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10 New Year’s Travel Resolutions to Keep Your Wanderlust Alive

As the clock strikes midnight and 2025 peeks over the horizon, it’s the perfect time to dream up big, bold travel plans for the year ahead. Ready to uncover South Africa’s hidden gems, go further afield than ever before, expand your culinary horizons, or simply say “yes” to more adventures, let these fun New Year’s travel resolutions guide you right to that ‘book now’ button!

2min read

Published 26 December 2024

Sophie Baker

Guest Blogger

From weekend escapes near home to far-flung odysseys across the globe, here’s to making 2025 your most thrilling, story-worthy travel year yet.

1. Say “Yes” to Spontaneous Trips

2025 is the year to embrace the unexpected. Ditch the over-researched itineraries and leave a little wiggle room for last-minute getaways. The next time a friend casually mentions a weekend in the Drakensberg or you stumble across a surprise airfare deal to Mauritius, don’t hesitate—grab your bag, charge up your camera, and just go!

2. Get off the Beaten Path

Sure, Cape Town’s Table Mountain and Johannesburg’s Maboneng Precinct are iconic for a reason, but 2025 is the year to discover lesser-known locales. Explore Durban’s quirky street art scene beyond the beachfront promenade, or take a short drive into the scenic countryside around the Cape Winelands – like Riebeeck Kasteel - to sip Chenin Blanc in under-the-radar boutique wineries.

3. Master the “Local’s” Lunch

Don’t settle for the obvious dinner spot listed in every guidebook or the one with 2000 Google reviews. Make it your mission to eat like a local wherever you roam. Hunt down family-run curry houses in Durban that generations have sworn by, snack on koeksisters at roadside stalls near Stellenbosch, or wander into that hidden bistro in Bryanston which you’ve never tried. Food is a passport to the heart of a culture—taste it all!

(And of course, do the exact same when you’re overseas. Just follow the locals!).

4. Embrace a New Hobby on Holiday

It’s time to pair your travels with a fresh skill. Always wanted to learn to surf? Hit the waves in Jeffreys Bay. Craving some culinary finesse? Sign up for a Thai cooking class when you’re in Phuket. Want to be amazing at dancing? Sounds like something you should try in Spain!

Whether it’s learning to kitesurf, salsa dance, or sketch the city skyline, try to find some kind of classroom when you travel. It’s much more fun learning a new hobby when you combine it with an adventure!

2025 Holiday Calendar Guide

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5. Travel Slower

Instead of cramming your schedule with back-to-back tours, commit to spending quality time in fewer places. Spending a morning strolling the streets of a historic neighborhood without a strict agenda. Kick off your shoes and watch the sunset for longer than five minutes. Even spend a day or two just lounging around enjoying your hotel amenities instead of feeling forced to sightsee.

The best stories often emerge when you give yourself room to breathe and soak in the moment. Plus, you’ll return feeling rested and rejuvenated instead of tired.

6. Be a Responsible Explorer

In 2025, vow to leave every destination better than you found it. There are so many ways to travel responsibly. You can support eco-certified lodges, respect wildlife viewing rules, and use refillable water bottles to reduce plastic waste. When you choose community-led tours or stay at locally owned accommodations, you ensure that your travel footprint is a positive one.

7. Collect Unique Souvenirs

T-shirts and fridge magnets are great, but this year, think outside the box. Pick up a handmade Zulu basket in KwaZulu-Natal, a piece of recycled art from Cape Town’s craft markets, or a vintage wine from a family-owned winery in France or Italy.

That way, you come back with that will remind you of your journey when you look at it, gift it, open it…

8. Make New Friends (Human and Otherwise)

Travel has a way of bringing people together, and lets be honest – we all crave connection from time to time. This is an especially good resolution if you do a lot of solo travel or often travel for business. It can be daunting, but try vowing to make some more small talk and try to form connections.

You could strike up a conversation with the barista who makes your morning flat white, chat with fellow travellers at a hostel, or say hello to local artisans selling their wares. And don’t forget the non-human encounters—safaris, bird-watching walks, or a simple stroll on the beach at sunrise can connect you with the natural world.

9. Learn a Phrase in the Local Language

This resolution is simple and powerful. Whether it’s a warm “Molo!” in Xhosa-speaking regions, or a friendly “Salut” in France, these small linguistic efforts open doors to richer connections and unexpected smiles. Plus, people will always appreciate that you made the effort. And who knows, maybe you’ll end up learning a new language as a hobby somewhere along the line.

10. Celebrate Milestones Somewhere New

In 2025, mark your birthday, anniversary, or career win with a getaway. We’re all about celebrating the little moments with a trip – because it makes everything feel that much more special. Wherever possible, we’re encouraging you to book a weekend in the winelands for your birthday bash, toast to a personal achievement overlooking the Indian Ocean in Durban, or ring in the next chapter of your life stargazing in the Karoo.

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