New Year’s resolutions are rarely fun. Lose weight. Exercise more. Get up early. Give up sweets. Who wants to do any of that? But resolving to travel more? Count me in!
Highlights
- Travel Resolutions That Are Easy to Keep: Embrace the unexpected, prioritize self-care, and make every trip meaningful, whether it’s slowing down to watch a sunset, journaling your adventures or connecting with women who inspire your wanderlust.
- Once-in-a-Lifetime 2026 Experiences: Don’t miss events happening only this year — Route 66’s centennial, America’s 250th birthday celebrations, the FIFA World Cup across North America and the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
- Celestial Wonders & Epic Adventures: Plan for awe-inspiring moments like the total solar eclipse across the Arctic, the North Atlantic and Europe, or the Perseid meteor shower in the Northern Hemisphere—perfect reasons to pack a suitcase and look up.
Here are the travel resolutions I’m making for 2026.
1. Embrace the Unexpected
Travel rarely goes off without a hitch. I am surprised when a plane lands on time and my ride is waiting at the curb. So embracing the errors and missteps is an important part of enjoying travel. In fact, one of my family’s fondest travel memories is the night we spent in a hotel room in Atlanta listening to a storm raging outside. Sure, we missed seeing the Colosseum in Rome, but the kids still talk about the 24 hours we spent with nothing to do but be with one another.
2. Make Self-Care Part of My Travels
Travel is more than checking sights off a list. It’s also about tuning into yourself. Whether that means watching the sunset instead of photographing it, being still while the world swirls around me or booking a week at a wellness retreat, I resolve to taking better care of myself this year.
Read More: An 11-Step Wellness Journey Through Vancouver
3. Celebrate the Milestones
On a personal level, that means planning a romantic trip with hubby for our anniversary and making sure that I spend my birthday somewhere warm and sunny. On a bigger level, I also want to celebrate America’s milestone 250th birthday with a night of over-the-top fireworks and honor the 100th anniversary of Route 66 by driving at least a short section of the iconic road that runs from Chicago to Los Angeles.
Read More: Bring the Sexy Back with One of These Romantic Anniversary Trips
4. Master the Art of Packing Light
This resolution is on my list every year and I’m getting pretty good at it. But there’s always room for improvement. And, with the vagaries of air travel, committing to the carry-on is always a good idea!
Read More: Complete Carry-On Packing List for You and the Kids
5. Travel With Intention
As a travel writer, I know that I have the best job in the world. But with so many places to go and so many things to do, I rarely have the luxury of really getting to know a place. So, in 2026, I resolve to make a better effort. Before I head to Mexico in December, I’m going to brush up on my Spanish so I can converse with the people I meet. Before I cruise through the Panama Canal, I’m going to read David McCullough’s The Path Between the Seas: The Creation of the Panama Canal, 1870-1914 to better understand the human cost of the construction.
6. Get Serious about Journaling
I recently ran across a journal I kept on my first big international trip — a 6-week trek around Australia when I was 25 years old. I immediately sat down and paged through it, remembering vividly snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef, seeing the kangaroos on the animal preserve, the sailboats competing in the America’s Cup race and the Aussies we met in that bar in Sydney. And then I got sad realizing I hadn’t captured any of other trips in such a complete and compelling way, not even this year’s life-changing safari in Kenya.
7. Connect With Other Women Over Travel
This is always the highlight of my travel year. I have friends around the world, thanks to traveling. But the women I am most excited about connecting with this year are my college roommates. We’re still figuring out dates that will work for everyone, but a 2026 reunion is in the planning stages!
Once-in-a-Lifetime Trips for Women Travelers in 2026
Wondering where to go in 2026? These are some once-in-a-lifetime trips to see things that will happen only in 2026.
SheBuysTravel Tip: These once-in-a-lifetime opportunities will draw massive crowds. Make reservations ASAP!
1. Cruise Historic Route 66
America’s most famous road turns 100 in 2026. While the mostly two-lane road can be trying to someone used to the high speeds of the interstates, following Route 66 is the way to see the real America — quirky roadside attractions, classic diners and neon-lit motels.
Read More: In 2026, the Party’s in the USA. Here’s Where to Celebrate
2. Cheer on Your Favorite Team at FIFA World Cup
The world’s biggest sporting event comes to North America in 2026. Soccer (to Americans) or football (to the rest of the world) will crown its best during matches played in Mexico, the USA and Canada. Check here for the schedule.
3. Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday
Expect to see spectacular parades, festivals and fireworks across the U.S.
4. See a Total Solar Eclipse
The moon will hide the sun on Aug. 12, 2026. The path of totality crosses the Arctic, the North Atlantic and Europe
5. Marvel at a Meteor Shower
If you can’t make somewhere to see the total eclipse, travel to the nearest dark sky community on Aug. 12-13 and lie back to watch the Perseid Meteor Shower. Coinciding with a new moon, the night sky in the Northern Hemisphere will be optimal for meteor watching.
6. Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics
The 2026 Winter Olympics run from Feb. 6-22 in Italy with events across the nothern part of the country.
7. Sail Boston
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