The year has only just begun, but I’ve spent quite a bit of time already thinking of places I want to visit. I have four days away from a traditional office each week, and I plan to make the absolute best of it!
Europe, Australia, and South Africa rank pretty high on my list, but I know I won’t have time for extended trips. Four days is just not enough to explore these places for the first time.
Maybe next year?
Thankfully, it’s a big world with many other great places to see. So here are the five travel destinations I have my eyes set on for 2017.
1. California
I’ve been saying it since early 2015:
I really want to go out west.
California is just one of the West-American destinations I have in mind. Why? Because I want to finally see a good beach on American shores, and feel that salty air combing through my hair.
It also helps that California is known for being liberal. That’s always a welcome change from the conservative south.
And we all know California is the American wine country. You know that old saying of where there is a will there is a way? Well in totally unrelated news, know this:
Where this is wine, there is Alex.
2. Vegas
As a tween, I spent a lot of time in New York City, and often heard residents call it The City that Never Sleeps. This is true to some extent, but when I think of a city truly renowned for its night life, Vegas is the one that comes to mind.
Truth be told, I’m not much of a night life person. I’m more interested in the hiking trails and testing out good food. Since Nevada rubs shoulder with popular big bro California, it’s also another liberal escape.
To boot, one of my best friends live in Nevada and he’s been asking me to take a trip out there for years! It’s about time I take him up on that offer.
3. Canada
Though I really won’t have the time for pleasure-trips to international locations, Canada is close enough to feel like home, but far away enough to be foreign. I’m no friend to the cold, but I would love to test out the hiking trails and see some of the many natural wonders Canada has to offer.
I also want to meet up with blogger-friend Camper Christina when I do. She can out-hike, and out-adventure just about anyone I know, and that’s saying a lot. So many of my guy friends are survivalist junkies. I will never introduce them to her. Their egos would never be the same…
Pitch a tent for me Christina! I hope to see you soon!
4. Hawaii
In Alex Travels to Myrtle Beach, I shared the great news that I would be working with an indie-travel agency later this year. At their request, I may indeed find my way to Europe, Australia, and South Africa after all. But failing all that, Hawaii is definitely on the list.
I’ve always wanted to visit Hawaii. Like Jamaica, it’s just one of those stereotypical travel spots you can’t miss. Last year, I had the pleasure of working with a client to do website copy for dozens of villas in Hawaii, and that only intensified my desire to see this place in person.
As usual, the hiking trails are the sirens of my demise, and of course, the beaches are stunning. My friend, John, wants to tag along for the volcanoes. He’s on his own with that. Potentially going out in a literal blaze is not a part of my 2017 resolutions..
5. Jamaica
It’s been a year and a half since I left home, and I miss the friends who without a doubt helped me get to where I am today.
We’ve kept in touch all this time, and they’ve remained an indispensable part of my life. But our friendships were built on adventures! It’s time we had a few more together.
The awesome part about Jamaica is that travel expenses are minimal for me. I have no end of places to stay from one end of the island to the next, and I already know exactly where to go and what to do.
The tough part will be fitting it all into four days. So here’s to hoping this island girl gets to see home before the year is done!
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What places do you plan to visit this year? Have you already started your travel adventures? Tell me all about them in the comments below.
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UPDATE: I cancelled my 2017 travel plans until further notice. This is due to the executive orders and political and legal uncertainty facing non-citizens in America. You can read about that decision, here.
Wau. Those places are ideal. I want to explore foreign lands too, as much as possible.
Where do you plan to run off to this year?
Well, the Croation coast is beautiful so that will be happening but I’d love to go somewhere further, like NY.
Croatia! I’ve never really looked into traveling there before. I should.
I’m heading to New York next month, if these tickets will just not be so expensive.
Yeah it’s not cheap. You should definitely look into Croatia. As well as Slovenia-it’s beautiful.
I didn’t think it would be, for sure. Beach destinations rarely are.
Aloha from a new follower and blogger from Hawaii! If you come to Hawaii and would like a few areas to go that aren’t “touristy” just let me know! I’m on the island of Oahu, so no volcanos here. Well-not ones that are active anyway!
Hi April! I envy you to live in such paradise. I know people said the same of me in Jamaica, but Jamaica is still a third world county. You have the best of both worlds!
Shoot me an email so we can stay in touch. 🙂
Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
Hi! Thank you for following, and most for your excellent presentations on travelling. Virtually welcome at the club of exilists ;-), here in Bavaria (FRG), near the former Iron Curtain.
