Here Are 11 Ways To Get The Best Out Of Travel In The New Year

Routine is probably one of the biggest killers of human inspiration. And since we're so close to 2018, it's time to stretch those legs, air out those bags and get your travel juices flowing. This is where this list comes in. And, hopefully, it'll help you shake off any inhibitions you had about travelling in 2018.

1. Become a sustainable traveller and add to your experience

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Sadly climate change is affecting the way we travel. The Great Barrier Reef, Antarctica and the Maldives are trying to stay afloat given the many drastic changes in our environment. One way to do this is hop on aboard 'the slow travel' trend where you trade in your flight for a train. But a train? Yes, because that way, you stay in one place longer and find a deeper appreciation for your destination while also reducing your carbon footprint. India, China, Southeast Asia and East Africa are the right places to explore this trend. Say no to plastic, and souvenirs that have cost an animal its life. The best part, this will add to your travel experience and you'll come out feeling better than ever.

2. Volunteering and vacationing ('voluntourism') will get you the best of two worlds in one hit

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This is as good a time as any to give back to the global community. Why not volunteer and holiday at the same time? A New York Times article called this "admirable" while also giving perspective on whether any real good comes from being a voluntourist. For instance, would it have been better for you to have donated the money rather than taking on a task (like building a wall in a village) that you haven't the first clue about? While that's something to chew on, there's always a good time and place to start. A little good is always welcome. So start now.

3. Seek your thrills in the right places with the right kind of extreme adventure

Son Doong Cave, Vietnam - Flickr/vtoanstar/CC BY-SA 2.0

First, it's never too late to sign up for this. Once that's done, you can pick the highest trek, the deepest dive or the wildest wave to tame depending on which one suits you best. For instance, Vietnam's Hang Son Doong cave, reportedly, the largest cave in the world is so big it has its own climate and jungle. That said, only a six-hour jungle trek can lead you to the mouth of the cave. So if you're up for it, dive right in. If that's not your thing, try the snowman trek in Bhutan. Worldexpeditions.com calls it one of the toughest treks in the Himalayas and only the most seasoned trekkers come here during select seasons.

4. A culinary tour is just the flavour you need to add to your travel plans

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If you're just as hung up about your food as you are about your trips, then there's a culinary tour waiting for you in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains or in the busy market streets in Beijing (which, by contrast, also offers you a glimpse of quaint village life). And we're talking food trails, we can't leave out Peru. Lima is where you'll learn the art of cooking marinated meats and vegetables using hot stones. They call it 'pachamanca' but we'll call it your next trip.

Also read: Traveller Transforms His Jeep Into An Epic House On Wheels So He Can Tour Africa For Two Years

5. Not all travel is expensive so stop being lazy

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Yes, 2017 was quite the bummer. Travel is only getting more expensive. But that doesn't mean budget-travel is out of question. If anything, affordable travel trends - cheaper air fares, low-cost carriers on new routes - will pick up in the next five years, reports travelweekly.com. Interestingly, more and more people are also headed to national parks now.

6. Wherever you go, chances are you have a big shower waiting for you

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Apparently one trend that seems to be growing is that we're not keeping ourselves as clean as we once did, which is why more and more hotels are offering big, high-on-tech showers. So, the one time that you do want to wash off all that sand and mud, it'll be a bath to remember.

7. The grandparent-grandchildren vacation that you've not taken and should

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Don't cross this off the list just yet. Getting your whole family to first agree to a vacation can seem like a tough task. But there's plenty more here to gain than lose. And parents needn't bother showing up - grandparents and grandkids will do fine together. Take for instance 73-year-old Badri Baldawa who embarked on the road trip of a lifetime with his 64-year-old wife and 10-year-old granddaughter in their BMW X5, taking 72 days, to cross crossing 19 countries while covering 22,200 km. There was a good amount of planning involved but it can be totally worth it.

Also read: This Solo Female Traveller Hitchhiked Her Way To 25 Countries Covering 70,000 Km In Four Years

8. Business trips are not holidays but there's a vacation hiding in there somewhere

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According to The Economic Times, 'India is the world's tenth largest business travel market and is likely to clock the fastest growth in this segment in the next five years'. About 80 per cent of the business travel transactions are domestic, rest international, the report adds. Since you'll be travelling for work so much, why not explore the destination and sneak in a little vacation time?

9. A digital workplace has made a digital nomad out of you but it can also mean...

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... an extended vacation at some of the best locations in the world like Bali, Bangkok, Budpest, Cape Town and so many more.

10. About time we talked about pet-friendly travel

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For some of us, travel can happen or not depending on our pet's wellbeing. Luckily, websites like collarfolk.com, bringfido.com and petvacations.in offers plenty of options - luxury retreats, homestays, ocean retreats and even nature trips - if you'd like to take your pet on a vacation with you. Besides this, there's a whole range of pet-friendly hotels to choose from: The Four Seasons in Mumbai; Fraser Suites in New Delhi; Tree of Life Resort & Spa in Jaipur; and OG's Beach Bungalow in Alleppey, Kerala are just a few.

11. And in case your planned vacation isn't working out for you, a wellness retreat is where you can escape

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More often than not, taking care of ourself always comes at the bottom of our list (like it does here) but that doesn't make it any less important. If anything, India's Internet boom and increased connectivity is making it increasingly difficult to fall off the grid. You're constantly wired. So, cut yourself some slack, show yourself in to some wellness retreats and let the healing begin. RAAS Devigarh in Jaipur; SOUKYA in Bangalore; Vana on Mussoorie Road in Dehradun are some good places where you can start.