My 2018 Travel Plans (and Goals!)

For reasons I can’t explain, I can be somewhat close-mouthed when it comes to sharing upcoming travel plans. I think part of that hesitation is in case my plans change, which they have in the past (and which is really not a big deal) and partly because I like the element of surprise. 

Anyway, I’ve decided it’s silly to hold back, and perhaps by putting my plans and goals out there, I’m more motivated to actually see these places. I think Oprah may have covered this on her show.

So, I’m going to take inspiration from many of my fellow travel bloggers and share my travel plans and goals for 2018. Unlike the last few years, in which many of my travels were planned around destination weddings and work trips, I have no big events to definitively plan around in 2018. It’s basically a blank slate, travel-wise. Also, after having traveled around four continents last year, I don’t think I’ll be as far-flung this year buuut never say never.

With that, here’s where I’m looking to go this year (separated into travel plans and travel goals):

Travel Plans

California
I’ve been to California several times, so this isn’t a new place for me, though it will be my first time in Napa, which I’ve read is doing better following the devastating fires last year. My trip will take me from Los Angeles to San Francisco and finally to Napa before heading back to New York. I’m looking forward to exploring the West Coast again and drinking all the wine. 

Chile
I’ve written a few times about my amazing introduction to Chile and how I wanted to return in the near future. Well, me being the efficient traveler that I am, I knew I was going to Peru (more on this below) and I knew I could find an affordable flight from Santiago to Lima (and vice versa), and so I decided to tack on Chile. This time, I’m looking to head north to that desert I keep reading so much about (hey, Atacama!). 

Peru
I will admit, Machu Picchu was not at the very top of my South America list but I knew, after Chile and Argentina, I wanted to get there at some point. I’ve decided “at some point” meant this year. The plan is to do Lima, the Sacred Valley and, of course, Machu Picchu. Besides seeing this Wonder of the World, I’m really looking forward to exploring Lima and its culinary scene.

France
One of the sports that my family, in particular my mom, enjoys the most is tennis. We are soccer/futbol and tennis people all the way. So far, we’ve been to Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. Next up on the list: Roland-Garros, also known as the French Open. We’ll be planning our travels around the Grand Slam tournament and spending some time in one of my favorite cities. Then, I hope to explore a new place nearby.

Travel Goals

Oman
Oh, Oman. I’m putting this out into the ether. I would love to go to Oman. Those I know who’ve visited say great things, and I often find myself looking at photos of Oman and thinking “I want to go to there.” I mean, I say that about a lot of places but in particular about Oman. We’ll see if we can make it happen this year (we being me). That would be amazing (or should I say O-mazing?)!

Chamonix, France
I know that Chamonix is in France and yet I wrote earlier that I’m going to France, but I’ll be in Paris at a time when it will be warmer, while I really want to go to Chamonix during the winter. I mostly have visions of eating lots of cheese while looking at incredible snow-capped mountains rising all around me. I’m going to try to make this happen because it would really make my cheese-loving heart so, so happy. I’m also open to nearby ski towns but Chamonix is number one.

Copenhagen, Denmark
I feel like I am way overdue to visit Copenhagen. I’ve visited so many places in Europe and yet Copenhagen remains one of those I haven’t yet seen. It also feels very doable considering my other plans for the year. Perhaps I will combine this with my trip to France or go later in the year. Either way, I think I can make this happen fairly easily. 

Nashville, Tennessee or Austin, Texas (or both!)
One of my good friends, Ali (also a Globe Getter), now lives in Nashville, and I’ve been trying to figure out when I can visit her. I think this may be the year. I haven’t booked anything yet, but I really want to make this happen. I also put Austin on here because it’s another U.S. city that’s been calling my name for quite some time. And, in full disclosure, I haven’t traveled around the U.S. enough so I’m hoping I can get to both of these places in the next 12 months.

I know more plans will pop up as the year goes on, but this is what I consider a good starting point. I’m looking forward to planning my confirmed travels and working toward my travel goals.

Where are you headed this year? Where do you want to go?