{"id":92104,"date":"2025-02-16T18:15:33","date_gmt":"2025-02-16T18:15:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/adventure\/my-favorite-new-destinations-of-2024\/"},"modified":"2025-02-16T18:15:33","modified_gmt":"2025-02-16T18:15:33","slug":"my-favorite-new-destinations-of-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=92104","title":{"rendered":"My Favorite New Destinations of 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div data-ast-blocks-layout=\"true\" itemprop=\"text\">\n<div class=\"astra-advanced-hook-23274 \">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-normal-font-size\"><small><em>Adventurous Kate contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks!<\/em><\/small><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>How do I sum up 2024 in travel? <\/strong>Busy. Maybe a bit too busy. Four new countries visited (Nepal, Bhutan, Qatar, Panama), lots of exploration in much-loved countries, and some incredibly fun road trips close to home.<\/p>\n<p>This was also the year that I did a year of new Czech exploration \u2014 visiting a new destination each month of the year. From Liberec in the mountains to Valtice in South Moravia, I got to know my adopted country SO much better this year!<\/p>\n<p>But as always, some destinations are better than others. Let\u2019s take a look at the best of the best.<\/p>\n<p><strong>So what made the list of my favorite new destinations of 2024?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/my-favorite-new-destinations-of-2012\/\">In 2012<\/a>, I chose places like Iceland, Montenegro, and South Africa.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/my-favorite-new-destinations-of-2013\/\">In 2013<\/a>, I chose places like Japan, Berlin, and the Scottish Highlands.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/my-favorite-new-destinations-of-2014\/\">In 2014<\/a>, I chose places like Sri Lanka, New Orleans, and Skellig Michael, Ireland.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/my-favorite-new-travel-destinations-of-2015\/\">In 2015<\/a>, I chose places like Nicaragua, Albania, and Chicago.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/my-favorite-new-destinations-of-2016\/\">In 2016<\/a>, I chose places like Puerto Rico, Alsace, and Western Australia.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/favorite-new-destinations-2017\/\">In 2017<\/a>, I chose places like Ukraine, the Florida Keys, and St. Petersburg, Russia.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/my-favorite-new-travel-destinations-of-2018\/\">In 2018<\/a>, I chose places like Antarctica, Hokkaido, and St. Croix.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/my-favorite-new-destinations-of-2019\/\">In 2019<\/a>, I chose places like Newfoundland, Georgia, and Lake Orta, Italy.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/my-favorite-new-destinations-of-2020\/\">In 2020<\/a>, I chose places like Mexico City; Vi\u00f1ales, Cuba; and Vis, Croatia.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/my-favorite-new-destinations-of-2021\/\">In 2021<\/a>, I chose places like the Aeolian Islands, the Berkshires, and Valle d\u2019Aosta, Italy.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/my-favorite-new-destinations-of-2022\/\">In 2022<\/a>, I chose places like Naples, Martha\u2019s Vineyard, and Guanajuato, Mexico.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/my-favorite-new-destinations-of-2023\/\">In 2023<\/a>, I chose places like Ischia, Patagonia, and Perast, Montenegro.<\/p>\n<p>As usual, I am only including destinations that I visited for the first time in 2024 \u2014 so that excludes destinations that I\u2019ve visited before, including Florence, Paris, and Kor\u010dula. One exception: the Second Time Around award.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-38052\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Bhutan-Himalayas-Paro-View-Travel-to-Bhutan-1024x666.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Bhutan-Himalayas-Paro-View-Travel-to-Bhutan-800x520.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Bhutan-Himalayas-Paro-View-Travel-to-Bhutan-768x499.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Bhutan-Himalayas-Paro-View-Travel-to-Bhutan-1536x998.jpg.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Bhutan-Himalayas-Paro-View-Travel-to-Bhutan-2048x1331.jpg.webp 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Bhutan-Himalayas-Paro-View-Travel-to-Bhutan-150x98.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"666\" alt=\"A view over a valley in Bhutan surrounded by mountains and rice paddies, a temple in the distance.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Bhutan-Himalayas-Paro-View-Travel-to-Bhutan-1024x666.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Bhutan-Himalayas-Paro-View-Travel-to-Bhutan-800x520.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Bhutan-Himalayas-Paro-View-Travel-to-Bhutan-768x499.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Bhutan-Himalayas-Paro-View-Travel-to-Bhutan-1536x998.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Bhutan-Himalayas-Paro-View-Travel-to-Bhutan-2048x1331.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Bhutan-Himalayas-Paro-View-Travel-to-Bhutan-150x98.jpg 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Bhutan-Himalayas-Paro-View-Travel-to-Bhutan-1024x666.jpg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"666\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Bhutan-Himalayas-Paro-View-Travel-to-Bhutan-1024x666.jpg\" alt=\"A view over a valley in Bhutan surrounded by mountains and rice paddies, a temple in the distance.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Bhutan-Himalayas-Paro-View-Travel-to-Bhutan-1024x666.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Bhutan-Himalayas-Paro-View-Travel-to-Bhutan-800x520.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Bhutan-Himalayas-Paro-View-Travel-to-Bhutan-768x499.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Bhutan-Himalayas-Paro-View-Travel-to-Bhutan-1536x998.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Bhutan-Himalayas-Paro-View-Travel-to-Bhutan-2048x1331.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Bhutan-Himalayas-Paro-View-Travel-to-Bhutan-150x98.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The view overlooking the small city of Paro and Paro Dzong.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"bhutan\"\/>Bhutan<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p><strong>There is no place in the world quite like Bhutan \u2014 of COURSE I had to put it at the top of my list!<\/strong> I\u2019ve been so curious about this tiny Himalayan country sandwiched in between India and Tibet, which kept itself isolated from the world for so long. It\u2019s like going back in time in so many ways.<\/p>\n<p>I love how sustainability-minded Bhutan is, prioritizing the health of the country and the happiness of its citizens before chasing money. Bhutan is such a peaceful destination, the kind of place that makes you feel incredibly safe and relaxed throughout your visit.<\/p>\n<p>What stood out the most for me in Bhutan was the stunning mountain scenery \u2014 especially getting to climb to Tiger\u2019s Nest monastery \u2014 and the incredible beauty of the traditional Buddhist temples, which sadly I was not able to photograph. I\u2019ll remember those rainbow colors forever, though.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-38053\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Gangtey-Bridge-and-Flowers-Travel-to-Bhutan-1024x674.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Gangtey-Bridge-and-Flowers-Travel-to-Bhutan-800x526.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Gangtey-Bridge-and-Flowers-Travel-to-Bhutan-768x505.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Gangtey-Bridge-and-Flowers-Travel-to-Bhutan-1536x1011.jpg.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Gangtey-Bridge-and-Flowers-Travel-to-Bhutan-2048x1347.jpg.webp 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Gangtey-Bridge-and-Flowers-Travel-to-Bhutan-150x99.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"674\" alt=\"A small river bridge with bright purple flowers in the foreground and tall mountains in the background.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Gangtey-Bridge-and-Flowers-Travel-to-Bhutan-1024x674.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Gangtey-Bridge-and-Flowers-Travel-to-Bhutan-800x526.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Gangtey-Bridge-and-Flowers-Travel-to-Bhutan-768x505.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Gangtey-Bridge-and-Flowers-Travel-to-Bhutan-1536x1011.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Gangtey-Bridge-and-Flowers-Travel-to-Bhutan-2048x1347.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Gangtey-Bridge-and-Flowers-Travel-to-Bhutan-150x99.jpg 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Gangtey-Bridge-and-Flowers-Travel-to-Bhutan-1024x674.jpg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"674\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Gangtey-Bridge-and-Flowers-Travel-to-Bhutan-1024x674.jpg\" alt=\"A small river bridge with bright purple flowers in the foreground and tall mountains in the background.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Gangtey-Bridge-and-Flowers-Travel-to-Bhutan-1024x674.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Gangtey-Bridge-and-Flowers-Travel-to-Bhutan-800x526.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Gangtey-Bridge-and-Flowers-Travel-to-Bhutan-768x505.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Gangtey-Bridge-and-Flowers-Travel-to-Bhutan-1536x1011.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Gangtey-Bridge-and-Flowers-Travel-to-Bhutan-2048x1347.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Gangtey-Bridge-and-Flowers-Travel-to-Bhutan-150x99.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A stream by the Gangtey Black-Necked Crane Center.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-38061\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Kate-at-Tigers-Nest-Travel-to-Bhutan-1024x799.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Kate-at-Tigers-Nest-Travel-to-Bhutan-800x624.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Kate-at-Tigers-Nest-Travel-to-Bhutan-768x599.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Kate-at-Tigers-Nest-Travel-to-Bhutan-1536x1198.jpg.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Kate-at-Tigers-Nest-Travel-to-Bhutan-2048x1597.jpg.webp 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Kate-at-Tigers-Nest-Travel-to-Bhutan-150x117.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"799\" alt=\"Kate splaying her hands out wide with the tiny Tiger's Nest monastery built into the mountains behind her.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Kate-at-Tigers-Nest-Travel-to-Bhutan-1024x799.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Kate-at-Tigers-Nest-Travel-to-Bhutan-800x624.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Kate-at-Tigers-Nest-Travel-to-Bhutan-768x599.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Kate-at-Tigers-Nest-Travel-to-Bhutan-1536x1198.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Kate-at-Tigers-Nest-Travel-to-Bhutan-2048x1597.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Kate-at-Tigers-Nest-Travel-to-Bhutan-150x117.jpg 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Kate-at-Tigers-Nest-Travel-to-Bhutan-1024x799.jpg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"799\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Kate-at-Tigers-Nest-Travel-to-Bhutan-1024x799.jpg\" alt=\"Kate splaying her hands out wide with the tiny Tiger's Nest monastery built into the mountains behind her.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Kate-at-Tigers-Nest-Travel-to-Bhutan-1024x799.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Kate-at-Tigers-Nest-Travel-to-Bhutan-800x624.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Kate-at-Tigers-Nest-Travel-to-Bhutan-768x599.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Kate-at-Tigers-Nest-Travel-to-Bhutan-1536x1198.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Kate-at-Tigers-Nest-Travel-to-Bhutan-2048x1597.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Kate-at-Tigers-Nest-Travel-to-Bhutan-150x117.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">I made it to Tiger\u2019s Nest!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-38013\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Bhutanese-traditional-clothing-temple-travel-to-Bhutan-1024x763.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Bhutanese-traditional-clothing-temple-travel-to-Bhutan-800x596.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Bhutanese-traditional-clothing-temple-travel-to-Bhutan-768x572.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Bhutanese-traditional-clothing-temple-travel-to-Bhutan-1536x1144.jpg.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Bhutanese-traditional-clothing-temple-travel-to-Bhutan-2048x1526.jpg.webp 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Bhutanese-traditional-clothing-temple-travel-to-Bhutan-150x112.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"763\" alt=\"A group of people walking around a Buddhist temple, the women wearing long skirts and traditional jackets with big cuffs.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Bhutanese-traditional-clothing-temple-travel-to-Bhutan-1024x763.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Bhutanese-traditional-clothing-temple-travel-to-Bhutan-800x596.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Bhutanese-traditional-clothing-temple-travel-to-Bhutan-768x572.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Bhutanese-traditional-clothing-temple-travel-to-Bhutan-1536x1144.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Bhutanese-traditional-clothing-temple-travel-to-Bhutan-2048x1526.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Bhutanese-traditional-clothing-temple-travel-to-Bhutan-150x112.jpg 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Bhutanese-traditional-clothing-temple-travel-to-Bhutan-1024x763.jpg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"763\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Bhutanese-traditional-clothing-temple-travel-to-Bhutan-1024x763.jpg\" alt=\"A group of people walking around a Buddhist temple, the women wearing long skirts and traditional jackets with big cuffs.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Bhutanese-traditional-clothing-temple-travel-to-Bhutan-1024x763.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Bhutanese-traditional-clothing-temple-travel-to-Bhutan-800x596.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Bhutanese-traditional-clothing-temple-travel-to-Bhutan-768x572.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Bhutanese-traditional-clothing-temple-travel-to-Bhutan-1536x1144.