Showing posts with label New Year. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Year. Show all posts

Thursday, January 3, 2019

New Year, New Travel Goals

Happy New Year! Now that it is the new year, everyone is setting their new year's resolutions, so why not set your travel resolutions? Traveling takes quite a bit of effort. You need to determine where you want to go, set the goal to travel there, start saving, book your flights/hotels/attractions etc. All of that can seem quite overwhelming, so start with the basics!

Set Your Intention
It all starts with a positive mindset! You must make a mental shift and think of yourself as a traveler. You are not too old, too young, too poor, too scared. You are a traveler! I truly believe that for the vast majority of people, travel is a possibility. It may take months or even years of preparation and careful saving, but you can do it! Travel doesn't have to be to the other side of the globe to be fulfilling. Just find an adventure that's right for you and go for it!

Pick a Destination
If you're feeling overwhelmed by the actual planning process, focus on the fun! Scroll through travel blogs, look at beautiful travel pictures and get inspired! This is the part that is easily the most enjoyable so dive in now! Looking at travel pictures on social media can help keep you motivated to stay on track with saving and the nitty-gritty planning.

Start Saving and Planning Now!
Now is the time to start getting ready for your trip! For many of us, travel is a really big financial and personal investment. Big trips take lots of planning, so you have to start early. It's better to save up and make your trip everything you dreamed of than to rush it and have a mediocre trip - or worse! End up paying off credit card bills for years.

Travel far, travel responsibly, travel often. Start now! If you'd like help getting started, check out my website MilesIntoMemoriesTravel.com.

Monday, January 8, 2018

Follow Through on Your New Year's Resolution to Travel

It's a new year! And that means it's time for New Year's Resolutions. Unfortunately, according to the Huffington Post,  only 8 percent of people will actually follow through with those resolutions. Most people go too big and expect their whole life to change on Jan.1. The truth is, change takes time. With some careful planning and baby steps, you can make your travel dreams a reality.

Start Planning Now

Big plans take big planning. While spontaneous trips are absolutely fun and worthwhile, it's going to be easier for you to make things happen if you have a definitive plan. Talk with your friends, buy the plane ticket and write it down. Don't wait to start your planning! Now is the time to be researching and figuring out the details of your trip. By taking concrete steps, you'll bring your trip into reality.


Don't Be Afraid to Start Small

Like any resolution, the way to succeed is to start small! If you've never traveled by yourself, maybe don't start with a huge international trip across the globe. You can even start with a simple road trip! Finding a hotel, booking activities and coordinating an itinerary on a smaller scale is the perfect way to practice. Each little trip will help you learn about traveling and build your confidence.


Save a Little at a Time
Travel is often a long-term kind of goal. It takes time and money. That means you may need to save up a bit for that trip of a lifetime. By setting aside a portion of each paycheck specifically for travel, you'll have the funds you need in no time. Many people are intimidated by the cost of travel, but the key is in the preparation! You don't need to pay for it all at once. Like any goal worth accomplishing, it's going to take some time, patience and diligence, but it will absolutely be worth it in the end!

Travel is one of the best things you can do with your time and money (in my opinion). It is absolutely worth the work! Traveling has made me who I am today, and I would absolutely love to help you reach your goals this year! Visit MilesIntoMemoriesTravel.com and get started today!

Thursday, January 4, 2018

2018 Travel Plans

2018 is finally here, and I've already started making my travel plans for the year (of course). I was talking with my husband, and I realized I really haven't seen that much of the U.S., despite spending the majority of my life here. So that's our mission: see more of the U.S. Not to mention, that's a good way to save up for our big trip to Australia/ New Zealand/ Japan in 2019.

The first trip we're in the process of planning is the Grand Canyon! We will probably fly into Vegas and road trip it out. I've actually never been to Vegas either, so we will have to have some fun while we are there too. I'm hoping to see some shows and see what Vegas has to offer!

