As 2015 gets going this week, I’m looking ahead to all the places I’de love to make it to this year. I love this time of year, when the new year begins and the 12 months ahead are full of possibilities. While not all of these destinations will probably happen this year, I love to have a specific list of my top places each year so that if time opens up or we have a chance to add to our already fairly full travel schedule for the year, we can look at our list and pick a place quickly. My travel priorities this year are to visit some old favorites (i.e. Iceland hopefully) but also to add more exotic locations (i.e. Bali and Spain) to our plans as well as some new continents (i.e. Australia) to add to the list! So in no specific order, here are the top places on my list to try to get to in 2015!
Our first major trip of the year will take place in early March and we’ll head to Spain and Portugal (with a day in London as well) for 10 days. I am so excited to explore Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Granada and Lisbon, but perhaps what I’m looking forward to the most is all the Spanish food I can get! Bring on the paella, rossejat, sangria, potatoes braves, spanish tortilla and cafe con leche!
Carmel has been a place I’ve been wanting to get back to for a while. I visited as a teenager and Nick has been a few times for golf, but we really want to plan a weekend escape here along the cliffsides and ocean sometime this year.
We’ve been meaning to make a trip over to Eastern Oregon, specifically the Bend area, for forever now! I haven’t been in years and Nick’s brother lives there and works at a fantastic restaurant we’ve really been wanting to try. I’m hoping to make the weekend trip over there sometime in the Spring.
We’re in the process of trying to make an Iceland trip work over Memorial Day in May. With the new direct Iceland Air service from Portland to Reykjavik starting in May, it will make it so much easier for us to make an Icelandic escape. We’re hoping to make the trip work and include a drive up to the North of the country since we didn’t get to see that part when we went in Winter a couple years ago.
On one of our Hawaii trips this year (maybe in August) I really want to jump over to Kauai for a night. Neither Nick or I have been and while we spend a lot of time on Oahu and we’ve both been to Maui, I really want to check Kauai out for its lush greenery and a different island feel. We’ve been wanting to do this for a few years now and never have had the chance, so maybe this year!
For our 10 year anniversary in October this year, I really want to do something special for a long weekend. I’m thinking an escape to NYC and then driving upstate somewhere would be the perfect getaway. Anybody have any fabulous places upstate New York or nearby they want to recommend for an anniversary getaway?
For our trip in November, originally we were thinking of an extended trip through Europe, but due to other conflicts and things that have come up, we’re now thinking of a trip through Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia, particularly Bali. Bali has been consistently getting higher and higher on my list and with an Oberoi hotel there (the incredible hotel chain we stayed at in India in Udaipur and Agra), I’m ready for a few days of relaxation on this beautiful island!
On our way home from our trip in November, I’m hoping to stop through Hong Kong for a quick layover and a little bit of time to explore. The city has been on our radar for a while and I would love to add another country to our list and check out this colorful and well known city!
Tracy O'Neill says
This sounds like a great list. I’ve been wanting to go to Spain and Portugal for about a decade now, but other trips came through instead. I’m eager to hear your take on those amazing cities. Bali is on my list this year as well. I’m hoping to make it there over the 4th of July.
Casey says
I can’t wait for Spain! I’ve been putting it off for years but I’m finally so excited about it! And same with Bali… I hope you get there in July! 🙂
Kelly @ A Lovely Life, Indeed says
From Portugal, go explore Galicia…it’s so beautiful. Check out my blog for Galicia specific posts…it’s not on most people’s radar, but it’s spectacular. Happy travels.
Casey says
I’ll take a look into that! Thanks for the recommendation!
Emily says
what a great round up! you must get a chance to check out kauai. it is my favorite island of hawaii. oh you are getting my wanderlust disease pumping again. cheers to exploring!
Casey says
I really want to try to get over to Kauai this year! Just all depends on our vacation days if we have a couple extra but I really want to!!!
Jenn says
Sounds like a fantastic year! 🙂 Spain is incredible and I can’t wait to hear what you think of it!
Casey says
I’m so excited for Spain and that whole trip… it’s taken me a while to really want to visit Spain but I feel like I’m finally at that point and can’t wait!!
Jenn says
You definitely wont regret it … if nothing else, you know the food will be fantastic 🙂
Casey says
So true… I’m seriously the most excited about the food 🙂
Kelly says
My husband and I went to upstate New York for our honeymoon. You should check out the Sagamore on Lake George! It’s a beautiful resort.
