Our Year in Travel: 2024 Highlights by Samantha
The first half of 2024 whisked us away on a journey through so many countries filled with adventure, wellness retreats, and unforgettable moments. From indulging in Italy’s rich culture (and lots of spritz) to skiing in Georgia, exploring India’s Golden Triangle, and ticking Japan’s Disney parks off our bucket list, the year started with a bang.
January: Italian Charm & Georgian Snow
I kicked off the year on a solo Italian adventure, exploring Rome’s rich history before exploring an urban wellness retreat, Palazzo BelVedere Hotel Spa in Montecatini Terme, while Ben jetted off to Oman, also for work, but not as relaxing! The month ended on a high note with a short snowboarding trip to Georgia for both of us—fresh powder and breathtaking mountain views included!
February: India’s Golden Triangle & Himalayan Bliss
February saw another visit to Oman for Ben and then we travelled to India. We marvelled at the Taj Mahal and explored New Delhi and Jaipur. While Ben headed home, I headed off to visit two new incredible partner hotels for The Wellness Travel Expert, Six Senses Vana and Ananda in the Himalayas.
March: Wellness in Qatar & Adventures in Hatta
In March I took a short trip to Qatar to visit Zulal Wellness Resort, it was very interesting to visit the first dedicated wellness retreat in the Middle East and later Ben and I explored closer to home, visiting Hatta, in the Hajar Mountains.
April: European Escapades
This month was all a whirlwind adventure! In just over two weeks, we packed in an incredible journey, blending multiple destinations and modes of transport—thanks to my years of travel planning expertise.
We kicked things off with a short stop in Rome before jetting to Spain for a three-night wellness program at the SHA Wellness Resort in Alicante, where we recharged and reset. Next, Switzerland beckoned, starting with fondue in Geneva before a quick train ride took us to Zurich for an overnight stay.
The adventure continued with another scenic train journey, this time passing through Liechtenstein on our way to Sölden, Austria. There, we enjoyed a snowboarding and music-filled escape for the Electric Mountain Festival.
To round off the trip, we treated ourselves to a luxurious stay at Dolce Vita Hotel Preidlhof in Italy, soaking in its serene saunas and breathtaking mountain views. Our travels concluded with a stop in sunny Cyprus before heading home.
May: New Beginnings in Abu Dhabi
This month we moved from Dubai to Abu Dhabi for Ben’s new job. Instead of another AirBnB, we rented a 2 bedroom apartment, we’re on Reem Island and we’re calling this home for the next year and hoping to host lots of visitors.
June: Disney Dreams & East Asian Adventures
A Disney dream came true when we visited Japan, headed straight for Tokyo Disney and DisneySea with our nephews (and their parents). Not stopping there, we ventured to South Korea, Macau, and Hong Kong. I also squeezed in a side trip to Australia on the way back!
Part Two Coming Soon!
As we look back on the first half of 2024, we’re so grateful for the adventures we’ve had and the new opportunities that have come our way. While house sitting took a backseat this year as we settled into life in the UAE and focused on our travels, it’s something we’re excited to dive back into next year.
If you’ve ever thought about giving house sitting a try—whether you’re looking for a sitter or want to explore new places yourself—it’s a fantastic way to make travel more accessible and meaningful. Trusted Housesitters has been a big part of our journey in the past, and we can’t wait to use it again.
Join with our referral link to receive 25% off your membership here, and we’ll get two free months too—it’s a win-win!
For those who are following along on our journey—family, friends, and even future or past homeowners we’ve been lucky enough to house-sit for—we’re so thankful for your support and interest in our travels.
Stay tuned for Part Two of 2024 as we share even more adventures and stories. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and an exciting New Year! 🎄✨
**Interested to learn more about the new retreats Sam visited? You can read her reviews here.
Our Awesome Adventures 