It’s been quite a dynamic year living this crazy, nomadic lifestyle. Not every moment has been beautiful, but each one adds up to an incredible journey that we’re excited to continue. Some of our most memorable experiences of 2015 were not captured on film. I think that it’s important to have such moments in life – ones where, instead of reaching for your camera, you decide to take a ‘mental picture’ and treasure that experience in a more personal way.
There were, of course, some monumental experiences we were sure to record. I’m excited to share with you our best and worst moments of 2015.
We spent most of our time in Europe this year, touching on the Middle East along the way. We lived in 14 countries, moving in and out of over 30 different temporary homes. We learned a bit of every language we encountered, but find we often speak in the wrong one at the wrong time. The life we’ve chosen can be fast, furious and confusing at times. We wouldn’t have it any other way! Our most memorable moments weren’t all peachy, but they all certainly added to our adventure. Let’s start things off on a positive note…
THE BEST OF 2015
Though many have given us goosebumps, for us it’s not always about seeing iconic sites. Our BEST experiences are the ones that made the worry and stress of the real world float away, reminding us of how lucky we are in the present moment.
#1
Santorini, Greece
Cliff jumping in Amoudi Bay.
#2
Oludeniz, Turkey
Paragliding from Babadag Mountain
#3
Dead Sea, Israel
Floating at sunrise.
#4
Butterfly Valley, Turkey
Disconnecting from technology, and living in a beach bungalow.
#5
Petra, Jordan
Journey by mule to the Monastery.
#6
Cappadocia, Turkey
Hot air ballooning at sunrise.
#7
Montenegro
Scenic road-trip through the country.
#8
Austria
Biking through the Wachau Region.
#9
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Jumping off the ancient walls.
#10
Venice, Italy
Having the ‘streets’ all to ourselves this winter.
THE WORST OF 2015
We are truly grateful that 2015 was a good year overall. We had a smooth start to our journey with only minor bumps and bruises, and some lessons learned along the way. Here are our WORST moments, most of which we can laugh about now. These make the list because they are truly memorable, and because the good would not exist without the bad!
#11
Andrea slicing her leg on a Champagne bottle.
Barcelona, Spain
This mishap led to 4 stitches and a visit to the famous Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau on the night before our wedding.
#12
Andrea wrecking her bike.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Notice a theme? This clumsy move led to more than just ripped jeans (staph-infection), required an additional trip to the doctor and some strong prescriptions while in Copenhagen.
#13
Bryan slicing his hand on coral while snorkeling in the Red Sea.
Eilat, Israel
Lots (and lots) of blood, but (thanks to the Israeli nurses) we learned how to tourniquet with just a napkin and that cigarette ash is a great coagulate!
#14
Renting an apartment that was directly above a bar.
Kotor, Montenegro
Music was bumping until 3AM every… night… of the week.
#15
The smell of sewage, almost everywhere we live – just pick any place.
Europe
A consistent theme, it seems, throughout many cities in Europe. Good thing the sights tend to make up for the smell!
WHAT’S IN STORE FOR 2016?
We’ve loved our time exploring Europe and dipping our toes into the beauty the Middle East has to offer. We’ve even found a few spots that we are seriously considering as a more permanent place to live. We would like to settle one day, and we feel fortunate to have found so many places that feel like home. Before we slow our roll, our plan is to continue circling the globe and living the nomad life!
Time to change it up and switch hemispheres. In 2016 we have big plans to explore new continents, experience new cultures, and get creative with some unique accommodations…
Cheers to new adventures!
RT @bestworldyet: Most #Memorable #Travel #Moments of #2015: https://t.co/X0X5Nz2h8J
Lovely “Bests” and oh the worsts – has got to be getting injured.
Choyce Thompson this is Penny’s daughter and her husband.
Penny Butler my mom is well on her way to 200 countries visited. Travel and bridge are her life ?
Your mom sounds awesome, Laura!
Safe travels!! Keep posting, living through you when the days get monotonous!?
Thanks, Stephanie! Happy New Year!
Hey Hun! I need your Croatia travel tips!!! Thinking June!
Happy to help!
Love following your fabulous life! Happy new year!
Happy New Year and I look forward to your 2016 adventures.
