My 2023 Travel Highlights & Lowlights (+ a LOT of lessons learnt)

[@rainforestspirit]

Could you please show us your updated travel scratch map? I am a map nerd and would love to see it! Even better if you do an updated video on all of your travels - best memories - since your last travel scratch map video. I can see it in the background but would love to see the full version (and it looks like there are few places that haven't been scratched off yet - like Australia's Northern Territory). Thanks!

[@BackpackingBananas]

Great idea! I really need to get my scratch map up to date ☺️

[@rainforestspirit]

@@BackpackingBananas Wonderful! Thank you!

[@yogawithwilma]

Ahhh yes I'd love to see this too!!!

[@IsabelJones69]

I was thinking about commenting about this. You have only scratched it once. My brother got me one for Christmas. So far, I have only been to 11 countries in Europe (including the UK, where I live) and one in North America, The Bahamas, so I haven't got very much to scratch off yet and not from a very big area either.

[@passionspotatoes9182]

Cannot wait to hear about your travel plan Christianne!! Your channel has been an endless source of travel inspiration for me. I'm travelling solo to Argentina next month and I can't wait. Aside from being my travel inspiration, I'm also saving up for a home after you decided to buy last year. I've been waiting to find a partner to do it with, but I've though sod it, I'm going to do it on my own. Much love to you xx

[@BackpackingBananas]

LOVE that!! ❤️❤️ we gotta make this life happen for ourselves 💪🏼💪🏼

[@kerk6428]

What a year! It's been fun following your journey. I have missed your packing and unpacking videos, and hope that they'll come back in the future. I really love those for some reason

[@BackpackingBananas]

Thank you! Okay noted, I’ll try and bring back more packing videos this year!

[@elliemay2819]

I loved watching this! What an amazing year 🤩

[@BackpackingBananas]

Thanks lovely! It was a really great year! ❤️❤️

[@mollycochrane1576]

This is amazing! Thank you for so much Inspo!

[@naveenl86]

What an exciting life full of experiences that you are building!

[@BackpackingBananas]

Trying my best 🥹

[@hannahallen8594]

loved watching your travels this year! i discovered you through your aus east coast videos and i now only have a month until i set off on my first solo trip to aus! So thank you for all the inspiration and help and here’s to a amazing 2024! x

[@BackpackingBananas]

Ahh amazing 😍 I hope you have the most wonderful time xxx

[@mollycochrane1576]

Just got back from a month in Colombia! Thank you for all the inspo

[@juliagoesglobal]

Loved hearing about all of your adventures. 2024 is gonna be such an epic year with so much traveling I can’t wait. Hoping to make that mexico trip!!

[@BackpackingBananas]

Yayy I hope so too! ❤️ let me know if you have any questions!

[@bethmeredith]

Wow! What a year! Best wishes for an amazing 2024.

[@BackpackingBananas]

Thank you ❤️❤️

[@alexisreinheimer]

Hi Christianne, I’ve become such a huge fan of yours in the last few months! Your videos have helped me plan my “digital nomad” journey which began last week - I’m in Singapore right now! I’m also 30 years old and have spent a lot of time in Australia (I’m American, but I just got my Aussie citizenship) so I feel we have a lot in common, and you really inspire me! I hope 2024 is a fantastic year for you 😊

[@seandesmond5560]

What a busy 2023, you had wonderful Christie!!! 💖 Wishing you an amazing 2024!!!

