With the new year upon us, my mind seems to be filled with wanderlust and dreams of faraway travels. We have a few trips planned but I’m hoping to add a few more to the list. This sense of wander was sparked by reading Wildsam’s secrets for the best trip ever. As you know, I’m a huge Wildsam fan so their advice is always sage in my book and thus I just had to share.

1. Focus on the Neighborhood. And not so much on the hotel.
2. Start on the flight. Start the immersion into your destination on the plane. This one made me chuckle as K and I watched In Bruges on our flight to Belgium.
3. Become a regular. Find your spot and go more than once. You will fit right in.
4. Rise, shine and run. In other words, be active and take in your new location on foot.
5. Break the law {sort of}. Travel is the perfect time to step out of your comfort zone and say yes to new experiences.
6. Leave Room for the Holy Spirit. Be open to opportunities and invitations you didn’t plan on.
7. Bring a $50 bill. This allows you permission to treat yourself to something good.
8. Talk to strangers. Locals really do know best!
9. Eat dinner twice. This really doesn’t need an explanation, especially for me.
10. Don’t go ice skating. If you aren’t a museum buff, don’t spend hours of your trip to Paris at The Louvre. Spend your trip doing what you love.
11. Easy on the Instagram. Focus on the experience, not taking the perfect photo.
12. Book the last flight home. I couldn’t agree more.

Where are your travels taking you in 2016? I’d love to hear!