2013 Travel Review: Nat's Top 50

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Geo: -37.8143, 144.963

As 2013 comes to a close, we all look back on the year that's been, and the year ahead of us. For Nat and I, 2013 was one of the most memorable years of our lives. We traveled the world for over 6 months, exploring 6 continents and 34 Countries. We shared so many experiences, and have so many great memories to treasure. In hindsight though, which were the best? Which places, experiences, adventures will we remember the fondest? There were so many. How could we rank them? This blog has been a review of our 'Great Adventure' for the most part, from my perspective. I've told our shared story from my viewpoint. Whilst it was great to share this adventure with Nat, and her help and support was invaluable, the trip was my ambition, my idea, mostly planned by me, my responsibility, my design. This blog consists of my words. I often wondered how much Natalie really enjoyed it all. What did she enjoy the most? What were her favorite places? Our similarities make us strong but our differences make us stronger and give variety and perspective. I asked if she'd like to shed light on this and compile a 'Top 50 Travel Experiences of 2013'. What better way to reminisce about the year past. Finally here it is, Natalie's Top 50 from bottom up. It wasn't easy. I identified about 290 noteworthy experiences over the last 6 months. Admirable enough she managed to rank just 50 places. I struggled to compile my review with a top 100, which will follow. Nat's list is her own, her own words, with no influence from me whatsoever. I've attached a photo of each place for reference 😊

50. Pont des Arts Bridge (Paris, France)
Who doesnt want a love lock declaration locked onto an infamous bridge?



49. Santa Monica Beach (California, USA)
A fantastic day spent with friends, on the last day of the most amazing trip by far.



48. City of York (York City, England)
A very pretty old town, where the buildings almost touch each other across the lanes. So old, so much history.



47. High Force Falls (Durham, England)
I love my waterfalls!



46. Walking Tour of Ghent (Ghent, Belgium)
Ghent was a small surprise. Visiting before the uni crowds started uni, this town was quiet and old town beautiful.


45. City of Prague (Prague, Czech Republic)
Originally booked for 3 nights, extended to a week, as we loved it so much. Beautiful by night. Night lights not to be missed!



44. Universal Studios (Hollywood, USA)
Loved this theme park! Singapore was just as good. But seeing the film sets in Hollywood was what made this stand out!



43. Miami Bus Tour (Miami, USA)
Miami was a little of a surprise for me. Was not expecting it to be so beautiful.



42. Adventure of the Seas Ship (England, Iceland, Norway)
First ship, service was by far the best on this ship. Also got to meet plenty of people our age on this boat, and share a group table.



41. Het Loo Palace (Apeldoorn, Netherlands)
Really impressive palace. Awesome audio tour that actually kept me interested in history (rare occurrence!) and very pretty gardens!



40. Singapore Zoo (Singapore)
A great zoo, although I was a little sad to see the elephants in such a small enclosure, bored and restless.



39. Petronas Towers (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
Amazing towers, would be great to see at night



38. Pompeii (Naples, Italy)
Loved Pompeii. High expectations. Would have loved more examples of the people, how they were found



37. Carnival Sunshine (Spain, France, Italy, Croatia)
Loved this ship by far. New, large and plenty to do. My favorite was the water slides! Takes your breath away (and bather top!) as one of the fastest I have ever gone on!



36. Prague Zoo (Prague, Czech Republic)
Probably one of the best zoos in the world! Would love to go back, as 1/4 was flood damaged and closed.


35. Anne Franks House (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
The 90 minute wait in 30 degree heat to get in was worth it!



34. Disneyland (Paris, France)
The best Disneyland of ALL. Better rides, better shows, better Disney Castle. Everything here was far superior to the American and Hong Kong versions.



33. Finchale Abbey (Durham, England)
Underrated and beautiful. Seemed geared more towards locals than tourists! Set by the river, in beautiful greenery.


