My first travel text of 2015 went out to a friend on New Year’s Day:
Any chance I could persuade you to do a weekend in NoLa with me?
Two days later, I got a travel request of my own, from my mom (we travel together often):
I think we need to go on a yoga retreat this year.
Oh, twist my arm, I replied.
It’s a habit I picked up after getting my first passport, 10 years ago now: In those first weeks of the new year, after the hubbub of the holidays has calmed, I take a look at my open calendar for the brand-new year and start pondering how I can fill it with travel plans.
My mom, ever the travel enabler, and I take turns being instigators. I was the one who pushed for a yoga retreat in Bali a few years ago. This year it’s her turn. We still haven’t decided where we’ll go or when, but it’s only January — there’s time to plan.
And that brings me to my purpose: being your travel enabler for 2015. Let’s get started with those plans, right now. It’s the perfect time.
Checking off your list
Though I’ve never made New Year’s resolutions to go anywhere, I always have certain destinations on a mental list. You probably do, too. And January is the perfect time to pause and ask yourself whether this is the year you can swing that African safari or New Zealand trip, or whatever tops your list.
A few considerations:
• Do you have the money, or the ability to budget for the next few months, to make the trip happen?
• Will you be able to take enough time off work this year?
• Do you have a good travel partner for that trip? Or are you willing to go it alone if you don’t?
• Are your kids the right age to go with you, or to stay with Grandma and Grandpa for a week or two?
And finally:
• If you don’t make it happen, will you someday regret it?
Back up: If your answer to the first question was a resounding “no,” recalibrate and take a look closer to home, at the Colorado destinations you haven’t yet hit. I’m willing to bet there’s something here you’re itching to see or do.
Advance planning required
Bigger adventures can take months to plan.
I’m not just talking about trips to other continents, or trips that require a series of vaccinations. Some domestic adventures require more planning than, say, a week in London.
For example, an overnight stay at the bottom of the Grand Canyon requires a permit, and permit requests are taken starting on the first of the month four months out from the dates you want to reserve. If you want to hike to a backcountry site in May, you probably should have gotten that request in on Jan. 1. You’ll need to know your itinerary before you make those requests, of course, and how many people will be in your permitted party.
Confused? I know I was when I planned a quick backpacking trip to the Bright Angel Campground, near the Colorado River. That’s just one example why it’s a good idea to start planning now. It also takes time to plan your gear, and if necessary, get fit for a trip.
But don’t worry. Again, you’re starting now.
Sweetening the deal
You might be ready to drop everything and dash off to Iceland. Right now. (Nonstop flights from Denver. Everyone’s doing it.) But perhaps your significant other needs convincing. Or your pal in California, your best travel companion ever, needs time to sort through dates, or sort through feelings, like really, really wanting to go to Cambodia this year.
It’s OK. Take a deep breath and start your research now. You’ll find more convincing reasons to take the trip, and when your pal caves in and says, let’s do it, you’ll be ready to book.
Hey, look who’s being the travel enabler now.
Jenn Fields: 303-954-1599, jfields@denverpost.com or
