2019 was one of my most prolific years of travel yet, visiting eight countries over the course of the year. With the year drawing to a close it’s a good time to share a review of the year that was 2019. This is 2019 in photos; the ones that defined the year for me. I can only hope 2020 brings the same amount of great travels as 2019 did.
2019 in Photos
Belgium – January 2019
The year began with a visit to the twin Belgian cities of Brussels and Bruges. Brussels was somewhat dull in terms of weather and activities, and felt as though it had a hangover from Christmas. Something I’m well used to coming from Ireland. January hangovers are common place. And yet that dullness was lifted, first by its friendly kinfolk, then by its comic book street art and finally by the grandeur of its Grand Place. This was my Brussels adventure.
Bruges on the other hand was anything but dull. It certainly wouldn’t be the only fairytale city of 2019 that would rouse my heart, but was the first. The buildings are as if plucked from fiction, and the canals are the definition of calm, and as if that isn’t enough there’s chocolatiers, waffle shops and delicious frites to satisfy your palate. I was enamoured and shared more in my Bruges blog.
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Budapest January: 2019 in Photos
I completed a trio of cities that started with the letter B in January. I had long planned to delve deep into the attractions of this fine city, and a necessary and convenient visit to a dentist brought it. It didn’t disappoint. From the baths, to the parliament, to its churches and castles, the city is scintillating. The unexpected surprise of its sunsets were the perfect finish to cultural and relaxing trip. Besides those hours spent in the dentists chair. It was also the first trip that saved me money. I also finally felt worthy of writing about Budapest.
Hungary April: 2019 in Photos
After a long three months without travelling, once again Hungary was our destination. After a brief time in Budapest, the country to the east was again our focus, travelling the towns and villages there. We unearthed surprises in the small Hatvan and Nyirbator, and the elegant Andrassy Palace. But the focus of our trip was the Easter celebrations in the mountain town of Holloko. Here Hungarian tradition is upheld, and recognized by UNESCO, in the form of the practice of sprinkling. It’s a lot more fun than the pics suggest, as described here.
Romania April: 2019 in Photos
A road trip took us across the border into Romania, and my first trip to the nation. Judging by this the first of many. We only had time to visit Oradea, a border city. Its secession architecture was incredible, and its churches and monasteries were Byzantine beauties.
Switzerland June: 2019 in Photos
Without a doubt the highlight of the year was our Switzerland trip. Looking back its still hard to believe that a land so beautiful exists. The urban surroundings of Bern were charming, but as soon as we breached the borders of the Alps we were in mountain paradise. Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen and our favourite Grindelwald were all a photographers dream. Point and shoot were all that was required.
France June: 2019 in Photos
We traded the raw power of Switzerland’s nature for the more cultivated lands of the Alsace in France at the end of the trip. Once again it was a joy to see the fairytale houses of the city of Colmar, and the villages of Kaysersberg and Eguisheim. Does a more delightful region exist in France? I have my doubts.
Greece September: 2019 in Photos
A solo trip to Greece had the primary focus of visiting Meteora, a location which had hovered at the top of my bucket list for some time. Need i explain why? 6 monasteries sitting atop huge rocky outcrops in rural Greece, built by monks who only had ropes, pulleys and nets at their disposal is why. Throw in amazing views and spectacular sunsets. The trip also featured visits to Thessaloniki and the Vikos gorge, the world’s deepest relative to its width.
U.K. October 2019
In an effort to surprise the huge Harry Potter fan in the family, we took off to the UK and the Warner Bros Studio Tour. The tour was quite brilliant, and exceeded expectations. That dragon was a stunning sight. Naturally I squeezed some culture in from the cities of St Albans and Cambridge.
Vienna November 2019
Winter brought with it Vienna, and the first christmas market that we had the pleasure of visiting. I’m happy to say we started with one of the best, Vienna really rises to the festive season and pulls out all the stops. The city is a polished one too, dominated by the palaces of the Hapsburgs.
All in all 2019 hasn’t been a bad years travelling, and I’ve seen a few worthy sights along the way. If you have a favourite among this collection, please let me know in the comments.
Thank you for your support during the year 2019, and as ever I would appreciate a pin or share. Wishing you all a very prosperous 2020.
21 Responses
Love the Bruges reflections. Great job John. Cheers. Allan
I’ve really enjoyed your posts this year John and look forward to living vicariously through your travels once again in 2020. Levison Wood’s Russia to Iran journey is being broadcast in Australia at the moment and although he’s seeing some spectacular, historic and unusual places there’s no way I’d go to some of the places he’s visiting (usually ending in …stan).
But then he also used to jump out of perfectly good aeroplanes…
This is a really great post, John! Loved the photo recap and reminded me that I STILL NEED TO GO TO BELGIUM! Your photos from 2019 are stunning!! Best wishes in the new year friend and hope we meet each other!
Thank you Lannie. The very best wishes to you too. I see you are back to Afghanistan so we may cross paths in Europe.
Picking a favorite from these wonderful destinations and spectacular photos would be too challenging for me, but Budapest is the one I want to visit first. I’ll be sure to use your great post on the city as a guide. You’ve had an incredible travel year, and I’m so happy to have shared it vicariously through your blog posts and photographs.
Bit slow on the catch up here. It was certainly a good year, and I can only hope the same of 2029.
You and Dr. Who shall enjoy 2029 in the time machine, John 😆😆
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A wonderful photo journal of your travels this year, John. I think I have tagged along on most of your trips, but I love seeing all these beautiful pictures in one collection. It is a brilliant idea. I would be hard pushed to choose a favourite, but your photo of the Parliament in Budapest is among the finest I have ever seen.
Thank you Jane. I do like that parliament photo myself. But I think one of those Grindelwald ones is my favourite. Or maybe from Bruges🤔
Looks like a fantastic year!! I am mostly jealous of Colmar and Lauterbrunnen! I’ve been meaning to go back to the Harry Potter Studio Tour too, with a friend who’s never been. It looks like they’ve added so much since I last went, too. Hope 2020 is equally as brilliant for you.
Thank you. Harry Potter was top notch now, this was my first time. We did Colmar and Lauterbrunnen on the same trip, so if you ever consider it, it’s a good way to do it.
What a wonderful year of adventure! You really captured some beautiful locations in your photos. I’m inspired to get back to Europe soon!
Wow, your photos have come on leaps and bounds in the last 12 months. My favorite is the one with the birds by the castle. Intense moment!
Thank you. I’ve invested some time in bettering my skills. Oh and I got a better lens, that always helps. I’m delighted you like the birds one, happens to be one of my favourites too.
What a wonderful year! You went to some fantastic places and your photos are absolutely stunning! Been fortunate to visit most of these places (including Bruges this year) so Switzerland is probably the one I’m most envious of as I’ve yet to visit the country. Maybe a destination for 2020, excited to see where you end up too!
If you can get to Switzerland Jason then do. What a place. I’ve ever seen such beauty. Actually 2020 looks a lot more reserved for me. But who knows. What are your plans for the year?
Still excited to see how your year goes. As you’ve since seen, my plans are a little more reserved too as I’ll be living Stateside for a little while which will take up the first half of my year. No ideas beyond that but I’m sure I’ll squeeze in plenty of travel too 🙂
Beautiful post! Love the concept and love that you have showcase all the beauty in the world! Want to do this at the end of this year too!! hehehe
It’s my second year doing it. I prefer it to a regular roundup
What a year 2019 has been for you. Now, Bruges is definitely on our bucket list!
It’s very nice to see so many gems in one same article. No need to do a 7 hours plane trip to find beauty, Europe is already so gorgeous. It