[@BackpackingBananas]

Thank you Sean! And you ☺️

[@seandesmond5560]

@BackpackingBananas Thanks, wonderful Christie!!! 🩷

[@ellenvanderlinden1424]

Love the video but the phone buzzing at 1:15ish got me running around the house trying to figure out if it was my own or work phone ringing 😂

[@BackpackingBananas]

Hahaha omg it did the same when I was editing the video, I couldn’t figure out where it was coming from 😭 Turns out my friend was trying to call me at the time I was recording 🫠

[@maddieali2865]

Ahh your almost at 200,000 subscribers! So proud, I’ve been watching your videos for years and find you so inspirational. But I have to admit, after seeing the amount of planes you took this year all highlighted in a map like that, it just makes me wonder if you have ever considered the climate impacts you are causing? I don’t want you to drop travelling and making vlogs, but you’ve never mentioned this side of your travelling and I think it would do your channel so good if you could acknowledge this. Because it must cross your mind when you book flights? Are there any considerations you make when travelling? Like picking more environmentally friendly airlines etc…? Would just love to hear this from you, no hate at all 🥰

[@JorisVessen]

Hi Christianne, love your videos! Honest question: how do you feel about taking so many flights and enjoying very poor countries? I know I struggle with it sometimes, as in how to reconcile with the moral side of traveling. Thanks!

[@justicezee5941]

KIIIIWIII 🫶🏽 Done us proud

[@sandracarder9084]

Your Australian vlog will be good as my daughters are out there now

[@thismightbedolly]

i love THESE TYPES OF videos!

[@BackpackingBananas]

Yay I’m so glad 🥰🥰

[@DriftingFuton]

Great 2023 recap, wishing you a better 2024!!! Looking forward to the AUS videos as I plan to backpack there this year 😃😃😃

[@BackpackingBananas]

Yayy stay tuned!

[@hannahbowman6058]

Pls keep doing group trips christi, I have been dreaming of attending since the very first one but school (and lack of courage) has alway been in the way. I’m hoping next year is my year ❤

[@BackpackingBananas]

Aww I hope you can attend one one day! ❤️ I deffo plan on continuing to run them!

[@amberjadeharding3241]

Highlight -18 days traveling Thailand, low light, phone breaking 6 days into the trip...Highlight, Split Croatia. Low light, being a bit disappointed by Rome. Managed to do 8 trips to 7 different countries whilst working full time... Low light, having to cancel Dublin because of work. Did a day trip to Brussels on the eurostar, spent 5 days relaxing in Agadir to end the year. Got a scratch map for Xmas. Did not save much money in 2023😂...

[@Jazzvibesicl]

Can’t wait for your videos this year! You’re the reason I started travelling❤️ Plz update your scratch map of South America countries on ur Instagram story it’s so satisfying 😍

[@BackpackingBananas]

That’s so sweet 🥹🥹 you’re so right, I must update the scratch map!!

[@firefly1711]

Will your Solo Shorts come back in your Shop? I wanted to buy them but there're sold out😢

[@ambarrose]

Well, hello from Portugal. I'm only watching this now. Something is deeply wrong because I've followed you for years now and at one point I just stopped receiving suggestions of videos from you to watch. I subscribed to the channel from day one. Then we "talked" through the comment section and I selected the bell to receive the alerts. They never come. So now I just look you up from time to time and binge watch your videos. Mauritania videos have been appearing on my suggested ones so let's see how it goes now.

[@BackpackingBananas]

Oh man 🥲 I wish KZbin was kinder to me! Glad to hear you come back ❤️

[@ambarrose]

I always come back because I love the content. Come back to Portugal more often. We have a lot to see.

[@madalenacaldas7666]

So glad you made it to my country (Portugal ) correct me if I’m wrong but was it the first time this year ?? If you liked Madeira , you’d probably love the Azores islands . Went for the first time this summer . Absolutely stunning !!!

[@BackpackingBananas]

Yes it was my first time this year!! And certainly won’t be my last. I’d love to visit the Azores at some point, they look so beautiful 😍

[@madalenacaldas7666]

@@BackpackingBananas they really are beautiful :))) I haven’t actually been to Madeira but will go soon :) ! Always welcome back in Portugal 🥰 what’s your country count at the moment then ??? Must be way over 50 now ? Been a pleasure watching you this year as always !

