I recently expressed to my 24-year-old niece that “the World is her oyster,” a Shakespearean quote meaning you have the advantage. She’s young, smart and has what it takes to have the life she wants for herself. That’s vital whether you’re 24 like my niece or 63…soon to be 64…like me.
As I close the door to 2019, I reflect on traveling to 21 amazing countries: Ghana, Benin and Togo in January; Cuba in March; France, Morocco, Spain, Albania, Macedonia, Montenegro, Kosovo and Croatia in April and May; Ireland, Scotland and England in July and August; and the Sudan, Ethiopia, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan and Israel in September and October. Of those 21 countries, I’ve already been to five of them. Not that my having been to France, Spain, Croatia, Scotland and England before didn’t make visiting them again, absolutely wonderful!
But for 2020, I’ve decided to up the ante on my travels. Plus, I love any opportunity to explore this globe and have decided to challenge myself to 20 countries…I HAVE NEVER BEEN TO…in 2020. That’s correct! #20countries2020
Most importantly, I’m so ready for this challenge. And, just between you and me, I have a goal to travel to and enjoy at least 100 countries which I am hoping to accomplish within the next few years. Once I’ve reached that goal, my next stop is World Denomination and making my way to the 195 countries of the world. With 46 conquered, the 20 plus 3 planned for 2020, should have me at 69 countries mastered by the end of 2020. Time will tell.
My partner in this 2020 challenge, along with family and friends who will accompany me on at least one of my adventures, is Intrepid Travel. With the help of Intrepid’s Louise Booth, the North American Digital Team Leader whom I met on my Cuba trip with Intrepid Travel in March of 2019, we have put together an ambitious schedule. My Cuba, five Western Balkan countries, Ethiopia and Egypt trips this year were with Intrepid.I like Intrepid’s authentic trips because it’s all about the locals from the transportation to the food and more importantly, the local guide leading, oftentimes, a small 12-member group tour group. #BeIntrepid #intrepidtravel
In getting to the heart of the matter, here’s the 2020 dates & countries breakdown:
January: Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador & Honduras (4)
February thru early April: Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia & Singapore (8)
May thru June: Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway & Sweden (6)
August to September: Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina & Brazil (5)
If my math is correct, that adds up to 23 countries…I HAVE NEVER BEEN TO. I will also travel through four Continents, two that I’ve also never been to before.
What’s your one place you’ve never been to before that you plan to go to in 2020? I would love to know. And, in the meantime, please feel free to keep up with me in real time on my Facebook Page at: www.facebook.com/MyTravelNotions; my Instagram at www.instagram.com/MyTravelNotions and once I return from my travels, always right here on my website.
Happy New Year to a whole new inspiring decade with opportunities to begin a new and create a more fulfilling path for ourselves. Here’s a toast to exploring places in our lives that help us grow and expand our vision of ourselves and the world.
Bring on 2020!