How I went to 10 unbelievable countries, went into a media frenzy over Brexit, and lived to tell the tale in 2016. If you want the sky, you’ve got to reach for it!

Happy New Year everyone.

It’s officially 2017!!!!!

My goodness!

2016 was a mixed bag of an incredible year, but that hasn’t stopped me from making plans to conquer the world. I’ll give you all the details next week!!

But first, let’s take a walk down memory lane of all the countries that I went to last year, and what I did. According to my statistics, 76,000 people read my blog last year. 76,000 people!! To think I only started this blog a little over three (3) years ago. Isn’t that marvellous?

Thank you so much for reading, making comment, and sticking with me. I love you all!

So let’s start with the country of my birth (England), and end with my new home-country (Germany). Here we go. Choose your poison….!

THE 10 COUNTRIES THAT I WENT TO LAST YEAR WERE:

• England
• Denmark
• Luxembourg
• Portugal
• Spain
• Slovakia
• Philippines
• Switzerland
• Taiwan
• Germany

BRITAIN:

The Queen was 90 year last year, and in a world of constant change and in a state of fear, I’m awfully glad that Queen Elizabeth II is still on the throne, ‘cos we need her!

And OMG! The outcome of Brexit was crazy! Sadly, we British Europeans, and others like us who voted for #Remain, lost out. Having said that, you should have seen how many newspaper and radio interviews I did at that time, as well as TV appearances. One newspaper even hounded me for an interview at midnight!

I refused!

Here are the posts that I wrote about being British, and what it means.

• The Queen at 90: Dinner for the Queen!
• BREXIT: The UK’s EU referendum – Real facts you should know!
• Brexit: So Britain is out of the European Union. Now what?
• British Europeans: 10 reasons why being a British European is a really good thing!
• Think David Bowie! Think Alan Rickman! Think the British Shorts Film Festival!
• Wlliam Shakespeare’s 400th Anniversary: To be or not to be? That isn’t a question, that’s a Night Out with Shakespeare, David Tennant & Prince Charles!

ENGLAND:

The outcome of Brexit was awful. And I’m very, very sad, but I’m still British, and I love my original home-country that is England – the land of Hope and Glory n’ all that! In fact, last year I went back for my Masters graduation convention ceremony, which was full of pomp and tradition, but made me feel very much back to my roots, and proud of not only myself, but of my country too.

Whatever happens. I’ll still always be English.

Here’s what I wrote:

• Travelling to England: Surprise! I’m travelling to England, Spain & Portugal. Olé!
• Bath: 15 incredible reasons why you should visit Bath in 2016: Heigh Ho!
• University of Chester: An English Education – The misadventures of a post-graduate student at the University of Chester
• Chester: 17 reasons to visit Cheshire in the English countryside, quite close to Wales!

DENMARK:

I hadn’t been to Denmark for years, so it was great to get back there. It wasn’t cheap though, so if you want to visit any Nordic country without selling your mother, here’s what you should do!

• An introduction to travelling to Denmark: Astonishing news! I’m organising a Summer European Challenge Campaign. By train
• A Guide for Copenhagen: How to visit Copenhagen on a budget. Even though I missed my last connection. Again!
• Danish Gastronomy: Top 9 reasons why Danish food isn’t just smørrebrød, seasonal berries & herbs, but can be awfully tasty!

LUXEMBOURG:

Over the summer, I decided to take The Tall Young Gentleman on a Summer European Challenge which consisted of spending the summer going to a different European country! Our boy is 14 years old going on 20, so it was just lovely spending quality time with him, before he grows up, and it’s too late!

Thankfully, he’s as great a traveller as I am, but a bit of a snob. You should have seen him whinge over taking the second class night train…!

Having said that, by the time our son was 5, he had already been to 32 countries, and at 12, he was already talking about spending his GAP year in Thailand, so there’s that!

Anyway, here it goes:

• An introduction to travelling to Luxembourg: Astonishing news! I’m organising a Summer European Challenge Campaign. By train!
• Luxembourg: A smart guide to the Grand Duchy of one of Europe’s smallest countries! 
• Luxembourg Gastronomy: How to eat cheaply in Luxembourg!

PORTUGAL:

Our family holiday this year was to the Mediterranean. And we had a most wonderful time in Lisbon, the Algarves, and Porto in Portugal.

I can’t understand why most travellers and tourists don’t seem to go there, as it’s small, historical, not too expensive, the people are lovely, and it’s really rather pleasant to visit. Perhaps, they’re trying to keep it a secret.

Whoops!

Here’s why we went, and you should too!

