Where I Traveled in 2019 + My Favorite Images

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2019 was an incredible year of travel, adventure, exploration, and learning for me. I finally had the opportunity to visit destinations I’ve been dreaming of visiting forever, like Japan, where I spent nearly 2 months traveling the nation, and Scotland, where my husband and I spent a month for our anniversary. My husband and I also became licensed drone pilots, and I further upgraded my camera equipment, which resulted in some of my favorite images I’ve ever taken (below).

I took so many photographs during my travels that I’m really proud of, but I wanted to share with you some of my favorite images from each place I visited, and some of my favorite projects I’ve worked on this year. Feel free to save them as a phone background [Please note: all images are subject to copyright, owned by Annie Fairfax, and may not be altered, sold, printed, or reproduced without appropriate license], or click here to explore my photography portfolio and order fine art prints of your favorite images to hang in your home (our walls are covered in my photos!) . I’ll also link the title of each image to the section they’re found in my portfolio so you can see more or order prints!

In addition to visiting more than a dozen cities and villages in Japan and seeing much of Scotland and her incredible views, we traveled to England, Canada, the Philippines, explored more of our home state of Michigan, returned to beautiful Mackinac Island, enjoyed the Tulip Festival in Holland, Lilac Festival, and Lavender Festivals, and had the opportunity to explore my hometown of Petoskey in greater detail to share with all of you, and many more beautiful adventures. Explore where else we visited below to get inspired for your 2020 travels!

Happy New Year!

1. Unveiling the New 2020 Lexus Convertible Concept at North American International Auto Show in Detroit (January) [Prints]

2. Cozy at Hotel Walloon in Walloon Lake (February) [Prints]

3. Sleeping Beauty’s Castle at Disneyland in Anaheim, California (February) [Prints Not Available]

4. Senso-Ji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan (March) [Prints]

5. Shinkyo Birdge & Barrels of Sake in Nikko, Japan (March) [Prints]

Shinkyo Bridge in Nikko, Japan the Ultimate Travel Guide to Nikko, Japan Written, Researched, and Photographed by Annie Fairfax

Sake Barrel Offerings at Shinto Shrine in Nikko, Japan Photographed by Annie Fairfax

6. Ink On Tap at Inkstand Custom Blended Calligraphy/Manga Ink Shop in Taito, Tokyo, Japan (March) [Prints]

Custom Blended Inks at Ink Stand in Tokyo, Japan

Custom Blended Ink from InkStand in Tokyo, Japan Calligraphy Artist Supplies

7. Cherry Blossom Festival at Osaka Castle in Osaka, Japan (March) [Prints]

Cherry Blossoms Sakura Osaka Castle in Osaka, Japan History Architecture and Cherry Blossom Viewing in this iconic feudal Japanese Imperial Castle Historical Buildings in Japan Built in 1583

Osaka Castle in Osaka, Japan History Architecture and Cherry Blossom Viewing in this iconic feudal Japanese Imperial Castle Historical Buildings in Japan Built in 1583

8. The Bowing Wild Deer of Nara Park in Nara, Japan (March) [Prints]

Nara: The Ultimate Travel Guide Written, Researched and Photographed by Annie Fairfax Nara Sacred Deer Park

9. Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto, Japan (March) [Prints]

Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine Thousands of Red Torii Gates in Kyoto Japan

Fushimi Inari Shrine Torii Gates in Kyoto Japan

10. Apprentice Geisha Walking to Work in the Rain in Gion, Kyoto, Japan (March) [Prints]

11. Cherry Blossoms at Himeji Castle in Himeji, Japan (April) [Prints]

Cherry Blossoms Over Himeji Castle in Himeji, Japan by Annie Fairfax

12. Kurokawa Onsen Mountain Hot Spring Village in Kurokawa Onsen, Japan (April) [Prints]

Hot Springs Resort on River Chikugo Luxury Hotels of the World Fujiya Ryokan Kurokawa Onsen, Southern Japan

Moss Covered Japanese Garden Luxury Hotels of the World Fujiya Ryokan Kurokawa Onsen, Southern Japan

13. Hakone Village in Hakone, Japan (April) [Prints]

Hakone Shrine Japanese Shinto shrine on the shores of Lake Ashi in Hakone Ashigarashimo District of Kanagawa Prefecture Hakone Gongen

Hakone Dragon Fountain Chozuya Japanese Shinto Shrine Ablution Purification Ritual Cleansing in Japan

14. Meiji Shrine in Harajuku, Tokyo, Japan (April) [Prints]

15. Arabian Harbour at TokyoDisney Sea in Tokyo, Japan (April) [Prints Not Available]

16. Japanese Food Various Places in Japan (March & April) [Prints]

Traditional Tea with Dinner at Fujiya Ryokan Traditional Japanese Inn in Kurokawa, Japan Luxury Hotels of the World Kaiseki-Ryōri

Japanese Etiquette 18 Things That Shock Visitors in Japan by Annie Fairfax

Honey Toast in Tokyo, Japan with Ice Cream, Whip Cream, Toast, Honey, and More

Taiyaki Japanese Fish Shaped Dessert in Nikko, Japan Where to Eat in Nikko, Japan Written, Photographed, and Researched by Annie Fairfax

Syoka Luxury Restaurant in Nara, Japan Teorisushi Build Your Own Sushi Rolls in an Elegant Japanese Style Tea House Luxury Restaurants of the World by Annie Fairfax

