As the year of our gap adventure, 2011 was huge for us travel-wise. We’d like to take a moment to make some shout-outs about the things we liked best.
A stop along the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in New Zealand.
Best adventure activity: Climbing Volcan Villarrica in Chile
Best attraction: Iguazu Falls, Argentina
Best beer: Brain Blasta, Porterhouse Brewing Company (John) and Emerson’s Pilsner (Andrea)
Climbing Volcan Villarrica in Pucon, Chile
Best city: London (Andrea) and Berlin (John)
Best country: Germany
Best new country: Colombia
Best food: Jordan
At a vineyard in Mendoza, Argentina
Best people (friendliest): Ireland
Best hike: Tongariro Alpine Crossing, New Zealand
Best hostel: The Albatross Backpacker Inn, Kaikoura
Best hotel or resort: Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi
At the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia
Best meal: BBQ at our mate Klemen’s place in Ljubljana
Best Museum: Terror Háza, Budapest
Best national park: Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, Argentina
On the Caribbean Coast in Colombia
Best organized: Switzerland
Best restaurant: Francis, Montevideo
Best tour guide: Raed from Jordan
Rain and wind in Ireland at the Cliffs of Moher
Best town: Grindelwald, Switzerland
Best thing we saw that we didn’t know about when planning: Bozcaada, Turkey
Best wine: Chile
Hanging out in London
About to take on the zipline at Grindelwald First in Switzerland.
We’d also like to take this opportunity to thank the following fellow travellers we met or caught up with this year who made our time extra special. Because it’s always more about the people you meet than the places you see:
Abby (The Jungle Princess), Adam (Travels of Adam), Amar and Dipti, Andi and Lucas (My Beautiful Adventures), Andrew (Grounded Traveler), Anna, Adam and Basia in Poland, Ayngelina (Bacon is Magic), Brad (LindVentures), Brendan (Brendan’s Adventures), Cheryl (Cheryl Howard), Christina (Jandal Road), Christy and Kali (Technosyncratic), Claudia and Umit, Dalene and Peter (Hecktic Travels), Dave (Go Backpacking), Eileen (Bear Shaped Sphere), Emily and Rodolfo (Don’t Call Me Gringa), Jasmine (Jasmine Wanders), Jim (Holes in My Soles), Julie (Nueva Americana), Katrina and Dario (Tour Absurd), Kerry-Ann (Audacious Freedom), Kirsten (Aviators and Camera), Klemen, Kyle and Seba (Kyle Hepp Photography), Laura and Roberto (Travel for Love), Lucy and Michael, Marcello (Wandering Trader), Marko, Melvin and Astrid (Traveldudes), Rease (Travelated), Rob and Angelica (South America Me), Robbie and Luke, Stephanie (The Travel Chica) and Tobi.
Enjoying litres of beer at Oktoberfest
Petra, Jordan
What was your favourite travel experience of 2011?
This is not just a blog for travellers. We hope to inspire our readers, whether they’ve visited dozens of countries or barely make it to the next town once a year. We're John and Andrea, a couple of thirty-something travellers and expats. Our travel style is laid-back luxe and we are constantly seeking out the best experiences each destination has to offer. 
{ 54 comments… read them below or add one }
Totally agree about the best national park. It was great to meet you this past year in BA!
Isn’t it awesome? So wonderful to meet you too =)
You’ve had some fabulous experiences this year. Best of luck with 2012!
Thanks so much, Sophie! =)
Looks like a great travel year. Happy travels in 2012!
Cheers, Greg! And to you =)
Congrats on a fantastic 2011 travel year. Thanks for highlighting your favorites.
Thanks so much! =)
Great re-cap. You guys have had some amazing adventures! So glad that I could meet you this year and in TWO cities … Berlin and Budapest.
We’re so glad too, Cheryl!! Where shall we catch up this year?
Amazing
You guys have seen so many great things, can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2012.
Thanks, Marie-Eve…all our plans aren’t made yet but will keep you posted =)
What a year!! I like that best adventure and best beer were almost together — and top of your list.
Hahaha, I blame the alphabet for that one but adventure and beer really do go together well =) Was so great to meet you!
