What a year 2018 has been! I went on 14 trips and wrote 195 posts and have loved every minute of it! Here are some of my favourite travel posts from 2018. I hope they will give you some travel inspiration.

I have had so many travel highlights throughout my life but our road trip in South Africa earlier this year, is up there with the best of them. Seeing Luke’s face as we watched lions playing just meters from our jeep, is something I will never forget. Paragliding off Signal Hill in Cape Town was pretty memorable too! You can see all my travel posts from South Africa below.

 

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Delighted with myself for #paragliding in #CapeTown today! Definitely #facedmyfears and SO outside my #comfortzone 🙌 I’m going to be 46 next week 😱 but today sure told me you are #asoldasyoufeel – loved every minute! More on my stories 👆 . . . . . . #faceyourfears #paragliding #paraglidinggirl #instagood #instatravel #travelblogger #travelpic #citiesoftheworld #beautifuldestinations #capetown #capetownvibes @lovecapetown #ilovecapetown #signalhill #tablemountain #adrenalinerush #paraglidingtandem @ctparaglide #travelgram #thingstodoincapetown #southafrica #views #bestview

A post shared by Sarah Slattery – Travel Expert (@the_travel_expert) on Mar 25, 2018 at 2:32pm PDT

Read: Top tips for visiting South Africa

Read:  Cape Town – What to do, where to stay, where to eat and safety

Read: How to plan the perfect South African road trip

Read: A luxury safari at Amakhala Game Reserve

Read Why Val du Charron is the best place to stay in South Africa’s Winelands

Read: Our family stay at Cape St Francis Resort

I loved my trip to Malaysia and how I got there! Flying with Qatar Airways, in the best business class in the world, was an great experience. We visited Kuala Lumpur and the island of Penang which has so much more to offer than just stunning beaches. This trip really opened my eyes to the diversity of Malaysia, I would love to go back and visit Borneo and some of the other islands.

 

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Lovin’ the #streetart in #Penang 👌 We had a walking tour of Georgetown yesterday and saw all the highlights! It is such a mix of cultures, the majority of the population is actually Chinese! Check out my stories for more 👆and thanks to @leahparmeshwar for the pic 📷 . . . . . #streetphotography #streetstyle #penang #malaysia #travelgram #travelblogger #wearetravelgirls #famtrip #presstrip #streetartofinstagram #streetart_daily #streetartist @streetartglobe @streetart_official @malaysia.truly.asia @visitpenang #travelphotography #travel

A post shared by Sarah Slattery – Travel Expert (@the_travel_expert) on Mar 7, 2018 at 11:46am PST

Read: My Penang travel guide

Read: 7 things you must do in Kuala Lumpur

Read: My review of Qatar Airways service

I also enjoyed two mini cruises this year! I was fortunate to be able to bring the kids with me on Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas, as Luke was chosen to road test the newly revamped ship. I also had the pleasure of cruising on MSC’s brand new ship MSC Seaview, and boy was she stunning.

 

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A post shared by Sarah Slattery – Travel Expert (@the_travel_expert) on Aug 18, 2018 at 1:27am PDT

Read: My review of MSC Seaview

Read: My review of Independence of the Seas, the ultimate family cruise ship

I was delighted to be able to show the kids New York, a place I use to visit regularly before they came along. A family wedding in Philadelphia meant we got the opportunity to see both Philadelphia and New York in July.

 

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Love riding the subway in #newyork 🚇 Its the cheapest and fastest way to get around and you almost feel like a #newyorker – well except when you get the camera out 😆 . . . . . #newyork #newyorkcity #newyork_instagram #newyorknewyork #newyorkphoto #citiesoftheworld #cityscape #cityview #instacity #instatravel #travelblogger #travelpics #familytime #familytravel #travelgram #iphonepic #timessquare #ilovenewyork #iloveny #subwayslife #subwayselfie #subwaypic #train #newyorkcitylife #newyorksubway

A post shared by Sarah Slattery – Travel Expert (@the_travel_expert) on Jul 10, 2018 at 11:56am PDT

Read: 12 things to do in New York with kids

Read: 6 reasons to choose the Beacon Hotel for a family stay in New York

Read: Top 25 things to do in New York

Our stay in the fabulous Aqua Suites in Lanzarote was the best way to round off a great summer. It was a super relaxing holiday with great food and nice quality family time. The kids are already asking me if they can go back next year.

