“Is it even worth summarizing 2021? I’ve barely traveled.” I thought before I started writing this annual summary. A post that never wanted to end. I apparently had time for both when I was forced to look in the memory bank (read: the phone’s photo archive).
Many posts remain to be written, and even more pictures to edit. But for now, here is an unedited summary from another corona year!
The trips in 2021 – month by month
January
The year began in my parents’ house in Hellvi on Gotland.
February
Staycation with some friends at Ellery Beach Club on Lidingö in Stockholm. Snow and freezing temperatures in the air, but hot in the outdoor pool and sauna. Talked, ate and slept better than in a long time.
Also rented a minimal cabin in Sälen with him who later became my boyfriend and partner. ❤️
March
Took the shuttle to Märsta to go on a writing trip with the Sigtuna foundation in Sigtuna. Me and Katarina from Äntligen vilse wrote in the salons inspired by an Italian monastery.
May
A sibling weekend at The Sparrow Hotel in Östermalm in Stockholm. Can recommend to anyone who wants a super central overnight stay in a charming hotel with French vibes.
Ended May with a writing weekend on Gotland with some friends from the Skrivvänner gang.
June
Was invited to inaugurate the Clarion Wallpaper factory in Sickla. A new hotel located inside a former wallpaper factory. Good value for those who want to discover the outskirts of Stockholm.
July
Spent a family week on Gotland before…
…it was time for my first trip abroad since the pandemic! A weekend in Sopot and Gdansk on the Polish Riviera.
August
My sister Martina and I continued our mountain hiking tradition and took the night train north for the fourth year in a row. This time it was off to Jämtland and Storulvån to hike the Jämtlandsleden.
Celebrated the same sister’s thirtieth birthday with a family weekend in Gothenburg. Stayed affordable and centrally located at Hotel Vanilla. Promise a post with some Gothenburg tips!
September
Staycation with some childhood friends at the Downtown Camper Hotel in Stockholm. A hotel that has become something of a favorite in Stockholm! Started Italian with lunch at Cafe Nizza before continuing to the hotel’s rooftop pool.
October
Time for the first sponsored trip since corona. Spent a few days in Bremen in Germany and then met up with Lisa from Let’s go explore and discovered the sugary town of Quedlinburg and its surroundings.
Continued October with another job assignment to Värmland together with Annika from Resfredag. We went on a Värmland road trip and visited, among other things, the cultural center, ate gourmet food and hiked with furry alpacas.
November
The plan was to spend the whole of November in Gran Canaria. But due to an illness in the tour group, it had to be canceled and I instead went to Gotland for a weekend and then eight days alone in Rome. Lived in a monastery and hunted truffles – among other things.
December
Ended the year where it began with New Year’s on Gotland. In a house that went from red to lime white during the year!
Web editor at the travel magazine Vagabond
Although few posts were published here on Fantasiresor during the year, I have never written as much about travel as I did in 2021. Worked most of the year as a web editor for the travel magazine Vagabond and posted articles about travel seven days a week. A temporary job that also resulted in some freelancing. Here are some examples of articles I have written:
#1. Tent glamorously – 11 glamping sites in Sweden
#2. Fårö: 22 things to do during a road trip
#3. Theme restaurants in Sweden that make you travel to a fantasy world
#4. Riding holidays in Sweden – 9 adventures on horseback
#5. Editor’s favourite: Hiking with llamas in Tyrol
#6. Tareq Taylor’s top tips for Jerusalem and the West Bank
#7. Castle weekend in Sweden – 9 fabulous castles you can stay at
#8. Sweden’s most isolated island accommodation
In summary
2021 was a year that I count as a break year in terms of travel. A year that, on the private level, was bordered by both love and struggle. And a year that, in terms of work, has never been more fun!
Going a little tentatively into 2022 but with confidence that things usually fall into place in the end. Maybe 2022 is just that: the year of the life trust?
Regardless: Happy New Year of Fantasy Travel!
Previous year summaries: 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014.
