to Happy Thursday and New Year 2022 Hidden Gem Travel Community! I hope you enjoyed your holidays, despite the challenges we faced, and that you’re optimistic about 2022. Especially right now, looking forward feels good.
The long New Years weekend was productive for me. In addition to cleaning up the house, I spent quality time reflecting on 2021 – personal and professional milestones, significant events – and what I hope to do and achieve in 2022. As for a New Year’s resolution that’s aligned with my vision, I aim to prioritize planning and enjoying enriching experiences not only for clients but for myself too. What about you?
What inspired my focus on enriching experiences for 2022? First, the lack of them over the past couple of years. Second, my trips in November and December 2021 were amazing and exceeded my expectations! From staying in castles in Ireland to ziplining over cenotes in Mexico, I feel very fortunate that I was able to have so many extra-special experiences at the very end of the year.
Enriching experiences are life-enhancing so I encourage you to consider these questions:
- How would you like to remember 2022 one year from now?
- What enriching experiences would you love have this year?
- Who are you hoping to have those experiences with?
If traveling in 2022 is a part of your answers to the above questions, read on for the scoop and 3 tips to planning a year to remember…
Have A Family Meeting
Have a family meeting this weekend, or sometime in January, and discuss the following questions:
- Where has everyone always wanted to go?
- What milestones are coming up?
- When do schedules align?
- What about a multi-generational trip? Idea – video call relatives with whom you’d love to travel.
You also might consider a solo vacation, couples trip, or even a getaway with friends based on a shared interest or milestone celebration!
My current clients have these incredible places on their lists or calendar:
*Greek Islands
*Ireland – castle stays and grand tour
*Croatia
*Paris & Loire Valley
*Switzerland – iconic train travel
*Portugal
*Italy – 5* experience
*Amsterdam/Netherlands – Tulip time; Floriade Expo
*Argentina
*Galapagos Islands
*Costa Rica – split stay jungle and coast
*Iceland
*African Safari
*Thailand
*Japan (Spring & Fall)
*River cruise – on the Danube with Prague and wine-focused cruise
*Antarctica expedition cruise
*US National Parks – guided tour
*Alaska – 3 generations
Looking for more ideas? Check out this article from Virtuoso on the top 10 global destinations for 2022 – https://www.virtuoso.com/travel/articles/virtuosos-top-ten-global-destinations-for-2022
Create A Wanderlist & Share It
A Wanderlist is a wish list of future travel destinations and experiences. A fun and inspiring way to create your Wanderlist is through what I call the ‘Netflix for travel.’ On the Wanderlist portal, you will:
Explore – Find new travel ideas while browsing the portal.
Organize – Add your ideas to your own, personally created Wanderlist.
Share – Invite family and friends to collaborate with you on a list.
Plan – Include me, your travel advisor, on your list so I can help you begin the planning process when the time is right.
Get started with your Wanderlist here: https://bit.ly/wanderlisthgtc
Consider Different Modes of Travel
A land tour/independent itinerary with immediate family is the most typical way my clients travel. However, there are advantages to going with a group whether on a vessel or a guided tour. Personally, I’ve done both a cruise (ocean) this year and a guided tour. Having someone else leading the way is a relaxing and fun way to travel!
If you like the idea of traveling with a group, why not talk to friends about a trip together? You can book into a cruise (ocean, river, expedition, or yacht) together or a guided tour. To make things easy, I work with a point person in your group, streamline the decision-making process, and make sure that all of the I’s and T’s are crossed. All you have to do is enjoy the experience together.
As a travel professional, I have vast knowledge and resources at my disposal to help you plan an epic trip in 2022. If you’d like to get the ball rolling, it’s easy to schedule a consultation. You don’t have to know where you want to go yet but only know you want to travel!
Here’s to making 2022 a year to remember through enriching experiences!
Inspired? If the 3 tips to planning a year to remember spoke to you, here’s the link to schedule a chat with me www.hiddengemtravelconsulting.com/contact
💎 Hidden Gem Tip: Follow my Facebook/Instagram pages this week for more travel inspiration: www.facebook.com/hiddengemtravelconsulting or Instagram: www.instagram.com/hidden.gem.travel
Wishing you and your family continued good health,
Susan
