It’s hard to believe that another year has come to an end.  I feel like we say that every year, but 2023 seemed to fly by at warp speed, leaving me feeling very much behind on my to-do list but also energized and excited for what’s to come.  It’s always enjoyable to look back before jumping forward into the new year, so here’s a look at some of my “top” travel memories of the year, many of which entailed some pretty high climbing, from castles and cathedrals to volcanoes, skyscrapers, mountain peaks and more.

Cheers to a happy and healthy 2024!

Big Island Time – Hawai’i, March 2023

Morning on the lanai

Rainbow Falls

Beautiful hibiscus flowers

Waipi’o Valley

Akaka Falls

Hawaiian island sunset

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

Crater crossing

Punalu’u black sand beach

Palm trees for days

Another gorgeous sunset

Waialea Beach

Lush leaves

So many details to soak up

Maniniʻowali Beach

Shaved ice

Under the banyan tree

Like waves on sand

Chocolate making, Hawaiian style

Kona coast

Alpine Adventures – Switzerland, July 2023

Lauterbrunnen Valley

Staubbach Falls

Gorgeous sceney

Alpine views in Mürren

Cow life

It’s electric

Firewood flower planter

Gimmelwald

Adorable architecture

Lauterbrunnen Valley floor

Stopping for a post-hike photo opp

Fuel for a grueling hike

Hiking to Augstmatthorn

Views from the Hardergrat Trail

The sound of music

Interlaken

Riding the cable car to Männlichen

Wildflowers gone wild

Hiking to Kleine Scheidegg

Panormaic view on the Panorama Trail

Cheese for sale

Golden snail

Quintessentially Swiss vibes

Cow bells

Cross here for cuteness

Swiss soda

More cuteness in Lautrebrunnen

Lake Como and Milan – Italy, July 2023

Taking in the beauty of Lake Como

Visiting Villa Monastero

More lake Como views

Exploring the streets of Varenna

View from the ferry

Amazing pizza

Visiting Villa Carlotta

Gorgeous waterlilies

Colorful streets

Plaster models

Walking the Lake Como Greenway

Villa-peeping

Delicious gnocchetti

Taking the train to Milan

On the roof of the Duomo

Duomo di Milano

Aperitivo at the Camparino bar

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele

da Vinci’s Las Supper

Nightlife on the Navigli

Duomo at night

Last (pizza) supper

Big City Break – New York, September 2023

Breakfast of champions

Central Park views

Prometheus at Rockefeller Center

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

NYC skyline

Always look up

Essential Mister Sofetee

Never forget

Little Island

Keep Palm and Carry On – Palm Springs, November 2023

Forever Marilyn

Happy little trees

Palm Springs I <3 you

Fan palm oasis

Hiking in Palm Canyon

Mod vibes

Palm Springs Air Museum

Moorten Botanical Garden

A-door-able midcentury architecture

Welcome to Palm Springs