Happy New Year travelers! I hope you all had a great year that was full of adventure! And now that we’ve all had too much champagne and spent January 1st sleeping in and recovering from the holidays instead of starting any New Year’s resolutions, it’s time to make like Ariana Grande and say Thank you, Next!
(Seriously though, anyone else have a hard time getting motivated on the first? I was tired, full and not productive.)
Anyway, apart from my personal goals, I usually have the same goal for new years: Go somewhere new. This year, I decided to take it a step further because this past year was a little unpredictable for me and my husband and a lot of times, we had to just roll with things. Sometimes things don’t go as planned. You can’t travel as much, you aren’t living where you want to or you don’t have the job you want. Whether you can travel a lot or a little, here are 19 New Year’s travel resolutions to soothe your wanderlusting soul.
1. GO SOMEWHERE BY YOURSELF
Traveling by yourself is good for the soul. Seriously! It’s liberating, exciting and you feel a sense of accomplishment. It might be to a new country or it might just be to the park, but don’t let going alone stop you from doing something.
I’ve been to many countries by myself (including Hong Kong here!). Not that you have to go to Hong Kong…go to the zoo down the street if you want, but try to force yourself outside your comfort zone!
2. SLEEP UNDER THE STARS
There’s no better way to get closer to nature. (and it’s free!) I always thought I wasn’t a camping person…because I’d never really done it (does backyard camping count?). But camping is a great way to unplug and relax in the outdoors.
3. TAKE A ROAD TRIP SLOWLY
The best road trips are the ones with no set plans and no set arrival times. Stop where you want and explore along the way. It’s a great way to see off-the-beaten-path destinations or places you wouldn’t normally stop at.
Need some suggestions? Click HERE!
4. THAT BUCKET LIST YOU HAVE? CROSS SOMETHING OFF OF IT.
And this list doesn’t count as your bucket list. This year, why not make a conscious effort to cross something big off your list! (Last year, I checked off seeing the pyramids! This year ???)
5. GO ON A PICNIC
One of my favorite things to do with my husband when we travel is to go to the local store, buy lunch supplies and head somewhere nice to have lunch outside. Lunch by the sea, at a park, by a lake…it’s a great way to be outside!
6. BE MORE PRESENT
Put your phone down. Leave it in the car at dinner. We are all guilty of updating our friends and family every step of the way. Take some pictures and then spend the rest of the time taking in the moment. Out of the New Year’s Travel resolutions–try this one. Instagram will still be there when you get back.
7. BE A TOURIST IN YOUR OWN CITY
Explore locally! It’s so easy to not explore the place where you live. Google fun things in the area and go be a tourist!
8. LEARN TO COOK A DISH FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY
This is a great way to learn about other cultures and an easy way to check off one of your New Year’s travel resolutions, because everybody eats. Google recipes from another country and mix up your dinner routine. Most recently, I tried to make pepernoten, a Dutch cookie they eat for Sinterklaas celebrations. I thought they turned out very successful! My Dutch husband did not. haha
9. KEEP IN CONTACT WITH SOMEONE WHO LIVES FAR AWAY
You’ll have more people to visit! It’s easy to get caught up with work and life but make a conscious effort to stay in touch. You can tell them about where you live and they can tell you about theirs! If you love to travel, you’ll enjoy getting to know about another place and what it’s like to live there. But also keep in touch because, you know…you want to.
10. START A TRAVEL FUND (IF YOU DON’T ALREADY HAVE ONE)
Any little bit helps and it will get you excited for a new adventure. Even if it’s a bowl of change, it’s fun to collect towards your next trip! (I have a glass globe that I put all my change in!)
11. CELEBRATE ANOTHER HOLIDAY
Us Americans love to celebrate. Getting to celebrate a holiday in another country is a really cool experience. But if you can’t make it to their country, why not throw a holiday-themed party?
12. GO TO A FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL
Food and wine festivals are a great opportunity to try some some different food or wine from other countries.
13. TRY A NEW RESTAURANT IN TOWN
and order something you’ve never had before! It’s easy to get that one dish you know you’ll like. But you’ll never find your next favorite dish unless you branch out!
14. GO ON A HIKE
Locally, far away, short, long. It doesn’t matter—just get outside and see something new. It’s the easiest New Year’s travel resolution!
15. USE YOUR VACATION DAYS
Even if you don’t end up going on a grand adventure, take a side trip or an extended weekend getaway for a little exploration.
16. VISIT THAT ONE FRIEND WHO LIVES KINDA FAR AWAY
We all have that one friend who lives kinda sorta far away so you never visit, but not far enough away that you shouldn’t go. So why not go?
17. TRY A NEW ACTIVITY
Whether it’s mountain biking, snorkeling or rock climbing, try something new! You could just find your next new hobby.
18. GO TO A STATE PARK OR NATIONAL PARK
I’ve been to more national and state parks in the last 2 years than I have in my entire life and I don’t know why it took me so long to visit them! They are protected for a reason–they are scenic and stunning. Find one in your area and check it out!
19. TRAVEL SOMEWHERE NEW
Pick a new country, a new state or a new city. It doesn’t matter how far you travel, as long as you are open to having new experiences and trying new things.
You don’t have to spend a fortune to do something fun. Finding things to do is as easy as googling things to do in and around your own city. So check off some of these New Year’s travel resolutions!
Happy Exploring!
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