Europe Travel

2017 – Our year in travel

December 31, 2017
Alton Lavender Fields, Hampshire - The Project Lifestyle

Travelling is one of my favourite things to do. I love exploring new places, taking in the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of new cities and countries.

In 2017, we probably spent no longer than two full weeks out of the country, but we did enjoy an amazing British road trip featuring lots of lovely hotel stays. This year we visited six countries, took six flights, many mountain gondolas, a few buses, drove two cars, took one steamboat trip and adventured down the river Avon in a canal boat.

Here’s 2017: Our year in travel:

Les Menuires, France – We started the year with snowy scenes in the French Alps, where I embarked upon my first ever skiing adventure. Alongside our days on the slopes, we enjoyed the traditional dish – tartiflette, fireworks and watching the night skiers.

Skiing Les Menuires, Three Valleys - The Project Lifestyle Skiing Les Menuires, Three Valleys - The Project Lifestyle Skiing Les Menuires, Three Valleys - The Project Lifestyle

Alton Lavender Fields, Hampshire – The gentle buzz of bees over rows and rows of delicate purple blooms, I’d always wanted to visit a lavender farm in full bloom and this year I was in luck. A sunny day taking to the meadows, the aroma was beautiful.

Alton Lavender Fields, Hampshire - The Project Lifestyle Alton Lavender Fields, Hampshire - The Project Lifestyle Alton Lavender Fields, Hampshire - The Project Lifestyle

New Park Manor, Brockenhurst, Hampshire – This year for our third anniversary we didn’t take to the skies and fly to a far-off land, we visited a hotel less than an hour from home. Surrounded by the New Forest, it was the perfect way to relax and celebrate in style.

New Park Manor Hotel, Brockenhurst - The Project Lifestyle New Park Manor Hotel, Brockenhurst - The Project Lifestyle New Park Manor Hotel, Brockenhurst - The Project Lifestyle

Bath, Bristol and The River Avon – For Pete’s grandparents’ 60th wedding anniversary, we took a family trip to a beautiful manor house near Bath, heading into the city for celebratory cocktails before taking our very own canal boat trip up the river Avon.

Frampton's, Bath - The Project Lifestyle Frampton's, Bath - The Project Lifestyle Canal boat trip on the Avon - The Project Lifestyle Canal boat trip on the Avon - The Project Lifestyle

Clifton and Bristol – Following on from our Somerset adventures, we headed to the colourful streets of Clifton on the edge of Bristol to stay at the beautiful Number 38 Clifton, enjoying some fresh food dining at the River Cottage Canteen. A trip to Bristol is not complete without a visit to the ever popular Papersmiths.

Number 38 Clifton - The Project Lifestyle Number 38 Clifton - The Project Lifestyle River Cottage Canteen, Bristol - The Project Lifestyle Papersmiths, Bristol - The Project Lifestyle

Rowsley, The Peak District – A place close to my hometown, Rowsley, set on the edge of the Peak District is a beautiful little village, home to the stunning, historic Peacock Hotel with fine dining restaurant.

The Peacock Hotel, Rowsley - The Project Lifestyle

Windermere, The Lake District – A tour of Britain would not be complete without a visit to the Lake District. Admiring the natural wonders; mountains, lakes and waterfalls, we stayed lakeside at the Lakeside Hotel.

Lakeside Hotel and Spa - The Project Lifestyle Lakeside Hotel and Spa - The Project Lifestyle Lakeside Hotel and Spa - The Project Lifestyle

Scotland – Beautiful Scotland. A country frequented in my childhood more times than I could count. Staying at Big Sky Lodges, near the Black Isle, we drove to many of my favourite scenic spots; a pilgrimage of reminiscing.

Road Trip Scotland - The Project Lifestyle Big Sky Lodges, Scotland - The Project Lifestyle Big Sky Lodges, Scotland - The Project Lifestyle Road Trip Scotland - The Project Lifestyle

Romantic York – Travelling home from Scotland we stopped for a two-night stay in historic York, enjoying the exquisite rooms of the ever romantic Principal Hotel, where we enjoyed dinner and drinks. Wandering the cobbled lanes and exploring the independent shops makes for an enjoyable York stay.

The Principal York - The Project Lifestyle The Principal York - The Project Lifestyle The Refectory at The Principal York - The Project Lifestyle The Refectory at The Principal York - The Project Lifestyle

Salzburg, Austria – In collaboration with Southampton Airport and BMI Regional, we flew into Munich for Oktoberfest but first decided to take our hire car for a whizz into Austria. Salzburg is a beautiful city, but we were sad to see it coated in cloud and thick drizzle (not ideal for the photographer in me). However, the rain didn’t stop us from enjoying the impressive Hangar 7 on the outskirts of the city.

Hangar 7, Salzburg - The Project Lifestyle Hangar 7, Salzburg - The Project Lifestyle

The Bavarian Alps, Germany – Sunshine, winding mountain roads and a convertible; the perfect trio. We drove across the Austrian border into Germany for some scenic lakeside and mountain views before heading to Munich and the wild Oktoberfest festival.

Bad Reichenhall, Germany - The Project Lifestyle Touring Bavaria - The Project Lifestyle Touring Bavaria - The Project Lifestyle Touring Bavaria - The Project Lifestyle

Longleat Festival of Light – A final adventure to end the year, we went to Longleat Safari Park’s Festival of Light, a beautiful wintertime treat for a cold and dark night.

In 2018 we’re heading to Norway to see it in the deepest days of winter, then heading to Cornwall for half term with the family, then saving up time and money before we head on another big adventure down under, with six weeks in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore before heading home for Christmas… Watch this space!

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