4 travel resolutions for 2014

Take advantage of at least one impulsive travel opportunity this year, such as Groupon Getaway’s Flash Sale to stay in this historic hotel in Frisco, Colo.
By Aimee Heckel
Stop creating resolutions that you don’t want to fulfill. No more yearlong vows to punish yourself.
This year, set your eyes on experiences, instead of expectations. Memories, instead of objects.
Here are our four travel resolutions for 2014. What are yours?
1. Start a travel savings account, or create a plan to add to it, if you already have one.
If you have online banking (and who doesn’t these days?), designate a certain amount of cash to be automatically transferred into a special account that you vow not to touch for anything other than your big vacation. Or go old-school style and stash cash and loose change in a mason jar under your bed.
Best to set a goal. Where do you want to go this year, how long do you have to save and how much will it cost? Divide that up by the number of the weeks until you need to book your trip and start saving.
2. Make one impulsive, adventurous travel choice this year. Part of the reason we love to travel is to stretch outside of our comfort zone. Planning vacations can be fun, but so can winging it. This year, we want to keep our minds open to seize at least one unexpected, unplanned opportunity — whether that be a last-minute vacation, a road trip with friends, a smaller Groupon deal or a new piece of luggage that goes on sale.
A great place to check is Groupon Getaways‘ Flash Deals, where you can find great deals like a night’s stay in a historic mountain hotel in Frisco, Colo., for just $79. Save more money on your Groupon Getaways with these coupons, paired with 5 percent Cash Back from ShopAtHome.com.
Read more articles about Groupon Getaways here.
3. Go on a small, weekend “staycation” with your loved one every month. This might even be a special night at home, but we want to create one night every month that feels like an escape. Get a babysitter. Share a special meal and some wine. Try something new together, whether it’s a trip to a nearby town we’ve never visited, a new trail to hike or simply a new board game at home.
4. Try something completely new. This may be an activity, like windsurfing on the coast or sheering a sheep on a ranch or participating in a community garden.
For us, we’re thinking about new food. Have you ever tried shark steak? Octopus? Cuttlefish? These are common, popular feasts in other countries. Wherever you travel this year, try a local favorite that you can’t get back home. And even when you’re not on the road, make it a point to push your tastebuds outside of their comfort zone — even if that just means trying a chili popsicle at a Mexican diner, instead of order the sopapilla that you always order.
Save money on your other travel needs with these travel coupons.
Other articles you might also enjoy: