Most Inspiring Travel Experiences in the Last Decade of Adventures

I’m so thankful for the inspiring travel experiences I’ve had in the last decade. I was blessed to start traveling when I was a kid. We took road trips to the Texas coast and a few family vacations around the world, like to Alaska and China. After I graduated from college and started a full-time job, I started saving for a rainy day and joined friends on a big trip to Spain. It’s one of the things that inspired the growth of this blog and the continued adventures I’ve had since that trip.

I thought it would be fun to look back on some of these trips and what made each one so special. Keep reading to take a virtual trip around the world with me!

The One That Started It: Spain

This was my first long and international trip as an adult. Three friends and I traveled to Spain for a whirlwind two-week trip visiting nine cities. We saw so much history, indulged in all the food, and had adventures every day. It was a packed trip but an unforgettable one that solidified friendships and sparked wanderlust. One day I hope to go back to a finished Sagrada Familia!

The Stars at Night are Big and Bright: Terlingua, Texas

When I think about being surrounded by stars in the middle of nowhere, I go back to that quiet night in West Texas. A big storm had just passed through, we were staying in a teepee, and the clouds cleared so we could sit among stars touching the mountain tops. Seeing a sky full of stars in the middle of nowhere reminds me how small I am, just a speck in the world.

History Came Alive: Luxor, Egypt

Luxor is an indescribable place. I’ve tried my best to show and tell about it on the blog because it’s been the most incredible trip I’ve ever taken. It’s a place I think everyone should see for themselves. The architecture and history behind the architecture are awe-inspiring. Every turn would lead you towards something new to see. Egypt is definitely a bucket list trip!

When Diving Opened My Eyes: Thailand

Becoming a scuba diver has changed my priorities for travel destinations but that wasn’t always the case. I was very apprehensive about diving when I took my first trip. In fact, as you learned from this post commemorating 100 dives, diving scared me because I had a rough time through my certification dives in a murky lake and I was the worst diver in Thailand. But diving in the ocean also opened my eyes to how magical diving could be. I can’t wait to go back and dive in Thailand again one day.

This is How Chocolate Starts: Belize

A few years ago, I started learning about chocolate and how it is created. As with most food, it’s a special process when you learn about the people who grow and process it to become what you see in a grocery store. What luck that I was able to take this passion and tour a cacao orchard in Belize. We even made chocolate!

The Biggest Wildlife Encounter: Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Diving with manta rays is an out-of-body experience. You’re not only in an unfamiliar environment underwater, but you’re near these massive creatures that are 12 feet from one fin to the other. It was an awe-inspiring experience and one of my favorite things I’ve seen while diving. I’m so glad we got to dive in Indonesia and hope to return someday.

As a runner-up, getting up close and personal with elephants in Chiang Mai, Thailand was also an incredible experience! These gentle giants were rescued and live at a sanctuary where people can visit and learn about their journey.

The Best Food Trip: Thailand

I love Thai food and eating Thai food in Thailand for two weeks was a dream! Noodles, coconut desserts, curries, and spices, Thai food is vibrant and exciting. This was also one of my favorite places to go on a food tour. It had to do with racing tuk-tuks!

Read all about the food in Thailand in this post.

Best Long Weekend Trip: Mexico City

Mexico City is a perfect weekend trip, though you could easily spend more time there. The city is filled with delicious food, from street tacos to some of the best restaurants in the world, like Pujol and Quintonil. It also has plenty of places to experience culture and history, like Museo Frida Kahlo.