Exploring 2024: My Top Travel Highlights from Around the Globe

I started 2024 in beautiful Chiang Mai, Thailand and will celebrate the New Year there as well. Over the past year, I explored 17 countries, rarely staying in one spot for more than two weeks. After such a whirlwind, I took three months in Chiang Mai to recharge. I did make a trip to see

, the adorable baby pigmy hippo near Bangkok. Reflecting on my travels always fills me with gratitude for the incredible experiences I’ve had.

People often tell me I’m “lucky” to travel for work, a comment that used to upset me. It undermined the hard work and sacrifices I made to create this lifestyle. (If you’re familiar with my past, you’ll know that in 2010, I juggled three jobs, barely earning $20-30K each year.)

A friend recently reminded me that luck comes from having the courage to work hard, make tough choices, and sometimes rent a friend’s living room for $230/month to save for my first trip to South America. Bravery is often mistaken for luck.

Every year, I look back at my favorite adventures and photos. I feel fortunate to have had the courage to make these trips happen. From Egypt to Indonesia, here are my top travel photos from 2024!

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, helping maintain this blog.

Giza, Egypt

In January, I visited the Middle East for the first time, stopping in Dubai, Egypt, and Jordan for work. Despite the tensions in Gaza, I felt safe throughout my travels. The vibrant energy in Egypt reminded me of my summers in India. The food was exceptional—Egyptian strawberries are some of the best! I spent days in Cairo and captured this shot of a camel near the Pyramids of Giza, followed by a Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan, including a visit to Abu Simbel, documented in my Egypt Instagram highlight.

Petra, Jordan

Jordan was a delight, with warm people and incredible food. The decline in tourism due to the war is unfortunate for locals. However, this allowed me to experience Petra and other attractions with fewer crowds. Beyond the famous Treasury from the Indiana Jones films, Petra is a vast 102-square-mile archaeological wonder. I recommend dedicating a full day or more to explore.

Check out my Instagram story for my Jordan highlights.

Sumatra, Indonesia

In August, I ventured to Sumatra, Indonesia, which lies parallel to peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. My trip centered around Gunung Leuser National Park, a UNESCO biosphere reserve home to critically endangered Sumatran orangutans and the rare Thomas’s leaf monkey. We stayed in Bukit Lawang, the main access point for guided orangutan treks. Each trek lasted a few hours, offering incredible sightings. This trip ranks as one of my coolest experiences ever. If you're nearby, this is a must-visit.

Moo Deng, Thailand

Moo Deng, the viral baby pigmy hippo at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo.

While in , I visited Moo Deng, a social media sensation known for her playful antics. She was quite photogenic during my visit and even engaged in a

Thailand

. I also documented my

and shared a second blog post about

and

in Si Racha, Chonburi, about a two-hour drive from

. If you're in the area, make sure to check her out!

Caddo Lake, Texas

Caddo Lake, spanning 25,400 acres, straddles the Texas-Louisiana border. The forest of cypress trees draped in Spanish moss creates a stunning landscape. My first attempt to visit in April was thwarted by severe flooding. I returned in July while in Jefferson, Texas, for a Texas Monthly story. My morning boat ride from

, the oldest inland marina in Texas, established in 1908, was truly magical—perfect reflections, blooming lily pads, and fantastic bird sightings. Don't miss trying the chicken fried steak at Shady Glade Cafe in Uncertain, Texas, one of the lake's access points.

Half Dome Hike, Yosemite National Park, California

By chance, my friend Rolando and I entered the lottery for a Half Dome hiking permit and won on our first attempt! Permits are necessary when the cables are up from the last Monday in May until the second Monday in October. (Outside that timeframe, permits aren’t needed, and the cables hang down like ropes, making it easier to climb.) The odds of winning are only 20 percent, so I was shocked we won—it took us five years to secure permits for The Wave in Arizona.

This was the toughest hike I’ve ever attempted—5,200 feet of elevation and 18 miles round trip. We were fortunate with the weather in August—only 80 degrees and clear skies. To lighten my load, I only took my iPhone for photos. For a complete hike breakdown, see my Instagram story.

