Resolutions for Travel in the New Year
Rick Steves: On what he wants to do more of in 2010, from taking photos to embracing technology
01.04.10 | 11:12 AM ET
OK travelers, it’s time for New Year’s resolutions. In 2010, in my travels I will strive to maximize the experience these ways:
- In small towns, villages, and rural settings, take my last glass of wine away from the restaurant and enjoy it in the elements under the stars—in whichever corner of Europe I’m enjoying.
- Stretch 10 minutes a day so all my exercise will feel good rather than just tighten me up.
- Eat at the counter in market eateries to season the meal with all that local action.
- Order more adventurously to delve more deeply into regional cuisine and treats of the season.
- Drink more—and work less—late at night.
- Take time to talk with more people—both locals and tourists.
- Refuse to let small-minded victims of 24/7 news shrink my worldview.
- Buy clothes on the road and wear them.
- Take more photos with my tripod.
- Make music a bigger part of my travels.
- Embrace technology more vigorously in the interest of using my time more wisely, capturing experiences, and then amplifying tales of the fun I’ve had—and the lessons I’ve learned—to others.
Please share your resolutions so we can all enjoy happier and more rewarding travels in the New Year. And best wishes to all in 2010.
Email to friend
Twitter
del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Furl
Ma.gnolia
Mixx
Reddit
StumbleUpon
Yahoo! Buzz
Rick Steves writes European travel guidebooks and hosts travel shows on public television and public radio. He is the author of Travel as a Political Act.
pelu 01.04.10 | 4:23 PM ET
I love the technology bit. I have decided to also embrace technology—twitter, mobile uploads and blogging, especially—more as I travel around Nigeria.
Jenny 01.04.10 | 6:38 PM ET
Rick,
I, for one, would LOVE to see you wear more local clothing bought on the road :O)
Evan Rail 01.05.10 | 7:53 AM ET
After a year like 2009, I think “drinking more” might be an important—and achievable—life goal for just about everyone.
My plan: share more, especially pictures. Via email, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and even, yes, printed-out hard copies, stuck in envelopes and posted to those who really need to see evidence of me eating at market counters and wearing clothes I bought on the road.
Also, in 2010 I will finally take a vacation that does not have an assignment attached to it.
Rebecca 01.05.10 | 10:35 AM ET
These are great New Year’s Resolutions. Some other ones are: adhere to the rule of “when in doubt, leave it out,” respect the flight crew, be courteous, and helpful, respect and be polite towards fellow passengers, leave the “extra” carry-on luggage at home (there’s only so much room in the overhead compartments), stop complaining and whining if you’re flight is canceled due to weather (it’s not the airliner’s or flight crew’s fault), be a goodwill ambassador no matter where you travel to throughout the year, and get to know the locals, you may learn something and you attitudes may change.
Worldwide travel recommendations 01.05.10 | 5:37 PM ET
I strongly agree with Rebecca’s comment of “get to know the locals.” Particularly in third world countries, I’ve always found that if you treat locals with interest and respect you’ll have a much richer experience.
Lee Bravo 01.10.10 | 2:11 PM ET
In 2010 I resolve to enjoy each & every day! More sunrises & more sunsets. More swims in the ocean, lake, river, pond or pool. Eat more ethnic foods. Kick more balls with the grandkids. To swing on more swings. To pack more into each day.
R Whitehead 01.11.10 | 9:20 PM ET
Rick,
I discovered my New Years resolution after meeting some of the kind souls you have praised in your travel books in Oct 2009. I met Lida and stayed at her apartment in Prague. She was very helpful and such a nice person. I also had the pleasure of meeting Lettie in Bacharach. We stayed at her wonderful pension and were given five star service. We met so many other great people on our trip to both Germany and Czech Republic.
My resolution to to continue to travel and use your guidebooks to meet more of your contacts. I will also continue to make it a point to share life experieces with others where I travel. Life has so much to offer and their is so many open doors if we just look. Thanks for all you do!
Eileen 01.11.10 | 10:12 PM ET
I would love to accompany you as a fan to go to my life long dream before I die which would be
Ireland,,,, I am Irish and long to go there as a dream come true… Would that be possible for a fan’s dream come true??????????????
tekwriter 01.12.10 | 1:46 PM ET
As I’m sitting here planning the trip of our lifetime, three weeks in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, I resolve to not completely stress out about every moment of the trip. I’m an obsessive planner, but I must be more realistic about the unexpected issues that we’ll encounter. That’s OK, we’ll find a way to deal. Now I’ll repeat that mantra every day until we leave and maybe I’ll believe it by the time we’re there!
Brian Whelan 01.13.10 | 8:11 PM ET
Rick,
That’s why we follow your travels and stories because they just keep improving!
When are you coming to Dublin and Ireland again?
Brian.
Renee 03.01.10 | 5:13 PM ET
My New Years travel resolutions are simple—travel more often with my kids and worry less about the little stuff. I want to see and enjoy as much of the world as we can together. Every day is a gift and soon they will be off living their own lives! I have making these awesome travel books for our photos, and they are great reminders of where we have been.