The 2015 travel year has come to an end. What a fun and busy vegan travel year it has been for me! From local day trips in my beloved New England region to long weekend holidays across my home country of the United States to lengthy international vacations, it has been an exciting year!
Spain
My year of travel commenced in Spain. I spent time in both Barcelona and Madrid. The Gaudi house museums and Parc Guell In Barcelona were such impressive expressions of contemporary and unique architecture.
Click Here For My Vegan Barcelona Blog Post
From Barcelona, I took the high speed train to Madrid. Sightseeing highlights included the elegant Royal Palace and El Prado Art Museum.
I dined at a fantastic vegan tapas bar. Tapas are a typical part of life for Spaniards.
A must have snack in Madrid are the churros. I sampled those as well and they were quite a treat.
Click Here For My Vegan Madrid Blog Post
New Jersey
A much welcomed Springtime arrived after a historically snowy and cold Winter in the Northeastern United States. I was eager to celebrate the arrival of Spring by attending the Cherry Blossom Festival in Newark, New Jersey. The region has the largest population of Cherry Blossom trees in the country.
I found some satisfying vegan dining in downtown Newark.
Click Here For My Vegan New Jersey Blog Post
Phoenix, Arizona and the Grand Canyon
Each Memorial Day Weekend in May always takes me to a different part of the United States that I have never visited. This year, my journey brought me to the state of Arizona with a breath-taking stop at the Grand Canyon and to the Ghost Town of Goldfield.
Vegan restaurant options in the region are superb. Phoenix is home to wonderful vegan-friendly restaurants, ice cream shops, and bakeries.
Click Here For My Vegan Goldfield AZ Blog Post
Click Here For My Vegan Grand Canyon and Sedona Blog Post
Israel
My memorable and poignant week and a half long vacation to Israel took place in July. The itinerary included excursions to Tel Aviv, Jaffa, Jerusalem, Nazareth, Bethlehem, Jericho, the Galilee region, and the Dead Sea. Amazing Biblical sites filled most of my schedule, as well as the unique experience of dipping into the waters of the Dead Sea and the Jordan River.
Vegan food abounds in Israel, including the local hummus and fluffy pita bread. Tel Aviv appears to be the place for vegan ice cream of many flavors.
Click Here For My Vegan Tel Aviv Blog Post
Click Here For My Vegan Bethlehem Blog Post
Click Here For My Vegan Masada And Dead Sea Blog Post
Click Here For My Vegan Nazareth and Galilee Blog Post
Click Here For My Vegan City Of David Blog Post
Click Here For My Vegan Jerusalem Blog Post
Delaware
During the summer months, I traveled to several states. I had never visited Delaware, so this year I made it happen!
Northern Delaware is part of the Brandywine region. Thick lush forests, lengthy rivers, and gardens abound. The Wilmington area is also home to the former residences of the industrious Dupont family. Dupont’s opulent Nemour Mansion with its gorgeous gardens and the Hagley House, the original residence and home office of the Dupont family patriarch are both located just minutes from Wilmington and were on my itinerary for the weekend.
Vegan Travel: My Weekend in the Brandywine Region of Delaware-Part#1
Vegan Travel: My Weekend Getaway in the Brandywine Region of Delaware-Part#2
I found some delightful vegan options in Wilmington, including a breakfast cafe, a sandwich shop, and even some vegan ice cream.
Click Here For My Vegan Delaware Part 1 Blog Post
Click Here For My Vegan Delaware Part 2 Blog Post
Vermont
Northern Vermont is such a scenic destination during the summer months. I made the three hour trek to the Burlington region for a day. The Vermont Teddy Bear Company tour, the Early Americana exhibit in the Shelburne Museum, and a relaxing stroll by Lake Champlain rounded out my visit.
Vegan soups, sandwiches, and desserts were impressive throughout the downtown.
Click Here For My Vegan Vermont Blog Post
Rhode Island
New Englanders such as myself, cherish a summer visit to Newport, Rhode Island. Know for its “Summer Cottages” of the Gilded Age elite and railroad tycoons, this seaside town offers many sights and sounds for tourists. I toured one of the grand Newport Mansions on Bellevue Ave. My afternoon was spent enjoying the whimsically manicured shrubs at Green Animals Topiary in nearby Portmouth.
The vegan dining scene in Newport has been favorably growing. Vegan breakfast options, creative rice bowls for lunch, and gourmet dining at an Italian restaurant were a delight to discover.
Click Here For My Vegan Rhode Island Blog Post
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Labor Day Weekend in September was a perfect time to take a three day journey to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The site of the American Civil War, the quaint town lives up to its reputation of historical significance. I toured the Gettysburg Battlefield, the residence where President Abraham Lincoln completed his Gettysburg address, and several Civil War period museums.
I found a few restaurants that prepared vegan meals.
Click Here For My Vegan Gettysburg Part 1 Blog Post
Click Here For My Vegan Gettysburg Part 2 Blog Post
Massachusetts
My home state of Massachusetts is a land of sea, forest, and mountain. Autumn had arrived, so I made a trek to the Berkshire Mountain region of the state to experience some splendid foliage. The western Berkshires are known for their scenic beauty and the arts scene. Several foliage drives, a stop at Edith Wharton’s residence for a tour, and some theater and classical music fit the bill.
I was happy to find some great vegan dining in the Berkshires. A local pizza parlor included a vegan pizza on its menu.
Click Here For My Vegan Massachusetts Berkshires Part 1 Blog Post
Click Here For My Vegan Massachusetts Berkshires Part 2 Blog Post
Florida
The North American TBEX Travel Blogger conference took place the last weekend in October. After the conference ended, I stayed a couple more days in Florida to do some sightseeing. My day in the Fort Lauderdale area included excursions to the Everglades to see the alligators and flamingos. The next morning, I boarded the bus to Miami for exploring the art deco scene, the Cuban “Little Havana” neighborhood, and soaking up the rays and ambiance at South Beach.
Southern Florida has a very impressive vegan dining scene. Both Fort Lauderdale and Miami offer a diverse selection of superb vegan meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Click Here For My Vegan Fort Lauderdale Blog Post
Click Here For My Vegan Miami Blog Post
My travel plans for the upcoming year have not been finalized at the moment. However, I hope to travel to the state of South Dakota for my USA trip, a long weekend in Sweden for the Land Of The Midnight Sun experience, and a lengthy vacation to exotic India.
Please do come along on my journeys through this blog.
Happy New Year and Happy Travels!