It's April. 

Some of you may have enjoyed a recent get-away over spring break – others may be planning a big family summer vacation.  There may be a sad few that fall under neither category, but we're not going down that road....

Whether or not you are planning a vacation this year – travelling is something you should pencil into your schedule sometime in the near future.  Traveling, especially traveling abroad offers unlimited benefits physically, mentally, and emotionally.  Traveling gives us the opportunity to disconnect from regular life, while increasing our knowledge and widening our perspectives.  Traveling exposes us to new experiences and helps us build lasting memories with loved ones.

Adventurous, imagination caps – ON!  Worrisome, money-concerned caps— OFF! 

Let's take a look at the New York Times top 15 Places to Visit in 2012.  (The Article lists the Top 45 – so if you have your SUPER-DUPER adventurous cap on, Click Here to read the rest of the list)

1. Panama – Go for the canal, stay for everything else
2. Helsinki, Finland – Design. Design. Design. Aesthetics fuel a new cool
3. Myanmar - Back on the tourist map after being off-limits for years
4. London - The Olympics! The Queen! Charles Dickens turns 200!
5. Oakland, California - New restaurants and bars beckon amid the grit
6. Tokyo - With some tourists slow to return, greater opportunities for those who do
7. Tanzania - Coming into its own as an upscale safari destination
8. Chilean Patagonia - Proof that adventure doesn't have to mean roughing it
9. Lhasa, Tibet - New luxury hotels bring respite — and controversy
10. Havana, Cuba - The Cuban capital is once again within Americans' reach
11. Moscow - New cultural venues add a dash of the sacred and profane
12. Glasgow - Zaha Hadid takes on a Scottish waterfront
13. Puebla, Mexico - International mole festival. Need we say more?
14. San Diego - With breweries and brewpubs, a sunny heaven for suds lovers
15. Halong Bay, Vietnam - New ways to visit a natural wonder in Southeast Asia

All of these locations would most certainly expand your mind and body let alone, offer an incredible time! 

Unfortunately, the reality bug is biting harder these days and we are forced to consider budgetary restrictions. Just remember, when planning the ultimate vacation the four primary areas of expenses are airfare, accommodations, food, and site seeing.  There are many strategies to lowering the cost in all of these categories.  Book tickets at less popular times of the year or pack your own food instead of constantly eating out.  Even site seeing isn't as expensive as people assume it to be.  According to GoBudgetTravel, if you were to visit 6 out of 7 “New Wonders of the World” such as the Taj Mahal or the Great Wall of China – it would cost less than admission for one adult at Disney World.

Bottom line:  Stop whining and start living!  Travel is more affordable than you think.  The memories and experiences you gain from traveling are priceless.  Just keep that adventurous cap on – and you'll be going places – no pun intended :)

**If the concept of "Stop Whining and Start Living" inspires you – it just so happens to be a title in our audiobook library!  It doesn't directly refer to traveling - but in her book, Dr. Laura Schlessinger helps folks conquer the temptation to retreat from living life to the fullest.  Check it out!