My Travel Wrapped 2024

Move aside, Spotify Wrapped. Nothing quite compares to the highlights of my year spent hopping between countries (and yes, occasionally crying over my empty bank account), from Thailand’s beaches to Milan’s lakeside views. This year was packed with adventures that were equal parts unforgettable and totally unplanned, and despite missing being on a beach as opposed to in a seminar, a new year means new space for even better travel stories. But let's not skip ahead... here is my Travel Wrapped 2024.

Thailand:

The typical gap year destination – and it’s amazing! Although I only went to the southwest coast (Phuket, Khao Lak, Krabi), it was amazing – cheap meals, cheap nights out, cheap hotels. The main issue with Thailand is getting there, the flights are so expensive, but the destination is cheap and so worth it. Warm sun, stunning beaches, and amazing excursions where you can swim with turtles and indulge in the culture.

Paris:

The city of love! This city is expensive – but gorgeous. I went to the infamous Rock en Seine festival whilst I was there, immersing in French festival culture and seeing some of my favourite artists. The day trips were good as well, as the French train system is infinitely better than the UK’s. The palace of Versailles is a must-see and the Louvre hosts stunning artworks for all. I also visited the famous Père Lachaise Cemetery, where many icons are buried.

Paris, however, is a very expensive city. I stayed in an Airbnb to cut down on costs as I could make my own food and have pres for a night out with my friends in a nice living room. In addition to this, public transport in Paris is…. weird. You cannot transfer between the tram system and the metro system on one ticket, so if you’re staying in the suburbs, the cost can really add up. If there is a large group of you, it's definitely cheaper to Uber everywhere!

Milan:

Milan is a great destination and a great base. I stayed in the Central Station area, meaning travel outside of Milan was easy. The city is great for nightlife, but it is a very ‘landmark’ heavy place and can be seen within a couple of days- as this was my second time visiting, I travelled outside the city to Bellano and to Lake Como for a dip in the lake. We spent another day visiting the old town of Bergamo (definitely visit here if you’re staying in Milan). I also spent one day visiting Crema, a small Italian town where Call Me By Your Name was filmed; we did a private tour and then stayed in the town for dinner. Milan and its surrounding towns are a great place to visit!