2013 – Where I’ve Been and Where I’m Going

All through my 20’s I was all into  road trips and have driven through and visited all of this continent’s 48 states.  Then I discovered international travel and realized I have a short amount of time to squeeze in as much of the world as possible.

So it is with a great sense of gratitude that I look back on 2013 -a great year in travel for me – funded largely by my miles and points collecting. I truly feel blessed to have traveled to ten new countries, revisited some favorites, and enjoyed several once in a lifetime experiences! I am also grateful for being able to share these adventures on Southern Travel Girl with the First2Board Family of bloggers.

74 segments
101093 miles

New York and Los Angeles

The year started with winning a place on Delta’s NonStopNYC extravaganza,  a six-week sustained social campaign that aimed to establish Delta as NYC’s home airline with fun challenges and prizes.  Starting in New York at JFK, we flew to LAX while experiencing Delta’s new onboard Business Product. In LA we were treated to a performance by stand-up comedian Asiz Ansari; dinner at Nobu Malibu hosted by Chef Nobu himself; a private concert with the band Fun; and topped off with a dance experience with DJ Theory at our hotel, the SLS in Beverly Hills.

NonStopNYC

The Delta NonStopNYC Crew

Paris

The highlight of my very first trip to Paris was being able to experience the City of Light in the snow! You can read all about that trip on what turned into a seven part mega Guest Blog at TheMrPickles.

Playing in the snow at Versailles

Singapore and Hong Kong

I experienced my first Singapore Airlines award flight with a trip to Singapore and Hong Kong flying in SQ’s A380 Suites Class.

Singapore Airlines A380 Suites Class

Butterfly Garden at Changi Airport

Victoria Peak, Hong Kong

Washington, DC – FTU

A great opportunity to put faces to names and share miles and points obsessions with other frequent flyers.

Chatting with @JosephMay FTU

Charleston, SC

Sharing the magic of Charleston with F2B Bloggers and friends at the Charleston Sessions. We had a blast…and hope to repeat it in August at the First2Board Seattle Sessions.

First2Board Brunch Bunch

Istanbul and Malta

In July my husband and I celebrated our anniversary with a trip to Istanbul and Malta. We added Austrian Airlines to our list of Star Alliance airlines flown. Our flight on Austrian led me to have one of the most incredible post  travel related experiences … ever! Many thanks again to Bernd Hartweger and Austrian Airlines for delivering that surprise!

Austrian Airlines over Austria

Favorite Photo Op Location -Topkapi Palace, Istanbul

Salt Flats, Gozo

Rabat, Malta

Shannon, Ireland

Ireland is one of my absolutely favorite countries to visit. And with a great airfare, I was off to the west coast of Ireland for a four day break. It was a driving vacation that took me along the coast highway in County Clare from Doolin to the Cliffs of Moher to Lisdoonvarna. My little piece of heaven.

County Clare Ireland

Amsterdam

On the way to the Nordic Do, I had a quick stop in Amsterdam….

Amsterdam, Jordaan Area Canal

Oslo

The Farewell to the SAS MD80 MegaDO was just an incredible event. SAS planned to retire all of their MD80’s. A group of 150 frequent flyers met up in Oslo in September to begin a four day event that took us to three countries and involved an incredible charter flight around Norway with low passes over the country’s beautiful fjords.

Karl Johans Gate, Oslo
Royal Palace

Stockholm

A quick stop in Stockholm to meet the SAS executives….and a walk on the tarmac.

Our MD80 Charter Plane
Nordic MegaDo

Copenhagen

From Stockholm to Copenhagen…..

Waterfront, Copenhagen

Paris

At the end of the Nordic Do, my friend Maureen and I headed to Paris to top off our trip. I discovered the Grande Dame of macarons….Laduree…. and that a fabulous place to watch the sunset is from the top of the Holiday Inn, Notre Dame.

Laduree, Paris

Sunset from the Holiday Inn Notre Dame

Chicago

My fourth year attending the Chicago Sessions…. and it never gets old.  I love visiting and chatting with my frequent flyer buddies….

With Mark (TravelBlawg) and Dia (TheDealMommy)

Istanbul

October mileage run to Istanbul with TheMrPickles –

Istanbul – Blue Mosque

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

November found me enjoying the sun and warmth that Cabo San Lucas always has to offer. Each year we meet the ‘West Coast’ family in Cabo for Thanksgiving.  This year was made memorable because in addition to some nice sized Dorado prepared by Nick San,  I caught my first Marlin ever! And as always, discovered new and wonderful restaurants – Flora Farm topped the list.

El Arco, Los Cabos

My First Marlin! (catch and release of course)

  New York

I had very little travel planned for December… but I did manage to pop up to New York to see the Christmas sights and have a little impromptu get together with Kathy, of Will Run for Miles, and a few other like minded travelers.

Rockefeller Center – New York

All in all it has been a wonderful travel year….and I am looking forward to see what 2014 has in store for me!

So, where am I going in 2014? Well, you can find out by following  @CarolinaTravelGirl  on Twitter and you will be among the first to know!