Happy New Year!!! 
Kicking off the 2020 posts, I'm looking back on 2019 and all the trips I managed to pull off. If I can do it, you can do it too!
Looking back on WINTER 2019
As always, winter is a difficult time for me. Coming from a (too) hot hometown, I still struggle with the European winters. That translates into very few trips. However, in 2019 I finally did what I had been wanting for a long time: New Year's Eve in Rio followed by a 2-weeks vacation! 
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- Jumping the Waves at 00:00
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- Praia Vermelha with Sugar Loaf
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- Praia do Recreio
For the last 5 years straight I had been welcoming the new years in Europe. But it's impossible not to feel underwhelmed. I have tried London, Paris, Vienna, Milan, Prague; nothing gets close to the energy and positivity in the air you'll experience in Rio.
This is not surprising, though, as a big part of it is the weather. In the Southern Hemisphere, it's summer, and we really make a big deal out of the whole "new year, new life" mantra, even if it won't last past January. 
Read more about New Year's Eve in Rio: Traditions & Superstitions.
On the way back, my connecting flight through Amsterdam was canceled and I had some hours to kill. Cue in an unexpected quick stop by the center.
Singelgracht by Max Euweplein
It was mostly a little bit of walking and a nice lunch instead of the airport options. There's not a single selfie though. Coming from an overnight flight and back to the cold = foul mood.
Read here how to arrive and get around Amsterdam.
Then over January and February, a couple of visits to Milan and Turin for medical reasons. Here's a 'thank you!' to my sister, who went around Turin and got some great pictures while I was convalescing.
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- Duomo @ Milan
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- Piazza Vittorio with Mole Antonelliana and the Alps @ Turin
Milan is a great base to explore Northern Italy, with cheap flights arriving from all over Europe. Read here how to navigate Milan, where to eat like a local and what to do if you have just one weekend. Day-trips from here include Lake Como and Lake Garda. Finally, here's how to navigate Turin.
Looking Back on SPRING 2019
Now here is the real start of the year! 
Kicking off the spring with a quick trip to London to meet one of my best friends from Rio.
Remake of a pic my sister and I took 10 years ago
Read more: How to arrive and get around London and where to sleep in 3 different areas — Piccadilly/Leicester Square, South Kensington/Earl's Court, and Paddington.
Two weekends later was Easter, which I spent in a surprisingly sunny and warm Budapest.
Hősök Tere (Heroes' Square) @ Budapest
Read more: Arriving & Getting Around Budapest, how to cover All The Must-See Spots in One Day and a hotel recommendation.
Then another couple of visits to Milan, where food is always the highlight...
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- Osteria Fornello Citadino
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- Ratanà Ristorante
Find here some Great Places To Eat Like a Local in Milan.
Next, in June, I went on the first beach weekend of the year. No sightseeing, purely relaxing with my history books and eating delicious Greek food at the Athens Riviera.
Yabanaki Beach Club @ Varkiza
Read here how to pull off a Weekend at the Athens Riviera (Varkiza) and how to arrive and get around Athens itself.
Looking Back on SUMMER 2019
Starting the season, another beach weekend. This time at the small seaside town of Albisola, Liguria, on the Italian Riviera.
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- Bagni La Conchiglia
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- It’s advisable to book a table for lunch upon arrival
Continuing with July, we took a break from the heat and drove up to the mountains of the Aosta Valley. Starting with a hearty meal at the Slow Food Guide recommended Trattoria Omens at Verrès, followed by a little sightseeing in neighboring Fénis.
14th century Fénis Castle @ Aosta Valley
With the arrival of a friend from Rio to spend her month-long vacation with us, the weekend trips intensified 
Starting with a day-trip to Venice...
Canal Grande @ Venice
Then a 100th time in Milan for me, but first time for our guest 😉
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II @ Milan
Followed by a day-trip to the lake...
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- Varenna @ Lake Como
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- Duomo @ Como
Read here how you can enjoy a day-trip to Lake Como.
Then on to London...
Tower of London and Tower Bridge
Then, as July turned into August, a weekend at the French Riviera to celebrate my mom's birthday ????
Cadran Solaire (Sundial) @ Nice
Read more: Weekend in Nice and a day-trip to Cannes.
And finally, wrapping up the summer rounds, Budapest for the 100th time, but first for our guest 😉
Széchenyi Gyógyfürdő (Thermal Bath) @ Budapest
Looking Back on AUTUMN 2019
As always, time to start slowing down again... only a Milan weekend to take advantage of the #IoVadoAlMuseo initiative.
Museo Civico di Storia Naturale @ Milano
I will soon write a post dedicated to it, but in sum, state museums all over Italy are open for free (a few with reduced prices) on the first Sundays of the month, until March 2020. Find here the map showing all participating museums in Milan and also the official link for all of Italy.
Surviving WINTER 2019 
Although I love Christmas markets and all the lights and decorations... it's too freaking cold for me to enjoy doing anything outside. So until springtime with its warmer temperatures comes, I barely travel.
New Year's Eve is my favorite holiday and I still struggle to conciliate it with the freezing temps. But this year I, unfortunately, couldn't escape to the tropics lol... Oh well.
Let's just countdown to springtime, shall we? 
Closing 2019 with New Year's celebrations in Munich will be not so shabby and a good cap for a year when I did a lot of what I love most. Travels with friends, family, and solo, it's been an amazing year.
Cheers to a travelful 2020!
What about you? How has your 2019 been? Are you planning a special trip/destination for 2020? Let me know in the comments.
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