Plan a getaway

So today's #JanuaryJoy post is all about planning a getaway. I'm going to talk in hypotheticals rather than concrete plans - as I've got no money to really travel this year and I suspect any trips will be short and very last minute.

I can't say 2012 was big on the travel front, largely due to big life upheavals... I went to Portugal on a spur-of-the-moment surfing week away and fell in love with Figuera Du Foz and the waves. This was without a doubt the best, the most confusing and most soul-affirming holiday I've ever been on. I even recommended it to a friend. Solo travel is utterly terrifying but it really is an experience - I'm all for learning and life experiences. I also went for a weekend in Paris - I swear I walked all over that city! (Or at least played catch up trotting after a very brisk walker) It amazed me how utterly peaceful it could be in the center of town in a little cafe at 1pm on a Sunday (I was told on good authority that the French cycle out in the morning, get their pain, vin and other bits and stay at home all day, which sounds to me like a wonderful way to live). Anyway, both were fun for different reasons but it is something that I really want to incorporate into my life in a big way come 2013.

So for 2013 I have made a bucket list of places I want to go and see - some are for plans far in the future and some for the here and now, but I hope they inspire you to get out there!

• India, for the Holi festival - this festival is where people get covered in different coloured powder to celebrate the triumph of good vs evil
• The Tafuha beach fales of Samoa, where the tsunami has almost wrecked the tourist industry. Yet it is the closest to paradise I will probably ever see on my budget
• Cycle 'Death Road' in Bolivia - this is one that I've always wanted my future to-be spouse to do with me before we get married. The theory being if we could survive anything this crazy, it would set us up with a level of trust unparallelled in marriage. Also - motorbikes = cool.
• Visit Svalbard, Norway, to see the Northern Lights - this is one I might do solo. I know that might sound odd, but I've always been inspired by the idea of the Northern Lights. Sometimes things are so achingly beautiful they are best experienced alone
• The Igazu falls in Argentina - the closest to Avatar style mountains in the sky that we will ever get on earth
• A hot spring, maybe in Iceland or Eastern Europe - I'm thinking of doing this one with my girlfriends this year. It's something I've always wanted to do, there is something very romantic and peaceful about the cool air and the cooking hot water

I hope this has inspired you to plan some trips! Where is your ultimate travel destination?

Til next time x