My Favourite New Locations of 2022

2022 was a wonderful 12 months of journey. After taking the primary steps again into post-pandemic journey in 2021, 2022 was about reaching long-held goals.

The largest dream was to go to my two remaining areas in Italy — Calabria and Sardinia, which I did in Might and June, respectively.

Does that imply I’m executed with Italy? Please, it’s me! I’ve a ton of Italy journeys forward of me. And a part of me now needs to see if I can go to each province in Italy (most areas have round 3-5 provinces…)

I really feel like this 12 months was total a bit quiet in comparison with the previous. Pre-pandemic previous, no less than. Then once more, I really feel like there was an extended stretch of huge journeys with way-too-short breaks in between, from June via October. As soon as that was over, I felt like I used to be able to sleep for a month!

Lesson discovered — don’t plan a whole summer time of journeys with solely 5-10 day breaks in between! Late thirties Kate can’t deal with that anymore!

However I’m feeling good about it. And extremely grateful for the privilege of touring the world.

Let’s dive into my favourite new locations of 2022.

So what made the listing of my favourite new locations of 2021?

In 2012, I selected locations like Iceland, Montenegro, and South Africa.

In 2013, I selected locations like Japan, Berlin, and the Scottish Highlands.

In 2014, I selected locations like Sri Lanka, New Orleans, and Skellig Michael, Eire.

In 2015, I selected locations like Nicaragua, Albania, and Chicago.

In 2016, I selected locations like Puerto Rico, Alsace, and Western Australia.

In 2017, I selected locations like Ukraine, the Florida Keys, and St. Petersburg, Russia.

In 2018, I selected locations like Antarctica, Hokkaido, and St. Croix.

In 2019, I selected locations like Newfoundland, Georgia, and Lake Orta, Italy.

In 2020, I selected locations like Mexico Metropolis; Viñales, Cuba; and Vis, Croatia.

In 2021, I selected locations just like the Aeolian Islands, the Berkshires, and Valle d’Aosta, Italy.

As ordinary, I’m solely together with locations that I visited for the primary time in 2022 — in order that excludes locations that I’ve visited previous to this 12 months, together with Sayulita, Lisbon, and the South Coast of Iceland. One exception: the Second Time Round award.

Right here they’re: my favourite new locations of 2022!

Naples, Italy

In spite of everything this time, I lastly made it to Naples. How did it take so lengthy, so many journeys to Italy, earlier than I ended up right here?!

Properly, it was so price it. Naples is my #1 favourite vacation spot of 2022. And that’s not all — Naples is now certainly one of my favourite locations in Italy, and I feel Naples and Bologna are my two favourite cities within the nation total.

My favourite factor about Naples is how unpretentious it’s. Locals love who they’re and don’t see the necessity to cater to vacationers. When you come right here, you’re anticipated to evolve to their lifestyle — they gained’t be bending over backwards to make you extra “snug.” And sure, this metropolis can usually be a bit ramshackle, even within the fancy neighborhoods — however that provides to the appeal.

After which there’s the meals. When you take pleasure in pizza within the least, you MUST make a pilgrimage to Naples as soon as in your lifetime. I really like pizza underneath unusual circumstances, and I used to be completely obsessive about the pizza we had there!! It really stands head and shoulders above something you’ve had. And that’s earlier than you add the seafood and excellent desserts.

If I have been to convey anybody message about Naples, it could be to not be afraid of it. Most of the Naples stereotypes are primarily based on town within the 90s or earlier; it’s not the identical place right this moment. Come for no less than two full days and revel in your self. Hope you’re able to eat every thing in sight.

Easy methods to get to Naples: Naples has a particularly well-connected airport with plentiful flights throughout Europe. It’s additionally a serious practice hub in Italy with tons of quick trains from Rome and past (however good luck discovering a quick practice additional south).

Finest issues to do in Naples: Eat all of the pizza you’ll be able to (particularly from Da Michele and Sorbillo in case you get the prospect), discover the underground tunnels of town, take the metro to Vomero for views of town, have a elaborate dessert at Cafe Gambrinus (ideally a delizia al limone cake), wander the Through dei Precepi with all of the nativity units, take a day journey to Procida or Pompeii or the Amalfi Coast.

