If you haven't already made your New Year's resolutions, it's about time you did! It can be tempting to come up with wild and wonderful resolutions that there's little chance you'll ever keep; but why not come up with something a bit more practical instead? Make 2014 the year you travel the world, whether that means backpacking across Vietnam, volunteering in the USA or just a beach break to Greece with your friends.
Get away from it all
It's the perfect time to plan your 2014 travel adventures – we're only a few days into the New Year and already people are starting to feel more motivated and excited about what lies ahead. If you've been considering a gap year, why not do it, now! If you can't afford a year out, why not book a few weeks or months volunteering or working in another country? Helping at an elephant sanctuary in Sri Lanka, teaching English in Tibet or taking part in conservation projects in the Caribbean doesn't only look great on your CV, it's also a once in a lifetime experience, whether you decide to go solo or with your friends.
Stay close to home
Of course, you don't have to jet off to exotic shores to enjoy a travel adventure this year; you could enjoy a break closer to home. There are bound to be plenty of towns and cities in Europe that you haven't seen, so instead of the usual suspects like Rome and Paris, why not get off the beaten track a bit and explore Latvia, Croatia or Portugal? Just make sure you have travel insurance in place to cover you, particularly if you're travelling alone, as if you're injured in an accident or lose your luggage, you could quickly find yourself out of pocket! With cheap travel insurance policies available online starting from just a few pounds for single trip cover, there really is no excuse.
Work your way around the world
If you fancy taking a few months out and exploring the globe, why not work your way around the world? Provided you don't have any ties back home, taking off alone or with friends is a great way to see more during your travels. You could consider inter-railing across Europe or just plan your trip as you go. A TEFL qualification is a great place to start if you're considering working abroad, as there is a high demand for teachers qualified to teach English as a foreign language across much of Asia.
Wherever you go, make sure you start planning now – don't wait another year to visit all those locations you've been dreaming of! Set the wheels in motion for your 2014 travel adventure and in a few months time you could be sunning yourself on a white, sandy beach or having the adventure of a lifetime in a far-flung location.
