2016 was a plentiful year in terms of travels. In fact, it was so far the year that made me accomplish many of the trips I had in my bucket list: not only I had the chance to visit more countries and cities than ever but also to live two expat experiences.
As my regular readers know, from October’15 until June’16 I lived in Riga. My girlfriend had the chance to work in the capital of Latvia and our motivation took us there, an unknown country for both of us but, as we predicted, an open door to other countries.
In fact, thanks to this expat experience we had the chance to discover the Baltic and the Nordic countries. But also Russia, one of the items in our so-called bucket list.
For someone who grew up reading Russian literature and learning the language, a visit to Saint Petersburg and Moscow was a dream come true! And it didn’t disappointed.
Being challenged by latvian weather and discovering russian charms
In Saint Petersburg I had the chance to follow the steps of some of my favorite authors, like Gogol and Dostoievski, roaming for real in the streets that I had roamed by fiction some years before.
Moscow was more than a surprise. Instead of a industrial city, I found a splendorous and bright city, with pleasant parks and amazing orthodox churches to discover.
Another dream come true was our trip to Reykjavik. Thanks to the second expat experience, now in Nice, south of France, we went to the Icelandic treasure for a bargain.
Reykjavik is a small city but can be also seen as a big village. Cozy, green and young, Reykjavik was a great surprise: we could walk everywhere and appreciate the local street art, as well as relax in a park or went to a live show.
In Iceland we could notice how culture is significant. I can assure you, in Reykjavik it seems every street has a records shop and a library.
Being surprised by the colours of Cinque Terre and Reykjavik
Plus, nature is so present everywhere that I felt constantly surprised: lakes and trees, sea and mountains are an invitation to contemplate. A good example was our visit to the Blue Lagoon: pure nature.
Last but not least, another trip that marked this year was Cinque Terre! How couldn’t right? Cinque Terre is one of the most iconic places I’ve ever been to.
Wish we had more time to discover each village more deeply, one day only made us realize that we will definitely return there someday.
Maybe next year. I don’t know yet… To be honest, I believe 2017 will bring to me and my girlfriend different destinatons, hopefully even more exotic. If possible, we are looking for some new expat challenges. We will see and let you know here, our unique stable address.
p.s: what about you, what were the destinations that surprised you the most in 2016? And what are your travel plans for 2017?
My name is Pedro and I’m a freelance journalist and an indie author. Over the last years I’ve managed and developed this blog as a meeting point to connect travelers and bloggers, writers and photographers, you and me. Feel free to support PedroL: you can do it by a simple 1dollar/euro donation or by purchasing one of my ebooks. It’s easy and the best way to help me to keep this project. Thank you!
Would love to visit Cinqueterre. The other places too for that matter😁
you´d love to visit every cool destination in the world right? 🙂 PedroL
Yessssss
A great read as well as so beautiful images!
dear Sudershana, that´s very nice to comment, it motivates me to write even more and share my travels 🙂 regards PedroL
Great 2016.
And now onwards for another incredible 2017!
yeaaaaah, let´s hope so 😛 thanks for commenting! PedroL
E que venha mais um ano recheado de aventuras…
não se pode parar não é? 🙂 PedroL
Magnifique les photos et la vidéo
merci Georges 🙂 j’espère améliorer les videos 😛 bon soir! PedroL
ich wünsche einen harmonischen Tag
thanks 🙂 you too!! PedroL
Lucky You!
let´s hope a 2017 even luckier 😛 PedroL
You have visited some great places. I have also been to Reykjavik and loved it. Its so easy to get around.
dear Shazza, thanks for commenting!! that´s it, in Reykjavik you can walk and relax, plus nature is always present 🙂 PedroL
It’s wonderful that you visited so many nice places. I would like to visit Russia sometime but it’s a cold place these days
I have heard a lot about Cinque Terre. As you know we mostly travel to Italy nowadays. We plan to go there in May but we have not decided which places yet
It´s not easy to decide where to go in Italy because there´s a lot to see 😛 let me know when you decide 🙂 PedroL
What a charmed year of travel and living experiences you have had. Great review! St. Petersburg is high on my list, but first it’s off to Cambodia and Laos in January. Best wishes and happy travels to you in 2017!
dear Caroline, wish you a great trip to Camodia and Laos 🙂 in 2017 I hope I can materialize trips to destinations like those, we´ll see if I manage!! PedroL
I am still a little jealous of your travels. And pictures, haha.
I only had one trip planned in 2016, which was to the western part of Canada. It was worth every penny, and as an extra bonus I gained some friends who live all over my country, so I guess I keep on travellig within the Netherlands :p
I still really wish to visit Finland but I am not sure it’s in the stars for me right now. But we’ll see. 2017 has yet to start 🙂
I´m sure you´ll have some great adventures next year 🙂 thank you so much for commenting Samantha! PedroL
Thank you for sharing your journey with us. Not sure where I’ll be going next year, but am glad to get a glimpse at the world via your posts.
eheh Hope I can inspire you Tracy 🙂 cheers PedroL
Your travels were interesting, as you shared them with us. Happy exploring in 2017.
glad to read such motivational words 🙂 best regards PedroL
Glad that you had such amazing trips this year and how beautiful the photos you have captured. Hoping to read more of your journeys and best wishes in this holiday!
thank you so much Bauhinia 🙂 let´s hope 2017 is even better 😛 and wish you the same! we are here to follow each other! regards PedroL
On a fait le plein de couleurs, un grand merci !!
Très belles fêtes et à bientôt pour de nouveaux voyages !
merci Marion 🙂 belles fêtes egalement et partagez vos conseilles voyage avec moi 😛 bonne weekend! PedroL
I envy you! Visiting the villages of the Cinque Terre is a dream of mine. But with two kids in private schools it will have to wait. Happy holidays to you and yours!
maybe in some years your kids will surprise you and take you there 😛 wish you a great weekend Kelly! PedroL
Same to you! And that sure would be nice! The least they can do, right?!
of course ahah 😛 PedroL
Wow! Love your video. Congratulations on your travels.
thanks Resa 🙂 from now on I´ll try to work on more videos eheh PedroL
Beautiful colours! Russia is my dream destination
thank you Terri, hope you have the chance to visit there 🙂 regards PedroL
Happy new year and happy travels!
thanks!!! you too 🙂 PedroL
Hi pedrol. How do you do it? I could not afford to go anywhere! Thank you for liking “Far Below!” Best Wishes. TheFoureyedPoet.
A Islândia é mesmo incrível! 🙂
gostava de lá voltar no verão e se possível passar uns 3 meses a descobrir toda a ilha 😉 obrigado pela visita e por comentares! abraço PedroL
Wonderful experiences and fascinating pictures. Thank you for sharing them. You’ve given me a long list of new places to visit.
🙂 super!! hope I can inspire everyone eheh cheers PedroL
Remarkable trips some remarkable views indeed 😀
Totally agree 🙂 it’s trips likes this that makes you want to travel more 🙂 thanks for commenting!! PedroL