This mantra got here throughout my Facebook feed, on one of many final days of 2023, and it caught my consideration. I don’t essentially agree that every one journey targets should be centered on completely new locations as a result of there’s so much to be mentioned for re-engaging with locations you’ve already seen, whether or not it’s in a brand new gentle or within the consolation of favourite discoveries (because of Culture Trip first, and Patricia Shultz (writer of the long-lasting 1,000 Places to See Before You Die), subsequent, for sharing it.
Still: There’s nothing like discovering a brand new place, both.
This graphic impressed me to publish a query on Facebook’s vibrant Windstar Passengers-Yacht Club group. And that query is and was: Do you’ve got a journey decision (or resolutions) for 2024 and can you share it with us?
For me, my large decision within the new 12 months is to journey extra slowly, be current for extra moments, and survive journey mishaps with some state of grace. Destination-wise, I positively need to sneak in a winter cruise within the Mediterranean. I like Europe throughout that season for its tradition and native vibes. I’d positively return to Tahiti and, within the gradual journey mantra, need to sail on a longer-than-a-week itinerary. 2023’s journey to Korea for the primary time evokes me to return to Asia. And the Panama Canal is an excellent winter getaway that’s as a lot about Costa Rica, rainforests, watersports and jungles as it’s concerning the building of the storied canal.
This 12 months, the journey experiences that mattered most – and perhaps that’s as a result of I wasn’t as insanely pressed for time as in earlier years (we adopted a canine with well being points so our journey was super-thoughtfully deliberate) – had been to locations exterior of my consolation zone. I liked visiting Korea and Poland whilst I returned for repeat visits to favourite destos like London, Zurich, Singapore and Helsinki. And so this touch upon Facebook resonated:
“Our travel resolution is to see more places we haven’t seen yet.” Thanks, Ellen McAuliffe!
What about you? I’m loving the dialog on Facebook, and encourage you to proceed to share it there (or under within the feedback). In the meantime, listed here are some particular responses. I hope they encourage you, too.
Why journey issues a lot to us
Karla and I’ve a saying “adventures, not things.” The issues we do get matter to our long run … our automobiles will final us a decade, solar energy reduces our invoice and reduces the fossil fuels burned in our behalf, double glazing our home windows lowers our vitality invoice as effectively.
Our adventures? Things we’ve not seen. We found Windstar by way of our journey agent. We did Treasures of the Greek Isles for our honeymoon in 2017. Captain Belinda Bennett helped promote the road, and we met now quick mates Alison and Niki Malkin. In early 2018 we took our first journey to Costa Rica.
Then the pandemic hit, and we had been benched for practically two years. We cruised once more on Wind Star, from Barbados to Costa Rica, and met Colin Dickson from employees and Brian Lacy and Lisa Kopas.
2022 was our first journey to Tahiti, and we met Clare Bear Sailor Taylor, one of many lodge normal managers of Windstar. This 12 months was Italy, and we met PJ of the leisure group, Elise and Marie from Los Angeles as effectively.
So, half of our adventures are assembly different great individuals, typically of Windstar, typically passengers! –John Perkowski
Why touring otherwise issues a lot
My decision is to essentially immerse myself right into a vacation spot quite than taking means too many journeys. I do know that sounds loopy, however I used to be really grateful when considered one of our journeys was canceled final 12 months. Going to the Holy Land for 12 days and Istanbul for 3 was the spotlight of final 12 months. If I’d waited one other 12 months, it simply wouldn’t have occurred. This 12 months I’ve a three-week journey to Hawaii (Maui, Kauai, and Oahu). I’m pondering this will probably be my final time to journey there, so I actually need to soak it in. I solely have a few shorter “girls” journeys deliberate for the remainder of the 12 months. I went to Tahiti throughout Covid and plan to return in 2025 with a 17-day Windstar cruise. This time we are going to deliver just a few mates with us. It will probably be good to not put on masks and fear about all of the testing. Due to being in my mid 70’s now, it’s time for me and my husband to decelerate. I’m getting bored with all of the planning and related stress concerned. I’ve been blessed with many journeys everywhere in the world (or at the very least the elements I’m inquisitive about) and can benefit from the reminiscences and haven’t any regrets.—Barbara Ann Fuller Crisler
Looking to the previous to maneuver ahead to the future
I used to sail tall ships within the Caribbean (anybody keep in mind Barefoot Windjammer?) the place I met Meivon Clement on his first journey as a purser. When Meivon moved as much as Windstar, I sailed every week out of Puerto Rico (I had been to the airport, however not the island), and found the great crew of Windstar. Since then I’ve solely sailed on Windstar, and have been to most of the locations on my “life list,” together with Iceland, Alaska, Australia, Singapore….some I liked and need to revisit (Australia), and a few not a lot (Monaco). The pandemic shut down my long-planned and high life record journey to Amsterdam for SAIL Amsterdam and the British Isles. Unfortunately, Windstar isn’t doing SAIL Amsterdam in 2025, so I’ve figured a method to cruise Great Britain to Amsterdam simply earlier than SAIL Amsterdam, after which will keep ashore. Windstar lets me journey safely and comfortably as a 74 12 months previous solo lady traveler. –Patricia Jackson
When life weighs in additional closely than normal
After being identified with aggressive a number of myeloma early in 2023 and having a stem cell transplant in June, I made a decision to deal with myself to a bucket record vacation spot every year. I’m beginning with a Panama Canal cruise on Star Pride in March 2024, my first publish transplant journey. Life is brief—time to make issues occur! –Carlye Lehne
Looking on the world’s large image
At the chance of sounding tacky/a bit Miss Universe-ish, my decision is to do my finest for world peace by way of cruising. Has a struggle ever damaged out on one of many world’s nice cruising vessels? Has there ever been a misunderstanding that hasn’t been repaired? Has there ever been a cruise the place we haven’t learnt one thing new – about others and about ourselves? Has there ever been a cruise the place you haven’t made a brand new pal from one other nation or a completely totally different background? If solely the world might be a cruise ship. –Wendy London
Here’s the place we’re going subsequent
My spouse of fifty years and I took our first cruise ever this 12 months on Windstar within the Greek Islands. It was fabulous and we at the moment are dedicated to a Windstar Cruise yearly and perhaps two! A repositioning cruise, Tahiti and the Panama Canal are on the Bucket List by the top of 2025! –Kris W. Anderson
I problem myself relating to journey
My decision is to keep up my private journey purpose: “The number of countries visited must always exceed my age.” I’ve met that purpose yearly since I used to be in school, 50 years in the past. I’m presently 10 nations forward of my age. –Kim Hackett
And from the “you can’t possibly argue with this” viewpoint
My 2024 decision is to spend as a lot time in, on, and close to the ocean as doable. It’s the blissful remedy for nearly every part. –Melinda Crow
Share your journey decision with us under, within the feedback! And happiest of New Year’s to you.