2025 travel year in review: destinations, highlights and upcoming plans
As 2025 comes to an end, I’ve been looking back at a year that felt intense, grounding, and deeply meaningful. While I didn’t travel as far as in previous years, the trips I took these last twelve months felt more intentional: a mix of slow travel close to home, family road trips, reunions with friends, and a few unforgettable adventures abroad. From Morocco and the Austrian Alps to London, Spain and the French Atlantic coast, this 2025 travel year in review reflects where I went, what I experienced, and how travel shaped my year — both on the road and at home. Below, you’ll find my 2025 travel recap by month, along with destinations visited, highlights, and links to the travel guides I published throughout the year.
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Check out all the Lonely Planet travel guidebooks that I’ve used for my trips in 2025.
📝 2025 travel year in review: my trips at a glance (monthly overview)
👇 Below’s a brief recap of the year, broken down by month. You may also check out these post and reels on my Instagram account:
- January 🌿: after wrapping the long Spanish Christmas season, it was high time to resume my nature walks and daily routine. Some of the places I visited during the month included Bayonne, Getaria or Hendaye.
- February🎿: I spent a fair amount of time outdoors, including a ski trip to Jaca and Formigal. I also bought my first proper camera, went to the opera in San Sebastián and became a gardener!
- March 🧨: I celebrated Carnival in my hometown and I traveled to the traditional Fallas in Valencia.
- April ☀: after having visited Morocco with my Dad in 2014, I returned to Marrakech and discovered the Moroccan cities of Agadir and Essaouira for the first time!
- May 🪄: I traveled to London with a couple of friends to celebrate their anticipated birthdays in style. In addition to seeing some iconic British sites, my absolute highlight was visiting the Harry Potter Warner Bros Studios in Watford. Such a magical experience!
- June ⛱: to kick off the summer period early, I went on a 3-week family road trip throughout Alicante and my beloved Balearic Islands (including Formentera, Ibiza, and Mallorca). To finish the month on a high note, we celebrated San Marcial in my hometown.
- July 💍: since one of my cousins was getting married in the Segovia province, we decided to travel around the area for a few days after the wedding. Needless to say, it was a much more peaceful trip compared to the busy Mediterranean destinations that we visited in June!
- August 🏔: I headed to central Europe (Germany & Austria) for a friend´s wedding in the Alps. It was lovely to be reunited with friends from Washington DC while hiking the area and exploring wonderful cities such as Maria Alm, Salzburg or Zell am See along the way! Upon returning back home, I enjoyed staycationing and spending time at the beach.
- September 🎉: my summer ended with some celebrations as well as with another family wedding, this time around in Barcelona, a city I always love coming back to.
- October 👩🌾: with the summer finally behind us and the end of the year around the corner, it was time to slow down by enjoying outdoors or tending my vegetable garden.
- November 🚲: I visited Bayonne with some friends, and around Thanksgiving, I went on a 4-day cycling solo trip to Les Landes, a region in southwestern France known for its endless beaches, vast pine free forests and tranquil villages.
- December 🎄: I spent a couple of days wandering around Biarritz at my own pace and wrapped up 2025 in Irún with my loved ones.
Browse my previous travel year in review posts.
My 2012 trips: a year in review (coming up soon)
My 2014 trips around the world: a year in review (coming up soon)
My 2019 trips: a year in review (coming up soon)
My 2022 trips: a year in review (coming up soon)
My 2023 trips: a year in review
My 2024 trips: a year in review
🗓 2025 travel year in review: detailed trip stories by month
Now, let´s dive in more detail into my 2025 trips, sorted month by month, to see which destinations I traveled to this year.
Browse the prints for sale in my shop!
January 2025: kicking off the year at home in Spain 🇪🇸 & France 🇫🇷
To start off 2025 on the right foot, I had a great time with a couple of friends (with whom I would travel to London later in May) in the charming seaside village of Getaria, where we went to a escape room and had a delicious lunch at restaurante Iribar.
