So when our team of 3 in the office started discussing the best photos we have from our travels this year, it soon became clear it would be IMPOSSIBLE to narrow them down to our traditional Top 5!
This means y'all are lucky enough to have a Top 10 to round off 2021, a year that despite finishing with another bump or two, has proven to us that the need to travel is rooted deep within many of us. Thank you all for your support in 2021, even if you just read the blog occasionally, and Happy New Year from all of us at J5Travel -
John, Kanise, Kendall, Shanna, Sarah (and Skylar too), Tori and Kristin.
Top 10 - Our Photos from 2021
1. Namibian Sky - November
My accommodation while in the Sossusvlei area was Camp Sossus. This under-canvas experience with a twist is only offered on an exclusive-use basis and has been designed to have a low environmental impact, blending into its surroundings as much as possible, with the semi-permanent design making use of recycled materials.
Each tent has access to its own star bed located on a roof platform, the perfect venue from which to gaze up at the night sky – a truly magical experience. All 6 of our group took advantage of this and it was simply astounding...I mean, the photo above was taken with my phone.
2. Ashford Castle, Ireland - November
The whole team loved this photo and although it looks a bit like "Honey, I Shrunk the Kendall", I assure you Kendall was fine and unharmed by these two gorgeous Irish Wolfhounds. As you can probably tell from her face, Kendall is a true dog lover and also enjoyed a walk in the grounds of the castle with these two plus a Black Labrador and a German Shepherd.
3. Anantara Layan Villas, Phuket - October
The team visited Phuket, Thailand in October and this villa resort featured above was truly spectacular. The shot of Shanna above gives you a glimpse of the scale of the accommodation, many of the villas being 6 or 7-bedroomed. If you appreciate a view of beach and ocean from your private infinity pool, there aren't many better than this.
4. Costa Rica - January
This red-eyed tree frog was very interested in our small group as we enjoyed an evening nature hike on the property of Nayara Springs Resort.
5. Sossusvlei, Namibia - November
If you hike down the eastern side of Big Daddy Dune you find yourself in Deadvlei (above), a white clay pan that astounds with its amazing contrast to the surrounding monstrous red dunes. If you've ever searched for photos of Namibia, Deadvlei usually features at the top of the list.
6. Shipwreck Lodge, Namibia - November
I'm usually one for posting landscape shots and avoiding people in my photos, but 2021 changed that somewhat. It became clearer to me just how much my friends, colleagues and the J5Travel team mean to me. The pic above was the best group photo of the year courtesy of some great phone timer work from Julia Matheson of Travel Julia's Way.
7. Scarlet Lady, Virgin Voyages - December
Kanise, our wonderful cruise specialist, is not one to be shy when it comes to Instragramable opportunities. She sailed with adults-only Virgin Voyages in early December and was in her element, including trying out 19 of the 22 restaurant and food outlets. I think she recommended 18 of them! Read more on her Scarlet Lady experience here.
8. Our new team member - October
Our website genius and Facebook ad guru, Sarah, welcomed Skylar to the world in early October. The team is of course very excited and we hope Skylar travels as much as her Paddington Bear who made it all the way back from England with me, and of course he started his journey in Peru!
Thank you for the photo Sarah.
9. Red Rocks Canyon, Las Vegas - August
After the intensity of Virtuoso Travel Week 2021 back in August, Kendall and I had late afternoon flights back to Charlotte and so decided to enjoy the greatest contrast possible to the noise and commotion of the previous 5 days as we embarked very early indeed on a sunrise ebike exploration of Red Rocks Canyon which is about 12 miles from the Strip. It was quiet, cool and a wonderful way to unwind.
10. Afternoon Tea, London - September
One of three epic afternoon tea experiences I fought my way through in just one week in September, the one featured in the photo was a champagne tea at Montague on the Gardens, the others being an Alice in Wonderland themed event at Egerton House in Knightsbridge and a calm, luxurious tea at The Savoy. For those who need to know, the triple decker stand was cleared of everything!
If you're looking to start traveling more in 2022, we're here to help you plan your best trip yet. Click the button below to get started.
I love travel and I love travel planning just as much and I am proud to be building a team as passionate about exploring the world as myself. It took me a very long time to align my career with my undeniable passion for exploring, but now I and the team are here for you. Your personal travel tailors - award reservation and luxury custom itinerary experts. We provide a bespoke service, imagining and creating itineraries for independent minded families and groups.
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