7 tips for New Year's travel resolutions

How about this—"Been there, done that"? How many places did you return to? How many places do you keep returning to?

On the first day of every year, I list down the places I visit. I visualize that I'm there. This year will be no different; I am writing down and visualizing myself at places I've been longing to visit, like the Parthenon in Athens and the shorelines of Santorini, Mykonos, and Corfu in Greece. I would love to revisit the Tuscany Valley and do a side trip to Venice. Staying at a ryokan in Kyoto is still on the list, as is scouring a Turkish market, and lots more. I post the photos of these places on a vision board, which I see day in and day out. This formula always works for me. 

Travel Tip #1. Dream! Write it down, say it, claim it, post it! Make a list of the places you want to see and visit. Be specific about what you want. Visualization helps. Cut out photos from magazines, put your photo on it, and post it in a place you see every day. Voice your thoughts out loud; never mind if your family thinks you’re crazy talking to yourself daily, at sunrise and at bedtime. 

You have to want it enough and believe that you're there. The Universe works wonders; do not be surprised that you will be in your dream destination sooner than you think.

Travel Tip #2. Think positive. Like what I said above, it is important to affirm your goals and believe that you are already where you want to be. See yourself already strolling on the streets, having coffee by the sidewalk café, or at the top of the tower viewing the city. Positivity will let you travel—a lot!

Travel Tip #3. Do not be judgmental. Innocent before proven guilty should hold true. You hear feedback about a place you want to see, some good, some bad. But never take their word for it. They say, “That place is filthy,” or “That place is very expensive,” and I say, “Well, let me see the filth and how expensive it is and say it for myself.” It is not as if our country is sparkling clean, and cost is subjective, too. I have disproven a misconception about Japan; you can find places and food that will fit your budget. 

Do not let anything cloud your decision and hinder you from venturing into a land you long to see. Prejudging your destination over feedback is no good. It's best to see the beauty of the place yourself.

Travel Tip #4. Listen to yourself. No one else can tell you what to do and where you should go first. You made your list; go for it. Friends can tell you, "Go to this place first, before that place," or "This destination is better than that," etc. Keep in mind that YOU are the traveler and paying for the trip, not them. Your hard-earned moolah goes to where you want to spend it.

Travel Tip #5. Research. This is part of your affirmation. Keep your interest up by knowing more about the place long before you arrive there—the best area to stay, how to get around and reach the must-see spots, etc. Your research is familiarizing and arming yourself with the information you need to make the trip smooth sailing.

Learning about the culture of a country and the polite words and phrases like “thank you,” “please,” and “hello” will always earn top points in the eyes of the locals. I have proven this in France and everywhere; people are willing to help if you approach with courtesy.


Travel Tip #6. Dare! Embark on a journey WITH yourself. If you want to go to where you want to go, prepare to travel with yourself. So that gets rid of the fear that you are traveling alone. It's discovering more about yourself in this ME time.

Relying on someone else may delay your trip, or worse, it will never happen, because you have to take someone else’s schedule into account. Your time is far more important; thus, you spend it wisely. How else are you going to get to your dream destination if you wait for someone else to go with you? Have you ever considered that he/she may have her own wish list?

Consider this: you can wake up or sleep when you want, walk, sightsee, and shop at your own pace, and eat when you feel like it.

Your personal break time will help you renew your energy and concentration. Notice how you tend to be more observant and pay more attention to details. Plus, you are more open to making friends.

Travel Tip #7. Throw caution to the wind. Whenever the chance arises, jump at it. How often does opportunity knock? File your LOA and hop on the next ride to your dream destination. Remember that nothing is coincidental. Whenever the window to travel opens, then it is for you; it’s fated. You asked for it, didn’t you? Do not make excuses that you have this project to finish, a meeting, etc. All these can be arranged; you have three choices to consider—finish it, postpone it, or take it with you. Technology is on your side—computers and mobile phones.

Take the jeep while you’re at it. Take whatever mode of transportation is available to get to where you want to go. Be it bike, tricycle, jeep, car, boat, plane, or any combination of two or more, the journey is as important as the destination. See the fun in everything; it’s a learning process. What if you plan to be a tourist guide eventually? It’s always best to know all aspects of the expedition.

Luck, however, is on everyone’s side these days. Hopping from one nation to another is no longer the cost of an arm, a leg, or even your soul. All the airlines are offering very cheap rates. There is just no excuse to finally fulfill your dream to travel and complete your checklist of must-go-to places.

Finally, heed the Dalai Lama’s advice! Visit a place you have never been to every year. Do it! Near or far, there is exceptional pleasure felt in finding yourself in places you have wanted to go to and great joy in places you never thought you would be.

This advice will give you the drive to pursue your dream and eventually step on the ground you want to tread on, which you only have read about in books and travel magazines.

All these worked for me. It will work for you. Who knows, we may just bump into each other in Santorini this October?

P.S. Share! If it worked for you, like I believed it would, pass it on. Let everyone have the faith that they, too, can fulfill their dreams of seeing the world. Nothing is impossible, for The Universe is very generous and just waiting for us to ask what we want.