Learn extra: I wrote a bit about Naples in my April 2022 recap.

Guanajuato, Mexico

When you’re a Mexico fan however haven’t been to Guanajuato but — you should drop every thing and go. I’m severe. Guanajuato has grow to be certainly one of my favourite locations in Mexico (together with Bacalar, Mexico Metropolis, Mérida, and Oaxaca).

You would possibly know that Guanajuato is famously colourful, with practically neon shades dominating the panorama. You might know that Diego Rivera is from right here, or that town has curving alleyways and an extended listing of museums. However it’s far more than that. Guanajuato is about music and tales filling the air.

Like Naples, Guanajuato shouldn’t be a metropolis that caters to you — to foreigners, no less than. It’s an enormously widespread metropolis for Mexicans, however that’s primarily it. Little or no English is spoken — so little that it took me aback! However that’s what I liked about Guanajuato. I needed to work more durable to know and be understood right here.

The #1 exercise to do in Guanajuato is the callejeonada, an expertise the place a roving band of musicians takes you on a tour of town, stopping to sing, dance, and play music alongside the way in which. It’s solely in Spanish, however don’t let that cease you in case you don’t communicate it! It’s goofy and enjoyable and SO celebratory!

(I’m nonetheless dumbfounded that so many bloggers’ posts about Guanajuato don’t even point out the callejeonada. Actually everybody on the road continuously tries to promote you tickets!! Had been they too afraid to go?!) Because of this, this place remains to be a little bit of a hidden gem for foreigners.

Easy methods to get to Guanajuato: Guanajuato is a well-liked metropolis for Mexicans to go to and there are flight connections everywhere in the nation. You too can take the bus from San Miguel de Allende (90 minutes) or Mexico Metropolis (just below 5 hours).

Finest issues to do in Guanajuato: Go on the callejeonada strolling tour via town with the musicians, discover the colourful streets, take the funicular as much as one of the best view on the town, go to the Alley of the Kiss and try a smooch throughout the balconies, go to Diego Rivera’s home, go on a meals and tradition tour, go wine tasting or mountain climbing within the surrounding hills.

Learn extra: 35 Enjoyable Issues to Do in Guanajuato, Mexico

Martha’s Winery

FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLY, it occurred!! As a Massachusetts native, I’ve been joking on this publish for years that MAYBE the upcoming 12 months would be the 12 months I lastly make it to Martha’s Winery and Nantucket. Properly, my sister’s Cape Cod wedding ceremony gave me the proper alternative!

Late September, it seems, was the proper time to go. It was incredible — and remarkably empty. Throughout the days, we had denim jacket climate and have been usually the one individuals on seashores!

The Winery is SO fairly, and I liked the sensation of calm that settled over me for my complete go to. I liked the lengthy drives via farmland, the walks via fairly cities like Edgartown and Oak Bluffs, attending to know Winery Haven extra deeply, and taking the teeny-tiny Chappy Ferry, which appears to be like prefer it’s going to fall into the ocean!

We stayed on the Nobnocket Inn in Winery Haven, a beautiful upscale mattress and breakfast that was my favourite place the place I stayed in 2022.

Total, I actually liked my time right here — and now I’m curious to see how Nantucket compares!

Easy methods to get to Martha’s Winery: There’s an airport on the island, with flights to locations across the Northeast in excessive season, however it’s also possible to take the automobile ferry from Woods Gap, Massachusetts. It takes about 45 minutes.

Finest issues to do in Martha’s Winery: Wander the Victorian houses of Oak Bluffs, spend sundown on the Aquinnah Cliffs, go to the small farms promoting produce throughout the island, buy groceries in fairly Edgartown, hire a motorcycle and discover, go to the Martha’s Winery Museum in Winery Haven, take the tiny Chappy Ferry to Chappaquiddick Island, discover your private favourite seashore on the island.

Learn extra: A Information to Winery Haven, Massachusetts

Italian Riviera

What’s the Italian Riviera, precisely? It’s the shoreline within the area of Liguria, which extends from the French border to Tuscany.

I had technically been right here earlier than — after an alcohol-drenched weekend in Good throughout my semester overseas. My mates and I mainly crashed on the seashore in Santa Margherita Ligure and didn’t transfer till it was time for our bus to go away. Yeah, that’s why I don’t depend it as a go to.

