Basically, this is a Michelle’s 2017 travel in summary. I created so many memories in 2017 I still feel it’s such a surreal thing I went to four new countries. Each country that I visited has a special meaning, but the “first time” always feels extra special for me. There are other countries that I visited again just because I needed more memories from that place. Like Milan, I always try to come back every year when I was a university student.
I really want to share something that I truly enjoy and believe in. I always promote traveling and encourage people to travel more. So this blog post is basically me sharing to you guys my travel in 2017 to inspire you to travel more. Or start traveling. Or start planning. Whichever the steps you are in, it’s never too late to begin.
Denmark
Denmark is the first country where I traveled alone. I did my solo traveling to Copenhagen in spring 2017. I was terrified and excited at the same time. As it was a “first time” solo traveling, I chose a great place to start with. Copenhagen is super chill and very safe for female solo traveler. If you have been reading my blog for a while, you’ll know that I’m an introvert. Copenhagen is perfect for an introvert like me, where minimum interaction is preferable. Denmark is all about the hygge, something that I hope I can learn of.
Back to Nature in Copenhagen Botanical Garden
Nyvhan, Copenhagen
Portugal
I didn’t have much expectation towards Portugal before I traveled there. Yet, Portugal passed beyond my expectation and it is one of my favorite memories of traveling. I love the food, the vibe, the landscape, and the culture. Especially Porto, I never expect this small and sweet city can make me fall in love more than I allow myself. And have I mention the food? Did I? Well, allow me to mention it once more. Because I will never stop hyping the fact that I can get amazing food with reasonable price and great service. Portugal will leave you speechless through your mouth and stomach.
Guided Tour in Graham’s Port Wine Lodge in Porto
World’s Best Portuguese Tart is in Lisbon
Porto, Portugal
Italy
Italy brings colour to my 2017. I wouldn’t say I have a smooth path in 2017, but Italy is there to remind me. Italy reminds me of how the world of colour exist. Literally and figuratively. The wonder of nature and man-made incorporated together, I saw that in Cinque Terre and Portofino. It doesn’t seem like the people trying to dominate the nature or vice versa, they’re just there, together. Side by side. Also, Milan was acting as my little one-day getaway when I was in university. I can never get enough of Italy.
Rome Weekend Getaway During Jubilee Year
Manarola, Cinque Terre
Austria
Austria is a neighboring country from Switzerland. I’ve been to Austria way back when I was in junior high. No matter how many times I’ve been to Austria, I always want to come back and do cafe-hunting. I actually just realized when I was doing cafe-hunting in Seoul, my obsession with cafes came way back. I’d say my cafe-hunting obsession starts from here, in Austria, and never go back since then. There’s always something about visiting cafes where writers or famous people (from way back) hangout and had their coffee. Trying to feel how it likes back then. Whether it’s Salzburg, Hallstatt or Vienna, the influence of the royalty seems quite strong towards the country. Aside from desserts and cafes, I was actually infatuated too by one of their royals, Sisi Empress of Austria. Not to forget the lover of “Sound of Music” movie, this place is yours.
Hallstatt the Famous Hidden Gem in Austria
What to Order in Cafe Central Vienna
Hallstatt, Austria
Czech Republic
It was one fine summer day, when Prague look beautiful as heaven. It was short and sweet trip to Prague. I wish to explore more of this city. There’s a long list of bucket-list, but it was created after I visited Prague. Don’t know when will I ever go back to this lovely city and country. Well, one thing that I figured out is that one visit to a place is never enough. There’s always reason to come back. Whether it is to reminisce or to explore more.
Prague, Czech Republic
Belgium
Belgium… don’t really have much opinion for it honestly. This country is always either my first, or last destination. I was always with my family when I traveled to Belgium. And I travel the most when I’m alone or with a friend. I don’t fully travel and chill a bit when I’m with my family. Belgium will always be the place where I don’t fully discover, unless I go there without my family. Did try to spend several hours in Brussels and walked around the city. It made me curious of what the country has to offer.
