7 Travel Resolutions for the Avid Traveler

It is time for you to make some new and fresh goals for the new year. After all, this is the time of year when optimism is at its peak. Everyone is making plans and resolutions for things to make them happier, healthier, and an overall better person. The avid traveler can do the same. You often hear people say their New Year’s resolution is to travel more. But, these travel resolutions are not specific.

We’ve put together a list of travel resolutions that will change the way you look at your future vacations and travels. And, because we know how easily these travel resolutions can be broken, we are going to show you how to stick with them!

1. Do not overplan.

If you are the type of traveler who never wants to miss a sight, an adventure, or an experience on your vacation, there is a good chance that you create an itinerary before you ever leave home. There is also a good chance that your itinerary schedules your time down-to-the-minute. While doing research and planning your trip can be incredibly helpful, your travel resolutions should include not over planning.

When you plan a tight schedule, you don’t leave room for anything spontaneous. And, quite honestly, when you are traveling to unfamiliar places, not every local detail may be discovered online. Be sure to save some free time – or a loosely organized itinerary – so that if you encounter something that sparks your interest, you can just do it without worry!

Resolve to allow for exceptions to the plan in order to gain richer experiences.

2. Take exploration over all things material.

Sometimes there are places that you would love to see that require more money than you generally like to shell out for your getaways. It is still possible to have your cake and eat it, too. All you have to do is make one of your travel resolutions to put your money towards exploring new places and encountering new experiences, rather than buying more material possessions.

Resolve to create a plan for your travel savings and make it happen.

3. Use all your vacation days.

How many vacations days do you let disappear each year? It is easy to get caught up in the work routine and think that you don’t have the time or ability to leave the office for more than a few hours. You do – and you need to. After all, that is why you have vacation days. These days are earned so that you can get out of the office and rejuvenate your mind.

Resolve to not allow any vacation day to go unused this year.

4. Pack smarter.

If you travel more than most, you may have a packing system that works for you. But, does it, really? Spending time lugging around a bunch of baggage, having to dig and dig to find a pair of socks, or requiring two people to zip your bag because of that souvenir you just had to have is not the way to go. Packing can be so much easier if you just pack smarter. If one of your travel resolutions includes packing smarter, here’s how:

• Take less than you need, especially if you can wash your clothing while on your trip.
• Take two pairs of shoes – one for walking, one for dress. Leave the rest at home.
• Create a color scheme among the clothes that you take. This will allow you to mix and match your outfits.

Resolve to pack smarter on all your trips this year.

5. Unplug – if only for a moment.

Vacations are meant for gaining new experiences and exploring unfamiliar places. But, they are also good for letting you get rejuvenated and refreshed. It is your break from your normal day-to-day life. So, try unplugging from your electronic devices for a bit while on your trip. This will allow you to disconnect from everything that overstimulates your brain daily. And, it will ensure that no matter how much you try to fit in your schedule, you will still have some downtime.

Resolve to unplug from your phone, computer, tablet, or any other electronics so that you can feel refreshed and rejuvenated when you return from your vacation.

6. Indulge in the local culture.

When you travel, do you stay in the resort or tourist area? Or, do you let yourself get lost among the locals? Traveling is so much more than being a tourist. It is learning about the culture. It is indulging in the local cuisine, spending time meeting locals, and learning of the best places to visit. Maybe one of your travel resolutions involves getting more active in the local culture. Doing this will allow you to get a real understanding of the destination you are visiting. Think about it – locals live where they do because that is home. To truly see your destination, see it through the eyes of a local!

Resolve to dig deep into the local culture of your travel destinations this year.

7. Spoil yourself.

Last, but not least, spoil yourself. You may travel a lot, but perhaps you do so economically. And, perhaps that is the reason you can travel. At least once this year, you should spoil yourself. This could mean choosing to travel by a private jet charter, choosing to dine on a meal at the hottest restaurant in the city, or maybe it means upgrading to the hotel suite.

Resolve to do what spoils you on at least one vacation this year. You deserve it.

How to stick to your resolutions

Nearly half of the people who create resolutions break them within the first month of the new year. Yikes! If you are looking for how you can create travel resolutions and keep them, then you are going to need to take a few steps:

• Be specific about your travel resolutions.
• Write it down (with details) and put it where you will see it very often.
• Be realistic in your resolution.
• Attack one resolution at a time.
• Remember the resolutions you make and vow to keep them.

Take your travels to the next step by making and keeping your new years travel resolutions. Then, when you reach your next destination, you will see what it means to enjoy it to the fullest!