Charlie and I have been by no means enormous Liguria followers — however now it may be our favourite stretch of the seaside in Italy. Actually beautiful seashores with shiny blue water, and tons of cities with their very own personalities. And plenty of pesto and focaccia.

So what have been my favourite spots on the Italian Riviera? I actually liked Camogli, a city with a good looking seashore that’s extra widespread with Italians than worldwide vacationers. We stayed in Rapallo, which was a bit bit on the grungy aspect however I actually liked the vibe. And whereas Cinque Terre is known, the “sixth city” of Portovenere was a stunning shock.

I can’t wait to get again to Genoa particularly. We didn’t have lengthy to discover, however I used to be already enchanted by the darkish, slim alleys and enjoyable wine bars within the previous city. They usually even have their very own colourful stretches of seashores!

Easy methods to get to the Italian Riviera: There are very restricted flights to Genoa, however you will have a better time discovering a flight to Milan or Pisa and touring across the area by automobile or practice. Practice traces join most of the cities alongside the coast.

Finest issues to do within the Italian Riviera: Spend a day idling by the seashore in Camogli, try the flamboyant boutiques and cafes in Portofino, have a enjoyable aperitif with a number of cocktails and appetizers in Rapallo, spend a day exploring Cinque Terre and Portovenere, take a ship to San Fruttuoso, wander previous city Genoa’s slim streets, go to Genoa’s colourful native seashore of Boccadasse.

Learn extra: I wrote a bit in regards to the Italian Riviera in my June 2022 recap.

Westman Islands, Iceland

The Westman Islands are probably the greatest potential detours you’ll be able to take from Iceland’s Ring Street. This tiny archipelago is only a 30-minute boat trip off the south coast, and it’s completely magical.

In 1973, Eldfell volcano on Heimaey Island erupted, and it has since been the defining occasion that also reverberates right this moment. The island evacuated to the mainland (one islander died from fumes; whereas tragic, it’s a downright miracle that everybody else survived).

You’ll be able to find out about this on the Eldheimar Museum, or simply chat with islanders. Everybody has a narrative — like our RIB boat information who informed us her grandfather didn’t wish to evacuate with out his entrance door for some purpose, so he took it off the hinges and introduced it on the boat!

Amanda and I spent about 24 hours right here and we obtained to do nearly every thing we needed to besides climb the volcano: a RIB boat tour, the museum, puffin-spotting, cocktails, the legendary swimming pool. I’d suggest spending one to 2 nights when you have the time. That is most likely essentially the most lovely place I’ve woken up in Iceland.

Easy methods to get to the Westman Islands: There’s a ferry from the South Coast city of Landeyjahöfn, near Seljalandsfoss waterfall, to Heimaey Island within the Westman Islands. The ferry takes simply 35 minutes and I like to recommend bringing your automobile. There are additionally expensive flights from Reykjavík.

Finest issues to do within the Westman Islands: Take a RIB boat tour across the islands (and I like to recommend springing for the two-hour model — we wished we had executed that), climb Eldfell mountain, go to the wonderful Eldheimar museum, go puffin-watching on the puffin lookouts, have funky cocktails at Gott restaurant, go to Skansinn and the black church, go to the native swimming pool and revel in its trampoline water slide, keep in a hobbit home or small A-frame at Tenting & Glamping.

Learn extra: I wrote a bit in regards to the Westman Islands in my August 2022 recap.

Tropea, Italy

Tropea is what individuals assume the Amalfi Coast is. Are you in search of an excellent metropolis constructed on cliffs, main all the way down to lengthy, golden seashores with swimming climate from Might via October? You get all that in Tropea — and the seashores are 1,000,000 occasions higher, and it prices exponentially lower than Positano.

Calabria is certainly one of Italy’s poorer areas, and a little bit of a tough place to journey (you’ll hear extra about that in my upcoming “worst of the 12 months” publish). However Tropea is situated alongside the area’s extra developed Tyrrhenian coast, and it’s grow to be the tourism jewel of the nation: all cliffs and blue water and monasteries springing out of islands on the ocean.