• Travelling to Portugal: Surprise! I’m travelling to England, Spain & Portugal. Olé!
• Visiting the Algarve: 12 Unique things to do in the Algarve!
• Visiting Lisbon: 17 reasons why Lisbon is the next top European place to be!
• Visiting Porto: 11 reasons why you should visit Porto – the city of wine – and why it matters!
• Portuguese Gastronomy: 7 remarkable things to eat & drink in Portugal!

SPAIN:

Our family holiday this year was to the Mediterranean. And not only did we spend it in Portugal, but in Spain too!

Even though I had a most stressful visit to Barcelona in 2015, Madrid & Seville in 2016, turned it all around!

Here’s how Spain changed my opinion:

• Travelling to Spain: Surprise! I’m travelling to England, Spain & Portugal. Olé!
• Going to Madrid: 72 hours in Madrid – 72 things to do! Oh God!
• Going to Seville: Oranges & Lemons say the Bells of St. Clement’s. Say the ancient bells of Seville actually! Awesome!!
• Tapas Food Walking Tour: Oh what fun! Tapas, Sangria and a food walking tour in Madrid!
• Spanish Gastronomy: Spanish food & how to eat it! Spanish plonk & how to drink it!

SLOVAKIA:

Once upon a time, I used to live in the Czech Republic, and for a very short time in Slovakia too. Over the summer, we took a trip down memory lane, and Slovakia was OK, but ultimately, I wasn’t impressed, because of the scamming that took place in our restaurant!

The Tall Young Gentleman wasn’t impressed either. He found Bratislava drab!

Read on though, and make up your own mind:

• An introduction to travelling to Slovakia: Astonishing news! I’m organising a Summer European Challenge Campaign. By train!
• An introduction to Bratislava: Should you visit Bratislava, or stay at home and not bother!
• Slovak / Slovakian Gastronomy: 9 traditional East European things to eat in Slovakia!

THE PHILIIPPINES:

I was very excited to be back in Asia, not only ‘cos outside of Europe, Asia is my favourite continent, but because I was going to not one new Asian destinations, but two! And, I was at a travel bloggers conference called TBEX, and on a press trip around the lovely beaches of the Philippines too!

I haven’t actually written about any of the beaches yet, but I shared many of the “on-the-spot” activities and photographs on Facebook and Twitter, so if you’re not following me there, you should!

• An introduction to travelling to the Philippines: Astonishing news! I’m going to the Philippines! 
• Shocking news! I’m actually in the Philippines and guess what? The secret Chinese-speaking location I told you about is….Taiwan!
• My second huge FAM / Press Trip to the Philippines: How to work with #TBEX, and how to do it right!
• TBEX: How I went to TBEX again, and what I learnt!
• Should you visit Manila: Is Manila a crime-ridden place or is it something completely different?

SWITZERLAND:

Switzerland was one of the countries that I decided to travel to over the summer. Even though it’s not far from Germany, I hadn’t actually been before!

And my verdict?

A lovely, lovely country!

Read on:

• An introduction to travelling to Switzerland: Astonishing news! I’m organising a Summer European Challenge Campaign. By train!
• An introduction to Lucerne / Luzern: How to spend 48 astonishing hours in Lucerne, otherwise known as Luzern – On a budget!
• Swiss Gastronomy: Why you should visit Switzerland, and eat cheese!

TAIWAN:

As part of my visit to Asia last year, I opted to choose a Chinese-inspired country. And as much as I absolutely loooove Hong Kong, I chose a new destination.

I chose Taiwan.

In fact, I liked it so much that on our next family holiday to Asia, Taiwan would be one country that I would happily choose again. My German husband would adore it!

• Shocking news! I’m actually in the Philippines and guess what? The secret Chinese-speaking location I told you about is….Taiwan!
• An introduction to travelling to Taiwan: 16 brilliant reasons why you should visit Taiwan!
• Taiwanese Gastronomy: Taiwan: Food to eat and a place to lay your head: A first-time experience – Part I
• Taiwan Night Markets: Taiwan: Food to eat and a place to lay your head: A first-time experience – Part II

GERMANY:

I spend a lot of my time travelling abroad, but last year, I wanted to make a huge effort travelling more around Germany. And I did!

Most of the destinations centered around the sea, and sailing, and for those of you who hadn’t thought of the seaside and Germany in one breath, well. It’s different, but really quite nice!

This year, I visited  Usedom, I went sailing with the grandparents near Bremen, I went to my husband’s hometown of Osnabrück, and of course, I spent some time in my beloved Berlin.