Great roundup of your travels. I like forward to seeing what you get up to next year
Haha, we do too – plans are very hazy at the moment as we don’t know where John will be working yet =)
Great year and list of adventures!
Thanks so much, Jeremy! =)
Living the dream! what a year, one I am sure you won’t soon forget!
No, definitely not! Cheers =)
You’ve visited some wonderful places this year. Looks like the weather was pretty standard at the Cliffs of Moher
Haha – would have to be very lucky to get a sunny day!! =)
You guys are lucky couple…that’s a long list….everyone landing on this page can’t deny the jealousy within… You rocked…
Thanks so much, Vishnu!! =) Happy New Year!!
You look like you’re having soooo much fun! And you’ve been to some amazing places. What a great way to start my morning – wishing that I wasn’t sitting behind this computer screen! What a push to get moving! Thx!
That’s so sweet, Michaela – thanks so much! Let us know if you need help with any of your planning =)
Lovely set of pics, some great memories I bet. So gutted I missed you when you were here. How did Edinburgh fare anyway?
Me too – it was so busy for us…we’ll get back to Scotland soon, I’m sure – or catch up somewhere else =) So cold and rainy in E-burgh…not sure how you can stand not having a “real” summer!
Fantastic! I’ve really enjoyed following along with you guys this year. Can’t wait to see what 2012 brings!
Always love your adventures too – hope next year brings even more awesomeness for all of us!! =)
It was so great meeting you two in London! And I think that photo of you two huddled in your raincoats on the coast of Ireland is awesome – very location specific.
Cheers, guys!! So awesome to meet you too =)
What a year guys! It was so great to meet you in BsAs! I really hope our paths cross in 2012!
Me too, Laura – keep in touch!! =)
Those are adorable photos of you guys! You guys have had a great year!
Cheers, guys! Happy New Year =)
Aww, I was reading this already thinking about saying that it was so great to meet you both in amongst all your adventures, and you beat me to it! I’m so glad we did get to meet, and I look forward to our next get together, wherever that may be.
I can’t wait to see you again!! Hope it’s soon!!!! Happy New Year =) xx
Well you two were certainly busy! I climbed the volcano at Pucon, gulp, around 18 years ago. Was tough-going but absolutely loved it until we reached the top and I sprained my ankle just 15 metres from the top (it was winter and lots of ice). My friend who dragged his snowboard up sped down and got a rescue guy to come get me on a skidoo. Though by the time he reached the guide and I, I’d already slid halfway down the mountain on my butt. Funny what a fast-moving fog and temperature rapidly dropping can do! I drank a lot of pisco that night to numb the pain. Thanks for bringing back some fun memories. I’m sure you’ve got a gazillion great ones from the last year.
Wow!!! What a story! At least you made it to the top…sliding down was my favourite part, haha =) Thanks for sharing!
wow! what an amazing year!! I can’t wait to trek to some of these places!
Awesome!! Let us know if you have any questions about any of them =)
Awesome!! Let us know if you have any questions about any of them =)
You guys really have had an amazing year. So nice to see that Germany was your favorite country!
John told me I would love it there…and I did! =)
Thanks for the shout out darling! 2011 was amazing because I got to meet you!!! Can’t wait to see you again in 2012. Much love and safe travels!!!!!!!!!!
I can’t wait either!!! Here’s to many fabulous adventures for both of us in 2012!! =)
Great picture of the donkey in Petra – and I love the scarf, and the pink and white polka dot handbag he’s wearing!
wow… you’ve been to so many places last 2011… Happy 2012 John and Andrea… wishing you more adventures this year:-)
Thanks so much – wishing you many wonderful adventures this year as well! =)
Great shoutout for 2011. I wish I did a post like this. =) Love that you found the best food in Jordan. That country is really making its way into my bucket list of travels.
It’s not too late for you to do one =) Would love to know what you enjoyed the most last year!
Thanks for the mention. I’m just now getting through some of my reading backlog. Looks like you guys had a great year. It was great fun visiting and drinking with you two. Glad that Germany made your top country.
So wonderful meeting you, Andrew – thanks for a great time in Freiburg and we hope to see you again. Looking like Europe is a strong possibility for our next stint so hopefully we can meet you and Ali again sometime soon!