monument, Skanderbeg Square, Tirana

Memorable people: the man we met in a bar near our apartment, who told us more than we really needed to know about his time studying in Paris and Graz, his views on British and French colonialism, and much more; the friendly Swiss widower, met on the cable car up Dajti Mountain, who had rented out his home and was living out his dream (and that of his late wife) travelling full-time

Memorable times: learning about Albania’s communist past and life under Enver Hoxha in the city’s museums; enjoying the relaxed atmosphere of the pavement cafés on Shëtitorja Murat Toptani; exploring the flea market; traditional Albanian food in the Era restaurant recommended by a friend and nightcaps of raki; watching Newcastle beat Spurs 6-1 in our local bar.

Memorable sights: the striking modern Roman Catholic cathedral; huge Skanderbeg Square; examples in the museums of the various surveillance methods used by the Sigurimi to spy on locals and foreigners.

MAY

Trondheim and the northern Norwegian coast

Travelling to the annual Virtual Tourist Euromeet on a Hurtigruten ship with a group of friends

Still water and snow capped mountains
View near Trollfjord, Norway

Memorable people: all my VT friends, of course.

Memorable times: a late evening walk by the Nidelva river in Trondheim; crossing the Arctic Circle (with a somewhat wacky ceremony on board ship).

Memorable sights: the snowy landscape near Trollfjord under the midnight sun; snow in the Lofoten Islands.

JUNE

Tromsø

The main gathering for the annual Virtual Tourist Euromeet, this year hosted by my friend Jon in Tromsø

Pool surrounded by snowy mountain slopes
Grøtfjord on Kvaløya Island near Tromsø, Norway

Memorable people: in addition to VT friends, the captain of the Hermes II who let me have a go at steering during our trip around the island of Tromsø; 17 year old Erik, our guide at Full Steam, a museum/restaurant, who gave a great tour for us, his first ever group of visitors!

Memorable times: a picnic at Telegrafbukta in Tromsø, with sun, hail and rain; dinner at Fjellheisen, at the top of the Fløya mountain; a tour of beautiful Kvaløya island.

Memorable sights: the view of Tromsø from Fjellheisen; the Arctic Cathedral.

JULY

Norfolk (again)

Another overnight stay with Wendy and Steve, this time with other friends and colleagues joining us

Large seal and small pup on grass
Seal and pup by the Great Ouse, Norfolk

Memorable times: taking their boat on the river to a pub for Sunday lunch.

Memorable sights: a seal and pup by the side of the river (several miles inland!)

Hampshire

A few days away in a New Forest hotel

Water with distant boats and worn wooden posts
Looking towards the Isle of Wight from Keyhaven, Hampshire

Memorable times: visiting Buckler’s Hard and rediscovering its shipbuilding history; taking the little ferry to Hurst Castle; walking in Blackwater Arboretum.

Memorable sights: coastal views at Keyhaven; the giant trees in the arboretum.

AUGUST

Newcastle and Ripon

A week in Newcastle revisiting favourite haunts and lunching with family, our annual ‘pilgrimage’ to Grinton in Swaledale, and an overnight stay in Ripon

Sheep walking among heather
A sheep on Grinton Moor, Yorkshire

Memorable times: lunch in the Bridge Inn in Grinton (where my father in law was evacuated as a child); meeting up with fellow blogger Margaret and her husband for drinks in Ripon.

Memorable sights: heather and sheep on Grinton Moor; the view of Ripon cathedral from our room at the Royal Oak.

SEPTEMBER

Paris

Our by-now annual visit to celebrate our wedding anniversary

Panorama of Paris skyline
View from the Generali Balloon of Paris

Memorable times: escaping the heatwave with drinks at shady pavement cafés; lunch in the pretty Place Sainte-Catherine in the Marais; strolling in the beautiful gardens of the Musée Albert Kahn; day and evening walks by the Seine.

Memorable sights: the Bourse de Commerce, now a contemporary art gallery; Paris from the tethered balloon in the Parc André Citroën.

Chicago

Another Virtual Tourist gathering, hosted by my friend Rich, in a city I have long wanted to visit – how could I resist?!

Skyscrapers in a waterside city
Chicago skyline from Lake Michigan

Memorable people: again, I have to mention the VT community who make such trips both possible and memorable; and especially our host Rich and his wife Sue, who welcomed me and my friend Isa to their house when we were in the city ahead of the main group.

Memorable times: paddling in Lake Michigan at the Indiana Dunes State Park; a boat trip with views of the amazing Chicago skyline; visiting the fabulous Richard H. Driehaus Museum; leisurely breakfasts with friends at Goddess and the Baker; watching Newcastle beat Sheffield United 8-0 after our farewell brunch.

