Here at Cruise America, we’ve officially designated 2023 as the year of travel. Whether you’re planning to embark on a solo journey or eat your heart out on the food tour of your dreams, we guarantee there are some amazing adventures ahead. If you’re in need of a little inspiration, consider these 2023 travel goals you’ll definitely want to keep.
Take a Solo Trip
Take some advice from Julia Roberts in “Eat Pray Love” and make 2023 the year you embark on a quest of self-discovery. Not only does traveling solo allow you to explore to heart’s content, it also gives you the ability to immerse yourself in the local culture. You would be surprised how many unknown hotspots you can find just by striking up a conversation with someone new! Solo travel can also be a huge confidence booster. Looking for a destination? If you’re planning a solo trip, be sure to tell a friend or family member your travel plans. Safety is always a first priority!
Want to take a solo RV camping trip? Our truck camper rental would be perfect for that.
Photo Credit: Andrew Ly on Unsplash
Learn to Unplug
Allow yourself to recharge while on vacation by implementing a digital detox. Yes, that’s right – step away from the iPhone! It can be challenging at first, but a few steps will help you stay disconnected and immersed in your surroundings. Turn off your notifications, set a specific check-in time, use a screen limiting app or leave your phone in your RV or suitcase. If you’re in a group, play the phone stacking game and place all electronics in a designated area. No matter your strategy, stepping away from the screen will give you the much-needed break you deserve.
Embrace the digital detox at one of these off-the-grid camping locations.
Photo Credit: @pveugen on Instagram
Go On a Stargazing Trip
Death Valley, CA. Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan, Canada. Acadia National Park, ME. What do all of these places have in common? They are all amazing places for stargazing. Add one of these travel destinations to your list if you truly want to get away from the bright lights of the city to enjoy a heavenly view of the cosmos.
Check out this guide for the best stargazing opportunities in 2023.
Photo Credit: @thomasw.photo on Instagram
Go Green
From camping to day trips, there are easy ways to reduce your carbon footprint. For example, bring along reusable water bottles instead of filling the fridge in your camper rental with plastic water bottles. You can also bring along a 5-gallon water jug that you fill up at your local grocery store, instead of stocking up on plastic gallons.
While we’re on the subject of plastic waste, consider bringing your own kitchen utensils when camping, keeping plastic utensils out of the landfills. A lot of people like to burn their plastic utensils in the fire, which is actually even worse for the planet than the landfill route, as burning plastic emit toxic dioxins into the air. No, thank you!
Don’t want to bring your own kitchen utensils? Consider reserving one of our kitchen kits with your next camper rental. From a can opener and coffee cups to pairing knives and a tea kettle, we’ve got you covered in the kitchen.
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Plan a Camping Family Reunion
There’s nothing better than camping for reconnecting with extended family. Host some friendly competition between the families (or generations!) with a chili cook-off or Dutch oven dessert competition. Catch up on all the family news while roasting marshmallows next to the firepit.
Check out these resources for finding free RV campgrounds for large groups.
Photo Credit: Kevin Ardvig on Unsplash
Plan a Food Tour
Channel your inner Guy Fieri and plan a Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives-esque road trip. Before you hit the trail, take a moment to research a destination’s food scene and create an itinerary based on your top picks. Be sure to leave in free time to explore local markets or undiscovered restaurants to get a true taste of the area’s traditional cuisine. For some added fun, rate each stop and make a list of your favorite places. Remember, there is no better way to explore than with your taste buds!
Love shellfish? Check out these top East Coast destinations for oyster lovers.
Photo Credit: Dan Gold on Unsplash
Visit Less-trafficked State and National Parks
Cruise America is headquartered in Arizona, the Grand Canyon State. It is amazing to us how many people will drive hours to get to the Grand Canyon or Sedona, but never even check out the amazing national and state parks literally in our backyard. This year, consider adding a new park to your list that doesn’t usually get all the hype – you just might discover a new favorite.
Check out this list of gorgeous and least-visited parks to start building your itinerary.
Congaree National Park, SC
Photo Credit: Clay Banks on Unsplash
Spend a Holiday in Nature
With holidays comes a laundry list of traditions. Whether is traveling to a national park for spring break or RV camping for Christmas, this year, make a new tradition by spending a holiday in nature.
If you’re not sure when to go, here are some of the most popular holidays for RV traveling.
Take a Cross-country Road Trip
Cross-country road trips are also a great way to explore some cool sights and spend time with the ones you love. Let us help you find the perfect RV rental and ensure your travels are as carefree as possible.
Check out this guide for how to plan a successful RV road trip to get started.