Dreams in Heels Top 17 Best Travel Moments of 2014

As 2014 ends, I’m reflecting about my year and what an amazing year this was! This year I earned plenty of miles hopping from destination to destination in heels, of course. Each place was more unique than the next and inspired me in different ways. I can’t wait to see where 2015 brings me since I always say: Opportunities find me, I don’t look for them. Accompany me as I flashback on my 17 best travel moments of 2014…

Interviewing the President of Colombia

As if going to Medellin for ColombiaModa wasn’t exciting enough, I also got to interview the president of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos with Revenge Fashion Magazine, which is not something that people get to do every day. He wasn’t giving interviews to anyone, but a simple question: Mr President may we ask you a question in English did the trick!

Oscars 2014

As a fashionista and jetsetter, I get to cover many events, and walk on many red (sometimes pink, blue, green) carpets, but it’s not every day that you get to say that you stood on THE red carpet of The Academy Awards. This was definitely a special travel moment and one for the records. I hope to add more to this story someday if I ever get nominated for an Oscar!

Riding a Cable Car in Medellin

In order to get to the top of the Parque Arvi in Medellin, you must ride a metro cable (cable car) which transports you to, and includes, the most beautiful panoramic views of Medellin. Parque Arvi is located in the northeast area of Medellin, Colombia. From the cable car, you can see the lush, green rural lands and mountains framed by the most beautiful sky. It totally helps that Medellin is the city known for its “forever spring” weather. I was completely inspired by the scenic views. It is truly a ride you’ll never forget.

Photo Credit: Garvin Gray

Planting a tree in Parque Arvi

Once I got to the top of Parque Arvi, I did not want to leave. The space, the ambience, the fresh air, the nature, the beautiful flowers really made my day. There were also artisans there, selling handmade crafts (weakness of mine). I was encouraged by the people from Inexmoda (ColombiaModa) to plant a tree that I can leave behind as a part of my Colombia experience. What I love the most is that my tree will always remain in Colombia for all Parque Arvi visitors for years to come.

Photo Credit: Garvin Gray

Visiting Griffith Park in Los Angeles

One of my favorite places in Los Angeles is Griffith park. It is a large, municipal park (2^nd largest city park in California) at the eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles. It is amazing just to walk the trails, become inspired by looking at the amazing sunsets, the views of Downtown, LA and enjoy the fresh air. It is one of the most peaceful moments you can ever experience.

Ziplining in the longest zipline in the Caribbean

Nowadays you can zipline in many countries, but it is not every day that you get to zipline on the longest one (1,065 feet long) in the Caribbean! Chukka Caribbean Adventures organizes one of the better ziplining adventures in Montpelier, Jamaica and it was not only an amazing experience, but gives you a great adrenaline rush!

Swimming with dolphins

Swimming with dolphins for first time was truly an experience, especially for a non-swimmer like myself. It was one of those life-long dreams that finally became a reality. By the way, the rumour is true: Dolphins are so smart and cute…you’ll want one as a pet. It was truly an awesome time. I couldn’t stop smiling!

Bobsled as one of the Jamaican team

Bobsledding is not just an Olympic sport. Mystic Mountain, a rainforest located in Ocho Rios, provides you with the unique experience of feeling like a part of the Jamaican bobsled team! It is described as one of the top attractions in Jamaica and it was part of my Jamaican Travel experience.

Visiting La Jolla Cove

La Jolla Cove is a small, picturesque cove and beach that is surrounded by cliffs in La Jolla, San Diego, California. I really loved the area, the smell of the sea, and the nature. I got to interact with a chipmunk that looked like it came out from a cartoon or from the movie, Chip and Dale. The Chipmunk was posing for pictures like a model. It was hilarious. Then, I went to visit the area where the seals lay resting, swimming, playing, feeding their family. It was amazing seeing them interact on their natural habitat. La Jolla Cove is located within the San Diego La Jolla Underwater Park Ecological Reserve, which helps to ensure that marine life remains plentiful.

Napa Valley

It is always 5 o’clock happy hour in Napa Valley so, even though I arrived there at noon, I got to taste all kind of wines and eat so many artisanal cheeses. I even got to hang out with employees from the company, Facebook that were also there enjoying themselves. A very memorable experience indeed!

San Francisco Palace of Fine Arts

One of my favorite places in San Francisco is the Palace of Fine Arts. I felt like I was in Italy! The beautiful architecture alone is reason enough for a return visit.

San Francisco Bridges

As a kid I watched the TV program Full House (actually the Spanish version of it) and it was hard to accept that, once I learned English, those were not their voices….but what can you do? Anyway, going back to my travel moment, I always saw the golden state bridge on the TV show, and the bay bridge, so it was a childhood dream to visit there. I went to the Golden State Bridge, saw the Bay Bridge from Treasure Island and I also got amazing views from Baker Beach–all experienced with clear blue skies.

Opening of Bret Michaels Rockstar Suite

As it wasn’t exclusive enough getting invited to Riviera Maya, Mexico first class and all expenses paid, getting a private tour of Bret Michaels penthouse rockstar suite, with the man himself leading the tour, it truly made my trip unforgettable and surely one of the best travel moments of the year. He wasn’t only humble, but a complete sweetheart. It was great meeting him, and I especially enjoyed listening to him discuss his favorite aspects of the suite, discovering how hands-on he was in the design, and having VIP access to his unplugged concert. I was in heaven! Rock on!

Blue Mountains Coffee Tour

As a coffee lover, who wakes up thinking about coffee, the Blue Mountains coffee tour was not only spectacular but my very own mecca. Experiencing the scenic views while sipping on one of the most expensive cups of coffee in the world, what’s not to love about that!

Meeting the first female rum mixer blender in the world

As a female, I know how challenging some careers could be, especially if they are male dominated. When I used to think about rum, I always thought of men, but after meeting the first female mixer blender of rum in the world, Joyce Spence my perspective changed. She’s not only fabulous and super successful but a very interesting woman. The highlight of this travel moment was not only meeting and learning about rum from her but I got to create my own rum mix. It was truly fun, and tonight for New Year’s Eve I will be drinking my very own elixir! How amazing is that?

James Bond home

If my Jamaica bucket list press trip wasn’t adventurous enough, surely walking in the footsteps of agent 007 was! I got to visit the amazing home of the “real” James Bond, Ian Fleming. One of the best travel moments of the year! Discover where James Bond was born and developed through the years.

Golden Eye - James Bond, Ian Fleming Home Selfie

The Real “James Bond”, Ian Fleming Home Selfie

Swimming in the blue lagoon

One of the most interesting natural, nighttime attractions in Jamaica is swimming in the luminous lagoon. Often described as ‘amazing’ and ‘unbelievable’, this glowing lagoon will definitely fill you with wonder….it is so blue and phosphorescent that you cannot stop staring! It is really fun seeing your body shine after swimming. After this experience I can say that I ended the year shining, literally!