By Monica McInnes
With the new year already in full swing, it’s time to get serious about your plans for 2017. Forget the standard ‘lose weight’ and ‘save more money’. Instead, resolve to ‘travel more’ in 2017. Here are nine reasons why.
1. Time to reconnect
Breaking the work, eat, sleep, repeat cycle is soul-gratifying gold and travel is the perfect antidote. Leave everyday life stresses at home, recharge and reconnect.
Hot tip: Unleash your inner child and head to Disneyland, Paris to partake in its 25th anniversary celebrations. Book early and you might just snag a bargain deal.
2. #makingmemories
Join the popular #makingmemories phenomenon and make some of your own moments to remember.
Hot tip: Make memories in County Kerry, Ireland where filming took place on this year’s blockbuster – Star Wars: Episode VIII. Ahead of its December 2017 release fans of the movie will take plenty of selfies complete with rolling green hills and sheer seaside cliffs in the background, while secretly wishing they’d packed their Darth Vader costume. Posting your travel photos and exploits on social media for all and sundry to view green-eyed is, of course, optional #sorrynotsorry #maytheforcebewithyou.
3. Push the boundaries
There is no need to sign up for the New York Marathon, unless of course that’s your kind of thing – but holidays are a great way to release those endorphins. Stretch yourself, go outside your comfort zone, and fight your inner fears. You never know, you might discover a new passion for stand up paddle boarding or yoga that you can bring back into your day-to-day life.
Hot tip: Get a group of friends together now and start training for the gruelling 96-kilometre Kokoda Trail to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the campaign.
4. Mental wellbeing
It’s called vacation for a reason – so you can vacate your mind, and your home, for a short while. In the process new perspectives are made. Holidays are a kind of therapy – a place where you can see more clearly and focus more on what’s important in life.
Hot tip: A good place to start is by visiting critically acclaimed international artist Bruce Munro’s Field of Light installation in Australia’s Red Centre. With Uluru as your backdrop, you can’t help but refresh your mind and your senses viewing this award-winning, 2016 sell-out exhibition. It has been extended for 2017, with lights turned off for good in off March 2018.
5. Cultural awareness
Immerse yourself in a destination and live like a local for a deeper appreciation and understanding of another culture. Try a local delicacy, take a local art class, learn a local dance, and chat to the locals.
Hot tip: For a big dose of culture close to home, look out for Aboriginal spiritual tours and activities, which is increasing in popularity across the country. Overseas, consider participating in Mexico City’s Day of the Dead Festival, made famous by the most recent James Bond movie. After last year’s successful inaugural event, it’s on again this year so be sure to visit before the masses discover its appeal.
6. Long weekend rejuvenation
Take advantage of public holiday long weekends and make 2017 the year you plan mini-breaks for the long weekends in your state. There’s at least three nationally, while state and territory specific holidays can see you jetting off even more. It’s a fail-safe way to recharge the batteries and keep you soldiering on and kicking goals without denting your annual leave balance.
Hot tip: Plan ahead and book these stays before everyone else does.
7. Do a deal
With plenty of travel deals kicking about cyberspace, snag yourself a bargain holiday and keep your bank manager happy. It also means you can order a cocktail instead of a mocktail – winning!
Hot tip: Destinations touted to release penny-pincher deals this year are those hosting major international events as the country builds its tourism marketing ahead of game day. Try South Korea, the 2018 Winter Olympics host, or Russia, host of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
8. Get back in touch
Day-to-day life makes it easy to lose touch with friends and family you don’t live close to. Make 2017 the year you visit an old mate or relative interstate that you rarely see. It’s the perfect excuse for a getaway and you’ll earn serous brownie points too.
Hot tip: Mix it up and also invite people to visit you. You get to play tour guide and be a tourist in your own town.
9. Planning magic
Half the fun of holidays is the careful planning and research you do along the way. Finding out where to wake-up with the best coffee, the best walking trails, the must-see sights and attractions. And, the magic happens when you share your excitement with your fellow travellers. Seriously, planning is almost as good as the journey itself!
Hot tip: For a real planning feast turn your Google searches to Canada. The country is celebrating its 150th birthday, so there will be year-round holiday treasures like events, deals, and cultural and historical displays.
Feeling inspired? Book your next trip: