Six New Year’s resolutions to improve your travel in 2026

Want to be a happier traveller? Here are six New Year’s resolutions sure to make your adventuring better than ever in 2026.

Plan in advance

Thanks to endless instant information always at our thumb tips, we now tend to holiday plan on the hoof. But if you remember the days when you had to read guidebooks, talk to friends and decide what you might do long in advance, you’ll remember the joy of planning and the sense of anticipation. On the road, that doesn’t mean giving up spontaneity, but it probably means a more considered experience and better use of holiday time.

Unplug your phone

Next time you’re on a bus, or just about anywhere, look around at how many people are faced into their phones. Why? They could see whatever they’re entranced with at home. And sure, the view from the bus might be ordinary streets, but it’s a foreign ordinary, with things to snag your attention. And when standing at a beautiful viewpoint, absorb it first. Wait before you take your photo. Monuments and landscapes don’t look better through a lens.

Get beyond the obvious

Everybody wants to see the Louvre or Forbidden City, and so you should, but you may appreciate the Musee Jacquemart-Andre or Lama Temple just as much. You might for that matter get more fun (and less budget strain) out of flea markets or parks. Pick at least one lesser museum and off-beat sight, and spend a day roaming around an ordinary neighbourhood. Being a slave to bucket lists won’t result in a better travel experience.

Become more eco-aware

It’s big tour companies, airlines, cruise ships and hotels that need to do the heavy lifting, but our collective, individual actions add up. Say no to airline amenities bags, straws (even if they’re paper) and plastic. Use your towels more than once, stop printing out itineraries and boarding passes, refill your water bottle, don’t take more than you can eat from the buffet. It’s easy to be a careless traveller, but a little thought makes a cumulative difference.

Do something new

We’re all conditioned by our habits, entrenched opinions and tastes. But if you haven’t tried oysters since you were a teenager, how about now? If you’ve always wanted to hike Mount Kilimanjaro but never dared, what’s holding you back? Why go overseas and do the same old thing? Attempt Morris dancing or taiko drumming – have a laugh. Never thought you’d cruise or road trip? Try it. Push yourself out of your comfort zone and you may be pleasantly surprised.

Do nothing

Most of us have busy lives and crave time out, then get on a plane and run ourselves ragged trying to do everything. Okay, you might never be back, and you want to see it all, but quality beats quantity. Take time out to picnic in a park, enjoy a leisurely brunch or sit on a bench. You’ll not only be more relaxed, but you’ll get a better flavour of your destination, and are more likely to encounter locals.

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