My Favourite New Locations of 2022

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

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

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

I really feel like this 12 months was general a bit quiet in comparison with the previous. Pre-pandemic previous, not less than. Then once more, I really feel like there was a protracted stretch of huge journeys with way-too-short breaks in between, from June by means of October. As soon as that was over, I felt like I used to be able to sleep for a month!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Naples, Italy

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

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

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

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

If I had been to convey anyone message about Naples, it could be to not be afraid of it. Most of the Naples stereotypes are primarily based on the town within the 90s or earlier; it’s not the identical place in the present day. Come for not less than two full days and revel in your self. Hope you’re able to eat every little thing in sight.

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

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

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

Guanajuato, Mexico

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Martha’s Winery

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

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

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

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

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

The best way to get to Martha’s Winery: There’s an airport on the island, with flights to locations across the Northeast in excessive season, however you can too take the automotive ferry from Woods Gap, Massachusetts. It takes about 45 minutes.

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

Learn extra: A Information to Winery Haven, Massachusetts

Italian Riviera

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

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

Charlie and I had been by no means enormous Liguria followers — however now it is perhaps our favourite stretch of the seaside in Italy. Actually attractive seashores with vibrant blue water, and tons of cities with their very own personalities. And plenty of pesto and focaccia.

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

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

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

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

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

Westman Islands, Iceland

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tropea, Italy

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

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

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

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

The best way to get to Tropea: Attending to Tropea is a bit trickier than typical as a result of it is advisable fly to the airport of Lamezia Terme, which has restricted connections, then both drive, take a taxi, or take the practice to Tropea (one hour driving, two hours by practice). It’ll in all probability make most sense so that you can join in Milan.

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

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

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

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

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

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

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

The best way to get to Puerto Vallarta: Puerto Vallarta is well-connected by air with direct flights throughout North America.

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

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

Northern Sardinia

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Second Time Round Award: Hamburg, Germany

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

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

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

And Miniatur Wunderland was SUCH a delight!! That is one in every of Germany’s most well-known points of interest, with miniature fashions of areas everywhere in the world, intricately constructed. You may spend hours and hours there, wanting on the tiny particulars of Alpine lakes, Venice, and Rio de Janeiro, to call just a few.

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

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

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

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

The place I Hope to Go in 2023

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

First off — 2023 is the 12 months Charlie and I are getting married! We’re having a Prague marriage ceremony in Could and a Boston marriage ceremony in July. So a whole lot of our vitality (and let’s be trustworthy, cash) goes to be spent on that fairly than a number of journey. Within the first half of the 12 months I believe we’ll solely be occurring quick getaways inside Europe. However who is aware of? Something’s attainable!

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

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

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

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

I’ve additionally been pondering rather a lot about Morocco recently. Sure, even pre-World Cup. So maybe that will likely be one thing in 2023. Perhaps a return journey to Paris. Perhaps a visit to the Egadi Islands of western Sicily, and even Pantelleria, in the course of the summer time. We will see.

What had been your favourite new locations this 12 months?