Resolutions are one of the great ways that people make changes to their lives. We lose weight, we finish books, we fix up our houses and ourselves, we become nicer or more studious - we grow.

Solo travel is a fantastic addition to your New Year's Resolutions - so I propose that, should travel have been off your list of things to do in 2010 - make an addendum to your original list that includes it. Here are some ideas for incorporating solo travel into 2010:

1. Go somewhere that has always fascinated you.

As I grew up, there were three places of constant fascination for me: England, Japan, and Egypt. All of those places have artifacts and history that just make me want to see them in person. What places have you always wondered about? Don't wait to see them if you have the means.

2. Go one place that scares you - just a little.

I'm stealing from Eleanor Roosevelt on this one - who said "Do one thing every day that scares you, just a little." I have always been fascinated by Beijing and have wanted to see some of the places in the Far East that hold mystique and more than a little bit of intimidation for me. China is a place of extreme fascination for me - but it seems SO far apart from "the norm" because the language and culture are so different. So now China is on my list.

3. Find something new you want to learn, find the place that teaches it, and make a plan to go.

One of the big things I have always wanted to do is take a creative writing workshop at a retreat. Simply using Google and looking for "writer's retreats" in the area of the world that I want to go has yielded dozens of viable results - including one in Belize that just looks fabulous! What do you want to learn about or do, and where can you go to do it to make it an adventure?

4. Plane, train, or automobile - what haven't you tried?

One thing I have never done is taken a trip by train. There are fabulous routes that cover the Northwest, California, across the Southwest and into Texas, and throughout the Northeast! I hope to take a great train trip this year - maybe combine it and my love of Wine Country! Check Amtrak for national routes and schedules in the United States.

5. Go somewhere that makes you feel fabulous!

For this resolution, I have one destination in mind - SPA VACAY! Check it out if you've never done one. It's a great investment in YOU!

Safe 2010 Travels!