Best of EuropeUpClose in 2017 & A Big Reveal for 2018

December 22, 2017 By Maria Haase This article may contain affiliate links. We may earn a small commission if you buy through our links.

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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?

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