Our goal for this trip is to go to the places that are more challenging to get to, require more time and are physically more demanding. And our main goal is to chase summer! We figured we might as well see and do the things we want while we can, because who know’s what life is going to bring. We started our list with each of our top three places which includes Egypt, Cambodia, New Zealand, Patagonia and the Dolomites. From there we looked at seasons, talked to a number of people and did some research. I was also gifted an awesome book “Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Travel List” which has been helping to fill in the gaps and reaffirming where we should go after hearing about it from someone else. We’re also allowing ourselves some “downtime” with an extra day here or there to catch our breath. After having done some travels separately and together, I’ve learned that I need some quiet, solo, breather time so I’m recharged and ready to take on the next place. So this is what we ended up with!

Looks like we’ve hardly been anywhere and still have a lot left to go!

Well, we still have big dreams of checking off this list eventually, but for now it will have to be a bigger dream while we focus a little closer to home.

  • January – mid February: South America – Chile (Atacama Desert, Santiago, Patagonia), Easter Island, Argentina (Patagonia, Iguazu Falls), Uruguay, Brazil
  • mid February – March: Africa – South Africa, Botswana (Self-guided safari drive), Zanzibar
  • Some day: Egypt, Jordan
  • April-July (with 2 weeks in the US): Europe – Greece, Croatia, Southern Italy, Portugal/ Spain, maybe Morocco, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Switzerland, Austria, Northern Italy (hike in the Dolomites and do via ferrattas)
  • August/ September: Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia
  • October: Nepal (hike part of the Annapurna Circuit)
  • October/ November: Japan, maybe China, Maldives, Philippines
  • November/ December: Australia, Pacific Islands, New Zealand

Here is our adapted version since coming back to the States in March and exploring closer to home:

State-side edition.. our route and where we’ve been
  • Last 2 weeks for March: Zanzibar, Tanzania; Johannesburg, South Africa; Abu Dhabi, UAE; New York; Atlanta; Denver, CO; Canon City, CO
  • April/May: Albuquerque, NM
  • June (2 weeks): Denver, CO
  • June (second 2 weeks): Vedauwoo, WY and Victor, ID
  • July (first week): Jackson, WY
  • July – August: Missoula, MT and Whitefish, MT
  • August (first 2 weeks): Glacier National Park, MT and Spokane, WA
  • August (second 2 weeks): Keyston, SD (for Anni); Spokane, WA, the Cascades National Park
  • September: Hood River, OR; Boise, ID; Park City, UT
  • October: Fruita, CO; Moab, UT; Denver, CO; Atlanta, GA; Brevard, NC
  • November: Raleigh, NC, New Orleans, LA; Big Bend National Park, TX
  • December: Hobbs, NM; Albuquerque, NM

We are so thankful for friends who have met us along the way near and far! It’s been great being closer to friends and able to share more state-side adventures. If you have suggestions for any of these places or if you want to join us, let us know!