12 months in Evaluation: My Prime Journey Highlights and Worst Journey Mishaps of 2025

It is that point once more: time to look again on the 12 months and write my annual 12 months in assessment submit!

This submit is at all times enjoyable to place collectively, because it permits me to have a look again and bear in mind all of the adventures I’ve had within the final 12 months. It is at all times a humbling job, too, as I am reminded simply how fortunate I’m to nonetheless be doing what I really like as my job (which is certainly an accomplishment lately, with AI continually coming for my website).

My 2025 travels took me all around the world; I visited 11 international locations on 3 continents, together with a number of new-to-me locales (and one new nation!). I traveled greater than 36% of the 12 months, spending an enormous chunk of it in Europe as soon as once more (almost 3 months there cumulatively throughout 3 totally different journeys this 12 months).

(And sure, this 12 months I am protecting each my journey highlights and lowlights multi function submit, as a result of I am at all times making an attempt to maintain it actual with you round right here.)

2025 journey by the numbers

This is my 12 months in journey by the numbers:

• Nations visited: 11 – USA, Canada, the UK, France (x2), Finland, Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, and Japan.
• US states visited: 6 – I did a little bit of journey inside Ohio, and I additionally went to New York, DC, Oregon, Florida, and Massachusetts.
• Whole flight legs: 31 – Solely 2 extra flight legs than in 2024. I pleasure myself on conserving this quantity as little as I can; I am unable to discover many direct flights from Cleveland, however I attempt to take trains or drive as a lot as potential as soon as I get to my vacation spot.
• Variety of street journeys: 5 – I did street journeys this 12 months in Oregon (briefly), Austria, Normandy, Nova Scotia (solo street journey!), and Italy.
• Days on the street: 131 (roughly 36% of the 12 months, and simply 3 days greater than I traveled in 2024)

Some notable issues that occurred this 12 months embody:

1. I visited a brand new nation! – I’m a creature of behavior and actually do like to re-visit locations that I really like. However I’ve a free aim of visiting at the very least one new nation per 12 months, and this 12 months it was Japan!
2. My sister-in-law received married – We went to her marriage ceremony in Oregon and had a lot enjoyable!
3. I began one other website – As a result of I’m apparently a glutton for punishment, I began one more web site. It is referred to as On the Grid Travel, and it is targeted on System 1 journey all over the world! It has been enjoyable to fit extra F1-related issues into my travels this 12 months.

My high 10 journey highlights from 2025

That is at all times powerful to slim down to only 10, after which to sum up these 10 highlights in only a paragraph or two — however I’ve achieved my finest!

Listed below are my most memorable journey highlights from the final 12 months:

10. Pals and Cabaret in NYC

I am going to New York Metropolis each January for a journey media occasion, and normally attempt to tick at the very least one new “touristy” factor off my to-do checklist every year. In 2025, my journey BFF Ashley really took the practice down from Boston to satisfy me in NYC for a number of days, and we did a number of memorable issues.

First, we went to the Friends Experience, the place there are units and costumes and props from the TV present Pals, which we each LOVE. We had a lot enjoyable taking so many pictures there, and even loved a espresso at Central Perk.

After which, on the exact opposite finish of the emotional spectrum, we additionally went to see Cabaret on Broadway with Adam Lambert and Auliʻi Cravalho within the lead roles. The present was uncooked and (sadly) actually spoke to present occasions (the present is ready in Berlin throughout the rise of the Nazis). Seeing this only a couple days after Inauguration Day hit us onerous, however we each beloved it; I am actually unhappy the present run is over.

9. UK winter journey

Elliot and I moderately impulsively determined to go to London and Edinburgh within the useless of winter — and it was form of nice! I used to be headed to Europe anyway, so we determined to tack on per week within the UK collectively so we may go to an F1 Arcade and see the F1 Exhibition when it was in London, plus spend a number of days in our favourite metropolis (Edinburgh). In Edinburgh, we toured the fort, went to the Johnnie Walker Expertise, took a day journey to St. Andrew’s, and had the BEST meal at Makars Mash Bar.

