When I’m back in Texas, I spend my time exploring the state and cool towns like Marfa.
As the year wraps up, I encourage you to start thinking about your travel resolutions for 2016. I wanted to share a post I wrote for Afar.com a few weeks ago about how to travel smarter, longer and lighter next year!
Here are five ways to make make travel a priority in 2016 and maximize your vacation time:
1. Maximize Weekends. When I studied abroad in England, I spent every weekend exploring and saw more of the country than my local friends who had lived there for decades. I did the same when I moved to Austin, Texas. I took road trips to Marfa, Houston, Big Bend National Park and every quirky, photogenic town people recommended.
Write down a list of places you’ve always wanted to visit but take for granted due to their proximity. Once a month, plan a trip to explore areas closer to home – nearby towns, national parks and attractions within your state. Take friends or family along for a fun day or quick overnight trip.
2. Travel Lighter. Learn to pack smarter and carry on all luggage. I always start packing a few days before a big trip. (It’s way too easy to over pack when I am rushed!) Then, I spend a few minutes each day eliminating items down to only the bare essentials. Packing lighter saves time at the airport because I skip the baggage check line and get to sleep in a few extra minutes!
Pack complimentary colors to maximize outfit options. Limit your shoes to two pairs. Roll clothing to make more space in your bag. No matter where you go, there will be laundry services!
3. Workout. Travel isn’t an excuse to abandon your exercise routine. Instead, use your workout as a reason to explore a new city. (My favorite thing to do on my first morning in a new place is to go for a sunrise run while the tourists are still asleep.) Bike the local neighborhoods, climb a volcano or go sandboarding! Join a tour or do it solo! Either way, you’ll get a more authentic look at the culture.
Consider planning your trip around activities are that are both physically challenging and rewarding. Hike the Inca Trail or the W circuit at Torres del Paine. Climb Kilimanjaro or trek to Everest Base Camp! Push your limits and comfort zone. The stories will be priceless!
4. Take Longer Trips. It’s cheaper to travel for longer periods of time than to take multiple trips. Flights are usually the most expensive part of travel. Once you arrive in a destination, it’s much easier and cheaper to country hop than to take additional trips. Spending a month or three in Southeast Asia is always cheaper than multiple visits.
How do you find the time? For me, it was simple. I took advantage of gaps of time between jobs and after graduation from both college and graduate school. I also quit multiple jobs to travel. Each time I was honest about my reasons for leaving and even got rehired when I returned!
Glance at your work schedule for the year. Devise a detailed plan that allows you to take an extended trip without affecting your productivity. Meet with your boss face-to-face to outline your plan and/or discuss options to work remotely. Be honest and direct. And, offer to bring him back a nice bottle of Argentinean malbec!
5. Start Collecting Miles. I wrapped up a seven-month trip in Central/South America earlier this year. I flew fifteen times and only paid for four flights. The rest were paid for with miles that I collected from traveling (for both work and personal trips) and rewards credit cards.
What’s my secret? Sign up for a rewards credit card and frequent flyer mile accounts at each of the major airlines in your country. The initial sign-up bonus offered by most rewards cards is enough for one free flight! Take advantage of online shopping malls offered by rewards credit cards. Simply click on their customized link to popular retailers (Sephora, Apple, Target, etc.) to earn miles. (This isn’t an excuse to spend frivolously but to collect points of your normal purchases and holiday shopping!)
Don’t forget to collect miles for work travel for flights, hotels and rental cars. (Despite who pays, the person who flies gets the miles!) Double dipping is also key. Hotel loyalty programs like Hilton HHonors let you earn a combination of hotel points and airline miles for every dollar spent on a hotel stay.
COMING UP: Next week, I’ll be posting my favorite travel photos from my 2015 adventures!