A few days later, we celebrated one of the most beloved Spanish traditions: the Three Wise Men’s parade and eating ´roscón de Reyes´ (a ring-shaped cake eaten on January 6th) after opening the presents. With that, we officially wrapped the Christmas season. And boy, I can tell you I was very ready to resume my daily habits and routine, as boring as it may sound!
After the festive period, it was time to take it easy going on nature walks around my hometown (Irún), or indulging myself with a spa session and a lunch at the Bidassoa restaurant at Relais Thalasso by the Hendaye beach in neighboring France. 🙂
I also loved catching up in Bayonne with a long-time friend that I met while we were both au pairs in Limerick (Ireland). And to finish the month of January on a high note, I went to a concert of Ara Malikian, a virtuoso violinist who was educated in Germany and is now based in Spain. What an electrifying performance on stage! Thank God we had secured front row seats, as the show was truly unforgettable.
Find below my related posts about my hometown area bordering two countries.
Spanish Basque Country
February 2025: skiing in Formigal (Aragón, Spain) 🇪🇸
During the month of February I spent a fair amount of time outdoors thanks to the unusual warm weather in this area (hello, climate change!). I enjoyed various nature walks around my hometown and I biked to neighboring Hendaye. You could tell the first signs of spring were definitely around the corner!
Speaking of outdoor activities, I returned to Jaca and Formigal on a ski trip. This time around, we spent an extra day there, which was ideal to explore the small city of Jaca and taste its traditional cuisine.
Discover the region of Aragón!
Jaca and Formigal, the perfect destinations in the Pyrenees
On a more cultural note, I went to the opera to see La Traviata at the Kursaal in San Sebastián.
And I finally bought my first decent camera, a Sony Alpha 6000 that became my trusted companion to capture my travels around the world!
At the end of February, I was awarded a small vegetable garden by my hometown´s City Hall and it was probably one of the most rewarding projects of my 2025. I only had experience with planting a few tomatoes when I lived in Bolivia, so this was quite a gardening adventure for me!
March 2025: Spain 🇪🇸 (Valencian Community)
I started the month of March celebrating Carnival in my hometown.
And talking of celebrations, I was lucky to travel to Valencia to see the traditional Fallas first-hand. As I expected, the Fallas festival was a unique experience despite the unfortunate moody weather. Crowded and noisy for sure, but totally worth it! I also enjoyed traveling solo again, specially to play with my new camera.
On another note, I worked hard preparing the land in my garden to plant some fresh products to welcome the spring season, I started reading about the fascinating world of gardening and I saw Macbeth at the opera.
Discover these other Spanish traditions!
A guide to the Feria de Abril in Sevilla
San Pedro and San Marcial ´fiestas´ in Irún: the tradition of the Alarde
The story behind one of my favorite sweets: ‘opilla’
April 2025: Morocco 🇲🇦 (Marrakech, Agadir and Essaouira)
Taking advantage of the Easter holidays in Spain, I traveled to Morocco with a friend from Vitoria, with whom I visited Bordeaux and Les Landes last year, or California ages ago. After having been to the country with my Dad in 2014, I loved coming back for a second round.
We started our week-long itinerary in the touristy yet always inspiring city of Marrakech, exploring its bustling souks and ancient medina. From there, we discovered the coastal cities of Agadir and Essaouira for the first time. The latter was a dream come true as an amateur photographer: the colorful harbor with endless seagulls, the historic city walls, the winding alleys, the neverending beach… I couldn´t get enough!
Needless to say, we also enjoyed soaking up the sun and eating the delicious Moroccan food. We had a blast and we´re already planning our next adventure, probably in 2026. Stay tuned!
In other news, my gardening skills progressed and the first veggies started coming out (meaning fresh potatoes, lettuces, and strawberries). This new hobby became really enjoyable and satisfying as I spent time outdoors and working the land with my own hands.
Browse my Morocco resources for further inspiration!
