My Top 10 Travel Experiences and Travel Blogs in 2024
From gorilla trekking in Rwanda to hiking the Hollywood sign in California, I look back on this year’s travel experiences and list my most read travel blogs from 2024.
I always love looking back on my travel experiences, and this year I am grateful to have been to amazing places with family and friends. I enjoy reviewing my website too and seeing what posts my readers were most interested in. While visiting Rwanda was certainly one of my travel highlights this year, Galgorm Resort in Northern Ireland, and our family trip to Majorca and Ibiza were the trips that interested you the most!
I am so proud that this website once again received over 2 million views, and has over 500,000 active Irish users! A whopping 138,000 of you follow me on social media now and I am delighted to have two weekly travel slots on national radio. A massive thanks to you to all of you who read, comment and share my posts, I really do appreciate it.
I had many top travel experiences in 2024, both at home and abroad, so it wasn’t easy trying to pick my highlights, but I have managed to narrow it down to 10 favourites! I have also listed my most read travel blogs from 2024, just in case you missed them. I hope they will help you plan your next trip away, and that there are lots more exciting adventures in store for all of us in 2025.
My Top Travel Highlights from 2024
1. Exploring Tuscany and Bologna
Tuscany is a place that I visited for many years. Myself and Cormac used to travel there regularly, in fact we spent the last month of my maternity leave there when Luke was born. Fast forward 17 years and it was time to return. We spent three nights in the most amazing Airbnb inside the walled town of San Gimignano – it was one of the most idyllic places I have stayed in.
We loved staying in San Gimignano at night time, when all the day trippers were gone – it is something I would highly recommend you add to your bucket list.
We also returned to Siena and Florence, and visited Bologna for the first time – which I truly believe is one of Italy’s most underrated cities. Writing this has reminded me that I still have to write my Bologna travel guide – watch this space!
Read: The Best Places to Visit in Tuscany and Where to Stay
2. Cruising the Med on Sun Princess
A change in port schedule resulted in a shorter time than expected on Sun Princess, but it was still one of my travel highlights from 2024. She is a stunning ship! The sun shone, the entertainment was spot on, and we wined and dined ourselves for four fabulous days!
The kids loved having a choice of activities, the freedom to be able to go anywhere on the ship, and being able to order food and drinks as part of the all inclusive arrangement – it was a wonderful family experience.
Read: My review of Sun Princess
Read: 20 Top Tips for First Time Cruisers
3. Living it up in LA
This year was my first time to attend IPW, the International travel trade show that is held in a different American state each year. It was a flying visit to Los Angeles but I managed to take in some of the highlights!
I hiked the Hollywood Sign (walked is probably a more accurate description!), enjoyed the iconic Studio Tour at Universal Studios, and managed to see the legend Diana Ross in concert.
Read: Top things to do in LA
4. Amazed by Adare Manor
Adare Manor has been on my bucket list since it re opened in 2017, and when my friends got married there this year I finally got to stay over. The setting, service and overall atmosphere was second to none. I would return in a heartbeat, and believe me when I tell you it is worth the hype!
Read: Ireland’s bucket list – my top picks of luxury hotels and unique stays in Ireland
5. Island Hopping from Ibiza to Majorca
Other than a weekend spent there in my youth, I hadn’t discovered the real Ibiza until this year. My only complaint was I didn’t have enough time – I will definitely be returning soon.
We were fortunate to be invited to the fabulous Ikos Porto Petro in Majorca for a few nights so we decided to split our summer holiday and spend four nights in Majorca and Ibiza. Ikos Porto Petro was the height of luxury and we had a wonderful time enjoying the facilities. We also visited some hidden gems in Majorca – you can read about our highlights here:
Read: Top things to do in Majorca and how to choose the right resort for you
Read: Top things to do in Ibiza and where to stay
6. Trying New Experiences in New York
I never tire of New York. I love its energy, and no matter how many times I visit, there is always something new to see.
We had a family wedding in Pennsylvania this summer so we decided to add on a few nights in New York to see the new observation decks, and to visit Brooklyn for the first time. It was a massive hit for all of us – we loved it. You can read more about my favourite things to do in New York here:
Read: 30 Top things to do in New York
7. Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
Seeing mountain gorillas in the wild was not only one of this year’s highlights, it was one of the best travel experiences of my life. This has been on the top of my bucket list for over 20 years and it was amazing to finally see them in Rwanda with my friend Maura.