What amazing adventures you had in 2015, and what a challenge you have set yourself to beat that in 2016 – best of luck with that goal and I will look forward to reading your posts. I loved the idea of the disconnecting from technology in Turkey as that is something we probably all could benefit from (but are too scared to do it) I hope 2016 sees fewer visits to the ER for you, but then again thats another rich experience to blog about 🙂 As for smells, I have lived in Mumbai for the last 2 years to come visit India if you think Europe is bad (said the European)
Your comment made me laugh, Sue! I think we have had some unlucky (smelly) situations living in older buildings across Europe, but I’ve heard India is a world of it’s own 😉 We are planning a visit this year and, believe it or not, I’m looking forward to experiencing it for myself! I hope you have enjoyed your time in Mumbai… I’m really excited to make it that way!
What a great diary of your adventures this year and I’m glad that you added a few of the misadventures as a reality check (but sorry to hear about the injuries.) Happy new year!
Thanks, Elaine! Happy New Year to you as well!
LOL what a lot of adventures! Where are you planning to be in 2016? You seem to have gone everywhere last year!
Haha yes, 2015 was packed full of adventure. We are hopping over to Australia, New Zealand and East Asia in 2016. Excited to explore some new continents!
Israel, Austria, Jordan, and Greece hold some of my favorite travel memories from my life. That’s a fantastic year. I look forward to following along in 2016 and seeing where it brings you.
Thanks, Lesley! I think those spots will remain special to me as well 🙂 Happy New Year!
What a spectacular year. Thanks for including the good with the bad. I’m glad the former outweighed the latter, but traveling is not always easy! Happy New Year, I can’t wait to follow your journey in 2016!
Thanks, Mags! I couldn’t agree more – travel is NOT easy and it’s definitely not a prescription for a happy life. I am thankful the good outweighed the bad for us this year, though. Cheers and Happy New Year to you!
Looks like you had a pretty epic year. That photo of you in Montenegro looking angry made me chuckle though. I am the same. If I can’t get me sleep I get so angry and I lost count how many times I stormed out of my hotel room angrily shouting at noisy guests. 🙂
Haha! That was definitely an uncomfortable living situation for us. No sleep when you’re living above a bar.. guess it would be better to just join the party, but I was worn out!
What a fun and adventurous year you have had. I hated reading about your mishaps, especially the coral. Ouchie. Best wishes for a happy and successful 2016. Your pictures of Petra have stirred another bucket list in me. 😉
Thanks, Melody! So glad you’re inspired to visit Petra. It’s unbelievable!
Sounds like you had such a great journey. I can’t imagine moving quite that often but sure you have many great stories.
When you get to Germany definitely go to the salt mines in Berchtesgaden in the Bavarian Alps overlooking the Rhine The experience is like none other. Cultural, educational and fun as hell.
Sounds like an amazing year even with the down times. Sorry Bryan got caught on the coral, but the picture you shared is so incredible. Thanks for sharing all your wonderful experiences.
Thanks, Samantha! Snorkeling in the Red Sea was incredible!
Looks like you had a great year! Can’t wait to see what 2016 brings!
14 countries! That’s incredible. You didn’t have too many mishaps for all those adventures. Seems like a great year to me!
Some amazing adventures you had in 2015, here’s to less mishaps and good health for 2016!
Wow, what an eventful 2015. Fourteen countries…amazing. Love pics including the Dead Sea. Wishing you loads of travel in 2016.
Wow, great that you manage so well with all that nomadic life! Good luck in 2016!
Ah, there is nothing like a nomadic lifestyle. Except for packing and unpacking and trying to find laundromats and trying to lug your bags onto a train that is leaving in 24 seconds and …. but oh, it’s so hard to give up!
So many crazy awesome adventures!! This is a great read.
Glad to hear that neither of you were seriously seriously hurt in 2015 … but ouch … sorry to hear about the various injuries!!
But it sounds like you made some amazing memories inbetween, and glad to hear that you were able to take time for yourself too, and disconnect for a while there 🙂
Here’s to an even better 2016!
Thanks, Meg!
A lot of water based adventures! We love that! What a year! We look forward to reading all your adventures in 2016 🙂
Thank you!
It’s such a shame that you seem to have stayed near smelly places during 2015 – I have to say that, after travelling Europe extensively, I have not noticed these smells, even in Venice that didn’t smell nearly half as bad as I expected it to. In fact, I love Venice so much it has become like a second home to me. In terms of places I would love to visit – Jordan is defintely up there near the top and it seems that more and more people are now visiting based on the number of posts I am now reading about the area.
It’s not a big deal, Tam! We didn’t let the smell bother us too much. We learned that this is only the case in old parts of the European cities, and those are our favorite spots! It was worth it 🙂 I agree with you on Venice though – not near as bad as I expected! Hope you make it to Jordan soon. It’s such a fascinating country!
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