As 2016 draws to a close a lot of bloggers are looking back at everything they’ve done this year and everywhere they’ve been. It’s pretty easy when Facebook shove your year in photos at the top of your news feed! But when talking about travel one of the most common questions that gets thrown around all the time is ‘where’s your favourite place to go?’ It kind of gets boring. The Travel Whispers Blogger Challenge aims to round up your year and look towards the next by answering ten questions!

I change my mind all the time about where I want to go next. I love a good summer holiday, as close to paradise as you can get, but then you can’t beat a city break when it’s somewhere as incredible as Paris, or even the middle of nowhere in the countryside depending on mood and time of year. One of the best ways to help decide is by reading other travel bloggers experiences.

Tulum Mexico

The Travel Whispers Blogger Challenge

The following questions are designed to be a lot more interesting than simply ‘where is your favourite place to travel’, and intend to pass on the experiences and knowledge that travel bloggers have, as well as a bit of a 2016 round up, looking forward into 2017. I’d always prefer to take recommendations from bloggers than brands or travel companies, and whenever I’ve heard these questions asked they always spark a long and varied discussion – especially among people who love to travel. At least you know you’re getting a thought out answer!

Each Travel Whispers blog post can be found by clicking the link through to the next blogger at the bottom of the post, and so on, so take the time to read through a few – you might find some exciting new bloggers to follow and some great travel ideas for the future!  You can also find them across Twitter and Instagram with the hashtag #TravelWhispers.

1. If you had to move to a country that you’ve NEVER been to, and live there for ten years, where would you go?

I struggled to choose between Canada and Australia. Both English speaking countries with big cities, incredible opportunities, beautiful scenery and enough to keep me busy. I love the thought of living the simple life on a beach somewhere but I worry I’d get bored and it would lose its appeal. I don’t think I could deal with the distance of Australia, so I’d choose Canada.

Vancouver, by Harshil Shah

2. If you had to live in a hotel for the rest of your life, which hotel would you choose and why?

Sofitel Fauberg, Paris. Because Paris. But also the whole place is unbelievable. The service, the luxury, the extensive cocktail menu, and they have the comfiest beds I’ve ever slept in my whole entire life. And you wake up in Paris.

Sofitel Le Faubourg, Paris

3. If you could only eat the cuisine of one nationality forever more, which would you choose?

Italian. I’ve never been to Italy, but a girl can only dream how incredible the pizza and pasta and coffee and ice cream and wine and basically CARBS are over there.

Gelato, Italy by Bruno Cordioli

4. Who has given you ‘holiday envy’ this year, and how?

A couple I know honeymooned in Bali this year, and their trip looked unbelievable judging by their photos on Facebook. Some of the girls I went to Vegas with last year went back again this year, I was very jealous of that, and Lauryn Everts of the Skinny Confidential went to a few places in Italy that are all on my list – Venice, Florence etc. Following her on Snapchat and Instagram made me SICK with envy!

Las Vegas

5. If you had to look at the same sunrise or the same sunset every day, where in the world would you never get bored of seeing? Please don’t say sitting outside Cafe Mambo in Ibiza.

I’ve seen a few beautiful ones, the Greek islands never disappoint but I’d choose Paphos, Cyprus as I have fond memories of sitting watching it with a pina colada.

Cyprus Sunset

6. If you were taking a ‘staycation’ in your home town, where would it be and what would you recommend others to do?

Newcastle Upon Tyne, and I would wake up at the Malmaison right on the quayside overlooking the river. I’d go for a walk along the quayside market, followed by Sunday dinner at the Broad Chare. After lunch I’d walk up Dean and Grey Street, stopping for a drink at Decants, and the Botanist rooftop terrace. I’d go along to Bealim House for some tapas late on if I got peckish and a Newcastle Gin cocktail.

Newcastle Tyne Bridge

7. Describe your perfect travel day of the year?

I have two and I honestly can’t choose. My first is visiting Xel-Ha in Tulum, Mexico in the summer. It was truthfully one of the most amazing experiences I just had fun from start to finish, from zip wiring into the sea, snorkelling and seeing a barracuda, a real life natural lazy river, and cliff jumping all in one day. There’s a full post on this in the pipeline for early 2017. My second perfect day was just last weekend, day 2 of our 3 days in Paris.

Xel-Ha, Tulum Mexico

8. What have you ticked off your bucket list in 2016?

Swimming with wild sea turtles at Akumal Bay, Mexico. Incredible!

Akumal Beach, Tulum

9. What is top of your travel bucket list for 2017?

A whole country – Italy. See food question for an explanation, but also because I’ve never been and it was my biggest travel envy of the year. But also Cuba before it gets too commercialised.

Cuba, by Miguel Discart

10. Share your favourite Instagram photo of 2016?

I have a lot of favourites, especially from Mexico and Paris, but I’m going to say this is my favourite because the colourful houses of Cologne were so cute! And there’s no edits or filters on this one.

Cologne, Germany. Instagram: @sfox379

Take a look at some of the other bloggers who have taken part, you might find some new ones to follow and inspiration for 2017!

Lucy from Go With Talia

Xtra Lush

Tracy’s Travels in Time

Inquisitive Wanderlust

Travel Gal Nicole

Yorkshire Wonders

The Sane Travel

Doro Henrietta

Young & Undecided

Josie Wanders

From Wales to Wherever 

Where’s That To

A Thousand Flights

My Own True North

Creative Travel Guide

Inspired Wanderess

Four Cats Plus Us

The Manini Experience – Erica

Sweater Giraffe Travels

The Bohemian Style

The Manini Experience – Sam

Up Late with Tristin & Cindy

Authentic Travelling 

Check back soon for an updated list on other Travel Bloggers who have taken part! If you want to get involved join the Facebook group!