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Bhutanese-traditional-clothing-temple-travel-to-Bhutan-2048x1526.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Bhutanese-traditional-clothing-temple-travel-to-Bhutan-150x112.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Worshipers at National Memorial Chorten<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>How to get to Bhutan:<\/strong> Fly one of the two national airlines, Druk Air or Royal Bhutan Airlines, into Paro. I flew from Kathmandu, the closest major city as the crow flies. You can also fly from New Delhi, Bangkok, or Singapore.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best thing to do in Bhutan:<\/strong> Hike to Tiger\u2019s Nest on your final day, once you\u2019ve had plenty of time to acclimatize to the altitude and get to know Bhutanese culture. You\u2019ll appreciate it far more than if you did it early on.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Where to stay in Bhutan:<\/strong> There are plenty of hotels to stay in Bhutan at a variety of price points. My personal favorite was the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/bt\/thimphu-deluxe-thimphu4.en.html?aid=1969902&amp;no_rooms=1&amp;group_adults=2&amp;label=my-favorite-new-destinations-of-2024\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Thimphu Deluxe Hotel<\/a>, which had SUCH a comfy bed and a nice bathroom.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Read More: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/travel-to-bhutan\/\">What\u2019s it really like to travel to Bhutan?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-36196\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Cheateau-Amboise-1024x768.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Cheateau-Amboise-800x600.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Cheateau-Amboise-400x300.jpg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Cheateau-Amboise-768x576.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Cheateau-Amboise-1536x1152.jpg.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Cheateau-Amboise-2048x1536.jpg.webp 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Cheateau-Amboise-150x113.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" alt=\"A gray castle in France perched on top of a hill, surrounded by nice landscaping, including rows of small green bushes.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Cheateau-Amboise-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Cheateau-Amboise-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Cheateau-Amboise-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Cheateau-Amboise-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Cheateau-Amboise-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Cheateau-Amboise-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Cheateau-Amboise-150x113.jpg 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Cheateau-Amboise-1024x768.jpg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Cheateau-Amboise-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"A gray castle in France perched on top of a hill, surrounded by nice landscaping, including rows of small green bushes.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Cheateau-Amboise-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Cheateau-Amboise-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Cheateau-Amboise-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Cheateau-Amboise-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Cheateau-Amboise-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Cheateau-Amboise-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Cheateau-Amboise-150x113.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ch\u00e2teau Royale d\u2019Amboise<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"loire_valley_france\"\/>Loire Valley, France<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p><strong>I\u2019m not a castle person \u2014 I get bored pretty quickly on castle tours.<\/strong> And perhaps that\u2019s what kept me from visiting the Loire Valley, the castle-filled region southwest of Paris, until this year. But it turns out that I absolutely loved this place!<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re looking for small town charm in France, the Loire Valley has it in spades. This is the kind of French destination you dream of, with tiny bakeries, pretty gardens, traditional homes, and gorgeous scenery throughout. And the fact that it\u2019s so close to Paris makes it super accessible.<\/p>\n<p>We based in Amboise, a town with multiple castles and some rich history involving Leonardo da Vinci, who actually died here. <\/p>\n<p>Another night was spent in a chateau hotel, which was so fun (especially since we were the only guests!). I find that the Loire Valley is a good place for a relaxing itinerary, rather than a busy trip.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-38224\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Amboise-Loire-Valley-Houses-1024x768.jpeg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Amboise-Loire-Valley-Houses-800x600.jpeg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Amboise-Loire-Valley-Houses-400x300.jpeg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Amboise-Loire-Valley-Houses-768x576.jpeg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Amboise-Loire-Valley-Houses-1536x1152.jpeg.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Amboise-Loire-Valley-Houses-2048x1536.jpeg.webp 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Amboise-Loire-Valley-Houses-150x113.jpeg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" alt=\"An overhead view of small French cottages pressed tightly together.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Amboise-Loire-Valley-Houses-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Amboise-Loire-Valley-Houses-800x600.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Amboise-Loire-Valley-Houses-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Amboise-Loire-Valley-Houses-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Amboise-Loire-Valley-Houses-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Amboise-Loire-Valley-Houses-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Amboise-Loire-Valley-Houses-150x113.jpeg 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Amboise-Loire-Valley-Houses-1024x768.jpeg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Amboise-Loire-Valley-Houses-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"An overhead view of small French cottages pressed tightly together.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Amboise-Loire-Valley-Houses-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Amboise-Loire-Valley-Houses-800x600.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Amboise-Loire-Valley-Houses-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Amboise-Loire-Valley-Houses-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Amboise-Loire-Valley-Houses-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Amboise-Loire-Valley-Houses-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Amboise-Loire-Valley-Houses-150x113.jpeg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The view from above Amboise<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-38225\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-Chenonceau-1024x768.jpeg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-Chenonceau-800x600.jpeg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-Chenonceau-400x300.jpeg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-Chenonceau-768x576.jpeg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-Chenonceau-1536x1152.jpeg.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-Chenonceau-2048x1536.jpeg.webp 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-Chenonceau-150x113.jpeg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" alt=\"Kate and Charlie taking a smiling selfie in front of a chateau perched on a river.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-Chenonceau-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-Chenonceau-800x600.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-Chenonceau-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-Chenonceau-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-Chenonceau-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-Chenonceau-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-Chenonceau-150x113.jpeg 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-Chenonceau-1024x768.jpeg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-Chenonceau-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"Kate and Charlie taking a smiling selfie in front of a chateau perched on a river.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-Chenonceau-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-Chenonceau-800x600.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-Chenonceau-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-Chenonceau-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-Chenonceau-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-Chenonceau-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-Chenonceau-150x113.jpeg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Enjoying a getaway to Chenonceau Chateau<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-38226\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Orleans-Garden-Jeanne-dArc-1024x768.jpeg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Orleans-Garden-Jeanne-dArc-800x600.jpeg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Orleans-Garden-Jeanne-dArc-400x300.jpeg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Orleans-Garden-Jeanne-dArc-768x576.jpeg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Orleans-Garden-Jeanne-dArc-1536x1152.jpeg.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Orleans-Garden-Jeanne-dArc-2048x1536.jpeg.webp 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Orleans-Garden-Jeanne-dArc-150x113.jpeg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" alt=\"A bright, blooming garden surrounded by buildings and a Joan of Arc statue on horseback\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Orleans-Garden-Jeanne-dArc-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Orleans-Garden-Jeanne-dArc-800x600.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Orleans-Garden-Jeanne-dArc-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Orleans-Garden-Jeanne-dArc-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Orleans-Garden-Jeanne-dArc-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Orleans-Garden-Jeanne-dArc-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Orleans-Garden-Jeanne-dArc-150x113.jpeg 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Orleans-Garden-Jeanne-dArc-1024x768.jpeg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Orleans-Garden-Jeanne-dArc-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"A bright, blooming garden surrounded by buildings and a Joan of Arc statue on horseback\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Orleans-Garden-Jeanne-dArc-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Orleans-Garden-Jeanne-dArc-800x600.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Orleans-Garden-Jeanne-dArc-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Orleans-Garden-Jeanne-dArc-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Orleans-Garden-Jeanne-dArc-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Orleans-Garden-Jeanne-dArc-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Orleans-Garden-Jeanne-dArc-150x113.jpeg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Jeanne d\u2019Arc in Orl\u00e9ans, France<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>How to get to the Loire Valley: <\/strong>You\u2019re best off flying into any of the Paris airports (though Orly is closest) and renting a car. There are some routes you can get there by train, but it\u2019s really helpful to have a car there.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best thing to do in the Loire Valley: <\/strong>Spend your day visiting different castles in the countryside and enjoying the beautiful country roads at a nice, languid pace, enjoying plenty of French cuisine throughout your trip.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Where to stay in the Loire Valley:<\/strong> If you\u2019re looking to explore the Loire Valley for a few days, I recommend basing in the town of Amboise. But if you want to stay in a chateau hotel, I loved our stay at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/fr\/la-borde-en-sologne-chateau-amp-spa.en.html?aid=1969902&amp;no_rooms=1&amp;group_adults=2&amp;label=my-favorite-new-destinations-of-2024\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">La Borde en Sologne<\/a>!<\/p>\n<p><strong>Read more:<\/strong> I wrote a bit about the Loire Valley in my <a href=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/ak-monthly-recap-april-2024\/\">April 2024 recap<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-38237\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Lekeitio-Basque-Country-Spain-1024x768.jpeg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Lekeitio-Basque-Country-Spain-800x600.jpeg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Lekeitio-Basque-Country-Spain-400x300.jpeg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Lekeitio-Basque-Country-Spain-768x576.jpeg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Lekeitio-Basque-Country-Spain-1536x1152.jpeg.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Lekeitio-Basque-Country-Spain-2048x1536.jpeg.webp 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Lekeitio-Basque-Country-Spain-150x113.jpeg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" alt=\"A seaside village in Spain with lots of small fishing boats parked in the harbor.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Lekeitio-Basque-Country-Spain-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Lekeitio-Basque-Country-Spain-800x600.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Lekeitio-Basque-Country-Spain-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Lekeitio-Basque-Country-Spain-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Lekeitio-Basque-Country-Spain-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Lekeitio-Basque-Country-Spain-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Lekeitio-Basque-Country-Spain-150x113.jpeg 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Lekeitio-Basque-Country-Spain-1024x768.jpeg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Lekeitio-Basque-Country-Spain-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"A seaside village in Spain with lots of small fishing boats parked in the harbor.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Lekeitio-Basque-Country-Spain-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Lekeitio-Basque-Country-Spain-800x600.