My Year in Travel – 2013

This year was a great year of travel for me, hitting some brand new destinations and revisiting some of my old favorites. BUT, for me, the VERY BEST thing about this year in travel are all the wonderful people who I met or was reunited with in various locations around the world. My travels wouldn’t be anything without the people on my journey.

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January saw me in NYC and meeting friends old and new – who knew how important they’d all become in my life over the course of this year. I count my blessings for you.

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In January I also skied in Verbier, Switzerland and absolutely loved my time with the legendary Warren Smith. I truly hope to see him again in 2014.

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Rounding out January, I went to Copenhagen for the very first time and got to reconnect with a travel friend, Christoffer. I loved the cool capital city of Denmark.

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February saw me catching up with a dear travel buddy, Anita, in Montreal, Canada for the very first time. We had a ball doing all kinds of wintery fun things like staying in an Ice Hotel and going to Igloofest.

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March was my month for Barcelona & Costa Brava, Spain. I was thrilled to meet up with a fellow traveler, Brian, in Barcelona and was lucky enough to see him again in London in November.

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Going to Costa Brava was an incredible experience. I love that area of Spain and really cannot get enough, especially of the coast. But, the people on this trip really made it the very best. I can’t imagine a more fun press trip.

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April found me in back in NYC. I always love my NYC trips because I get to catch up with very special friends like Jeff & Craig – 2 of my favorites!!

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May saw me in my favorite, Miami. I cannot get enough of this city. While I had my usual fun of beach, pool, dinner, drinks and dancing, I particularly enjoyed working with the fantastic luxe swimwear company, Orchid Boutique, during this trip. Talk about a great collection as well as a staff of kindred spirits!

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June was an incredible month chalked full of fun things. Kicking off in Toronto for a conference with so many of my favorite fellow travelers, I actually wonder if we’ll ever be able to beat our #RWTBEX time here. I love you all so much!

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I also got to spend a bit of time with one of my most lovely traveling partners, Mrs. O, Ana. I was able to show her a bit of Americana in the amazing seaside town of Newport, Rhode Island. We had a ball doing Newport the luxe way.

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Wrapping up my June, I had an incredible visit to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. What a great girls weekend we had there and our host, the Bahia Hotel and Carlos, made my trip 100% amazing. Cannot wait to return.

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July found me back in Euroland – one of Lola’s favorites. Although, this was a “repeat” journey of sorts, I did manage to do a few new things. One of which was going to the Henley Royal Regatta.

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Post-UK was a return visit to Prague and Budapest. Two of my favorites that I’ve never visited in the summertime. Absolutely stunning! So was hanging out with friends made on a previous trip. Always nice to share a beer with good people.

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August took me back to Montreal once again and NYC. This trip was extra special because of the time well spent with lifelong friends and a last visit with a friend that would soon depart. Anita, Montreal will always make me think of you fondly. I love you and that city so much.

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September took me to two cities I wanted to know better. First was Seattle with my newly found soul mate, Erin. There is nowhere I wouldn’t go with this girl. And we both wanted to celebrate happy moments, like our dear friends, Captain & Clark’s wedding!

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Toward the end of September, Erin and I were reunited again in the city of brotherly love, Philadelphia. I like to think of it as the city of sisterly love! We had a blast discovering different neighborhoods of Philly & laughing with each other all the while.

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October I was lucky enough to be reunited with 2 of my favorite traveling partners again, Ana & Mary Anne along with Mary Anne’s BFF Maxine, for a GLAM LA girls weekend.

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November was a busy fun month with a visit back to the UK for a conference and reconnecting with so many fun friends from around the world. I’m so glad our paths cross from time to time.

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Followed up by a quick jaunt to France and Amsterdam for more girlfriend fun. I wouldn’t choose to travel any other way. Traveling with Ashley, Ana & Mary Anne was the very best.

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And I managed to squeeze in a last minute trip back to NYC with my girlfriends and once again be reunited with some of my favorite people.

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In December I finished off my year of travel back in Miami to celebrate Erin’s birthday. I cannot think of a better place to end my year. It is my happy spot and it was made so much better being there, laughing and enjoying life, with two of my travel besties, Erin & Esther.