Thank you! So sorry I didn’t see this sooner! I’m glad you liked my travel blog 🙂
Hello Alex,
I’m with you – Hawaii and Jamaica but if at all, I can do only one. Canada has to wait. 🙂 Although all might have to wait as Europe seems to be calling. I was there a long time ago.
I did enjoy California and Vegas so I am sure you will even more as you won’t have a toddler in tow. Lol!
Don’t be like me and miss Hollywood despite spending over 2 weeks in LA. And, I didn’t go to the beach. I want to move there so I guess they can wait. 🙂 My daughter/sister lives in Pasadena so we were there almost like locals and it has its own pros so maybe check out the Pasadena area as well. I love the place. California is huge stay for long. We got to see a little of the state capital, Sacramento as well, and of course, SF.
American Canyon was a perfect base for us in to get to Napa Valley. I love the area.
Enjoy!
I’m actually not too interested in being in Hollywood or the other city areas in California. I want to go for the wine, the beach, and the hiking trails. I could be wrong, not like I’ve ever been there, but Hollywood sounds like celebrity sightings and shopping. What did you do there?
By the looks of it, I’ll have to go to California multiple times to fit in all the suggestions from you guys. They all sound awesome, and I don’t want to miss anything!
We’re Asian so the stereotype is we must just need to be able to say we were there and have some pics to show. Hahaha! I guess for me just to see the walk, check out Rodeo Drive even if I can’t afford the shopping and go to Universal Studios. I do love movies so it will be an experience. I did enjoy Disneyland and I actually want to go back and do a proper job recording the whole Kiss Goodnight because I messed up and somehow muted the audio. It happens. I’d probably also not want to stay with family next time.
You’re lucky, you’re already in the States so you can go back a few times without much of a hassle; a bit expensive for me to fly there.
You’ll enjoy California, I’m sure, whatever you decide to do.
Hahahahahahaah. Did you really just say that? You’re terrible! Jamaicans are probably a lot like that too. But I’m probably the worst representation of a typical Jamaican you’ll ever find.
California is way on the other side of me. I’m in Georgia. So not quite so easy, but I suppose easier than coming from somewhere else.
I really can’t wait to get my butt out there!
Hahaha 😂 I think sometimes other Asians wonder if I’m insulting my people and self or just being funny – myself 😂
You’re slightly better off than me, location-wise. Lol! Although I did see that even flying within the US can be pricey, too.
Yes, California is a pricey spot to fly too, maybe also because of distance from me
And don’t worry. I’m no better. Jamaicans are notorious for making fun of each other. You learn to grow a thick skin pretty quickly.
And that makes life easier to handle, right? We can’t be too serious.
Maybe one day we’ll bump into each other in Cali 🙂
I agree. We need some humor with all of what’s going on recently.
Maybe we will!
Life is full of surprises 🙂
Much love and hugs xxx
Awesome
Thanks Aiesha!
The great thing about California is that there’s so much of it. Beach, forest, mountains, desert. It’s pretty much all there!
I know right! I’m beginning to see that from the suggestions I’ve gotten of where to go and what to do. Have you been out there?
when you go to california (because you will!) you need to go to napa valley! it’s absolutely AMAZING and you can even visit the vineyard that was in the Parent Trap (Lindsey Lohan edition) movie. can’t wait to read about your travels!
I definitely want to see Napa Valley. I’ve heard a lot about the vineyards there. Had no idea Parent Trap was filmed there though! 🙂
If your plans ever changed to include Australia: just let me know! My dream destinations would be Uluru, Bamaga and Broome.
In all honesty, I just can’t stand that lingering feeling associated with the anticipation of travel. I prefer the travel itself! That’s probably why I rarely plan my holidays/gateways in great details.
I look forward to the anticipation! I hate that feeling the day or two before the trip is over and the withdrawal symptoms when I get home.
And thank you! It will probably be 2018 before I make it. I’ve wanted to try your beaches and deserts so something badly!
Shoot me an email, so we can get in touch when I finally make it there. 🙂
Wow…I think I should make a similar list(but I’ll porbably never go to these places ), yours sounds awesome. The only place I’ll be travelling to this year (and next year also)is Mauritius (yey! *heavy sarcasm*) and that’s about it.
Hey Elsie. Can’t say I agree with you on that one. Your one pick sounds awesome enough to Trump most of mine! Haha. Why aren’t you excited to go??
I live in Seychelles but travel to Mauritius every year to study (university) so now I want to visit somewhere else.
Wow! You live in the one place my friend in new York is DYING to go!
Ironic! Because I’m dying to go to New York (Broadway specifically!)…
Haha really? You two should switch places!
Lol…definitely!!