2018 is over but we couldn’t move on without looking back at our travel highlights of the year. 2016/17 had been amazing years of travel for us as we traveled around the world on our nine month trip. 2018 was always going to be a quieter year on the travel front. 2018 was all about fitting travel in to the school holidays and enjoying more of what the UK has to offer. We didn’t do too badly with trips to Canada, Scotland, North Wales, France, Norway, Cornwall and London. More incredible adventures for our family of five.
Read Also: Our Top 14 Highlights of 2017…
So in order through the year, here are Go Live Young’s top 10 travel highlights of 2018.
Skiing in Whistler, Canada
Skiing is very popular with Go Live Young and February saw us back in Whistler, our favourite family ski resort. Whistler with kids in winter is a dream: wide open runs of all levels of difficulty, snow parks and playgrounds on the slope side and the best kids ski school we’ve found! They also have the best chocolate shop of anywhere we’ve been.
For more read: Skiing in Whistler with Kids
Spending a week on the Isle of Skye in Scotland
A two week road adventure through Scotland was how we spent the Easter holidays, during which time we stayed on the the Isle of Skye for a week. Skye is the most breathtakingly beautiful place and worthy of being on everyone’s bucket list. We spent a week enjoying the outdoor playground that is Skye, hiking and exploring in the most stunning scenery. Luckily the weather was kind to us, cold, with some snow on the higher ground, but bright and sunny. If you get chance in 2019 visit the Isle of Skye.
For more read: Top 12 Things To Do on the Isle of Skye with Kids
Hiking up Snowdon in North Wales
This is something we’ve wanted to do for a while now (along with the other highest peaks in the Bristish Isles)! Over the May Bank Holiday weekend we headed to Snowdonia, in North Wales, for a weekend of fun with three other families. On a beautiful sunny day we hiked up Snowdon, in a group of seventeen. An amazing day with beautiful views and lots of fun. Ben Nevis and Scafell Peak are next to conquer…
Trampolining at Bounce Below and zip-lining in North Wales
As part of our Snowdonia weekend we headed to ZipWorld where we tried simultaneous zip-lining and cave trampolining. Flying high and bouncing deep in a cave with neon lights and music are experiences everyone should have! Great fun.
Hitting the beach in Port Issac
It’s well known that we love Cornwall, particularly the north Cornish coast around Port Issac and Padstow. We spent the May half term down in Port Issac, hitting the beach, kayaking in the surf, crabbing and eating fish and chips…and pasties and scones with jam and cream!
For more read: Top 10 Things To Do In Port Issac
Staying in a Yurt (for the first time!) at Hidden Valley Yurts in South Wales
I’d always wanted to stay in a Mongolian yurt and this year I was given the opportunity to stay at Hidden Valley Yurts in South Wales. Staying here is very much a glamping experience with comfy beds and wood burners, as well as a fully stocked kitchen and bathrooms. Nestled among ancient woodland with a bubbling stream at its heart, it is a true back to nature experience, with views of the Welsh hills by day and a beautiful canopy of stars by night.
For more read: Glamping at Hidden Valley Yurts in South Wales
Road tripping around the fjords and mountains of Norway
The summer saw us road tripping around Norway for three weeks. What a spectacular trip…a country with a stunning natural landscape. On any trip to Norway expect amazing views around every corner. Our journey took us from Stavanger in the south, to Alesund further north, through the mountains and fjords, and finally up to the Lofoten Islands, beyond the Arctic Circle.
For more read: Top 10 Things To Do In Stavanger, Norway
Hiking Florli 4444 in Norway
The most epic hike of the year had to be the 4444 steps of Florli, in Norway, the world’s longest wooden staircase! This staircase follows an old pipeline and trolley railway up the mountain, built to service the hydro-electric power station, built in 1917. The old power station has long been replaced but the staircase remains as a unique hiking destination. My thighs still remember this one well! 4444 steps is a lot of steps.
Read all about: Hiking Florli 4444
Exploring the Lofoten Islands, beyond the Arctic Circle, in Norway
The Lofoten islands are as spectacular as they appear in photographs. These islands are a dream for outdoor enthusiasts, with their jagged mountain peaks falling straight into the sea, white sandy beaches and traditional fishing villages. We spent almost a week hiking, kayaking and exploring in these beautiful islands.
Enjoying the city of London
London features quite a lot in our annual adventures as Dave spends all week up in the big smoke, so whenever we can we go up and join him for a few days. This year saw us visit on several occasions, exploring much that the city has to offer. Some of our favourites include Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, and climbing the dome at St. Pauls Cathedral. We finally made it to Greenwich having not been for several years, exploring the Cutty Sark, the London Observatory and the Naval College.
For more read: Top 10 Things To Do In London with Kids
And for 2019?
At the moment the only thing booked is another ski trip to Whistler, in Canada, during February. We are busy planning the rest of the year…so continue to follow our adventures to see where we head.
Happy New Year to all our readers and thank you for following along. Wishing you all a fun-filled and happy 2019 full of travel adventures!
What were your travel highlights of 2018? What do you have planned for 2019?
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