1. Set a Goal for Number of Trips or Destinations
- Visit three new countries or cities this upcoming year. I already visited Canada and I'd love to go to Europe. Read my recap about visiting Victoria, B.C. and watch my recap video below:
- Explore a new destination every quarter. My brothers and I always take quarterly family trips that last anywhere from 3-7 days. I'd love to be able to take quarterly vacations with my husband but our work schedules rarely align.
- Plan one solo trip to a place you've always dreamed of. My goal is to take a solo trip out of state and then progress to a different country. I already visited Catalina Island solo on my birthday. Read my recap and watch my video below:
2. Embrace Adventure
- Try a new outdoor activity like scuba diving, rock climbing, or paragliding in a scenic location. To be honest, this is actually too adventurous for me. Scuba diving is out of the question as I've developed a fear of sharks and not to mention as of December 2024, aliens have been discovered in the ocean? No thanks!
- Hike a famous trail like the Camino de Santiago, Inca Trail, or the Pacific Crest Trail. This is definitely a goal of mine. Hiking the PCT would be great.
- Visit a UNESCO World Heritage Site you’ve never been to. My bucket list includes: Machu Picchu (Peru), Great Wall of China, Taj Mahal, the Egyptian Pyramids, the Colosseum (Italy), and Stonehenge (UK),
3. Connect with Nature
- Spend a night under the stars at a remote camping site. As someone who has never camped, this is on my list but I hate being cold, I dislike mosquitos, so maybe I'll opt for "glamping."
- Visit at least one national park in a new country or state. This reminds me, I need to buy a new "America the Beautiful" annual national parks pass.
- Take a trip focused on wildlife, such as a safari in Africa or whale watching in Alaska.
4. Cultural Immersion
- Learn basic phrases in the language of the country you’re visiting.
- Attend a local festival or cultural celebration abroad, like Carnival in Brazil or Diwali in India.
- Spend time volunteering abroad to connect with communities and give back. I've been researching Rotary Clubs in my neighborhood. They helped volunteer in Hawaii after the fires. I'd love to help on that type of scale.
5. Explore Locally
- Discover hidden gems in your own state or country.
- Plan weekend getaways to nearby towns or historical sites. I have a few ghost towns on my list as well as mountain towns near Los Angeles, CA that I would love to visit this upcoming year. I plan on visiting Calico Ghost Town Regional Park.
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| Calico Ghost Town |
- Visit one underrated travel destination you’ve overlooked in the past.
6. Focus on Personal Growth Through Travel
- Travel with minimal luggage to embrace simplicity. I'm proud to say that I've perfected packing with just a personal item and a carry-on roller. It's helpful when you can do laundry at your travel destination.
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| My new Samsonite under seat roller |
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| My Biaggi Carry Cube Backpack as seen on Shark Tank |
- Plan a digital detox trip and focus on being present. National Parks are great places to visit as they often have spotty cell service and I've experienced "dead zones" in Joshua Tree National Park, Sequoia National Park, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, and Zion National Park. Pro-Tip: Download offline maps before your trip. (I used Google Maps).
- Journal your travel experiences to reflect on your growth. Since starting this blog, I would say it helps reflect on all the places and experiences over the years.
7. Travel Sustainably
- Reduce your carbon footprint by choosing eco-friendly travel options. Perhaps opt for road trips instead of flying?
-Stay at eco-conscious accommodations. I've seen several Airbnbs and VRBO rentals that leverage eco-friendly options.
- Support local businesses and sustainable tourism initiatives. I always try to shop local when traveling. I love visiting small businesses, mom & pop type of stores, thrift stores, non-chain restaurants, and the like.
8. Plan Bucket List Adventures
- See the Northern Lights in Iceland or Norway. A location closer to me is Alaska so I'd like to take a cruise to see Northern Lights.
- Visit all seven continents (or a few of them) if it's a long-term goal.
- Explore one of the world's wonders, like Machu Picchu or Petra. Machu Picchu is on my brother's bucket list and I've read about the altitude. That's the only thing that scares me is getting acclimated to it.
9. Save and Budget for Travel
- Set up a travel fund and commit to saving a percentage of your income.
- Look for ways to travel on a budget, such as using points or off-season deals. Use my trip resources below for budget-friendly options and leverage a travel credit card for points. Below is a recap of my stay at the Four Seasons in Seattle, WA leveraging points:
10. Document and Share Your Travels
- Start a travel journal or blog to capture your adventures. I did with this site and my YouTube channel. I also post my travel photos and reels on Instagram. If I can do it, you can, too.
- Create a photo or video series highlighting each destination you visit. Make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel.
- Make a vision board of places you want to explore for the year.
Hope you were inspired by this list of travel-related New Year's resolutions.
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Trip Resources
If you’re planning a road trip, here are some helpful sites that I use. Note, below are affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission for every booking, with no extra cost to you. Thanks so much, in advance!
Booking.com - Anytime we need a rental car, we use this site to find deals.
Expedia.com - I like to use this site to explore upcoming cruises that I'd like to take. I also refer to it to compare hotel prices, flights, and car rentals.
GetYourGuide.com - Book things to do, attractions, tours and discover new food.
VRBO.com - When we’re not staying in an AIRBNB, we’re in a VRBO rental. We use this option when we want to enjoy a full house with individual bedrooms, a kitchen, backyard and other amenities.
TripAdvisor.com - Anytime I want reputable reviews, tips, and overall advice about a vacation area, I leverage this site.
Viator.com - Looking for cool tours in your vacation area? This site has a number of options.
Hey, I'm Christy Scronce, a Filipina-American Los Angeles native and travel enthusiast. I love visiting new places and trying new food. Welcome to my adventure blog where I capture both State & National Park visits, family excursions, and road trips, while sharing my travel photos and recaps. My goal is to visit as many National Parks using my “America the Beautiful” annual pass. 
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