32. Eiffel Tower (Paris, France)
A must see, LOVED seeing the lights at night 😊



31. City of Helsinki (Helsinki, Finland)
A beautiful large city by the waters edge. Would love to see this in winter.



30. Edinburgh (Edinburgh, Scotland)
Beautiful old town!



29. Durham Cathedral (Durham, England)
One of the more underrated cathedrals in the UK. So stunning.



28. Exploring Tunis (Tunis, Tunisia)
Was everything I expect of Greece! Yet this was Africa! Beautiful blue and white buildings on cliff faces by the beach



27. Westminster Abbey (London, England)
I love anything Royal. This was so big and so different to anything I had ever seen



26. Dachau Concentration Camp (Munich, Germany)
Not as big as Auschwitz, but remembered for the chilling walk through the gas
chambers.



25. City of Lucerne (Lucerne, Switzerland)
One of the prettiest towns I've ever seen. Such fantastic weather, beautiful mountains and lakes.



24. Luxembourg Old Town (Luxembourg)
A cross between Germany, Austria, France, Belgium - this town had it all! All set in a beautiful autumn leave covered valley 😊



23. St Pauls Cathedral (London, England)
Awesome Cathedral. Huge with a great view of London from the top!



22. Dubrovnik Old Town (Dubrovnik, Croatia)
Loved the orange roofs. Loved the water. Crystal blue and clear. Would definately go back to Croatia.



21. Auschwitz Concentration Camp (Krakow, Poland)
Chilling and disturbing. Will remain with me for life.



20. Burj Khalifa (Dubai, UAE)
Tallest building in the World! I want to see Dubai again to see how much it changes! Like a trillion dollars have been dropped in the middle of the desert.



19. Olden & Briksdalen Glacier (Olden, Norway)
The walk to the glacier was amazing in itself.



18. City of Copenhagen (Copenhagen, Denmark)
Loved this bike friendly city. The canals, the lack of cars, and the beautiful roads through the city. So clean and health conscious.



17. Kinderdijk Bike Ride (Molenwaard, Netherlands)
Great weather. Perfect way to experience Holland! Kinderdijk is just so special



16. Path of the Trolls (More og Romsdal, Norway)
Terrible weather, but still amazing. The glimses of the famous road through the mist were stunning.



15. Lands End Cliffs and Snorkeling at Chileno Bay (Cabo san Lucas, Mexico)
Snorkling in Mexico! I just loved the crystal clear water, the fish and the tour itself was excellent.



14. Glencoe Highlands (Glencoe, Scotland)
I want to go back and hike! Amazing walks, stunning endless mountains.



13. Akuyeri The Jewel of the North (Akuyeri, Iceland)
High Mountains with snow tops, reaching down to the waters edge, was a very special place. Would love to go back!



12. Dune Bashing Dubai (Dubai, UAE)
You just need to watch the video to hear my laughter to see how much I enjoyed it!



11. Loch Ness (Inverness, Scotland)
Who doesnt want to see where Loch Ness comes from? Perfect weather, made for stunning scenery



10. Las Calletas Hideaway (Puerto Vallarta, Mexico)
Had no idea Mexico had such stunning beaches. An isolated beach, was just picture perfect and relaxing. With every beach activity on offer



9. Hadrians Wall (North England)
One of my absolute favorite places until I saw Switzerland and Iceland!



8. The Golden Circle; Gullfoss and Geysirs (Iceland)
The stark contrast of black rock, no greenery and huge waterfalls and geysers. Felt like been on the moon!



7. Interlaken (Interlaken, Switzerland)
Very beautiful. Beautiful colors, Water, Mountains, clear blue skies. Switzerland most stunning place in the world.



6. Husky Ride (Svalbard, Norway)
Very muddy, very fun! We got to control the sled and ride. Playing with the dogs was also great fun



5. Austria Wine Cycling Tour (from Vienna, Austria)
20km bike ride on a stunning day, stunning scenery, a great refreshing swim in the river. Great wine tasting also.



4. Mount Blanc (Chamonix, France)
Terrible weather low down, top of the mountain above the clouds very beautiful looking at clouds.



3. Svalbard Glacier Hike (Svalbard, Norway)
Great 8 hour hike, walking across a glacier.



2. Mount Titlis (from Lucerne, Switzerland)
Stunning weather, clear blue skies high above the alps.



1. Blue Lagoon (from Reykjavik, Iceland)
The warm crystal blue water set against the black rock is just stunning, swimming in freezing weather is an experience of a lifetime

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