My Year in Travel: 2020 Edition

2020 is a year we’ll never forget – mainly for all the wrong reasons – but there were a few moments in the past twelve months that brightened up what was very much a year of staying home and trying not to panic at the relentless ‘Breaking News’ headlines.

Looking back on my 2019 travels it’s no wonder I’ve got such strong cravings for travel. Last year saw me go on eight incredible trips, while this year there were half that (mostly all close to home). However given the lengthy pandemic that we’re still battling, I’m amazed and thankful we even managed that.

So, where did I explore in 2020?

March: Lake Bled and Ljubljana, Slovenia

Our first trip of the year was a three-day break in Slovenia. A country I’ve wanted to visit for so long, Slovenia absolutely blew my mind with it’s glassy lakes, towering mountains and snowy late winter weather.

We did tons of walking and sightseeing, but the trip was eerily quiet as neighbouring Italy was beginning to struggle with the rising Coronavirus cases. At that point we had no real idea of what was coming, we were just so happy to be on that trip and had a feeling it might be the last for a while.

Read more on Slovenia:

Slovenia Travel Guide: How to Plan Your Trip

3 Days in Slovenia: A Guide to the Lakes & Ljubljana

Staying in an Alpine Cabin at Lake Bled: Vila Alpina Hotel

July: York, England

I’d wanted to visit York for years but it had never quite worked out. So when lockdown ended and some form of travel was given the green light, we headed north to the city of York for a one-night stay.

It was blisteringly hot, worryingly busy and I got far too drunk on espresso martinis, but it was such a lovely escape after months of misery. That said one night was enough and I was so glad to get back to my home comforts! I’d definitely lost some confidence in travel after such a scary time.

Read more on York:

York Photo Diary: Postcards from a Historic English City

A Luxury Stay at the Principal York Hotel

A Vegetarian’s Guide to Eating in York

August: Devon, England

Whilst travel was allowed but going abroad still felt risky, we decided to book a trip just a few hours drive from home. Devon is a place where I spent many childhood holidays so it was lovely to go back for four nights in the summer.

Whilst it rained a lot of the time and it was virtually impossible to get into any restaurants to eat (remember Eat Out to Help Out?), getting away for a few days was such a treat. I remember thinking the virus was on its way out at this point – how wrong I was.

Read more on Devon:

5 Places to Visit in South Devon

The Tall House in Harberton Devon

Devon Photo Diary: Postcards from the South Coast

October: The Highlands, Scotland

I was so surprised that this trip went ahead, especially given that we were locked down just two weeks later. To be honest it didn’t feel right to go, but we couldn’t afford to lose the money we’d spent on the trip so it was full steam ahead in mid October.

The trip was absolutely amazing, but of course with rules tightening, virtually nothing was open. Getting food was tricky so we ate complete junk for a week. Needless to say we spent a lot of time outdoors enjoying the fresh air and trying to burn off all the calories! This was truly a brilliant place to end our travels for the year.

Read more on Scotland:

7 Day Scotland Road Trip Itinerary

And there we have it! I was hoping to go away for my birthday and New Year, but having been in tier four for a little while now, it’s fair to say that was a definite no go. So instead I’m writing this post from my bed at 1.30pm on New Year’s Eve, already thinking about the bottle of Moet in the fridge for later.

On that note, I’d just like to add that I am so thankful to have been able to do some travelling this year. This year has been horrible for the world, affecting some much more than others, and I realise now more than ever how lucky we were to be able to still do some of what we love most.

While the virus won’t vanish at midnight, I’m really hopeful that at least half of 2021 will be somewhat back to normal. We have one trip booked for May and our autumn wedding, which will be followed by a honeymoon, so I pray that the vaccine works its magic over the next few months for everyone’s sake.

I hope that your 2020 featured some happy moments, and here’s to the next chapter. May it be healthy, safe and full of great adventures!

Did you get to travel in 2020? Let me know where in the comments!