2024 is what I call was the year of ‘M’ for me. Sounds stupid I know, but most new places I visited apparently start with the letter ‘M’. Montenegro, Mexico, Madrid, Morocco. And all this was not by design at all, it just turned out to be like this. If this is some kind of lucky sign, I don’t know (nothing lucky happened so far Lol)
Anyhow, this year has been a fantastic one for travel for me. I had maiden trips to most places and a return trip to India to meet family. For New year I am heading to Norfolk about which now I can write only next year. Here is a short round up of the major places I visited and all I can say is I am so blessed to have got an opportunity to travel.
Montenegro
Easter Bank Holiday I made a solo trip to Montenegro, first of the year. I had heard so much about this country from my friends and I couldn’t resist either. It was a short and lovely trip of 5 days where I explored its capital Podgorica, the magical and most beautiful Kotor, the seaside resort town of Budva and smaller laid back towns of Perast and Herceg Novi. Underrated country with so many hidden gems. Due to offseason some of the activities were closed, which I would want to come back and do some day.
Mexico
This was my much awaited trip as me and my partner were slated to travel two years before and could not. This time we did make our maiden adventure to queen of Latin America, Mexico.
A long flight and a very thrilling 10 day trip in a very hot weather. We stayed in Cancun for few days before travelling to the middle of the Yucatan and then coming back to the coast to Tulum. From some amazing food at roadside joints, tequila, lots of papaya which I totally loved, swimming in cenotes, getting lost in middle of nowhere, getting help from amazing locals who offered their food, to being awed by Chichen Itza; this was exploring just the tip of the iceberg of the fabulous country Mexico. A truly memorable trip.
Madrid
I will be honest, I traveled to Madrid as I had an easy jet voucher from a previous trip and had to also attend a social engagement. Surprisingly and unknowingly this trip was so well timed with a huge music festival and I was just staying few blocks away from the venue. So much enjoyed the crowds, got to experience the true Madrid vibe. It was hot weather but I explored few places and made a day trip to Toledo and visited its majestic cathedral. I simply love Spain and just cannot get enough. I definitely would want to explore more of Spain next year too.
Morocco
This was our sister trip. Me and sis jet set to Morocco in September when she was visiting me here in the UK. And wow what a terrific country. And why the hell did I not visit it till now!
We absolutely loved everything in Morocco. In hindsight getting lost in Fez when we were really stressed and shouting at the local boys, it all seems so funny. The food won our hearts, the souks, the lovely people who went out of the way to help us. The gorgeous landscapes, the history and the culture. Morocco had so much character, the rawness, crudeness which is so attractive. Needless to say Iam going back to explore its other cities beyond Fez and Marrakech.
India
Trips to India really need no write up. They are usually visiting family, eating copious amount of food and spending time with friends. And I always visit in very hot weather, which needs to change now as I am quite restricted to travel and explore other places. I was in Shimla with family and met friends in Delhi where I stayed for another 2 nights before coming back to London.
Cotswolds, England
My annual piligrim to Cotswolds was a very impromptu plan with my partners. We stayed at Alvescot for a night and then we went for a date night dinner at a French Bistro at Banbury.
Next day we explore Bibury, which is such an instagrammy village, while its pretty it was so crowded with tourist coaches bringing it throngs of people. We then headed to Broadway for lunch and explored this village and its high street before heading back to London via Oxford.
London and various other places
London is home and going around here is not touristy but I still love picking a neighbourhood and walking around its nooks and corners discovering some new spots or shops. I also visited some National Trust Properties on few day trips. We went to Amaravati Monastery at Leighton Buzzard for a day trip which is a quiet peaceful sanctuary for meditation and buddhist monks deliver sermons.
For New Year break we are heading to Norfolk and plan is to spot some seals if we are lucky; And dig our teeth into cromer crabs in Cromer. I will return back to write about it soon.
Final thoughts on 2024
Truly a blessed year. To be able to explore and travel to new places and discover more of this beautiful world is nothing short of being lucky and blessed. All my trips were memorable and I cannot wait to explore and share more of my adventures with you in 2025. I will also continue to experiment with my food and recreate recipes from my travel back in my kitchen in London.
Thanks much for your love and support and looking forward for a great new year.
Wishing you and your loved ones a magical 2025. Keep traveling and exploring!
