2025 End-Of-Year Summary & Sneak Peek 2026
Published December 27, 2025
This blog post was proudly created without the use of generative AI. It was 100% written and edited by a human, for humans. Enjoy, and thanks for your support!
Welcome to my 2025 wrap-up blog post! This is the post where I summarize all the places I’ve been over the last twelve months and preview what my plans are for the upcoming year. My 2025 was filled with travel, in no small part because I moved from Chicago to Brisbane, Australia last month! I lived in Chicago from 2021 to 2025, and I will always cherish my memories of the Windy City!
I hit the ground running this year with an extended trip to Southeast Asia and Oceania in January and February. In the spring and summer, I traveled mainly within North America. In the fall, I stayed near Chicago to prepare for my move to Brisbane in November.
Every year since 2020, I’ve written an annual end-of-year wrap up and sneak peek of the following year. If you’re curious where I went the past few years (or where I predicted I would be), check out those posts using the links below!
To skip down to any of the main sections of this blog post, click the corresponding link below.
2025 Review
2025 Stats
- Countries Visited This Year: 9
(United States, Philippines, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Canada, Sweden, Taiwan) - New Countries Visited: 4
(Philippines, Indonesia, New Zealand, Sweden) - US States Visited This Year: 5
(Washington, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan) - New States Visited: 0
- Flight Segments: 27
- Train Segments: 11
1. Seattle, WA (Jan)
I celebrated New Year 2025 in Seattle because that’s where my immediate family is, plus many of my friends from high school and college. I don’t always spend the holidays there, but Seattle is definitely my “home base” no matter how far I may roam.
2. Philippines (Jan-Feb)
Less than a week after New Year, my friend Ismael and I flew from Seattle to the Philippines! We spent about a week and a half traveling throughout the country together, then I stayed for a few more weeks on my own.
This Philippines trip was an island hopping adventure. I got to visit Manila, Coron, Cebu City, Bohol, and Panglao, all of which are pretty popular tourist destinations. However, I think the highlight of my month there was exploring two islands that don’t see a lot of international tourists: Culion and Catanduanes. Despite being right next to each other, Coron and Culion are polar opposites. The former is a bustling tourist destination, while the latter is a sleepy island with a complex history and a tight-knit local community.
3. Bali, Indonesia (Feb)
The next stop on my Southeast Asia and Oceania trip was Bali. I know, this Indonesian island is about as on-the-beaten-path as you can get in Asia. Nonetheless, I generally had a good time here. Bali’s best feature was its lush, green rice fields. The worst part about Bali was the totally insane traffic. After a few days, I tried to minimize my time on the roads. This helped me make the most of my ten days there.
4. Sydney, Australia (Feb)
After nearly a month of solo travel, I was so excited to meet up with my family in Sydney! The second half of my extended trip centered around a cruise from Sydney to Auckland. We spent a few days admiring Sydney’s most famous landmarks before boarding our ship.
5. Princess Cruise from Australia to New Zealand (Feb)
Over the past few years, my family has used cruises as a venue for family reunions, and I’m a fan after two of them. My extended family did a cruise in Europe in 2022; this cruise aboard the Royal Princess was just me, my parents, my brother, and his wife.
Sydney to Auckland was an intense itinerary. Some intermediary stops included Melbourne, Tasmania, and Christchurch. We had a few relaxing sea days, most notably while crossing from Tasmania to New Zealand, but Princess Cruises packed a ton of activities and excursions in over the course of about two weeks.
6. Auckland, New Zealand (Feb)
At the conclusion of our cruise, my family and I explored New Zealand’s biggest city for a few days. Auckland felt quieter and smaller than Sydney or Melbourne. I wouldn’t say Auckland Central had a lot of charm, but I found the nearby seaside neighborhood of Devonport to be very quaint.
If you read my 2024 recap, then you’ll know that even by the end of last year, I planned to move away from Chicago in late 2025, albeit to Asia. In all honesty, visiting Sydney in February convinced me to apply for an Australian Working Holiday Visa (WHV). This trip was my third visit to Australia, and each time, I always left with a very favorable impression. I want to blog more about the process of applying for my visa and making the move, so keep an eye out for that in 2026!