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Maybe you see some common themes in my travels. Repeat places, repeat friends, repeated silliness and smiles. Traveling is my lifeline and a huge part of my heart as are all the people I meet along the way. My world is better for all of you. Here’s to many more reunions on the road and good times ahead in 2014! Happy travels…

XO – Lola

16 Comments

Filed under amsterdam, barcelona, budapest, cabo san lucas, copenhagen, costa brava, henley-on-thames, london, los angeles, miami, montreal, new york, newport, philadelphia, prague, seattle, toronto, travel, verbier

16 Responses to My Year in Travel – 2013

  1. Awwww, I love you AND this post!! So glad we became so close this year – there’s nowhere I wouldn’t go to with you either my love. What a year we’ve had and to think we only really met in January! Looking forward to filling this year with plenty of travel time together. Especially looking forward to our summer. Love you forever! xx

    PS That selfie from the wedding – adorable!
    PPS That photo of us in Miami with the champagne – hilarious. Day drinking transitioning to night drinking.
    Erin – The World Wanderer recently posted…All Ready for New Year’s Eve in Barcelona with @GowithOh.My Profile

  2. The second pic is the best LOLA
    Robert Schrader recently posted…My 2013 Travel in 50 PhotosMy Profile

  3. Wow, Lola, what a year you had! All the best for 2014 and I hope we can finally meet this year 🙂
    Jenna recently posted…Top Blog Posts of 2013My Profile

  4. Looks like you’ve had a lot of fun, hope 2014 is good to you as well! 🙂
    Becky Padmore recently posted…In BIG pictures: our travel highlights of 2013My Profile

  5. Looks like you had a fantastic year! Excited to see what 2014 brings you 🙂
    Silvia recently posted…Our 13 Best, Worst, and Strange Travel Moments of 2013My Profile

  6. What a fantastic year 2013 is been for you! Love the Instagram from the plane in Miami and I’m SO jealous you got to ski in Switzerland. Happy New Year to you!
    Laura recently posted…My 13 Favorite Photos of 2013My Profile

  7. looks like a year packed full of fun and smiles! Agree on Newport, was jealous when I saw that – loved the Vanderbilt when we visited!!
    Anna Parker recently posted…Missing South AfricaMy Profile

  8. I am so glad I got to see you so many times this year – you truly made my year super fun and special! Can’t wait to see you in Miami!
    @mrsoaroundworld recently posted…2013: My year in travel – 50 flights, 80k miles and 105 nights awayMy Profile

  9. Wow, what a fantastic year, it looks like you had so much fun!
    Monica recently posted…Highlights from 2013My Profile

  10. wow, great year, great fun, and great photos from April…. #staylolafied 4eva, Craig
    Craig Zabransky recently posted…Florida’s Best Beach Town – Clearwater, FL and a Day at the Super Boat RacesMy Profile

  11. Life on repeat aint that bad.. 🙂 loving’ the kisses all around and our RTWtbex family — a great year indeed, Lola!!!
    Kieu Nguyen recently posted…One Bucket List Item for 2014My Profile

  12. aww, you had a pretty good 2013, lola! we’re so glad we were each able to be a part of it 🙂
    the lazy travelers recently posted…no travel required: #frifotosMy Profile

  13. SOMEONE is missing from this roundup!!
    Raul (@ilivetotravel) recently posted…Top 16 Memorable Moments from 2013 in PhotosMy Profile

  14. I enjoyed watching your social skills at work in Toronto and having the pleasure to have drinks.
    Lance | Trips By Lance recently posted…5 Ways to Celebrate Elvis’ Birthday in MemphisMy Profile

  15. SOMEONE ELSE is missing from this roundup!! No love from Lola in 2013. Hopefully that will change in 2014!
    Francesca (@WorkMomTravels) recently posted…2014 Chicago Boat, Sports & RV Show – and a giveaway!My Profile

  16. Nice collage of the year in review with the amazing friends you have. Love the homage shown to Anita. Glad to have made the post. Hope to see you in 2014.
    Traveling Ted recently posted…Running loops in the shadows of the Petronas TowersMy Profile

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