Happy New Year! Where did you explore/enjoy/experience in 2024? I had a phenomenal 2024, visiting 28 countries throughout the year, including five new ones. This brings the total number of countries I have ever visited to 90. I also explored 15 new cities, and flew my 100th Boeing 747! From ancient ruins to vibrant festivals and serene lakes to bustling markets, my journeys spanned a massive range. Here’s a look back at my top 20 travel experiences and some fascinating stats to wrap up the year.

My Top 20 Travel Experiences for 2024

1. Climbing the Acropolis and Exploring Athens by day and by night–what a fun, vibrant, fascinating historical city. I explored the historic Plaka neighbourhood, wandering its cobblestone streets, dining in traditional tavernas, and browsing boutique shops. I also visited the towering Temple of Olympian Zeus, admired the Changing of the Guard at Syntagma Square, and took the cable car up Mount Lycabettus for stunning sunset views over Athens.

2. Enjoyed every second of my time on Naxos and Santorini. At Naxos, I fell in love with its laid-back vibe, beautiful beaches, and welcoming locals. We did not want to leave.

3 Santorini, with its iconic whitewashed buildings and dramatic cliffs, lived up to its legendary reputation.

4 In Japan, I explored Okayama’s Akiyama Garden (below) and Crow Castle. Loved my day trip to Kurashk. It is always great to experience the vibrant energy of Tokyo. Kobe was a delight with its mountainside and waterside vistas. Fukuoka was a very enjoyable city. However, I am still not a massive fan of Osaka. Second visit, and the place has not grown on me. Nearby Nara, however, was more my scene! I marvelled at Nara’s ancient temple (below) and very modern deer, which attack when hungry!

5 Colombia’s impressive Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral, a breathtaking underground marvel located 200 meters below ground and 8,500 square meters, is filled with intricate sculptures, religious spaces, shops, and cafés. I was less enamoured with Bogotá, the country’s capital.

7 In Zagreb, Croatia, I was captivated by the wonderful parks, particularly the 316 hectares (780 acres) of Maksimir Park with its five gorgeous lakes. The fascinating range of museums (including the Museum of Broken Relationships), the stunning medieval old town and the vibrant modern centre are perfect for exploring and eating. I enjoyed a number of the city’s cozy cafes and bustling markets. I would return to Croatia and Zagreb in a heartbeat.

8. Porto always charms me with its stunning Douro River views, the historic Ribeira district, and its excellent transport links that make exploring easy, including access to beautiful nearby beaches. The city’s dynamic pulse, thriving arts scene, and incredible food—especially the local specialties and port wine—made every moment unforgettable. It’s no wonder Porto remains one of my favourite destinations worldwide. Have you been? Are you a fan?

9. There’s nothing quite like Paris in the spring, when the city comes alive with blossoms lining the Seine and the Saint-Martin Canal. I indulged in my usual wanderings through the historic streets, soaking in the city’s beauty. Staying in the atmospheric Montmartre, I enjoyed a scenic run along its streets and up and around the Sacré-Cœur. Add in (too many)world-class pastries and visits to my favourite cafés, and it’s no wonder Paris continues to enchant me every time. My only regret is not staying longer every time I visit.

10. Darwin, Australia‘s phenomenal markets, from the famous Mindil Beach markets to Parap and Nightcliff are always a draw, and this visit, I explored their incredible WW2 underground oil tunnel

11. Scaling Adelaide Oval’s rooftop to 164 feet (ca. 50 m) was an exhilarating experience, offering breathtaking views of the city skyline, the Torrens River, and the surrounding parklands. A special highlight was the Chihuly Glass Exhibition in Adelaide’s Botanic Gardens, where vibrant, intricate glass sculptures beautifully contrasted with the lush greenery.

14 Running on the new runway along with 5000 others at Bangkok airport to raise funds to buy medical equipment for hospitals in remote area. Really up close and personal with the planes.

15 Some amazing train rides in nine countries, including a long, slow train from Croatia to Hungary, Colombia’s Turisten train, Wales’ Snowdon Mountain Railway, Tallwyn railway where some Thomas the Tank engine stories are set, the Cockle Train in South Australia and the remarkable Thai Floating Train at Pa Sak Jolasid Dam where we stopped on tracks over a dam.

16 The world’s Salsa capital, Cali (Colombia), lived up to its title. One of the highlights was climbing to the San Antonio Church, perched on a hill with stunning views of the city below. The colourful San Antonio neighbourhood, named after the church, with its colonial charm and lively atmosphere, was the perfect place to explore. I found some excellent cafés. The river area was a delight. Check out my Cali review here.

18 I visited seven different Concordes in England, Scotland, and France on my mission to visit every Concorde! Plus, I saw the exact 707 I flew on in 1971 preserved at Scotland’s Museum of flight.