7. Return to Chicago, IL (Mar)
After spending the first two months of 2025 abroad, I was thankful to be back in Chicago just in time for the weather to start warming up! I was based there from March until the end of October, so I got to enjoy all of Chicago’s seasonal activities from spring until late fall. The following pictures are from St. Patrick’s Day, the first holiday that happened after I returned from my extended trip!
8. Mexico City, Mexico (Mar)
For about a week in March, I went to Mexico City to become reacquainted with La Condesa, the neighborhood I called home for much of 2018. Returning to Mexico City seven years later was very nostalgic! Going back to some of the restaurants I used to eat at regularly made me very happy.
9. Minneapolis, MN (Apr)
My next short trip was in April, a weekend getaway to Minneapolis from Chicago by Amtrak. I had never taken a long Amtrak trip before this (more than an hour or two), but I found it to be pretty comfortable.
I visited Minneapolis in 2024 as well, so it was nice to go back and “fill in the gaps” a bit. Even with two visits in two years, I’ve only scratched the surface of what Minneapolis has to offer. It’s a surprisingly big city with attractions spread out across its many diverse neighborhoods.
10. Madison, WI (Apr)
Close friends know that I’ve become a bit of a Wisconsin enthusiast over the last few years! After a bunch of visits to Milwaukee in 2023 and 2024, I figured it was finally time to see what Madison was all about. And let me tell you… it was great! Madison is a lot smaller than Milwaukee, but because it’s a college town and the state capital, there is always a lot going on. In fact, I liked Madison so much that I went back at the end of summer!
11. Muskegon & New Buffalo, MI (May)
Michigan had been on my travel wish list ever since I moved to Chicago, and by summer, I knew I was leaving for Australia at the end of the year. With my time in the Midwest running out, I prioritized two trips to Michigan: one long weekend trip to Muskegon via the Lake Express Ferry that leaves from Milwaukee, and one day trip to New Buffalo, Michigan’s closest town to Chicago that’s accessible by Amtrak.
Both Muskegon and New Buffalo are picturesque small towns on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, and taking the Lake Express Ferry was a really unique experience. Being out in the middle of Lake Michigan and not being able to see land on either side felt surreal! Unfortunately, the ferry tickets are not very affordable.
12. Montréal & Québec, Canada (Jul)
This summer, I traveled abroad twice. The first trip was to Montréal, a city that two friends and I have wanted to visit together for years now. The second trip was a solo venture to Sweden (read more about that directly below). The summertime energy of Montréal was incredibly festive. I think cities with cold winters like Montréal and Chicago know how to make the most of their summer months and really live it up!
As part of this trip, we spent a few days traveling from Montreal to Trois-Rivières and Québec City. I’m glad we dedicated a few days of this trip to seeing these smaller cities. A highlight of Québec City was the idyllic Île d’Orléans, an easy day trip as long as you have a car.
13. Gothenburg, Sweden (Jul)
This was my first real impromptu trip in a long time, and I chose Gothenburg mainly because last-minute flights were relatively cheap. Gothenburg is a two-for-one deal because you can see the city and the nearby Gothenburg Archipelago, a rocky island chain that’s home to colorful fishing villages and dramatic ocean views. Sweden was incredibly expensive, but I was only there for about five days and did my best to avoid overspending.
14. Return to Madison, WI (Aug-Sept)
That’s right, I loved Madison so much that I went twice this year! On this second visit, my friend Ismael joined me. By pure luck, we happened to be there during Taste of Madison, an annual food festival that featured lots of international cuisines.
15. Milwaukee, WI (Sept)
I’m sad that I only made it up to Milwaukee once this year (twice if you count my trip up to catch the ferry to and from Muskegon, MI). On this last trip, I made sure to see the Mitchell Park Domes and go back to a few favorite spots, including the Milwaukee Public Market and Lakefront Brewery.