My ultimate Essaouira travel guide
Things to do in Agadir: my travel guide + map
Things to do in Casablanca: a complete travel guide & map
Things to do in Marrakech: travel guide + map
Things to do in Rabat: map & travel guide to the capital of Morocco
Top 6 cities in Morocco to visit (+ more for your bucket list)
What to do in Fez: my complete travel guide & map
May 2025: United Kingdom 🇬🇧 (London)
To celebrate the 40th birthdays of two of my best friends in style, we traveled to London. It was amazing to spend a few days together, catching up while exploring the British capital and eating our way through it.
Without a doubt, my absolute highlight was visiting the Harry Potter Warner Bros Studios located in Watford, in the London suburbs. It was such a magical experience that lived up to my expectations and beyond!
Learn more about these destinations in the United Kingdom.
Summer road trip of 2000: exploring France and the UK with our campervan (coming up soon)
June 2025: Spain 🇪🇸 (Valencian Community + Balearic Islands)
This was without a doubt the busiest period of the year, as I spent most of the month of June traveling with my family.
We started our 3-week campervan road trip itinerary in southeastern Spain, in the Valencian Community. First, we stayed at a family friend´s in Aspe, near Alicante. From there, we explored the Alicante province, including the capital city of Alicante as well as Altea, Benidorm, Calpe, Denia, Elche, Fonts de l´Algar, Guadalest, Jávea, Novelda, Santa Pola and the island of Tabarca.
We then proceeded to the Balearic Islands by ferry, where we spent over 10 days traveling across Formentera, Ibiza and our beloved Mallorca. Finally, we took another ferry from Alcudia in Mallorca all the way to Barcelona before returning back home.
Although it was an intense and long trip, I loved kicking off the summer early despite the crowds!
Browse the Mediterranean destinations we visited during this summer road trip!
Best places to visit in the Alicante province (coming up soon)
Formentera road trip: my travel guide & map
Ibiza (coming up soon)
Mallorca island (coming up soon)
Menorca (coming up soon)
Things to do in Alicante (travel guide & map)
To wrap up the month of June in style, we celebrated my dear ´fiestas´ of San Pedro and San Marcial in my hometown. Every June 30th, Irún celebrates San Marcial, a military parade in commemoration of the victory of Spanish troops over the French enemy back in 1522.
July 2025: Spain 🇪🇸 (Castile and León)
A wedding is always a great excuse to celebrate, and if it´s a family wedding away from home, even more so. Since one of my cousins was getting married in Segovia, we took the opportunity to travel around the Segovia province for a few days after the celebration.
Located in the heart of Spain, namely in the Castile and Leon region, Segovia is one of those destinations that is often overlooked. However, its capital city (Segovia) features some iconic attractions such as the Roman aqueduct, the medieval Alcázar or the Gothic Cathedral (and it’s just 1h away from Madrid!).
Furthermore, the province of Segovia abounds with cultural treasures and serene landscapes. In this part that we know as ‘la España vaciada’ (empty Spain), charming villages, lively squares and delicious food await those travelers who are willing to discover the hidden gems beyond the glitzy, busy Spanish coastline. If you’re looking for slow travel destination ideas, this might be it! During our road trip, we visited Segovia city, La Granja de San Ildefonso, Pedraza, Sepúlveda and Ayllón.
On our way back home, we stopped in Burgo de Osma, a historic place in the Soria province listed as one of the most beautiful villages in Spain.
To be honest, this was a much more peaceful trip compared to the busy Mediterranean destinations that we visited in June and we truly enjoyed it too!
Browse all my posts about Castile and León for more inspiration!
6 destinations you can’t miss in the Segovia province
A 7-day Spain road trip around 16 monumental destinations
Segovia travel guide (coming up soon)
What to do around Salas de los Infantes (Burgos)
August 2025: Germany 🇩🇪 & Austria 🇦🇹
Taking advantage of a friend´s wedding in Maria Alm (Austria), I flew to Munich in Germany to spend a week around central Europe.
