Many years ago I took the Strengths Finder assessment at my workplace and found my #1 strength to be Achievement. So, I started applying that to all areas of my life to see if I could maximize my natural talent. I began setting yearly travel goals for myself because I found if I didn’t make time for planning trips, the days would pass me by and my PTO went unused, leading to feelings of dissatisfaction and frustration.
These travel goals keep me motivated and help me create a great work-life balance. I’ve never been happier, in both my work life and my personal life. So, here’s to 2025 and meeting goals in all avenues of life!
My mom and I were upset when we finally decided to postpone our 2024 German Christmas Market trip. As I was sharing with a co-worker, they suggested we go on a Disney cruise instead. Since they are currently sailing out of Galveston, Texas the cost is minimal since we can drive to the port.
I’ve wanted to go on a Disney cruise for a long time and so glad to check this off the list!
I became obsessed with the UNESCO World Heritage sites when I got their book. It became a habit of reading about one site a day and putting a visit on my 10-year travel plan. I have currently been to about 20 different sites and they have all been amazing journeys!
I’m currently working on visiting all sites that were listed in the inaugural year of inscriptions and Poland has 2 on that list, plus two other sites in Year 2 and 3. I love a 4 for 1 plane ticket!
Niagara Falls was on my 2024 Travel Goals list and I was excited that my friends wanted to join me and expand the trip to a full week. Due to scheduling, the trip then got moved back to 2025. Last year, we explored the British Columbia province of Canada so it only made sense to plan the following year’s trip to the Ontario province. One province a year, eh?
I’m super excited to zip line over the falls, see a Toronto Blue Jays game, and have fun with my PNW besties!
I have wanted to go to Africa for so long but I’ve been hesitant to go alone. When a friend found a group trip with her Instagram family that would handle the planning to the Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park, and Zanzibar I was immediately in. All THREE are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and fingers crossed, it will be during the Great Migration.
Now, I just need to work on airfare and trying to convince my boss of being gone for 2 weeks during the busiest time of the school year.
I’m no quitter! I think I may try to visit a little closer to the American Thanksgiving holiday rather than wait for my Christmas break. Airline tickets got so expensive last year and November is always a much better shoulder season, plus warmer (though probably not by much). During the day I hope to visit the UNESCO World Heritage sites and and visit the markets in the evening. I’m more motivated than ever to be more proactive in getting my plans made in time. I’m just hoping that the markets will be open early enough to visit in late November.
With accommodations already booked by my amazing friend who is the GOAT of making sure the trip gets out of the group text, I’m excited to visit Disneyland during the holidays with a new bestie!
We had so much FOMO watching all the Disneyland Christmas content, we had this trip booked a year out. And you know what? I’m ready already!
This will be the first time I stay off property and honestly, kind of excited for that experience, especially with the savings. More money for snacks, pins, and merch!
Yes, Senegal has been on my annual travel goals list for multiple years. I’m doing my best to educate myself with a few books, lots of YouTube, and recommit myself monthly to learning French with Duolingo.
I recently heard from my Dutch friend that she’s interested in joining me, so maybe this year IS the year! Going with a friend sounds like so much fun to experience this amazing culture and country full of UNESCO World Heritage sites.
LONG SHOT – I need the Universe’s help for this one. Newfoundland has a couple of UNESCO World Heritage Sites to visit during the summer. However, they are super hard, timely, and EXPENSIVE to get to by plane. L’Anse aux Meadows is an old viking sight but hours away from two small airports with minimal flights available. It’s also near Gros Morne National Park that has some beautiful landscapes but would need some time to navigate.
I’m hoping to visit over the July 4th holiday, but I think I might need more time than I have. Combine that with Tanzania a month later, I’m not sure this one logistically could work. However, I’m putting it out there, in case life has some exciting updates that allow for it.
LONG SHOT – I originally had Grand Canyon in my 10-year plan during the Thanksgiving holiday because I thought it might be a fun family road trip with lots of fun stops. It turns out the North Rim isn’t open after October, so ideally I’d love to visit in September. But, if you look above, I’ve got other plans.
If the Universe were to have me travel full-time with remote work I’ve got this in the bag! However, I love my job and my workplace and, due to my Tanzania trip, I am fairly certain this is just a dream, not really a goal. It will most likely be moved to the 2026 list, but we shall see what the year holds!
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