Tired of your travel adventures involving little more than booking flights to all those world-famous destinations? OK, if you’re anything like us, then you’re probably not that bored of taking that approach to travel. However, it’s fun to mix things up every now and again, especially when there are so many different ways to explore the planet.

If you’re looking for a fresh way to discover the world and all it has to offer, then check out the three alternative travel ideas we outline below.

Follow Fictional Tales

It’s normally when we’re sitting on the couch watching Netflix that we decide it’s time for some adventure in our lives, and that’s because so many shows take place in such beautiful destinations. So, why not use your favourite shows and movies as a basis for your next trip? It’s hard to feel drawn to Paris after watching Emily in Paris, or Thailand after watching the third season of The White Lotus. You’ve seen it on the screen; now’s the time to see it first-hand and live your own main character moment.

Attend a Sporting Event

Looking for a fun-filled adventure that also offers a fair amount of adrenaline and excitement? Then consider attending one of the world’s major sporting events. The Super Bowl, World Cup, and Wimbledon are just three of the leading sporting competitions that everyone should have on their travel bucket list. If you’re after something a bit more casual yet still hugely memorable, then you can look at attending The Kentucky Derby or The Grand National — they’re two of the biggest horse racing events on the planet, offering the perfect balance between sporting prowess and social fun. Grab your friends, pack your best outfit, and enjoy a few days of world-class racing in a uniquely fun environment.

Music Festivals

Prefer music over sports? Then consider attending a music festival. There’s no shortage of events to choose from, so really, whatever type of music you enjoy, you can have confidence that there’ll be a festival taking place somewhere on the planet. If you’re simply looking for an awesome experience, then take a look at the world’s biggest music festivals, such as Glastonbury, Lollapalooza, or Burning Man. There are also plenty of smaller — yet just as good — festivals taking place in stunning locations around Europe, such as Bulgaria’s Butik Festival or Albania’s Kala Festival. The perfect getaway for adventurers looking for sun, good vibes, and plenty of lifelong memories.

Soak up the sun and shake off winter’s chill in one of these warm-weather destinations.

Living in areas with four distinct seasons can be invigorating and wonderful. Sledding, skiing, skating, ice fishing — there are so many things you can enjoy in a winter climate. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a treat to schedule a trip to a warm, sunny location when the temperatures back home are at their lowest.

Thankfully, many warm-weather destinations are old hands at hosting travelers and are well-stocked with tourist attractions and sites. Here’s a look at some of the best U.S. places to visit when it’s chilly and snowy back home.

1. San Juan, Puerto Rico

This location’s historical monthly average temperatures for the month of:

• December: High of 86 degrees Fahrenheit, low of 68
• January: High of 85 degrees Fahrenheit, low of 66

Soak up some sun amid the Spanish rhythms of Puerto Rico – and since it’s an American territory, you don’t even need a passport to get there. There are nonstop flights to San Juan from many U.S. airports, the U.S. dollar is the currency, and Americans don’t need to worry about international phone plans.

You can relax on powdery white sand beaches, explore the cobblestone streets of the old walled city, and marvel at the historic Castillo de San Felipe del Morro, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that dates to the 1500s.

2. Key West, Florida

This location’s historical monthly average temperatures for the month of:

• December: High of 78 degrees Fahrenheit, low of 68
• January: High of 76 degrees Fahrenheit, low of 66

Want to go south? Key West is the southernmost city in the contiguous United States. As fans of the late singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett know, the island is as famous for its laid-back attitude as it is for its latitude.

For a small island, there’s plenty to do. The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum offers guided tours, and it’s home to dozens of six-toed cats, many of whom are descendants of the legendary writer’s own pet. Enjoy the island’s Cuban food, fresh seafood, deep-sea fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling, and don’t forget to raise a margarita glass in Buffett’s memory.

3. San Antonio, Texas

This location’s historical monthly average temperatures for the month of:

• December: High of 65 degrees Fahrenheit, low of 42
• January: High of 63 degrees Fahrenheit, low of 41

San Antonio may not be as warm as some other winter destinations, but there’s so much to do, you won’t notice.

The famed Alamo, site of the historic 1836 battle, is on the bucket list for many Americans. And downtown’s River Walk brags that it’s the top attraction in Texas, featuring a bustling dining and entertainment scene that includes twinkling holiday lights and even a boat parade complete with Santa.

4. New Orleans, Louisiana

This location’s historical monthly average temperatures for the month of:

• December: High of 66 degrees Fahrenheit, low of 49
• January: High of 64 degrees Fahrenheit, low of 47

Skip the crowds of Mardi Gras and visit New Orleans in the winter.

Bourbon Street is popping with live jazz, zydeco and every other form of music you can think of. The food – from beignets to po boys to gumbo – still can’t be beat. And you can take a cemetery tour, gawk at the elegant homes of the Garden District, take a guided tour of the home where impressionist painter Edgar Degas briefly lived, and much more.

