1. Look for Indian food everywhere you go
Trying out new cuisines and experimenting with food is what makes travelling to exotic places worthwhile. Why on earth would you want to be a frog in the well and stick to the familiar and the boring? You’ve had butter chicken and naan all your life – step out of your comfort zone and try out that Nasi Goreng instead. Trust us, you’ll not regret it.
2. Not carry the entire household
You are going on a vacation, not shifting base to another country. So many of us could do with learning the art of packing light. Take a cue from backpackers and train yourself to travel with only the bare essentials. Minimum gadgets, multipurpose clothing that can be mixed and matched, two comfortable and functional pair of shoes and travel-sized packs of self care products are all you really need.
3. Not stick to tourist hotspots
Yes, they are all nice and popular for a reason but how about spreading your travel wings and exploring lesser known places in and around your chosen destination? Read, chat up with the locals and take out time to wander around aimlessly – you are sure to come across hidden treasures and exciting things to do.
4. Have social media free vacations
We can’t suggest that you go completely offline, because you’ll need the Internet for information and communications, but you can certainly make yourself scarce from social media for the length of your vacation. Why not savour that fabulous meal instead of Instagramming it first? And your Facebook friends can certainly wait for your vacation pictures (they probably don’t want to see them anyway). For a change, just disconnect from the world and give your vacation the attention it deserves.
5.Plans a family vacation- with parents, grandparents and more!
There’s all the time in the world for couple and group vacations, but your parents and grandparents will love it if you throw them a surprise outing. Choose a destination that is easily accessible and has plenty of activities for them to do – not only will you get quality time to bond with your family, you’ll create memories to be cherished for a lifetime.
6. Not gape and ogle
It’s alright – it’s only a bikini! Indian tourists have a notorious reputation for ogling at anything scantily clad (or not). Let’s pledge to not make that worse. If you don’t have much control over your eye muscles, consider getting yourself one of those mirrored sunglasses that are so in vogue these days.
7. Not repeat a destination
Yes, we all have our favourite vacation spots we’d like to head to again and again, but the world is such an enormous and marvellous place and life is too short. Make a fresh travel bucket list, and head out to some place new and exciting whenever you get a chance.
8. Not shop for useless stuff
As Indians travelling abroad, it is easy to get carried away and fill up our bags with things we neither want nor need. Moreover, since almost everything is now available in India, there is no real reason to hoard stuff and exceed your baggage limit.
9. Plan more weekend getaways
Long vacations are of course the best, but do not underestimate the rejuvenating powers of a weekend getaway. There are likely to be numerous places around your city that are a short drive away. It’s also not a bad idea to explore your home state with a traveller’s eye, which is something most of us take for granted.
10. Use up all vacation days
This is where so many of us fall short, more out of habit and social conditioning. Work is important but so are breaks. This year, vow not to save up a single day of your vacation quota – use up all of it to travel, travel and travel some more.
11. Head out on a solo trip
Everyone must do this atleast once in life. Travelling with family and friends is fun, but travelling alone is liberating and enriching in its own way. You will get a chance to be yourself, do what you like and follow your own schedule. Don’t be afraid to wander and get lost – you might just find yourself in the process.
12. Try out an unplanned vacation
Have an appetite for adventure? Make last minute bookings and set off on an impromptu trip – to anywhere. No bookings, no research, no planned itinerary! Just land at the destination and figure things out from there. This might sound a little scary to some, but it is more fun that you can imagine.
If you can’t wait to scratch off these travel itches, create your very own itch list here.
While you scratch these off your travel resolution list, Download Skyscanner’s travel app and keep it handy on your trips!.