Brussels, Belgium
Switzerland
Been calling this place my home for 2,5 years. I started to embrace and loving this country during my last year of university. I wish I had more time to explore this pristine, high-priced country, but my time is up. Switzerland is a bittersweet memories for me. Switzerland taught me so many things as I perceived Switzerland as a “mature” one. It is a huge part of my life too where I discover more about myself. So yeah, it is more personal than the other countries. I’ll call Switzerland mother nature because as a mother, they protect and it is what Switzerland is doing. I have so much respect for this country in term of tourism. Here comes the long list of link of Switzerland…
Zermatt & 5-Lakes Walk Hiking Guide
Seven Must Visit Lakes in Switzerland
Tobogganing in Lake Oeschinen Switzerland
Lake Blausee, Hidden Gem of Switzerland
Matterhorn, Zermatt
Fribourg, Switzerland
Jungfraujoch, Switzerland
South Korea
Back to the Eastern side, I visited South Korea for the first time. I was invited by Imagine Your Korea as one of their global photographer and shoot a video about autumn in Korea. Surely I will never forget those experience with Imagine Your Korea. I was also very grateful to be able to extend my trip and visited my friends in Seoul. Nothing feels as amazing as when your friends show you around their hometown. Before I knew it, I fell to deeply in love with Seoul. I mean, what’s not to love about that vibrant and nature-surrounded city? And a honorable mention to my continuous discovery of cafes.
Imagine Your Korea – Autumn Paintings
How to Cafe Hunting in Seoul | 11 Must-Visit Cafe in Seoul
Little Guide of Namsan Tower in Pictures
Inwangsan, Seoul
Japan
I always admired and a fan of Japan. Whether it is their food, technology, anime, or culture, they always add a flair of art and dedication. So much to learn from Japan. This year in 2017, I visited a friend of mine and stayed in Kyoto and Osaka. It was right after my trip to South Korea and was feeling a bit tired from all the traveling. Put in mind that I wasn’t traveling in a luxurious way. Japan is where I stayed in a capsule hotel for the first time too. Eat Kobe beef for the first time, even after I fell down and bruised my face by kissing the asphalt. Solo traveled in Osaka and watched the best sunset over Osaka city from skyscraper. Beauty of Japan never ceased to amaze me, never. Ever.
Visiting Kobe & Eating Kobe Beef
Kinkakuji, Kyoto
Indonesia
My home country. I am ashamed that I haven’t explore my own home as much as I explore the rest of the world. Another excuse is because I was based overseas and found my love for traveling there. Now that I’m back home, I’m bringing my travel skills to explore my own home. Indonesia is a ‘rich’ country, owning more than 17,500 islands. I’ve visited only five out of thousands. That’s why I’m dedicating 2018 and forward to explore my home. I want to find hidden gems that are scattered and spread all over Indonesia. This is where I realized that traveling doesn’t mean that we have to get a visa or pass the border of another country. Traveling can be anywhere, wherever you heart takes you and all you need is a sense of adventure.
Road to Sipiso-Piso Waterfall Near Lake Toba
Traveling in Samosir Island, Lake Toba
Largest Buddhist Temple Candi Borobudur in Pictures
Guide to Glamping in Legok Kondang
Traditional Market Oesapa Kupang
Sipiso-piso Waterfall, North Sumatra
Hope you feel motivated or at least inspired by this lil blog post that I wrote in the middle of the night. For those of you who’s been reading my blog for some times, thank you so much for sticking with me and reading this blog of mine. Nothing keeps me going other than my love for travel and you guys, who read this. See you on the next blog post ✌.
Michelle in Lake Toba, probably pondering where to go next and the meaning of life…
4 Comments
Love your pictures as always, but I think the dress you wore to Toba is REALLY cute!
Thank you mich! And that dress is from zara hehehe 😆
These pictures are the death of me.. they are AMAZING. It’s so awesome and admirable that you travelled to so many places in ONE year.
Thank you so much Asma!!! Living in Europe truly helps me travel to many countries!!! I also still can’t believe I went to that many countries in a span of one year <3 Counting my blessing in form of travel hehe..