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2016 turned out to be one of my greatest travel years to date, I got to explore a total of 8 countries and 30 cities. It’s not the most destinations I’ve ever visited in a year, but for a change I spent a lot of time in many of the places getting to know them really well.
I started the year with a month-long trip to Indonesia where we explored 5 islands; Sumbawa, Bali, Lombok, Nusa Lembongan and Ceningan. You can see our first ever travel video from this adventure here. Some other highlights of 2016 are the road trip I took with my parents and sister from Andalucia to Murcia in Spain, a week in Malta (even though we mostly had bad weather) and as you might have guessed if you follow me on Instagram, my recent trip to Sri Lanka.
Throughout the year I also went back and forth between my home in Norway and my boyfriend’s place in Kraków, Poland. We did a lot of small trips around the country and ended up visiting 6 different cities, five castles and eating way too much delicious cheap food.
Even though I’m terrified of flying I somehow managed to get on 28 flights this year. It took a lot of tears and freak outs during turbulence, but it was so worth it in the end. Now I’m looking forward to seeing what 2017 has in store for me, but first, here are my 10 favorite travel photos from 2016!
Affiliate links – I get a lot of questions about what camera and lenses I use. And to be honest it’s nothing that fancy. I spent quite some time researching mirrorless cameras before I decided on the Olympus om-d e-m10 mark ii, and I couldn’t be happier with my choice! It’s so easy to use and the Olympus app connects the camera to your phone so you can use it as a remote. So helpful if it’s only you and your tripod trying to get the shot! For lenses, I sometimes use the 14-42mm that came with the camera, but for the most part I use my fixed f1.8 25mm which create the most stunning photos with blurry backgrounds.
1. Whales & Waves Resort on Sumbawa, Indonesia.
2. Tanjung Aan Beach, Lombok, Indonesia.
3. Warung Agung Beach Cafe, Mangrove Forest Road, Nusa Lembongan, Indonesia
4. Puente Nuevo Bridge & El Tajo Gorge, Ronda, Spain
5. The Citadel, Victoria, Gozo, Malta 
6. Ogrodzieniec Castle, Poland
7. Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha Statue, Kandy, Sri Lanka
8. “The world’s most scenic train ride” from Kandy to Ella, Sri Lanka
9. Talalla Beach, Sri Lanka
10. On my way to Morskie Oko Lake, High Tatra Mountains, Poland. This photo looks especially serene, but what you don’t see is the family with the screaming kid on the rock next to me, some large horses being washed behind me and a group of tourists competing for one selfie-stick to my left. It’s all about finding that right angle 😉
I have to say thank you thank you to my boyfriend for most of these photos. He’s always patient and willing to do a lot to get the perfect shot. And thanks to my dad for the photo from Ronda, Spain. And yes I do realize that me with my back to the camera is a reoccurring theme in these photos, so one of my New Year resolutions is definitely to get more creative in that department.
Your blog is my new favourite! I have to go to Indonesia now ^_^
Thanks Linn, I’m so happy to hear that. You should, I’ll be back in Indo this February 😉
Absolutely love you photos! This made me want to visit Ronda!!
Thanks Susanne! You should, Ronda is incredible 😉
Så deilig og supre bilder ? Håper det går bra at jeg kommenterer på norsk, jeg så du var fra Norge. Høres ut som du har hatt en flott reise år. Håper du får et like flott år i 2017.
Tusen takk Veronika! Alltid koselig med norske kommentarer 😀 Godt nytt år!
These photos are stunning! The Spanish one though was the one which caught my eye and now has me longing to go visit!
Sophie | MapleTreeBlog
Amazing photos! I tried choose my favourite but I cant! The one in mountains in Poland make me realised how much I am missing out from my own country, the Sri Lanka are amazing, my best friend is from there, so I am hoping to visit soon, and I love the one from Malta too, I am actually going there in 2 weeks! Thank you for sharing!
Hellow fellow Norwegian 😀 I love the photos! It seems like you have got to visit a lot of places in 2016. I really want to visit Sri Lanka after seeing those photos! You are lucky to have a bf that are patient to take good photos of you, mine is not patient at all hehe. Thanks for sharing 😀
Hi, Vibeke 😀 Thank you so much! Yes, I’m super grateful for him being so patient and willing to help me. Happy travels 😉
What an incredible year! And so true about having a BF who is patient with photos 🙂 Very helpful!! These shots are lovely
Absolutely in love with your photos! Definitely putting Indonesia on the list now 🙂
Thanks, Courtney! I’m happy to hear that, Indonesia is amazing 😀
Wow! These are beautiful. I am super jealous as I look out my window at snow and ice!
This looks amazing! Youve definitely got the travel bug!
Foirell | http://www.citygirlrell.com
I think the train in Sri Lanka photo is my favorite. They are all lovely and make me want to start booking tickets right now.
Amazing photography, I love every single photo in this post! Keep up the great work 🙂
Your photos were great!! I was picturing myself in all those wonderful places. Thanks for sharing!!
You’ve had quite the year! That train ride in Sri Lanka is straight out of the movies 🙂
Great images, Sri Lanka is one of my favourite countries though I haven’t been to Indonesia yet…
Thanks, Amanda! If Sri Lanka is one of your favorites, you would probably love Indonesia as well! 😉
What a dreamy looking year! The ability to travel between countries so easily is probably the biggest reason I wish I lived in Europe. Your photos are gorgeous, and your time in Malta and Poland looks especially lovely. Here’s to an even better year of travel in 2017!
Thank you Beth! Yes being able to fly between countries for sometimes as little as $20 is awesome! Happy travels 😉
Wow what beautiful images. I so envy you. I would love to go traveling some day. xx
Thanks Anna! I hope you do 😉
Sri Lanka looks amazing!!! Absolutely stunning photos! I definitely need to travel more.
Thank you so much, MacKenzie! Yes it really is 🙂
Wow. These have blown me away. What camera/editing software do you use?
Thank you so much Natalia 🙂 I mostly use my Olympus om-d e-m10, with a 25mm f1.8 lens. For editing I always use Lightroom, and then sometimes do some touchups in Photoshop or VSCO on my phone!
The post is great! I really love your photos 🙂
irinathayer.com
Thank you so much Irina! 😀
Indonesia my number one, looks amazing! I’m surprised to find Poland between those places. Born and raised in Wroclaw 😉 Hope you enjoyed it!
Cool, I love Wroclaw and Poland 🙂 So many beautiful places and so affordable!
Beautiful! I love the pictures in this article! Indonesia is definitely on my list 🙂
Justine
TheIridescentWings.com
Thanks Justine, hope you make it there soon 😀