My 2024 in review : travel and life recap

2024 was filled with many beautiful adventures, important life moments and unforgettable experiences. From hiking Olomana Peak in Hawaii, to learning kitesurfing near Fortaleza in Brazil, this year pushed me to step out of my comfort zone in ways I never thought possible. Join me as I take you on a journey through some of the best moments, the hidden gems, and the unexpected twists that made my 2024 travels so incredible.

Here’s a recap of the moments that made 2024 unforgettable!

Sunrise in Marsa Alam, Egypt


JANUARY 2024

DESTINATIONS: Marsa Alam, Egypt

At the beginning of 2024, we traveled to Egypt in Africa. We stayed in Marsa Alam, it was a great base for snorckeling, exploring desert and spending time on the beach. The weather was nice and warm, we enjoyed it a lot!

Here are recommended hotels in Marsa Alam, Egypt:

FEBRUARY 2024

DESTINATIONS: Opole, Turawa (Poland)

February was all about slowing down and soaking up the winter vibes in Poland. I spent most of the month enjoying a much-needed break, riding my horse through the quiet countryside, taking long walks around Turawa Lake, and indulging in some seriously good food. It was the perfect reset in between my busy photography season and upcoming travels.

In Poland, I was based in Opole-Turawa area, which is perfect for long walks in the nature and medition. A hidden gem for nature lovers. I absolutely love this spot; it has such a calm, grounding energy.

Here are recommended hotels in Opole, Poland:

Winter walks near Turawa

Riding my horse Be Best

Hand-made cheescake at our place in Poland

Old Square in Opole, Poland

MARCH 2024

DESTINATIONS: Miami, Key West

In March, Marcin and I went to Miami and it was so much fun! I love this fun lifestyle, sunny and warm weather, nice and long beaches with colorful lifeguard towers. Here’s the full blog post with my Ultimate Travel Guide to Miami.

Here are recommended hotels in Miami:

APRIL 2024

DESTINATIONS: San Francisco, Bodega Bay, Monterey, Yosemite

April was filled with a lot of local adventures and one-day trips in California. The highlight of the month was taking our engagement photos at Marshall Beach in San Francisco. We went to Yosemite and worked with many beautiful airbnb’s. We had so much fun in Bodega Bay in Sonoma County and Pebble Beach Food & Wine in Monterey. We also spent a lot of time in San Francisco, exploring local neighborhoods, parks and coffee shops!

My favorite hotels in San Francisco:

My favorite hotels in Bodega Bay:

My favorite hotels in Monterey/Carmel by the Sea:

My favorite airbnbs near Yosemite:

The view from Ina Coolbrith Park in San Francisco

Casa Oso in Yosemite and their Airbnb

Boho Chic by Casa Oso in Yosemite

Hike at the Bodega Head

Pebble Beach Food & Wine in Monterey

MAY 2024

DESTINATIONS: Maui (Hawaii)

May was the month of our elopement in Maui! It was incredible month filled with unforgettable moments. Marcin, my love, celebrated his birthday in May, a few days before our elopement. From hiking to the numerous waterfalls to enjoying sunny days on the beach, May was the best month of the year.

Here are recommended hotels in Maui, Hawaiii:

Our elopement in Maui

Dinner at Duke’s Maui

Makena Beach, Maui

Sunset in Kihei

JUNE 2024

DESTINATIONS: Oahu (Hawaii), Mallorca (Spain)

I’m a Gemini and my birthday is in June, so we went to Oahu for my birthday trip. We stayed in Honolulu in a beautiful, boutique hotel, Renew. We rented a car and explore the island every single day. We has such incredible time exploring the beaches, hiking and eating delicious food. I will post a separate travel guide and blog post to my travel to Oahu, so stay tuned!

Here are recommended hotel in Honolulu, Oahu:

At the end of June, I flew to Mallorca for a 2 week vacation with my mom. It was my 8th time there and I loved it! I booked a direct flght from Newark Airport (EWR) to Palma de Mallorca (PMI). I was lucky enough to upgrade my Economy Plus ticket to Polaris United for only $475! If you would like to be able to earn miles/points and get cheap upgrades, I recommend you to get a United Chase Credit Card, here’s the link.

In Mallorca, we stayed in Playa de Muro near Alcudia, in the Northern part of the island. It’s very calm and has the most beautiful and sandy beaches. Check out my Ultimate Travel Guide to Mallorca and The best things to do and to see in Mallorca.