>> Learn extra: Is the Formula 1 Exhibition Worth It? and 25+ Superior Issues to Do in Edinburgh, Scotland

8. Crater Lake within the snow

We flew out to Oregon for just below per week for my sister-in-law’s marriage ceremony within the spring, and added a pair further days so we may discover a bit extra in Bend (which included visiting the final Blockbuster on earth, in fact) and take a day journey to Crater Lake Nationwide Park.

Crater Lake remains to be partially closed in late April/early Might, however we have been in a position to make it to the Rim Village and see the lake below a (very thick) layer of snow. The lake is SO stunning this time of 12 months, and we each have been shedding our minds at how tall the snow drifts have been! (They have been 10-12 ft tall in some locations.)

Take a look at this video about our go to:

>> Learn extra: The Excellent 10-Day Highway Journey Itinerary for Oregon in Summer time

7. Nova Scotia street journey

In August, I lastly made it again to Nova Scotia for a enjoyable street journey and a few distinctive stays. I LOVE Nova Scotia and now have a number of associates there, so it was nice attending to meet up with individuals like the Hecks and my good friend Cailin from Nova Scotia Explorer AND then additionally do a pleasant solo street journey.

Highlights from my street journey included having a picnic with bison, strolling on the ocean flooring at low tide within the Bay of Fundy, and staying in an expensive glamping dome that I didn’t wish to go away. This was such an ideal summer season street journey with out hordes of different vacationers, and I’d gladly do it once more!

>> Learn extra: The Excellent 7-Day Nova Scotia Highway Journey Itinerary

6. Exploring the Austrian Alps

Ashley and I’ve began an annual custom of doing a street journey round Europe; we have achieved Slovenia and Poland up to now, and in 2025 our vacation spot of alternative was Austria. I loved our total 2-week journey, however the spotlight for me was the time we spent within the Austrian Alps (what can I say? I really like to take a look at mountains!).

We explored cities like Innsbruck and Zell am See; took cable vehicles and funiculars up mountains (my favourite was positively visiting Dachstein Glacier); and drove some scenic alpine roads. The spotlight of highlights for me was the day we drove the Grossglockner Excessive Alpine Highway, which takes you previous glaciers, snow fields, and Austria’s tallest mountain. It was so stunning!

5. Going to the Monza GP

Having a brand new System 1 journey website means Elliot and I now have a good higher excuse to journey to F1 races! And in 2025, we headed to one of many classics: the Italian Grand Prix in Monza. That is Ferrari’s “dwelling” race, and the vibes of the Tifosi (Ferrari followers) are simply unmatched.

We primarily based ourselves in Como after which took trains and shuttles to the observe every day, and lucked out with good climate that wasn’t *too* scorching. The race weekend itself wasn’t good (we ended up doing a LOT extra strolling than anticipated on our first day on the observe), however total we had a blast!

This is a video I made about how a lot the race value us:

After the race weekend, we did slightly street journey via Motor Valley. We visited the Ferrari museums in Maranello and Modena, took a tour of the Imola race observe, and in addition toured a Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese manufacturing unit in Parma and explored Verona for good measure. It was such a enjoyable journey total (you understand I really like a themed journey!).

4. Cat tour of Japan

Talking of themed journeys… Because the latter half of the 12 months was approaching and I did not have any journey plans after our journey to Italy in September, I panicked barely and booked a slot on a tour that my friend Sherry was operating in Japan: a cat-themed tour!! It ended up being my favourite impulsive journey choice of the entire 12 months.

We began out in Tokyo by visiting the Fortunate Cat Temple, doing a meals tour round a cat-loving neighborhood, and making some cat-related crafts. Then we took the practice north into Japan’s Tohoku area the place we went to a tuna public sale, visited the well-known Cat Island for a day, and stayed at a cat-themed lodge. We did some non-cat-related issues, too, together with dressing up in kimonos for a day, visiting a sake brewery, and taking an e-bike tour. The tour was SO enjoyable, and such an incredible mixture of actions — good for my very first journey to Japan!