17. Variegated Tulip at Tulip Time Festival in Holland (May) [Prints]

18. Sailing Lake Michigan (May) [Prints]

19. Relaxing at Inn at Bay Harbor in Bay Harbor, Michigan (May) [Prints]

Red and White Striped Beach Chairs at The Inn at Bay Harbor Autograph Collection Hotel in Bay Harbor Northern Michigan Petoskey Area Luxury Hotels of the World Top 500 Hotels in the World by Annie Fairfax

The Inn at Bay Harbor Autograph Collection Hotel in Bay Harbor Northern Michigan Petoskey Area Luxury Hotels of the World Top 500 Hotels in the World by Annie Fairfax Steamline Luggage

20. Walking the Beach in Harbor Springs, Michigan (May) [Prints]

21. Exploring Indy with Visit Indy (May) [Prints]

Grilled Asparagus Tinker Street in Indianapolis Luxury Restaurants of the World by Annie Fairfax

Luxury Hotels of the World: Conrad Indianapolis

22. Visiting Cincinnati (June)

Krohn Conservatory and Gardens Guide Cincinnati, Ohio The Official Travel Guide Researched, Written, and Photographed by Annie Fairfax What to Do, Where to Eat, Where to Stay in Cincy The Queen City

Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens Guide Cincinnati, Ohio The Official Travel Guide Researched, Written, and Photographed by Annie Fairfax What to Do, Where to Eat, Where to Stay in Cincy The Queen City

23. Lilacs in the Rain at Lilac Festival on Mackinac Island, MI (June) [Prints]

Mackinac Island Lilac Festival Flower Celebration Event Flower Festivals in Michigan

24. Dock Hopping in Bay View, MI (June) [Prints]

25. French Lavender at Imlay City Lavender Festival (July) [Prints]

26. London Eye & The Exterior of The Kensington Hotel in London, England (July) [Prints]

The London Eye Ferris wheel London City Guide the Official Travel Guide of London, England

The Kensington Hotel Luxury Hotel in South Kensington, London, United Kingdom, Best Hotels in England United Kingdom Luxury Accommodations by Annie Fairfax

27. Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh & Edinburgh Castle in Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom (July) [Prints]

Victoria Lilies, Giant Waterlilies at Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh in Edinburgh, Scotland United Kingdom

Edinburgh Castle Scotland's Most Beautiful Castles Scotland's Capital City Incredible Architecture Things to do in Edinburgh by Annie Fairfax @AnnieFairfax

28. An indoor Oasis at Kimpton Blythswood Square in Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom (July) [Prints]

29. Fairy Pool Vow Renewal in Scotland, United Kingdom (July) [Prints]

Isle of Sky, Scotland Travel List and Guides from Around the World

Our Fifth Wedding Anniversary and Vow Renewal, Hiking & Swimming in the Fairy Pools on Isle of Skye in Scotland, United Kingdom How to Get There, What to Bring

30. Mealt Falls Rushing Towards Basalt Cliffs on the Sea in Scotland, United Kingdom (July) [Prints]

31. Eilean Donan Castle in the Fog in Dornie, Scotland, United Kingdom (July) [Prints]

32. The Sea Gates of Portree in Portree, Scotland, United Kingdom (July) [Prints]

33. Highland Coo on the Isle of Skye, Scotland, United Kingdom (July) [Prints]

34. Blair Castle in Blair Atholl, Scotland, United Kingdom (July) [Prints]

35. Swimming Loch Ness in Loch Ness, Scotland, United Kingdom (July) [Prints]

36. Spending a Week in a Castle at Glengarry Castle Hotel in Glengarry, Scotland, United Kingdom (July) [Prints]

Glengarry Castle Hotel Entrance in Invergarry Scotland Hotels Near Loch Ness Inverness Isle of Skye by Annie Fairfax Luxury Hotels of the World

Loch Oich View from Glengarry Castle Hotel in Scotland's Highlands

Glengarry Castle Hotel in Invergarry Scotland

37. Perceptions of Light and Colour inside Stirling Castle in Stirling, Scotland, United Kingdom (July) [Prints]

38. Balloons In Flight at Hot Air Balloon Festival in Midland, MI (August) [Prints Unavailable]

39. Walking in Rain on Mackinac Island, MI (August) [Prints]

Mackinac Island The Ultimate Travel Guide Where to Eat, What to Do, Where to Stay by Annie Fairfax

40. Ancient Baths Alight at AIRE Ancient Baths in Chicago, IL (September) [Prints]

AIRE Ancient Baths Spa and Wellness Haven in Chicago, Illinois Luxury Spas of the World

41. Salmon Salad in the Atrium at West Baden Springs Hotel in French Lick West Baden, IN (September) [Prints Unavailable]

42. Sunrise Over Charlevoix Country Club in Charlevoix, MI (October) [Prints Available By Request]

43. Farm to Table Breakfast in Traverse City at Sugar 2 Salt Restaurant in Traverse City, MI (October) [Prints]

44. Tropical Jungle in The Motor City at Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory & Botanical Garden in Detroit, MI (November) [Prints]

The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory Tropical Botanical Garden and Aquarium on Belle Isle Detroit Michigan Written & Photographed by Annie Fairfax

45. Succulents Under Scrutiny at Frederik Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids, MI (December) [Prints]

Thank you for such an incredible year. Without your encouragement and support, none of this would be possible. I am sincerely thankful for every opportunity I’ve had this year, and I’m so excited to see what the next year has in store for us!

May 2020 be the best year yet for us all!

xAnnie Fairfax
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