Since 2018 has just started, how about we remember the best trips of the year? It’s worth some inspiration to start planning your next vacation, huh! 2017 was a very intense year for You Must Go! There were 17 countries visited and 160 days outside Brazil. Let’s take a quick tour and who knows, maybe you’ll choose where to go in 2018? There is no shortage of extraordinary options! Oh! Not to mention some wonderful Brazilian hotels that we also know.
The best trips of the year
Bahia
After breaking the new year in Miami and spending a lively pre-Carnival in Salvador, I went to two popular destinations in Bahia: Santo André and Trancoso. In the first one, I stayed at the luxurious Campo Bahia, the hotel where the German champion team stayed at the 2014 World Cup. There are several houses facing the sea.
Read our experience at the hotel here.
From there, I headed to lively Trancoso, where I stayed in one of the best hotels in Brazil: the Uxuá Casa Hotel, right in Quadrado!
Read our experience at the hotel here.
The Angels
In February, as happens every year, I went to cover the Grammys, the biggest music award in the world, in Los Angeles. Even though it’s winter, it doesn’t get very cold in California and the days are usually beautiful! I walked through Santa Monica, an area that I love, and also through Beverly Hills, where I stayed at the charming Mr C, a hotel owned by the Cipriani brothers and the Leading Hotels of the World brand.
Read our experience at the hotel here.
Cancun
From California to Mexico. Since it was close by, I decided to spend my birthday by the sea and in the heat and went to Cancún, where I stayed at Nizuc, a modern and more exclusive hotel, in a corner of Nizuc point and with several restaurants.
Read our experience at the hotel here.
Thailand
The next destination was Thailand, where I traveled around the country and visited incredible temples. I also passed by an island little known to Brazilians, Koh Kood. And of course, the capital Bangkok, which always surprises, with its contrasts and constant vibrancy.
10 unmissable tours in Bangkok
Dubai
I finally discovered the United Arab Emirates and fell in love with megalomaniac Dubai, where everything is the biggest in the world. For those who are fascinated by hotels like me, Dubai is practically Disneyland. Starting with where I stayed, the sensational One & Only Royal Mirage, one of the best hotels in the city. I had lunch at Armani, also a very chic hotel, and I had great tours with the Knight Tours staff, who have Brazilian employees and who took great care of us! Dubai was undoubtedly one of the highlights of the best trips of the year.
Mothers
In April, I returned to Madrid, the city where I lived and which I am in love with! If you are going there, be sure to talk to us and ask any questions you may have. Salamanca is my favorite neighborhood and I stayed there once again, at the charming hotel Único. I walked through Parque del Retiro and ate very well, as always!
Three-day itinerary in Madrid
Paris
Another city that never tires me and that I’m happy with at any time of year! I saw incredible exhibitions, like Dior and I visited the new Louis Vuitton store, which is a scandal! I fell in love with two star chefs: Akrame and David Toutain and stayed in dream hotels, such as Le Bristol and Mandarin Oriental, both on Rue Saint-Honoré. I also stayed in two boutique hotels: Artus, very well located, in Saint Germain de Près and Le Cinq Codet, in a very residential area.
Toronto
Toronto was another flash back delicious! April is a great month to go because the cold has subsided and you can explore cosmopolitan Toronto in peace. There are several good restaurants, a gastronomic market, parks, neighborhoods that are very different from each other. Here in this three-day itinerary in Toronto post, you understand the city well!
Click here for more Toronto tips.
Roma
I hadn’t been to Rome for about three years and I can guarantee that it’s still impeccable, except for the tourists that seem to pop up at every corner! Needless to say, I ate very well and stayed at the luxurious Hassler Roma, part of the Leading Hotel of the World brand.
Read our experience at the hotel here.
Milan
The capital of Italian fashion always has new things. I visited the Prada museum and stayed at the charming Mandarin Oriental Milano, close to the Duomo and pure luxury!
Read our experience at the hotel here.
Verona
From there, I left by car, from Europcar, to the romantic Verona, which completely won me over! It was essential to write the script for one of the most famous couples in literature, Romeo and Juliet! I visited a beautiful historic winery and stayed at Palazzo Victoria, very well located.
What to do in Verona
Lake Como
My tour of Lago di Como was one of the most surprising highlights of the best trips of the year. What a wonderful and scenic place! I was blown away by the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, one of the most stunning I’ve ever been to!
