Tuesday is National Plan For Vacation Day, so let's talk about where you're going this year? I know things are uncertain and scary and we just went through a period of uncertain and scary (did we ever really come out of it), so maybe you aren't actually feeling any different about going anywhere, or you're like me and want to spend time in places actually fighting for, or against, something.
I'm feeling like a lot of people don't even know their basic history and keep voting for people that are actively harming them, so because I've pretty much boycotted most of the South (Texas and Florida, specifically), we're going to Rhode Island and Massachusetts this fall.
So, where will you go? Here are just a few places you might want to plan for this year:
Philadelphia
Rich in historical buildings and activities, like seeing the Liberty Bell (for free!), Philly is an amazing food destination, the people are lovely, and you can do so many things for cheap/free. We went in 2018 and I really think we should plan another trip there sometime soon. There is a ton of art and museums in the city. If you have a rental car, you can easily get around to do more stuff in whatever time you have. We stayed in Hershey to do all the stuff there, but we also visited Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Fonthill Castle in Doylestown, and Eastern State Penitentiary in Philly proper.
Taipei, Taiwan
Taipei is actually a very affordable Asian foodie destination. While it is an island and might take a few bucks getting there, once you're there, you're going to have so much to see an do, especially if you love nature and getting outdoors. Between hiking trails and national parks, there's plenty for the enthusiast. Consensus is that rental cars are going to eat up your travel budget, if you want to get out of the city, and splurging on a hotel is almost always disappointing, so using local transportation and staying in a mid-range hotel or vacation rental is your best bet.
Mexico City
Another great city for history and food, more direct flights have been added to this capital, there are a ton of events happening all year, and you get the added bonus of practicing your Spanish, while also indulging in the affordability of Mexico. The city is huge, so you'll want to choose things to do in and around one or two neighborhoods and find a place to stay located in one of those. You may find your trip too short, so don't be surprised if you want to return to explore more of the city on another trip.
Santa Barbara
Like Los Angeles, Santa Barbara can be a bit spendy, but it also has great weather, even if you skip summer - the most expensive season - and choose to go in September or October. As with other cities, you can find a lot of cheap or free things to do, if you know where to look, including going to the beach or zoo, hitting up happy hours for dinner, go hiking, or even take Instagram-worthy pics with local art, like Chromatic Gate near East Beach.
Traveling Solo
If you're a solo traveler, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia has stunning views and is very affordable, Prague is a place to make new friends and explore castles, Sri Lanka in general is packed with historical landmarks and the transportation is great getting your there, and Andalusia, Spain is especially safe for solo women hoping to discover the fantastic architecture, see a flamenco show, and see outstanding sunsets while sipping some local wine.
Warm Weather for Winter
Trying to stave off the SAD and get a bit of sun during these bleary winter months? You could head to Florida, or you could not. Instead, head to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Kingston, Jamaica, or Mexico City (see above) for an affordable getaway that requires sunscreen and sunglasses and to leave your coat in your room.
Comfort and Accessibility
Just because you've picked a destination to start planning for, it doesn't mean you're done with planning. What are you taking with you? What are you wearing? What do you need? Here are a few suggestions for making your trip just that teeny bit better:
A comfy and chic two-piece track suit for being comfortable on the plane, lounging around your hotel, or mixing and matching with other pieces on your trip.
Got the perfect bag, but it doesn't attach to your roller bag? Get a magnetic elastic strap to give any bag a pass-through sleeve.
A breezy two-piece set for warm weather that will keep you cool and also looking cool.
A packable puffer to keep you warm, but not take up your entire seat or floor space or carry-on.
Sometimes there are no familiar sounds to drift off to, or you're traveling with children, or you need something to drown out the drunk revelers on your street. This tiny white noise machine is just the thing to help you get to sleep.
And if that doesn't work for you, mix up a packet of DreamWater for an easy fall into rest and don't wake up groggy either. If you've been following me for a while, you know I have tried all the different kinds of DreamWater and swear by them.
Relieve your poor feet after a long day of sightseeing (or hiking) with these Dr. Scholls foot masks. You'll thank me later!
Tired of trying to put your makeup on in a hotel room with terrible lighting in the bathroom? Or you need to get ready while someone is in the bathroom and there isn't a vanity? Get yourself a travel makeup mirror that has 3 lighting settings, adjustable height, and a 10x mirror on the back.
I hope 2026 is a great travel year for you. You can see that many people are using this year as a YOLO year and taking meaningful trips where they can learn something important and bond with family/friends. Where is your next trip taking you?
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