Welcome to my 2016 Round-up! Where did I go? What did I did I do? What did I love?

New Countries

I was thrilled to be invited to new places in 2016. I went to the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Vatican City and Bonaire for the first time which takes me to 95 countries on the UN list and 125 on the Traveler’s Century Club list. I was invited to the United Nations in NYC as a “Champions of Humanity” Ambassador. I also went to Capitol Hill to meet with Representative Ted Deutch about the Congressional Holocaust Survivors Resolution.

Active Trips in 2016

I was able to ski in the mountains in Utah and scuba dive in the Caribbean. A highlight of 2016 was going to SharkSchool in Playacar. I also sailed for the first time on Carnival Cruises on the Carnival Breeze in the Caribbean, Fathom Cruises on the Fathom Adonia to the Dominican Republic and last December on Viking River Cruises to the Christmas Markets.

Conferences 2016

For the first time I went to five conferences including TBEX, Travel Media Showcase, Travel Classics West, The Scuba Show and BlogHer. I met with top professionals in my field about writing, traveling, video and what I am going to do next in 2017!

Art

I had my very first solo art show! And participated in an art show at my studio in Santa Monica, The Clayhouse.

New technology

I was invited to test the new phone LG V20 which I love. The photos and video are so much better! I also received a dive computer to test, the DeepBlu Cosmiq, which is fantastic. In January of 2016, I created my first sizzle reel–see below! In March 2016, I filmed four episodes in Carlsbad. In May, I created a video for Reef Safe Sunscreen.

New Partners

I loved working with American Express and Flytographer in New Orleans in March. I stayed at my first Hyatt Regency in Bloomington, Minnesota and at the Hyatt Zilara in Cancun.

I was home in Los Angeles for the Jewish Holidays and in the Caribbean for my birthday. It has been a great year for me and for We Said Go Travel. My social media has doubled, my video views are now over 900,000 and I started my own channels on Amazon Fire TV and Roku. At this time last year, I had under 400 videos and now I have over 630. I hosted two more international writing awards which brings us to eleven awards and nearly 2000 writers published. I was interviewed by Business Insider–read both articles turning traveling into a career and about packing! Want to know even more? Read each the 2016 newsletter archives.

Thank you for your support for me and We Said Go Travel! I hope that in 2017 you take steps to make your dreams come true! Happy New Year! Lisa Niver