Try if for yourself:

BERLIN CULTURE:

BERLIN:

Oh yeaaaah! Berlin baby! I’ve been living here as an expat for 15 years. I know Berlin that’s why I am The British Berliner! So without further delay, here are the lovely posts that I wrote just for you:

• Music, Trash & Bizarreness: If you want to make a statement, make it trashy at the Berlin Music Video Award!
• Fashion: How to be young, bright and absolutely fabulous – showing your stuff at Berlin Fashion Week 2016/2017 Part I!
• Fashion: How to be young, bright and absolutely fabulous – showing your stuff at Berlin Fashion Week 2016/2017 Part II!
• Fashion: How to be an embodiment of urban, provocative cool – PART I!
• Fashion: How to be an embodiment of urban, provocative cool: Berlin Fashion Week – Autumn/Winter 2016 – PART II!
• Film: A Beginners’ Guide to the Berlin International Film Festival 2016, otherwise known as the Berlinale!
• International Festival Films: 12 fantastic festival films you should really watch – Lights! Camera! Action!!!
• German food in Berlin: Food in Germany: 10 delicious best German meals to try out in Berlin – Because German food isn’t as rustic as you think!

OTHER PARTS OF GERMANY:

• An introduction to travelling to Bremen: Astonishing news! I’m organising a Summer European Challenge Campaign. By train!
• What to do in the towns and villages near Bremen: Visiting Bremen: 4 musicians, a sailing boat, and a German grandfather!
• An introduction to travelling to Usedom: Astonishing news! I’m organising a Summer European Challenge Campaign. By train!
• An introduction to the German Baltic Sea: 51 reasons to go to the seaside. In Germany!
• Seaside food in Germany: A 5 minute guide to German food. On the Baltic Sea beach!

GERMAN CULTURE:

• Seaside food in Germany: A 5 minute guide to German food. On the Baltic Sea beach!
• An introduction to the German Baltic Sea: 51 reasons to go to the seaside. In Germany!
• Sailing in Germany: Visiting Bremen: 4 musicians, a sailing boat, and a German grandfather!
• Food in Germany: 10 delicious best German meals to try out in Berlin – Because German food isn’t as rustic as you think!

OTHER STUFF!

But 2016 was an interesting year, and even though in some parts it went terribly bad with politics and terrorism, in other ways it was great.

My own brother wrote a book which was taken up by a publisher in London, and I completed my MA (Education Management) at the University of Chester which had me flying in and out of the UK every 6 weeks!

I did a lot of media appearances not only about Brexit, but about the British monarchy too. I was recently invited to an exclusive Christmas celebration at the German parliament, with members of the House of Lords, the European Parliament, and the British Embassy!

My husband – The Music Producer – worked on two EP’s, mixed songs for several artists, and produced the music sound track of an independent short film, which is now applying for competition at international film festivals around the world!

I started a new job as the Vice School Principal of a Language School which might also lead to one of the biggest projects of my life. I can’t talk about it at the moment, but as I said last week, if it works out, it’s going to be huge. And if it doesn’t, well…!

The work of a lifestyle, expat, travel blogger is never done, so I’ll leave with you with some of my most inspiring motivational posts!

• Is it safe to travel to Europe right now: I’m scared to travel abroad!
• How I can afford to travel around the world: Live the life you want!
• How I can afford a life of travel: Don’t choose. Have it all!
• How I went to 11 marvellous countries, & taught the Germans about the Queen in 2015: If I can do it, so can you!
• How to be a professional blogger: I went to the ITB in Berlin, so am I a professional travel blogger?
• What to do if you’re a new blogger: 10 things to do if you’re a new blogger and what I learnt – ITB Berlin
• How to be a savvy travel blogger: 10 tips to help you prepare, and find your way around!
• How to get invited on your first press trip: My first press or FAM trip ever to Nord-Pas de Calais otherwise known as, Northern France!
• My second huge FAM / Press Trip to the Philippines: How to work with #TBEX, and how to do it right!
• My first visit to TBEX: How I went to TBEX EUROPE, got abandoned at Barcelona Airport & what I learnt!
• An introduction to TBEX: How I went to TBEX again, and what I learnt!

If you’ve noticed, you can now use the translation tab at the top of the page, to change my posts to the language of your choice. You can also check out some of the places where my writing and media appearances can be found, on this page here!

In short, I had a blast in 2016, and there’s many more exciting things about to start for me in 2017!

I have a family and I have a life. Most importantly, I’ve already found my home-base – Berlin – and I’m extremely happy with where I am and who I am.

52 fantastic posts!

Thank you so much for your support everyone. 2016 was a great year. Here’s to the next.

Bottoms up!

I have so much to say, so next week I will be sharing some of my travel destinations for 2017 with you.

It”s a New Year. Hip! Hip! Hurrah!

HOW I WENT TO 10 UNBELIEVABLE COUNTRIES, WENT INTO A MEDIA FRENZY OVER BREXIT, AND LIVED TO TELL THE TALE IN 2016. IF YOU WANT THE SKY YOU’VE GOT TO REACH FOR FOR IT!