Read our experience at the hotel here
Washington DC
June was IPW month – the largest tourism fair in the USA and where You Must Go! always be present! I’m biased when talking about DC because I lived there as a teenager and I think it’s a super interesting city, full of museums – for free – parks and monuments.
10 things to do in Washington DC
Boston
I took advantage of being there to return to Boston, one of the oldest cities in the USA, with super cute architecture and next to Cambridge, an essential trip where one of the most renowned American universities, Harvard, is located.
Find out what to do in Boston
Portillo, Chile
Winter in South America, skiing season, right! I was invited to go to Portillo, a ski resort “close” to Brazil and with beautiful landscapes! I loved going, even without skiing, which I confess is not one of my skills. It was just a shame that I didn’t enjoy Santiago, one of the most interesting cities in South America.
Discover Portillo, a ski resort in Chile
Orlando
September was the month of the hurricane and anyone who follows me on Instagram @youmustgoblog saw that I spent a lot of money to leave Florida. It made the trip a bit difficult, but I was able to drive from Miami to Orlando and enjoy Disney and Epcot, where the Food & Wine Festival was taking place. I ended up returning to Brazil safe and sound!
Floripa
I managed to stay in Brazil for a while and go to Floripa, at one of my favorite hotels, Ponta dos Ganchos, where I participated in the Women VIP Experience, an event just for women, with talks from luxury brands. It was very beneficial and I even managed to visit a cute boutique hotel, Casa Quatro Oito.
Read our experience at Ponta here.
Budapest
In October, I added another country to my list: Hungary! Budapest is without a doubt one of the most incredible capitals in Europe, if you don’t know it, you already know where to go in 2018.
One of Europe’s oldest cafes in Budapest
Munich
I returned to Munich after 10 years and found the city even more elegant and charming! Of course my stay at the Mandarin Oriental in Munich had everything to do with that!
Read our experience at the hotel here.
Bordeaux and Versailles
I visited two beautiful French hotels! One of them was Les Sources de Caudalie, in Bordeaux, a wine hotel, with a starred restaurant and Caudalie brand spa, just three hours by train from Paris. And Les Étangs de Corot, in Versailles, a perfect day trip from Paris. Happy that these hotels are part of the best trips of the year.
Read our experience at the best hotel in Bordeaux.
Punta Cana
We went to the Dominican Republic to enjoy a few days of beach, shade and fresh water at the invitation of the Barceló Bávaro Grand Resort. Our reporter Duda Vétere took advantage, see?!
Read our experience at the hotel here.
Londres, Liverpool e Manchester
I loved the invitation from English tourism to visit two cities that are not a priority for Brazilians: Liverpool and Manchester. I flew business class on the new dreamliner British Airways and spent a few days in London, and then went by train to the surrounding area. It was great to dive into Beatles culture and watch an English Champions League football game.
5 unmissable things to do in Liverpool
Morocco
At the end of 2017, we left for Africa! We were invited by Morocco Tourism to take a trip through the south of the country to Marrakech by 4×4. Our reporter Duda Vétere spent unforgettable days, including a night in the desert in a luxury camp!
Mauricio Islands
I fulfilled my dream of visiting Mauritius when I was invited to the reopening of One & Only Le Saint Geran, a super exclusive resort. They were incredible days!
Read our experience at the hotel here.
Capetown
And I was able to prove that Capetown is indeed one of the most beautiful cities in the world! I completely fell in love with its beaches, stunning landscapes and wineries in cute towns on the outskirts. It was a highlight of the best trips of the year.
5 tours in Cape Town.
Miami e Palm Beach
I ended the year where I started, in Miami, a sunny city that I love and is always full of new things! This time, I stopped by Palm Beach and stayed at the sensational The Breakers, a historic and imposing hotel! Christmas Eve was different, but no less glamorous at the Mandarin Oriental Miami hotel, in the Brickell area, the city’s financial heart.
Read our experience at MO Miami here.
Ufa! What a long list of the best trips of the year! I don’t know what’s planned for me in 2018, but I hope I’ve given you ideas for your next trips and that you continue to follow us! Happy New Year!
By Renata Araújo
Photos: Renata Araújo and Duda Vétere
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