Memorable sights: views of the city from the Museum Campus and Lake Michigan; Frank Lloyd architecture; the lights of Chicago from the 360 Chicago viewing deck.

OCTOBER / NOVEMBER

Madagascar

Meeting lemurs and other endemic wildlife in this fascinating island country, enjoying its stunning landscapes and learning about its interesting history

Silhouette of man walking by the sea at sunset
Sunset on Baobab Beach, Madagascar

Memorable people: Michel, who was not only a great guide but also excellent company and interesting to chat with; William, our most knowledgeable naturalist guide.

Memorable times: walking through forests in search of lemurs and chameleons; (for the wrong reason) injuring my leg; relaxing on Baobab Beach at the wonderful Eden Lodge.

Memorable sights: our first Indri (the sound too!); cute diademed sifaka and bamboo lemurs; tiny brookesia minima chameleons no longer than my thumbnail; the stunning tsingy landscape of the Ankarana region; views of local fishing boats from Baobab Beach; sunset at Baobab Beach.

Paris

A return to this favourite city, this time in the company of friends, to coincide with Newcastle’s match v Paris Saint Germain (even though we didn’t have tickets!)

Large church seen across roof tops
View of Saint Sulpice, Paris, from our hotel room

Memorable people: friends and fellow football fans Pete, Barry, Peter and Joanne.

Memorable times: leisurely breakfasts in our favourite Bar du Marché, talking about everything under the sun; wrapping up warm for walks by the Seine; watching the match in the Pub Saint Germain (although as with my leg, not for the best of reasons – just don’t mention VAR!)

Memorable sights: seeing our friends enjoy Paris (almost) as much as we do!

DECEMBER

Newcastle

Finishing the year as we began it, in Newcastle to see in 2024

Two bridges over a river
The High Level and Swing bridges reflected in the Tyne (the Metro bridge is also visible beyond them)

Memorable people: as always, the family and friends we meet up with on these visits (including on this occasion a pub lunch with 18 family members spanning four generations!)

Memorable times: the above-mentioned lunch; a walk on the Quayside on a rare sunny morning.

Memorable sights: the famous bridges reflected in the Tyne.

And what about 2024, you ask!

We’re going to Mexico in February and I’ll be at the Virtual Tourist Euromeet in Kotor in early June, with a pre-meet in Split at the very end of May. The rest of the year is as yet unplanned but will almost certainly include a road trip in northern California.

I mentioned last year that I have no illusions these days that a planned trip means a definite trip, but it’s always great to have plans just the same. And hopefully there will be more travels, as yet unplanned or even dreamt of!

I’m sharing this post with Terri for her Sunday Stills theme, looking back at the best of 2023.

73 Comments

  • Chuckster

    March 5, 2024 at 13:54 Reply

    What a lovely summary, thanks for sharing. Memorable People, how grand! May you have many more memorable people season your life!

  • navasolanature

    January 20, 2024 at 21:50 Reply

    What a fantastic range of places. I must visit Newcastle. My daughter and I go to Sunderland to visit 90 plus great grandma in law but must stay longer. Did visit the Washington Wetland Centre on one trip. I am drawn to your Columbia trip and look forward to your Mexico one. I am a Latin America afficionado or da and was lucky last year to go to Mexico for a wedding, I could have stayed longer as so many places to see and birds…. Happy 2024 and exciting travels.

    • Sarah Wilkie

      January 21, 2024 at 09:04 Reply

      Thank you 😊 I love Newcastle and if it weren’t for the weather would happily relocate there, although my Geordie husband is keen to stay in London for the time being at least! I also love Latin America and am really looking forward to Mexico! Colombia was great and in the past we’ve also enjoyed trips to Chile, Ecuador, Brazil, Peru, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Belize 😀 I’d love to ‘do’ Argentina properly one day too. We did have a couple of nights in Buenos Aires and one in Ushuaia before our Antarctic cruise but I can’t say we saw either in any depth.

  • SoyBend

    January 16, 2024 at 21:30 Reply

    You had a very full year, Sarah! I liked the colorful building in Columbia and the attitude shown in the Skanderbeg sculpture. Also liked seeing more photos of the dramatic fjords.

  • Deltin

    January 14, 2024 at 10:58 Reply

    I am in LOVE with this review of all your travels! My travel itch is growing watching all these pics you have posted! The pic of Tromsø is my favorite! I can only imagine how good it must’ve felt with the fresh air flowing at your face, the scent of nature, and the breathtaking site! This is making me want to visit Tromsø now. Would you say June is the best time to visit?

