With the New Year approaching, many people are beginning to make their resolutions for 2018. They're deciding what needs changing and improving. Most people will resolve to be healthier. To be happier. Or to spend more time with family and friends.
This year, consider putting travel on your list of resolutions! You could simply say you want to "Travel more" or you can really dig deep and think about how you want to accomplish this task. Here's some ideas to get you started!
1. Visit four new cities in 2018.
They don't have to be far away, but finding a new city that you've never been to is refreshing and exciting.
2. Get off the grid.
Ditch the iPhone for a day or two, and find a beautiful, remote place to retreat to, whether that be the mountains or the beach. You'll be surprised what some travel time apart from your mobile devices can do for your mind!
3. Travel solo.
Travelling solo may seem scary or dangerous, but in reality, it's a great way to get out of your comfort zone. When you travel by yourself, your time can be spent all on you, doing whatever pleases you most.
4. Reach a goal amount in your travel savings.
Travel isn't cheap. That's for certain. Start a savings account - or even just a jar in your kitchen - and try to reach a certain amount by the end of the year. By being intentional with your saving, you will have a lot more financial stability when it comes time to take your vacation.
5. Be more adventurous.
How many times have you traveled to a new city, only to find yourself eating at the same kinds of restaurants and doing the same kinds of activities? This year when you travel, take time to try new things. Eat different foods. Talk to the locals. Try more daring activities. You'll be glad that you did.
6. Make a checklist of destinations/activities, and check them all off.
Maybe you want to visit five national parks, see three concerts, or perhaps relax on six different beaches. Pick something you love, and go see or do more of that thing!
7. Learn to say a few phrases in the local language.
Okay, so this one only really applies to international travel, but if you're headed overseas, it's a great one! Language barriers aren't as difficult to overcome as you'd think. While most of the world now speaks English, it's polite to greet people in their native tongue. Once you've made that simple gesture, they will most likely be happy to talk to you in English.
8. Take plenty of pictures, but enjoy the moment.
There are usually two types of travelers. The first one is so caught up in the beauty of their travels and their desire to stay unplugged that they forget to snap any pictures. The second is so caught up in documenting every single detail of their trip, trying to get the perfect picture for their Instagram profile, that they fail to stop and really take in the view. Find the balance between the two, and you're sure to have a great trip with amazing memories to look back on!!
9. Revisit your favorite destinations.
While we've been talking about trying new things and going to new places, it's not a crime to go somewhere you've been before. Maybe your parents always took you to Nashville in the summer when you were younger. Why not take your kids there? Tell them stories about what you did and take them to the places that you enjoyed going to. It'll be a great experience for everyone!
We could go on and on about how to make travel a bigger part of your life in 2018, but the reality is this: at some point, you have to stop talking about it and start doing it! Get in the car. Pick a spot on the map. And go. What travel resolutions do you have for the New Year?
