No no no, it is not a joke nor a rumour. I am not quite sure where time has gone, but Mrs. O Around the World is turning two years old this November. And what two amazing years! I am still amazed how I started a blog for my friends to read (and for my mother to know where in the world I am) and I am this short of reaching 1 million page views. I still can’t quite believe it myself.

I want to take this time to thank every single person who has dropped by and read the blog, who has interacted with me through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest, and of course, those who have sent me emails. I have always said that the reason why I developed this online persona was to be truly sociable (which I would like to think I am in real life) and I have done my best to respond to every single message in (almost) time. I have also met in person many readers and supporters – and made some amazing new friends. I am truly grateful and incredibly happy.

If it wasn’t for every single person who supports the Mrs. O Around the World project, there would be no Mrs. O and I love this little community we have built over the past two years – it is not about me suggesting places to go, it is about us being together throughout each adventure and stopover. It is about you telling me where to go too – because most of us travel in a certain way and advice goes both ways.

So to say thank you properly, and as actions sometimes speak more than words, I have teamed up with some of the brands that have really believed in me (and in our community) over the past year. I went through all the blog posts and social platforms, and there were simply some places that you really loved (and so did I, who am I kidding?). And the right thing to do, is send you over to some of these places so you can enjoy and send me some photos!

Shall we start? Yes, please!

2 nights at Finca Cortesin, Andalucia, Spain

Finca Cortesin, in the South of Spain, was, without a doubt, my hotel of the year. I had the perfect hotel stay with my lovely friends Trudi and Terene – and so much so, Terene couldn’t wait for us to return and immediately took her whole family back for the summer. I am lost for words – it was beautiful, the service was out of this world and the food was to die for.

The prize: two nights for two in a junior suite with breakfast included. Subject to availability and please note that blackout dates do apply. Excludes July-August 2013. To find out more about this great hotel, click here.

2 nights at Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, USA

The Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills was a very special hotel for me – for many reasons as you can guess from reading my review. It could have been the Mrs. O lychee cosmo they invented for me…

The prize: two nights for two in a superior balcony room. Subject to availability and please note that blackout dates do apply. To find out more about this great hotel, click here.

2 nights at the Westin Grand Berlin, Germany

Do you remember that shower? I have never forgotten it and counting the days until I go back – because my little taste of Berlin was not enough…

The prize: two nights for two at the Spa Suite. Subject to availability and please note that blackout dates do apply. To find out more about this great hotel, click here.

1 night at the Corinthia London, United Kingdom

A new landmark hotel for London, in my honest opinion. Beautifully decorated, a place I almost didn’t want to leave… Find out why.

The prize: one night for two in a superior king room. Subject to availability and please note that blackout dates do apply. To find out more about this great hotel, click here.

A weekend for two at the Herdade do Vau, in Alentejo, Portugal

A hidden gem in Portugal – a place that did more for our souls than you can ever imagine. Understatement at its best and an opportunity to remind ourselves that life is all about the simple things. And fab wine.

The prize: two nights for two in a superior king room with breakfast included in February, March or April 2014 and subject to availability. To find out more about this great ‘gem’, click here.

A photo shoot with Flytographer

Flytographer has been one of my best discoveries of the year – and I love them so much, I had three shoots recently, in Lisbon, Los Angeles and Amsterdam. The concept is simple, you go to one of its 55+ locations around the world, and their fab photographers spend some time with you (30 mins, 1 hour or 2 hours) and capture your best moments in a non-intrusive way. Every experience has been simply brilliant and I am delighted that they keep believing in me so much.

The prize: A 30 minute photo shoot in any of Flytographer‘s 55+ locations worldwide, valid until 30th April 2014. Flytographer will post some of the photos online for promotional purposes. For more information, visit their website.

A collection of Hg2 Guides

My travel guides of choice – I will never forget my first visits to Cape Town and Marrakesh and the incredibly trendy places I found thanks to Hg2. Interestingly enough, they were the first people who challenged me to write an article, which then led to Mrs. O Around the World. In their own words, “intelligent, irreverent and inspired they are the perfect tool to help travellers really understand a city”.

The prize: a set of Almaty & Astana, Baku, Cape Town, Dubai, Istanbul, Marrakech, Miami, Rome, Sydney and Toronto printed guides. To find out more about Hg2, click here.

This Mrs. O Around the World giveaway is now closed. Winners have been contacted by email.