I took one big trip in 2017 and had most of my best experiences this year during that period. I checked off a couple of things from my list, was disappointed in few others and overall had a great year when it comes to travel. Here are the top ten highlights from the year gone by.
Tomatina, Bunol
Tomatina 2017 was the definite highlight of my travels this yearHere’s the biggest achievement of the year. Attending the Tomatina festival in Bunol this year. In fact, I had to juggle my entire itinerary just to be able to attend the world’s biggest Tomato festival but the experience was definitely worth it. While Bollywood has made this festival more mass-y, the sheer enthusiasm of the locals and the spirit of the festival itself is still intact. Despite the cold weather and abnormal number of Indian tourists at the venue, Tomatina was the travel highlight of my year.
Barcelona, Spain
I struggled to put Barcelona on my itinerary after reading multiple reports of how locals were revolting against the growing number of tourists to the region. In the end, I spent an entire day just walking this beautiful city with two of my local friends who showed me their incredible city with open arms. I ate at local restaurants, took roads only locals knew about and planned the day so as to optimise every bit of my 24 hours in the city. My only condition? That we see the Sagrada Familia first.
Also Read: One Place In Barcelona That Shows Why The Demand Catalonia is Legit
Madeira, Portugal
Portugal’s Madeira island is full of surprises, if you know where to lookWhen I first read there was an island called Madeira, I had the mental picture of a Caribbean island, soft rolling waves and unlimited drinks to pass the days. Madeira is all that—and so much more. From the world’s (arguably) worst Cristiano Ronaldo statue to its addictive ponchas and great miradouros, Madeira is an island paradise with something for everyone.
Lanzarote, Canary Islands
One man’s story is writ large on Lanzarote, Cesar ManriqueOf all the islands I visited on this trip, none left an impact more than Lanzarote. The black island, less than 100 kilometres from the African mainland, is a volcanic beauty that sits proud and haughty amongst all its other siblings in the Canary Islands. While the sights on this island are impressive, it was the impact of one man and what he managed during his lifetime that stayed with me long after I left the place. Cesar Manrique is regarded as an artist outside Lanzarote but he was an environmental crusader much before the word was in vogue. The island’s wild and natural beauty owes much to this legendary personality.
Porto, Portugal
Porto was love at first glance—and that had nothing to do with port wine. The city’s main square, azulejo-bedecked train stations and buildings and a buzzing riverfront made this an instant favourite. Offbeat gems like the Casa de Musica and the unexplored Villa Nova de Gaia were added perks of falling in love with this city.
Horta, Azores Islands
An off-the-beaten island even among the remote Azores islands, Horta’s claim to fame for me was the free natural show from my room of Pico mountain, Portugal’s highest. With underlying clouds, pink sunsets and a calm beachfront property, Horta was my place to take some time off from my own vacation at the midway point. The island itself was pretty interesting and I am glad I picked it among other options.
Lagos, Portugal
Do first destinations stay with you on a long trip? Or was it just the sheer beauty of Portugal’s Algarve region that travelers fall in love with? I landed in Lagos after a 20-hour journey from Mumbai and was immediately captivated by the coastal city. The cork trees whose significance increased at every destination through Portugal, end-of-the-world excursion to Cape St Vincent and kayak expeditions around Lagos’ natural coves are great memories that are hard to erase.
Sevilla, Spain
Walking the narrow lanes of Seville’s Jewish quarter is an unparalleled delightIt’s incredible how much of Spain you can cover in Sevilla itself. From its famed flamenco dance, its bullfighting history, greatest cathedrals and the tomb of Christopher Columbus himself, there are few places that can compete with Sevilla in Spain. Easy access to surrounding places like Granada and Cordoba ensure there’s never a dull moment in Spain’s fourth-largest city. That I managed to cover all of this in a strict three-day period and with my bags misplaced by Vueling makes this one of my biggest travel highlights of the year.
Also Read: 10 Must-Have Experiences In Seville For Every Traveller
Fatima, Portugal
Visiting Fatima, Portugal’s most religious place, is an experience like no otherThe most religious place in all of Portugal, a visit to Fatima was also special because this was the Fatima sanctuary’s centenary year. The 100-year celebrations were visible across the country while I travelled through it. The vast complex of the sanctuary, crowds of religious tourists and the blissful feeling of calm here was a definite travel highlight of 2017.
Fratelli Vineyards, Akluj
Finally, an offbeat place to end my list with. In March this year, I went to Fratelli Vineyards in Maharashtra through official work. It was my first winery visit in India and the entire experience was fabulous. We stayed the night, drank wine all day (and night), played pool, ate good food and topped it off with a visit to the vineyards during sunset for one of the most unforgettable views I’ve seen this year.
What about you? What were your travel highlights of 2017? Do let me know in the comments below.
Stay tuned for more updates on my adventures. All pictures by Constant Traveller. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay updated with the latest news. Subscribe to my email list on the right to stay in touch.
