So, you want to travel more this year? Travel expert Donna Adinolfi, who runs the website mindfuladventures.com advises that the first step is inspiration. “Get inspired by first looking at photos in travel magazines, tourism sites, Instagram or Pinterest travel pages/pins.”
Once the travel bug has been fed with ideas, here are four resolutions to get you moving in the right direction.
Pick a purpose for a trip. It’s easier to decide you want to go to the beach than to pick which beach and when, just like it’s easier to decide you want to try a cruise vacation than to figure out which cruise line and what destination. According to Adinolfi, “The first step will lead to another and soon you'll be on your way!”
Schedule your vacation time at work. This one is often the hardest to accomplish. Use the purpose you picked to guide your choice of dates, i.e., are you planning a warm weather adventure or a winter sports trip? Then get the dates blocked. According to research done by Project Time Off, Americans left more than 600 million vacation days unused in 2015. The number one reason given for not taking all the time available was fear of the mountain of work waiting when you return. Put that fear aside and block your dates.
Scheduling vacation time is just as important for the self-employed. Block time on your calendar or you may find yourself reaching January 2018 wondering why you never took time off in 2017.
Plan at least one weekend escape. Kick off your travel year by planning a weekend away. Weekends are far easier to accomplish, and per Adinolfi, “A weekend escape rejuvenates us and helps us live more mindfully by fully engaging in activities, places, and ourselves (or the person we're with if not going solo).”
Take the first step by researching attractions near your home. Look for off-beat hotels or B&B’s. Plan a trip to a state park, the nearest museum to your home, or a goofy tourist attraction. The what or where does not matter. Weekend escapes aren't meant to be bucket-list adventures, just adventures.
Start a conversation with a travel companion. This one is easy. Text, tweet, message, or do it the old fashion way and pick up the phone and call. Where would you go if you planned a trip together? Involving another person, whether it's a family member or friend, makes you accountable and more likely to follow through with the trip.
Adinolfi also suggests you get or keep your passport up to date, start checking hotel rates and airfares to your dream destination, and consider enlisting the help of a travel professional if you are likely to procrastinate.
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(TravelPulse is a leading travel authority on the web, providing consumer travel news and insider tips and advice for an ever-changing travel world. Read more stories at travelpulse.com)
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