My Travel Plans for 2022
2021 was an awesome year for travel. However, I’m looking forward to 2022 and what the year has in store for me and travel. I have some ideas on locations but unlike my travel plans for 2021, I don’t really have concrete or general ideas as to when I plan on taking these trips. Nonetheless, these are my travel plans for 2022.
Now, this year is going to be a bit different in terms of travel. Unlike my 2021 travel bucket list, I’m not planning on traveling or visiting as many places as before. To be honest, I’m going to try to limit myself to about 3 trips this year and that’s it.
Related Post: My 2021 Travel Bucket List
Limiting My Trips For The Year
When I said “limit” myself to about 3 trips for the whole year, I mean trips I plan to take by myself either internationally, and or, domestically. In 2021, I took about 6 trips. Some of those trips were solo trips while others were with my friends, family, or boyfriend.
However, this year is going to be different and I’m going to try not to take as many trips. Why would I do this? Well, in a few years time, I’m planning to take about 6 months to a whole year off to travel after I quite my current job.
With that being said, I really need to “behave” myself and exercise some wise money saving, spending, and restraint skills. Meaning, I need to save up quite a bit of money, take care of my current debts, and really limit the trips I take to ensure I’m doing what’s needed so I can make that travel goal happen!
I know, in theory, I can take many more trips than just 3. I can actually take at least one short trip every month and budget it out so I’m not spending so much. It is possible and I know a lot of travelers do this throughout the year.
But, due to my personal debts and finances, for me personally, I think it’s for the best that I limit my solo travels to about 3 trips or less this year.
Traveling With Others
That’s not to say that I’m ONLY going to be traveling for those 3 trips this year. On the contrary, I’m still planning on traveling throughout the year. It’s just not going to be solo trips.
For example, my boyfriend would like for me to go back to Georgia with him to visit him mom down there. I would like to go down there with him to spend time with his mom. In November of 2022, my boyfriend’s step-sister is getting married in Arizona. So, we’ll be traveling out there for their wedding.
Plus a few other trips like that, I’ll basically be traveling with my boyfriend to family events or to spend time with family. Of course, if my friends have any suggestions on planning a trip together, that’s awesome as well. I don’t mind traveling with my friends because we can split the cost of things and I have more people to enjoy myself with!
I can’t forget about my family! My family would like to take another vacation to either Jamaica or Florida this year. As long as I have enough PTO, I can do either one. And my little siblings love it when I travel with them, so I know I have to be there for at least one family trip.
But these types of trips, traveling with others, are going to take up the bulk of my travel plans this year. As long as I have enough PTO for the trip, I can practically take all of them throughout the year.
Traveling Locally
Although I won’t be taking nearly as many trips across the country, or out of the country, I still plan to travel. I am planning to do more local travel. That means, within the state of Pennsylvania and some of the surrounding states like Ohio, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Delaware, and potentially West Virginia.
Some of these areas are not that “local”. But I define “local” as areas that are within a radius 400 miles or less from where I live. I know that sounds like a lot of distance but a few states that are close to Pennsylvania, even Pennsylvania itself, are on the bigger side. Due to distance, if trips can’t be done in a day, then it can definitely be a weekend trip. This is something that’s not only doable but more affordable as well.
It’ll give me the chance to really explore what’s around and find cool and unique things to do. I’m looking forward to taking more local trips this year!
Tentative Travel Plans
Going back to those 3 trips I would like to take this year, the only one I really would love to do is at the top of my list. The other possible 2 trips are still up in the air. It’s especially hard to chose which places to visit because I’m trying to limit how many trips I take. Ultimately, I’m probably going to end up choosing the cheapest location to visit.
London
England was on my bucket list for my 2021 travel plans. Because of COVID, I didn’t manage to make it over there. However, this year I’m determined to visit England, specifically London, for at least 10 days. Visiting London is supposed to be a present to myself for completing my masters program and a chance to revisit the place I studied abroad in back in 2015.
I absolutely love London. I can see myself visiting this location time and time again. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of wanting to visit London. I’m looking forward to the day when I board my flight to London.
The plan is to visit London, hopefully, in either March or April. I want this to be the first trip of the year. With the new Omicron variant, I’m not sure if this will be possible. I have to wait and see if the UK will allow Americans to visit. I’m going to remain optimistic but will remain realistic due to the state of the world.
Wyoming
Wyoming is such a gorgeous state to visit. Yellowstone National Park is there and I would love to visit this amazing area. I think this state is on every traveler’s list and I can definitely see why. The terrain and views are to die for. The landscape out west never ceases to amaze me. It’s beautiful and I think it’s way cooler than the landscape here on the east coast.
However, after doing some preliminary research, trying to visit Wyoming during one of the peak months is going to be expensive. It’s going to be like my trip to Utah where I had to rent a car, drive throughout the state, and visit the parks on a daily basis. That type of trip can be expensive, even if I try my best to budget things out.
I have to keep doing more research and see if it’ll be cheaper to go during the fall to Wyoming. Besides Yellowstone, I’d love to visit other parts of the state. I’d love to visit the state for about a week at most. It’s on my bucket list and I’m going to try to make it happen. If the overall cost of trip is looking to be over my intended budget, I may have to postpone this trip for another year.
Related Post: 3 Day Solo Trip Itinerary in Utah
Colorado
I’ve wanted to visit Colorado for many years. It’s a beautiful state and I’d love to hike and explore here. Plus, I have a friend here who I met in London back in 2015 when we studied abroad at the same college. I told her one of these days I’d make it to Colorado to visit but never did.