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Lekeitio-Basque-Country-Spain-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Lekeitio-Basque-Country-Spain-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Lekeitio-Basque-Country-Spain-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Lekeitio-Basque-Country-Spain-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Lekeitio-Basque-Country-Spain-150x113.jpeg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Lekeitio, the perfect seaside ending to our Basque trip<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"basque_country_spain\"\/>Basque Country, Spain<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Visiting the Basque Country of Spain has long been a major priority of mine \u2014 and this year, I finally made it happen.<\/strong> Charlie and I, along with our friends Nick and Jack, road-tripped all over the Basque Country and the adjacent Rioja region for 10 days.<\/p>\n<p>I loved how different this is part of Spain is to other parts I\u2019ve visited. Much greener, more mountainous, and a bit more rainy. Parts of the Basque Country look like Scotland or Austria or Colorado. It\u2019s a far cry from the desert of Andalusia.<\/p>\n<p>And the FOOD. This is one of the best culinary regions on the planet, with cutting-edge dishes and a world-class pintxos culture. The nights out here are about grabbing all kinds of unusual pintxos and enjoying them while standing up, drinking plenty of red wine. Though honestly, I was probably the biggest fan of the ubiquitous anchovies and hot peppers skewers!<\/p>\n<p>There is so much to love in the Basque Country, and I found it so refreshing \u2014 such a different and interesting culture. It also helped that Bilbao was a direct flight from Prague!<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-38238\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bilbao-Basque-Country-Spain-from-Above-1024x768.jpeg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bilbao-Basque-Country-Spain-from-Above-800x600.jpeg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bilbao-Basque-Country-Spain-from-Above-400x300.jpeg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bilbao-Basque-Country-Spain-from-Above-768x576.jpeg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bilbao-Basque-Country-Spain-from-Above-1536x1152.jpeg.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bilbao-Basque-Country-Spain-from-Above-2048x1536.jpeg.webp 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bilbao-Basque-Country-Spain-from-Above-150x113.jpeg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" alt=\"A view of the riverside city of Bilbao from above, with mountains in the background.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bilbao-Basque-Country-Spain-from-Above-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bilbao-Basque-Country-Spain-from-Above-800x600.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bilbao-Basque-Country-Spain-from-Above-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bilbao-Basque-Country-Spain-from-Above-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bilbao-Basque-Country-Spain-from-Above-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bilbao-Basque-Country-Spain-from-Above-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bilbao-Basque-Country-Spain-from-Above-150x113.jpeg 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bilbao-Basque-Country-Spain-from-Above-1024x768.jpeg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bilbao-Basque-Country-Spain-from-Above-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"A view of the riverside city of Bilbao from above, with mountains in the background.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bilbao-Basque-Country-Spain-from-Above-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bilbao-Basque-Country-Spain-from-Above-800x600.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bilbao-Basque-Country-Spain-from-Above-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bilbao-Basque-Country-Spain-from-Above-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bilbao-Basque-Country-Spain-from-Above-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bilbao-Basque-Country-Spain-from-Above-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bilbao-Basque-Country-Spain-from-Above-150x113.jpeg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Bilbao felt like such a livable city.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-37395\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Kate-in-San-Sebastian-View-1024x768.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Kate-in-San-Sebastian-View-800x600.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Kate-in-San-Sebastian-View-400x300.jpg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Kate-in-San-Sebastian-View-768x576.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Kate-in-San-Sebastian-View-1536x1152.jpg.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Kate-in-San-Sebastian-View-2048x1536.jpg.webp 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Kate-in-San-Sebastian-View-150x113.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" alt=\"Kate taking a smiling selfie in sunglasses in front of a view of a long, curved beach, on a cloudy day.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Kate-in-San-Sebastian-View-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Kate-in-San-Sebastian-View-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Kate-in-San-Sebastian-View-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Kate-in-San-Sebastian-View-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Kate-in-San-Sebastian-View-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Kate-in-San-Sebastian-View-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Kate-in-San-Sebastian-View-150x113.jpg 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Kate-in-San-Sebastian-View-1024x768.jpg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Kate-in-San-Sebastian-View-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Kate taking a smiling selfie in sunglasses in front of a view of a long, curved beach, on a cloudy day.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Kate-in-San-Sebastian-View-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Kate-in-San-Sebastian-View-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Kate-in-San-Sebastian-View-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Kate-in-San-Sebastian-View-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Kate-in-San-Sebastian-View-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Kate-in-San-Sebastian-View-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Kate-in-San-Sebastian-View-150x113.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">San Sebasti\u00e1n is forever a good-time destination!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-38239\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pintxos-Basque-Country-Spain-1024x768.jpeg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pintxos-Basque-Country-Spain-800x600.jpeg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pintxos-Basque-Country-Spain-400x300.jpeg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pintxos-Basque-Country-Spain-768x576.jpeg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pintxos-Basque-Country-Spain-1536x1152.jpeg.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pintxos-Basque-Country-Spain-2048x1536.jpeg.webp 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pintxos-Basque-Country-Spain-150x113.jpeg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" alt=\"Three small plates: one with fish in an orange sauce, one with beef on mashed potatoes, and a plate of anchovies, hot peppers, and olives.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pintxos-Basque-Country-Spain-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pintxos-Basque-Country-Spain-800x600.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pintxos-Basque-Country-Spain-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pintxos-Basque-Country-Spain-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pintxos-Basque-Country-Spain-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pintxos-Basque-Country-Spain-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pintxos-Basque-Country-Spain-150x113.jpeg 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pintxos-Basque-Country-Spain-1024x768.jpeg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pintxos-Basque-Country-Spain-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"Three small plates: one with fish in an orange sauce, one with beef on mashed potatoes, and a plate of anchovies, hot peppers, and olives.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pintxos-Basque-Country-Spain-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pintxos-Basque-Country-Spain-800x600.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pintxos-Basque-Country-Spain-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pintxos-Basque-Country-Spain-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pintxos-Basque-Country-Spain-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pintxos-Basque-Country-Spain-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pintxos-Basque-Country-Spain-150x113.jpeg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Pintxos time!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>How to get to the Basque Country:<\/strong> It\u2019s best to fly or take a train or bus to Bilbao; once there, you can rent a car or explore by bus. San Sebasti\u00e1n has a small airport but is most easily accessed by a bus direct from Bilbao or Bilbao Airport.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best thing to do in the Basque Country:<\/strong> Eat, eat, eat. It\u2019s all about the pintxos crawls here, especially in San Sebasti\u00e1n.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Where to stay in the Basque Country: <\/strong>Nowhere we stayed was particularly remarkable, but make sure you get a place where you don\u2019t have to walk to the other side of the city to pick up the keys, as we did in San Sebasti\u00e1n.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Read more: <\/strong>I wrote a bit about the Basque Country in my <a href=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/ak-monthly-recap-september-2024\/\">September 2024 recap<\/a> \u2014 more coming soon!<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-37307\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mikulov-South-Moravia-Czech-Republic-1024x768.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mikulov-South-Moravia-Czech-Republic-800x600.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mikulov-South-Moravia-Czech-Republic-400x300.jpg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mikulov-South-Moravia-Czech-Republic-768x576.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mikulov-South-Moravia-Czech-Republic-1536x1152.jpg.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mikulov-South-Moravia-Czech-Republic-2048x1536.jpg.webp 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mikulov-South-Moravia-Czech-Republic-150x113.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" alt=\"A tall yellow castle with a red roof, surrounded by royal gardens and a cobblestone walking path.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mikulov-South-Moravia-Czech-Republic-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mikulov-South-Moravia-Czech-Republic-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mikulov-South-Moravia-Czech-Republic-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mikulov-South-Moravia-Czech-Republic-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mikulov-South-Moravia-Czech-Republic-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mikulov-South-Moravia-Czech-Republic-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mikulov-South-Moravia-Czech-Republic-150x113.jpg 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mikulov-South-Moravia-Czech-Republic-1024x768.jpg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mikulov-South-Moravia-Czech-Republic-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"A tall yellow castle with a red roof, surrounded by royal gardens and a cobblestone walking path.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mikulov-South-Moravia-Czech-Republic-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mikulov-South-Moravia-Czech-Republic-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mikulov-South-Moravia-Czech-Republic-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mikulov-South-Moravia-Czech-Republic-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mikulov-South-Moravia-Czech-Republic-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mikulov-South-Moravia-Czech-Republic-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mikulov-South-Moravia-Czech-Republic-150x113.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/>\n<\/picture>\n<\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"mikulov_czech_republic\"\/>Mikulov, Czech Republic<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p><strong>This year I decided to visit one new place in the Czech Republic every month of 2024.<\/strong> And my favorite destination by far was Mikulov! This small city in South Moravia, a stone\u2019s throw from the Czech border, has so much of the charm of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/prague-to-cesky-krumlov-guide\/\">\u010cesk\u00fd Krumlov<\/a>, yet with a fraction of the tourists, nearly all of them Czech.<\/p>\n<p>South Moravia is wine country, and here\u2019s a fun fact \u2014 they keep most of the good stuff for themselves. And Mikulov is an excellent place to try so many of the wines, with plenty of wonderful restaurants and wine bars.<\/p>\n<p>The town is capped off by a gorgeous castle, and you won\u2019t believe how beautiful it gets at golden hour! I was just so bowled over by all the charm Mikulov had to offer.<\/p>\n<p>And if you\u2019re exploring the region, I also enjoyed visiting Lednice Castle (the rare castle that I absolutely LOVED) and the town of Valtice with its wine cellars. And if you\u2019re driving from Prague to Vienna, or have a driver taking you that route, I would definitely recommend stopping here to explore a bit.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-38242\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-town-square-1024x768.jpeg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-town-square-800x600.jpeg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-town-square-400x300.jpeg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-town-square-768x576.jpeg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-town-square-1536x1152.jpeg.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-town-square-2048x1536.jpeg.webp 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-town-square-150x113.jpeg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" alt=\"A town square in the Czech Republic with a white column in the center, surrounded by blue and yellow houses.