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A Year in Review & A Big Reveal for 2018
2017 is coming to an end, and like most people during this time of sparkly lights, festive parties, and scrumptious Holiday buffets, I like to reflect on the past year. Was it good? Was it bad? What can I do better in the coming year?
For me, 2017 was a great year. I cannot believe that I am getting close to my 1 year anniversary as the new Editor and Owner of EuropeUpClose and I am proud of how the blog has grown. Our writers and contributors have submitted some phenomenal stories this year. These writers are the backbone of EuropeUpClose and I am proud and grateful to have these talented wordsmiths be part of my team.
67 Blog posts were published in 2017 on EuropeUpClose and I visited 38 destinations in 14 countries in the past 12 months. Here is a roundup of all the posts published on EuropeUpClose and some of my favorite travel photos I took in 2017. I hope you enjoy!
Oh, and before I forget: I have an exciting new project in store for you for 2018 and beyond! I am setting out on my own personal challenge, a journey that will take me to the near and far corners of Europe and I will be able to showcase you some of the most beautiful gems (412 to be exact) this continent has to offer. What is it?
The EuropeUpClose UNESCO Bucket List Challenge
There are currently 412 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Europe and I will visit and write about each and every one of them on EuropeUpClose. Will I do this in 1 year? No, but my goal for 2018 is to visit a minimum of 100 UNESCO sites and write about them on EuropeUpClose. Click here for more info!
The EuropeUpClose team and I wish you Happy Holidays and a great year of travel in 2018.
Maria
Best of EuropeUpClose 2017
January
A New Year and Some Big Changes for EuropeUpClose by Maria Haase
Art and Science in the Netherlands’ Watersnood Museum by Anne Siders
Puglia – Another Side of Italy by Cam Hassard
Travel Gear & Resources by Maria Haase
(A Few of the) Best Restaurants in Heidelberg by Cam Hassard
Carnevale Di Viareggio – An Alternative to Venice? by Claudia Flisi
The Achilleion in Corfu, Greece by W. Ruth Kozak
Destinations: 0
February
The Most Romantic Valentines Day Destinations in Europe by Collaboration with various Travel Bloggers
Six Nations’ Rugby Championship by Anne Siders
Hidden Treasures in Europe by Maria Haase
Join me: Sailing Cruise from Sardinia to Corsica by Maria Haase
Ferry Port Towns in France by Maria Haase
Berlin Street Art – Funky & Historic by Honor Kennedy
Destinations: 2
San Diego
Washington DC
March
How To Order Gelato in Italy by Suzanne Ball
Finding Ajax, Hero of the Troy Wars by W. Ruth Kozak
Hotel Plaza e de Russie in Viareggio – Cooking Class in a Michelin-Starred Restaurant by Claudia Flisi
An Adventure on the Dutch Wadden Sea by Angela Eldering
Barcelona like a Local by Inka Piegsa-Quischotte
Viareggio, Italy: A Summer Pearl by Claudia Flisi
Why Now is the Best Time to Visit the Balkans by Mihaela Lica Butler
The Best Travel Destinations for Beach and Culture Lovers by Maria Haase
Destinations: 0
April
What to Wear in Europe to not Look like a Tourist by Karin Leperi
Easter in Spain: Tips for Tourists by Inka Piegsa-Quischotte
Berlin off the Beaten Path – Not so Touristy Things to Do in Berlin by Cam Hassard
5 Best Hikes in Ireland – Hiking on the Emerald Isle by Guest Contributor
Copenhagen: Hidden Gems by Qin Xie
25 Photos of Iceland That Make You Want to Visit Right Now! by Anne Siders
Best Pizzerias in Naples – What makes Neapolitan Pizza so special? by Claudia Flisi
Tips for Cycling The Danube by Guest Contributor
Luxury Vacation Ideas for France by Maria Haase
Unique Hotels: Swedish Tree Hotel by Honor Kennedy
Destinations: 0
May
Tuscany Regions: Exploring Etruscany by Claudia Flisi
