It’s the end of the year, which means a time of reflection. I’ve always believed that travel isn’t just about the places I go, but the people I meet along the way. And throughout these past twelve months, I’ve encountered and befriended many inspiring and wonderful people, who have helped make this exceptional travel year even more special. Truly, I have much in which to be grateful.
In 2014, very little time was spent in my beloved Texas. I visited seven states, eleven countries, and four continents. I had several repeat destinations, including six trips to Paris and two trips each to Bordeaux, Switzerland, Brazil, Colorado, and San Francisco. By the middle of March, I’d already accumulated 42,196 air miles, so I figure I am close to 100,000 miles for the year. I just can’t be bothered to add all that up. However, here are a few more of my 2014 travel-related stats:
23 different airports
46 flight legs
11 trains
2 buses
6 ski resorts
4 apartments
55 hotels
Given all the miles I’ve covered in 2014, I’m glad to have an ample amount of photos to help jog my memory. A creature of habit, my photographic eye tends to gravitate toward the same themes. It’s the same song, different verse, if you will.{See 2013’s recap} Thus, here are some of my favorite travel photos from my 2014 Instagram stream.
Agua
“Water is the driving force of all nature.” –Leonardo da Vinci
The English Channel as seen from Mont Saint-Michel in France
A river runs through Megeve, France
Private pool and the Pacific at Imanta Resort in Riviera Nayarit, Mexico
End of the day on Ipanema in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
A look at Lake Geneva from Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues
A water highway in Venice, Italy
Food
“Part of the secret of success in life is to eat what you like and let the food fight it out inside.”–Mark Twain
Apple strudel in Innsbruck, Austria
Empanadas in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Fruit salesman in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Sweet bread in Salzburg, Austria
Apple tree in Normandy, France
Black truffles in St. Moritz, Switzerland
Forest for the Trees
“Trees are earth’s endless effort to speak to the listening heaven.”–Rabindranath Tagore
Cook pine tree in Lana’i, Hawaii
Shoe tree in Nevada, USA
A Sunday afternoon in Tuileries Garden in Paris, France
Behind the Palace of Versailles in France
Trees surround Lake Austin at Lake Austin Spa Resort in Texas
Rise and Fall
“Lost, yesterday, somewhere between sunrise and sunset, two golden hours, each set with sixty diamond minutes. No reward is offered for they are gone forever.”–Horace Mann
Sunset in Florence, Italy
Texas Hill Country Sunset
Sunrise on the Hawaiian Island of Lānaʻi near Four Seaons Mānele Bay
Mexican sunset at Four Seasons Punta Mita
Sunrise at Hotel Vernet in Paris, France
Sunset in Rome, Italy
Sunset in Salzberg, Austria
Sunset in St. Moritz, Switzerland
Monumental
“Monuments are for the living, not the dead.” –Frank Wedekind
The famous La Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Mont Saint-Michel in France
Night falls on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France
Arches and angles at the Louvre in Paris, France
Basking in the glow on the Spanish Steps in Rome, Italy
The iconic Rialto Bridge in Venice, Italy
Foundation Louis Vuitton in Paris, France
Elevation
“This mountain, the arched back of the earth risen before us, it made me feel humble, like a beggar, just lucky to be here at all, even briefly.” –Bridget Asher
Aspen, Colorado
Davos, Switzerland
Million Dollar Highway in Colorado
Summer in Chamonix, France
Zermatt, Switzerland
Langkawi, Malaysia
St. Anton, Austria
Zermatt, Switzerland
The Iron Lady
“I ought to be jealous of the tower. She is more famous than I am.” ― Gustave Eiffel
Animals
“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” ― Anatole France
Lipizzan horse in Vienna, Austria
Macaw in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Horseback riding in Lānaʻi, Hawaii
One of the many cats of La Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Goat in the Tuileries Garden in Paris, France
Spider spinning a web in Normandy, France
One of the many dogs of Lagoa in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Lizard in Tuscany, Italy
Grazing horse in Santa Fe, Texas
Raise a Glass
“Here’s to alcohol, the rose colored glasses of life.”–F.Scott Fitzgerald
Cucumber margarita at Imanta Resort in Riviera Nayarit, Mexico
Pure class in a glass at Four Seasons George V in Paris, France
Caipirinha in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Champagne at Hotel Vernet in Paris, France
Big Wave brew with a view at Four Seaons Mānele Bay on Lānaʻi, Hawaii
Tropics meets the mountains in Megeve, France
Mojito magic at Four Seasons Langkawi in Malaysia
Now it’s time to look forward to 2015. I’ve got big things brewing on the travel front. Plus, I never know what’s going to pop up. Follow along on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for my real-time travel updates. And please leave your Instagram name and let me know what your 2015 travel plans are in the comments.
