Travel Link-Up: Favorite Travel Memories from 2015

We're only two days into the New Year, but already John and I have been researching our next holiday options. This year, we'd like to stay relatively local and explore more of Europe. We've always wanted to visit Croatia for its beautiful beaches and Dubrovnik's gorgeous Old Town, so that's on the list. I've had a long, unfulfilled craving for authentic Italian food and wine, so discovering a new part of Italy is a must - suggestions always welcomed! I've also been dying to see Gaudi's architecture in Barcelona, so Spain is another possibility. So many destinations, so little time!

Last year, I visited some magnificent places, and it's been so fun to reminisce through this blog post:

In February, Udita and I took a BFF girls' trip to Brussels - and had the most fantastic time. We spent an afternoon sampling chocolates at Pierre Marcolini and window browsing at some of the beautiful antique shops. We stayed at the gorgeous Dominican Hotel and were treated like royalty! It was our first trip together and it made me realize just how fun it is to travel with a friend.

We're so silly together.

Shortly after, John and I packed our bags and headed off to Sri Lanka for an incredible adventure. We started the trip at the beautiful and peaceful Apa Villas in Thalpe before heading to the historic Galle Fort for massages and lunch at the luxurious Amangalla Hotel. During the latter part of our trip, we stayed at The River House in Balapitiya, which was a life-changing experience for me. Situated in the middle of the Sri Lankan jungle, we watched bats cross the sky at sunset from our balcony, stood stock-still as monkeys swung from branch to branch by the pool, and took a river safari cruise at dawn. I actually cried when we had to leave! We'll be back.

In the spring, my best friends Udita, Kara, and Deborah came to visit me from the U.S. We had a staycation in London, but also visited Oxford and retraced the steps that John and I (literally) took when we were first dating as students. We stayed in Woodstock and spent a beautiful day at Blenheim Palace after going punting the day before.

I thought that Sri Lanka would be our "big" trip for the year, but in August, an unexpected opportunity came up for me and John to travel to Singapore on behalf of Thomas Cook as part of the Singapore Tourism Board's #GetIntoSingapore campaign. I remember thinking that it probably wouldn't happen, but a few weeks later, I found myself swimming in an infinity pool overlooking the Singapore skyline just 20 minutes after we'd landed! It was the foodie experience of a lifetime, and I loved our spontaneous visit.

Finally, in December, my family came to visit me in London and we spent Christmas in our new home. Before that, we took a trip to Paris and Bruges to soak up the festive atmosphere - it was magical! I loved showing my parents some of my favorite stops in Paris and we had a little accidental shopping spree on the Champs Elysees (oops!). Bruges felt like a little Christmas village with its twinkling lights reflecting on the city's serene canals.

What were your favorite travel memories from 2015? Do you already have trips booked for 2016? I'd love to know!

This post was part of January's Travel Link-Up on 2016 Travel Wishlists and 2015 Travel Memories, hosted by Emma, Angie, and Jessi. Head over to their blogs to read more link-up posts! Happy travelling! :)

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