Whether you like to travel far and wide or stick close to home, these are five travel goals that could make the difference between a good year and a great one.
Put the camera down
Anyone who’s a sucker for preserving the good times will find this goal tricky. But learning to take fewer photos will allow you to live in the (once-in-a-lifetime moment), instead of experiencing it afterwards, via the camera screen.
Learn a language
This goal features on many people’s bucket list – and for good reason. One of the most powerful weapons in any traveller’s arsenal is the ability to communicate in a second language. Even knowing just a spattering of phrases opens more doors than you’d believe. Speaking, reading (and to a lesser extent, writing) in another language allows you to engage more deeply in new cultures and get along better with locals. Choosing which language will be your biggest problem. French, Spanish and Chinese are used widely throughout the world, but you should choose a language you’ll be passionate about learning.
Go somewhere new
We’ve all met those people who take a trip to Greece every year or have an annual summer holiday down at the family beach house. And while there’s joy in the familiar, there’s something special about intentionally immersing yourself in the unfamiliar. The world is full of many wondrous and exciting places. Visit a country you never thought you would, take a chance on a town you never knew existed. You’ll be amazed at what you learn about the world and yourself.
Experiment with public transport
In some countries, air travel is certainly the cheapest way to get around, but it’s hardly the most adventurous. Amp up the excitement of your trip by taking as many different modes of public transport as you can. Instead of the airplane, head for trains, buses, trams, taxis, tuk-tuks, boats, minivans and even horses to get around. You’ll interact with people, see places and landscapes, and witness events you never would have otherwise.
Go sightseeing in your own city
For most of us, the reality that you can’t be on holiday all the time can give anybody the holiday blues. But if travel isn’t on the agenda, why not spend 2017 exploring your own patch? Your city likely hosts many day tours for overseas travellers, so why not join in? Or, you could make your own itinerary and plan day trips to visit a different town, national park, zoo, gallery, etc. every weekend. This is a fun way to discover things you never knew about your own city, while giving you that special ‘touristy’ feeling.
What are your travel goals this year?
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