16. Bloomington, IL (Oct)
My only real weekend trip this fall was to Bloomington, which is in Central Illinois. I went for my aunt’s wedding, which ended up being a beautiful ceremony amidst the early fall foliage. In all my years of living in Chicago, this was the only trip I ever made to Central Illinois! I never owned a car in Chicago, but I’m sure I would’ve explored the rest of Illinois in more depth if I did.
17. Kenosha, WI (Summer & Fall)
Remember when I mentioned that I’m kind of obsessed with Wisconsin? Well, that includes Kenosha, the first town you encounter after crossing the Illinois border headed north! Kenosha is a lakefront town, just like Chicago and Milwaukee, but it’s obviously a lot smaller than both cities. The downtown area is walkable and has no shortage of parks, restaurants, breweries, and a gorgeous public waterfront.
18. Seattle, WA (Nov)
I packed up all my belongings in Chicago on Halloween and flew to Seattle the next day. I spent only two or three nights there, but it was good to see family and a few friends before making my way across the Pacific to establish myself in Australia!
19. Taipei, Taiwan (Nov)
In order to break up what would be a very long flight from Seattle to Australia, I stopped in Taiwan along the way. Granted, I used this as a convenient excuse to spend almost two weeks exploring Taipei (and I technically may have had fewer hours flying if I booked Seattle to Sydney with a stop in SFO or LAX).
Taipei was an absolute gem. The city’s public transit was phenomenal, and the food scene there did not disappoint. I could see myself setting up shop in Taipei someday (to learn more about that, check out the last section of this blog post).
20. Kaohsiung, Taiwan (Nov)
As part of my Taipei trip, I went down to Kaohsiung by train for a few days. This was a city I visited in 2019, so being back was such a joy! I loved revisiting specific attractions, such as the historic railcars on display at Hamasen, pictured below.
21. Sydney, Australia (Nov)
After a fabulous stay in Taiwan and a very groggy layover in Singapore, I finally made it to Australia! I was absolutely exhausted, so I’m glad I scheduled a few days in Sydney to recuperate. Since this was my second visit to Sydney in 2025, I was able to take it a little slower and just enjoy the city’s ambiance.
22. Move to Brisbane, Australia (Nov)
At long last, I flew from Sydney to Brisbane in mid-November. This move was basically an entire year in the making! I’ve been in the sunny capital of Queensland ever since, exploring my new home, trying some local restaurants, and walking all over town. I also got a job offer for a position that starts after New Year, so hopefully I’m set for 2026!
Looking Forward to 2026
1. Brisbane, Australia (Jan - Nov)
Now that I’ve settled down in Brisbane, I’m hoping to stay here until November of 2026. Different job opportunities could potentially take me elsewhere, but when I applied for my one-year Working Holiday Visa, I intended to live in one city for the entire time. I love getting to know places in depth, and that’s exactly my plan for Brisbane and the rest of South East Queensland for most of next year!
During my time in Australia, I’ll be writing up monthly review posts of what life is like on a Working Holiday Visa (WHV). I’ve already published my first one, and new updates will be posted around the middle of each month throughout most of 2026!
2. Australia Travel Ideas
While based in Brisbane, I would love to do some weekend or otherwise short trips to some other parts of Australia or maybe a nearby island or two. Below are some options I’ve been considering.
Gold Coast, Queensland
The Gold Coast boasts one of Australia’s most recognizable skylines right on the Pacific Ocean. Since the Gold Coast is only about a two-hour train ride away from Brisbane, I’m sure I’ll visit multiple times.
Adelaide, South Australia
At this point, I’ve been to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth, which are the four largest cities in Australia. Adelaide is the country’s fifth-largest metro, so I’d love to fly down there next year if I can find the time to.
I don’t know much about South Australia’s capital city yet, but the layout is absolutely fascinating, with a giant green belt surrounding the urban core, separating it from all the nearby suburbs. I’ve never seen a similar design anywhere else in the world, and I’d love to explore the Adelaide Park Lands in person.
Northern Territory
If I make it to Adelaide, then the last major Australian state/territory I have to visit will be the Northern Territory. I could visit Darwin, the capital, or Alice Springs, the biggest inland town in the NT. Perhaps the most famous landmark in this territory is Uluru, shown below. It’s on my bucket list, even if I don’t make it there within the next year.