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-town-square-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-town-square-800x600.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-town-square-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-town-square-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-town-square-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-town-square-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-town-square-150x113.jpeg 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-town-square-1024x768.jpeg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-town-square-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"A town square in the Czech Republic with a white column in the center, surrounded by blue and yellow houses.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-town-square-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-town-square-800x600.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-town-square-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-town-square-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-town-square-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-town-square-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-town-square-150x113.jpeg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Mikulov\u2019s pretty main square.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-38241\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Smoked-Salmon-Mikulov-Czech-Republic-1024x768.jpeg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Smoked-Salmon-Mikulov-Czech-Republic-800x600.jpeg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Smoked-Salmon-Mikulov-Czech-Republic-400x300.jpeg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Smoked-Salmon-Mikulov-Czech-Republic-768x576.jpeg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Smoked-Salmon-Mikulov-Czech-Republic-1536x1152.jpeg.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Smoked-Salmon-Mikulov-Czech-Republic-2048x1536.jpeg.webp 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Smoked-Salmon-Mikulov-Czech-Republic-150x113.jpeg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" alt=\"A long piece of smoked salmon flaked with piles of cream and rolled-up cucumber and radish slices.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Smoked-Salmon-Mikulov-Czech-Republic-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Smoked-Salmon-Mikulov-Czech-Republic-800x600.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Smoked-Salmon-Mikulov-Czech-Republic-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Smoked-Salmon-Mikulov-Czech-Republic-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Smoked-Salmon-Mikulov-Czech-Republic-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Smoked-Salmon-Mikulov-Czech-Republic-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Smoked-Salmon-Mikulov-Czech-Republic-150x113.jpeg 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Smoked-Salmon-Mikulov-Czech-Republic-1024x768.jpeg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Smoked-Salmon-Mikulov-Czech-Republic-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"A long piece of smoked salmon flaked with piles of cream and rolled-up cucumber and radish slices.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Smoked-Salmon-Mikulov-Czech-Republic-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Smoked-Salmon-Mikulov-Czech-Republic-800x600.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Smoked-Salmon-Mikulov-Czech-Republic-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Smoked-Salmon-Mikulov-Czech-Republic-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Smoked-Salmon-Mikulov-Czech-Republic-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Smoked-Salmon-Mikulov-Czech-Republic-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Smoked-Salmon-Mikulov-Czech-Republic-150x113.jpeg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">This might be the best smoked salmon I\u2019ve had in my life!!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-38240\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-View-from-Castle-1024x768.jpeg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-View-from-Castle-800x600.jpeg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-View-from-Castle-400x300.jpeg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-View-from-Castle-768x576.jpeg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-View-from-Castle-1536x1152.jpeg.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-View-from-Castle-2048x1536.jpeg.webp 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-View-from-Castle-150x113.jpeg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" alt=\"A view of a cobblestone path leading through a small Czech town with orange roofs.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-View-from-Castle-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-View-from-Castle-800x600.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-View-from-Castle-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-View-from-Castle-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-View-from-Castle-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-View-from-Castle-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-View-from-Castle-150x113.jpeg 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-View-from-Castle-1024x768.jpeg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-View-from-Castle-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"A view of a cobblestone path leading through a small Czech town with orange roofs.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-View-from-Castle-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-View-from-Castle-800x600.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-View-from-Castle-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-View-from-Castle-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-View-from-Castle-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-View-from-Castle-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mikulov-Czech-Republic-View-from-Castle-150x113.jpeg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">So many gorgeous shots of Mikulov from every angle.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>How to get to Mikulov: <\/strong>If you\u2019re flying in, Vienna is the closest airport. If you\u2019re coming by public transit, you\u2019re best off taking a bus from Brno, which takes a little over an hour. While there\u2019s a train station in Mikulov, this train line runs between small towns.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best thing to do in Mikulov: <\/strong>This is not a town with a big to-do list: it\u2019s all about enjoying the feeling it gives you. But I definitely recommend strolling the grounds of the castle in the golden light of late afternoon.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Where to stay in Mikulov: <\/strong>We stayed at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/cz\/tanzberg-mikulov.en.html?aid=1969902&amp;no_rooms=1&amp;group_adults=2&amp;label=my-favorite-new-destinations-of-2024\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Hotel Tanzberg<\/a>, which I really loved and recommend. And the restaurant here served the best meal we had in South Moravia.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Read more: <\/strong>I wrote a bit about Mikulov in my <a href=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/ak-monthly-recap-august-2024\/\">August 2024 recap<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"View from the top of the Hotel Valley Ho, overlooking a circular pool surrounded by lots of palm trees.\" class=\"wp-image-36592\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Hotel-Valley-Ho-Pool-From-Above-Scottsdale.heic\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Hotel-Valley-Ho-Pool-From-Above-Scottsdale.heic\" alt=\"View from the top of the Hotel Valley Ho, overlooking a circular pool surrounded by lots of palm trees.\" class=\"wp-image-36592\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">I loved the pool party at the Hotel Valley Ho!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"scottsdale_arizona\"\/>Scottsdale, Arizona<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p><strong>When it came time for my three best friends from high school and I to celebrate our 40th birthdays together, we knew we wanted a fun city that was different from our usual New England haunts \u2014 and so we went to Scottsdale!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This was the perfect destination for a four-day getaway \u2014 yes, even in June, when Scottsdale is at its hottest and most sizzling. We spent our days museum-hopping, pool partying, and eating SO much good food!<\/p>\n<p>While a lot of people assume that Scottsdale is for rich people, or mainly a spa-and-do-nothing destination, there is SO much more to explore here. I was impressed by the wine scene and the art-oriented activities in particular. <\/p>\n<p>In short, I would absolutely love to come back and see more!<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-36591\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Desert-Botanical-Garden-Scottsdale-Arizona-Cactus-1024x683.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Desert-Botanical-Garden-Scottsdale-Arizona-Cactus-800x533.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Desert-Botanical-Garden-Scottsdale-Arizona-Cactus-768x512.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Desert-Botanical-Garden-Scottsdale-Arizona-Cactus-1536x1024.jpg.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Desert-Botanical-Garden-Scottsdale-Arizona-Cactus-2048x1365.jpg.webp 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Desert-Botanical-Garden-Scottsdale-Arizona-Cactus-150x100.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" alt=\"A garden full of cacti and succulents, with a brown dirt path leading toward a tall brown mountain.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Desert-Botanical-Garden-Scottsdale-Arizona-Cactus-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Desert-Botanical-Garden-Scottsdale-Arizona-Cactus-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Desert-Botanical-Garden-Scottsdale-Arizona-Cactus-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Desert-Botanical-Garden-Scottsdale-Arizona-Cactus-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Desert-Botanical-Garden-Scottsdale-Arizona-Cactus-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Desert-Botanical-Garden-Scottsdale-Arizona-Cactus-150x100.jpg 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Desert-Botanical-Garden-Scottsdale-Arizona-Cactus-1024x683.jpg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Desert-Botanical-Garden-Scottsdale-Arizona-Cactus-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A garden full of cacti and succulents, with a brown dirt path leading toward a tall brown mountain.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Desert-Botanical-Garden-Scottsdale-Arizona-Cactus-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Desert-Botanical-Garden-Scottsdale-Arizona-Cactus-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Desert-Botanical-Garden-Scottsdale-Arizona-Cactus-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Desert-Botanical-Garden-Scottsdale-Arizona-Cactus-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Desert-Botanical-Garden-Scottsdale-Arizona-Cactus-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Desert-Botanical-Garden-Scottsdale-Arizona-Cactus-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Desert Botanical Garden made for a great morning walk.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-36522\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Girls-in-Scottsdale-AZ-1024x768.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Girls-in-Scottsdale-AZ-800x600.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Girls-in-Scottsdale-AZ-400x300.jpg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Girls-in-Scottsdale-AZ-768x576.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Girls-in-Scottsdale-AZ-1536x1152.jpg.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Girls-in-Scottsdale-AZ-2048x1536.jpg.webp 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Girls-in-Scottsdale-AZ-150x113.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" alt=\"Kate and her two friends in floppy hats and sunglasses, with the modern red building of Taliesin West behind them.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Girls-in-Scottsdale-AZ-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Girls-in-Scottsdale-AZ-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Girls-in-Scottsdale-AZ-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Girls-in-Scottsdale-AZ-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Girls-in-Scottsdale-AZ-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Girls-in-Scottsdale-AZ-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Girls-in-Scottsdale-AZ-150x113.jpg 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Girls-in-Scottsdale-AZ-1024x768.jpg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Girls-in-Scottsdale-AZ-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Kate and her two friends in floppy hats and sunglasses, with the modern red building of Taliesin West behind them.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Girls-in-Scottsdale-AZ-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Girls-in-Scottsdale-AZ-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Girls-in-Scottsdale-AZ-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Girls-in-Scottsdale-AZ-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Girls-in-Scottsdale-AZ-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Girls-in-Scottsdale-AZ-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Girls-in-Scottsdale-AZ-150x113.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Enjoying Taliesin West!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-36673\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Rusty-Spur-Performance-Scottsdale-Az-1024x768.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Rusty-Spur-Performance-Scottsdale-Az-800x600.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Rusty-Spur-Performance-Scottsdale-Az-400x300.jpg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Rusty-Spur-Performance-Scottsdale-Az-768x576.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Rusty-Spur-Performance-Scottsdale-Az-1536x1152.jpg.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Rusty-Spur-Performance-Scottsdale-Az-2048x1536.jpg.webp 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Rusty-Spur-Performance-Scottsdale-Az-150x113.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" alt=\"A man playing a guitar on stage in a pub, and the walls are covered with dollar bills.