Casey says
Thank you!! I’ll totally check that out!
Courtney @ Adelante says
You are going to love Spain!! And you certainly won’t be disappointed by the food! Bali and Iceland are also at the top of my list – although realistically I won’t be able to get to Indonesia anytime soon. I can’t wait to follow along with your 2015 travels and adventures!!
Casey says
I seriously can’t wait for Spain and the food! And you should totally try to make it to Iceland sometime soon… it’s so incredible there!
Olivia says
NY is gorgeous! There’s so much more to it than the city. The Hudson Valley/Catskills area has a lot of sweet small towns and natural beauty, and is an easy drive from NYC (which is more than a long weekend in and of itself!). I also highly recommend the Western NY area, specifically East Aurora, a town that feels like it stepped out of another era. It’s 20 minutes from Buffalo as well, which is an up-and-coming city imo and has a nice airport.
Casey says
Thanks for all the info… I’m going to look into all those areas you mentioned!
Chantal says
You’re going to have some amazing trips!
Casey says
Thanks Chantal! Here’s to an amazing 2015!
Andrea says
Some incredible trips! Can’t wait to read all about your travels and adventures in teh coming year! http://nomoneywilltravel.com
Casey says
Can’t wait to have you along for the ride!
Mar says
Iceland is topping my travel list, not in 2015 but definitely in the next few years. I definitely recommend visiting Kauai, its the only island I’ve been to in Hawaii but I fell in love. Cheers to 2015 🙂
Casey says
Iceland is so amazing, I can’t wait for our return trip in May. And yes, I really want to try to make it to Kauai this year… I hear such great things about it!
Macy Gutermuth says
I think I will join you on all of these trips, especially Bali!
Casey says
Sounds good to me!!! 🙂
Camila says
Wow what an amazing various list! I wish you the best of luck in travelling around the world in 2015 🙂
Casey says
Thank you so much! It is pretty varied but exciting!
Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki says
I hope a trip back to Iceland happens for you guys!
Casey says
It definitely is!!! 🙂 Booked our tickets a couple days ago and I’m going to email you our dates at some point so we can try to meet up 🙂
Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki says
Yay! So glad you will be headed this way!
Casey says
Me too!!! 🙂
Megan Thudium says
I’m really want to visit Iceland! Looks like a fun exciting year. I can’t wait to see the blog posts that follow!
Casey says
Iceland is such an incredible place! Can’t wait to have you along for the ride 🙂
KC Saling says
Wow, you’ve got an awesome year in store! Can’t wait to see how it shapes up for you guys!
Casey says
Thanks!!! Glad to have you along for the ride!
KC Saling says
😀
Departures With Aimee says
Happy New Year!! You should also visit Gibraltar, it’s at the Southern tip of Spain. Not a lot of people know about it but it’s a lovely place! Looks like you have a great year ahead of you, make the most out of it and enjoy!! x
Casey says
Happy new year! Our Spanish trip is pretty full right now but I’ll keep that in mind for the future!
Emily Abernathy says
Really looking forward to following you along through your adventures this year!
Casey says
Looking forward to having you!!! 🙂
Angie says
This sounds so exciting! I am really looking forward to hearing about Spain + Portugal. Granada is one of my favorite cities.
Casey says
I’m so excited for Spain and Portugal… I can’t wait to experience it all!
goodnightandtravelwell says
I’m taking in consideration Spain too for 2015! Can’t wait to see your photos and read your posts!
Casey says
That’s great! I’m so excited for Spain!
Ashley says
Wow, what a wonderful itinerary! We are headed to Spain in September and I can’t wait! I am looking forward to hearing more about your trip. 🙂
Casey says
Oh wow! I’m so excited for Spain… can’t wait to write all about it!
Ashley says
p.s. You will adore Kauai!!!
Casey says
I hope we can make it there this year!!!
Krystle Olsen says
Kauai is probably my favorite place on Earth! 🙂
Casey says
I really want to get there soon… though this year isn’t looking so great for it, but hopefully!!! )
sia says
Wow …!! Wonderful TRAVEL WISHLIST FOR 2015….!!
Casey says
Yes! I hope to see all these amazing places…