Our Top Travel Resolutions for 2011

Happy New Year! The Fodor's community has shared some great ideas that everyone can use to improve their next travel experience, from committing to one carry-on bag to budgeting basics to striking out solo.

Add your travel resolution in the comments below or on our Forums.

Budget Basics

"Our resolution is to set a 'souvenir' budget . . . my husband is a shopaholic (with great taste)!" —Beachnut11

"My travel resolution is to plan more trips to destinations where I have friends and family. You save a lot of money on lodging (and often rental cars), and you get a true local experience. So far this year's list includes Philly, DC, Sun Valley, and (hopefully!) South Africa." —Jess_M

Travel Skills

"My resolution is to strike up more conversations when I travel, both in English and Spanish. (And my Spanish is rusty—better get studying!)" —Kelly_K

"Usually I travel with my husband who is a human GPS (give him 5 minutes to stare at a map and he pretty much knows where he's going), but I have some solo travel coming up. So, my resolution is to get comfortable traveling on my own and finding my way around new cities. I know I can find my way . . . it just may take a little longer!" —SalwaJ

Smart Packing

"With the higher new areline baggage fees will carry on more. A family of 4 checking one bag each can pay $200 more easily on many carriers . . . I resolve to travel lighter, more frugally and simply this year" —qwovadis

"On my 2011 trips, I will pack a laptop and set up some easily accessible work files (e.g., save them onto a USB key, email files to ourselves) before we leave so that we can manage a couple of days' work at the end of the trip if we get stranded somewhere." —frogoutofwater

Transportation Tips

"My travel resolution is to take a non-airplane-based trip. Top contenders: biking the Great Allegheny Passage from Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C. or road tripping to major Civil War and literary sights in the South." —Stephanie_B

"I resolve not to be impatient with TSA officials. These people are doing a thankless and oh-so necessary job that's designed to keep us all safe---as much as it's possible to do so. The same goes for TSA policies that seem to touch on my personal space, freedom, and rights. I further resolve to silently redirect (and then quickly let go of) any impatience I feel while in line at security toward fellow travelers who gripe about all the rules, vent their frustrations on TSA officials, and slow things down with their complaints and/or disorganization. We all know the drill by now, so it's time to show up prepared and just get through it---maybe even with a smile instead of gritted teeth." —Laura_K

Types of Destinations

"My own resolution is to explore a few new places--or return to ones I haven't been to for ages—rather than revisiting familiar favorites."—LindaC

"I resolve to let family dictate my 2011 travel plans. My sister is getting married this year in Wisconsin, and being there for everything is my top travel priority. Although I'd love to put money and vacation days towards checking some exotic destinations off my list, this year, I'll be content sitting in my parents' backyard for the bridal shower, bachelorette party-ing in Vegas, helping out with planning in Chicago, and enjoying the main event in Milwaukee (not to mention three other family/friend weddings this summer)." —MollyM

"I resolve to get one more international stamp on my passport before it expires in 2012." —EricW

Coming Soon: Our Top Travel Destinations for 2011

Photo Credit: iStockPhoto / TPopova