Tropea is all in regards to the onions — giant, purple, shockingly candy bulbs that go along with nearly every thing. One in all our favourite issues to do was occurring an onion tour at a small farm and sampling the onions in every kind of dishes. (You too can get onion ice cream in Tropea. Yeah, don’t suggest that one!)

It’s additionally price noting that many, many Italian-Individuals have roots in Calabria. Tropea is one of the best purpose to return discover your heritage!

Easy methods to get to Tropea: Attending to Tropea is a bit trickier than ordinary as a result of you should fly to the airport of Lamezia Terme, which has restricted connections, then both drive, take a taxi, or take the practice to Tropea (one hour driving, two hours by practice). It’s going to most likely make most sense so that you can join in Milan.

Finest issues to do in Tropea: Go on an onion tasting expertise to pattern the native produce, go to the island topped with the church of Santa Maria dell’Isola, calm down on the stunning seashores, wander the streets of the previous city, attempt a tartufo ice cream, take a ship journey out to Capo Vaticano, go to Pizzo or Scilla for the afternoon.

Learn extra: Tropea, Italy: A spectacularly located seashore city

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

After all Puerto Vallarta is on right here! Charlie and I spent a part of the winter dwelling right here! (Wow, it feels ceaselessly in the past.) In some methods, Puerto Vallarta is the proper place to spend the winter — wonderful climate, good metropolis life, each busy and quiet seashores, tremendous simple to get to.

It’s completely beautiful right here — seashores surrounded by blue mountains in each path. And the Bay of Banderas is residence to so many whales, you see them with out even making a lot of an effort!

There’s tons to do round right here, too. Strolling the malecón, the trail alongside the water, is the easiest way to punctuate your day. Boat journeys to the encompassing seashores or hikes alongside the shoreline are nice methods to spend the weekends.

I’ll say that Charlie and I want we had deliberate our journey a bit otherwise — notably, stayed within the Versalles neighborhood as a substitute of the Zona Romantica. Whereas the Zona Romantica is the middle of every thing occurring, from excursions to nightlife, we felt like we have been dwelling in everybody’s trip spot. Versalles was less expensive and quieter with higher eating places.

Easy methods to get to Puerto Vallarta: Puerto Vallarta is well-connected by air with direct flights throughout North America.

Finest issues to do in Puerto Vallarta: Hike the path from Boca de Tomatlan throughout a number of seashores to to Playa Las Animas, go restaurant-hopping within the Versalles neighborhood, have margaritas and guacamole on the seashore day-after-day, go to the Vallarta Botanical Gardens, have a correct celebration evening out within the Zona Romantica, go to the Hidden Seashore within the Marieta Islands, take a day journey to Yelapa and spot whales on the way in which.

Learn extra: I wrote a bit about Puerto Vallarta in my January 2022 recap.

Northern Sardinia

Sardinia was our twentieth and last area to go to in Italy — so we knew this needed to be a particular journey. Sardinia can be an infinite island; you’ll be able to’t do all of Sardinia in two weeks until you’re racing round nonstop.

So we determined to focus on simply the north — and what an excellent choice that was. From the Costa Smeralda to La Maddalena, from Alghero to Stintino, from San Teodoro to Santa Teresa, this a part of Sardinia is residence to a few of the most lovely shoreline in Europe.

Right here you’ll be able to eat some attention-grabbing dishes you gained’t discover elsewhere in Italy (like culurgiones, pasta shells filled with minty potato filling and topped with tomato sauce and olives). It’s a incredible place to street journey. And the seashores right here? SPECTACULAR.

I’ll say that Sardinia might need been a LITTLE too beach-oriented for us. There wasn’t a lot else to do; even through the hottest a part of the day, museums would shut too! However if you wish to go all in on seashores, that is the place for you. Sardinia is the rationale why Italians don’t go to the Caribbean a lot.

Easy methods to get to Northern Sardinia: Olbia is the principle air hub, although there are some flights to Alghero. You too can take the ferry, like we did! We took an in a single day ferry from Genoa to Olbia, which was a enjoyable expertise, and it allowed us to convey our automobile and save a ton of cash on automobile rental.

