If you follow me on Instagram, you know I’ve been out and about in and out of NYC this year. Including day/weekend trips, and full vacations I visited 3 countries and 6 US cities. I’m not rolling over days and some planned trips will be longer than my normal 3-5 day getaways so 2016 will probably be less. I get this question a lot, so here’s how I took advantage of days off from my full-time job in my 2015 travel roundup.
January
For the Martin Luther King Jr holiday weekend, I hopped on the Megabus to Washington DC staying at the Washington Plaza Hotel. In addition to bar hopping with my former roomie cousin, I walked around the city ‘monument hopping’ and exploring Chinatown.
For religious reasons, I partially fasted during the day drinking only water and herbal tea, but I enjoyed dinners at The Gryphon and Mehak.
Days used – 0 + weekend & 1 paid holiday
February
Using rollover vacation days from 2014 I visited Puerto Plata, DR. It was my first time at an all inclusive resort and visiting an island in the Caribbean that wasn’t Trinidad. With an exception of eating and drinking, most of my trip was off the resort. The highlight was riding up Mount Isabel de Torres during our City Tour via cable car.
Days used – 4 + Saturday
March
The first weekend in March, I took the Sprinter bus to celebrate my cousin’s 30th Masquerade in Virginia Beach. We spent the weekend running around for supplies and decorating the party venue, but I enjoyed the sun and 70+ degree weather on the beach and boardwalk before heading back to the NYC cold. Days used – 0 + weekend
April
I made a sacrifice my birthday weekend and joined Type 4 Naturals and other ladies in the natural hair community for Atlanta Curlfriends Takeover weekend, connecting with other bloggers, vloggers and brand owners at Kinky Hair Unlocked and the World Natural Hair Show. My sister and I even snuck away for a bit to visit my god sister using Zipcar.
Days used – 1 + weekend
May
My cousins and I rented a villa and spent Memorial Day weekend in Trinidad & Tobago. For my first visit to Tobago, I definitely need a do over, but spending time with family I rarely see is always great.
Days used – 2 + weekend & 1 paid holiday
August
My immediate family and I spent mid-August in a 5-bedroom, 4-bathroom villa rental in Kissimmee, Florida. We planned this trip since February and it was a much-needed break for all of us. The kids especially enjoyed the game room, pool, and our day trip to Legoland.
Days used – 5 + weekend
October
My first real solo trip to Curaçao was a huge success. The hotel staff at the Royal Sea Aquarium were tremendous and I had the best time swimming with the fishes on the Aqufari Underwater Tour.
Days used – 4 + Saturday I took my first road trip behind the wheel and went to Philadelphia for the Cheesesteak Festival. It was my niece and nephew’s first time having a cheesesteak and they loved it.
The best part (for me) was people handing us their tickets to try the samples or get full sandwiches. With the exception of paying for tolls and gas, we pretty much went there for free. Our favorite truck hands down were Grubaholics. The line was super long, but it was well worth waiting for.
Days used – 0 + Saturday
November
I joined my parents and some siblings with my sister and her family in Pennsylvania for Thanksgiving. I was the nap queen riding in the back seat and took a break from blogging, bringing no camera or laptop with me at all.
The weather was absolutely beautiful for late November, so I enjoyed quality time with my nieces and nephews. The time off reminded me that tuning out from social media every once in a while is needed.
Days used – 0 + 2 paid holidays
December
Due to the recent attacks in Paris, I canceled my trip and will be using the remainder of my days next week. I could’ve let them roll over or booked something last minute, but stay-cations are just as good as going away.
I was excited because it would’ve been my first time in Europe, but I was more concerned for my safety than anything. Thankfully, it wasn’t a total loss and I received a full refund because I purchased trip insurance.
Days used – 4 + 2 paid holidays + 2 weekends
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Most of my travel for 2016 is full already. I’m flying back to Atlanta for another MLK weekend and fulfilling a 30 before 30 items by going to Cartagena, Colombia in early February. I plan to spend my 30th with my sisters and we want to do another family vacation in the summer.
My biggest trip of the year will be celebrating my friend’s 30th in Thailand next fall. I may do some weekend trips in between or take advantage of working remotely more. No matter what, I can’t wait to see where else 2016 takes me.
Do you have any travel plans for 2016?
Yes fabulous year in travel! Looks like you’ve had a great 2015, looking forward to what 2016 brings you in travel.
Thanks so much Nicole.
Your 2015 sounds like it was great and your 2016 sounds even better! I can’t wait to hear about your time in Thailand. 8 days island hopping sounds epic! Happy travels!!
I’m sooooo counting down the days. lol I have to wait all the way ’til December.
Too bad you had to cancel Europe! It is probably the safest area of the world now given the recent attacks and heightened security (especially given all that is going on in the US). I also visited the MLK Memorial this year and did my first solo international trip. Great year end review!
Thanks Tyra. About a week or two before, I started getting so many email alerts from the STEP so I kind of blame them. lol j/k. One day Paris will see me.
It’s been fun seeing the world through your eyes. I don’t know if I’ll do any traveling next year but it would be fun to.
What a fun year if travel! It is good to show people the logistics of how you can work and travel. Columbia and Thailand are on my list! I cant believe I have not made it to Thailand yet. So far I have Cuba and Dubai booked fro 2016 so looking forward to those and some long weekend trips in the states.
I’ve been talking about going to Cuba for years. I was supposed to go in July, but I’ll be going away with my family. I think that’ll be first on the list in 2017.
You’ve had an awesome year in travel. Best wishes to a great 2016.
Thanks Regina! 🙂