Our Top 10 Travel Moments: A Trip Down Memory Lane In Lockdown
By: Terracotta Travel
Tags: Lockdown, Memories, Travel, Trains, Bucketlist

Written by Natalie Holmes, our Berlin-based content lead, who’s dreaming of taking an epic train journey through Europe with Squirrel, her trusty canine travel companion.

When lockdowns, travel restrictions and social distancing measures became a global reality back in March 2020, I used the time to indulge in daydreams about my past travels and where I’d like to wander next. One night, upset about cancelling my summer trip to Greece, instead of counting sheep to fall asleep I decided to think back on the amazing travel experiences I’ve had in my life. The exercise left me overflowing with gratitude and helped keep my spirits up amidst everything else going on.

After chatting to Terracotta founder and CEO Anna, who dived into the exercise with characteristic enthusiasm, we’re revealing our top ten travel memories, and invite you to join us.

Who knows, your list might reveal some surprises or unknown patterns. Perhaps you’re drawn to slow travel and want to traverse Europe by train, sail through the dreamlike Seychelles on a private yacht, or explore Lima’s vibrant foodie scene on an immersive multi-day adventure. When we stop, take a breath, and gather our thoughts, we’re better equipped to make smarter decisions about our future travels.

Here we go!

Natalie’s Top 10 Travel Moments

1. Camping in a giant cave in Phong Nha, Vietnam. We trekked through the jungle, then bedded down on a beach inside one of the world’s largest caves. Truly unforgettable.

2. Sipping Sauvignon Blanc in a hot tub in Marlborough, NZ. What else is there to say?

3. Learning to SCUBA dive in Utila, Honduras. I’ll never forget my first encounter with the underwater world in the idyllic Bay Islands.

4. Trekking to Machu Picchu in flip-flops! I was young and had never been trekking before. I had no idea what I was letting myself in for.

5. Watching for mirages in the Uyuni Salt Flats, Bolivia. The bright sun reflecting off the vast salt flats plays tricks with your eyes.

6. Snorkeling with hammerhead sharks in the Galapagos. Aboard a boat with a group of biology students from Boston University.

7. Gazing down on the clouds from the slopes of Mount Etna. Europe’s highest volcano and one of the most active in the world.

8. Basking on empty beaches in the Outer Hebrides. The remote Scottish islands have a melancholic magic that defies description.

9. Smoking shisha on a Cairo rooftop. This was my first real trip abroad without my parents, at age 20, and my time in Egypt remains one of the defining experiences of my life.

10. Becoming a yoga teacher in Rishikesh. Learning yogic philosophy in the country where it was developed over 5000 years ago.

Up next: I clearly love epic encounters with nature, so next up I’d love to explore Slovenia, from green and leafy Ljubljana to the soaring Julian Alps and a meal at Hisa Franko.

At Terracotta, we create completely bespoke, handcrafted itineraries that help you slow down and take time to soak in your surroundings. Travel begins the moment you start dreaming of a distant destination, and we’re masters of building that sweet anticipation.

Start getting to know travel designer, Anna, as she reveals her top ten travel moments.

Ilulissat, Greenland

Anna’s Top 10 Travel Moments

1. Glacier hiking in Greenland. Jumping over crevasses was super scary — the huge ice sheet was well beyond my comfort zone, which made it more memorable

2. Hiking Corcovado National Park in Costa Rica. I relived my favorite Disney movie, The Jungle Book, and saw some of the world’s most exotic wildlife, like anteaters, pumas, and tapirs.

3. Running around the Etno Museum in North Macedonia. The museum is full of folkloric costumes, which I tried on, joined by my driver and guide!

4. Having a pristine beach to ourselves in Barbuda. Reunited with my boyfriend Seb after a long time apart, we stayed in a remote lodge and basked in the Caribbean paradise.

5. Paragliding over the Sacred Valley in Peru. With a friendly pilot, who owns the Sol y Luna Foundation, an educational organization for local children and our chosen charitable partner.

6. My first round the world trip. On a shoestring budget, the trip included South East Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the US, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean from top to toe.

7. Sailing across the Atlantic. I was the only woman on a Dutch boat taking part in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers, all the way from my old stomping grounds on the Canary Islands to St. Lucia.

8. Attending a wedding in remote Nong Khiaw, Laos. We danced and sang karaoke. Everyone wanted to talk to us, even though only one of the party spoke English.

9. Staying on Thatch Caye, Belize. Sailing, snorkeling with manatees, then communal dinners in the evenings. When you’re somewhere this remote, you feel like anything that is brought to you is a miracle, and it enhances the feeling of gratitude.

10. Christmas in Guanajuato, Mexico. I went out at night to see the university students singing in the little streets, and popped into private homes for tamales and atole.

Up next: I was born on an island and live on an island, so I guess that makes me an island girl! Next, I’d love to visit Japan and Indonesia — ideally on the same slow trip!