    • Sarah Wilkie

      January 14, 2024 at 15:25 Reply

      Thank you 🙂 I love to inspire other people to travel. June is a good month for Tromsø (July too) as you get the long hours of daylight. But even in summer it is cold north of the Arctic Circle! It’s also a good place to go in the winter to see the Northern Lights, but then you have very short days and it’s much colder still!

  • Kirstin Troyer

    January 10, 2024 at 19:47 Reply

    I loved your opening..I also think that if we “can’t” travel to other places, then we should at the very least explore the areas right around our own homes. We should do this anyways. Loved your update.

    • Sarah Wilkie

      January 11, 2024 at 08:36 Reply

      Thank you Kirstin, and I agree. I live in a London suburb and we go the city centre on average at least once a week for a walk, an exhibition or the cinema, but I’m sure many people in our area never bother to do so.

  • Anonymous

    January 9, 2024 at 00:08 Reply

    Sarah, what a wonderful post! I really like the way you have highlighted the special memories and photos you have from each trip in your impressive list of travels for 2023! I’m sure your 2024 travels will be just as rewarding and special too and I can’t wait to hear about ALL of your plans!

    • Sarah Wilkie

      January 9, 2024 at 09:58 Reply

      Thanks so much for this lovely comment 😊 I do wish I knew who you were, to thank you by name. Plans for 2024 are evolving as we speak – just booked a short trip to Sardinia for April!

  • Marie

    January 8, 2024 at 18:13 Reply

    What a great year – and I LOVE the stats!! I’d love to visit Columbia and Madagascar in particular and really enjoyed your photos and posts. Happy travels wherever 2024 brings you…. XXXMarie

    • Sarah Wilkie

      January 8, 2024 at 18:35 Reply

      Thanks so much Marie 😊 I loved both Colombia and Madagascar but if I could only visit one it would be the former – one of my favourite destinations ever I reckon! Hope you have a wonderful 2024 too 😘

  • leightontravels

    January 5, 2024 at 10:17 Reply

    I enjoyed reading about your travels throughout the last year and of course feasted my eyes on your fantastic photography. You had a wonderful year of travel with Colombia and Madagascar being my personal highlights. Curiously Tirana might be where I actually find myself pretty soon (last minute decisions). I did a quick calculation and I slept in only 12 beds this year (across 5 countries). I stay in places too long.

    • Sarah Wilkie

      January 5, 2024 at 15:02 Reply

      Thank you Leighton 🙂 I don’t agree you stay in places too long – you’re still young and have plenty of time, and you’re using it well to really get under the skin of places. I’m sure you’ll enjoy Tirana. The recent history is fascinating, and there is a great food and drink scene around Blocku in particular – cheap too!

  • Natalie

    January 5, 2024 at 02:28 Reply

    Sarah, A wonderful year of travel adventures! I enjoyed reading your posts and seeing new-to-me places via your photos. Of all the places you shared in 2023, Madagascar is where I may not get to visit. Happy New Year to you and wishing you a fabulous 2024!

  • equinoxio21

    January 4, 2024 at 19:20 Reply

    A rich and busy year Sarah. 30 different beds? Compliments. I personally have a bit of a bad back, and tend to be cautious with strange beds…
    Wishing you many travels this year

  • rkrontheroad

    January 3, 2024 at 22:21 Reply

    What a lovely year of travels, and wonderful photos as always! I haven’t always kept up with your so numerous posts, but it’s always a treat when I do visit. Hoping to do something international this year. I haven’t left North America since the pandemic hit. You are an inspiration.

    • Sarah Wilkie

      January 4, 2024 at 15:57 Reply

      Thanks so much Ruth 😊 Please don’t ever worry about trying to keep up! I know I post pretty often, and usually at some length, so I would never expect anyone to read everything 😀 Likewise I know I don’t read every post from everyone I follow, I have to be selective.

      I do hope you manage an international trip this year. Of course, with the whole of North America to explore the pull to travel overseas won’t be as strong as it is for us Brits on our little island (well some of us at least – far too many are happy to be literally insular!) But it’s great to be able to get out and see more of the world too, when you can. Still, you’ve already done so much travelling, especially compared to many of your fellow Americans, and you should definitely count yourself as inspirational on those grounds alone!

  • Wind Kisses

    January 3, 2024 at 17:41 Reply

    oh, what a nice gallery and a nice year. Love all your photos and always enjoy living through the interesting places you visit. The sweet seal and pup were a favorite. So intimate and they always seem to smile.