Sand In My Suitcase
December 28, 2014Lots of lovely photos! We’ve just started with Instagram, and think it will take a while to learn to snap and edit good-looking Instagram pics. We see with fondness you stayed this year at two hotels we’ve also loved – the Four Seasons Punta Mita. Imanta and Four Seasons Manele Bay on Lanai. All the best for a happy 2015!
Leah Walker
February 14, 2015It’s tough not to love either of those Four Seasons properties.
Normand Boulanger
December 28, 2014Awesome post. Incredible pictures, I love everyone of them.
Leah Walker
February 14, 2015Thank you so much!
Lawrence Koenig
December 28, 2014You must need a helper, right?
Leah Walker
February 14, 2015Actually, I need lots of helpers.
Doreen Pendgracs
December 28, 2014Wonderful post and collection of pics. I love how you’ve grouped them!
Leah Walker
February 14, 2015You’re too kind. Thank you!
Henry | @fotoeins
December 29, 2014If one requires a way to look at a love of travel through the ideas pertaining to “thousands and thousands of words”, I hope they come here, at the very least to this post.
Leah Walker
February 14, 2015Such a compliment. Thank you, Henry.
christina thomas
December 30, 2014Your pictures are breathtaking! Your year of travel so inspiring. Thank you for sharing! Wishing you a 2015 full of great destinations, experiences and great food with friends. Cheers!
Leah Walker
February 14, 2015Thank you! I love looking back on all the cool things I’ve gotten to do over the last 12 months. I’m truly blessed.
Jenna
January 1, 2015What a fun round-up of photos from 2014! I look forward to seeing your travels in 2015. I have no idea where this year will take me…definitely more of California since there are almost endless possibilities here, plus (I think) Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii, and I am still hoping for Europe in June.
Leah Walker
February 14, 2015Sometimes not having a plan is a great one. I’m sure wherever the 2015 road takes you then it will be full of adventure.
Lance | Trips By Lance
January 2, 2015As usual, amazing photography. I can’t imagine spending the time it must have taken to look through all the photos you must have taken in 2014. My favorites were the water shots, that is until I got to the alcohol photos. Happy travels in 2015.
Leah Walker
February 14, 2015Actually, narrowing them down was the difficult part. I try to only post photos that I really like on Instagram. Hope our paths cross in 2015.
Heather
January 5, 2015Beautiful! I love following your travels on IG, but it was fun to see these grouped together like this. We have some fun trips planned to Portugal, Sicily, France and continue to explore as much of Italy as possible while living here. (I am @cafecarlson on Instagram.) Happy New Year!
Leah Walker
February 14, 2015Thanks so much for following! Portugal and Sicily are two countries I’ve really had my eye on lately. Enjoy your trips.
Traveling Ted
January 5, 2015What a clever way to reflect on 2014. Enjoyed following your travels. Happy New Year!
Leah Walker
February 14, 2015Goal for 2015’s recap is a new fanny pack photo with Traveling Ted.
Nancy
January 7, 2015Lusting over your pictures and dreaming about snowy mountains and beach holidays! I’m looking forward to my first trip to the US (Chicago and not sure where else). Have heard about all sorts of great things and it’ll hopefully live up to expectations. Happy travels!
Leah Walker
February 14, 2015Chicago is truly a great city. The architecture is awe-inspiring, even for this American. Safe travels!
Fabiana
January 30, 2015This post just made me spend almost an hour looking at these photos. I love them!
Leah Walker
February 14, 2015I’m so happy to read that. Thank you!