After staying almost 24h in the capital of Bavaria, we celebrated our friend´s epic wedding in the Austrian Alps with friends from Washington DC. I then enjoyed a few days with my friends in the Zell am See area, hiking, biking and soaking up the beautiful scenery.
I spent the last couple of days in Salzburg, the city of Mozart. I loved visiting this destination on a solo trip, admiring the elegant architecture, the endless churches and the colorful gardens while (finally) enjoying some glorious summer weather.
Upon returning back home to Irún, I enjoyed staycationing, catching up with friends and family, and spending time at the beach in Hendaye or San Sebastián.
Discovering the Austrian Alps: Kaprun, Maria Alm, Saalfelden & Zell am See
Munich travel guide (coming up soon)
Summer road trip of 2002: exploring central Europe with our family RV (coming up soon)
Things to do in Vienna, my ultimate travel guide to the Austrian capital (coming up soon)
What to do in Salzburg, Mozart´s birthplace
September 2025: Spain 🇪🇸 (Catalonia)
The beginning of September is always full of celebrations at home as we mark my birthday, my Mum´s birthday a few days later and the Alarde in the nearby fishing village of Hondarribia. This time of the year is typically the end of the beach season in my beloved Hendaye too.
Furthermore, I attended my last wedding of the year. My cousin from Barcelona was getting married there, so it was an excellent opportunity to spend some family time over a short weekend while squeezing a little sightseeing.
Last but not least, I also went to San Sebastián to enjoy the vibrant energy of the International Film Festival (Zinemaldia) and celebrated one of my best friend´s 40th birthday near Pamplona.
For more information, read all my Barcelona-related posts!
Barcelona Card review: is it really worth it?
Food and best restaurants in Barcelona: my favorite spots (+map)
How to travel to Barcelona on a budget (my ultimate money-saving guide)
My 13 best things to do in Barcelona: map & suggested itinerary
The best views of Barcelona: all the scenic viewpoints you can’t miss
What to do in Barcelona: my travel guide to Catalonia´s capital
October 2025: home 🏡
With the summer finally behind us and the end of the year already around the corner, it was time to slow down.
Enjoying life at home with family and friends meant going on walks to admire the beautiful fall landscape, enjoying glorious weather and dropping a trip to visit a good friend in Brussels (hopefully wel´ll make it happen next year).
Oh, and my vegetable garden kept me busy too. It was so satisfying to harvest the first broccolis, cauliflowers and leeks of the season! 👩🌾
Find out more about the beautiful area I´m lucky to call home.
November 2025: France 🇫🇷 (Les Landes)
Following my trip to Bordeaux and Les Landes in 2024, I thought that it would be great to take some time to explore the area by bike. So during the Thanksgiving break this year, I boarded a train from Hendaye to Labenne and I devoted four days to discovering this tranquil part of the Atlantic coast at my own pace. I loved pedaling across Capbreton, Hossegor, Labenne, Ondres and Seignosse, capturing wild beaches and serene pine forests, sleeping and reading. The kind of solo trip that I needed! 🙂
Prior to that, I also visited the Musée Basque in Bayonne with some friends.
Read these posts about the French region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine for further inspiration!
Best things to do in Les Landes: the perfect blend of coastal villages and countryside charm
Biking solo trip to Les Landes (coming up soon)
Itinerary around the French Basque Country
Skiing in the French Pyrenees: La Pierre Saint Martin, Gourette and La Mongie
Things to do in Bordeaux, the capital of French wine
December 2025: France 🇫🇷 (the French Basque Country)
At the beginning of December, I stayed in Biarritz for a night to attend a concert and explore the city at will, while enjoying the Christmas decorations and eating my way through it. I loved pretending to be a tourist in my own backyard. 🙂
Then, I spent the last stretch of the year enjoying Christmas celebrations and planning trips for 2026.
Discover these cities in France!
