It has been an unbelievable 12 months of journey and journey, and I can not wait to share my high experiences of 2023 with you.

As a meals and journey blogger based mostly in Austin, Texas, I’ve had the privilege of exploring some unbelievable locations, each close to and much. From street journeys within the Lone Star State to my first trans-Pacific journey in additional than ten years, it has been a whirlwind.

Be a part of me as I reminisce in regards to the locations I’ve explored on this 12 months’s journey retrospective. I hope it sparks somewhat wanderlust in you for the 12 months forward.

Worldwide Journeys

Vietnam

My most intensive journey of the 12 months was in February once I flew to Saigon (aka Ho Chi Minh Metropolis) by way of Tokyo to attend the marriage of my good pal Nick. Kel joined me, as did a number of of our associates from the Austin space, which made it all of the extra enjoyable.

Our first week was spent sightseeing in Saigon and attending the rehearsal dinner and marriage ceremony. We then joined the bride and groom on a budget-friendly five-day tour of Vietnam.

Kel wrote about our activities in Central Vietnam, together with visits to the Marble Mountains, Golden Bridge, and the ancient city of Hoi An.

Subsequent, we flew from Da Nang to Hanoi in Northern Vietnam for an in a single day cruise in Ha Long Bay. Afterward, we balanced thrifty lodging earlier within the journey with a extra luxurious keep on the InterContinental Hanoi Westlake.

I returned from the two-week journey with a larger appreciation for Vietnamese espresso, delicacies, and tradition. There’s nonetheless a variety of Vietnam left to see ought to Kel and I return.

I used to be, nonetheless, prepared to depart after two weeks. The chaotic visitors, the fixed din of motorbikes, and the air air pollution in Hanoi have been all getting underneath my pores and skin. I wished aid, and I knew we would discover it in Tokyo.

Japan

My first journey to Japan was in February 2011, so I discovered it becoming to return 12 years later to the month for my second.

In contrast to my first solo go to to the Japanese megalopolis, the place I couchsurfed to save money, we shared the price of a snug keep on the Hilton Tokyo in Shinjuku. Our sky-high room afforded stunning views of the leisure district day and night time.

I ventured out alone for a number of lunches at Florilege and Sezanne, each of which I wrote about for Feastio. The U.S. greenback was strong towards the Japanese yen. Within the evenings, Kel and I wandered the streets of Shinjuku searching for informal dinners.

We loved artistic cocktails at Bar Benfiddich, one of many world’s finest bars. And drinks on the New York Bar atop the Park Hyatt Tokyo, the place scenes from Misplaced in Translation have been filmed.

One other spotlight was exhibiting Kel the Tokyo subway, which we used to go to the Imperial Palace, dwelling to Emperors since 1868. I might like to return to Japan in spring or summer time to see extra of the nation. Autumn in Japan can be identified to be fairly fairly.

United States Journey

Nashville, TN

Most of my journey in 2023 was in the US, beginning with a bachelor occasion weekend in January for Nick, whose marriage ceremony I attended in Vietnam. It was as enjoyable a visit as my first to Music Metropolis in 2019, once I went for July 4th celebrations.

Learn extra about Tennessee:

New York Metropolis

After coming back from Asia in late February, I had a number of weeks to overcome jetlag earlier than heading to New York Metropolis the week of St. Patrick’s Day.

Whereas Kel was working, I caught up with family and friends whereas visiting NYC’s oldest bars on St. Patty’s Day, together with McSorley’s Outdated Ale Home. The older however lesser-known Ear Inn dates again to 1817 and was one among my favorites.

We additionally caught a Broadway present collectively, the re-make of Some Like It Hot, which garnered 13 Tony Award nominations in 2023 (and gained 4). I extremely advocate it!

Tampa, FL

I made three journeys to Tampa, Florida. The primary was in collaboration with Go to Tampa Bay and allowed me to discover downtown Tampa earlier than becoming a member of my Dad, brother, and Kel for a Yankees spring coaching recreation.

I returned for Thanksgiving with my Dad in November and Christmas in December. I can depend the occasions I’ve not spent Christmas with my mother and father on one hand (2007 in Queenstown, 2008 in Brussels, and 2020 in Austin).

After experiencing what Christmas was like away from dwelling on my ‘round the world trip, I’ve made an effort to return for it ever since.

Learn extra about Tampa:

San Francisco and Sonoma, CA

In April, I returned to San Francisco for the second time in three years. The spotlight was a full-day tour of Muir Woods, Sausalito, and Alcatraz Island.

Climbing in Muir Woods, specifically, fulfilled a bucket-list expertise for me to spend time amongst towering redwoods. It was awe-inspiring, and I would not have to attend lengthy to repeat it.

Following our time in San Francisco, Kel and I rented a automotive and drove up the California coast to Sonoma County.

Alongside the best way, we noticed filming areas from The Birds and The Goonies, hiked by way of Armstrong Redwoods State Pure Reserve, and loved a free California Champagne flight at Korbel Vineyard.

We spent two nights in Sonoma Valley in collaboration with the vacation spot, permitting me to style wine in Northern California for the primary time.

