We make New Year’s resolutions every year, but it’s usually not much fun trying to keep them. Losing weight means dragging yourself to the gym and cutting back on some of your favorite foods. Trying to meet new people involves, well, Tinder. But there is a way to combine your 2016 goals with actual fun and enjoyment.
Instead of treating those resolutions like a chore that you’ll abandon by February, why not plan a vacation that will help you keep them? We’ve collected three trip ideas for each of five of the most common New Year’s resolutions, from getting fit to being more adventurous. Plus, all of them will help you keep your lifelong resolution to travel more.
This article was first published on December 29, 2015.
Resolution: Unplug and de-stress
Trip: Surf camp in Panama
De-stressing doesn’t necessarily have to mean laying immobile on a beach. Sometimes, engaging in some physical activity can be a real stress reliever, and there's plenty of it at the Oasis Surf Camp in Santa Catalina, Panama. At the beachside hotel, you can learn to surf (or practice your skills), horseback ride, or hit the water in a boat. It’s super inexpensive, too: The hotel rooms run as low as £35 per night and those who really want to get close to nature can camp on the sand for just £5 per night. So leave your laptop at home, forget about your bills and that dude who won’t text you back, and embrace island life for a while.
Photo: Courtesy of Oasis Surf Camp.
Resolution: Unplug and de-stress
Trip: Glamping
Here’s a surefire tip for unplugging: leave civilisation. You don’t have to totally give up your creature comforts as you disconnect, either. Glamping is a good way to get out of town and abandon your email while still enjoying chic accommodations. Moab Under Canvas is a nice option, with luxury platform tents (and bathrooms!) for as low as £70 per night. Big Sur’s Fernwood Resort will take you to the California coast for £100 per night and abides by a much-desired “quiet time” from 10 p.m. until 8 a.m.
Photo: Courtesy of Moab Under Canvas.
Resolution: Unplug and de-stress
Trip: Spa retreat in Bali
If your idea of a stress-relieving vacation means hitting a spa, book a flight to Bali and a room at The Kayon resort. Located in the Ubud rain forest preserve, the resort features morning yoga, treatments at the onsite Serayu Spa, walking tours, and purity baths. The location is traditionally seen as having healing powers and the resort summons those who want “peace of mind, clarity of thought and inspiration in the arts, culture, dance, and music.” Rates run from £150 per night and include breakfast, tea, and yoga classes, as well as airport transfers. There is technically no rule about cell phones and computers, but we’ll make one: Don’t bring them and relax.
Photo: Courtesy of the Kayon Resort.
Resolution: Be more adventurous
Trip: Bungee jumping in South Africa
A good way to test your spirit of adventure is to jump off something really high. And you can do that in South Africa, where people head to Bloukrans Bungy, the world's highest commercial bungy bridge. It’s a massive 216 meters high and allows you to leap face first toward the river below. Of course, that’s not the only draw to the country, which is well-known for adventure tourism. You can hike, climb, canoe, bike, and even go diving with great white sharks. Plus, it’s an adventure in itself to head across the world to Africa and experience a new culture.
Photo: Courtesy of Bloukrans Bungy.
Resolution: Be more adventurous
Trip: Hiking in the Grand Canyon
There are hikes and then there are HIKES. The National Park Service ’s website notes that “first time Grand Canyon hikers tend to react to the experience in one of two ways: either they can't wait to get back, or they swear they'll never do it again.” If you’re looking to introduce more adventure into your life, undergoing a trek like the Grand Canyon is a great option. It’s beautiful and it’s a test of your endurance. There are multiple ways to undertake the hike, but we recommend skipping the day outing and making it into a mini-vacation. There are guided backpacking trips, many of which will haul your gear down and back up on mules. Do your research and start your training ASAP.
Photo: REX/Shutterstock.Resolution: Be more adventurous
Trip: Scuba diving in Belize
There are plenty of global locations where you can learn to scuba dive, but Belize is a great bet for seeing interesting sea life, thanks to its coral reef. There are many resorts that are specifically for divers, too. A good option is Blackbird Caye Resort, which is known for its nearby snorkelling and scuba diving. It’s also the closest resort to the famous Blue Hole, a collapsed ocean cave you can descend into (should you have the courage). A three-night dive-inclusive package will run you £1,185, which is worth it for the adrenaline surge you’ll experience the first time you head beneath the ocean’s surface with only an air tank to survive.
Resolution: Meet new people
Trip: Backpacking in Europe
Backpacking around Europe isn't just for college students anymore. Hostels have become much cooler in the past few years, prompting the rise of the “poshtel,” a high-end, hip accommodation that is easy on your wallet. Most of these poshtels feature common spaces and community events, which are perfect to meet other travellers and connect with people from all over the world. London’s Clink78, with its cool basement bar and TV lounge; and Paris’ Generator Hostel, with its rooftop terrace, are great starting points. You shouldn’t necessarily book your entire trip in advance, either, because you’ll want to keep your options open in case you meet someone fun and want to head to Amsterdam on a whim.
Photo: Courtesy of Clink78.
