Travel, food and bucket list highlights of 2018

How can it be 2019 already? Seriously, where has the time gone? I feel like it was only yesterday when Sam and I were working on one of our first travel guides. Now more than thirty posts later including reviews, travel tips, recipes and bucket lists, I can wholeheartedly say 2018 has been a hell of a year.

From starting the year crossing the pond all the way to New York and finishing with a quick christmassy weekend escape to Bath, 2018 has been filled with amazing opportunities to see more parts of the word, amazing experiences and cross new places and activities off my Ultimate Travel and London bucket lists.

But what’s stood out the most? Join me on a trip down memory lane with a look back at the different places we’ve visited, as well as our favourite activities, restaurants, brunch places, cocktail bars and bakeries of the year.

Places we’ve travelled to in 2018

Wow! This is the year Sam and I have travelled most so far. It’s also the first time I crossed the pond all the way to New York and Philadelphia! A total of thirteen places have made it to our 2018 bucket list; fourteen if you count the 3h we spent in Canada after our plane to London suddenly changed its course! Here’s a look back at the places we’ve visited during this last year:

• New York
• Philadelphia
• Canada (3h!)
• Southport
• Bruges
• Brussels
• Grasmere (Lake District)
• Liverpool
• Madeira
• Cambridge
• Malvern
• Prague
• Tenerife
• Bath

Our top restaurants/brunch places of 2018

We love food (who doesn’t?) but most of all, we love GOOD FOOD. Every year we try to discover new places that will make our bellies full and minds satisfied. We also revisit some of our all-time favourites because, why not? You can’t get enough of them by just visiting once, can you? Here are our top restaurants and brunch places, some of which we’ve written a review of and/or have been included in our travel guides:

• London: Sketch, Duck & Waffle, Oslo, Pidgin, Hawksmoor, Cinnamon Kitchen, Momo, Farm Girl, Brunswick East, Well Street Kitchen, Palm Vaults
• International/Outside London: Bubby’s (Manhattan), Peck 47 (Brussels), Good Day Cafe (Bath), Moose Coffee (Liverpool), Rabbithole (Brooklyn), Venda de Dona Maria (Funchal), Bad Jeff’s Barbeque (Prague), Pat’s King of Steaks (Philadelphia), Deathrow Diner (Liverpool), Katz’s Delicatessen (Manhattan), IF Café (Prague)

Our top cocktail bars of 2018

Now, I have a soft spot for a sweet and fruity G&T. And an Espresso Martini. And an Aperol Spritz. Or generally incredibly tasty cocktails. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t usually drink myself (even though Sam and I do have a good collection of wine and enjoy visiting wine cellars when travelling). However, on the rare occasions that we do actually fancy a good drink, we like finding both quirky and fashionable cocktail bars. If anything I am bummed to have missed Dead Rabbit in NY! I sprained my ankle due to too much walking and of course, who can walk all the way to Downtown Manhattan with a funny foot? Can I order cocktails online next time pls? Anyhow, here is a list of our favourite cocktail places of 2018 in London:

• Scout
• Dandelyan
• Original Sin
• Sky Pod Bar

Our favourite bakeries of 2018

Cake, cupcakes, pastries – I love them all! Fortunately (or unfortunately), Sam and I only have them occasionally (we need to be healthy and all, right). But come on, sometimes you need to sweeten up your life! Have a look at our favourite patisseries of 2018:

• London: Violet (where Harry and Meghan got their wedding cake from and it’s totally worth it), E5 Bakehouse (and its super delicious sour bread)
• International/Outside London: Fitzbillies (Cambridge), The Grasmere Gingerbread Shop (Grasmere, Lake District), IF Café (Prague)

Our top activities of 2018

Exploring new places and trying new food and drinks are experiences in itself, but there are some that have really stood out above the rest:

• London: visiting Zoo Nights, Barbican Conservatory, Buckingham Palace and Winter Wonderland, going up to Sky Garden, winning the Meet the Penguins Experience, playing mini golf at Swingers, seeing Ian McKellen in King Lear, attending several musicals (Matilda, Lion King and Kinky Boots)
• International/Outside London: punting in Cambridge, visiting the Cavern Club in Liverpool, going up the top of the Empire State Building and Top of the Rock, hiking two of the highest peaks in Madeira, visiting the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, crossing Charles Bridge in Prague, attending a NBA game (Brooklyn Nets vs Miami Heat), tasting Belgian beer in Bruges and Belgian chocolate in Brussels, seeing the Terracotta Army in Liverpool, visiting the Christmas Market in Bath, trying a Philly Cheesesteak in Philadelphia, taking a photo in front of the iconic Friends apartment building

Coming up in 2019

Even though it’s still so early in the new year, we’ve already pencilled some of our biggest trips so far and some of the activities we’ve wanted to do for ages! Here’s a first glimpse at what our 2019 will look like:

• Trips: Amsterdam, a road trip around California (San Francisco, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, Yosemite, Los Angeles, San Diego and Joshua Tree National Park). To be continued…
• Activities: Secret Cinema, The Nutcracker Ballet, Ricky Gervais Live, Universal Studios LA. To be continued…

Writing this has brought back so many wonderful memories and has made me even more excited for what’s to come. I’m incredibly lucky to have been able to try so many experiences in only a year! Will the new year be able to top our highlights of 2018? Absolutely! I can’t wait to share more fun stuff with you and hopefully inspire you even more to get out of your comfort zone and explore what’s around you. Bring on 2019!

G.

Do you like exploring the world? Then check out some of our other travel guides:

• Things to do in Monaco on a budget | TRAVEL GUIDE
• Affordable things to do in Cannes, Côte d’Azur | TRAVEL GUIDE
• The 10 best things to do in Lisbon | TRAVEL GUIDE
• 24 Hours in Coimbra | TRAVEL GUIDE
• The 10 best things do to in Porto | TRAVEL GUIDE

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