Comply with @catladytours to see what Sherry does subsequent; extra Japan cat excursions are within the works!

3. Visiting Kyoto

After the cat tour, I stayed in Japan to discover extra alone. I noticed lots round Tokyo, and in addition hung out in Kyoto and Kanazawa. However Kyoto was by far the spotlight for me; I spent 4 nights there, and it nonetheless wasn’t sufficient time! I may have simply spent a complete week exploring Kyoto and taking day journeys.

Because it was, I did among the most unusual issues in Kyoto, together with taking a ramen cooking class, spending time with a maiko (apprentice geisha), consuming my manner via Nishiki Market, and strolling over actual nightingale flooring at Nijo Fort (as a longtime fan of Across the Nightingale Floor, this was SO cool to me). I additionally visited some distinctive temples/shrines in Arashiyama, and spent the higher a part of a day mountaineering the “again manner” up Mt. Inari to get away from the crowds at Fushimi Inari.

For me, Kyoto lived as much as all of the hype, and I would love to go to once more sometime.

2. Lapland in winter

We’ve to rewind to earlier within the 12 months for this one — which ought to communicate to how epic it was since hardly the rest was in a position to high it this 12 months! I went to Finnish Lapland for per week with my good friend Kat from World Wide Honeymoon again in late February, with the aim of chasing the Northern Lights. Effectively, the climate did not cooperate for a couple of aurora displaying, however wow did we have now a enjoyable journey!

I am in love with the Arctic normally, and this journey was equal elements thrilling and enjoyable. We did enjoyable issues like met Santa Claus, went dogsledding, explored a lodge made completely of ice, took a showshoe hike, frolicked with reindeer, sauna’d similar to the Finns, and stayed in a glass igloo cabin. Seeing the Northern Lights solely as soon as truthfully didn’t dampen the expertise in any respect.

>> Learn extra: A Excellent 10 Day Finland Itinerary in Winter (Helsinki + Lapland)

1. Versailles Grand Masked Ball

And now for my favourite factor that I did this 12 months… and for as soon as it wasn’t tough in any respect to determine which journey/expertise would take the highest spot! Probably the most epic factor I did in 2025 was going to the Grand Masked Ball at Versailles.

This annual costume ball takes place on the opulent Palace of Versailles simply outdoors of Paris, and is an all-night EDM dance get together within the Orangerie and gardens of Versailles. (Sure, actually!) It is so extremely epic, and was made much more enjoyable as a result of I went with a bunch of associates.

The ball takes fairly a little bit of planning to attend (you must get fortunate with tickets, discover a costume to hire, make a plan for getting there, work out your hair, after which keep up all night time to bounce!), nevertheless it was 100% price it. I am not normally a celebration individual and I have never been to a membership since possibly 2008, however I had absolutely the time of my life at this occasion.

Tickets are already offered out for the 2026 ball, however I actually do advocate placing this in your bucket checklist for a future 12 months.

>> Learn extra: A Full Information to Attending the Grand Masked Ball at Versailles

Whew, what a 12 months! And that is not even all of it. In 2025, I additionally spent a while in Prague, noticed the cherry blossoms once more in DC, had seashore time on Anna Maria Island, spent various time in Paris, additionally went to Kanazawa in Japan, lastly visited Normandy in France, and went to Boston to see associates.

I am excited to see what adventures 2026 will convey!

4 worst journey mishaps of the 12 months

This submit largely targeted on my journey highlights from the 12 months. However I by no means wish to make it look like journey is just ever good and enjoyable — as a result of it positively is just not!

I’ve loads of dangerous days on the street, too; days the place I really feel drained or sick or lonely, or days the place nothing appears to go proper. These are additionally actuality, particularly once you journey as a lot as I do! So I wish to acknowledge a few of these days, too.

