The new year is still young, and if you’re like most people, you probably have come up with a few resolutions for the next 12 months. One of the most common resolutions people have is to travel more. As we move further away from the holidays and ease back into our daily routines, sticking to our resolutions can become more difficult. So we’ve come up with a few tips to ensure that you stick to your travel resolutions!
1. Plan It Out
Although it may sound like an obvious tip, many people don’t end up traveling as much as they’d like to simply because they fail to map out the specifics. Making a definitive decision about where you would like to go (and how long you want to stay) can really help to set the wheels in motion. And taking a look at your calendar to determine when you can fit travel into your schedule will allow you to pick a date – and stick with it!
2. Save, Save, Save
Although traveling is often not as expensive as many people think it may be, it never hurts to have some additional money set aside for your trip. Creating a budget and putting a little aside to go towards a “travel fund” as you get closer to your departure will ensure that you’ll be able to make the most out of your travels! Programs such as Mint.com can be very useful in tracking your progress and making sure that you will reach your goal.
3. Make a Travel Checklist
Make sure that you have all of your ducks in a row well before your travel date. If you are traveling outside of the country, you’ll want to verify that your passport is valid at least through the end of the year. Determine with your doctor if there are any immunizations you will need before departure. Look into any visa requirements for your destination country, and fill out the paperwork immediately. Make a mental list of any items that you think you will need during your flight or through the duration of your stay, and pick them up well before your actual trip – you never know when you may think of something additional, so get it out of the way sooner than later!
4. Research Your New Locale
If you’re going to be spending time in a new city or country, having a somewhat clear idea of what you want to do while you’re there will put you on the right track to making the most out of your stay. Use travel guides as a resource to determine the sights you want to see, food you’d like to eat, etc. Taking the time to learn the basics of the native language can also give you a leg up once you arrive.
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