Maybe 2022 will be the year I actually visit. It’s definitely a bit cheaper to visit this state, lots of outdoor activities, national parks, and beautiful scenery for miles. I’m sure my friend wouldn’t mind a long awaited reunion and would go with me on some adventure. I’d definitely have to dedicate at least 5 to 6 days here as well, there’s just so much to do that it’d be wrong to stay for a shorter amount of time.
Out of my other options, I can see myself planning and visiting Colorado this year.
My Backup Options
So, it really doesn’t seem like a whole lot. London, Wyoming, and Colorado are definitely my top choices for locations to visit this year. Like I mentioned, depending on finances and COVID, I may or may not end up doing some or all of them. Even if I get to do at least one solo trip this year, I’d be happy.
However, a traveler should not leave all their eggs in one basket. I do have a list of backup options if I’m not able to visit either one, or all, of my top locations. Some of my backup locations are:
- Mexico
- Montana
- Washington (state)
- Oregon
- South Dakota
- Rhode Island
- Maine
- Tennessee
- Kentucky
My backup options are on the western or midwestern portion of the USA and some are on the east coast. One option is in another country but we’ll see about that one. I figured if I can’t make it to at least one of the western states, then I might have better luck visiting a new state on the eastern portion of the country.
Ultimately, time will tell whether I’m able to make any of my top trips happen. Even if I’m not able to, there’s always local travel and I’m fine with that as well. As long as I’m not staying too sedentary, and am able to travel at least a little, I’m happy.
Because I know limiting myself to such few trips for a year isn’t going to last forever. It’ll only last for a little while until I’m able to achieve my ultimate travel goal in a few years!
It’s good to have a plan, although as you say, who knows what the next issue could be with Coronavirus. After so long not being able to travel due to the pandemic I am planning to hit the road this year – borders open, quarantune etc willing. You are right to be looking locally as that is at least easier to foresee and control. London will be fun but remeber you are entering into a very densely populated place, especially the centre. Best of luck
Hopefully everything works out in both our favors so we can travel some more this year. If not, then exploring new places here in the states will suffice because the USA has lots of gorgeous places.
Such a good idea to plan for the long term travel goals. I love your ideas for 2022 though. London is one of my favorites, maybe biased as a Brit, but Wyoming/ Yellowstone was also on my 2022 list. Colorado is a place I never get tired of visiting, I can’t wait to go back. Fingers crossed for a lot more travel this year, and better experiences all around
London is definitely a place I’d love to visit every year, I just love it as well! Hoping I can make it out west to a new state this year!
Sounds like even by limiting you will have some good trips planned this year. We always let price dictate most of our trips and go wherever its cheaper, definitely how we save the most when traveling. Pulling up Google Flights and just seeing what is affordable and going with it!
I’m slowly but surely learning to do more of that. I’ve always been one to splurge a bit on travel but to get to where I wanna be in a few years, I need to take it down a notch or two lol.
What a great idea! We also plan on doing more in PA – there’s really a ton right in our backyard that often gets overlooked that will still help you ‘behave’ haha
I know right, so much to see and do in PA, I really need to get on it with explore more of it!
I really hope you manage to visit London again when it’s clear you love it so much. I’m excited to read more of your US trips as well, as someone who has never been
Thank you, hopefully nothing changes in a couple months and I’ll be in London again! The US has a lot of beautiful destinations and I can’t wait to explore more of them!
You’ve got a very ambitious aim with taking time out in a few years to go travelling for a while. I repect that and wish you all the best for your preparations. Its vital to take a longer break from the hustle and corporate world whilst you’re young and ready to explore. I feel sabbaticals and gap years for professionals are underrated and often overlooked. Oh and you’re coming to London! Excellent, let me know when you’re here or need any recommendations. Happy to help!
Carolin | Solo Travel Story
Thank you, I’m going to try my best to make it happen! These few days or week long travels are not it for me but I only get so much PTO to use 😭. And yes, hoping nothing changes in a couple months and I get to visit London again, I can’t wait!!
Just as much fun as travelling is the travel planning. The anticipation of a trip, the dreaming of where to go and then planning everything that area is known for is all part of the fun and thrill of travel for me. That’s quite the list, and hopefully you’ll be able to cross a few places both near and far off your list when you reflect back on your year.
Thank you, I hope I’m able to as well!
I’m excited to see where you end up this year! I know what you mean about needing to save for a bigger trip in a few years – I’m in a smilar position but it’s just so tempting to book plane tickets!
I can’t wait either and I’m hoping to take my first trip in a couple months! And I know that temptation with travel, it’s never ending lol
I love your transparency and honesty with this post–sometimes in the travel blogger realm there is an unspoken pressure to travel ALL the time. I sometimes see other bloggers traveling 24/7 and I wonder, “how?!”… I am in the same boat this year with taking a few solo trips and limiting my expenses to prepare for a big personal milestone! I’m excited to see where you end up and hear about your adventures along the way! If you are in Seattle, let me know and I can send you some of my favorite local spots!
Thank you so much, I appreciate it! I believe it’s important to be honest and show the reality of traveling, especially when you have a full-time job and can’t travel all the time like some others can. I’m glad to see that there are others out there in similar situations and are doing what they can now for their future travel goals! I can’t wait to see you accomplish your milestone! I definitely have to make it out there to Seattle, I’ve heard a lot of great things about it!