💭 Highlights and lessons from my 2025 travel year in review
Looking back, 2025 taught me something I seem to relearn every year, but always in a slightly different way: meaningful travel doesn’t have to be constant, far away, or extraordinary to feel fulfilling.
Starting my own vegetable garden early this year became one of the most unexpected discoveries of 2025. Learning to grow my own food, working the land with my hands, and spending time outdoors helped me slow down and feel more present.
Buying my first proper camera was another highlight. Bringing it along on my travels pushed me to observe more closely, experiment creatively, and document moments that might otherwise have gone unnoticed. Photography has become a new passion I’m excited to keep developing in 2026. As a matter of fact, I´m already taking an online photography course on Crehana, and I´ll be joining an online masterclass with the very talented Ana Lui.
Although this year involved trips to closer destinations, each journey felt deeply enjoyable and well lived — even if the summer months were admittedly intense. More than ever, 2025 reminded me that joy often lies in simple moments: a shared meal, a peaceful landscape, a memorable sunset, or time spent with people I love.
As I start planning for 2026, my main intention is to travel more slowly, stay curious, and continue creating thoughtful travel content that reflects not just where I go, but how those places make me feel.
📍Where I traveled in 2025: countries, regions and map
In terms of destinations visited this year, here´s the full list sorted by country and region.
| Regions visited this year: 2 (Africa and Europe) Countries traveled in 2025: 6, including 🇦🇹 Austria: Salzburg and the Austrian Alps 🇫🇷 France: Nouvelle-Aquitaine 🇩🇪 Germany: Munich 🇲🇦 Morocco: Agadir, Essaouira, Marrakech 🇪🇸 Spain: Aragón, Balearic Islands, Basque Country, Castile and León, Catalonia, Valencian Community 🇬🇧 United Kingdom: London |
For your ease of reference, in the map below you will find all the destinations mentioned throughout this post, sorted and color-coded by country.
✨ My travel plans for 2026
There’s no denying it: 2025 was intense, with plenty of back-to-back trips throughout the year. As I reflect on it now, I find myself wishing for a slower pace in 2026 — something I seem to say every year, yet still genuinely hope to put into practice this time around. 🙂
That said, I’m incredibly proud of all the content I’ve published on the blog in 2025. I made a conscious effort to stay up to date after each trip and even refreshed several older travel guides along the way. Looking ahead to the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will take place across Canada, Mexico and the USA next summer, I’ll also be updating my content for those destinations — so stay tuned.
And because I can’t help myself, here’s a sneak peek at some of my tentative travel plans for 2026:
- 🎿 January: as in previous years, we might head back to Jaca for a ski trip. I’m already looking forward to hitting the slopes again.
- 💻 March: I’ll likely travel to my beloved Washington DC for a work-related training. I’m also toying with the idea of flying somewhere warm in the USA or the Caribbean afterward. Around this time, I’ll be starting a Master’s degree in Digital Marketing with BIG School, which may also take me to Barcelona.
- ☀ April: we’re planning a four-day family getaway to Marbella, one of the most popular destinations along Spain’s Costa del Sol.
- 🎤 May: I´ll go on a weekend trip to Bilbao with friends to kick off La Oreja de Van Gogh’s comeback tour.
- 💙 June: I’ll start the summer road-tripping Menorca in my Dad’s campervan before heading to Mallorca.
- 💍 Summer 2026: a close friend is likely getting married in Lisbon, which already has me dreaming about a longer trip around Portugal before or after the celebration.
- ☀️ November: I’ll return to the Costa del Sol with my Dad for a few days in Estepona, and possibly explore the autonomous city of Melilla as well.
How did you enjoy this travel year in review? What was your favorite piece of content on the blog this year? Was there a destination that particularly stood out to you? I’d love to hear your thoughts — and to learn about your travel plans for 2026.
Feel free to leave a comment below, ask any questions, or show your support by sharing or liking this article.
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In the meantime, safe travels around the world in 2026 and beyond!
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