5. Honolulu, Hawaii

This location’s historical monthly average temperatures for the month of:

• December: High of 82 degrees Fahrenheit, low of 69
• January: High of 81 degrees Fahrenheit, low of 66

Devastating wildfires on the island of Maui in August shook the Aloha State, leaving many travelers grappling about whether visiting is appropriate. As of late August, state officials were encouraging visitors to help the heavily tourism-dependent state resume normal activity.

Honolulu, of course, is located on Oahu, not on Maui, and wasn’t damaged by the fires. Breathtaking Waikiki Beach, one of the world’s most famous, was once a retreat for Hawaiian royalty. You can also hike, dine on poke, poi or slow-roasted pork, and watch and learn hula dancing at a luau. And Pearl Harbor, with its historic USS Arizona Memorial, is just a half-hour drive away.

6. Palm Springs, California

This location’s historical monthly average temperatures for the month of:

• December: High of 69 degrees Fahrenheit, low of 45
• January: High of 71 degrees Fahrenheit, low of 47

Fashionable Palm Springs is not a spring-break style, party-all-night throwdown. Instead, expect a laid-back, kitschy winter escape, where many tourists are older and some are snowbirds, renting homes for winter months to escape the chill in their home states. If you love art, midcentury architecture and golf, but don’t mind the lack of beaches, spring on over to Palm Springs.

7. San Diego, California

This location’s historical monthly average temperatures for the month of:

• December: High of 66 degrees Fahrenheit, low of 50
• January: High of 66 degrees Fahrenheit, low of 50

San Diego may not be as hot as some winter destinations, but it’s usually sunny and there’s plenty to do.

The world-famous San Diego Zoo is a must, with animals from koalas to giraffes in naturalistic habitats. You can also tour the USS Midway, a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier that was decommissioned in 1992 and is now a floating museum displaying more than 30 military aircraft. And wander the lively streets of Old Town, packed with shops, authentic Mexican restaurants and live entertainment.

8. Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

This location’s historical monthly average temperatures for the month of:

• December: High of 85 degrees Fahrenheit, low of 75
• January: High of 84 degrees Fahrenheit, low of 74

Lively Charlotte Amalie, the capital of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, is filled with enticing attractions for when you’ve had enough beaching. Don’t miss taking the famed 99 Steps up to Blackbeard’s Castle, a watchtower from the 1600s, or visiting Fort Christian, now home to the St. Thomas Museum. The Skyride to Paradise Point takes travelers up 700 feet in a gondola for amazing views.

9. Orlando, Florida

This location’s historical monthly average temperatures for the month of:

December: High of 74 degrees Fahrenheit, low of 53

January: High of 72 degrees Fahrenheit, low of 50

You know about Orlando’s numerous theme parks, which include Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Universal Orlando and Legoland. When you’re theme parked-out, there’s also plenty of nightlife, restaurants and bars of all sorts. You can also take a scenic boat tour in nearby Winter Park or drive about an hour east to space out and visit the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

Do you want to explore the world and be your own boss? Starting your own business doesn’t mean you have to stay in one place. Many businesses in the digital age don’t require a brick-and-mortar shop, and some businesses will even take you to your dream destinations.

Running a business isn’t for the faint of heart, however. If you’re determined to see the world while owning a business, check out these 11 business ideas for people who love to travel.

Business ideas for travel lovers

1. Traveling personal assistant

Some people, such as politicians and celebrities, require a personal assistant. Personal assistants usually travel with their employer whether they are going on tour, have speaking events or conduct business in other locations.

If organization, time management and problem-solving are your top skills, create your own agency. Personal assistants typically arrange travel and accommodations, manage schedules, run errands and coordinate with other staff members.

2. Travel blogger

If you love writing and photography, a travel blog could be your ticket to several dream destinations. Bloggers often create helpful guides, explore new cities, take interesting photos, and provide recommendations and tips. Before you take the plunge, however, understand that blogging can be tough and time-consuming. It often takes a couple of years before you make money blogging, but when you do, you’re essentially getting paid to travel the world and write about it.

If writing isn’t your expertise and you’re better with a camera, try being a travel vlogger. With YouTube, vlogging is a lucrative business. Take your business on the road and create videos about traveling the world and visiting the best tourist spots.

3. Social media influencer

If you have a large online following, you can make a steady income through sponsored posts and pictures. Many brands use influencers to advertise their products and encourage followers to buy goods and services.

Some brands will even pay for social media influencers to attend their events or stay at their resorts in exchange for documenting their experience on their social media accounts.

4. Travel agency

People want honest and helpful advice. Travel agents help people plan vacations and trips across the globe. They often have specialties for different countries or niches. If there is a country or city you love to visit, you can make recommendations to others who want to see more of the world.

You can start your own home-based travel agency through either a franchise or non-franchise agency depending on your budget and accreditation. You may need to look into obtaining a certification, and you may need to pay monthly fees if you partner with a host agency.