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Rusty-Spur-Performance-Scottsdale-Az-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Rusty-Spur-Performance-Scottsdale-Az-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Rusty-Spur-Performance-Scottsdale-Az-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Rusty-Spur-Performance-Scottsdale-Az-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Rusty-Spur-Performance-Scottsdale-Az-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Rusty-Spur-Performance-Scottsdale-Az-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Rusty-Spur-Performance-Scottsdale-Az-150x113.jpg 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Rusty-Spur-Performance-Scottsdale-Az-1024x768.jpg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Rusty-Spur-Performance-Scottsdale-Az-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"A man playing a guitar on stage in a pub, and the walls are covered with dollar bills.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Rusty-Spur-Performance-Scottsdale-Az-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Rusty-Spur-Performance-Scottsdale-Az-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Rusty-Spur-Performance-Scottsdale-Az-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Rusty-Spur-Performance-Scottsdale-Az-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Rusty-Spur-Performance-Scottsdale-Az-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Rusty-Spur-Performance-Scottsdale-Az-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Rusty-Spur-Performance-Scottsdale-Az-150x113.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">There are so many fun bars in Scottsdale.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>How to get to Scottsdale:<\/strong> Scottsdale is just a 20-minute drive from Phoenix\u2019s airport. We found it easy to get around by Uber (and the occasional driverless Waymo!).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best thing to do in Scottsdale:<\/strong> Visit Taliesin West! This is one of Frank Lloyd Wright\u2019s most famous buildings, and it\u2019s so cool to see how it was built into the natural landscape. Get brunch and make-your-own Bloody Marys afterwards at Hash Kitchen.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Where to stay in Scottsdale: <\/strong>We stayed at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/us\/valley-ho.en.html?aid=1969902&amp;no_rooms=1&amp;group_adults=2&amp;label=my-favorite-new-destinations-of-2024\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Hotel Valley Ho<\/a>, which I absolutely loved and would stay at again in a heartbeat.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Read more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/scottsdale-girls-trip\/\">The Perfect Scottsdale Girls\u2019 Trip in 16 Steps<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-37323\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Ponza-Day-Trips-from-Rome-1024x768.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Ponza-Day-Trips-from-Rome-800x600.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Ponza-Day-Trips-from-Rome-400x300.jpg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Ponza-Day-Trips-from-Rome-768x576.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Ponza-Day-Trips-from-Rome-1536x1152.jpg.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Ponza-Day-Trips-from-Rome-2048x1536.jpg.webp 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Ponza-Day-Trips-from-Rome-150x113.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" alt=\"A view of the port in the island town of Ponza, with ferries parked and colorful houses up against the coast.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Ponza-Day-Trips-from-Rome-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Ponza-Day-Trips-from-Rome-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Ponza-Day-Trips-from-Rome-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Ponza-Day-Trips-from-Rome-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Ponza-Day-Trips-from-Rome-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Ponza-Day-Trips-from-Rome-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Ponza-Day-Trips-from-Rome-150x113.jpg 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Ponza-Day-Trips-from-Rome-1024x768.jpg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Ponza-Day-Trips-from-Rome-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"A view of the port in the island town of Ponza, with ferries parked and colorful houses up against the coast.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Ponza-Day-Trips-from-Rome-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Ponza-Day-Trips-from-Rome-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Ponza-Day-Trips-from-Rome-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Ponza-Day-Trips-from-Rome-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Ponza-Day-Trips-from-Rome-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Ponza-Day-Trips-from-Rome-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Ponza-Day-Trips-from-Rome-150x113.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ponza\u2019s lively, colorful port<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"ponza_italy\"\/>Ponza, Italy<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p><strong>After falling in love with so many Italian islands \u2014 like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/ischia-italy\/\">Ischia<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/aeolian-islands-sicily-travel-guide\/\">Aeolian Islands<\/a> \u2014 I wondered if Ponza could even hold a candle to the others. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>My take? Ponza is a lovely island if you\u2019re looking to relax. Not quite as interesting or full of things to do as the other big hitters, but a nice place to spend a few low-key days. The island is small, and you can explore by motorbike, or just hang out in Ponza town.<\/p>\n<p>Boat trips are the big thing to do here, and you can take them to one of the outlying islands \u2014 Palmarola or Zannone \u2014 or just a boat ride to the most famous beach, Spiaggia di Frontone, which is only accessible by water.<\/p>\n<p>Ponza is located in the region of Lazio and is a popular getaway for Romans. If you\u2019re looking for getting from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/things-to-do-in-naples-italy\/\">Rome<\/a> to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/things-to-do-in-naples-italy\/\">Naples<\/a> the fun way, I suggest you island-hop from the mainland to Ponza to Ventotene to Ischia to Naples!<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-38298\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Ponza-Boat-Ride-1024x748.jpeg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Ponza-Boat-Ride-800x584.jpeg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Ponza-Boat-Ride-768x561.jpeg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Ponza-Boat-Ride-1536x1122.jpeg.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Ponza-Boat-Ride-2048x1496.jpeg.webp 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Ponza-Boat-Ride-150x110.jpeg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"748\" alt=\"People jumping off a boat into bright teal water.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Ponza-Boat-Ride-1024x748.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Ponza-Boat-Ride-800x584.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Ponza-Boat-Ride-768x561.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Ponza-Boat-Ride-1536x1122.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Ponza-Boat-Ride-2048x1496.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Ponza-Boat-Ride-150x110.jpeg 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Ponza-Boat-Ride-1024x748.jpeg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"748\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Ponza-Boat-Ride-1024x748.jpeg\" alt=\"People jumping off a boat into bright teal water.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Ponza-Boat-Ride-1024x748.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Ponza-Boat-Ride-800x584.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Ponza-Boat-Ride-768x561.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Ponza-Boat-Ride-1536x1122.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Ponza-Boat-Ride-2048x1496.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Ponza-Boat-Ride-150x110.jpeg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A swim stop off the island of Palmarola<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-38297\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-Ponza-1024x768.jpeg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-Ponza-800x600.jpeg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-Ponza-400x300.jpeg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-Ponza-768x576.jpeg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-Ponza-1536x1152.jpeg.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-Ponza-2048x1536.jpeg.webp 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-Ponza-150x113.jpeg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" alt=\"Kate and Charlie taking a smiling selfie at night while holding gelato.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-Ponza-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-Ponza-800x600.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-Ponza-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-Ponza-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-Ponza-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-Ponza-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-Ponza-150x113.jpeg 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-Ponza-1024x768.jpeg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-Ponza-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"Kate and Charlie taking a smiling selfie at night while holding gelato.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-Ponza-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-Ponza-800x600.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-Ponza-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-Ponza-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-Ponza-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-Ponza-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-Ponza-150x113.jpeg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">There\u2019s always gelato on a trip to Italy!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-36730\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Ponza-Seaside-1024x768.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Ponza-Seaside-800x600.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Ponza-Seaside-400x300.jpg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Ponza-Seaside-768x576.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Ponza-Seaside-1536x1152.jpg.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Ponza-Seaside-2048x1536.jpg.webp 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Ponza-Seaside-150x113.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" alt=\"A long line of rowboats parked up against a cement wall in Italy, as the sun sinks into the sea behind them.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Ponza-Seaside-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Ponza-Seaside-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Ponza-Seaside-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Ponza-Seaside-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Ponza-Seaside-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Ponza-Seaside-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Ponza-Seaside-150x113.jpg 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Ponza-Seaside-1024x768.jpg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Ponza-Seaside-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"A long line of rowboats parked up against a cement wall in Italy, as the sun sinks into the sea behind them.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Ponza-Seaside-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Ponza-Seaside-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Ponza-Seaside-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Ponza-Seaside-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Ponza-Seaside-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Ponza-Seaside-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Ponza-Seaside-150x113.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ponza just after sunset<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>How to get to Ponza:<\/strong> You can take a ferry from the Lazio mainland: the towns of Anzio, Formia, and Terracina have frequent ferry departures to Ponza, and you can get to all of them by train from Rome. Alternatively, you can take the ferry that goes from Naples to Ischia, then Ventotene, then Ponza.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best thing to do in Ponza: <\/strong>Take a boat trip! There are so many different boat trip options, but they all involve swimming and beach time! We took one to Palmarola.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Where to stay in Ponza:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.santadomitilla.com\/en\/ponza-4-stars-hotel\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Grand Hotel Santa Domitilla<\/a> is one of my favorite places I\u2019ve stayed in Italy in recent years! A super lovely boutique hotel with an excellent restaurant and a lovely pool area, including a private spa with a cave that you need to reserve in advance.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Read more: <\/strong>I wrote a bit about Ponza in my <a href=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/ak-monthly-recap-july-2024\/\">July 2024 recap<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-38303\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/San-Blas-Islands-Panama-Tiny-Island-1024x768.jpeg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/San-Blas-Islands-Panama-Tiny-Island-800x600.jpeg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/San-Blas-Islands-Panama-Tiny-Island-400x300.jpeg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/San-Blas-Islands-Panama-Tiny-Island-768x576.jpeg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/San-Blas-Islands-Panama-Tiny-Island-1536x1152.jpeg.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/San-Blas-Islands-Panama-Tiny-Island-2048x1536.jpeg.webp 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/San-Blas-Islands-Panama-Tiny-Island-150x112.jpeg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" alt=\"A tiny, cartoon-like island with palm trees sticking straight up out of it.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/San-Blas-Islands-Panama-Tiny-Island-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/San-Blas-Islands-Panama-Tiny-Island-800x600.