It’s hard to believe my blog turned 10 years old today. I still vividly remember what pushed me to start writing articles in 2016: a very unexpected stopover in Vancouver. I was so excited to see, for the first time, the snowy peaks and turquoise lakes of the Rocky Mountains from high above, and I could barely keep my camera down - to the likely annoyance of my fellow passengers. Then I had an urge to share my excitement and the pictures with readers. Hence, I started this blog: Explore the World with Simon Sulyma.  

As the year comes to a close, I'm looking back at my favourite photos of 2024. From breathtaking natural landscapes to vibrant cities and heartwarming moments with people, my top 20 photos of the year showcase the diversity and beauty of Planet Earth. This year's selection features visuals across four categories: people, nature, cities, and trains, each one telling a unique story that I hope will leave you inspired to explore and preserve our beautiful world. The image below captures the Canadian Pacific Kansas City holiday train, which goes on a seasonal journey to bring holiday spirit across the many communities in Canada and the United States. May the 2025 bring health, joy, prosperity, and peace to your home! 

After skipping a year, I want to return to a good tradition that I used to look forward to showing you my favourite pictures of the year followed by short stories for each of them. But instead of pinecones or Christmas toys on a featured picture, I’m going to use the photo I took at the Capital Ukrainian Festival in Ottawa this year. This photo shows a Ukrainian cartoon girl holding flowers in a tote bag. I wanted to use this opportunity that remind everyone that the war in Ukraine is not over and innocent people continue their suffering. Just today, on December 29, 2023, the Russian Federation launched 122 missiles and 36 drones against Ukrainian targets that killed 31 and injured over 150 civilians. Brave Ukrainians continue to defend not only their own freedom from the Russian Federation but also all our collective values and beliefs that the whole democratic world has so desperately fought for. I hope you will enjoy the pictures and Slava Ukraini (Glory to Ukraine)!  

Oh wow! What a rollercoaster the year 2021 has been for me! The COVID-19 pandemic was still heavily restraining international travel and those who dared to go overseas often felt like rolling the dice with all those ever-changing pandemic rules and regulations. After getting both shots of an mRNA vaccine, I personally felt quite safe moving around, however, I understand the pandemic is not over so things can change at any time. If I were to choose a single most important lesson this year 2021 has taught me, I would definitely pick "live in the moment". It means letting go of the past and not having high expectations for the future. Living in the moment also means living your life consciously, aware that each moment you breathe is a gift. I am very much thankful to my son Roman for encouraging me to live in the moment and leaving my camera at home while spending quality time together. Mainly, for this reason, my best memories of this past year will always remain memories, not captured on digital film.  

It's already become a good tradition to post my favourite pictures of the passing year on my blog's anniversary day. Looking back, 2019 was another busy year with abundant work-related travel, however, I managed to squeeze in two fantastic road trips as well as a five-day-long journey of a lifetime to a place that most people would pass by due to its rigid climate and high cost of travel - Canadian arctic territory of Nunavut. Most of the pictures you'll see today are from these three trips. In an increasingly busy world, I know how difficult it can be to carve out time to read blog articles, especially long ones like mine, so I'm very thankful to you, my readers, for following, liking, and commenting on my posts as well as sharing them with your friends and families. This surely keeps me motivated to continue creating content which you find relevant, engaging, inspirational, and thought-provoking. Happy New Year and wishing you and your families all the best in 2020!

It's been the third year in a row that I posted my favourite pictures of the past year on my blog's anniversary day. The number of pictures equals the year's number, so this time around you'll be able to enjoy 18 pictures. Can't wait until my blog turns 100! Most of the pictures will be new to you as I'm slowly but steadily revealing my trips completed in 2018 as my time permits. Using this opportunity, I'd like to thank you for following my blog here and on social media, and giving me enough inspiration to continue delivering the very best content that is interesting, entertaining and relevant to you, my readers! Happy New Year and wishing you and your families all the best in 2019! 

It's already become a good tradition to post my favourite pictures of the past year on New Year's Day - my blog's anniversary day. The number of pictures equals the year's number, so this year (2017), it's going to be 17 pictures. But before you scroll down to see them all, I'd like to thank you for reading and following my travel blog and wish you and your families a year that’s promising, exciting, inspiring and full of fun!

Wishing all my dear readers and your families a blessed New Year full of peace, joy, prosperity and health! Today, there is another reason for me to celebrate - my travel blog simonsulyma.com turns 1. I'm very excited to reach this first milestone because I've heard that the majority of blogs never get past a few months. I think I've accomplished a great deal within the past 12 months, and I'm proud that my travel blog was read 12,130 times by 1,421 unique people in 64 countries. I want to thank you, my readers, for checking my articles, enjoying pictures and sharing your comments. It really keeps me motivated and gives me the energy to do more and never stop improving. Today, I'd like to start a new tradition: I'll post my favourite pictures from the past year on my blog's anniversary day. The number of pictures will equal the year's number. So this year (2016), there will be 16 pictures. Enjoy and Happy New Year!