2025 was an ambitious travel year for us. We continue to enjoy the hell out of our retirement – trying to travel as much as we can. We have the time, and while both of us continue to enjoy good health (knock on wood, throw salt, and whatever other magical superstition applies), we’ll continue this pace. Eventually, there will come a day when we slow down and stay put.
But not yet.
Checking in with Mr. Twain
I love this quote from Mark Twain – because it so clearly captures why we travel. Stepping into unfamiliar places stretches our perspective (and our patience), and reminds us how much of the world exists beyond our own routines and assumptions. Travel has a way of humbling us (there’s nothing like mustering the courage to try out a phrase in a foreign language only to be answered in English), reshaping how we think, and sending us home seeing the world – and ourselves – with fresh eyes.
My 2025 Travel Map
Here’s my 2025 travel map – because you know I can’t think without a map. I visited 19 countries this year – 13 of them new to me (in bold below). That brings my total country count (and yes, I’m counting) to 48.
- Portugal
- Spain
- Germany
- Estonia
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Italy
- The Vatican
- France
- Monaco
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Hungary
- Slovakia
- Croatia
- Serbia
- Bulgaria
- Romania
- The Bahamas
Favorites
One of the questions we ask ourselves when we travel is this: do we want to come back and see more, or is it a one-and-done experience? Of the new-to-me countries I visited, I’d most like to revisit Portugal and Estonia. I felt very safe in both countries, and both are particularly easy for English speakers – almost everyone there (especially younger people) speaks excellent English. That’s especially helpful given that I have zero Portuguese or Estonian skills. Beyond that, I feel a particular affinity with Estonia, likely because many Estonians identify as Nordic people, and my people are Nordic. So much of it just felt familiar.
One and done? Probably Tunisia (shockingly dirty) and The Vatican (shockingly crowded). We probably won’t go back to Serbia and Bulgaria anytime soon – they weren’t necessarily bad per se, but there are too many places we want to see before we’d circle back there.
The People We Met Along the Way
I started putting together some of my favorite photos of our year in travel, and it felt redundant. I’ve already published photo essays, and I keep my photography portfolio page current. What started to stand out to me were the people we met along the way this year – old friends and new. But each of them made an impression on us in one way or another. And I wanted to share their lovely faces with you.
What’s Next?
Looking forward to 2026, Ken and I have two trips to Asia planned, plus Argentina and Uruguay. This will be my first time in Asia, and I am really looking forward to the experience. I am not looking forward to the 15 hour flights to get there.
- Japan
- Korea
- China
- Argentina
- Uruguay
- Thailand
- Cambodia
- Laos
As for the next few weeks, I’ll finish posting about our Danube River cruise. I’ll have a river cruise wrap-up post, along with a post about what it’s like to travel in Eastern Europe. I hope you enjoying reading my little blog as much as I enjoy writing it.
My best to all of you for a healthy and happy New Year.
Cheers!
My friend is visiting and she asked us which country has been our favorite. We both came up with Tanzania, because it was just the two of us with a guide and a zillion wild animals. But there was Peru, Japan, Rwanda, Patagonia…. Which is why we’ll keep traveling until we can’t. Happy New Year!!!
I love that: keep traveling until we can’t! Africa is on our radar for 2027 – can’t wait. Cheers and HNY, Mimi!
You’ve had a fabulous travel year – Well done you two. I had a moment like you the other day. I considered a post of my favourite shots from this year but, in the end, thought why bother, I’ve uploaded nearly all of them as the year has gone by. Have a happy New Year and I’ll look forward to your next update 🙂
There’s only so many times you can go through your favorite shots. It’s a lot of work to keep them all organized and up to date. HNY to you, Steve! Cheers!
Great review!
Thank you, June. And Happy New Year!
Thank you for the hugely interesting summation . . . should you ever have the chance and opportunity to return to Estonia . . . tell me and, for better or worse, I’ll give you some ‘Estonian ideas’ :)! I don’t quite know BUT. of all my favourite places in the world, almost all lie in SE Asia . . . there is where I would travel 75% or more of my time, there is where I would love to live ALL the time > Japan or Singapore the most. A very happy New Year to you and your husband and thank you for sharing this year so enjoyably and with such wonderful humour . . .
Thank you, Eha. If we get back to Estonia, you will be first on my list for advice. Happy New Year to you!! Cheers!
Happy new year, and enjoy every day of next year’s travels!!
Same to you and Michaela, Phil. HNY and Cheers!!
Love your travel blogs! We went to Laos, Cambodia and Thailand 22 ish years ago. Unsolicited stories, highlights/ recommendations incoming! Forgive me and ignore if you aren’t interested!!! We only had two weeks, so one location in each country.
Bangkok Thailand, the unbelievably massive Chatuchak market was intense and crazy. We were also crazy— rode the train there by ourselves and got lost both on the way and in the market. (Cleanest most posh train ever, in high contrast to the market.) Would probably be better with a guide! Still great. We did not have time for Chaing Mai — and I still regret missing it. The couple we were traveling with spent a full month in Thailand and it was their favorite.
Luang Prabang, Laos — the Royal Ballet Theatre was unique and I enjoyed it despite some slow bits. The temples and night market were amazing, but we also took a boat trip on the Mekong to the Pak Ou caves. Touristy in the way that cathedrals are in Europe, but a trip highlight. With some of the typical tourist stops in artist villages… we were on a low slung boat with just the four of us and a driver who spoke 0 English. Bring water and snacks. French colonial feel to the menus and town architecture. Monks everywhere (practically every male goes into a practice for a time for both religion and education). We found many young monks in temples wanted to speak with us to practice their English, but they preferred the men….its a big sin to even brush against a woman, and they would stand noticeably far from Andrea and I — afraid the foreigners wouldn’t know and would touch them even by accident.
Siem Reap, Cambodia — we navigated with just a driver (hired at the airport when we arrived)— perfect English, but not a tour guide. Angkor Wat day we rented bikes and rode to the temple, but had a mishap with monkeys piercing some of our tires, so I wouldn’t recommend! The farther afield Banteay Srei Temple is worth the trek for the uniqueness of the temple, but also the trip itself on country roads where you can expect to see daily life vignettes unfold. We also attended a traditional shadow puppet theater performance at our lodging— very unique artistic expression and worth it if you get the chance. Be prepared for masses of young kids to rush you as you exit your car at each temple. They will seem charming with several perfect English words, but no comprehension. We never felt threatened, but had to steal ourselves to ignore and push through. If you engage at all (Ross said something once!) they will persist with their begging and it will be harder to proceed. But you can get some great photos— for a donation!
I can’t wait to watch your travel unfold! Thanks for giving me a chance to revisit this trip in my mind….even if you don’t read the details!
Tamara
Sent from my iPad
Thank you Tamara – and thank you for taking the time to time to write such a thoughtful comment/advice. I’m putting it into my SE Asia trip planning binder right now. Happy New Year and Cheers!!
That quote from Mark Twain is one of my favourite travel quotes too 🙂 And like you we intend to make the most of our ability to travel for as long as we possibly can. You’ve packed a lot of countries into this past year and have some great plans for 2026. Laos was one of my favourite countries ever, though I loved that whole region. Are you planning on Luang Prabang? The temples there are stunning and I loved the vibe in the town, but can I also recommend you try to visit MandaLao on the outskirts? They have the most ethical elephant encounter programme – we spent a wonderful, unforgettable morning there!
We are planning on Luang Prabang. Will look into MandaLao – I’d love an elephant encounter.
See https://mandalao.org/, and my own write-up here: https://www.toonsarah-travels.blog/elephant-encounters-on-elephant-terms/
Thank you!