Listed below are a few of my worst journey mishaps from 2025 (fortunately there weren’t that many, and none have been a giant deal within the grand scheme of issues):

4. Being let down by Hallstatt

Throughout our 2-week street journey round Austria, Ashley and I bumped into a number of snafus (she wrote about extra of them in her own 2025 recap), however I would say the one which made me probably the most unhappy was being fully let down by the city of Hallstatt. The tiny little lakeside city has gone viral throughout social media, and so it wasn’t actually a shock that overtourism has come for it.

A part of our expertise was our personal fault; we had initially wished to remain in a single day in Hallstatt to have the ability to expertise the city within the mornings and evenings with out the bus excursions and day trippers. However there aren’t actually that many motels on the town, and by the point we have been reserving our lodging, all the nice spots have been already full (or manner outdoors of our funds).

So we did the factor we did not wish to do, and visited Hallstatt as day trippers. We had a plan to have lunch, do some purchasing, and see some native websites to at the very least contribute economically to the place. But it surely ended up being more durable than we imagined! Discovering parking was a complete debacle; discovering a spot to have lunch was additionally tough; and three out of the 4 issues we would deliberate to do whereas on the town ended up being closed!

For sure, after a pair hours of being elbow-to-elbow with busloads of different vacationers and disgruntled service staff, we couldn’t wait to depart. Proper now, Hallstatt is being beloved to dying, and I personally wouldn’t advocate visiting until you go within the low season and keep on the town for at the very least an evening or two.

The lesson: Overtourism is an actual factor, and typically it is truthfully price skipping a spot so you are not contributing to the destructive impacts. Do not forget that you do not *have* to go to a spot simply because it is throughout Instagram; there are at all times different choices! (In our case, we loved the close by city of Unhealthy Ischl infinitely higher.)

3. Lake Como ferry stress

Throughout our fall journey to Italy, Elliot and I primarily based ourselves within the city of Como for 4 nights with a view to go to the F1 race in Monza — another day than we actually wanted in order that we had time to discover a little bit of Lake Como, too. I believed I had an incredible plan for our in the future, which included a pair ferries to go to two of the most well-liked cities on the lake (Bellagio and Varenna). However what I hadn’t counted on was the truth that shopping for ferry tickets round Lake Como makes zero sense!

We would have liked quick ferry tickets from Como to Bellagio and again (45 minutes vs. 2.5 hours for the common ferry), after which fast 15-minute ferry tickets from Bellagio to Varenna. Besides that you simply can’t purchase any quick ferry tickets on-line; you must stand in a bodily line on the ferry workplace. And when you want return tickets? Effectively you may’t purchase these collectively. You should purchase the ticket *to* Bellagio, however then it is advisable stand in line once more in Bellagio to purchase your return ticket to Como.

We ended up lacking the preliminary quick ferry we wished to take as a result of the road was so lengthy/sluggish, so we needed to wait 3 hours for the following one. After which it felt like we spent many of the day standing in strains to both purchase all the assorted tickets we would have liked, or ready for the boats themselves (most of which have been late).

Total we noticed what we wished to see and received some stunning pictures of Lake Como, however the in-the-moment expertise was rather more nerve-racking than anticipated!

The lesson: All the time have a Plan B (and typically a Plan C) when touring — and particularly when touring in Italy. Typically the way in which issues work simply do not make sense, however you must roll with it and do the most effective you may. Aside from getting up further early to face within the preliminary ferry line when it opened, there wasn’t something we may have achieved in a different way to make our Lake Como day go extra easily. If you wish to spend simply in the future exploring Lake Como, I’d not advocate Como itself as a base; keep in Bellagio, or simply e book a day journey from Milan!

2. Horrible climate in Lapland

There are many issues you may management and plan for relating to journey. However one factor that is completely out of your management is the climate. When Kat and I have been initially speaking about planning a Northern Lights journey final winter, she initially wished to go to Iceland; however since I have been to Iceland twice within the winter and by no means as soon as noticed the aurora there as a result of clouds, I steered we attempt Finland as an alternative.