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/San-Blas-Islands-Panama-Tiny-Island-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/San-Blas-Islands-Panama-Tiny-Island-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/San-Blas-Islands-Panama-Tiny-Island-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/San-Blas-Islands-Panama-Tiny-Island-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/San-Blas-Islands-Panama-Tiny-Island-150x112.jpeg 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/San-Blas-Islands-Panama-Tiny-Island-1024x768.jpeg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/San-Blas-Islands-Panama-Tiny-Island-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"A tiny, cartoon-like island with palm trees sticking straight up out of it.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/San-Blas-Islands-Panama-Tiny-Island-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/San-Blas-Islands-Panama-Tiny-Island-800x600.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/San-Blas-Islands-Panama-Tiny-Island-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/San-Blas-Islands-Panama-Tiny-Island-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/San-Blas-Islands-Panama-Tiny-Island-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/San-Blas-Islands-Panama-Tiny-Island-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/San-Blas-Islands-Panama-Tiny-Island-150x112.jpeg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">How is this island not a cartoon?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"san_blas_islands_panama\"\/>San Blas Islands, Panama<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p><strong>When we looked toward Panama for our pre-USA destination this year, there was one place I especially wanted to visit: the San Blas Islands.<\/strong> Also known as Guna Yala, these islands are an autonomous region run by the Indigenous Guna people.<\/p>\n<p>To get here, you need to book a trip \u2014 and once you arrive, you\u2019ll be shuttled between the most photogenic little islands, which look like something out of a cartoon. The kind of island that you drew as a kid, tiny and flat with tall palm trees sticking out of it.<\/p>\n<p>Depending on your program, you\u2019ll probably get to explore several islands \u2014 some that are more local, some that feel like beach clubs. You\u2019ll probably visit at least one natural swimming pool, where the water is suddenly shallow and you can walk around with ease! And if you\u2019re really lucky, you\u2019ll spot a starfish or two.<\/p>\n<p>The Guna people also make the most beautiful art \u2014 traditionally embroidered pieces of fabric called molas. I picked up a few to bring home, and I can\u2019t wait to see them hanging on my wall!<\/p>\n<p>This is a great place to get off the beaten path and enjoy the simple life for a few days. I\u2019m so glad that we decided to prioritize San Blas when visiting Panama.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-38305\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Palm-Trees-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-1024x768.jpeg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Palm-Trees-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-800x600.jpeg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Palm-Trees-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-400x300.jpeg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Palm-Trees-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-768x576.jpeg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Palm-Trees-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-1536x1152.jpeg.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Palm-Trees-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-2048x1536.jpeg.webp 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Palm-Trees-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-150x113.jpeg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" alt=\"A small quiet island at sunrise, with colors lighting up the sky and palm trees swaying.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Palm-Trees-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Palm-Trees-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-800x600.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Palm-Trees-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Palm-Trees-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Palm-Trees-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Palm-Trees-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Palm-Trees-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-150x113.jpeg 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Palm-Trees-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-1024x768.jpeg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Palm-Trees-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"A small quiet island at sunrise, with colors lighting up the sky and palm trees swaying.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Palm-Trees-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Palm-Trees-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-800x600.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Palm-Trees-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Palm-Trees-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Palm-Trees-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Palm-Trees-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Palm-Trees-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-150x113.jpeg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">You\u2019ll be early to bed and early to rise here.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-38304\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-a-natural-pool-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-1024x768.jpeg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-a-natural-pool-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-800x600.jpeg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-a-natural-pool-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-400x300.jpeg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-a-natural-pool-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-768x576.jpeg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-a-natural-pool-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-1536x1152.jpeg.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-a-natural-pool-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-2048x1536.jpeg.webp 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-a-natural-pool-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-150x113.jpeg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" alt=\"Kate and Charlie taking a smiling selfie while standing in shallow clear water, a boat behind them.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-a-natural-pool-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-a-natural-pool-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-800x600.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-a-natural-pool-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-a-natural-pool-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-a-natural-pool-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-a-natural-pool-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-a-natural-pool-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-150x113.jpeg 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-a-natural-pool-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-1024x768.jpeg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-a-natural-pool-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"Kate and Charlie taking a smiling selfie while standing in shallow clear water, a boat behind them.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-a-natural-pool-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-a-natural-pool-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-800x600.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-a-natural-pool-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-a-natural-pool-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-a-natural-pool-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-a-natural-pool-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-and-Charlie-in-a-natural-pool-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-150x113.jpeg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">We enjoyed a few natural swimming pools in the middle of the ocean!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-38306\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Molas-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-1024x777.jpeg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Molas-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-800x607.jpeg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Molas-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-768x583.jpeg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Molas-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-1536x1166.jpeg.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Molas-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-2048x1555.jpeg.webp 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Molas-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-150x114.jpeg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"777\" alt=\"A row of colorful embroidered pieces of fabric hanging on a line.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Molas-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-1024x777.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Molas-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-800x607.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Molas-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-768x583.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Molas-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-1536x1166.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Molas-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-2048x1555.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Molas-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-150x114.jpeg 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Molas-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-1024x777.jpeg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"777\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Molas-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-1024x777.jpeg\" alt=\"A row of colorful embroidered pieces of fabric hanging on a line.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Molas-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-1024x777.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Molas-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-800x607.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Molas-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-768x583.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Molas-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-1536x1166.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Molas-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-2048x1555.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Molas-San-Blas-Islands-Panama-150x114.jpeg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">I knew I had to buy one of these traditional molas.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>How to get to the San Blas Islands:<\/strong> You need to book a tour: either a day tour, overnight tour, two-night tour, or even longer. Tours include transportation from Panama City, leaving around 5:00 AM and coming back either in the morning or afternoon.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best thing to do in the San Blas Islands:<\/strong> You are here to CHILL. Enjoy it! But if you\u2019re looking for any island in particular, we enjoyed Nugnudub, which felt a bit like a beach club.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Where to stay in the San Blas Islands: <\/strong>Most of the time, you are put where they send you. We stayed on Flamingo Island and Aroma Island, which both had very basic huts. Flamingo Island had an overall better atmosphere with chairs to sit in around the island, though Aroma Island had ensuite bathrooms and better phone signal.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Read more: <\/strong>I wrote a bit about the San Blas Islands in my <a href=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/ak-monthly-recap-november-2024\/\">November 2024 recap<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-38345\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-at-Tisa-Rocks-Bohemian-Switzerland-1024x731.jpeg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-at-Tisa-Rocks-Bohemian-Switzerland-800x571.jpeg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-at-Tisa-Rocks-Bohemian-Switzerland-768x548.jpeg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-at-Tisa-Rocks-Bohemian-Switzerland-1536x1096.jpeg.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-at-Tisa-Rocks-Bohemian-Switzerland-2048x1462.jpeg.webp 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-at-Tisa-Rocks-Bohemian-Switzerland-150x107.jpeg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"731\" alt=\"Kate standing in a bright pink jacket on top of a rocky formation, surrounded by clouds and fog.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-at-Tisa-Rocks-Bohemian-Switzerland-1024x731.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-at-Tisa-Rocks-Bohemian-Switzerland-800x571.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-at-Tisa-Rocks-Bohemian-Switzerland-768x548.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-at-Tisa-Rocks-Bohemian-Switzerland-1536x1096.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-at-Tisa-Rocks-Bohemian-Switzerland-2048x1462.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-at-Tisa-Rocks-Bohemian-Switzerland-150x107.jpeg 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-at-Tisa-Rocks-Bohemian-Switzerland-1024x731.jpeg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"731\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-at-Tisa-Rocks-Bohemian-Switzerland-1024x731.jpeg\" alt=\"Kate standing in a bright pink jacket on top of a rocky formation, surrounded by clouds and fog.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-at-Tisa-Rocks-Bohemian-Switzerland-1024x731.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-at-Tisa-Rocks-Bohemian-Switzerland-800x571.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-at-Tisa-Rocks-Bohemian-Switzerland-768x548.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-at-Tisa-Rocks-Bohemian-Switzerland-1536x1096.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-at-Tisa-Rocks-Bohemian-Switzerland-2048x1462.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-at-Tisa-Rocks-Bohemian-Switzerland-150x107.jpeg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Tis\u00e1 Rocks are so impressive!