New Year’s resolutions for travellers

If you plan on travelling more this year, try making adventure a part of your New Year’s resolutions. Travel can be full of rich experiences – both big and small – to check off your bucket list.

During your year of travel, be sure to protect your health by investing in travel insurance. Annual comprehensive travel insurance plans by Allianz Global Assistance provide emergency medical coverage for multiple trips a year. Travel insurance is essential for almost every trip. If you’re planning a vacation outside of your home province, you should know that your Government Health Insurance Plan (GHIP) insurance plan may not cover all your health needs.

Here are some ideas for how to fit your New Year’s resolutions into your travel plans.

Volunteer your time

Giving more of yourself to others is a noble New Year's resolution that can help you see the world. There’s no shortage of reputable national and international organizations working to connect volunteers with communities in need. And if you think volunteering abroad or in another U.S. Canadian locality is only for college kids or retirees, guess again!Giving more of yourself to others is a noble New Year's resolution that can help you see the world.

There’s no shortage of reputable national and international organizations working to connect volunteers with communities in need. And if you think volunteering abroad or in another U.S. Canadian locality is only for college kids or retirees, guess again! Opportunities abound for working adults who just need a break from the grind. If you’re looking for a short-term, affordable experience check out a list of over 200 projects around the world, facilitated by International Volunteer Headquarters.

Programs lengths range from one to 24 weeks and may focus on working with children, medical missions or conservation. IVQF also offers some of the most affordable volunteer programs; just $20 a day covers accommodation, airport pickup, and 24-7 support in the host country.

Get fit

Exercising and losing weight are consistently the two most common New Year’s resolutions. Travelling more can greatly improve your physical health if you use your own two feet to explore a new place. Check out hiking trails with steep, heart-pumping grades in the Canadian Rockies, or along our nation’s coastlines.

Traverse the Skyline Trail in Cape Breton’s Highlands National park, where uphill climbs are rewarded by views of endless sea. Experience the grand presence of the Canadian Rockies when you hike The Plain of the Six Glaciers trail near Lake Louise in Banff National Park. If you’d like to experience urban life abroad while being active, Utrecht, Netherlands is ranked as the most bike friendly city in the world.

Also, many local cuisines across the world feature plant-based or whole foods, so, you can keep your waistline trim while sampling a new cuisine. Travel to India to experience fragrant curries with vegetable bases. Indulge in Japanese cooking, known for its abundance of fresh fish, balanced by ample meat, vegetables, and carbohydrates. Fly to Spain and bring home ideas for adding Mediterranean zest to your cooking with rich olive oil, local vegetables, and lean meats.

Be creative

An extensive body of research shows that creativity strengthens mental health by relieving stress and anxiety, and even helping to process trauma. If you made a resolution to try something new, an artistic, literary, or musical pursuit could be a great way to get out of your comfort zone.

And there are numerous ways travel can fit into the goal of being more creative. Start a travel journal, scrap book, or practice your photography skills to document your trip for a lifetime. Learn urban sketching and practice your new skills observing the streetscapes and people around you.

If you already have a passion for creativity but find yourself in a bit of a dry spell, visiting a new place may be just what you need. Travel often increases levels of creativity by fostering open-mindedness and a break from the mundane, an Indiana University study shows. And if you really need to buckle down and get away, try a writer’s or artist’s retreat in place you’ve been wanting to see.

Be social

It can be hard making friends as an adult. We often get stuck in our routines and socializing becomes an afterthought. Travel is a great way to reconnect with friends and meet new people, too. Hit the slopes in Aspen or the beaches of Ibiza on a getaway with friends.

If you want to expand your circle, try visiting a retreat with like-minded people or embark on a group tour. And because travel has the power to expand your mindset and experiences, be sure to frequent local haunts in your vacation spot. Strike up a conversation at a local coffee shop, pub, or park; you never know who you’ll meet!

Live sustainably

If living a more environmentally conscious lifestyle is one of your resolutions; you should be mindful of how you travel. Travelling responsibly helps combat global warming and habitat loss. And you can feel good about doing your part!

When choosing your next vacation spot, keep in mind destinations that embrace a sustainable ethos. One way to do your research is to visit a nation’s tourism board website to read up on their sustainable tourism initiatives. Visit popular natural areas in the offseason to help mitigate the impact of heavy use. Try to minimize air miles by vacationing in fewer places for longer and utilize train travel, which is often more environmentally friendly, when possible.

As a world leader in travel protection, Allianz Global Assistance helps more than 8 million Canadians annually answer the call of adventure with confidence every year. Millions of travellers rely on us for help when they need it most. Let us be there for you too.