I recently counted the number of countries and states I’ve visited—around 17 countries and 32 states, depending on what counts as “visiting.” I only included places where I spent a “considerable” amount of time. Most of the states I visited were on road trips, but in nearly all cases, I stayed overnight or did something memorable, like exploring a city or visiting a national park.
As the year winds down, I’ve been reflecting on my travels and thinking about where I went in 2024. I vividly remember a middle school assignment where we had to set a goal for ourselves by the time we turned 30. One of mine was to travel to five different countries. At the time, I’d barely left California and had never been abroad. In just this year, I have visited 10 countries which is really crazy. I am very lucky and privileged!
This opportunity to travel is something I dreamed about as a kid, and I try not to take it for granted. Even though I have my preferences, I’m grateful to see new places and experience different cultures. Below is a list of the places I visited this year, ranked in tiers. Honestly, I don’t think I had any negative experiences this year so all of these places are enjoyable even if I ranked them lower! Let me know if you’ve been to any of the same places—do you agree with my thoughts?
Tier 1
Japan (Tokyo, Hokkaido, Okinawa)
It’s probably no surprise that Japan is at the top of my list. I was lucky enough to visit twice this year—once in winter and again in summer. A lot of my love for Japan comes from the people I’ve spent time with there, but I also just enjoy being there.
This year, I spent most of my time in Tokyo but also went skiing in Rusutsu and visited Miyakojima and Naha during the summer. Every trip has been a great experience, and I keep wanting to return. I am hoping to move there soon, though I worry about how hard it might be to make friends. Still, it’s a challenge I’d like to take on. Learning Japanese is will definitely unlock more of the culture and would make the experience even better.
Spain (Barcelona)
This was my first time back in Spain since studying abroad in 2018, and it reminded me why I enjoyed it so much before. It’s hard to put into words, but Spain just feels right to me. This time in Barcelona, I explored with friends, ate amazing food, and discovered some cool tapas spots. I even did a hike in the middle of the city.
I also toured the Sagrada Familia again, which might actually be finished in our lifetime. And I realized that my Spanish isn’t that bad—I’m not fluent, but I can understand a lot and get by in conversations. I’d love to become fluent someday.
Iceland (Reykjavik)
This was my first solo trip, and it was really cool. I was lucky to see the aurora borealis, though bad weather canceled my plans to go ice climbing. I still hiked on an active volcano and saw some crazy waterfalls. Iceland is probably the best place I’ve been for outdoor activities and sightseeing. I definitely want to return for the Blue Lagoon, ice climbing, and hopefully another successful northern lights sighting.
French Caribbean (Martinique)
In Martinique, I spent most of my time hanging on my friend’s boat, only going ashore a handful of times for hikes and meals. It was a chill but really fun trip. Again, I’ve realized that the people I’m spending time with often matter more than the destinations themselves. Though, the French Caribbean is a top tier destination on its own.
Tier 2
Canada (Montreal)
I went to Montreal for work, but it’s a city I’d actually want to return to on my own time. It felt like a mix between Seattle, Porto, and maybe parts of London—like a European city transplanted into North America… which kind of makes sense! The food was good, and the downtown area was lively, especially on the weekend. I also got lucky with great weather, which I think can make or break a trip.
Portugal (Lisbon, Sintra, Obidos, Nazaré)
I visited my brother in Portugal, where he was staying for a month. Despite the rainy weather, it was great exploring Lisbon and nearby towns. We toured some historical sites and visited Nazaré, home to the world’s biggest wave. I’d love to return someday for the big wave surf competition and see those 100-foot waves in person.
UK/England (London)
I wasn’t in London for long, but I had a great time! Dior’s friends (and now my friends!) live there, so I got to have someone show us around. One highlight was attending the semi-final of the FA Cup, which was really cool. We also visited some great restaurants and pubs. In my experience, European sporting events are on a completely different level compared to American ones.
USA (Kennebunkport, New York, Honolulu, Washington DC, Baltimore, Austin, Seattle)
I visited several U.S. cities this year, but Kennebunkport stands out. My friends always make sure I have a great time when I visit, and the summer there is awesome—best lobster I’ve ever had! I also went to Honolulu once this year. Many of my college friends are from Hawaii, so I end up planning trips there often. I was thinking about it and aside from California, I think I have spent the most time in my life in Hawaii now. I would have to count to see if it was more than the 4 months I was abroad but I think I might be at this point. The Pacific Northwest also stood out this year. With good weather, it’s hard to beat the PNW’s outdoor scene, though I couldn’t live there year-round because of the gloomy season.
Tier 3
Ireland (Dublin)
I spent a few days in Dublin, exploring the city and visiting pubs with live music. It was a fun trip, but I feel like I saw everything I wanted to in the time I had. If I ever return, I’d want to explore Ireland’s outdoors.
Germany (Frankfurt)
I only spent a day and a half in Frankfurt, meeting up with a friend and walking around the city center. It felt like a typical European city with a nice cathedral and good food options. I enjoyed it but don’t see myself returning anytime soon.
France (Paris)
I’ve only been to Paris, so I want to explore more of France someday—places like Bordeaux or the west coast for surfing. While Paris is worth visiting, it’s not at the top of my personal list. I shouldn’t do this but when I am a European country I tend to compare it to my experience in Spain and I don’t think anything has matched up yet.
If you’d like to hear more about any of these places, let me know! Thanks for reading!
Here are some of the photos I promised from my new camera! These are in Martinique:
