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:
You’ve both had an amazing 2018 together! Looking forward to seeing what 2019 holds in store for you and being part of a few of these memories Xx
Thank you so much Jane 🙂 I can’t wait to share more of these moments with you! x
Wow- what a year!!!! Happy New Year and happy travels in 2019!!
Thank you and Happy New Year to you too! 🙂 x
Great your and great photos. I’ll follow you on Pinterest and IG. All the best in 2019.
Thank you! 🙂
Omg, you have travelled so much. I am so jealous! Your photos are great
Thank you! I can’t wait to travel even more! x
Sounds like you had a very busy year! I hope that 2019 is just as good for you! x
Thank you Carly, same to you! x
WOW! You’ve both certainly made the most of 2018. All of your photos are incredible! I’d love to go to New York – is it as amazing as I imagine it to be? I hope you enjoyed Liverpool, it’s my hometown.
I hope 2019 brings you both many more adventures. Happy New Year.
Han, xo | http://www.safehavenanonymousletters.co.uk
Thank you so much for the lovely comment, Hannah 🙂 Liverpool is absolutely beautiful, I loved it there! And NY…it’s just another world – big, busy, glamorous, everything you’ve imagined and more! Hope you get to visit it soon! x
Looks like you’ve had a brilliant year and well done for winning the penguins experience! What better prize?!
Best of luck for 2019 🙂
Thank you Georgia 🙂 I was so over the moon when we won – we didn’t even realise we’d entered the competition! Such a pleasant surprise x
It looks like you had the most amazing 2018 together! I’ll definitely be checking out some of the places you mentioned in London this year. I hope your 2019 is just as good and you have as many adventures this year, I cannot wait to see the posts x
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Awe that’s lovely, thank you so much Julia ! I can’t wait to see what lies ahead! x
This was such an enjoyable post and it definitely looks as if you’ve had an amazing 2018! I visited New York myself this year, got a lot of the same photos of Brooklyn Bridge, the Friends building etc! And I absolutely loved the Empire State Building ❤ I visited Prague in 2016 which was great, I’d definitely go again. Also, I’m from Liverpool and totally agree that Moose is amazing – their french toast and pancakes are to die for 😍😍 Sounds like 2019 is going to be just as packed for you, hope you both have a fabulous time xx
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Thank you so much for the lovely comment! I loved NY, Prague and Liverpool so much, I can’t wait to explore them more! x
Wow, it’s amazing how much you’ve done in just a year! (I must admit I’m super jealous) Hope you have a wonderful 2019!
Thank you so much 🙂 Hope you have a wonderful 2019! x
Wow! You were busy bees travelling. It’s great that you have been able to visit so many places and eat some wonderful food! Your pictures look fabulous too ( not making me jealous of your travelling at all 🙄).
Hope 2019 brings you lore travels and happiness!
Aimsy xoxo
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Awe thank you so much Aimsy! I can’t believe we travelled this much either, we are incredibly lucky 🙂 Wishing you all the best for 2019! x
Wow what and exciting and adventurous year you’ve had! Looks like 2019 will be full of travels too!
Lola Mia x
I’m definitely looking forward to travelling even more! Thank you for commenting x
2018 was a great year for you! Can’t wait to see what 2019 holds!
Thank you, I am excited too! x
Such a lovely post! And your pictures are stunning 😍😍 thanks for sharing!
Awe, thank you so much for the lovely comment! x
Oh wow you travelled to so many beautiful places! I wish to travel more in 2019, your california road trip sounds incredible!
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Thanks Ellie! I hope you get the chance to travel to some nice places this year 🙂 x
Your 2018 looks as if it was amazing! I hope your 2019 is just as blessed x
Thank you so much Ellie, wishing you the same! x
Wow you’ve travelled to so many places in 2018! I love all of your food and drink recommendations – will definitely be checking some of them out (I’ve been wanting to go to Sketch for ages!) x
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Thanks Emma! I’m glad this has inspired you to try these places out – Sketch is so worth it! x
Your 2018 looks so amazing — lovely places that you travelled to. I really want to get out to NYC one of these days.
Thanks for sharing! x
Michelle
dressingwithstyle-s.com
Thanks Michelle, hope you get the opportunity to go to NYC this year! x