Go somewhere you’ve never been and cross it off your bucket list. And if you don’t have a bucket list yet, create one!
- Pick an off-the-beaten-path but emerging destination. In Asia, think about Bhutan and Myanmar. Colombia and Ecuador are hot in South America. And in Europe, the Baltic nations and Montenegro are catching on more with visitors.
- Volunteer at a destination. Voluntourism has never been more popular. There’s an opportunity to help with whatever interests you, from working with wildlife populations to teaching English to preserving history.
- Learn a new skill. Master Italian cooking in Tuscany (attending cooking school was the top pick of Virtuoso Travelers voting in the 2012 Travel Dreams Survey). Or improve on your high-school French in Paris. Or hone your photography talents—then put them to good use shooting memories of your trip.
- Revisit an old favorite, perhaps a sentimental destination like the site of your honeymoon or your childhood hometown.
- Keep a souvenir of your travels. You’ll love reading a diary of your vacation highlights years from now —and reviewing photos of the highlights. Bring home something distinctive from the country you’re visiting—a local craft or artwork, book or article of clothing.
- Trace your roots. Seek the help of one of our suppliers who have developed an expertise in helping travelers explore their ancestral homelands.
- Take the family along—not just the kids but the parents, grandkids and extended relatives. Multigenerational travel has grown exponentially in recent years and savvy suppliers are ready to accommodate the needs of large groups.
- Interact with locals. There’s no better way to truly experience a destination and its culture than to talk with residents and take part in their lifestyle.
- Be kind to the environment. Stay at properties that are committed to sustainable tourism. Donate carbon offsets. Buy from locals.
- Conquer a fear. Always wanted to scuba dive? Go to the Great Barrier Reef and get certified. Or swim with sharks in Mexico. Skydiving in New Zealand? The choices are endless.