Kumano Kodo, Japan

The Kumano Hayatama Taisha Grand Shrine in Shingu, Japan.

My hiking escapades continued in Japan on the Kumano Kodo, a series of ancient pilgrimage routes connecting three grand shrines on the Kii Peninsula, similar to the Camino de Santiago—both are UNESCO pilgrimage routes. My journey began at this with a

charming guesthouse/goat cheese farm

Michelin-starred restaurant. I hiked about 20 miles over the first two days to the first shrine in Hongu, stayed at a lovely

and then took a traditional boat ride to the second shrine,

Kumano Hayatama Taisha Grand Shrine in Shingu, which was my favorite and most beautiful. Due to rainy weather from a typhoon, I took a bus to the final and most

famous shrine in Nachi and didn’t bring my camera, making my pack a light 17.5 pounds with 2.5 liters of water.

 Malta: Valletta & Comino Island

Hiking around the Blue Lagoon on Malta’s Comino Island.

In May, I spent a few days in Valletta for work before returning to explore the rest of Malta for ten days with my best friend. The country resembles Italy due to its proximity to Sicily and the prevalence of Italian, but they drive on the left as a remnant of British colonialism. The two official languages are English and Maltese, a dialect of Arabic.

Left: A window kitty in Valletta. Right: The vibrant windows and enclosed balconies of Malta’s capital.

Valletta, the picturesque capital, is built of limestone and famous for its unique colorful balconies, called gallarija. To escape the throngs of cruise ships, we rented a car and took the ferry to the quieter Gozo for hiking and exploring rugged cliffs and turquoise waters. For more details about my trip, check out . (This trip was when I dropped my 24-70mm lens, forcing me to use only my 70-200mm lens for the next month.)

my Malta Instagram highlight

Isle of Mull, Scotland

A classic Highland cow roadblock on the Isle of Mull in Scotland.

During a work trip to Scotland in June, we encountered a group of Highland cattle on the Isle of Mull. I only had my 70-200 mm lens (as my 24-70 was broken), which turned out to be perfect for this shot. Initially, I aimed for landscape photos but found these close-ups captivating. This shot was taken along the sole road from Fionnphort (the ferry terminal to Iona) to Craignure. Highland cattle are rarely found in scenic areas, as they usually graze in fields far from the road or as attractions without scenery.

York, England

Left: The walls of York. Right: York Minster viewed from across the city.

After a decade, I returned to York, England, to visit an archeologist friend. I seized the opportunity of clear skies to photograph the impressive York Minster, which dominates a city once ruled by Romans and Vikings. With only my 70-200mm lens, I had to get creative with my shots. I also loved capturing a moment of solitude on the York City Walls, one of my favorite activities in the city.

Valley of the Temples, Sicily

The Temple of Concordia, part of a UNESCO site in Agrigento, Sicily.

Lucky me, I visited this site twice this summer, both morning and afternoon, allowing for varied lighting. Each time offers unique perspectives, but I particularly enjoyed capturing this image of the

remarkable archaeological site in Agrigento, Sicily

Temple of Concordia, renowned as one of the best-preserved Greek temples, originally built in 430 B.C., with the modern city in the backdrop. I framed the shot to exclude the other visitors. (The interior isn’t accessible to the public.) Fun fact: This temple inspired the UNESCO logo.

Alfred the Gnome’s 2024 Adventures

Alfred the Gnome at the Sphinx in Egypt.

Alfred, the well-traveled gnome, had an eventful year—he's the only gnome ever removed from the Taj Mahal and now the Sphinx in Egypt. I snapped three shots before security hurried over to tell me it wasn’t allowed, without providing a clear explanation. I had checked with my Egyptian guides beforehand.

Alfred the Gnome in Petra, Jordan.

I hiked with him in Petra to capture the best angles of the renowned Treasury building. Patience was key to snagging this shot with no other people around.

And naturally, Alfred had to pose with the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, in Dubai.

For more of Alfred’s escapades, check out this gallery. 

If you’re interested in prints of any of the landscapes or gnome photos, send me an email at info@thevouchers.co.uk with Photo Print in the subject line.

Wishing you a wonderful New Year and safe travels in 2025!