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Go Backpacking > Destinations > Europe > Fall Travel Update

Fall Travel Update

August 21, 2012 By Dave

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El Castillo in Poblado
A paisa celebrates her 15th birthday with photos taken outside El Castillo, a castle in Medellin

I feel as though I've come full circle. I left Medellin, Colombia last August to see the rest of South America.

Highlights from my time away include:

  • Ecuador and an 8-day cruise in the Galapagos Islands
  • Peru and the 5-day Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu
  • Living in Lima for 5 months
  • Two weeks traveling Patagonia with G Adventures
  • Ice climbing on a glacier for the first time
  • Living in Buenos Aires for 6 weeks, and taking tango lessons
  • Traveling the coast of Uruguay
  • Chile and sandboarding in the Atacama Desert
  • Bolivia and the Salt Flats of Uyuni

I'm way behind in writing about my time in Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, and Bolivia. To catch up, I'll have to be much more selective about the stories I write, though I may do a few shorter posts to fill in the gaps.

As exciting as the last 12 months have been, I've got epic travel plans ahead of me to finish out 2012.

Table of Contents

  • Medellin, Colombia
  • Miami, Florida
  • Iceland
  • Costa Brava, Spain
  • Oktoberfest in Munich, and Germany
  • Mystery Trip
  • London, England
  • Other Possible Destinations

Medellin, Colombia

I'm currently catching up with friends and work in Medellin. The lush, semi-tropical climate is a far cry from the greyness and cooler temps of Lima this time of year.

I had my reasons for spending so much time in Lima, but the scenery wasn't one of them.

In addition to seeing friends, I'm trying lots of new restaurants, and am excited to see progress in the Medellin food scene since I left last year.

Miami, Florida

After Medellin, it's off to Miami, where I'll actually be stepping out of the airport for the first time (ever).

I'm excited to be couchsurfing with Danny and Jillian from I Should Log Off. Ironically, we first met in Bogota a few years ago.

I'm also super excited to finally meet Jason and Aracely from 2 Backpackers. I've been following them for years.

In Miami, I'm specifically interested in seeing South Beach and Little Havana.

If I ever do settle back in the USA, Miami would be a top contender given the easy and direct access it offers to Latin America and the Caribbean.

From Miami, I'll head west to visit my parents for a few days outside Tampa Bay.

Reykjavik, Iceland
View of Reykjavik from atop Hallgrímskirkja, the largest church in Iceland

Iceland

I've heard so many good things about Iceland over the last few years, I can't resist stopping over for 10 days on my way to mainland Europe in September.

The unique geothermal activity and scenery should make for lots of good photos. And I'm hoping to catch the Aurora Borealis if it's not too early in the Winter season.

If my lower back is feeling better, I'd like to go ice climbing again too.

Costa Brava, Spain

I left Spain almost four years ago, as my trip around the world was winding to a close.

I'm going back this year for the annual (European) Travel Blog Exchange conference, which is being held in Girona, just north of Barcelona.

Spending so much time in South America in the last few years has meant missing travel writing and blogging conferences, which are mainly held in North America and Europe.

I'm looking forward to catching up with old friends and making some new ones.

Drinking Oktoberfest beer
Drinking Oktoberfest beer

Oktoberfest in Munich, and Germany

It just so happens that the end of TBEX coincides with the start of Oktoberfest, that annual drunken beer festival, in Munich, Germany.

I skipped Germany on my previous visits to Europe, therefore I'm overdue and this seems like the perfect occasion.

I've already found a place to stay, thanks to Martin, my old German roommate from Medellin.

From Munich, I'll do a little sightseeing, and head up to Berlin for a few days.

Mystery Trip

I can't share the details yet, but I've got a tentative trip lined up for a destination far, far away.

London, England

In early November, I'll head to London for the annual World Travel Market exhibition.

This is all business, as I'll be looking to make contact with travel companies and destinations from around the world.

Plus, I have a few friends from my travels that I'd love to catch up with in person.

Other Possible Destinations

I'll be heading back to Tampa, Florida for Christmas, so that means I've still got lots of time to fill in my itinerary.

If you'd like to make a suggestion, let me know where I should go in the comments below!

Planning a trip? Go Backpacking uses and recommends:

  • G Adventures for small group tours
  • Skyscanner for researching flights
  • Hostelworld for booking hostels
  • Airbnb for renting rooms and homes
  • Rail Europe for train passes
  • World Nomads for travel insurance

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Filed Under: Europe, South America

About Dave

Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking and Feastio. He's been to 65 countries and lived in Colombia and Peru. Originally from New York, Dave now calls Austin, TX home. Find him on Instagram and Twitter.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Caroline Eubanks says

    August 21, 2012 at 9:19 am

    I will be at Oktoberfest too! I’m skipping TBEX but heading to Germany after TBU.

    • Dave says

      August 21, 2012 at 9:40 am

      Cool Caroline, do you know the approximate dates you’ll be in Munich? It’d be nice to have a drinking partner :)

  2. Ryan says

    August 21, 2012 at 11:14 am

    RTW Dave, living up to the name! :)

  3. Jes says

    August 21, 2012 at 1:23 pm

    I would highly suggest a trip to Salzburg Austria. It’s an hour train ride from Munich and is extremely beautiful. It feels a little touristy but still well worth the train ticket.

    • Dave says

      August 21, 2012 at 7:28 pm

      Austria is one of the countries I was thinking about, even if I just dip in for a day or two before heading north to Berlin!

  4. Emily in Chile says

    August 21, 2012 at 2:32 pm

    Sounds great! And yes, South America sadly doesn’t get much in the way of blogging conferences, so I’m a little jealous you’ll be making it up north in time for TBEX.

  5. Kevin Post says

    September 5, 2012 at 1:22 pm

    Dave, as a native Floridian I know the best places for kayaking, SUP, art and gastronomy, many of which are relatively close to the Tampa Bay area. Tomasa and I will be in the area come December armed with kayaks and standup paddle boards so keep in touch my friend.

    I look forward to reading about your trip to Iceland. I meet some Icelandic climbers a few months ago and I’m sure that when your back feels better you could tag along with them for a unique insight into Iceland. Here’s their website: http://climbing.is/

  6. Brandon Elijah Scott says

    March 4, 2013 at 10:42 am

    Very nice!

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