My favorite hotels in Mallorca, Spain:

JULY 2024

DESTINATIONS: Poland

July is the warmest and the most pleasant month in Poland. It’s perfect for summer vacation on the Polish seaside or in the mountains. I was raised in a picturesque town in the Southern-West Poland, Opole, and it has so much to offer. A beautiful old town, lakes, forests and outdoor concerts. There’s always something going on there.

I love visiting Poland in the summer, it’s the most perfect time and you can have an amazing time there. July is also a peak tourist season, so popular destinations may be busier. I went to Poland in July and I loved it! I had the best time exploring local attractions, nature and hanging out with my friends.


AUGUST 2024

DESTINATIONS: Sonoma County, San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, Los Angeles, Laguna Beach

August was a month of change. My husband and I moved from San Francisco to Sonoma County, where we found a charming one-bedroom apartment with a pool and gym, all for the same price we were paying for our small studio in Russian Hill. It was a big move, but we’ve been enjoying the beauty of the California countryside and its stunning coastline. Sonoma County is filled with farm stands offering fresh produce, and you can find free-range eggs at nearly every corner. Since we love healthy food and nature, we’re really enjoying our new life here!

Sunset at Salmon Creek beach

Summer in Sonoma County

At the end of August, we traveled around California. We spent four days in Lake Tahoe, followed by a week in Southern California, where we hiked to the Hollywood Sign and rode bikes in Venice. The weather was perfect, and we had an amazing time!

My favorite hotels in Lake Tahoe:

My favorite hotels in Los Angeles:

My favorite hotels in Laguna Beach:

Sunrise at Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe

Laguna Beach, California

SEPTEMBER 2024

DESTINATIONS: San Francisco, Yosemite

In September, we took a four-day trip to Yosemite National Park. The weather was warm and beautiful, so we hiked a lot! We also spent several days exploring San Francisco. To wrap up the month, we spent the last ten days in Poland.

OCTOBER 2024

DESTINATIONS: Sonoma County, Marin County, San Francisco

October was all about fall vibes and Halloween. I spent lot of time in Marin County and in Sonoma County exploring local pumpkin patches. My friend and I went to Battery Spencer in San Francisco to watch a beautiful sunrise over the Golden Gate Bridge.

Sunrise at Battery Spencer

NOVEMBER 2024

DESTINATIONS: Fortaleza, Cumbuco, Taiba (Brazil)

We spent November in Brazil, kitesurfing every day and soaking up the sun on the beach with refreshing coconuts in hand. It was our second time in Ceará, and we fell in love with it all over again! If you're planning a kitesurfing adventure (or just looking for a laid-back beach escape), Cumbuco should definitely be on your radar. Here’s the Ultimate Travel Guide to Cumbuco, packed with everything you need to know for the perfect trip. From the best spots to catch the wind, to where to grab the tastiest coconut, we've got you covered!

Cumbuco is a kitesurfers paradise because of it’s constant wind and beautiful beaches. It’s a charming coastal village located in the state of Ceará, in northeastern Brazil. It has become a hotspot for kite surfing and windsurfing enthusiasts from around the world. The village offers a laid-back atmosphere with a mix of rustic charm and modern comforts, making it a popular destination for both adventure seekers and those looking to relax by the sea. Its proximity to Fortaleza also makes it a convenient getaway for travelers seeking an escape from city life.

My favorite hotels in Cumbuco:

My favorite hotels in Fortaleza:

DECEMBER 2024

DESTINATIONS: San Francisco, Opole (Poland), Prague (Czech Republic)

The first week of December kicked off with a wonderful stay at Four Seasons San Francisco (book here). We spent our days exploring the city, enjoying Christmas decorations and festive lights. The weather was surprisingly warm for winter, making December one of the best times to visit San Francisco.If you’re heading to San Francisco in December, check out here my Christmas Guide to San Francisco.

A few days later, we flew to Poland for holidays. We experienced there a real winter wonderland with low temperatures and snow. We had wonferful time with our families and friends. The holidays in Poland were truly magical. Most of the time we were in our hometown, Opole.

We then took a quick two-day trip to Prague, where we wandered through the beautiful Christmas Markets and strolled around the city’s charming, cobblestone streets. In Prague, we booked a beautiful apartment in a historic building, I highly recommend checking out this place here.


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Best Areas to Stay in San Francisco & My Favorite Hotels (2025)

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The Best Things to Do and to See in Mallorca