Looking Back on Five Years of Travel Highlights

My husband and I were recently talking about how blessed we are to have been so many places in our five years of marriage. Especially now that we are about to be parents and will likely be traveling less! Some of these locations were work trips and others were just for fun, but we have fond memories of each place on the list. If you are looking for travel inspiration (after the pandemic), please enjoy these eight locations we discussed when Looking Back on Five Years of Travel Highlights.

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1. Israel

In February of 2019 Colton and I were given the opportunity to travel to Israel with a small group from church. We learned so much in only ten days. If you are worried about spending the money on an overseas vacation, I promise the Holy Land is worth every penny. We were able to see locations like the first church, the Sea of Galilee, and the City of David. What I loved most about this trip was the education and community. Because we were in a different time zone with hardly any internet connection, it was easy to focus. If you’d like to read more about our trip check out the Top 7 Must-See Places in Israel.

2. San Diego, California

Colton and I had the privilege of going to San Diego several times in the past five or six years. We tried everything from zoos to hiking, historical sites to whale watching. Basically, we exhausted the city as a vacation spot and I would still go back again! The weather alone is worth the trip. There’s something so refreshing about an ocean breeze. No mater what type of vacation you are looking for, San Diego has it all. Oh, and we recommend staying at the Estancia La Jolla hotel on your next trip. It’s the best!

3. Orlando, Florida

Orlando Florida is a very busy city. We did not have time to see everything, but we spent a good deal of time at Universal Studios. Orlando seems to be the perfect vacation spot for families. However, I would do a good deal of planning and research before you go. The volume of people is enough to overwhelm even the calmest person. Remember that no vacation is perfect. Are you looking for more information on Universal Studios? Check out more Orlando travel highlights on posts like: 25 Helpful Tips for Your Trip to Universal Orlando or the 15 Must-Have Foods at Universal Studios Orlando.

4. Winnipeg, Canada

We have family in Canada, and every time we visit we have an absolute blast. Any vacation can be fun if it includes concentrated quality time with family. One of my favorite spots in Winnipeg is The Forks, a large riverside hub with a variety of shopping, dining & recreational activities. My family loves to spend the afternoon there shopping and eating delicious food. Other excellent stops in Winnipeg include the Assiniboine Zoo and Park. I recommend going to Canada in summer if you don’t care for snow.

5. Grand Junction, Colorado

Colorado was a quick, but fun trip. I did discover new allergies, but our stay at the Gateway Canyon’s Resort and Spa was over all very relaxing. It’s definitely a place to go if you want to get away from it all. They also have lots of fun activities for couples or families. I highly recommend the star gazing and s’mores! Just don’t forget the sunscreen. It’s vital you wear sunscreen.

6. Tampa, Florida

Tampa was so much fun. Colton was working during this trip, so I did a lot of research for blog posts such as the 8 Delicious Eats and Treats Near Tampa, Florida. Man, does Tampa have some delicious food! I tried this activated charcoal frozen yogurt and it was quite possibly the best ice cream of my life. I also had my first vegan cupcake and it was mouthwatering. Tampa has the most beautiful aquarium. Sometimes I wish I lived there… at the aquarium, to be precise. Tampa is definitely worth the stop! Everyone I met was so kind.

7. Cancun, Mexico

If you are looking for a cost-effective but relaxing vacation, Cancun is an excellent choice. We were able to go there as a work perk and it was so fun. My favorite part of this trip was swimming with sea turtles. However, just hanging out in your room and watching movies or laying on the beach at sunrise is also a great idea. Remember to try and stay on the resort and be smart. We heard lots of cautionary tales from the staff.

8. Philadelphia, Pennslyvania

On our trip to Israel we had an 8 hour layover in Philadelphia. Rather than stay at the airport a small group of us chose to go site-seeing. We went to Liberty Hall, ate a philly cheesesteak and even ran up the Rocky Stairs. It was an adventure I will never forget, and is my personal reminder to seize the moment. Running around Philadelphia was far more entertaining than the airport, that’s for sure. Of all my travel highlights, this is the most spontaneous.

I hope you have enjoyed Looking Back on these Five Years of Travel Highlights. For more travel tips and tricks, check out these additional blog posts:

25 Helpful Tips for Your Trip to Universal Orlando
21 Practical Tips for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Orlando
Top 7 Must-See Places in Israel
What To Do With an 8 Hour Layover In Philadelphia

As always, if you have any questions feel free to send me an email or message me on Instagram. Follow @bestillandhygge on Pinterest for more travel tips and tricks and subscribe below for new content every week.

Love Always,