8 travel goals to make your holiday worthwhile
Betsy Goldberg writes for Virtuoso Luxury Traveller, the blog of a global luxury travel network, and she enjoys nothing more than taking a holiday.
A new year means new opportunities for us to change our lives for the better. To that aim, many people are drawing up lists of resolutions for the coming year. One common resolution on those lists: to travel more. So this is a perfect time to set some worthy travel goals for the next 12 months.
Think broadly as you draw up your list. Travel isn’t just about the destination. It’s also about how you decide where to go, how you travel there, and what you choose to see and do once you’ve arrived.
Here are eight worthy travel goals to keep in mind as you’re exploring new ways to stretch your travel muscles for the coming year.
1. Go somewhere you never thought you wanted to go
Perhaps you’ve been limiting yourself to a handful of countries or just one continent. You literally don’t know what you’re missing. For the coming year, keep an open mind. Ask family and friends for ideas, read up on various locales and brainstorm with your travel advisor. You’ll realize the benefits once you venture off your beaten track and discover how much you enjoy a new destination.
2. Travel via a method you’ve never tried before
Cars and planes are likely old hat to you. Instead, go retro and enjoy an iconic train trip, such as the Rocky Mountaineer in Western Canada or the Blue Train in South Africa. Try a traditional ocean cruise if you’ve never taken one. If you have, think about a river or expedition cruise. If bigger ships aren’t for you, what about a yacht instead?
3. Think green with your travels
The United Nations has declared 2017 the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, so it’s a particularly timely year to do so. Consider adventures in destinations where you’ll get up close with their natural and cultural heritage. Book hotels and tours that are both environmentally and socially responsible. Look for voluntourism experiences to help the land and people you’re visiting.
4. Learn an element of another culture
People travel for many reasons, and two of the most popular (according to the Virtuoso Luxe Report) are authentic experiences and personal enrichment. What better way to combine the two – and get to know locals – than immersing yourself in an aspect of their culture? Pick something that reflects a personal passion of yours, such as lessons in the native tongue or cooking their cuisine. Or if you’re an arts fan, learn a local craft, dance or musical instrument.
5. Visit at least one of the world’s great landmarks
You’ve admired photos of them for years, so make this the year you actually see them in person. Perhaps you’ll set your sights on one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Or a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Or one of the world’s most iconic buildings.
6. Hone your suitcase packing skills
Between carry-on size restrictions and checked baggage fees, smaller is better. Learn how to pack lighter and more efficiently. That way you’ll fit everything into a more compact bag, and it will arrive as fresh as possible. As well, it’ll be easier to transport once you’re at your destination. And an added bonus: you won’t forget anything at home if you compile a packing list.
7. Buy souvenirs you can’t get anywhere else
Look for a unique memento that reminds you of a treasured experience you had while there. Perhaps you met the artisan themselves at a local market. Or you tried (and loved) a local liqueur on a culinary tour. Buy products that are native to the area, handmade or used by locals. You’ll bring home something novel and support the local economy.
8. Allow time for spontaneity
Don’t schedule every last minute during your travels. In fact, you can even choose to “get lost.” Seasoned travellers love the feeling of freedom and discovery that comes from wandering a lesser-known area. You’ll likely emerge with surprising discoveries and encounters with locals you wouldn’t have otherwise had.
What are your travel goals for 2017? Share them with the community in the comments below.
First appeared on Virtuoso Luxury Traveller.
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