2025 travel goals and plans (Free Printable worksheet)
Photo from unsplash by @julensan09
In 2024, I was lucky enough to travel a lot. I’m so happy that I got to do that and feel extremely grateful that life worked out for me where that was possible. Just like last year, I have no clue whether I’m going to be able to travel as much. I definitely should be able to do some weekend trips alongside a few pre-planned trips I have. In my 3rd term of university, I am supposed to be doing a placement term. I’m currently unsure what this will be and whether I will be able to travel during that time or not.
Fortunately, I already have 2 trips booked this year. In February, I will be doing another trip with university. This time it will be in Rome. Me and my father have also planned a trip in the summer to the Faroe Islands along with Iceland.
I have previously been to Rome in 2018. I was 17 and young and focussed more on the fact that I was missing parties back home rather than travelling. I’d even say that it was so long ago that I’ve completely forgotten. So I do think that this trip will feel brand new. I’m so excited to see all of the sights again and have some amazing food.
Photo from unsplash by @ibaxez
My number one bucket list destination for so long has been Iceland. Specifically around the ring road. I look at photos of the landscapes constantly and dream of seeing them myself.
Photo from unsplash by @serey - Iceland
Eventually (after lots and lots of begging) I managed to convince my dad to take us on a road trip around Iceland. The trip starts in Denmark in a town called Aalborg. We’re only there for one night until we get the ferry over to the Faroe Islands and stay in Tórshavn for 3 nights. Finally, we’re getting a ferry over to Iceland to Seyðisfjörður, driving around the ringroad. Well then fly back from Reykjavík.
Photo from unsplash by @sebastianboring
I’ll definitely be aiming to travel more around the UK as well. I’d love to do some walking trips. Eventually I’d love to have done the 3 largest peaks (Ben Nevis, Scafell pike and Snowdon) of England. I also hope to do a thru hike in the Peak District.
Photo from unsplash by @roxxiewildflower_
I’ve just started a series on Instagram and TikTok about finding beautiful things in areas you don’t expect. Meaning I will end up travelling to some different UK towns to find nice places.
Make sure you check it out on my socials @_elishatravels.
I think its really important to take a look at your goals for the year. I think it needs to have a structure to it. Why are they your goals? What do you hope to gain from them? When do you want them to happen? If travel is your priority, why not treat these goals the way you’d treat any other goals?
I’ve created a free interactive worksheet with journal prompts and a point system to help you make your travel plans this year. If you want my personal help, you can book an appointment with me to help you map out your goals and find the best way to travel this year. Copy and paste the link below and read on to see my own answers.
First of all, I think it’s really important to think of what is most important to you when you travel.
Here are the top 5 things that are important to me in travel:
1.) Parties and social
2.) Great food
3.) Amazing experiences
4.) Immersive culture
5.) Epic landscapes and nature
TOP 10 COUNTRIES (I’m not including ones that I have already been to or already have planned)
Including whether it contains any of my travel factors and reasons I want to go.
1.) Nicaragua
Image from unsplash by @mallorcanrelish
1 - Nicaragua host’s the famous treehouse party, which I have always wanted to go and is famous amongst backpackers who also prioritise the party and social side of travelling.
3 - 2 words. Volcano boarding. That’s all.
4 - Nicaragua has a rich history with great music and traditions.
5 - Tropical foliage, volcanoes and vast lakes.
I’ve wanted to do a trip to Central America for a while. Nicaragua is one that I’ve heard has a hidden kind of beauty as it is often overshadowed by other countries in the region. I’ve been dragged in by it’s beautiful, lush greenery and landscapes, it’s beaches and array of activities to do.
Total (1 + 1 +3 + 4+5 =) 14
2.) Mauritius
Image from unsplash by @xaviercoiffic
2 - There’s lots of food from Mauritius which looks extremely tasty. From my research, I found a dish called Bol Renversé that I think I might give my left leg to taste.
3 - Every photo that I’ve seen of Mauritius has been breathtaking. That’s just the photo. I think there are at least 3 famous screensavers just from this one country.
4 - Famous for its music, dance, religious festivals and local crafts, Mauritius has a rich and diverse culture.
5 - Water sports, adrenaline activities, hiking etc
I fell in love with Mauritius the second I saw the two-toned turquoise water wrapped around golden sands and green coasts. Then I saw the beautiful waterfalls and 7 coloured earth geopark.
Total (2+2+3+4+5=) 16
3.) Switzerland
Photo from unsplash by @debrupas
3 - Famous day hikes and thru-hikes around lakes and mountains.
5 - Obviously. Switzerland is known for its fantastic landscapes, with its tall green foliage and array of tall white-peaked mountains
Switzerland is known as being one of the most beautiful European countries, throwing it straight onto my list of places I’d love to go.
Total - 11
4.) Australia
Photo from unsplash by @antoinefbr
1 - I’d love to compare drinking culture in Australia to Britain. I hear its quite similar. I know I’d love the social side of the visit as it’s filled with fellow like-minded backpackers.
3 - One of my top bucketlist things to do is take a helicopter ride over the great barrier reef. I’ve also always wanted to learn to surf and Australia in particular is supposed to be perfect for it.
5 - Of course, Australia is known for its wildlife and vast array of nature. Being such a big place, of course there are going to be amazing landscapes.
