I seriously can’t believe we’re in December already, but alas, another year is coming to an end and as we look toward 2015, it’s time to start looking into travel plans for the new year. It’s easier to add more travel to your life in the coming year if you plan ahead for it and map out the year in front of us, so here’s how I plan for the year ahead in travel to add as much as I can into our schedule.
Look at the Calendar
To be able to do all you want travel-wise in 2015, like anything else, it’s important to have a plan ahead of time. Around this time of year, Nick and I sit down and look at the year ahead on the calendar. We map out our larger trips (for us usually in the Spring and Fall) and then we look at the rest of the months and how many openings we’re going to have for smaller trips throughout the year. We try to take advantage of holidays like Memorial Day so looking at the calendar and seeing where those holidays fall, will help you narrow down your plans.
Narrow Down Your Destinations
It’s all too easy to start going crazy with destination ideas for the year ahead, there are so many places to see and not nearly enough time. But if you look at your priority spots, places you’re craving now, places you’ve seen a lot on or places that are those bucket-list spots, narrow down which should go to the top of the list. For me, 2015 top priority places include Spain (which we’ll head to in March), Bali (which we’re shooting for in November), and perhaps a return trip to Iceland (hopefully in May). Those spots went to the top of our list this year and so we’re trying our best to get to all of them.
Ask for Time Off
We try to have our year ahead mapped out for how many days off we’ll need in January, that way when the new time off calendars go live at our jobs, we know how many days we’ll have off and how many of those will need to go to travel. For our trips January-March, if we need to use days off, we usually just put in for the time off shortly after the new year to just make sure we get the days we need. If you plan ahead with your time off of work, it’s much easier later to not have to worry about it getting approved or falling through.
Start Saving
One nice thing about planning travel for the year ahead is that is gives you a ton of time to save money for those trips. We usually plan our major trips at least 6 months in advance if not longer, so it means we have that much time to save money for the trip and pay everything off. Start saving now for the year ahead and happy travels in 2015!
Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki says
A trip to Iceland in May would be amazing! And perfect with the new direct flight from PDX!
Casey says
I know, we’ve been wanting to make a return trip during warmer months forever and now with the direct flight it’s going to be so easy! We’ll have to meet for coffee if we make it work 🙂
Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki says
Yes definitely that would be amazing!
Cynthia says
Great tips, as usual! It is so important to plan these things in advance. I know plenty of people like to do it last minute, but you don’t get very many deals that way.
Casey says
Totally! Plus it gives you so much more time to research and save money to do the planning in advance!
Macy Gutermuth says
Awesome Tips. Since we are taking our honeymoon in 2015, we planed for it a few months ago. However, I have started planning 2016! Hopefully Bali in the beginning of the year and then Japan and China for our anniversary.
Casey says
I’m semi-planning for 2016 too! Just throwing around ideas now but it’s never too early to start planning! And we’re going to try to do Bali in November this year, so loved hearing that’s on your list too! 🙂
Olivia says
Good tips! It’s rough graduating and not being quite sure where I’ll be come next September, so I’m trying my best to get a little traveling in before graduation!
Casey says
That’s true! When you aren’t sure where you’re going to be, that makes it tough! But you could have a best case scenario layout, for what you could do if all goes according to plan! 🙂
anniewiltse says
These are great tips, Casey! I’ve been mapping out major 2015 travel plans for the past few weeks. It’s nice to have it all organized! I’m hoping to squeeze in a few smaller trips as well, probably during holiday weekends.
Casey says
Totally! I love to sit down and look at our year ahead, it takes so much pressure off later!
Jamie G @ SnapGinger says
We just booked a ski trip to Colorado (Any Breckenridge or Denver recs are appreciated) and are planning a trip to California for the Spring. Europe would be amazing for next fall for our anniversary!
Casey says
Fun! Such great places! You have to eat at Osteria Marco and Cholon Bistro in Denver! Both so incredible! The burrata at Osteria Marco was one of the best I’ve ever had.
Jamie G @ SnapGinger says
Ooooo burrata is my fave. That is amazing!
Casey says
Oh my gosh, then don’t miss it there!!! 🙂
Chantal says
We only have one big trip planned, and that’s Thailand & Cambodia in March. I’m due in June with our second baby and we won’t be traveling for the rest of the year because of that!
Casey says
Fun! We really enjoyed Thailand and Cambodia. Can’t wait to see how you guys like it and congrats on the baby by the way!
KC Saling says
I have a few work trips planned for the first part of the year, but I’m beyond excited that we’re heading to London, Oslo, and Copenhagen this summer for the inaugural Disney Frozen Cruise! Gotta figure out how to do some more island hopping in between it all, but unfortunately, my work expects me to show up from time to time!
Casey says
Wow, amazing!!!! Sounds like a great trip! And I know what you mean, I’ve been wanting to jump over to Kauai on one of our Hawaii trips just for a night or two and I’m having a hard time finding the time!
Andrea @GreenandTurquoise says
Great tips Casey, I’m starting to plan my next year trips too!
I have to say planning is one of my favorite parts of traveling, especially for long and complex trips. It’s just so exciting, isn’t it?
And Bali is a great choice, I’d love to visit it too one day!
Casey says
I love that you said that because I love planning trips and people think that’s so weird!!! It’s seriously so fun and exciting!
Miles of Happiness says
Yep… Plan, plan, plan while waiting the D day!
Casey says
Yep!!! 🙂
Camila says
I’ve just gotten a job so I can finally start planning for trips for 2015 and I’m excited! I want to head to Italy, Greece, Denmark and Sweden, at the very least this year. As a bigger trip, I’m also thinking about Dubai to go meet halfway with a friend coming from Australia!
Casey says
Congratulations on your job!!! 🙂 And those trips sound amazing!!!!