The joke was on me, as a result of we ended up visiting Lapland throughout a stretch of really horrible climate! It was unseasonably heat (hardly any snow on the bottom), and fully cloudy the entire time. We did handle to see the Northern Lights one night time, fortunately (we needed to drive to Sweden!), however I do know we had each hoped to see them extra than simply as soon as!

At the least there was tons to do in Lapland, although, and we had no bother filling our days. It was an incredible journey total, however the climate positively was not excellent.

The lesson: Even with the most effective intentions and planning, the climate may nonetheless do you soiled on a visit. I at all times, at all times counsel individuals planning Northern Lights journeys to handle their expectations, and at all times plan different issues to do this do not revolve round clear skies.

1. Nightmare Airbnb in Paris

I do not have a tendency to make use of or advocate Airbnb any longer, as I’ve loads of issues about how short-term leases have an effect on native communities, and in addition know the way straightforward it’s to rip-off individuals lately on Airbnb. However, in some circumstances it nonetheless is the most suitable choice. Like when there have been 5 of us all headed to Paris to go to the Versailles ball and we wished to remain collectively in a single place the place we may prepare dinner some meals and all prepare collectively.

Discovering any form of room in Paris that may accommodate 5 grownup ladies is hard — particularly once you’re touring in June and searching for someplace with air-con! Kat discovered a number of residence choices, and all of us agreed on one which appeared to supply what we would have liked.

The residence was comparatively near the metro, had an elevator within the constructing, and was listed as with the ability to sleep at the very least 6 adults. It additionally was listed as having 2 loos and air-con. The pictures made it look a bit quirky in a really Parisian manner, however there weren’t any huge pink flags in regards to the place as a complete.

After which we received there. On the one hand, this residence represents what I want Airbnb nonetheless was: it was a really clearly lived-in residence that the homeowners hire out after they aren’t on the town (or, on this case, most likely rented out as a result of there have been a bunch of massive occasions occurring in Paris that week they usually noticed a possibility to make some cash).

However the residence was slightly *too* lived-in. There was muddle and an excessive amount of dusty furnishings in each single room, to the extent that there was nowhere to open a suitcase. There was rotting meals and mildew within the kitchen. There have been really 2 *half*-baths, which means only one rest room and one bathe (which was stained, slow-to-drain, and plagued by actually dozens of almost-empty bottles of shampoo and female care merchandise).

And the kicker was that the marketed “air-con” was really one transportable A/C unit that was damaged. We have been keen to miss every part else, however once we reached out to the proprietor in regards to the A/C stating that we actually wanted it because it was 90+ levels in Paris that week and we had a ball to prepare for, she then proceeded to flat-out deceive us for DAYS about getting the unit mounted. After which tried to gaslight us about it once we referred to as her out on it.

We ended up preparing in 94-degree warmth, blasting followers at ourselves and opening each window within the place. That a part of the day was past depressing.

I additionally discovered it actually tough to bathe, and by the third day of bathing in 2-inches of standing water as a questionable bathe curtain caught to me, I would had it. I really went and booked a lodge for myself for my final 2 nights in Paris as a result of I simply wanted out of there.

If I hadn’t already been anti-Airbnb, this expertise would have turned me.

The lesson: I’ll stick with motels any more. (Which I already largely do, however in hindsight I want I’d have pushed extra for a unique choice in Paris, even when it meant paying a bit extra for a number of lodge rooms.)

All in all, my journey mishaps have been mere inconveniences that did not actually put any dampers on my journeys in the long run. I positively take into account myself fortunate, and know the way privileged I’m to solely be whining about cloudy skies and crappy Airbnbs. This is hoping my journey mishaps stay this “straightforward” within the years to return!

I have already got a number of thrilling journey plans for 2026, so I look ahead to seeing you again right here once more subsequent 12 months!

How was your 2025 when it comes to journey? Did you may have any huge highlights or main mishaps?

Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Harmful Enterprise Journey Weblog. She has traveled to greater than 60 international locations on 6 continents from her dwelling base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and considerate journey via the US, Europe, and remainder of the world. Amanda solely shares suggestions primarily based on her private experiences and locations she’s really traveled!