Each year I love to look back on my travels and evaluate where we went, what we did and recap my favorite places and memories. I wish I started this recap sooner since I have gone to some really amazing places over the last several years, but we all have to start somewhere.
Despite some challenges, 2022 was a great year with some really fun and adventurous travels. With 2022 came an unexpected broken foot that postponed some of the adventures I had planned in Costa Rica. The rise of inflation limited some additional travels, and placed some of our trips slightly above our allocated travel budget. But, that is life. Life is unpredictable and you can plan as much as you want, but there is always going to be curveballs along the way and you just have to adjust.
In 2022, I went on 11 trips, experienced one new state, one new country and made lots of wonderful memories. I spent a total of around $22,000 and went over my travel budget by about $4,000. Additional expenses were mostly due to rise of inflation in 2022 and not budgeting enough for food/drinks. I usually do my travel budget the year prior and was factoring my budget based on my 2021 numbers. I have captured below a brief summary of each destination and the highlights from each trip.
January 2022 – Snowshoe, West Virginia
Snowshoe, WV is located in Monongahela National Forest and is centered around the Snowshoe Mountain Ski Resort. This cozy little town gets on average 150 inches of snow and is known for it’s light and dry powder making it a great location for skiing and snowboarding. I loved Snowshoe due to the Colorado vibes without the distance and cost of traveling to Colorado. The quaint ski town offers plenty of lodging, restaurants and shopping. Choose from skiing and snowboarding. Snowtubing is also offered for those less experienced skiers.
February 2022 – New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is one of my favorite cities by far! I loved exploring everything about this city. From the history to the music and everything in between. I stayed on Bourbon Street which made it a great location to walk everywhere. The food did not disappoint and we had so many great food choices. I recommend Court of Two Sisters for a fun Jazz Brunch and Commanders Palace for a five star dinner. Don’t miss an opportunity to explore a plantation outside of the city.
March/April 2022 – Jaco & LaFortuna Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a fantastic family friendly destination. Adventure and gorgeous views are all around. I recommend exploring multiple locations and not staying in one place. Experience the beach and the rain forest. Get to know the locals, they are some of the kindest people I have ever met. My highlight of our trip was experiencing the Hot Springs in LaFortuna and the views of the Arenal Volcano.
May 2022 – Holland, Michigan
This is a must see destination anytime due to sitting right on Lake Michigan, but especially during the Tulip Festival. The Tulip Festival usually runs the first week in May. For 2023 the Tulip Festival will run from May 6 – May 14 (https://www.tuliptime.com/visit). I loved exploring the tulips and the town and a must see is the Windmill Gardens and eating at The Windmill restaurant.
June 2022 – Orlando, Florida (Walt Disney World)
I visit Disney at least once per year. I realize Disney isn’t for everyone and if you hate crowds and paying for overpriced food that is mediocre at best, this may not be for you. To me, Disney transforms me away to a land of fantasy and make believe. I love the rides, character dining and being immersed in the fantasy of Disney. If your a first timer contemplating Disney, I would highly recommend using a travel agent. Disney is undergoing a lot of changes and it takes a lot of planning if you want to make Disney a memorable trip.
June 2022 – French Lick, Indiana
I also visit French Lick at least once per year. This town is home to the exquisite French Lick hotel and West Baden Springs hotel. Tucked away in the Hoosier National Forest this resort will transform you back to the flapper era. Immerse yourself in the history or enjoy the many hiking trails, horseback riding or take a spa day at one of the two spas offered. I love everything about this resort, and I love to visit when I want to step away from the busyness and enjoy a little R&R.
July 2022 – Cruise, Bahamas
I also realize a cruise is not for everyone. This was our first cruise with kids and they loved every minute of it. I was pleasantly surprised when they wanted to spend their time in the kids club. I enjoyed the options of shows, restaurants and activities that a cruise offers. If you’re someone that loves to be busy and have multiple options then I would recommend cruising. One of the perks of cruising is food being included and the options to include beverages. There are multiple options of cruise lines and destinations. This being our first time we chose a four night Caribbean cruise through Royal Caribbean.
September 2022 – Washington D.C.
I loved exploring D.C. and all the museums, buildings and monuments. The perk about visiting D.C. is most museums and tours are free and who doesn’t love free! However, D.C. is likely a one and done city for me. I wasn’t overly impressed with the cleanliness of the city and it wasn’t a very safe place to visit. We encountered two safety concerns while there so I recommend being observant and alert wherever you go. However, everyone needs to visit D.C. at least once and learn our founding history and it was pretty cool to be able to view original documents and tour the Capital building.
October 2022 – Red River Gorge (Stanton, KY)
Prettiest place in Kentucky! This is literally one of my favorite places in Kentucky and once you visit, you’ll understand why. Tucked in the Daniel Boone National Forest, it’s Known for its amazing views, free standing arches, jagged cliffs and waterfalls. If you love nature, hikes, rock climbing and seclusion, this is a must visit location.
November 2022 – Austin & San Antonio, Texas
Austin was a fun diverse city that offered a lot of great food selections and many different areas of the city to explore. My favorite spot to visit was the Soco area in Austin which boasted really great places to eat and lots of unique shopping. San Antonio offered more of a historical aspect such as The Alamo and walking around the famous Riverwalk. Both cities unique in their own way, but close enough to visit both locations during a trip.
December 2022 – Brown County (Nashville, IN)
Brown County or also known as the town of Nashville, IN boasts an adorable historic town that is full of shops, restaurants, and wineries. I’ve been here a few times, but this year it was to attend their annual Christmas Market. It really was fun to experience this around Christmas and the town decked out in decorations gave off Hallmark movie vibes. We enjoyed strolling along the booths of vendors, sipping hot cider, and taking a carriage ride around the town. This town is fun to experience as a couple or with a group of friends.
Your Journey Starts Here 