2018. A new year. A new opportunity for exploring and months of adventures. So what do I have planned? Nothing, actually.
For the first time in, well, as long as I can remember, I have absolutely zero plans for the year ahead. And I’m pretty ok with it. I’ve realised that the more frequently I travel, the more I plan at a moment’s notice. I’m more likely to organise a trip for in ten days’ time than ten months away.
I don’t even have a rough idea of where I’ll go. My travel wish list has become so long that I’ve stopped paying attention to it. When you want to go everywhere, a list has no purpose and I often look back and find I didn’t tick off a lot of places because something (or somewhere) else came up.
In 2017 I stated that I wanted to visit Morocco, New Zealand, Fiji, Amsterdam, Tallinn, Cuba and France, as well as a resolution to plan more spontaneous getaways and explore more of the UK. The latter I achieved; with trips to Wiltshire, Exmoor and slightly impulsive holidays to Florida and Hamburg.
However I only actually ‘ticked off’ two countries – Amsterdam and Paris (which granted I visited twice) and instead explored Vienna, Phuket, the French Riviera and planned a special trip to Disneyland – places that of course were on the list too.
So this year, rather than reel off some destinations that take my fancy, I’ll share with you the current ideas that are floating around in my mind…
Iceland
Allyn and I talked about planning a trip to Iceland this month – we both are desperate to see the Northern Lights, go whale watching and of course have a dip in the Blue Lagoon – however timing wasn’t quite right.
With that said, we’re considering looking into it for a few months’ time, my only hesitation being that Iceland is better travelled by car and I’m not yet confident enough to drive a rental abroad. If you’ve visited Iceland do let us know your thoughts!
Norway
For similar reasons, Norway has also been discussed. There’s so much of the country I want to see including the train ride from Oslo to Bern and adventures in the Fjords.
Southern Italy
On my last trip away with my girls to the French Riviera, we began discussing our holiday for 2018. The Algarve and Norway were suggested but it seems a road trip around Southern Italy is a popular option. Naturally we envision zooming around in a Fiat 500 with silk scarves in our hair.
We’re not decided on specific areas; the Amalfi Coast and Sicily are top of my list but Tuscan Hills and Umbria also sound dreamy.
The UK
Of course the best way to travel when I’ve spent too much and don’t have any annual leave left is to explore the UK. Last year I ventured further around England with my Dad adding Wiltshire and Exmoor to some of my favourite places and finally got myself a National Trust membership for countryside weekends. I’m already thinking my Dad and I will probably plan a trip over Easter – perhaps the Lake District – but I also want to spend more time in my city whilst I live so close to the top London attractions and hub of it all.
My Dad and I have also had a Scottish Highlands roadtrip on our joint bucket list for a few years… maybe we’ll get round to it in 2018!
The Big Trip
I’m hoping I can squeeze in one or two big trips this year, and by big I mean far and wide. If you know me well, you can probably guess what’s on this list as whenever someone asks me where I want to go next, they’re normally what I talk about…
New Zealand and Fiji
This killer combo featured on 2017’s bucket list, and probably 2016’s come to think of it. Allyn and I have talked about going for at least 18 months and I’m starting to think it’s about bloody time we went. Our rough plan involves a two week adventure in New Zealand with a few additional days relaxing on the Fiji sands – if my bank account and annual leave allowance permits it!
Ecuador and the Galapagos
I’ve managed to narrow down ‘South America’ to two areas that particularly allure me every time they are mentioned or David Attenborough pops up on the TV. This duo could well replace the Oceania itinerary…
China and Japan
A new contender on the big trip list, in recent months I’ve developed an interest in exploring Asia further. Initially fuelled by a plan to tour Disney Asia, I began to become more intrigued by the contrast of the quaint cultural villages compared to the mahoosive crazy capitals of Tokyo and Shanghai.
I’m unsure if this trip will take place in 2018 but it’s one that’s fresh in my mind for future years.
Without any plans at all for the year ahead, I’m full of excitement rather that a sinking stomach. How fun it will be to look back in January 2019 with, hopefully, a hearty handful of new countries under my belt.
This post was sponsored by London Attractions but of course all ideas are my own.
I’m exact same way, have no clue where I’ll travel to in 2018 yet. But sometimes it’s a good thing. Let me know if you decide to come to Japan this year!! xx
Author
Oooo yes I will! I definitely want to come in the next couple years- possible next Easter 😀 xx
Me too! This is the first year I have no plans. A lot of people are shocked about it but I am at peace about it I think. I have done Iceland before, I hopped on quite a few tour buses that took me far and wide (as I can’t either) and there is little tours where you can sit on a boat with a lil bit of Prosecco and chill out. I am looking to head back too! can’t wait for the posts 🙂
Author
Ah glad you’re the same! It’s nice to go with the flow. Oooo that sounds fantastic… especially the Prosecco and chilling out 😉
The world is just such an amazing place to explore!
Author
Isn’t it just!
I love your list for this year and I hope that you get to tick them off! We visited Iceland a few years ago and it’s absolutely stunning, but I would recommend a hire car. BUT driving in Iceland is SO easy – it’s one of the best places that we’ve driven in so far (and Portugal) even in the winter.
Japan, Ecuador and China are all on my ultimate bucket lists! They look so interesting!
xo April | April Everyday
Author
Thanks April! Oooo that’s good to know – thanks for your advice 🙂
Haha sounds very much like me – a list too long to read and I usually end up in completely different places to where I had planned at the start of the year! Although I actually achieved all but 1 of my wish list destinations in 2017 so let’s see if this year ends up the same. Wherever you end up I’m sure it will wonderful :
Author
Exactly! So glad I’m not the only one! I’m already drifting from these plans as it is!
I’m heading off to Iceland next week, and as I’m doing it solo I’m not hiring a car, but doing some of the day trips out of Reykjavik. It can definitely be nervy to drive in a new country, no matter how confident you feel normally!
Author
Oooo okay well I look forward to hearing how you get on! Do let me know 🙂
What an exciting list. I’d be up for doing Ecuador and the Galapagos with you!
Author
We definitely need to do a blogger trip this year!
I far prefer this approach, it’s what we did last year and will do again last year. Where we visit is where we want to and planned sensibly and sensitively! Enjoy! Iceland is definitely somewhere I would love to visit!
Author
Sounds perfect to me – and then no disappointment if you don’t get around to somewhere. xx
I’m in a really similar position, Eppie, with just one little trip to NYC to visit an old friend planned for the whole year! I’m interested to see where you end up as all of these sound like lovely options. I was just in Iceland for 3 days (only one full day!) and I’m so lucky I made a friend at my hostel with a rental car, because even being there just one full day it became pretty obvious that a car can completely change your experience in that country! So I guess I wouldn’t recommend a long visit unless you decide to go for the rental car.
Author
Thanks Sarah that’s super helpful. I think it’s likely I’ll wait until a car becomes an option as I’d love to see the remote areas! x
I’m with you on planning in little time rather than a full x months ahead! I’ve realised that majority of my travels last year were driven more by feeling rather than set plans. Here’s to hoping you get to tick off some nice countries and cities on your list this year, Eppie! x
Author
Thanks Honey! Yeah I love just finding last minute deals too! xx
great list! happy 2018
I’d love to visit all of those places! The Galápagos was incredible and I would urge you to put that high on the list as it’s still not ruined by tourism!
Author
Girl your photos have given me envy! It’s definitely going to happen in the next couple of years! x