First trip of 2015. Where to?

Today’s tidbit: “We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.”

My last big trip in 2014 was by myself to Australia for one month. I’m excited to announce that I will be leaving Wednesday (yes, in 2 days!) to head on another international month-long adventure, and the first trip of 2015, with my mom.

Morocco

Be sure to click below to read more. Enjoy!

 

One of my favorites of my mom and I. Picture from my first real international trip in 2013 to South Africa. I love it because we were so happy and I remember this exact moment on a hippo boat cruise. We had just seen some huge hippo up close and then got soaked as it started to pour. Chris from our group was making us laugh as he took this and it didn’t matter we were soaked, and freezing. We all embraced the moment and had fun. So many wonderful memories made, looking forward to more this trip.

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This trip started when my mom mentioned she had a travel agent conference (ASTA Destination Expo) in Marrakech, Morocco. I have always thought Morocco would be a really neat place to visit and so the planning, and saving, began. Since my mom is a travel agent we were able to get some great deals on accommodations and tours, making this month-long trip possible. One thing led to another and attending the conference grew as we added more. So, where to?

{Morocco} Conference in Marrakech. Exploring Fes and Casablanca. Most excited about a tour where we camp in the desert and ride a camel!

{Spain + Canary Islands} Exploring Barcelona. 10-day NCL cruise from Barcelona, stops: Casablanca, Morocco. Funchal, Madeira. Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands. Lanzarote, Canary Islands. Granada (Malaga), Spain.

{Italy} 2-day stay in Milan (flight connection there so decided on the way back to take advantage and stay).

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I’ve stayed put the last 6 months working and I’m itching to leave the winter weather in Washington, D.C. and get this journey started. Picture taken in Margaret River, WA.

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Off to wrap up two design projects and finish packing! I have some other exciting things in the works, but I will wait to share until I return the end of March.

8 Responses to “First trip of 2015. Where to?”

  1. Chris says:

    Bon voyage! Wish your mom a Gute Reise. Remember to LOOKOUT for those Moroccan hippos.

    • alyssa says:

      Thank you. Don’t worry, I’ll be back in Australia again this year too! If I see Moroccan hippos I know I’ve drank too much, I’ll LOOKOUT for the camels though.

  2. laura says:

    Have an AMAZING trip!

  3. Karen says:

    Chris, no chance of hippos this trip, but camels, geese that guard a cathedral, and goats that climb trees- really, wait for the pictures…

    Our next BIG adventure is imminent and this very frigid and snowy winter makes it that much more enticing to go explore more moderate climates and cultures. I love that my travel organizations have conferences in exciting new destinations and that you are able to join me in exploring them Alyssa. You are a blogger and photographer extraordinaire and I’ll gladly handle the other details if you document the memories! For now, time to enjoy this multi-national series of adventures and add some new countries to our passports.

  4. Patti Bartlett says:

    This sounds incredible! I’m so glad that you are taking these opportunities to travel together and maximize each of your talents! Jim and I leave for Hawaii on Friday. We are ready for more moderate climate as well. Can’t wait to join your travels as we follow your blog. Thank you for sharing! 🙂

    • alyssa says:

      Thank you for following along! It was an amazing adventure and I am so glad we have the opportunity to travel together right now. I hope you have a wonderful time in Hawaii.