My Travel Plans for this Year

With less than two months left until I graduate, this year will mark some huge changes in my life. The past four years have undoubtedly been great. I have lived three different cities, went on countless adventures to four different continents, had jobs varying from a marketing intern, to working at a fashion show, and let's not forget all the friends I've met, relationships that blossomed, and all university dorm induced nights of drunken debauchery that is probably better left forgotten.

Graduation will mean living life differently. My trips abroad won't be measured in semesters or summer vacations. Instead, I can plan year long around-the-world adventures, stay out late on school nights (hah), and travel impulsively, sporadically, and without limits. And while venturing out into the "real world" also means making responsible decisions, and pursuing my career, I know I won't be wasting a single moment of this new found freedom! It's not too much of a surprise therefore that I've compiled this list...

My travel plans, of the top, but not limited to, places I'm going to this year!

SPRING

Montreal
Hands down my favourite Canadian city, and therefore, it would be impossible not to pay a visit before I leave for my great adventure abroad. I've already been planning this trip with a friend for a month now, so it's only a matter of when. Most likely we'll go in April - I think I need to celebrate my birthday and graduation with some French amour.

SUMMER


New York City
The last time I've been to New York was two years ago for a wedding. It was for one of my wealthier relatives in New York, and in between wedding rehearsals, and hanging out with elderly ladies with Louis Vuitton bags and wearing fur coats, I hardly had anytime to myself (translation: window shopping at Tiffanys and going clubbing).

Chicago
I haven't been to Chicago since I lived there three years ago for art school. Every year I plan to go, and make false Facebook statuses informing my friends there that I will be back...but I still haven't. I am obviously a horrible friend, so a trip back is a must to clear my moral conscious, not to mention...I'm really craving a Chicago deep dish pizza!

The American South
This is a possible summer trip, which all depends if a friend of mine decides to buy a car and do this road trip with me. While the south may be stereotyped for being backwards and full of K-Marts and people with guns, I may have watched too many Cameron Crowe movies, and therefore when I think of the south, I picture myself running happily through corn fields or singing "sweet home Alabama" with merry people playing the banjo at a western themed bar. I also own quite a few plaid shirts that I'd like to put in good use.

FALL

Germany
If I get the teaching position (fingers still crossed), I will be living in Germany, which would be soooo cool. I'll be there in September, so I will definitley be making my way to Munich for Oktoberfest with some friends. I can also visit all my friends there again without feeling too rushed, and there's still quite a few cities I'd love to visit...such as Hamburg and Dresden.

The UK
If I don't get the teaching position in Germany, I'm planning on getting a holiday working visa and living in London for a year. A friend of mine did that a year ago and loved it. Also when I was younger, and obsessed with the Spice Girls, it was my dream to live in England. So let's make that happen.

Switzerland
I loved Switzerland the last time i went (post coming up about it soon, I promise). There's also a certain someone there...but I'll leave it at that for now. ;)

France
A friend recently moved to Paris for his masters degree (he is from southern France) and has been trying to convince me for some time now to revisit Paris. I'd like to go back to the Musee d'Orsay (the best musuem on this PLANET), and also love to visit Monet's house and garden (remember the opening scenes of Midnight in Paris?) Also having a French friend around means I can avoid getting myself in awkward situations such as the time when I had to mime "I'd like to buy a box of tampons" to the elderly lady at the small pharmacy.

Netherlands
Amsterdam, anyone?

WINTER

Spain
I want to take advantage of those budget airlines in Europe and take trips, especially during the winter to some of the sunny beaches of Spain. Also, I am a HUGE fan of Catalan architecture.

Morocco
I have yet to visit the African continent, and with Morocco so close to Europe, it would be a nice foray into northern Africa. Sometimes when I'm bored, I'd search up photos of Morocco because it looks so stunning...I also think if I learn to speak Arabic, it would probably be the coolest thing ever.