Setting your travel plans for the year 2020? Whether you’re an amateur or first-time traveler or a seasoned one, check out these top 10 things you may want to include in your new year’s resolution.
1. Do something for the first time
Take a snorkeling tour. Learn how to surf. Learn how to swim. Hike a hill or mountain. Taste an entirely new cuisine. Travel alone and book a hotel room all by yourself. Do something that you’ve always wanted to do or something you’ve always been scared to do.
2. Explore new places without leaving the country
Don’t be a tourist in your own country – before flying abroad, make sure you familiarize yourself with the beauty of your own nation. And besides, not everyone has a sufficient budget to travel abroad, right?
Escape to the countryside and get in touch with nature. Knock down historical places, natural wonders, virgin landscapes, sacred places, and other fascinating sights off your bucket list. Go back to your roots. Support local products by patronizing local arts and crafts, fresh produce, and delicacies.
3. Visit a major destination
Have you been dreaming to see the Eiffel tower? Or savor authentic Bulgogi, Bibimbap, and Kimchi in Korea? How about taking a selfie with the Sydney Opera House as your backdrop?
If you have the budget, passport, and vacation leave credits, then what’s stopping you from ticking a foreign land or a major tourist attraction off your bucket list? Claim it – 2020 will be the year you’ll set foot on that dream destination
4. Be practical with your spending
The next time you travel, don’t make the mistake of splurging on useless mass-produced souvenirs, private transportation, and expensive dinners. Instead, make sure you’re putting your cash on valuable travel experiences – something you’ll never forget until you grow old.
Prioritize travel over short-term material things – and even your own comfort. Instead of splurging on a comfortable three-star hotel room for a night, opt for smaller b&bs or hostels, which are half the price.
5. Use up your leave credits
Hey you, workaholic! Yes, I’m talking to you. Make sure you use your vacation leave credits next year. In most cases, unused leave credits are converted to taxable cash by the end of the year and no, they’re not that plenty. One harmless trip to the grocery store can instantly take them out of your hands.
Treat your leave credits as rewards. Use them to take your time off, explore, discover new places, and have new fun experiences. It doesn’t have to be a week-long trip – you can have occasional short trips and make the most out of it.
6. Learn foreign words / local dialect
Locals love and appreciate it when foreigners like you step out of your comfort zone to learn their language or dialect. You don’t need to construct a whole sentence or speak fluently. It can be basic phrases such as “hello”, “goodbye”, “thank you”, “please”, “welcome”, “how are you”, and “how much”.
7. Open your taste buds to new (and even weird) food
Food is more than something that fuels the body, satisfies the palate, and boost the mood – food can be a window to cultural appreciation.
Skip your go-to fast-food chains and eat like a local. Visit marketplaces to sample various local street food. Know more about their staple food. Discover the fruits and vegetables that are unique to their area. Dine the way locals dine – if you have to use a banana leaf, sit on the floor, and eat with your bare hands, do so!
8. Discover a new place on your own
Have you ever tried solo travel? Traveling on your own is rewarding, whether it’s exploring a big city or hiking through the wilderness.
Make your solo travel more fun and meaningful by joining a guided tour. Here, you’ll get fresh perspectives from other travel enthusiasts: tour guides and fellow tourists. You’ll also learn more about the destination you’re into, such as its history, culture, society, natural resources, and more.
9. Or travel with someone
On the other side of the coin, if you’ve always been traveling solo, you may want to share your travel experiences with someone in 2020. It can be your partner, friend, sibling, or parents – someone you share interests with and are comfortable traveling with.
10. Be extra spontaneous this 2020
If you’ve been too self-restrained this year, last year, and the year before that, 2020 might be the perfect time to loosen up.
Get away from the tourist bubble and travel off the beaten path. Allow yourself to get lost. Traverse narrow cobblestone streets to discover hidden gems and hole in the wall dining spots. Leave your hotel room after dark to see amazing sights that shine at night. Learn to let go of the guide book and planners, and leave more room for spontaneity.
Author Bio: Carmina Natividad is one of the seasoned writers for Holiday Inn Parramatta Hotel, a modern hotel located in the heart of Western Sydney, delivering top-class Parramatta accommodation. She has always been passionate about traveling, taking photos, and writing travel tips and tricks.