A few years ago, a study in the Netherlands found that people who took vacations were most happy before a trip, but no happier than non-vacationers after a trip. Anticipation, the researchers suggested, was what had the biggest effect on happiness.
With that in mind, why not start planning your next trip right now?
January is one of the busiest times for travel planning: A new year is a reminder of everything you want to do with your life: It's all hope and possibilities as the clock strikes midnight. And "travel more" is one of the most popular resolutions each year. But unlike resolutions that actually require you to physically do something (like go to the gym), or accomplish some intangible goal (like living a fuller life), you can get the real benefits of a resolution to travel immediately.
Don't just say you want to travel more and expect to get to it some time in February or March or never. Get started planning. Now.
If this inspires you to travel anywhere — or even to plan a future trip — we've succeeded. But if you're looking for something more specific, here are out 12 recommendations for where to go in 2016.
Throughout the year, we'll be going more in-depth on one destination each month, starting with ...
Tobago
Tobago is the smaller island of the Caribbean duo, Trinidad and Tobago. The island's history has been fraught since Christopher Columbus saw its shore in 1498, but after centuries of British rule Tobago is now autonomous under the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
Though lying outside the hurricane belt, Tobago still has a defined wet season from July to November, making the best time to visit from December to June. And why should you visit? Gorgeous, sandy beaches along with diverse tropical forest are the perfect setting for relaxing, boating and surfing, hiking and touring, or scuba and snorkeling. And that's to say nothing of Tobago's rich multiethnic heritage on display year round.
Tobago is a great destination for active travelers, whether experienced or just getting started with kayaking, kiteboarding, windsurfing or snorkeling. Like some other Caribbean destinations, Tobago also has bioluminescent tours that are as magical as they sound.
The larger island of Trinidad is where to go for the bigger Carnival parties in January and February, but this smaller more laid back island is where we want to ride out the winter.
For all these destinations, we're including sample airfare prices from New York and San Francisco. If you want specific prices from your city, start the search with the calendar feature in Google Flights.
El Calafate
Patagonia is tremendously large, covering more than 400,000 square miles across southern Chile and Argentina.
At that size, there's little chance of fitting in all the sights in a single trip. For those of us who don't have a couple months to backpack across South America, it is possible to fit in some amazing highlights in about 10 days. (Shorter than that and you'll be spending as much time getting there as seeing the place.)
El Calafate is the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park, the largest national park in Argentina. Thirty percent of the park's 2,800 square miles is covered in ice, and the crowning glacial jewel is the Perito Moreno glacier.
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.