Updated! Scroll toward the bottom for the complete list of cities I visited during the year-long series and brief notes on each destination.
At the start of the year I took a few days to think about what I wanted to accomplish over the next 12 months. One clear goal kept resurfacing: I wanted to travel more — with my husband Jeff, with friends, and on my own. After our trip to Europe the previous year, I realized travel for me wasn’t just about escape or rest (though those are great benefits). The core reason I travel is inspiration. Seeing new places and experiencing different cultures sparks ideas for work and life that I can’t generate from my usual routine.
So I decided to challenge myself: at least one new trip each month for the entire year. These wouldn’t all be long vacations — some would be quick weekend road trips, others week-long adventures, and some short work trips. The goal was to leave my comfort zone regularly and soak up new inspiration.
I crossed the first month off with a quick trip to Charleston with Jeff, and I’d already taken a short trip to Texas earlier that month. With several months planned in advance, I had eight more months to coordinate. I shared these plans as I went, and for many of the trips I created travel guides so readers could discover what I loved about each place. I invited suggestions and feedback along the way — I was open to booking places readers recommended when schedules allowed.
Update! Places I Visited for the 12 Trips in 12 Months Series
The series wrapped up and I wanted to collect every destination in one place so you can easily find the travel guides and read how the year unfolded. My original aim was to travel mostly with Jeff, but because his job limited his vacation time, several months I traveled solo. Some trips were visits to family and friends, and others were work-related. Regardless, I achieved the goal: I traveled at least once every single month for the year.
Toward the end the pace felt tiring at times — honestly, it became a bit taxing. Still, I was proud to accomplish what I set out to do. The year didn’t look exactly as I imagined, but it left me with countless memories. Interestingly, right after the series ended I learned I was pregnant; I’m grateful for the travel I did beforehand because it eased any worry about missing out while I slowed down during pregnancy. Below is the complete list of trips from the series with short notes and links to the guides where available.
January
Charleston, South Carolina: My first visit to Charleston was a delightful way to start the series. Charming shops, great restaurants, and wonderful streets to wander with Jeff. I assembled a “cool girls” travel guide to share my favorite spots.
Ben Wheeler, Texas: A relaxed weekend at The Wilde House.
February
White Sands, New Mexico: We traveled to White Sands to celebrate the wedding of dear friends. The location is unlike anything I’ve seen — an otherworldly landscape that feels magical. Jeff even officiated the ceremony.
March
New York City (Lower East Side): A short business trip for an event I co-hosted with 3M. Despite arriving during a snowstorm, I explored the Lower East Side and put together a guide highlighting the places I loved most.
Austin, Texas for SXSW: I attended and spoke at Create & Cultivate in Austin during SXSW. No detailed guide for this trip, but I shared some photos and moments from the event.
April
Chattanooga, Tennessee: While Chattanooga offers many outdoor activities, my visit focused on quieter pursuits: shops, cafés, and the cozier side of the city. I compiled a non-outdoorsy travel guide for those who prefer a more relaxed visit.
May
Catalina Island, Dominican Republic: A picture-perfect island accessible by boat, with clear water, dramatic cliffs, and white sand — an idyllic spot for photos and relaxation.
Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos: During a cruise stop we found a secluded beach that felt like our own private paradise. The island’s dock is right at the shore, making it an easy and beautiful stop.
June
Richmond, Virginia: I was pleasantly surprised by Richmond’s charm — great food, inviting shops, and bikeable streets. The hotel we stayed at was exceptional. I shared a full travel guide with highlights and recommendations.
Chicago, Illinois: A quick work trip for an event at NeoCon with KI Furniture and Pallas Textiles. Time was limited, but Chicago remains one of my favorite cities.
Providence Canyon, Georgia: About two hours from Atlanta, this dramatic natural area is worth the trip for nature lovers. It’s a steep hike down and back up, so avoid the peak summer heat unless you love sweating.
July
Harbour Island, Bahamas: A peaceful beach escape with friends. The island is small and walkable (or easy by golf cart). We explored sand bars, cliff-jumped, and relaxed poolside.
Round Top, Texas: A work retreat with fellow bloggers. I shared activities from the trip, including time spent with horses and local markets.
August
Winter Park, Florida (Greater Orlando area): A charming part of Orlando that stood out during my teenage years and still feels like the best area to visit. I created a travel guide highlighting great shops and local favorites.
September
London, England: I didn’t publish a London guide immediately after this trip, but I later wrote a comprehensive London guide after multiple visits. London remains one of my favorite cities, and it’s Jeff’s top choice as well.
Paris, France: We spent a couple of days in Paris en route from London. It was a last-minute decision but we stayed in a lovely hotel. I had already published a Paris travel guide earlier, which still applies.
October
Los Angeles: A work trip that included filming for a project with Evite, followed by a few days visiting family and friends.
Las Vegas, Nevada: A brief work trip. By this point in the year, travel began to feel like a burden at times — a reminder that frequent travel, while a privilege, can also be tiring, especially for someone who values home life.
November
Austin, Texas: I visited Austin again for Thanksgiving with my brother. The trip was relaxed and included plenty of shopping and time with family.
December
Jacksonville, Florida: Although we had visited Jacksonville many times in the past, I counted this December trip for the series. I put together a detailed guide with unexpected and delightful spots to explore in the city.
That completes the series. I omitted a few minor trips that weren’t relevant to the recap (additional short visits to Houston and Jacksonville), but in total I took more than 20 trips that year. It was a lot, but also an incredible adventure full of memorable moments.
If you’re planning a similar challenge or have questions about this 12 trips in 12 months experience, I’d love to help — feel free to leave questions or comments below.