Finest issues to do in Northern Sardinia: Take a crusing journey off the coast of Alghero for the day, wander Alghero’s Spanish-flavored streets after the solar goes down, go to the well-known seashore of La Pelosa and Asinara Island, keep at an agriturismo and eat till you’re stuffed past measure, discover the islands of Molara and Tavolara, go to the colourful city of Bosa, marvel on the incredible clear blue water in Santa Teresa or San Teodoro.

Learn extra: I wrote a bit about Sardinia in my June 2022 and July 2022 recaps.

Second Time Round Award: Hamburg, Germany

I first visited Hamburg in 2014 — a harried, rushed, and low-budget expertise that left quite a bit to be desired. Don’t get me mistaken, I loved Hamburg then. However it was nothing in comparison with my 2022 go to.

I returned to Hamburg for Traverse’s Reboot convention: an occasion centered on wellness, creativity, and productiveness for journey content material creators, and my first convention since COVID started. They placed on so many enjoyable occasions across the metropolis, from a curler disco to a Beatles tour!

And I actually love Hamburg. It concurrently has a really fashionable really feel and a heat, bohemian ethos. It’s so properly related by public transportation and straightforward to get round. And it’s positively a metropolis of neighborhoods, every with their very own character, which I actually love.

And Miniatur Wunderland was SUCH a delight!! That is certainly one of Germany’s most well-known sights, with miniature fashions of places everywhere in the world, intricately constructed. You’ll be able to spend hours and hours there, trying on the tiny particulars of Alpine lakes, Venice, and Rio de Janeiro, to call just a few.

I’ve since came upon that Hamburg has a competition in August the place everybody clothes up as birds. I have to go.

Easy methods to get to Hamburg: There are finances flights to Hamburg from throughout Europe. It’s additionally well-connected by practice: two hours from Berlin, 4 and a half hours from Copenhagen, 5 hours from Amsterdam, and 6 and a half hours from Prague, which I loved enormously!

Finest issues to do in Hamburg: Spend just a few hours marveling over the unbelievable world scenes at Miniatur Wunderland, absorb the ambiance or go on a Beatles tour in St. Pauli, have a enjoyable evening out on the Reeperbahn, go to a curler disco with the Curler Skate Van, take a canal cruise across the metropolis, admire the Notting Hill-esque neighborhood of Winterhude.

Learn extra: I wrote a bit about Hamburg in my April 2022 recap.

The place I Hope to Go in 2023

I haven’t visited a brand new nation since Cuba, within the final days of 2019. That feels actually bizarre. One purpose is as a result of I’ve already been to each nation in Europe, and I haven’t been gung-ho for going additional than that or North America these days. However I hope I journey additional afield in 2023.

First off — 2023 is the 12 months Charlie and I are getting married! We’re having a Prague wedding ceremony in Might and a Boston wedding ceremony in July. So a variety of our power (and let’s be sincere, cash) goes to be spent on that quite than a number of journey. Within the first half of the 12 months I feel we’ll solely be occurring brief getaways inside Europe. However who is aware of? Something’s potential!

We’ve already booked our “winter escape” for February — western Sicily! We’ll be working from an residence in Palermo for per week, then spend just a few days staying at an agriturismo and driving across the west. I’ve solely been to japanese Sicily, so this might be new territory.

We’re saving our honeymoon for December 2023, as that’s a time once we can extra simply go off-grid work-wise. After going via our standards — a brand new nation for us each, good climate in December, good luxurious accommodations, rather more than simply seashores, beautiful surroundings (for me), a wine scene (for him) — we’re leaning towards Chile.

I’ve been hoarding all my factors towards the honeymoon (with the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Capital One Enterprise X) so we will get enterprise class reward flights.

What a few mini-moon in the summertime? Yep, we’ll try this. However actually, in any case the marriage craziness, we would like our mini-moon to be simple and acquainted. So that could be a fast journey to Salina within the Aeolian Islands, or Monopoli in Puglia. Each are particular locations that we love.

I’ve additionally been pondering quite a bit about Morocco these days. Sure, even pre-World Cup. So maybe that might be one thing in 2023. Possibly a return journey to Paris. Possibly a visit to the Egadi Islands of western Sicily, and even Pantelleria, through the summer time. We will see.

What have been your favourite new locations this 12 months?