In a change to our regularly scheduled programming: our plan for 2017.

2016 was a BIG year. Ignoring everything else that happened, Mr Fluskey and I finally got married after ten years together. It took up most of my time, most of my thoughts and most of our holiday days. This year, I am dragging us back out for some more on-the-road adventures.

January

In three days we are off to Sri Lanka. We booked this trip back in November and I have been bouncing up and down on my seat since then.

“India lite” as people have described it, is a close cousin of the great diamond shaped subcontinent to its North-West. We adore India and I am in serious need of some vitamin D. If I can have all the best bits plus a slightly more relaxing trip, I’m in. Everyone said we had a nice summer last year, but I was either at work, or inside making wedding centrepieces. I’m vampire pale now (although my work tights give me a nice tanned pair of legs). The idea of temple hopping, walking in lush wilderness, followed by safaris, (leopard and whale) and beaches has held me captivated for months. We will end our first trip in 2017 in Colombo on Independence Day. Hopefully with a large fireworks display, and we love, love, love fireworks.

On the way back, we have a day in Dubai. This is a taster day which will help us work out if it’s a destination we are keen to visit properly. It’s a real Virgin Atlantic staff favourite but I’m not sure if it will hold much appeal for me after I’ve scaled the Burj Khalifa. I’m hoping to be pleasantly surprised.

March

To top up the sun further in 2017, we are going to Jamaica with our dear friends Carolyn and James. We haven’t been to the Caribbean all that much, just Cuba and Puerto Rico, so we don’t know what to expect. Talking about it yesterday, I realised that Jamaica has created such a strong brand for itself, that it has become a bit of a legend. I hope it stands up to the hype and delivers an island break with a whack of culture too.

April

Off to Germany we will go in April, to visit Phil. Phil is a fellow travel enthusiast who has been working for a travel company over in Düsseldorf for a couple of years. We are finally off to see him, with a few more of our friends. On the way, we have decided to go by train, stopping off in Brussels to have a look around. Others say there’s not much to see but we mustn’t forget the oft quoted adage:

May

Continuing our effort to see where our adventurous friends live, we are finally getting ourselves to South Korea. This trip is a double whammy. First of all, my parents, Mr Fluskey and I are off to Hong Kong, where we will meet my brother and his girlfriend for a couple of days.

Check out 42 Things for Your Hong Kong Bucket List / Hong Kong Itinerary

James and Harri are living in Hanoi and so they will whisk my parents off to see Vietnam. We will be flying to Seoul at the same time, to see Lucy, our friend who is out there teaching English to young children. She had been there for three or four years but our habit of travelling in winter, combined with Seoul’s terrifying minus temperatures, mean we haven’t gotten round to going yet.

Check out 5 Reasons to Book a January Holiday, and Where To Go

June

In June, we are hitting the Balkans for a two week speed tour. We are going to Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Bosnia & Herzegovina. I wanted to do it all by train but some of the routes have stopped running so we will have to bus it. We still get to take the Bar to Belgrade train though, rumoured to be one of the world’s greatest.

September

Our anniversary trip is still undecided. We have four days off in September and I am very open to suggestions. Leave them in the comments box if you have any ideas. I’m thinking Boston…or Egypt…or Poland…or…

October

After many years of lamenting, I can finally go to New York for Halloween. The weakness of the pound means that Manhattan hotels are now out of the question, but I’ve found a very good deal on an AirBnB right next to the L train subway in Williamsburg. First time in ten visits that I’ll be staying off the island. As long as we see both the Parade and our New York favourites Andrew and Ernie, I’ll be a happy girl.

November

In November, we will be returning to Lewes for bonfire night. If you haven’t heard of it, google it! It is the country’s most intense and fantastic bonfire celebration. We finally managed to book a room in the hotel opposite our normal watching pitch but I’ll write about it properly nearer the time.

December

Finally, New Year’s Eve. If i can get the time off work, it’ll be the year we resurrect the group holiday. Ever since my first trip away to Budapest, I have thought that our trips to take the pressure off that one night, are superb. Who knows where we will go!?

All I know is that I am already excited about 2017. No matter what the year may hold politically (I’m not sure the future looks bright there) at least I know, another trip is just around the corner.

If you have any hints, tips, blog or atricle suggestions for 2017, I’d be ever so excited to read them. You can comment below, tweet me or comment on the Facebook link. It is all fuel for the fire.

Rosie xx