How to Travel More this Year

Approximately how many times a day do you scroll through your feed on social media and see gorgeous pictures of crystal clear water, or an ancient European street and feel ALL sorts of envy/jealousy? Seriously, the 'explore' page on Instagram is always filled with the prettiest locations and I just want to snap my fingers and be in that very spot! I know it's easier said than done, and I know we can't all transport ourselves onto an exotic island, but there ARE ways to experience new things and travel around the world more often than you'd expect.
Stop putting it off, there's no better time than now! Make this the year that you make your travel goals happen.

Get rid of the "rich" mindset when it comes to taking vacations

Most of the time, people will say that money is what holds them back from traveling and taking trips. If you're in the mindset that you need to be "rich" to travel, you won't try to make it work. There's always going to be the financial aspect (of just about anything for that matter) to getting a flight, accommodations, etc., but there's almost always a way to do it. If that means you save for a few years, do that. If it means searching for great deals, you go Glen Coco. The point is, if you're in the mindset that you can travel and take a vacation, you'll be able to.

This goes for more than traveling too, if you have the mindset that you can do something you'll be able to do it. All it takes is one small change to make a difference - and all it takes to make a change is the belief in yourself that you can, in fact, do it.

Start saving and make a travel fund

This is and always will be my #1 tip when it comes to being able to travel more. I started doing this a couple of years ago and I can't even begin to describe just how huge of an impact it's had! These tips to start a travel fund will help you save in no time - it really doesn't take much and once you do this, you've overcome the biggest hurdle. If you're a wanderluster and you have the itch to fill your Instagram feed with pretty pictures from your trips, you HAVE to make a dedicated savings for it. It's worth it!

Plan and book your trips ahead of time

The further out you book a trip, the less money you'll spend. Flights tend to be a LOT cheaper 5-6 months ahead of the scheduled travel day, and get more expensive as the day gets closer. The sooner you plan, the less you'll spend. I love a spontaneous trip as much as the next girl, but if you can you have to be ahead of the game.

Knowing when to book is a big part of saving, but there's other things you can do to reduce costs when you're away too. If you're going abroad, figure out how you'll pay for things - debit/credit card? Cash? Traveler's checks? All three? I always try and use a credit card, because you can easily keep track of your purchases and you don't have to worry about exchange rates, carrying/losing cash and it helps to reduce fees you'll incur. In some cases cash is necessary but you see my point.

You can also plan ahead and save when it comes to buying food, attractions, your phone bill and more. Buy food at a local grocery store to keep in your hotel/AirBNB for snacks; plan and pay for attractions and events ahead of time, and call your cell carrier before leaving for a trip to see if there's a specific rate or package for the destination you'll be traveling to. Every bit you save on a trip can go toward ANOTHER trip (see what I'm doing here? ;) and after a few times doing it, it'll help you do more on vacations to come!

[RELATED]: 9 Free Must Have Travel Apps for Every Trip
 

Get up an hour earlier to live an hour more 🤙🏼 This mornings sunrise on the beach was absolutely b r e a t h taking 💕 Have a beautiful Sunday!! ☀️

A post shared by Adriana Nudo (@dailydoseofdesign) on Aug 13, 2017 at 7:06am PDT

 

Be flexible with when you travel

If you're planning a trip during a busy season (in the summer, for example) you can bet that you aren't the only one. Supply and demand means that traveling to super touristy spots won't always be cheap. If you're able to be flexible on when you take your trip, you'll save quite a bit AND avoid crowds which is always a plus! It isn't always easy to travel during an off-season though, so if you will be traveling to a popular place during a prime travel time, consider looking into a smaller airline (European airlines are ALWAYS less expensive - for example, try Iceland Air or Meridiana) or a hotel outside of the city/a block away from the water (you get the point!) for a cheaper rate.

Realize that memories mean more than materialistic items

While I know that traveling isn't everyone's cup of tea, I have never heard someone say they'd rather buy a handbag than a plane ticket. Hear me out -- materialistic items are great gifts, a fun way to treat yourself, and clothes are necessities. But the memories you make when you travel will always supersede having a new bag or pair of shoes.

[RELATED]: The Importance of Traveling: Why We Cannot be Afraid

Learn to get out of your comfort zone

When you plan to travel, you likely want to experience something new and broaden your horizons, and even grow as a person and learn about yourself. There are so many new things you experience when you visit a new place; you meet new people, see a whole different culture and get out and see things you never thought possible. It's such an incredible feeling to experience new things by way of travel!

One of the best ways to leave your comfort zone is to take a solo trip. I have yet to do this and it seems scary, but it seems like in the long run it's SO beneficial in more ways than you can even think about! When you're abroad, take the time to talk to the locals and learn a little about their culture - even if it's out of character for your personality. Take chances and remember to live in the moment, and most importantly don't plan EVERY second of your trip. Of course it's important to have an itenerary but leave some free time; it'll allow you to explore and wander and find/see things you may not have otherwise.

Spend less money each day

This one really ties in to having a travel fund and knowing where and how you can save $$$, but just think... If you go make your coffee at home instead of going to Starbucks two times a day, get one less manicure per month, and eat the groceries you buy rather than go to a restaurant twice a week - you'll save a CRAP TON of money. For real, it adds up big time and when you realize how much you'll be saving your jaw will drop. I've done all of these things in efforts to add some cash to my travel savings account before and it adds up!

Make a travel vision board

So for 2018, I made a vision board. It has everything on it I hope to accomplish this year and for lack of a better word, my vision for 2018. It has goals - personal and business, big and small - plastered all over it and it's going to be hung where I see it at all times so that not one day goes by where I don't physically see my goals and plans for the year. They're so popular and I now see why - they really work.

[RELATED]: 20 Places to Travel to in Your 20's
 
You can do the same thing when it comes to travel goals; make a vision board solely for your travels. It's sort of like taking your Pinterest board (see my travel board below!) and bringing it to life; paste pictures of the places you want to visit, things you want to do and see and make it pretty. Add whatever it is that'll motivate you and make your travel goals stand out on the vision board. Don't knock it till ya try it, because it's a game changer!

See ya, 2017! ✌🏼 Such a great year filled with friendships, adventures, personal/business growth and so much more. And a big thank YOU to every single one of you for following along, it means more to me than I could ever put into words! 💙 I am so excited for what's to come this year and have super high hopes. 2018 - I'm ready!! ✨ #HappyNewYear #NewYear2018 • • • • • • #blogginggals #happynewyear2018 #onlywayisup #nyblogger #tropea #bellaitalia #ohwowyes #acolorstory #bye2017 #hello2018 #adventureculture #adventuretime #gobigorgohome #lifestylephotography #travelphotography #vscogood_

A post shared by Adriana Nudo (@dailydoseofdesign) on Dec 31, 2017 at 4:50pm PST

Traveling and seeing the world allows you to see and experience things in a whole new way. Your change of perspective will amaze you, and taking a chance and experiencing something new will never disappoint you. A relaxing week at the beach is nice, but after a while you'll see that it's more than that. I'm a firm believer that traveling the world is the absolute best experience and the single thing that every one of us should aim to do. Take a chance on yourself and your goals and aspirations - you'll be AMAZED. :)
XOXO -A