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"bohemian_switzerland_and_saxon_switzerland\"\/>Bohemian Switzerland and Saxon Switzerland<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Fun fact: neither of these regions are part of Switzerland the country \u2014 they are regions along the Czech-German border that were named by an explorer who thought the region reminded him of Switzerland.<\/strong> In fact, Bohemian Switzerland (the Czech side) and Saxon Switzerland (the German side) make a perfect day trip from Prague!<\/p>\n<p>Some of the most famous sites here are the Tis\u00e1 Rocks, pictured above, where <em>The Chronicles of Narnia<\/em> was filmed. It makes an ethereal atmosphere year-round (I\u2019d love to see it underneath a light dusting of snow!).<\/p>\n<p>Another great place to visit is Wild Gorge, which requires a climb in and out, but is a wonderfully green paradise where you can take a boat ride along the river.<\/p>\n<p>On the German side (don\u2019t forget your passport, the Germans often check at the crossing but the Czechs never do), you can visit the Bastei Bridge \u2014 a beautiful stone bridge that served no purpose beyond aesthetics, but boy, is it pretty to look at.<\/p>\n<p>So many people come to Prague and don\u2019t see any of the nature that the Czech Republic has to offer. I\u2019m so glad I came here this year \u2014 on a tour with the wonderful <a href=\"https:\/\/www.northernhikes.com\">Northern Hikes<\/a> \u2014 and I hope more visitors take this day trip.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-38344\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Canyon-Bohemian-Switzerland-1024x768.jpeg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Canyon-Bohemian-Switzerland-800x600.jpeg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Canyon-Bohemian-Switzerland-400x300.jpeg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Canyon-Bohemian-Switzerland-768x576.jpeg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Canyon-Bohemian-Switzerland-1536x1152.jpeg.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Canyon-Bohemian-Switzerland-2048x1536.jpeg.webp 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Canyon-Bohemian-Switzerland-150x113.jpeg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" alt=\"A ladder made of wooden planks set amongst a calm river in a gorge\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Canyon-Bohemian-Switzerland-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Canyon-Bohemian-Switzerland-800x600.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Canyon-Bohemian-Switzerland-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Canyon-Bohemian-Switzerland-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Canyon-Bohemian-Switzerland-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Canyon-Bohemian-Switzerland-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Canyon-Bohemian-Switzerland-150x113.jpeg 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Canyon-Bohemian-Switzerland-1024x768.jpeg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Canyon-Bohemian-Switzerland-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"A ladder made of wooden planks set amongst a calm river in a gorge\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Canyon-Bohemian-Switzerland-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Canyon-Bohemian-Switzerland-800x600.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Canyon-Bohemian-Switzerland-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Canyon-Bohemian-Switzerland-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Canyon-Bohemian-Switzerland-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Canyon-Bohemian-Switzerland-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Canyon-Bohemian-Switzerland-150x113.jpeg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Strolling along the river in Wild Gorge, Bohemian Switzerland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-37742\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Kate-in-Saxon-Switzerland-1024x670.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Kate-in-Saxon-Switzerland-800x523.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Kate-in-Saxon-Switzerland-768x503.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Kate-in-Saxon-Switzerland-1536x1005.jpg.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Kate-in-Saxon-Switzerland-2048x1340.jpg.webp 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Kate-in-Saxon-Switzerland-150x98.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"670\" alt=\"Kate standing on a stone platform overlooking a landscape of tall jagged rocks interspersed with a forest.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Kate-in-Saxon-Switzerland-1024x670.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Kate-in-Saxon-Switzerland-800x523.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Kate-in-Saxon-Switzerland-768x503.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Kate-in-Saxon-Switzerland-1536x1005.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Kate-in-Saxon-Switzerland-2048x1340.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Kate-in-Saxon-Switzerland-150x98.jpg 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Kate-in-Saxon-Switzerland-1024x670.jpg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"670\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Kate-in-Saxon-Switzerland-1024x670.jpg\" alt=\"Kate standing on a stone platform overlooking a landscape of tall jagged rocks interspersed with a forest.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Kate-in-Saxon-Switzerland-1024x670.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Kate-in-Saxon-Switzerland-800x523.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Kate-in-Saxon-Switzerland-768x503.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Kate-in-Saxon-Switzerland-1536x1005.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Kate-in-Saxon-Switzerland-2048x1340.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Kate-in-Saxon-Switzerland-150x98.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The view from the Bastei Bridge with my Insta 360 camera!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-38343\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bastei-Bridge-Saxon-Switzerland-1024x768.jpeg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bastei-Bridge-Saxon-Switzerland-800x600.jpeg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bastei-Bridge-Saxon-Switzerland-400x300.jpeg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bastei-Bridge-Saxon-Switzerland-768x576.jpeg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bastei-Bridge-Saxon-Switzerland-1536x1152.jpeg.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bastei-Bridge-Saxon-Switzerland-2048x1536.jpeg.webp 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bastei-Bridge-Saxon-Switzerland-150x113.jpeg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" alt=\"A stone bridge set amongst rock formations and forests.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bastei-Bridge-Saxon-Switzerland-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bastei-Bridge-Saxon-Switzerland-800x600.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bastei-Bridge-Saxon-Switzerland-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bastei-Bridge-Saxon-Switzerland-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bastei-Bridge-Saxon-Switzerland-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bastei-Bridge-Saxon-Switzerland-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bastei-Bridge-Saxon-Switzerland-150x113.jpeg 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bastei-Bridge-Saxon-Switzerland-1024x768.jpeg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bastei-Bridge-Saxon-Switzerland-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"A stone bridge set amongst rock formations and forests.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bastei-Bridge-Saxon-Switzerland-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bastei-Bridge-Saxon-Switzerland-800x600.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bastei-Bridge-Saxon-Switzerland-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bastei-Bridge-Saxon-Switzerland-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bastei-Bridge-Saxon-Switzerland-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bastei-Bridge-Saxon-Switzerland-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bastei-Bridge-Saxon-Switzerland-150x113.jpeg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Bastei Bridge in all its glory!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>How to get to Bohemian Switzerland:<\/strong> I don\u2019t recommend doing it independently, as it\u2019s a bit complicated and you\u2019ll need a car. I recommend booking a tour with Northern Hikes! I absolutely loved their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.viator.com\/tours\/Prague\/Small-Group-Bohemian-Switzerland-National-Park-Day-Trip-from-Prague\/d462-8528P1?pid=P00056924&amp;mcid=42383&amp;medium=link&amp;campaign=my-favorite-new-destinations-of-2024\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">easy tour<\/a>; it was a perfect day out.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best thing to do in Bohemian Switzerland:<\/strong> Honestly, it\u2019s all good. But I think the Tis\u00e1 Rocks and the Bastei Bridge have the greatest payoff for photographers, and I wouldn\u2019t skip either of those. You could skip Wild Gorge if you had to.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Read more: <\/strong>I wrote a bit about Bohemian Switzerland in my <a href=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/ak-monthly-recap-october-2024\/\">October 2024 recap<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-36524\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Overview-of-Portland-Maine-1024x768.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Overview-of-Portland-Maine-800x600.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Overview-of-Portland-Maine-400x300.jpg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Overview-of-Portland-Maine-768x576.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Overview-of-Portland-Maine-1536x1152.jpg.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Overview-of-Portland-Maine-2048x1536.jpg.webp 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Overview-of-Portland-Maine-150x112.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" alt=\"A bird's eye view of Portland, Maine, with rows of suburban streets with triple-decker houses, leading up to a coastline.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Overview-of-Portland-Maine-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Overview-of-Portland-Maine-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Overview-of-Portland-Maine-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Overview-of-Portland-Maine-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Overview-of-Portland-Maine-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Overview-of-Portland-Maine-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Overview-of-Portland-Maine-150x112.jpg 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Overview-of-Portland-Maine-1024x768.jpg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Overview-of-Portland-Maine-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"A bird's eye view of Portland, Maine, with rows of suburban streets with triple-decker houses, leading up to a coastline.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Overview-of-Portland-Maine-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Overview-of-Portland-Maine-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Overview-of-Portland-Maine-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Overview-of-Portland-Maine-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Overview-of-Portland-Maine-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Overview-of-Portland-Maine-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Overview-of-Portland-Maine-150x112.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Portland as seen from the observatory<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"the_second_time_around_award_portland_maine\"\/>The Second Time Around Award: Portland, Maine<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Each year, I like to give an award to a destination that I\u2019ve visited before but that I grew to love in a much greater way. <\/strong>This year, it\u2019s Portland, Maine! When my friends moved to Portland a few years ago, I started visiting more regularly, and this year I planned a more research-heavy trip so I could write about it.<\/p>\n<p>Okay, so here is my unfettered opinion about Portland: <em>Why isn\u2019t this city a major tourism juggernaut in itself?!<\/em> It should be SO much more popular than it is!! People should be doing weekend trips here from New York and Boston!<\/p>\n<p>So, what gives? Honestly, I think it\u2019s for two reasons \u2014 the other Portland in Oregon is more famous, and Maine is categorized in people\u2019s minds as a destination you go to for beaches and rural life. Portland is treated like a gateway rather than a standalone city.<\/p>\n<p>But I love this place. I think that Portland is home to some of the nicest people ever (similarly to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/14-reasons-why-im-smitten-with-asheville-north-carolina\/\">Asheville, NC<\/a>, everyone is SO DAMN NICE!), and there is an amazingly creative food scene here. Plus, the fact that the city is plunked down in the middle of some gorgeous nature is a bonus.<\/p>\n<p>Give Portland some real attention. Make it your main destination!<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-38348\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Maine-Brewery-with-Flowers-1024x768.jpeg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Maine-Brewery-with-Flowers-800x600.jpeg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Maine-Brewery-with-Flowers-400x300.jpeg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Maine-Brewery-with-Flowers-768x576.jpeg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Maine-Brewery-with-Flowers-1536x1152.jpeg.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Maine-Brewery-with-Flowers-2048x1536.jpeg.webp 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Maine-Brewery-with-Flowers-150x113.jpeg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" alt=\"A brewery in Maine with a small flower garden in front and a rainbow flag flying.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Maine-Brewery-with-Flowers-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Maine-Brewery-with-Flowers-800x600.