Looking back on 2022, I can say that I am quite happy about my travels. After two years of almost no travel due to covid-19 pandemic, I didn’t think that the year I started travelling with my baby would be this busy. We took my daughter Gaja on her first flight when she was 4 months old and it was actually a success. We were scared and sick of the turbulence on a flight from Venice to Lanzarote, but Gaja laughed. The trip gave us confidence for the next destinations and shorter day trips at home. Oh, and I got engaged! 🙂
1. Travelling done in 6 countries
Croatia
Slovenia’s neighboring country has a really nice sea with crystal clear water and family-friendly beaches. We had a summer vacation in Krk city on the island of Krk. It was a nice relaxing time at the seaside and exploring the city Krk.
Ireland
For our first road trip with Gaja we choose Ireland. And it was a success! We visited Dublin, Killkeny, Cork, Cobh, Killarney, Dingle peninsula with Coumeenoole Beach, Dunquin Pier, Dingle town, and Inch Beach; part of Ring of Kerry with Ladies view, Gap of Dunloe, and Muckross Estate; Cliffs of Moher, and Galway. I am sharing our itinerary here.
Italy
We did a day trip to the outskirts of Trieste to walk Napoleon’s path between Opicina and Prosecco. It’s such a nice walk with amazing views over Trieste, Adriatic Sea and you can also spot Miramare Castle. We also went to Treviso twice for our flights to Spain and Ireland.
Portugal
In November we went on a city break to Portugal. We visited Porto and had other cities on our itinerary. But unfortunately, things seldom go according to plan. Gaja got sick, so we spend the week in our Airbnb. But we managed to see some sights of charming Porto and tried a lot of local food and drinks. Cheers to port wine!
Slovenia
Exploring around home
On the weekends, when we didn’t visit family, we were exploring our home country Slovenia. We walked around Ljubljana city center, which was again nicely decorated this Christmas, went to the zoo and climbed the local hill Rožnik several times. They served the best pastry called flancati up there. We also visited the nearby gorge Iški Vintgar to cool down in the fresh river on the warmest day of the summer. And when visiting family in Štajerska region, we went to Šmartinsko Lake, Celjska koča, Celje, Novo Celje, and to Dobrna park to see the new thermal water fountain.
Walks that are perfect for baby stroller
We took some time for nice walks this year. We visited the Brdo Estate with its beautiful park, we walked around Lake Bled and drove to Idrija. After exploring the town we also walked the path along Rake. It leads along the water channels that were built to serve the local mercury mine. All the walks can be done with a baby stroller.
A weekend in the mountains
We also spend a weekend in August at Krvavec, a popular ski resort. We stayed at the highest mountain hotel in Slovenia, drove by cable car and ski lift, and enjoyed some nice views and the sound of cows while hiking. Before returning home we visited nearby Castle Strmol.
Winter day in Kranjska Gora
We returned to Kranjska Gora, a beautiful Slovenian mountain town, where we did first holidays with Gaja a year ago. This time we walked around town and also went to relax at the pool.
Spain
The Canary Islands are perfect for your first trip with a baby. We escaped winter in February and visited Lanzarote. It was a windy, but warm escape with exploring lots of interesting sites. We visited Costa Teguise, Mirador el Rio, Playa Caledon Blanco, Punta Mujeres, Jameos del Agua, Timanfaya National Park, Yaiza, El Golfo, el Lago Verde, los Hervideros, las Salinas del Janubio, Playa Blanca, Playa del Papagayo, and Playa de Famara. I am sharing our adventure here. Unfortunately, I got sick the last two days, otherwise, we had some more places on our must-see list.
1 new country visited
Finally, this was a year of visiting new countries – one new country to be exact. With Ireland, my number of visited countries grew to 49.
2. Most popular on the blog
Looking at what you read on my blog this year, it proves the fact, that international travel again became more popular. The most read blog post of the year was Bolivia Hop: the best way to travel from Cusco to La Paz.
3. Life lately
A perfect engagement
At the end of summer, my partner Klemen asked me to marry him. Of course, I said “yes” (or I would probably not be mentioning this here) and then spend the autumn planning a wedding. We choose a place and set a date. I can’t wait to go from Miss to Mrs with him.
Gaja’s year of travelling
My daughter Gaja celebrated her 1st birthday in September. She had an eventful year visiting 5 new countries and doing 3 trips by plane. I am so happy she enjoys traveling as much as we do. Of course, travels with her are very different than what we are used to. But having a slower pace means you are not that tired after vacation and we engage more with local people because of her. It is also special seeing the world through her eyes.
4. Plans for 2023
So far I have no other big plans for 2023, except getting married. Of course, I also can’t wait to plan my honeymoon. However, I have special wishes for the destination and will see when it will be possible for us to do such a trip. Can anyone guess where I want to go?
For this upcoming year, however, being a mother of a child, that goes to kindergarten and brings home many viruses, I mostly wish health. To our family and yours. Then other good things will naturally come. To happy 2023!
P. S.: Our family photos in nature were taken by the talented Kaja at Nasproti sonca photography.