Over at the Grand Canyon, we will probably spend quite a bit of time hiking. We might hike down to a waterfall and camp there for a few days. We shall see! We are still in the very early stage of planning, but I can't wait to start nailing down details. I've heard that camp sites book up fast though so we will hopefully get everything nailed down and booked by the end of January.

During the year, we will hopefully have some time to do some smaller trips to maybe Chicago, Pittsburg, Detroit or Toronto. Who knows!

Finally, I think our last trip will be down to Texas. We haven't worked out the details just yet, but I can't wait to try me some quality barbecue! We'll see how things play out, but there is a possibility of a trip to Albuquerque for Christmas. Our itinerary is still being determined, but I can't wait to see how the year plays out.

If you need help narrowing down your travel plans, I'd love to help. MilesIntoMemoriesTravel.com.

Thursday, December 28, 2017

2017 Travel Recap


2017 was quite the year for me! While not a record-setting travel year, I still made it to 5 countries (4 if you don't include the U.S., where I live.) 2017 was a crazy year for me - I got married, moved across the country and had a blast exploring the world with friends and family!

First up was our girls' trip to the Bahamas for my bachelorette party! It was my first time on a cruise and it was a blast! It was much more structured than I'm used to, but overall it was still an awesome experience. I hung out with my sisters and my best friend in the sun, enjoying fruity drinks and light-hearted books. 


Next is the reason I included the U.S. in my travel list - we moved! We packed up our belongings and within a week of being married, my husband and I were settling in our new town. We are relaxing in a small town in Ohio right near the river and are loving life.


Next up was our honeymoon! What was supposed to be a quick layover in Madrid turned into a one-day adventure! We missed our connecting flight and were put up in a hotel. We decided to make the best of it and set out to explore some of madrid! We were exhausted, but we still managed to have a blast exploring Puerto del sol and the city center.



We did eventually make it over to Portugal for our actual honeymoon. Portugal is absolutely beautiful! We traveled from Porto to Lisbon to Luso to Lagos then back up to Porto. Portugal is absolutely amazing, and I can't recommend it enough!


Finally, we got to spend some time in Canada! We made a few pit stops in Toronto and Niagra Falls before visiting with family near Muskoka. The weather was lovely and the lake was just gorgeous. We had so much fun and will absolutely be going back soon!


I hope your year was filled with beautiful adventures. If you'd like help planning your next excursion (domestic or international), visit my website at MilesIntoMemoriesTravel.com. 

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

How to Keep Your New Year's Resolution to Travel

Happy 2017! It's a new year and that means it's time to start acting on those New Year Resolutions. For many of us adventurers, a top resolution is to travel and explore new places! Here are some tips on how to make those dreams a reality.

1) Pick a place! There are a few things to consider when deciding where you want to go. If you are wanting to go far away  or even all the way to the other side of the world, that is going to take some serious preparation. If you're traveling with a friend, talk over ideas and have fun brainstorming and research! Just don't forget to take your budget into account. It's important to set realistic goals and destinations. Bigger trips will take longer to save for, so plan accordingly!

2) Start saving! Budgeting can be a pain, but it makes a huge difference. Start saving little by little and before you know it you'll have enough for that trip to Australia you've always dreamed of. I know budgeting can be incredibly difficult, so keep an eye on this space for a travel budgeting blog post coming soon!

3) Set a date. Setting a concrete date can make a trip feel real. Even if you don't have the money for the plane ticket just yet, pick a target month and start a count down! It'll help you stay more motivated to budget, save and plan.

4) Plan the trip! While you are saving and preparing for your trip, start planning! For me, this is the best part of the preparation process. Get together with your travel partner (if you have one) and start researching! I like to set a goal for the main sights I want to see while I travel, while still leaving time for spontaneous adventure.

No matter where your travels take you in the new year, remember to take it all in. Traveling is a beautiful thing, but often it does require some planning. If organizing is not your thing, don't forget my company Miles Into Memories Travel can always help you out!