It is going to be hard to top our 2015 travels, but I think we might come close. So far, we have two international trips to Europe and South America and two domestic trips to the Kentucky Derby and Alaska on the books. We also have visits with family and friends planned, but I will share those with you as they occur. Going into the fall, we have a mystery vacation planned by Alex. Our last surprise trip to Aruba was fantastic and I can’t wait to see where we are headed for the next one! But for now, we will focus on our summer vacations!

As usual, I am so excited for our summer travels and very thankful for a job that provides me with the time to take multiple vacations and feed my need for travel. I would love to hear your recommendations for any of the cities and countries that we are planning to visit this year. Feel free to share your recommendations in the comments section below!

Without further ado…

For our first trip, we are off on a 2 week European adventure!

For our fourth wedding anniversary, we will be spending two romantic nights in Paris. Since we have both been to the City of Light before, we are planning to spend our days relaxing in parks and cafes before enjoying French cuisine for dinner. We are also hoping to do a cruise on the Seine and see the Musee d’Orsay while in Paris.

Next, we will be spending some time in Athens to see historic sites like the Acropolis and ancient Agora.

Then we will spend a relaxing few days in Santorini exploring the island, enjoying the nightlife, and soaking up the sun at the black sand beaches and the infinity pool at our hotel.

Next we will take a ferry to Mykonos, where we will stay in a quiet B&B and admire the glamorous and fashionable locals. I can’t wait to eat delicious, light, and healthy Mediterranean cuisine every day!

The final portion of our trip will be spent in Turkey in Istanbul and Cappadocia. In Istanbul, we plan to visit the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque, cruise down the Bosphorus, and enjoy delicious Turkish food.

In Cappadocia, we will stay in a hotel built into a cave, hike around the fairy chimneys, and take a hot air balloon ride above the city. I’ve never been in a hot air balloon so I’m really excited for my first experience!

A few days after we return from Europe, we will be jetting off to Nashville, Tennessee and Louisville, Kentucky for a few days. While in Louisville, we will attend the Kentucky Derby and hopefully bring home a few extra dollars if we place our bets right!

A few weeks later, we will be spending several days in Bogotá, Colombia. We plan to hike up Montserrat, explore La Candelaria, bike through the city, and admire the famous graffiti art in the city. Of course, we are also looking forward to discovering Colombian cuisine like arepas and tamales.

Later this summer, we will be cruising to Alaska with my parents and spending a few extra days in Denali National Park with my brother! I am hoping to see tons of wildlife including bears, moose, eagles, and whales. I can’t wait to see all of the glaciers, hike to my heart’s content, eat freshly caught salmon, and learn about the native population.

If you’ve ever traveled to any of these cities, I would love to get your recommendations. Even though I’ve been to Paris, Nashville, and Louisville, I always enjoy new suggestions. If you have recommendations for restaurants or must-do activities in Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, Istanbul, Cappadocia, Bogotá, or Alaska, please share your experiences and suggestions in the comments! Thanks so much and I can’t wait to share our adventures with you!

Featured cover photo image via tcsworldtravel.com