I’  m not one to make New Year’s resolutions  usually – I’m fine with the fact I’m never going to lose those kilos, stop eating cake or learn Cantonese. But after the traumatic travel times we’ve been through in the past few years, I’m compiling a wishlist for 2023, printing it out and laminating it as my New Year Travel Commandments. Having suffered through multiple lockdowns and cancellations, here’s my to-do list.

1. Lower expectations

First up, I’m paring my expectations right back for  2023. Having made and cancelled trips to beautiful  locations around the world over the past few years, including, but not limited to, a villa in the south of France (twice), a holiday exploring northern Portugal, and a family trip to the US this year, I’m making it my mission to go… somewhere. Anywhere, to be honest. I will not be defeated! You know how the saying goes – if at first you don’t succeed, fly, fly, again.

2 . Buy travel insurance straight away

Also up there at the top of my list is the resolve to buy travel insurance at the same time as I book the  trip. This comes from experience, because my run of bad travel luck was only offset by the fact I did have insurance. For the first time in decades, I’ve recently had cause to claim as various ill fates befell my family, meaning we couldn’t travel. Before that, the last time I used it was in 1995 and involved me being cut out of my salopettes while snowboarding in New Zealand. (Don’t ask, really, don’t.) But now I’m so grateful I had insurance – trust me, always buy it at the same time as you book the holiday, in case you have to cancel before you go.

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3 . Follow dreams to somewhere new

During the first lockdown, I developed a yearning to travel around the Scottish Highlands – somewhere I’ve never been. I put it down to reading Robert Louis Stevenson’s Kidnapped. I still have the longing, if not the tartan, so this is the year I’m going to fulfil both.

4. Return to the regular

This year I will also head back to somewhere I love to enjoy the comfort of a tried-and-true destination. I used to think it strange that people went to the same place year after year, but now I understand. There’s a particular pleasure in finding a favourite, plus it cuts out the chances of disappointment. After a rubbish 2022, with thwarted travel plans, we managed to squeeze in a quick trip to a family fave and loved it so much, I’m going to make it an annual event.

5. Make time for travel

Similarly, I’m resolving to make time to do something  special and not let life overtake me with humdrum activities. It’s easy to think you have no time to do anything, or go anywhere, but if you put the effort in you’ll make memories you’ll treasure. It could be a grand tour somewhere special, or a quick weekend away – no matter how long or short the trip is, time slows right down when you travel and even a weekend away means you return refreshed and energised. Last year, I enjoyed a surprise getaway for a few days with an old friend and it was the highlight of my year. I’m making sure to do it again in 2023.

6. If you have a window, take it

Finally, my last resolution is to get on with it. Our family had a shocker of a year, so my advice is, if you   have a travel window, take it – who knows when it will close again. There’s a whole world out there, so see it while you can.

This article originally appeared on escape.com.au. It has been reproduced here with permission.

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