Episode 153 - What We Learned Through Travel in 2025: Key Experiences, Lessons, and What’s Next

As 2025 comes to a close, we’re stepping back from individual destinations to reflect on how we traveled this year, and how that is starting to shift everything for us. From revisiting familiar places in new ways to discovering hidden regions, connecting deeply with locals, and saying yes to moments we almost skipped, this episode is about travel moments and experiences that stay with you long after the trip ends. Instead of chasing checklists, we focused on connection, curiosity, and slowing down, and those choices led to some of our most meaningful travel moments yet. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure. Help Support the Podcast by Buying us a Coffee ☕️ What You'll Discover in this Episode: How we Revisited Familiar Places but Differently Alaska: Experiencing it by cruise after a previous road trip, flying over glaciers, landing at a remote lodge, and enjoying unrushed family time London: Staying at a bucket-list hotel, exploring new neighborhoods, using a city pass to try experiences we’d never done before, and learning to say yes to spontaneity Berlin & Hong Kong: Seeing cities through the lens of major political change—and how perspective shifts over time How we Connected Through Food & Locals A sangria-making class in Barcelona that completely changed what we thought sangria was Why booking small-group tours—and inviting guides to eat with you—can unlock the most authentic experiences Unforgettable food moments in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Ireland, where meals became conversations, cultural lessons, and memories New Regions & Hidden Gems Iceland stopover: Northern Lights, waterfalls, black sand beaches, and letting the landscape—not the clock—set the pace Northern Ireland & Donegal: Slowing down, renting a car, and discovering areas that surprised us the most Why going beyond the “must-see” list often delivers the richest travel experiences New Ways of Traveling Walking through Umbria, Italy, town to town—luggage transported, senses fully engaged Why walking (and cycling) travel changed how we connect with landscapes and people Two very different cruises that reshaped how we think about cruise travel Lessons That Changed How We Travel Book tours with locals (smaller is better) Learn culture through food Be willing to miss something in order to go deeper Remember: destinations aren’t designed to make you comfortable—they’re home to someone else Moments We Almost Missed, but Didn’t Whale watching in Eden, Australia Extending an Alaska trip to Denali Saying yes to Ireland at the last minute Volunteering abroad—and how it reshaped future travel plans 2025 Milestones & Looking Ahead to 2026 Reaching 6 out of 7 continents (with the final one coming soon!) Counting countries—and debating what “counts.” Why we’ve barely scratched the surface What’s coming in 2026: Antarctica, safari, and more Our Takeaways from 2025 What mattered most this year wasn’t how far we went or how many places we saw; it was how intentional we became. The shared meals, quiet moments, and unplanned detours reminded us why we travel in the first place. As we head into 2026, our mission remains the same: to help you travel more and better. Stay Connected with Us Have questions or thoughts, or need help planning your next trip? 📧 Email us: [e-mail] or [e-mail] Want curated travel deals every week? Subscribe to Travel Deal Insiders — the best travel deals sent straight to your inbox. Get Our Ultimate Packing Guide for Traveling Smart and Packing Light + Access to Exclusive Weekly Content here. Don’t waste your precious vacation time with Jet Lag, get Flykitt and watch Jet Lag disappear! Protect your privacy, boost your security, and keep your browsing data safe with Express VPN. Plus, get 3 months free with a yearly plan. Follow Sunshine Travelers Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review—it helps more travelers find the show! Read more about these and other travel destinations on our BLOG Follow our travels on TikTok @sunshinetravelerspodcast Follow us on X @sunshinetrvlrs Connect with us on LinkedIn @sunshinetravelerspodcast Get travel tips and follow our travels on Instagram: @sunshinetravelerspodcast Connect with us on Threads @sunshinetravelerspodcast Connect with us on Threads See our travel videos on YouTube @sunshinetravelerspodcast Save our travel ideas on Pinterest @sunshinetravelerspodcast Music: This Acoustic Happy Music by Dmitrii Kolesnikov from Pixabay ⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review—it helps more travelers find the show!