We flew business class with Qatar Airways which was a wonderful travel experience in its own right, but it enabled us to squeeze in some beach time in Doha on the way back. Doha really surprised me, it is a great stopover destination, you should put it on your list the next time you are flying east!
You can read all about our trips here:
Read: Gorilla trekking in Rwanda – My Unforgettable Journey and the Ultimate Travel Guide
Read: Top things to do in Doha
Read: 25 bucket list holidays around the world
8. Visiting Boston, Harvard and Salem over Halloween
I visited Boston for the first time this year and now I understand the hype! We loved exploring this big city that has a small town feel, and visiting Harvard and Salem were some of my favourite travel experiences this year. You can read more about our trip here:
Read: Top things to do in Boston, where to stay, dine and explore
9. Girls Weekend in Tallin
No year would be complete without our annual girls trip, and this year we booked a short weekend to Tallin in November. We enjoyed exploring this small medieval city and stayed in a super apartment in the heart of the old town. I have yet to publish my Tallin travel guide, but watch this space!
10. Christmas markets in Belfast
A Christmas market break is a great way to kick off the festive season and this year I didn’t have to travel too far to experience one! I stayed in the stunning Harrison Hotel Belfast, and can highly recommended it for an adult break in the city.
Belfast Christmas markets are packed with over 100 stalls and plenty of festive cheer. I was amazed at how varied the stalls were, and how similar in style they are to continental Christmas markets.
Read: 10 of the Best Christmas markets to visit in Ireland this year
My Top Travel Blogs from 2024
While the above were my favourite travel experiences from 2024, the following were my most read blog posts of the year. For anyone who hasn’t read them yet, hopefully they will give you some travel inspiration for 2025.
1. The Best Luxury Family Resorts in Europe
This post on luxury family resorts was once again one of my most popular, with over 35,000 views this year.
2. The Best Waterpark Holidays in Europe
If you asked your children to name one thing they love about Summer holidays, they would probably say the pool. This post has the best hotels and apartments with waterslides at the pool, so its probably no surprise that this is one of my top posts with over 30,000 views.
3. The Best Family Campsites in Europe
Camping holidays are very popular with Irish holidaymakers and this post continues to remain in my top three every year! A big thanks to the great family bloggers, writers and travel agents who helped me compile this post.
4. Deal to Sani Resort – Flights & Hotel Full Board, €959
Any post I publish featuring Sani Resort receives a lot of interest, and this was no exception! I update this post regularly when new offers come on stream, so it usually features in my top 10. I have recently updated it with an early booking offer for October – my advice is to act fast, as prices always increase!
Sani Beach Resort – 1 week Flights & Full Board, 15th October €969!
5. 40 Things to do in Ireland with kids
A new entry this year, this is an old post on things to do in Ireland with kids. This has had great organic reach this year, with over 27,000 views.
6. Majorca – How To Choose The Right Resort
After our recent trip to Majorca, it is no surprise that this post has made the top 10. I have highlighted the top things to do in Majorca as well as including a guide to the best resorts on the island.
7. Top City Break Deals Less Than €199
Most of my top 10 travel blogs in 2024 were travel guides or round up posts, but its clear you also love a good bargain! My top city break deals was another one of your favourites. I update this regularly so this post currently has 20 city break deals all less than €199!
8. Where to Stay in the Algarve – My Top 20 Picks
The Algarve is one of our most popular destinations, so its no surprise this post features regularly in my top travel blogs. I have self catering recommendations and luxury hotels for families.
9. Last Minute Hotel Deals in Ireland
This is another post that I update constantly throughout the year and I currently have 20 January stays from €40 per person – what a nice way to beat the January blues!
10. Where to Stay in New York
New York, New York – we never get tired of visiting the Big Apple and my ultimate guide on where to stay has a great mix of apartments, top hotels and luxury places to stay. This was my 10th most read post this year.
I hope my travel highlights and top travel posts from 2024 will give you inspiration for planning your 2025 holiday.
Thanks again to you all for reading my travel blogs and guides, I really appreciate all your support. I’m planning lots more great trips next year so I hope you will continue to follow along!
