Every year, we make a list of all the
things we will love to do and how we would love to make a change. But of all
these goals, the hardest to cross off the list might be that you wished you had
travelled more. The New Year affords you another opportunity to gift yourself a
lasting memory of some of the most captivating cities in the world.
Making a list is just never enough, you
have to make appropriate plans as well. Planning allows you get rid of nervous
tensions or anxiety, avoid overspending and make the most out of your travel
experiences.
I recently interviewed a number of
influential travel bloggers, see here
and here.
Some of whom have been fortunate to have visited close to 50 countries.
Here are some of the tips I picked from the
interview to help you accomplish your travel goals in 2017
1. Do not be in denial of
your money situation:
Depending on your income, set up a
dedicated saving account to help meet your travel goal. You will be surprised
at how quickly it adds up to make a whooping sum of money. Declutter your home
or wardrobe and get rid of anything that is unessential. Put them up for sale
on an online market place and put the money straight into your dedicated
savings account.
2. Plan according to your
budget:
Pick destinations within your budget and
start planning. Making plans always get easier once you know what destinations
you can or cannot afford. If you have an endless budget, good for you as there
are endless possibilities just for you.
However, all hope isn’t lost for everyone
else on a low budget. You just need to be more tactical about your travel
plans. Consider going to an affordable destinations closer to your country,
focus on places where the currency exchange leaves you at a considerable
advantage or where local lifestyle is much affordable than back home.
3. Explore your backyard:
Who ever said traveling mean going far away
and for a long time? Explore nearby cities, visit ancient landmarks and museums
or take a vacation to one of the best resorts in Nigeria. Enjoy a weekend
getaway at La Campagne Tropicana Resort in Lagos or Sheraton
hotel Abuja.
Get to know your own country and check off
all the tourist attractions and sights on your list of things to see. Remember
that awesome things are happening all around you and your travel goals might
take flight if you start with a couple of “staycations”, enjoy and learn more
about the place you call home.
4. Make the most of long
layovers:
Getting the longest layover possible is
recommended as your fare is likely to be cheaper. Layovers can be a blessing, whether
it’s for a few hours at the airport or a night’s stay in an unknown city, take
advantage of that layover time to the fullest. Enjoy 2 trips for the price of
1, as it gives you the chance to get out of the airport and experience a middle
destination ahead of your final one.
5. Take advantage of your
business trips:
Congratulations! If you are lucky enough to
have a job that allows you travel. Going to a seminar in Tanzania,
obviously doesn’t mean you’ll be spending the day at the beach or a game
reserve. But if you have a bit of free time on your hand, enjoy a couple of touristy
visits or even just hang out in a bustling city centre to feel the local vibe.
6. Find the right travel
buddy:
If travelling solo isn’t your thing, find a
travel buddy with similar interest. This may inspire you to visit places that
you have never heard of before. The right travel companion may not be your
closest relative or spouse. It could be your colleague or a new friend. Once
you’ve succeeded in finding your partner in travel, be sure to discuss
interests, expectations and budget before traveling.
Writteh
by: Mariam Banwo Barry