Resolution: Meet new people
Trip: Taking a cruise
Okay, we know: Cruises don’t seem very attractive to anyone under the age of 65. However, there are some boat-driven vacations that can be perfect for young people who are looking to be social and meet fun new travel buddies. Music cruises, like Parahoy and Holy Ship! are already sold out for 2016 (although you can plan ahead for 2017 now), but there are other options out there depending on your interests. For partiers, there’s Inception Cruise, which is hailed as “spring break at sea” (meaning you're guaranteed to meet people you probably won’t ever see again). Un-Cruise Adventures features a different vibe, offering small ships sailing to a variety of destinations like Alaska, the Galapagos, and Central America.
Photo: Courtesy of Un-Cruise Adventures.
Resolution: Meet new people
Trip: Adult summer camp
Remember summer camp? Living in cabins, eating in the mess hall, playing capture the flag, dipping that weird girl’s hand in warm water to see if she’d wet the bed? Such good times. It turns out that you can relive all those experiences again as a grown-up (Well, maybe not the warm water prank.) at adult summer camps. There are many to choose from, depending on what you’re into, but we recommend one that reimagines your childhood memories, like Camp No Counsellors. It has locations in Nashville, New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, and features classic activities like archery, arts and crafts, and water skiing. And unlike your childhood camp, there's an open bar.
Photo: Courtesy of Camp No Counselors.
Resolution: Get healthy and fit
Trip: Yoga retreat in the Bahamas
If running a marathon or taking intense fitness classes isn’t part of your resolution, a yoga retreat might be a good way to get your health on track for the new year. There are tons of options all over the world, but heading beachside is a good way to ensure total relaxation and focus. Check out Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat in the Bahamas, which offers a vacation program that includes daily yoga practice, a vegetarian meal plan, and meditation training. Rooms run around £110 per night, depending on how many nights you plan to stay, and the program costs a mere £15 to £25 per day. If you’re looking for something that’s less of a commitment, head to The Palms Hotel & Spa in Miami, which features a one-day yoga and meditation program called Sanctuary Yoga Retreat for £170 per night.
Photo: OJO Images/REX/Shutterstock.
Resolution: Get healthy and fit
Trip: Hiking detox in Malibu
Celebrities like Mandy Moore, Lea Michele, and Minka Kelly are big fans of The Ranch at Live Oak Malibu 's fitness immersion program. The weeklong program is intended to increase your endurance, tone, detox, and get you off the grid (and, of course, help shed some of those holiday pounds). It’s intense, involving four to five hours of hiking per day, but also includes a daily nap, so you (hopefully) won’t collapse from exhaustion. All the food is organic, garden-grown, and removes all processed sugar, caffeine, and alcohol from your diet. The only downside is the price, which is £5,440 for the week (yeah, we know). But if you need a serious boost to your health, sometimes saving up your dough can be worth it.
Photo: via Facebook.
Resolution: Get healthy and fit
Trip: Bikini Bootcamp in Mexico
Getting fit and toned in the New Year doesn’t have to feel like a chore — and it doesn't have to take place in a gym. Instead, head to Tulum, Mexico, for a six-day fitness vacation aptly dubbed Bikini Bootcamp. Beachfront rooms run £1,800 to £3,150, but for those on more of a budget, the program offers rooms for £1,500 in the nearby town along with use of a bicycle. Your fee includes fitness classes, healthy meals, spa treatments, and local tours, combining working out with sightseeing. It’s meant for people of all fitness levels, so don’t be intimidated by the name (or the photos of people in tiny bathing suits). Best part? Your friends back home are going to be so jealous that you came back from a beach vacation looking amazing.
Photo: Courtesy of Bikini Bootcamp.
Resolution: Give back
Trip: Sea turtle conservation in Costa Rica
Voluntourism trips involving animals can be controversial, but one good option is a conservation trip to Costa Rica to work with its sea turtle population. GoVoluntouring offers several trip itineraries, ranging in length and price (one week runs about £480, all-inclusive except flights), where you can help improve the conservation of the sea turtle species and aid in sustaining the balance of their natural habitat. You’ll receive training on dealing with the turtles and how to relocate their nests, as well as cleaning the beaches. The best part is that if you’re low on funds but still want to participate, you can fundraise for your trip costs.
Photo: Chameleons Eye/REX/Shutterstock.
Resolution: Give back
Trip: American Hiking Society volunteer trip
The American Hiking Society offers a selection of volunteer trips for those who want to contribute to the environment but might not have the funds or time to travel out of the States. The trips involve hiking (obviously), either backpacking or staying in cabins, and include about a dozen participants along with a crew leader. The volunteer aspect is helping to maintain the trails, and they range in physical difficulty. You can pick one in basically every state, including the Virgin Islands, and most cost around £250 per person. You’ll leave feeling like you’ve contributed something important to our country’s natural scenery. And just think how fit you’ll be after digging out invasive plant species for a week.
Photo: Scottish Viewp/REX/Shutterstock.
Resolution: Give back
Trip: Climate change research in the Arctic
This one is pricey, but worth it. If you want to engage in a major global issue, like climate change, in a tangible way, the EarthWatch Institute hosts research trips to the Arctic, which you can join for £2,900. The trips last nearly two weeks and aim to measure the evidence of global warming in arctic locations, which vary depending on the time of year you sign up for. You’ll learn about plant life, animals, and how to conduct scientific lab research on various topics from experienced scientists. How does it help? According to the EarthWatch website, “By joining forces with the scientists, you’ll help gather lots of data over a short time period [and] contribute to a trove of information that will help locals and people everywhere make the future a little less uncertain.” Sounds pretty useful.
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