As someone who tends to do well with following through on doing things once I’ve verbalized them (or written them for anyone on the internet to read!), my travel goals each year are important for me to accomplish. In 2017, I made it to every destination on my list sans Austria, so I’m setting the bar high for myself in 2018 as well.

2018 is looking to be a lot of new for me. I already have trips to three new countries in the works, and am eyeing my 27th state. And, even though I’ve been to the majority of southern states, return trips will be bringing me to new areas I haven’t previously explored.

A Central American Adventure to Belize and Guatemala

Every winter I try to escape the cold and go somewhere warm, and this year Mark, Markell, and I are going all out with a ten day trip to Belize and Guatemala in January. After flying into Belize City, we’re heading to Belize’s interior and crossing into Guatemala to explore ancient Mayan civilization ruins. After our time in the jungle, we’ll head to Belize’s coast and take the ferry out to two of Belize’s most famous islands: Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye. Minus a collaboration with MayaWalk Tours for a canoe tour in San Ignacio, Belize, I’m planning to fully unplug and unwind as much as possible on this trip.

Hipster Vibes in Brooklyn, New York

Although I’ve been to Manhattan dozens of times, and grew up going to Brooklyn in summers as a child to visit my mom’s friends – let’s face it, Brooklyn has changed (*gentrified*) a lot since the 1990s. This February, I’ll be staying with my Brooklynite friend Kelly and have asked that we spend our weekend exclusively in the borough. Let’s see how hipster I can get (don’t hold your breath!).

Watching Soccer at the World Cup in Russia

I’M GOING TO THE WORLD CUP! Every four years my dad, uncle, and I do a big trip together to go to the World Cup. I missed out on Brazil because we couldn’t get the U.S. team tickets that I wanted, and even though the U.S. isn’t even in the World Cup this time around (don’t even get me started on that), I’m cutting my losses and going anyways. And bonus, this will be Markell’s first time joining us!

So far we have tickets to three games split between Saint Petersburg and Moscow, but may purchase more.

Southern Equestrianism in Aiken, South Carolina

My best friend Allie just moved to Aiken, South Carolina, an equestrian city near the South Carolina-Georgia border. I’m looking forward to seeing her new horse farm and venturing around downtown Aiken!

Business travel to Florida and Georgia

While 2017’s business travel entailed multiple trips to California and Nevada, our focus at work is shifting to the southeast so 2018 will mean more travel to Florida, Georgia, and other southern states. I’m looking forward to warm weather and southern hospitality!

Visiting my 27th State

In 2017 I made it to four new states: New Hampshire, Maine, California, and Ohio. I’d like to keep the trend of at least one new state a year going until I get to them all. 2018’s contenders? Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Michigan are all high on the list.

How about you? What are your travel plans for 2018?

All photos used in this post are from pixabay, the free image community.