Like in 2024 this year a great deal of my travel has shifted towards travelling with friends and family. So all my trips this year were embarked with the purpose of experiencing travel with friends and family. I feel like I’ve been pretty successful in that endeavour. So without further adieu here are my 2025 travel reflections!
Vietnam and Japan
In February The Sister and I bring back an overseas version of our annual sibling trips. We start the trip off a little bougie by flying Qatar’s Business and First Class from Seattle to Bangkok. We overnight in Bangkok before heading to Hoi An in Vietnam where we spend a few days exploring the area and uniquely experiencing Sun World Ba Na Hills. After Hoi An we spend a few days in Hanoi and doing an overnight cruise in Bai Tu Long Bay. We then take a series of flights to make it in time to catch the last day of the Sapporo Snow Festival. We check out the Otaru Lantern festival and explore Sapporo with our friends Dessert Fiend and Photos. Finally, heading back home via Tokyo. Embarking on a Sibling trip is one of my favourite ways to travel and hope to get a chance to do more of this in the future!
To read about that trip click here. To see just the highlights, click here.
Austria & Germany
In April, the Minion Family head to Europe to spend some time in Austria and Germany. In recent years, we’ve tried do more trips together as a family. This year is Mama and Papa Minion’s 45th Wedding Anniversary. And what originally started as an anniversary trip for just the two of them evolved into a full blown Minion Family vacation. We start by flying to Vienna Austria and spend a few days exploring the city. Then we pop over to Berlin to witness some of the very historical landmarks. It’s also where we celebrate the Parental Minions Anniversary and explore Berlin’s culinary offerings too. From there we train to Munich and take in the sights and indulge in the many beer gardens. We cap off our trip by spending our last days in Frankfurt, doing a little exploring but also spend time together playing cards and capping the trip off with valuable family time. Putting an exclamation mark on the trip, the Parental Minions also get to fly home in style experiencing Lufthansa Business class on the 747 upper deck!
To read about that trip click here. To see just the highlights, click here.
Salt Spring Island
While only a day trip out of Vancouver, one of the things that’s been on my bucket list for some time now is flying on a sea plane. I get this opportunity in September when a friend and I hop over to Salt Spring Island for the day. We didn’t know what to expect upon arriving. But not only do we get to experience the thrill of flying in a small seaplane, we also experience a large farmers market on the Island. It’s not a big island so its great to experience a big community event like this.
Japan and Taiwan
What turns out to be my final trip of 2025 is my October trip to Japan and Taiwan. I arrive in Fukuoka and get a few days on my own before meeting up with Salmonella, Touchpad, Chef and their young family in Beppu. From there we explore the surrounding areas before taking an overnight Japanese Ferry to Osaka. There we spend a day at the Aquarium and the next day at the brand new teamLab BioVortex. We head our separate ways and I spend a day at the Osaka Expo before flying to Taiwan. In Taiwan I get to meet up with Lebron and Antetokounmpo and their daughter. We check out the Taiwan Zoo and Jiufen. We then head south to explore the city of Tainan for a day before I make my way back to Taiwan and the flight home. It’s rare that I get to spend time abroad with two sets of friends in two different countries. For the schedule to align so well is a blessing and I’m happy that it worked so well!
To read about it click here or if you just want the highlights click here.
2026
Asian Cruise
Early in 2026, the Minion Family will be embarking on another trip together. This is likely an annual thing now. We all recognize that time is precious and being able to spend it together doing something we all love is worthwhile! The family will be flying to Japan where we’ll board a cruise that makes stops in Japan, Korea, Shanghai and Hong Kong. I know that Papa Minion is especially looking forward to this as he’ll have the opportunity to show us his hometown of Shanghai. And we’re all looking forward to being on a boat together again since we’ll have many opportunities to sit down, play cards and bond!
Atlanta, Georgia
In May, Lebron, Suzy, Touchpad and I will be heading to Atlanta, Georgia. For years growing up, we’ve always enjoyed playing video games with each other. One of the games that’s been a staple for us is Counter-Strike. There’s a large eSports scene behind the game as well. One of the things we’ve talked about over the years is to attend one of these eSports events. Well, in May we will be attending the Intel Extreme Masters tournament. It’s only going to be for a few days, but it will be nice to do a bit of a “boys trip” once again!
Singapore Suites and Formula One?
One of the remaining aviation bucket list items I have is to fly in Singapore Airlines First Class Suites. Well for 2026 I have a booking in September! It’s an exciting bit of travel that I’m really looking forward to.
And since I’ll be on the other side of the globe, I feel like I have an opportunity to do a bit more exploratory travel. While not for certain, I am hoping to check India, Azerbaijan and Oman off my list. In particular, I am hoping to attend the Formula One Azerbaijan Grand Prix. As an F1 fan, I’m really hoping to make this trip happen as it’s a pretty unique city track. Being able to attend a race in person is another bucket list item so I hope to make the trip work.
“Onward. Forward”
Doing these year in reviews always fills me with a profound sense of appreciation. I know I’m very blessed to travel and experience the things I get to experience. Not only having the means and time to be able to explore this beautiful place we live. But now also having people alongside to travel with and share experiences with. And with that I’m happy to close the book on 2025 and look forward and eagerly anticipate what 2026 has in store for me.
👍!