Here's to The Year that Was 

 

 

Time has a curious way of stretching and compressing, especially when we travel. Those long waits to begin your trip can feel endless, while the journeys themselves often seem to vanish too quickly. It’s only in looking back, as we do at year’s end, that we gain perspective. 

 

Despite the challenges of this year—from rising costs and inflation to crowded destinations—you still chose to cross oceans and time zones. Because there is a deep human need, I believe, to step outside the comfort of the familiar and reawaken your desire to explore new places.

 

And I am glad you did.   

 

Returning from these journeys, the questions come from family and friends: "What did you do? Tell me everything!" And while you could recount every detail, you’re a lot more likely to start with a single, shimmering moment or a feeling you’ve not felt before. It is these moments—the feelings and experiences—that truly define our travels. These are the stories we hold closest. 

 

So as we enter this time of reflection, marked by wrapped playlists, advent calendars, and countdowns to New Year, let’s look back at Sudden Journeys 2024 year of shimmering moments and all that was.

 

Oh The Places We Went!

 

 

My Journal Always Within Reach

Upon my return from various adventures, my reflections and revelations transform into what I call Notes from Afar. This year you, the reader, responded most to the conversations on solo travel as an opportunity to reclaim a part of oneself, my first impressions of Marrakech, and practical tips regarding phone safety when traveling abroad. These personal reflections on places – and people – are one of the ways I hope to spark your travel inspiration. 

How You Traveled This Year

While there continued to be numerous solo women, mother-daughter duos and pairs of friends traveling together, there are two categories that stood out this year:

 

The couples who joined the tours were a true gift. Witnessing the depth of their connections, some forged over many decades, was deeply moving. I went into these tours hoping to offer something of value – which I believe I did – yet I came away inspired and encouraged by the visible testament of their love and commitment to one another. And the laughter! The joy of delight in one another did not go unnoticed. 

 

As the eldest of three sisters, childhood road trips were often less than idyllic. The back of our family’s minivan became a battleground, a constant negotiation of personal space and shared air. So, it was especially heartening to see the sister duos who joined the tours. Their dynamic was so different from my own childhood experiences. It was a gentle reminder of the unique bond between siblings and offered a beautiful example of how to nurture a sibling bond while still allowing room for autonomy and individual experience.

 

Traveling – solo or together –  leaves an indelible mark. We return home, with a renewed connection to ourselves and our loved ones, shattered cultural biases, and a newfound perspective on our place in the universe. 

 

 

 

Personal Highlights of the Year

It would be easy to only share of my company highlights for the year but felt I'd share a few of my own:

A Look Back on 2024 Journeys

 

 

 

 

From Italy's ancient streets to the evocative landscape of the Scottish Highlands, we explored with wide eyes and open hearts, united by a sense of adventure and longing for faraway places. Amidst some of the most intricate experiences orchestrated, the essence lies in sharing cherished and meaningful moments with your closest companions and forging new friendships in unforgettable locations.