    • Sarah Wilkie

      January 3, 2024 at 18:38 Reply

      Thanks Donna – we’ve certainly visited some fascinating places this year. The seal and pup weren’t so far from home, but really unexpected to come across them there!

  • Marie Nicholson

    January 2, 2024 at 17:45 Reply

    What a fantastic year of travels, Sarah. To say I envy you is putting it mildly but at the same time I am thrilled that I can read about your journeys and see places and people through your lens. You’re a great guide. Hope the leg gets better soon and that it doesn’t stop you making plans, as you say, always essential. Even I have made plans although aware that they could fail at the last minute! Nothing as exciting as yours, but Venice in March, dark skies, maybe rain? could be interesting and at least we’ll avoid the crowds, and then Granada in May with train to Barcelona after our five days there and then a drive down the Costa Brava last seen about 35 years ago!

    • Sarah Wilkie

      January 3, 2024 at 10:38 Reply

      Thank you so much Marie 😊 I’m really pleased you enjoy reading about my travels, and happy for you that you have plans for next year. I reckon with the crowds I hear about in Venice these days, visiting in March could be the better option! I’ll be very interested to hear how that trip in particular goes.

  • margaret21

    January 1, 2024 at 15:40 Reply

    What adventures you’ve had – thanks so much for sharing them, and for counting Ripon and our meeting among them. Here’s to the 2024 series! And I do hope your leg’s better too.

  • Sue

    January 1, 2024 at 12:14 Reply

    I love travelling through your lens, Sarah! You certainly had a great year this year, bagging a ton more memories…Here’s wishing you a Happy New Year and memorable travels in 2024

  • Alison

    January 1, 2024 at 01:24 Reply

    What a fab year Sarah, yes I agree The Hungry Travellers are an inspiration. I like the way you’ve documented all your travels. As you say it’s always good to have plans! I have a fair few of those. We are off to Melbourne tomorrow for our first trip of the year.
    Happy New Year and happy travelling 💼

  • Rebecca

    January 1, 2024 at 01:02 Reply

    You’ve certainly had a wonderful and adventurous year of travel (including a trip to Madagascar, wow!). I’m sure 2024 will see a lot of exploration from you…exciting you might be heading over to California, my home state! Although I’m situated in southern California, if you ever make it down here, let me know! Wishing you a fantastic 2024 ahead!

    • Sarah Wilkie

      January 1, 2024 at 14:54 Reply

      Thank you Rebecca 🙂 We visited southern California on our first ever US road trip and loved it, and we’ve since been to Oregon and to Washington State, so this year’s trip will be about filling in the West Coast gaps!

  • Terri Webster Schrandt

    December 31, 2023 at 23:36 Reply

    Scrolling through your gorgeous blog is like perusing through a professional travel brochure, Sarah! You’ve had a wonderful time and visited extraordinary places. Your travel stats are impressive and you made up the time lost to the pandemic restrictions. Happy New Year to you and a blessed 2024!

    • Sarah Wilkie

      January 1, 2024 at 14:53 Reply

      Aw, thanks so much Terri 😊 You’re right, we are making up for time lost due to the pandemic, and also ‘banking’ time in advance, knowing we won’t always be able to travel like this. Happy New Year to you too 🥂

  • thehungrytravellers.blog

    December 31, 2023 at 18:19 Reply

    Love it, great summary of your lovely year. So many great places (btw, we’re flattered by your reference, but not sure we are an “inspiration” to someone already as inspired as you, Sarah!) And here’s a thing….you’re in the North East tonight, well… we were supposed to be in a village near Corbridge with Michaela’s brother tonight, not so far from you. But fate has played a part and we’re at home in Kent (clue: Michaela poorly upstairs in bed). Anyway, have a fab NYE and here’s to a terrific 2024 for you & Chris. Have a fab night, a great new year & (as we said the other day) maybe this’ll be the year that we grab that London beer together! Keep posting Sarah – we love every one of your posts. Raise a glass to Toons and Rams everywhere…..

  • Anne Sandler

    December 31, 2023 at 18:12 Reply

    Yes, you are lucky to have traveled so extensively, and I appreciate seeing the world through your lens. We’ve been fortunate to leave the U.S., a few times but I wasn’t taking pictures then. Darn it! So keep traveling! My most favorite of your year was Madagascar.

    • Sarah Wilkie

      January 1, 2024 at 14:42 Reply

      Thank you Anne 🙂 Fortunately I’ve always taken photos (well, from the age of about nine) and have at least a handful from every trip I’ve taken! And we certainly intend to keep travelling as long as we’re able, and certainly I’ll keep taking the photos. I’m so pleased you (and others) enjoy seeing them 😊

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