I have a lot of friends that live in Australia, for one. It’s not every day that I am able to go out and visit them. I would love to do a trip around the west coast (Melbourne - Cairns) for hikes, beaches, surfing and parties.
5.) Peru
Photo from unsplash by @funkmastacrump
1 - With it’s location in South America, It is popular with backpackers so there’s that side of it. On the other hand, Peru has a vibrant party atmosphere anyway.
2 - Peru has such a pure array of fresh produce. Fruits, vegetables etc are ripe and juicy and my mouth is watering just thinking about it.
3 - So much hiking, activities and, come on, MACHU PICCHU
4 - Of course, Peru is famous for its vibrant culture, festivals, dancing and Llamas
5 - I’ve already mentioned Machu Picchu but I think it’s definitely worth mentioning again. There’s so many amazing landscapes, rainbow mountain of course.
Peru is a diverse and cultural place. The only reason it isn’t higher on my list is that if I were to go on a trip this year, it would probably be to Central America rather than South America. It would make more sense to visit Peru during a larger scale trip to South America.
Total - 20
6.) Kazakhstan
Photo from unsplash by @joydeeproni
3 - Horse riding is quite big in Kazakhstan. There’s actually an experience you are able to do where you can see a rocket launch up close. However, I do think it’s slightly out of my price range but why not aim high. There’s hiking and 4×4 trips and more.
4 - Particularly in Almaty, Khazakstan’s heritage is rich and bustling.
5 - Some of Khazakstan’s views measure up to the views in Switzerland. Amazing epic mountain ranges and such a vast array of different terrains.
In general, I’d love to visit central Asia and the (safe) stans as a big trip. Khazakstan is so big and vast and diverse so it’s made it onto my main list, but if the option was there, I’d join it with its surrounding countries.
Total - 18
7.) India
Photo from unsplash by @martinjernberg
2 - One of my favourite cuisines. Of course, I can’t expect the food made in England to be the same as the food in the country. The spices and flavour profiles are so rich and tasteful and exciting.
3 - Of course, seeing the Taj Mahal is one of the wonders of the world. I’d love to take part in Holi, the festival of colours. I’d also love to see the ceremony at Wagah Border, go on a desert safari and visit an ashram.
4 - When I think of culture, I think of India. Like the music, films, festivals, movies. Everything is so different from my own lived experience and that’s the sort of thing I love to see when I travel.
5 - Part of the Himalayas are in India. It has some beautiful nature and landscapes.
When I was younger, I imagined India as the place on the adverts or on children in need. Where everything was desert and poverty and sadness. Now, though, I know that it was a really closed-minded mindset. India is a beautiful country with a lot to offer and I’d be so excited to visit.
Total - 21
8.) Mongolia
Photo from unsplash by @audrius4x
3 - There’s desert’s, festivals, hiking. I would also love to get on the trans-Mongolian railway.
4 - Mongolia has a large amount of influences and history and is heavy on different styles of music, dance and more.
5 - Some of the places in Mongolia don’t even look real, I imagine seeing some of these landscapes would change my life.
I saw on tiktok, two girls doing a two week horse riding trip through the mountains of Mongolia. It looked crazy and hard and sometimes a little bit disgusting. I immediately added it to the bucketlist.
Total - 20
9.) New Zealand
Photo from unsplash by @andresiga
3 - Lots of hiking and epic views of course. You can simply walk into Mordor if you like. I have also always wanted to go to Waitomo Glowworm cave
5 - New Zealand is famous for it’s mountainous landscapes. It looks particularly beautiful in Lupin season.
Lord of the rings. I feel I don’t need to say any more (I’m a nerd)
Total - 17
Honourable mentions:
Jordan, USA, Norway, Germany, Canada, Indonesia, Morocco, Egypt, South Africa, Brazil, Netherlands, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Cuba and Nepal.
10.) Mexico
Photo from unsplash by @jezar
1 - Vibrant parties and festivals, also large backpacking scene.
2 - Just thinking about the food, my mouth is watering. I can almost smell it.
3 - Another item on my bucket list is seeing the monarch butterfly migration. There’s the cenotes. There’s Chichen Itza, Bacalar (lake of 7 colours), canyons, caves and more.
4 - Mexican culture is something I find extremely beautiful and interesting. The music, food, dance and beliefs are so fascinating.
5 - Tropical foliage, epic mountains and beautiful national parks.
I am desperate to go to Mexico. It has it all, it looks absolutely stunning and I think I would have the best time exploring it.
Total - 25
As much as it’s important to look towards your goals and why they’re your goals, it’s just as important to understand what it is that’s limiting you and how you’re going to get over them. This helps you realise how realistic the goals are.
Here are my top 5 limitations:
1 - Safety concerns due to travelling solo
2- Safety concerns due to risk of injury/illness
3 - Prior commitments
4 - Working around university
5 - Money
Then, I can assess each country and rate them based off how much the limitations are affected. I can note down what I can do to overcome them obstacles. On my free worksheet linked above, you can make a points system to see what places you can prioritise and there’s a table which prompts you to plan out your trips to each country.
I hope this has helped you think about where you want to go in 2025. If you want to book an appointment with me to help you plan out the best trip for you, then send an email to Elisha.C.Harris@outlook.com or look out on my website for upcoming services, events and appointments.
Here’s to an amazing 2025 filled with abundance, amazing experiences and travel. Lets check in next year and see, fingers crossed, if I got to tick any, if not all, of these places off my list.
-Elisha xoxo