2025 travels

Sherry Brecher
Jan 6
6 min read

Updated: 1 day ago

2025 was packed with unforgettable memories. Some of the greatest hits included honeymooning in Japan, waddling alongside penguins in the Great White South, finally ticking off a long-postponed road trip around Bulgaria, attending the Wimbledon men's finals and making serious progress toward becoming a dual citizen. It was truly a blockbuster year! Read on for the highlight reel.

JANUARY

Most of my January 1sts kick off the same way: groggy, dehydrated and boarding a flight home from wherever I rang in the New Year the previous night. This year I tried something completely different. I booked a solo spa break in Jersey (the Channel Island, not the US state), and spent 48 blissful hours doing very little, apart from being pampered. Wrapped in a robe, I rotated between massages, facials and saunas and let the weight of 2024 dissolve into steam and essential oils. I feasted on scallops and oysters and stockpiled sleep like it was currency. This ultra short-haul island escape left me clear-headed, relaxed, restored and rejuvenated for the year ahead.

Colmar, France felt like stepping into a perfectly preserved fairy tale. With its storybook half-timbered houses, winding canals and quaint stone bridges, every corner of the town looked like it had leaped straight from a postcard. Colmar was an idyllic home base for exploring the Alsace region, especially if you appreciate charming accommodations, rich regional cuisine and world-class viticulture.

FEBRUARY

I was hoping for some winter sun when I headed down to Destin, but Mother Nature had other plans. Known for its sugar-white sand beaches, emerald-green waters and playful dolphins, this part of the Florida Panhandle didn’t disappoint. Despite the cooler temps and persistent precipitation, I had a wonderful time making memories with my family!

MARCH

It's hard to find a country with more love in it than Slovenia - literally. No other country has 'love' in its name. And this nation doesn’t just celebrate Valentine’s Day (February 14th), but also Lovers’ Day (March 12th). I visited over Lover's Day weekend and Slovenia's beautiful landscapes, charming villages, booming culinary scene, unique wines and hospitable population completely captured my heart.

I was all set to surprise one of my closest friends at her engagement party in Washington, D.C., when a fire at Heathrow brought everything to a halt. The blaze knocked out power and shut down the entire airport for a full day, unleashing global travel chaos. I later found out the disruption cost British Airways a staggering $56 million.

APRIL

Half of April was spent honeymooning in Japan, an enigmatic paradise that captivates souls and leaves an unforgettable mark on every traveler fortunate enough to step onto its shores. Exploring this breathtaking country wasn't just a journey, it was an awakening to all of the nation's wonders and delights. Highly recommended as a honeymoon destination!

MAY

After five years of trying to make it happen, my Bulgaria road trip finally became a reality. COVID forced a cancellation initially, but then life kept throwing curveballs in the years that followed. Bulgaria was definitely worth the wait! It was a true Balkan gem, bursting with stunning landscapes that ranged from ancient rock formations and cascading waterfalls to quaint cities and pink lakes.

JUNE

June 21st wasn’t just the summer solstice this year, it was my friend’s bachelorette party in Paris, right in the middle of Fête de la Musique. The city was bursting at the seams, easily four times more crowded than usual, and the heat was no joke, but a great time was had by the whole gang!

The following weekend was the wedding celebration, in Toulouse, France. It was a beautiful affair, held at a stunning château, filled with love, laughter and unforgettable memories.

JULY

Seeing the Wimbledon Men's Final was a true bucket list moment! And what a match!

Under the sweltering summer sun, Centre Court buzzed with energy. The crowd was on edge for every rally, rising to their feet as Jannik Sinner battled past Carlos Alcaraz in a thrilling rematch of their French Open showdown. The heat was intense, but the excitement was even hotter.

A weekend in Porto, Portugal with my high school girlfriends was an absolute blast. We cruised along the Douro River, went wine tasting, feasted on incredible food, caught some live music and laughed for hours over old memories and new gossip. It was one of those trips that filled my heart (and my camera roll).

AUGUST

I remained in London all month, as I went through the process of applying for UK settlement. After eleven years of living here, my application for Indefinite Leave to Remain was approved, meaning I no longer required a visa to work in the country. It was an emotional, long-awaited milestone. Without hesitation, I submitted my application for British citizenship the very next day, ready to take the final step toward making the UK my permanent home.

Spoiler: My British citizenship application was approved in November, though I had to postpone the ceremony/getting my passport until January 2026.

Although I didn’t travel abroad, I did treat myself to a countryside escape for a relaxing spa break. My friend and I enjoyed delicious meals, rejuvenating treatments and plenty of much-needed girlie time.

SEPTEMBER

I flew to Snowmass Village, Colorado, to celebrate the wedding of one of my nearest and dearest friends. The high altitude and dramatic shifts in temperature certainly kept things interesting, but nothing could dampen the joy of the occasion. We hiked through the stunning Maroon Bells, explored Aspen and danced the night away under the stars.

My time in the United States continued after Colorado. I spent a week in Boston, reconnecting with friends, spending quality time with my niece/nephew and celebrating my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary.

OCTOBER

Just three weeks before Bodrum, Türkiye would shut down for the season, I squeezed in a final hurrah. I spent four days out on the water, soaking up the sun, enjoying Turkish delights and fully embracing the laid-back coastal vibe before the town went quiet for next six months.

The celebrations for my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary continued a month later, in Paris. My husband and I took the Eurostar over for a weekend getaway to join them, making more special memories in one of the most romantic cities in the world.

The final weekend of October was spent in Belfast, Northern Ireland, with fellow Travelers’ Century Club members. The city was rich in history, and we had the opportunity to learn a great deal about The Troubles, but the private lunch at Stormont (Parliament) was the true highlight.

NOVEMBER

As always, I returned to the United States for Thanksgiving to spend time with friends and family and to remind myself of all that I have to be thankful for.

DECEMBER

Argentina was the first destination of my 3.5-week end-of-the-year trip. My parents and I began in Buenos Aires and then continued south to Ushuaia, fondly known as the End of the World. I had visited Buenos Aires once before, 14 years ago, so it was a pleasure to return and see it again with fresh eyes. Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city, was a charming town surrounded by striking natural beauty, complete with a historic railway and delicious king crab. It also served as our gateway to Antarctica.

After years of fantasizing, months of planning and endless saving, I finally set foot on the seventh continent. Antarctica was a thrilling polar expedition unlike anything I had experienced before. I’ll never forget the sneezing penguins, honking like confused donkeys; the thunderous cracks of calving icebergs; the explosive blows of whales; and the vast, unspoiled white horizons of this frozen wonderland.

The final stop of the year was Chile, a brand-new country for me. We experienced a rich mix of cities and landscapes, traveling through Santiago, the Andes, Valparaíso, and Concón.