My Best Travel Experiences of 2017

I don’t know about you, but I feel like this year has literally flown by. 2017 has truly been one for the books. It was a year of so much growth and transformation, both personally and professionally. 

As a recap, I chose some of my favorites  and wanted to share of my most special moments from this past year with you.

Best personal travel experience

My personal travel is very sacred to me. It’s a way to for me to continue to stay passionate about what I do and why I do it. This year I was able to have a handful of really amazing travel experiences that were new for me.  This was a hard call, becuase they all were amazing! As I’ve recently shared, I loved my trip to South America and the ability to see Iguazu Falls up close and personal. But I am going to give the nod to Vietnam this year. It was an incredible trip with one of my favorite friends, and I'm happy to have gotten to know that country better.

Most memorable client trip

I get to plan such amazing trips that it makes me giddy just being a small part of what I know is special part of someone’s life.  I planned more trips to Italy this year than any other destination, but one trip in particular was for a special client who has battled stage IV cancer  for the last 5 years and was taking a dream trip with her sweet husband to celebrate LIFE. I cared so much about their trip that every day I would just pray that it was going absolutely perfect. Trips like this are so much more than the components, and it is why I love that I get to have such personal attachment to these memories. 

Best new destination (for me)

As a travel professional, clients sometimes introduce me to new and exciting destinations and I live vicariously through them as I plan their travel and then learn how they enjoyed it. I was able to plan a few trips this year that included Sri Lanka + the Maldives and this might just have become my new favorite adventure and romance combo!

Favorite hotel I stayed in

Domestically, I absolutely loved our recent stay at Pelican Hill Resort, and the ability to enjoy the oceanview 1 bedroom suite there that provided the best southern california experience in one of the country’s top luxury resorts.  It was nothing short of incredible.

My international choice is a little more off the beaten path — my birthday trip this year to Mexico was a stay at Playa Escondida of Bachelor in Paradise fame.  Endless outdoor massages and ending each evening in our personal jacuzzi before falling asleep with our doors wide open and being lulled to sleep by the sound of crashing waves is my version of paradise.  

Best professional achievement

Earlier this year I won a Trendsetter award from Travel Age West for Best Use of Social Media. Not only did this award come with a free trip to Spain, it came with incredible validation for my entrepreneurial journey, and one that I was so honored to receive. 

Best personal achievement

Outside of all things travel, I dedicated over 4 months this year to being a head track and field coach at a local high school. Being able to step back into an area that had such a profound influence on my life and give back in a small way to a group of incredible kids was something I am so thankful I did.

Best personal life moment

I found my person. In 2017 I was fortunate enough to have this incredible man get down on one knee and ask me to spend forever with him.  Not only that, we only have a few short weeks until we get married in Costa Rica. 

If you have ever wondered how much your life can change in just a year, let me be the first to tell you that it can do a complete 180 on you in the best way. I am so thankful for this past year, and am looking forward to what is next!

Want to join me in my day to day? I would love if you followed along by connecting with me on Instagram (@briannaglenn).