The start of the new year is always a special time. It’s a fresh beginning, complete with new goals to achieve and experiences to be had—it’s also the perfect time to start thinking about new places to go! If you’re planning on seeing more of the world in 2019, here are a few New Year’s Resolutions to help you make your travels memorable.
See Somewhere New
Traveling is all about exploring new lands and destinations. While it can be nice to revisit your favorite spots, nothing quite beats taking the leap and discovering a new country or continent for the first time. As a matter of fact, we’re traveling to more than 40 new ports in 2019, including destinations in the Last Frontier of Alaska, the lush rainforests of South America, and Middle Earth itself, New Zealand. And that’s only scratching the surface! No matter what your heart desires, there’s a whole world of adventure out there waiting for you to experience it.
Experience a New Culture
Half the fun of exploring the world is meeting the interesting people who inhabit it. No two cultures are exactly the same, and taking the time to immerse yourself in your destination with the people who live there can be the most rewarding part of any journey. While you’re out exploring the world, take time to meet locals (maybe even share a meal with them!), sign up for a local art class, or learn more about traditional crafting techniques. It’s one thing to visit a different culture, but it’s an entirely different—and far more rewarding—thing to experience it for yourself.
Explore the Tastes of the World
One of the best parts of traveling the world is sampling all of the new food and drinks waiting to be discovered along the way. From traditional favorites to adventurous dishes only the bravest of culinary travelers will want to try, there truly is something for everybody. Sample the food and wine than put France on the map as one of the world’s premier dining destinations. Go on a wine tour that spans the globe. Discover the flavors of the Mediterranean, or take a cooking class in a new country and enjoy a beloved local dish. How many Michelin star meals can you try in 2019?
Visit More UNESCO World Heritage Sites
UNESCO World Heritage Sites represent some of the best that the world has to offer. From natural beauties and representations of human achievement to places of historical significance, there are more than a thousand UNESCO World Heritage Sites—each offering unique insight into the world around us. While it would be next to impossible to visit all of these sites in a year, there’s no shame in dreaming big! Here are a few of our favorites that we’ll be traveling to this year (and we’d love for you to join us!).
Eager to learn more? Read up on some of the coolest UNESCO World Heritage sites in the world.
Keep a Journal of Your Experience
The journey of a lifetime is going to be filled with moments—both large and small—that you will want to remember. That’s why journaling should be an essential part of any trip. Whether you’re jotting down notes on places you’re visiting, doodling scenes from an iconic location, or keeping track of the meals you tried while you were away, journaling can help ensure the best memories of your trip last forever.
If you’re trying to pack light for your journey, there are many great journaling apps to choose from that you can use on your mobile device. One of our personal favorites is Day One, which allows you to capture notes quickly, add photos, and tag journal entries so they’re easy to find. Best of all, Day One can add information on the time of day you visited a location, the weather, and even include the music you were listening to during your visit to really capture the moment.
On the other hand, if you’re the old-fashioned type who likes something you can keep in your back pocket and jot in with a pen, try picking up a pack of Field Notes journals. These stylish and durable pocket notebooks are a top choice around the world for explorers and city dwellers alike, who—to paraphrase the Field Notes company motto—aren’t writing it down to remember it later, they’re writing it down to remember it now.
Go Somewhere Unexpected
The world has many iconic destinations and hot spots that attract millions of travelers every year, but it’s also full of unexpected beauty waiting to be found. This year, consider going somewhere off the beaten path, or at least somewhere that isn’t always top of your mind. Need a little inspiration? We’ve written guides for several exciting destinations that will leave you wondering “Why didn’t I think of that?” including, The Best Things to do in Peru, Seven Things to do in Norway, and How to Spend 36 Hours in Dublin. Thinking outside of your regular destinations in 2019 could help you discover your brand new favorite place on Earth.
Go on a Cruise
Now, we may be biased, but we think there’s no better way to see the world than on a cruise. After all, your transportation, accommodations, and activities are all taken care of. All you need to do is arrive, step onboard, and enjoy an unforgettable travel experience! Cruising is truly a different way to see the world—one that’s all about the journey, as well as the destination! If you’re considering taking a cruise in 2019, here are 10 reasons we think it’s the perfect way to travel.
Are you ready to make 2019 the year of travel? Take a look at all the wonderful places we’re visiting this year and start making your resolutions! You’ll be glad you did.