New year, new you! It’s the same slogan every year – and how wonderfully exciting it is too.

Doing your own thing is extremely liberating

But now that we’re already a couple of weeks into January, how are you doing? Have you managed to keep that date with the gym, for instance? And have you kept your promise to be less stressed and more organised?

Well, we hope so, but even if you didn’t, it’s not too late to make a few other resolutions for 2013 – ones that could see you jetting off to all kinds of exciting places, meeting amazing people and seeing incredible things.

Yes, why not forget the treadmill, ditch the diary and make travel your focus for this year? These are our tips on how to do just that:

Take time off

This sounds pretty obvious if travel is to be involved, but statistics show that huge numbers of us aren’t taking all the holiday leave that we’re entitled too. Whether that’s down to stress, guilt or other pressures, put those feelings out of your mind and book that holiday time this year – you’ve earned it and you’re entitled to it.

Have a staycation

‘Staycation’ has become something of a buzzword for eager travellers keen to save a bit of money by holidaying in their own country. Naturally, Malta’s size does limit us a little, but there’s still loads we can get up to.

Try kayaking in Gozo while staying in a farmhouse for a few days, or book a room in a nice hotel in an area you don’t know so well – perhaps up north or down south.

The great news is the money you save on travel expenses could go towards another treat – such as a really lavish meal or day at the spa. The key is to turn off your phone, avoid the urge to pop home to check if you turned the iron off, and experience our islands in a whole new way.

Go it alone

Now I can hear you thinking: “Travel alone! No way!”

Understandably you may worry about the dangers out there, or think you’ll be lonesome and perceived as a loser, but banish that negativity and embrace the opportunity.

Doing your own thing is extremely liberating and it feels great to be able to holiday the way you want to. You can go where you like, when you like and can see the things you want to see, even if it’s just for a couple of days.

It is fun and cathartic, and will teach you all sorts of things about yourself, as well as about your destination of choice. Of course, if a whole trip alone seems a bit much you can tag along with friends or family and simply book a day or afternoon to yourself. Bliss!

Go outside your comfort zone

We all have one – our destination of choice and our country comfort blanket. Perhaps it’s the place we go to visit relatives, or it could simply be a spot that brings back happy memories. Either way, the idea here is to see something different and explore new territories.

You could start by simply visiting a new part of your country of choice, or could go the whole hog by booking a long-haul holiday to somewhere you’ve never been before – or, better still, somewhere you’ve barely heard of.

The challenge of something new will doubtlessly prove very exciting and could open your eyes in ways you’d never dreamed of.

Make a difference

Travel isn’t just about changing your life but about transforming other lives too. And that’s exactly why ‘volun-tourism’ has become so popular in recent years.

It is essentially the idea that you can volunteer while on holiday, doing things like teaching English to orphans in Sri Lanka or feeding baby pandas in China. Options range from one-week stays to longer-term commitments and, while it may not be the most relaxing holiday of your life, it could certainly be the most rewarding.

Have a learning experience

Sometimes holidays are about sun, sea and relaxation, but other times they’re about learning something new. Attend a conference or book a course (perhaps landscape painting in Tuscany, scuba diving in Egypt or cooking in the south of France) and be completely inspired.

Do what you want to do

To round off on 2012’s overused slogan that ‘you only live once (YOLO)’, bite the bullet and have things your way in 2013.

Stop procrastinating about the things you want to do and make the decision to do them at all costs – even if that involves scrimping and saving for a while.

The whole world is only a plane ride away, so you might as well get out there and enjoy it.