Enchantments in the “Etruscan triangle” of Southern Tuscany by Claudia Flisi
Tuscany Foods: Where “Cooked Water” is a Culinary Wonder by Claudia Flisi
Hunting Down the Best Tapas Bars in Granada by Cam Hassard
Destinations: 5
Huntsville, Alabama
Mobile, Alabama
Turks and Caicos
The Bahamas
New York City, New York
June
Europe Currencies – Everything You Need to Know About the EURO by Angela Eldering
Isadora Duncan – Dancing in the Temple of the Arts in Athens by W. Ruth Kozak
5 French Cheeses We Love by Karin Leperi
10 Travel Books That Take Your Heart to Europe by Mihaela Lica Butler
Destinations: 2
Rockport, Texas
Würzburg, Germany
July
Visiting Cascais: Jewel of the Portuguese Rivera by Honor Kenndy
Experience Lausanne like a Local by Inka Piegsa-Quischotte
Camino de Santiago: A Journey for the Body, Mind, and Soul by Suzanne Ball
Arctic Cruise: Off the Grid in Greenland by Karin Leperi
Destinations: 2
Würzburg, Germany
Los Angeles, California
August
A Tuscan Winery Experience at an Affordable Price by Scott Kendall
Oradour-sur-Glane, France: The Martyrs’ Village by Marie Sherlock
1 Week Itinerary Germany – From Frankfurt to Munich by Scott Kendall
A Mix of Influences – Discovering Arab Culture in Indonesia by Maria Haase
The Best German Christmas Markets – Germany in Winter by Collaboration with various Travel Bloggers
7 Days in Italy: 1 Week Itinerary from Venice to Rome by Scott Kendall
Rescuing the Cats of Athens by W. Ruth Kozak
Dora Stratou Dance Company in Athens by W. Ruth Kozak
Destinations: 4
Los Angeles, California
Singapore
Palembang, Indonesia
Riau Islands, Indonesia
San Diego, California
September
Buddhist Temples in Tanjung Pinang – Photo Essay by Maria Haase
1 Week in Tuscany Itinerary by Scott Kendall
Destinations: 6
San Diego
Würzburg, Germany
Sardinia
Corsica
Dublin, Ireland
Galway, Ireland
October
Explore Indonesia – Riau Islands by Maria Haase
Shopping in Berlin – A Local’s Guide by Honor Kennedy
Destinations: 15
Killarney, Ireland
Waterford, Ireland
Dublin, Ireland
Prague, Czech Republic
Pilsen, Czech Republic
Vysocina Region, Czech Republic
Budapest, Hungary
Zagreb, Croatia
Dolenjska, Slovenia
Bela Krajina, Slovenia
Kočevsko, Slovenia
Lake Bled, Slovenia
Triglav, Slovenia
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Würzburg, Germany
November
Escaping the Cold: Best Winter Sailing Destinations Around the World by Maria Haase
“Yalla! Yalla!” Moroccan Cooking School by Julie H. Ferguson
8 Days in the Czech Republic Itinerary by Maria Haase
FICO Eataly World – A Foodie Heaven in Bologna by Claudia Flisi
Sailing Holidays Packing List by Maria Haase
Discover Western Algarve: Monchique by Inka Piegsa-Quischotte
Destinations: 4
Würzburg, Germany
Nürnberg, Germany
London, UK
San Diego, California
December
15 Reasons Why Fall is the Best Time to Visit Czech Republic by Maria Haase
Serravalle – Sightseeing, Sport, Sybaritic Sojourns by Claudia Flisi
Serravalle Outlet – Shopping and Sipping by Claudia Flisi
Hunting for Croatian Truffles by Guest Contributor
Remember when Flying was Fun? It still is with Singapore Airlines! by Maria Haase
London Food Tour – Discover Culinary Treats in East London by Qin Xie
Destinations: 1
San Diego, California
Outlook to 2018
2017 was great and yet I have a feeling that 2018 will be even better. I already have some fabulous destinations lined up for the coming year, including a trip to the Czech Republic, Germany, and Romania, among quite a few others. Another big focus of my travels will be the UNESCO Bucket List Challenge and I am really excited to share these beautiful destinations all over Europe with you.
Do you have any travel plans for 2018 already?
Ryan Biddulph
Saturday 23rd of December 2017
Hi Maria,
Loving these images! Looks like you're doing a fabulous job here. Just found you on Twitter.
Happy 1 year anniversary :)
Ryan