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Maine-Brewery-with-Flowers-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Maine-Brewery-with-Flowers-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Maine-Brewery-with-Flowers-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Maine-Brewery-with-Flowers-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Maine-Brewery-with-Flowers-150x113.jpeg 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Maine-Brewery-with-Flowers-1024x768.jpeg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Maine-Brewery-with-Flowers-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"A brewery in Maine with a small flower garden in front and a rainbow flag flying.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Maine-Brewery-with-Flowers-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Maine-Brewery-with-Flowers-800x600.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Maine-Brewery-with-Flowers-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Maine-Brewery-with-Flowers-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Maine-Brewery-with-Flowers-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Maine-Brewery-with-Flowers-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Maine-Brewery-with-Flowers-150x113.jpeg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/>\n<\/picture>\n<\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-38349\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-at-the-Cryptozoological-Museum-in-Portland-Maine-1024x768.jpeg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-at-the-Cryptozoological-Museum-in-Portland-Maine-800x600.jpeg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-at-the-Cryptozoological-Museum-in-Portland-Maine-400x300.jpeg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-at-the-Cryptozoological-Museum-in-Portland-Maine-768x576.jpeg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-at-the-Cryptozoological-Museum-in-Portland-Maine-1536x1152.jpeg.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-at-the-Cryptozoological-Museum-in-Portland-Maine-2048x1536.jpeg.webp 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-at-the-Cryptozoological-Museum-in-Portland-Maine-150x113.jpeg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" alt=\"Kate smiling in front of a giant stuffed Sasquatch in a museum.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-at-the-Cryptozoological-Museum-in-Portland-Maine-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-at-the-Cryptozoological-Museum-in-Portland-Maine-800x600.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-at-the-Cryptozoological-Museum-in-Portland-Maine-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-at-the-Cryptozoological-Museum-in-Portland-Maine-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-at-the-Cryptozoological-Museum-in-Portland-Maine-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-at-the-Cryptozoological-Museum-in-Portland-Maine-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-at-the-Cryptozoological-Museum-in-Portland-Maine-150x113.jpeg 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-at-the-Cryptozoological-Museum-in-Portland-Maine-1024x768.jpeg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-at-the-Cryptozoological-Museum-in-Portland-Maine-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"Kate smiling in front of a giant stuffed Sasquatch in a museum.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-at-the-Cryptozoological-Museum-in-Portland-Maine-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-at-the-Cryptozoological-Museum-in-Portland-Maine-800x600.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-at-the-Cryptozoological-Museum-in-Portland-Maine-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-at-the-Cryptozoological-Museum-in-Portland-Maine-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-at-the-Cryptozoological-Museum-in-Portland-Maine-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-at-the-Cryptozoological-Museum-in-Portland-Maine-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kate-at-the-Cryptozoological-Museum-in-Portland-Maine-150x113.jpeg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Portland Cryptozoological Museum is a trip!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-38372\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Peakes-Island-Golf-Cart-Portland-Maine-1024x767.jpeg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Peakes-Island-Golf-Cart-Portland-Maine-800x599.jpeg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Peakes-Island-Golf-Cart-Portland-Maine-400x300.jpeg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Peakes-Island-Golf-Cart-Portland-Maine-768x575.jpeg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Peakes-Island-Golf-Cart-Portland-Maine-1536x1151.jpeg.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Peakes-Island-Golf-Cart-Portland-Maine-2048x1534.jpeg.webp 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Peakes-Island-Golf-Cart-Portland-Maine-150x112.jpeg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"767\" alt=\"A small pink cottage with a golf cart parked in front of it.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Peakes-Island-Golf-Cart-Portland-Maine-1024x767.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Peakes-Island-Golf-Cart-Portland-Maine-800x599.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Peakes-Island-Golf-Cart-Portland-Maine-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Peakes-Island-Golf-Cart-Portland-Maine-768x575.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Peakes-Island-Golf-Cart-Portland-Maine-1536x1151.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Peakes-Island-Golf-Cart-Portland-Maine-2048x1534.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Peakes-Island-Golf-Cart-Portland-Maine-150x112.jpeg 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Peakes-Island-Golf-Cart-Portland-Maine-1024x767.jpeg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"767\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Peakes-Island-Golf-Cart-Portland-Maine-1024x767.jpeg\" alt=\"A small pink cottage with a golf cart parked in front of it.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Peakes-Island-Golf-Cart-Portland-Maine-1024x767.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Peakes-Island-Golf-Cart-Portland-Maine-800x599.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Peakes-Island-Golf-Cart-Portland-Maine-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Peakes-Island-Golf-Cart-Portland-Maine-768x575.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Peakes-Island-Golf-Cart-Portland-Maine-1536x1151.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Peakes-Island-Golf-Cart-Portland-Maine-2048x1534.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Peakes-Island-Golf-Cart-Portland-Maine-150x112.jpeg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">I loved this pink cottage on Peakes Island.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>How to get to Portland, Maine: <\/strong>You can fly directly into Portland, Maine. If coming from Boston, I recommend taking the Downeaster Amtrak (FYI, it leaves from North Station, unlike the other trains!), which takes 2.5 hours. The drive from Boston takes an hour and 45 minutes. Uber\u2019s a great way to get around the city.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best thing to do in Portland, Maine: <\/strong>If you\u2019re visiting between Memorial Day and Labor Day, take the ferry to Peakes Island and visit the Umbrella Cover Museum, a delightful tiny museum that will leave you so happy for visiting!<\/p>\n<p><strong>Where to stay in Portland, Maine: <\/strong>I\u2019m lucky enough to have friends to crash with here, but there are a handful of cool hotels \u2014 I won\u2019t speak to any as I\u2019m not up for researching right now, but I\u2019m sure I\u2019ll stay at one someday.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Read more: <\/strong>I\u2019m working on my Portland post now, but for now you can read about it in my June 2024 recap.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-38373\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Chania-Crete-Greece-1024x682.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Chania-Crete-Greece-800x533.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Chania-Crete-Greece-768x512.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Chania-Crete-Greece-1536x1023.jpg.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Chania-Crete-Greece-2048x1364.jpg.webp 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Chania-Crete-Greece-150x100.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" alt=\"A pretty, colorful, Greek city set on a turquoise bay.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Chania-Crete-Greece-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Chania-Crete-Greece-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Chania-Crete-Greece-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Chania-Crete-Greece-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Chania-Crete-Greece-2048x1364.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Chania-Crete-Greece-150x100.jpg 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Chania-Crete-Greece-1024x682.jpg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Chania-Crete-Greece-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"A pretty, colorful, Greek city set on a turquoise bay.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Chania-Crete-Greece-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Chania-Crete-Greece-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Chania-Crete-Greece-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Chania-Crete-Greece-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Chania-Crete-Greece-2048x1364.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Chania-Crete-Greece-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Chania, Crete, via Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"my_travel_wishes_for_2025\"\/>My Travel Wishes for 2025<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p><strong>So, what am I hoping for in 2025? <\/strong>So far I have three trips to new destinations planned.<\/p>\n<p>Charlie and I and our friend Nick are returning to Mexico next year! We\u2019ll be revisiting some of our favorite spots, including M\u00e9rida, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/bacalar-mexico-travel-guide\/\">Bacalar<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Mexico-City-Neighborhoods.jpg\">Mexico City<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/things-to-do-in-oaxaca-mexico\/\">Oaxaca<\/a>. After, we\u2019ll be visiting the US and attending Mardi Gras in New Orleans (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/mardi-gras-magic-music-and-mayhem-in-new-orleans\/\">I haven\u2019t been to Mardi Gras since 2014<\/a>) and Austin for SXSW (first-time visit to the city!).<\/p>\n<p>In June, Charlie and I will be going to Athens and Crete for about a week. I\u2019ve barely visited Greece \u2014 just quick visits to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/chasing-sunsets-in-santorini\/\">Santorini<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.adventurouskate.com\/corfu-greece-in-technicolor\/\">Corfu<\/a> \u2014 so I\u2019m excited to be exploring in more depth.<\/p>\n<p>And in September, I will be heading on a very adventurous trip \u2014 to Madagascar! I\u2019ll be joining a group trip, and it looks INCREDIBLE, visiting so many cool places from the Tsingy stone forest to the Avenue of the Baobabs to the tropical islands off Nosy Be. I\u2019ll also be visiting the French island of R\u00e9union for a few days on my own.<\/p>\n<p>Is there anything else I\u2019m hoping for? Within Europe, there are a few places on my list. Svalbard. Gd\u00e1nsk. More of the south of France. More of Piemonte in Italy, especially the Langhe region. The Egadi Islands or Pantelleria in Sicily.<\/p>\n<p>Further afield, Charlie and I have talked a bit about visiting Japan and Taiwan much later in the year. Okinawa would be new to both of us.<\/p>\n<p>And honestly, part of me feels pressure to visit NEW COUNTRIES so that I can get closer to 100, my big goal (I\u2019m currently at 89). I\u2019d also like to visit more of Africa, since I\u2019ve been to shamefully little of Africa compared to other continents.<\/p>\n<p>But we will see how the year unfolds!<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:25px\">What were your favorite new destinations of 2024?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Adventurous Kate contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks! How do I sum up 2024 in travel? Busy. Maybe a bit too busy. Four new countries visited (Nepal, Bhutan, Qatar, Panama), lots of exploration in much-loved countries, and some [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":92105,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11760],"tags":[5699,6288],"dealstore":[],"offerexpiration":[],"class_list":["post-92104","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-adventure","tag-destinations","tag-favorite"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>My Favorite New Destinations of 2024 - Som2ny Network<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=92104\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"My Favorite New Destinations of 2024 - Som2ny Network\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Adventurous Kate contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks! How do I sum up 2024 in travel? Busy. Maybe a bit too busy. Four new countries visited (Nepal, Bhutan, Qatar, Panama), lots of exploration in much-loved countries, and some [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=92104\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Som2ny Network\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-02-16T18:15:33+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Bhutan-Himalayas-Paro-View-Travel-to-Bhutan-1024x666.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"666\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"admin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"admin\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"19 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=92104#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=92104\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"admin\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#\/schema\/person\/b85e3c3dc0e1daea076524dc8810c371\"},\"headline\":\"My Favorite New Destinations of 2024\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-02-16T18:15:33+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=92104\"},\"wordCount\":3798,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=92104#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Bhutan-Himalayas-Paro-View-Travel-to-Bhutan-1024x666.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"destinations\",\"Favorite\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Adventure\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=92104#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=92104\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=92104\",\"name\":\"My Favorite New Destinations of 2024 - 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