New year, new you, new travel opportunities!
Wow, we’ve actually made it to 2021! Let’s set our sights on the coming months… There’s a lot to consider when it comes to travel because it looks so different than it did a year ago. But there’s still that urge to hit the open road or voyage abroad! This is the time of year when we start making plans to see new places and block out time on a new calendar for some fun adventures. Here are five New Year’s resolutions to start planning ahead with a new way of traveling.
- Reconnect with family and friends
Months of limited travel and tight restrictions has been a bit lonely, right? A lot of us haven’t seen loved ones or good friends in way too long. That’s why, when the time is right, family and friends are a top priority on this year’s travel list. Whether traveling somewhere to see loved ones or planning a vacation to a great place with friends, reconnecting for shared fun is a major focus for 2021!
- Book responsibly
Having a rough day at work and impulsively booking a tropical vacation has a new meaning these days. Taking some extra steps with planning and booking will make sure you have the best vacation possible, especially for big trips. So, when you think about where you’re going and how you’ll get there, try to have all your travel details ironed out in advance. Consider leaning on travel agents, vacation planners, or even friends who’ve gone to the destination before to ensure smooth sailing, stress-free relaxation, and ultimate enjoyment!
- Support the locals
You should always respect the local people and cultures of any place you travel to, but it’s even more important now. Not everyone has weathered the struggles of 2020 and come out on top. As travelers, it’s important to support the communities we visit. That can be done through small gestures, like leaving a larger tip to a service worker, buying from a local vendor, or bringing some useful gifts or supplies in your luggage. The goal is like the camping mantra of leaving the campsite better than you found it—and sometimes it’s the little things that can make a big positive impact for the locals who need it.
- Try something completely new
With so much being “new” when it comes to 2021 travel, you might as well push it to the max and experience something totally fresh and completely out of character. If you’ve been to the Caribbean multiple times, set your sights on Alaska. If you’re a culture vulture who always visits the art museum, switch it up with a long trek through a forest! Whatever the contrast may be, this year should be the launchpad to something unexpected that you never imagined you’d do.
- Make it count
It’s true, traveling isn’t as simple as booking a trip on the fly and visiting a new place whenever you want. Vacations need more planning, so whatever trip you plan for when travel returns, make it count! Make your trip a little longer, invite your crew to come along, or visit one more nearby attraction. Seize each day wherever you go, treat yourself, and come home with the ultimate adventure stories, beautiful memories, and zero regrets!