2018 was a big year of travel for me. I proudly managed to go somewhere every month, even if it was just for a night or two! In 2018, I made it to 9 different countries (5 of them totally new countries), 5 continents, and 7 different states. I also launched Homeroom Travel.
Countries Visited: South Korea, United Kingdom, Portugal, Morocco, Italy, Colombia, Ecuador, and Canada
States Visited: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Washington, Arizona, Illinois, and Nevada
Almost every year, I am fortunate enough to start my year on the East Coast. In 2018, I started the year off in Philadelphia with my husband, Casey. I explored some new places around the city and ate delicious Philly Cheesesteaks. We then journeyed to visit my family in New Jersey and meet up with my mom. After a few days in Jersey, my mom and I spent some time in New York City, where we survived the bomb cyclone of 2018!
Read more about what to do in NYC
I kicked February off with a trip to Chicago to celebrate one of my cousin’s 21st birthdays. We explored Chicago with a group of 10 people. We explored some of the newer sites of Chicago such as “The Ledge” at Willis Tower and ate our way through the city. The highlight was the Goose Island Brewery Tour.
March and April granted me a week off for Spring Break! I had originally wanted to spend it in Europe, but I scored very inexpensive tickets to South Korea that I could not pass up! It was a new country that I had been wanting to visit. Thus, my husband and I spent 10 days exploring Seoul and Busan. I thought my stomach would burst from the amount of Korean BBQ and chicken I ate. I also got to experience a Korean Baseball Game which is a bit different than an American Baseball Game!
South Korea Articles
Every year at the end of April, I take about 120 seventh graders from my school to science camp on Catalina Island. Students spend three days in science labs, snorkeling, and learning about marine life. I always enjoy the amazement they get when they get to touch a shark and see the animals in their natural habitat.
The end of May led to the end of the school year which meant SUMMER VACATION!!
To kick off the summer, my husband and I ventured to another new country, Morocco. Along the way, we had a long layover in London which enabled me to FINALLY visit Windsor Castle. My last London trip got interrupted with a family emergency and I had to fly home before being able to see it.
We then had an overnight layover in Lisbon, Portugal which enabled us to explore another new country! Even though we had such a
Two days after we departed from Los Angeles, we made it to Morocco. Casey and I spent a couple days exploring Fes. Then we embarked on a three-day desert tour where we rode a camel and spent the night in the Sahara Desert! The desert tour ended in Marrakech where we spent a few more days wandering around the medina. Although I enjoyed visiting Morocco, it is not a place I would visit again.
After our week in Morocco, we headed to Italy to meet up with our friends, Deedee and Andrew! We spend a week exploring Tuscany, tasting all kinds of Italian wine, and eating endless pizza and pasta. We took day trips to Florence and Siena. After a relaxing week, we headed down to Rome for a few days. It was a wonderful experience to travel with our friends and explore more of Italy.
Europe Guides
Morocco Guides
Italy Guides
- Italy Lesson Plan
- Wine Tasting in Tuscany
- Staying at Castellina in Chianti
- Florence Study Guide
- Siena Study Guide
- Rome and Vatican City Lesson Plan
- Italy Lesson Plan
- Wine Tasting in Tuscany
- Staying at Castellina in Chianti
- Florence Study Guide
- Siena Study Guide
- Rome and Vatican City Lesson Plan
- An Evening Stroll Through Rome
To celebrate Fourth of July, we met us with our friends, Molly
Read more about what to do in Seattle
To finish off my summer, I spent two weeks exploring two more new countries, Colombia and Ecuador, with my mom. Both places were countries that surprised me. I enjoyed them so much more than I thought I would. South America is also great for traveling teachers because it is SO affordable. Bogota had amazing food and unbelievable views. The most memorable part of Ecuador was spending two nights in the Amazon.
South America Guides
- Bogota Study Guide
- Staying at Casa del Suizo
- Staying at Termas de Papallacta
- 2 Days in Quito
- Day Trips from Quito
Shortly after kicking off a new school year, I spent my first weekend back to work celebrating another cousin’s 21st birthday in Las Vegas. My mom’s side of the family is quite large (she is one of eight) and we had thirty-one family members in attendance. It was a memorable family memory we will be talking about for years to come! In Vegas, I highly recommend going to see the Chainsmokers perform at XS.
At the beginning of September, Casey, Chloe, and I spent the weekend in Los Angeles. I always try to spend at least one weekend a year in Los Angeles, so I can continue to get to explore the area I live in. I went to Perch for the first time and I really liked the atmosphere!
At the end of September, Casey and I took a road trip to Tucson, Arizona to visit our friends who live there. We also attended the Arizona State vs. USC football game. We made some unforgettable memories that weekend and enjoyed time with our friends.
October brought about the opportunity for me to spend the weekend in Venice Beach to attend the Fujifilm Festival. Here I was able to refine my photography skills and learn more about editing photos. It was such a fantastic opportunity and I am thankful I was able to attend.
The end of October I finally made it to Toronto, a city I had been wanting to visit for a while. Although I only had a weekend to explore, I saw a lot in that short time. It is definitely a city I would like to visit again during summertime.
Explore Los Angeles
Canada Guides
Living in California makes it easy to take a quick trip up to Napa for some wine tasting. My mom and I enjoyed visiting a couple wineries, the Jelly Belly Factory, and wandering around Sacramento. It was the perfect getaway to start my Thanksgiving break.
To celebrate our wedding anniversary, we went to Vegas with our friends Val and Phil. I explored the Fremont Street area this time. I found that I liked it a lot better than the Strip!
To wrap up the year, Casey, my mom, and I ended up in New Jersey. The east coast is always so magical this time of year (maybe because sometimes it snows). We spent a day in Atlantic City strolling the boardwalk and the rest of the time with family.
2018 brought many magical memories. In 2019, my goal is to again travel somewhere every month, continue to expand Homeroom Travel, and make it to my 50th country! What were some of your 2018 travel adventures?