10. Exploring Torre des Bocas in Panama, a special Caribbean place, offers a unique mix of natural beauty and vibrant culture. I spent my days hiking along pristine beaches, through dense forests and intense mangroves. Check out more about my adventures here!

20. Relaxing at Lake Balaton, Hungary’s largest lake, a serene escape. Swimming in its calm waters, walking along its picturesque shores, and soaking in the lively charm of its lakeside towns made it the perfect place to unwind.

Special mentions need to go for enjoyable visits to:

• Ayutthaya (Thailand): Ancient ruins in this UNESCO listed city mixed with delicious food, and surrounded by beautiful rivers.
• Budapest: Grand architecture, stunning art, and an excellent central market that buzzes with life and culture. Enjoyed a delightful sunset river cruise to cap off the trip.
• Chicago: Vibrant cultural neighbourhoods, a beautiful waterfront, and an infectious energy
• Des Moines: A hidden Midwestern gem with brilliant botanical gardens, a stunning state capitol, and lovely river walks
• Geneva: Lakeside elegance, breathtaking alpine backdrops, and a treasure trove of fascinating museums.
• Gold Coast (Australia): Glittering beaches that soothe my soul every visit.
• Helsinki: A Nordic treasure with stunning waterfront charm, cutting-edge design, exceptional public transport, and Moomins!
• Hobart (Australia): Of course, I checked out the iconic MONA museum and the lively Salamanca Market and enjoyed Tasmania’s unparalleled natural beauty.
• Lisbon: Rolling hills of colourful tiles, delectable pastéis de nata, and of course the trams
• Mexico City: I love wandering through this sprawling metropolis, with great food on every corner
• Omaha: A warm Midwestern spirit with great art spaces and a welcoming vibe.
• Perth (Australia): Kings Park has to be one of the best parks in the world
• Shanghai: Enjoying the futuristic skyline from the Bund, savouring exquisite cuisine, and strolling the historic and futuristic districts.
• Singapore: Walked the lush Rail Corridor trail and enjoyed street food at the city’s hawker markets in this dynamic city-state.
• Spokane: Popped into this charming riverside city for the 2024 11km Bloomsday Run, scenic trails, and historical landmarks.
• Tamworth (Australia): Australia’s country music capital, brimming with laid-back rural charm.
• Taipei: Explored large day markets, sampled incredible street food, and enjoyed the city’s friendly, vibrant atmosphere.
• Vienna: Stunning architecture, enchanting classical music, magical Christmas markets, and the perfect schnitzel—what’s not to love?

My Lowlights

• Guatemala was the country I disliked the most last year. While, I love Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama, I cannot say the same about their neighbour. I felt deeply unsafe (which for someone who went to Colombia on the same trip says something), didn’t connect with the people, and didn’t really enjoy my food experiences. I know many love and treasure this nation. I am sorry, I am not one of them
• Chile was my other disappointment, and my high hopes for Santiago were dashed. Applying for a visa was the most frustrating process out of every nation I have been to. My hotel in Santiago made me stay on the street for two hours calling my bank because none of my cards worked! I wasnt even welcomed onto the lobby! Turns out of course, it was their machine. I didn’t find it easy to connect with Chileanos and kept being told by locals” “don’t expect us to be friendly”. Sorry folks! I did not find people friendly. Visually with the mountains, it is a visually stunning city!
• I flew the Colombian airline Avianca six times. The first flight was superb and the remaining five awful. Overall, they get a 69% rating from me which is better than Jetstar at 66%. My worst airline experiences? Take a bow United at 50%.

What were your best experiences in 2024?

2024 By the Numbers

• 2 New U.S. states: Nebraska, Iowa bringing me to 48 US states
• 5 New Countries: Colombia, Chile, Croatia, Greece, and Guatemala (now at 90 countries)
• 15 New Cities: Including Athens, Bogotá, Cali, Santiago and Zagreb.
• Travelled on one of the remotest flights in the world, Qantas 94 to Santiago from Sydney
• 99 Flights: Across 29 airlines, covering 124,000 miles (200,000 km) to 65 airports with seven new airlines. Qatar, Emirates, Singapore, and Cathay were the very best (all 100%). I flew Qantas the most and their service was superb (97% for the year).
• Flew my 100th Boeing 747 – my first experience with the legendary 747-8. Plus I experienced my first MAX-8 and MAX-9 Flights: (And yes, I lived to tell the tale!)
• Lifetime Stats: 1,680 flights on 128 airlines, 3.9 million km (2.4 million miles), to 289 airports in 73 countries

My Travel Map- 90 Countries

(according to 3pulse)

2025 Plans

What are your 2025 Travel Plans? So far, for me, 2025 includes two of the world’s two longest flights, a trip through South Africa and a new European country (not sure which yet). I hope to finish off riding every rail route in Malaysia and Thailand. Iguazu Falls and Sao Paolo are also calling. I will head back to Colombia, Panama and hopefully Costa Rica.