3. Nearby Islands
The following two islands are only about a two-hour flight east of Brisbane, so I’d love to visit them in 2026 if I can!
Norfolk Island
Norfolk Island is a tiny Australian external territory with only about 2,000 residents. It looks like it has unparalleled natural beauty, in part due to the Norfolk Island pine, a distinctive tree that’s featured on the island’s flag.
I absolutely love visiting small islands. Many of my favorite trips have been to islands such as Grand Turk (Turks and Caicos Islands), Bimini (The Bahamas), San Andrés (Colombia), Côn Đảo (Vietnam), Bermuda, etc. I think Norfolk Island would offer a similar experience, so this is a destination I really want to prioritize.
New Caledonia
I’ve had this island on my travel wish list since at least 2020. It’s a French territory, and photos online showcase its gorgeous beaches. However, New Caledonia experienced political turmoil in 2024, so I would definitely keep an eye on that before booking a trip…
4. Albania (Sept)
My only trip for 2026 that’s 100% confirmed is Albania in September. That’s because a friend from college is getting married there! I can’t wait to celebrate her wedding day there, and I’d love to extend this trip into a two-week stay in Europe if I can.
6. Possibly Seattle, WA for the holidays (Dec)
Unless I’m granted another Australian visa, I have to leave by November 2026. If you’re curious where I plan to move after that, check out the section below about my plans for 2027! Given the timeframe, I don’t know where I’ll be for the holiday season of 2026. I could either move directly to my next country, or I could go back to Seattle for Christmas and New Year. It’ll all depend on how things shake out in the second half of next year.
Plans for 2027 and Beyond
As I mentioned above, my current plan is to stay in Australia for one year, which means I need to move somewhere else at the end of 2026 or beginning of 2027! I want to remain abroad through at least the first half of my thirties, so I probably won’t move back to the US in 2027. I’ve had Asia on my mind for a while now (I last lived in Vietnam in 2019); below are four countries I could try to move to after my time in Australia comes to an end.
Option 1: Japan
Regardless of where I go in Asia, I would likely work as a teacher. Japan is enticing for me because I’m half Japanese, and I would love to immerse myself in the culture there. I have only been to Japan once in my early teens, and I need to go back as an adult. Even if I don’t move to Japan, I will make sure to visit within the next few years.
Option 2: Thailand
I’ve visited Thailand once in 2016 and three times in 2019 (back when I was based in Vietnam, so flights were short and affordable). All four visits were to the Bangkok metro area, so I still haven’t been to the islands down south or the mountains up north. With that said, I clearly found Bangkok to be worth multiple return trips, and I could definitely picture myself living there.
Option 3: Taiwan
I’ve done two decently long trips to Taiwan, one in 2019 and one this year. I’ve gotten to see Taipei, Kaohsiung on the southern end of the island, and a few other nonurban areas (namely Kenting and Penghu). I think living in Taiwan would be an amazing experience! I speak Mandarin Chinese at an intermediate level, so the language barrier would be lower than if I moved to the other countries in Asia I’m considering.
Option 4: Vietnam
I’ve already lived and taught in Vietnam, but it was such a positive experience that I am thinking about going back. In addition to being a fun place to live, I already have experience working there and would know what to expect. I loved Ho Chi Minh City, and would probably move back there if I decided that Vietnam was the way to go.
Cheers to Another Year of Travel 🥂
In many ways, 2025 was a really tough year, and unfortunately I don’t think 2026 will be any easier. However, I found that traveling, meeting people from around the world, and building connections helped me remain hopeful and optimistic about the state of the world.
Leaving everything behind in Chicago last month was not easy, but I’m ready for new adventures in Australia in 2026 and hopefully in Asia in 2027! Thank you for following Caffeinated Excursions, and be sure to check back regularly for new blog posts!
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This post was published on Dec 27, 2025
This blog post was proudly created without the use of generative AI. It was 100% written and edited by a human, for humans. Enjoy, and thanks for your support!
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