 

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Thanks to everyone who recommended @cafelaola – the views and atmosphere are 👌 Isn’t social media great for that – love when you ask for recommendations and you get lots of great places. I have so many now I don’t know how I’ll fit them in this week – will try my best though, all in the name of research 😉 About Cafe La Ola though, pizzas are not the best so don’t order them but everything else was good and tbh you don’t go for the food anyway. Lots more on my stories! . . . . . #familyholiday #familyfun #familytime #travellingwithkids #family #familypictures #familyfirst #kidsplay #lanzarote #puertodelcarmen @visit_lanzarote #summerholidays #summer #summerday #travelpics #familiesofinstagram #familypictures #familytravel #familytravelblogger #seaview #view #restaurant #sunset #sunset_pics #sunsetview

A post shared by Sarah Slattery – Travel Expert (@the_travel_expert) on Aug 26, 2018 at 12:19pm PDT

Read: Why Lanzarote is my favourite Canary Island

Read: Why the Aqua Suites is the best place to stay in Puerto del Carmen with kids

Read: Things to do with kids in Puerto del Carmen

I visited Puglia in Italy for the first time over the October bank holiday weekend. We spend two nights in the stunning city of Matera and two nights in a fabulous Airbnb in Alberobello. Puglia is a place I will definitely be returning to – I still have to write my posts on our stay here, but Ill get to it asap – watch this space!

 

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I had lots of messages from people asking me how to get to #Matera ✈️ Its about an hour from @airportbari and @ryanair fly direct from @dublinairport . Will have a full blog post with all the details soon. . . . . . . . #matera2019 @visitmatera @visititalyofficial #view #whitewashed #oldtown #beautifuldestinations #citiesofeurope #beautifulcities #citiesofitaly #italy #travelblogger #travelgram #wearetravelgirls #irishtravelblogger #viewsofinstagram #cityscape @visitbasilicata @loves_basilicata #unescoworldheritage #unesco #allthatwanderarenotlost #italy_hidden_gems #sheisnotlost #italyvacation #dametraveller #italyphoto #iloveitaly #sassidimatera

A post shared by Sarah Slattery – Travel Expert (@the_travel_expert) on Nov 12, 2018 at 11:51am PST

Working with Ireland’s Blue Book gave me the opportunity to visit some of Ireland’s Country House Hotels, Marlfield House and Dunbrody House Hotel. I enjoyed some great Irish hospitality and the most delicious food.  I am hoping to visit more of their properties in 2019.

 

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It’s amazing what one night away can do! Less than an hour from Dublin yet miles away from normality! We had a fab 24 hours in @marlfieldhouse .We ate fabulous food, strolled around the grounds and just relaxed really – we even got to walk the beach in Curracloe 🙌 See more on my highlights. #collab . . . . . #marlfieldhouse #irelandsbluebook #countryhouse #wexford #ireland #discoverireland @visitwexford #irelandsancienteast #luxurylifestyle #luxuryhotel #irishtravelblogger #travelblogger #travelgram #ireland_gram @irelandsancienteast @tourismireland @irelandaily @instaireland #relaischateaux @relaischateaux #irishcountryhouse #autumn #conservatory @irelandsbluebook

A post shared by Sarah Slattery – Travel Expert (@the_travel_expert) on Oct 15, 2018 at 12:15pm PDT

Read: Marlfield House – the perfect option for an overnight escape.

Read: Dunbrody House serves up much more than just good food.

I also managed to fit family breaks in Lough Erne Resort, and Ireland’s best family hotel – Kellys Resort & Spa, as well as a girls night away with my Mum and sister in Monart.

 

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I’m In @monartspa for the night with my Mum and sister. It’s our first time to visit, in fact it’s my first time to go to any dedicated spa hotel. It’s great to be able to stay in your robe all day, even when walking around the grounds. You can just about see me in my robe on the bridge! I had a body wrap today, it was heaven 😍 . . . . . . #monart #wexford #spa #luxurytravel #irishtravelblogger #luxuryspa #luxuryhotel #ireland #irelandsancienteast @visitwexford #bridge #garden #bathrobe #irelandgram #fivestarhotel #luxuryspa

A post shared by Sarah Slattery – Travel Expert (@the_travel_expert) on Jun 13, 2018 at 12:20pm PDT

Read: My review of Monart

Read: Is Kellys the best family hotel in Ireland?

Read: Living it up at Lough Erne Resort

Read: Luxury family hotel breaks in Ireland

Read: 5 things to do in Wexford with kids

A massive thanks to everyone for all the follows, likes, comments and shares, I really appreciate it. I know I wouldn’t be able make all these trips happen if it wasn’t for all of you reading my blogs and supporting me on my journey. With trips planned to Vietnam, Dubai, Maldives and hopefully a ski trip, 2019 is looking great already!  I hope my favourite travel posts from 2018 will help you plan your next adventure and that 2019 is full of lots of exciting trips for all of us!
 

Keep travelling!

Sarah