We additionally visited the Jack London Historic State Park, one among greater than a dozen fun things to do in Sonoma Valley.

Learn extra about California:

Maine

In early Could, I traveled to Portland, Maine, for the primary time to attend AdventureELEVATE 2023, the Journey Journey Commerce Affiliation’s North America-focused convention.

It was my first time attending this smaller regional convention after having had unbelievable experiences attending ATTA World Summits in Tuscany and Gothenburg, Sweden, in 2018 and 2019, respectively.

As is customary, I went on a number of excursions earlier than the convention started. First, we drove up the coast to the charming coastal city of Bar Harbor. From there, we went e-cycling in Acadia Nationwide Park.

Our first outing was biking the Schoodic Peninsula, and our second was spent on the busier Park Loop Road. On the best way again to Portland for the convention, we additionally hopped aboard the historic Schooner Olad for a pleasure cruise.

Attending the convention led to an invite from the Maine Windjammers Affiliation to go on a windjammer cruise out of Rockland in July. Kel joined me for a number of days beforehand to attend my pal Kate’s marriage ceremony in Boston and see a few of Maine’s historic lighthouses.

I got here away from my two journeys to Maine with a terrific affinity for the Pine Tree State. I stay up for returning to drive the northern coast and discover the inside.

Houston, TX

In 2022, I visited Houston for the primary few occasions and adopted these street journeys with three extra in 2023, primarily in service of consuming for Feastio. Try my high Houston restaurant recommendations, together with the place to search out excellent Texas barbecue.

Fredericksburg, TX

Kel and I spent a weekend wine tasting within the Texas Hill Nation in what has grow to be an annual custom. A spotlight of this journey was the possibility to fulfill Blake, a southern white rhino, on the Rhinory.

San Diego, CA

In late July, I joined Kel on a brief enterprise journey to San Diego, a metropolis I turned enamored with after visiting in 2018.

I launched her to Kansas Metropolis Barbecue, which opened within the early Eighties and was made perpetually well-known as a filming location within the first Prime Gun film. We additionally had dinner with a pal and checked out some new speakeasies to replace a narrative on Feastio.

San Antonio, TX

Kel and I made the primary of two journeys to San Antonio in October. She needed to work there, and I wished to make use of my AMEX Platinum credit card benefits for an evening at The St. Anthony Hotel earlier than they expired.

I additionally noticed inside The Alamo for the primary time and explored the historic Pearl District, a former brewery redeveloped into a contemporary purchasing and eating vacation spot.

Quickly after, I used to be invited again by Go to San Antonio to assist promote the town’s first Holidays on Houston Road, a mix of occasions together with festive lights, dwell leisure, and a weekend Christmas market.

The chance allowed me to see the town in a brand new mild, try extra San Antonio restaurants, and meet different journey writers and influencers from round Texas.

Throughout some free time in our schedule, Kel and I went to see Mission Concepcion, one among 5 Catholic missions opened within the space in the course of the 1700s to unfold Christianity to the Native People. The San Antonio Missions are the one UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas.

New Orleans, LA

Lastly, there was New Orleans, which we visited earlier than Halloween. My mother and father launched me to the Large Simple after we spent a weekend there in 2017, and I have been going again ever since.

This food-focused journey enabled me to replace tales on the place to search out the best restaurants, cocktail bars, and beignets in New Orleans. I additionally added a number of new spots to my article in regards to the best jazz clubs on Go Backpacking.

Plus, I produced two new tales for Feastio about NOLA bakeries and the historic Hotel Monteleone within the French Quarter. I additionally intend to jot down in regards to the metropolis’s many museums for Go Backpacking.

Learn extra about Louisiana:

Wrapping Up

As I look again on my travels in 2023, I am crammed with gratitude for the unbelievable experiences and locations I have been capable of discover. From the bustling streets of Saigon to the tranquil great thing about Muir Woods, from the colourful tradition of New Orleans to the historic appeal of San Antonio, this 12 months has been filled with journey.

Thanks for becoming a member of me on this journey. This is to new adventures, scrumptious discoveries, and unforgettable moments in 2024!

Prior Annual Opinions

Dwelling in Texas

• 2022 – Peru, USA
• 2021 – The Bahamas, USA
• 2020 – a 12 months with out journey
• 2019 – Canada, Sweden, Denmark, Colombia, USA
• 2018 – Peru, Mexico, Cuba, Colombia, Italy, Spain, USA
• 2017 – Mexico, USA (I did not write a recap)
• 2016 – Mexico, Canada, Peru, Brazil, USA

Dwelling Overseas

• 2015 – Colombia, Turkey, Georgia, Armenia, Greece, Germany, Romania, England, USA
• 2014 – Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Italy, Mexico, Peru, USA
• 2013 – Colombia, Mexico, Canada, Panama, USA
• 2012 South America – Peru, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Bolivia, Colombia
• 2012 Europe and Asia – Iceland, Spain, Germany, Indonesia, Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, England, Wales, Luxembourg, France, Monaco, Andorra
• 2011 – Japan, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru
• 2010 – Rwanda, Colombia, USA

Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking and Feastio. He is been to 66 international locations and lived in Colombia and Peru. Learn the full story of how he turned a journey blogger.