[@egidijad.6119]

Yes pleasseee ! Australian travel vlog and guide. I am heading to East Australia and NZ for 3 weeks in April. Need some tips :)

[@BackpackingBananas]

Wooop 🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@chloelouise8458]

Mexico trip next year please❤

[@adventureswithmegan]

Excited to see your highlight video of 2024 where you will celebrate reaching 200K subs 👀

[@BackpackingBananas]

Oh my gosh, I hope soon!! 😅🙏🏼❤️

[@natasharisman5839]

Woooooooo amazing 🎉

[@BackpackingBananas]

🥳🥳

[@lessworkmoretravel]

Always enjoy a highlight travel video. Your maps are amazing. Did you buy a map pack or do you do it manually yourself? Finding editing/making maps and hard learning curve atm.

[@BackpackingBananas]

I used an app called mult.dev ☺️ I paid about £6 so have 6 different exports - super easy to use! I’d recommend it!

[@lessworkmoretravel]

@@BackpackingBananas thank you. 🙏

[@kevinmcauley3847]

I’m planning a trip to South Korea next Easter. What would you recommend for a 2-week itinerary? I know your trip was 2-weeks, but the number of stops you made seemed like it’d be a bit much!

[@BackpackingBananas]

I’m actually making a video on exactly this next week!! Stay tuned!!

[@kevinmcauley3847]

@@BackpackingBananas perfect! Looking forward to it

[@yureituesday]

Sayulita is amazing good choice

[@BackpackingBananas]

Such fun 😍

[@williambarrett1234]

Hey, I hope someone sees this, I have an important question: how long should I take to prepare to travel for long term? If I start researching what to buy and start buying and testing equipment now, would it be too late for a January 20th departure?

[@BackpackingBananas]

Never too late! Unless you need to get visas in advance, that would be the only thing that might delay things

[@VickyClare96]

What app did you use to get the maps of where you flew etc?

[@BackpackingBananas]

Mult.dev ☺️ it’s so good! (And so easy to use!)

[@Lozzzaaa55]

Excited for Pakistan 2024 🎉🎉

[@BackpackingBananas]

Yeewwww 🥳🥳🥳

[@KnapperigWafeltje]

Does anyone remember what credit card she recommended that has no currency exchange fees? I can't find the video in question

[@DayyHughes]

I'm hoping to go AUS this year for a working holiday (god bless the age limit being increased to 35) so I look forward to any AUS Info videos!

[@BackpackingBananas]

Woooop 🥳🥳 biggest blessing ever that they raised the age limit 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@monicacasley1393]

I love your videos especially the South Korea series. Did you do that with a tour company or independent? (Sorry if this has already been asked)

[@BackpackingBananas]

I was working with the tourism board for the tour of the country so we had a private guide. Then I was just independently travelling whilst in Seoul (I actually have a couple more vids to come of South Korea 😊)

[@hunterjace7502]

Great vid! What is the program you use to show the flight process from one destination to the other in your videos? I have seen it a lot recently among youtubers/tiktokers, but can't see to find the name. All the best, love your vids and adventures. :)

[@BackpackingBananas]

It’s an app called mult.dev ☺️

[@hunterjace7502]

Thanks!@@BackpackingBananas

[@successfulperson7657]

Love your videos! A question: When working with tourism boards, what visa do you enter the country with, and do they sponsor you?

[@BackpackingBananas]

Just a tourism visa ☺️ as they are sponsoring me and my UK business and I get paid in my home currency. Like, it’s technically a home job that just happens to involve me travelling to another country (I don’t know if I’ve explained that well 😅)

[@successfulperson7657]

@@BackpackingBananas Thank you so much for your reply! I’ve always wondered that! 😄

[@lilipimpo]

❤❤❤

[@BackpackingBananas]

❤️

[@SoccerStoriesBeingTold538]

🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@BackpackingBananas]

🥳

[@AbdulMatin-pb6vd]

Hello

[@BackpackingBananas]

Hi ☺️

[@AbdulMatin-pb6vd]

How are you?

[@frawldog]

🍌