Travel Link-Up: Travel Highlights of 2014, Wanderlust Wishlist for 2015

It's officially 2015. Out with the old and in with the new, right? And yet, I can't shake the fact that 2014 was an amazing year of travel for me.

Last year, I ate dark chocolate and pistachio gelato sandwiched in brioche in Sicily, toured the Prado in Madrid, went shopping Confessions-of-a-Shopaholic-style on Fifth Avenue in New York, and strolled the sun-drenched canals of Amsterdam in the spring.

These mini-trips all made up for the fact that John and I weren't able to take a long-haul, winter sun vacation last year (in the past, we've been beach bums in Thailand and Vietnam during the darkest months of the year), so this year, it's all about a tropical vacation again. Soon.

On my wishlist this year are a few local and far-flung destinations ...

Iceland

I still haven't been. And I'm desperate to dip my toe into a thermal spring! Please, 2015, make this happen for me.

Coast Starlight from Seattle to L.A.

I've been wanting to tour the West Coast (starting in my nearly-hometown of Seattle, Washington) on Amtrak's Coast Starlight ever since I saw a picture of the train's incredible Sightseer Lounge Car, which features HUGE windows with seats facing the scenery whooshing past. As someone who loves trains (and regularly professes her love for British trains - see this post from my baby blogging days, way back in 2010!), this would be a dream come true for me.

Mauritius

It's a tropical island with clear blue waters, white sand, and lush green vegetation. ENOUGH SAID.

Hong Kong

I've promised my grandma that I'd visit every time I talk to her on the phone ... and let her down every year. For a travel destination that I used to visit once a year between the ages of 1 to 17, it's one that I haven't returned to for a long while. I need to go back soon.

Japan

In the same vein, I'd love to visit Japan again. The last time I was there, I was 14, but I could still appreciate the beauty of the countryside and the crowded, neon-lit city of Tokyo - a place I dubbed Micro Machines City, after those miniature toy car cities we played with as kids. I long to order fresh sashimi from a window on the street, sleep on tatami mats, drink matcha tea, and slurp ramen with the locals.

Costa Rica

I was supposed to go last year with my three best friends, but we failed miserably at making it happen ... I've heard enough fabulous travel stories to induce serious wanderlust envy, so I hope I'll be making my way there soon.

Until then, I'm already looking forward to a short, girly trip to Brussels in February with my best friend, Udita, where we'll be staying at the beautiful Dominican Hotel (and eating lots of waffles and chocolate!).

What are your travel plans for 2015? Be sure to check out the destinations other bloggers have lined up in this month's travel link-up on Emma, Kelly, and Rebecca's blogs.