5. Photographer

Photography is a great skill to have if you want to travel. If you start a photography business, you could travel the world and capture its beauty with your camera. You could sell these photos to publications or as art. You could also become skilled at a specific type of photography, such as candid portraits, family photography or wedding photography. People need a skilled photographer at their destination wedding, and you could be just the person for the job.

6. Public speaker

Do you have expertise in your field and great communication skills? If so, you could become a public speaker. Speakers often travel across the country or even the world to spread their message and inspire millions. These individuals also have other streams of income, such as being a social media influencer, selling books or creating a blog about their expertise.

7. Traveling event planner

Event planners organize corporate and professional events and meetings. They typically arrange catering, location selection, travel accommodations and more. If you have networking, organizational and time-management skills, you could travel the world as an event planner. Event planning worldwide could open up even more travel opportunities and larger-scale events in the long term.

8. Translator

If you’re fluent in multiple languages, creating a translation business could be a great way to see the world. Translators are needed in almost every industry. They assist international businesses, globe-trotting executives and high-profile individuals by translating documents, books, emails, conversations and more. If you’re not sure where to start, offer to translate menus for restaurants in your area or promotional materials for small businesses.

9. Wedding planner

The job of a wedding planner is to create a stress-free wedding day. Wedding planners must be the calm in the middle of the storm and have a unique ability to soothe nerves when everything doesn’t go as planned.

While a lot of wedding planners have expertise and a network in a specific town or location, many couples opt for a destination wedding. These weddings can typically be even more stressful, because you must figure out how to get guests from point A to point B. You also must make accommodations over the phone rather than in person. However, this is a great opportunity to travel to beautiful places across the globe.

10. Graphic designer

As our world becomes more digital, the demand for website developers and graphic designers is growing. With online tutorials and programs — including Photoshop, WordPress and Illustrator — it’s easier than ever to create your own graphic design business.

Market yourself as a freelance graphic designer, and assist others in creating their own branding, landing pages and promotions — a job you can do from any location. A knowledge of coding (HTML, PHP and CSS) further adds to your expertise so you can help companies develop business websites as well as design them.

11. House sitter

Many people feel better about leaving for vacation with someone staying at their house to take care of their home and pets. In exchange for your services as a house sitter (feeding and walking pets, gathering mail and tending to housework), some people may pay you to stay at their homes while they travel abroad or stay at one of their multiple homes. There are websites and services to get your name out there. You could also create your own house sitter agency, marketing yourself as trustworthy and reputable.

What to know before starting your business

There are some key tips you should know before attempting to start your own business. These are true for both travel-heavy businesses and those that would mostly keep you at home.

It takes more than just passion.

Although starting your own business allows you to do something you love, that’s only a small part of the endeavor. Running your own company involves a lot of responsibilities, many of which won’t be as enjoyable as creating your product or providing your service. However, by creating a business plan, interacting with customers and marketing your company, you’ll have a greater chance of success.

Activity and growth aren’t the same.

Just because your company is changing doesn’t necessarily mean you have a growing business. Hiring new employees, adding features to your products and expanding your physical space can help you grow. But unless these steps lead to a notable increase in income, you’ve expanded only your operations; in this situation, new strategies will be necessary for true growth.

Your numbers are vital.

Data on how much your business is earning and spending are key to your success. Without working benchmarks for how well your business is performing, you might not know how to respond to potential problems until it’s too late.

You need the right team.

Unless you can run your business entirely by yourself, you’ll need a good team behind you. You shouldn’t pick just anyone to help you run your company; hiring the wrong employee can cost more money in the long run. Anyone you hire should have similar career goals to your own and dedicate their working hours to your success.

Make time for fun.

You should always leave room for fun for both yourself and your employees. While getting a business off the ground does require a lot of dedication and effort, it shouldn’t take up your entire life. To perform their best work, most people need time to recharge, and they can’t do that while on the clock. Be mindful of a healthy work-life balance so you and your employees are ready for the next day.

Your own business offers challenges and rewards

Whether you’re starting a business to travel or gain control over your future career, the process isn’t easy. There are plenty of obstacles that can pop up; getting a company off the ground is one of the toughest things you can do. But that makes pulling it off all the more rewarding, and the sooner you get started, the more quickly you can reap the benefits.

Fall is often a cooler, less crowded, and more affordable time to travel. At the same time, it can be a challenge for packing due to unpredictable weather. Fortunately, with some careful packing, any fall trip can be successful.

I have long preferred to travel in the fall. Whether it’s the colorful autumn foliage, the quieter destinations, or the cheaper flights and accommodations, this is the time of year I plan most of my trips. Over time, I’ve learned from my packing mistakes and now consider myself quite adept at choosing a comfortable and stylish wardrobe that can handle anything Mother Nature throws at me.

Here are my six tips for packing for fall travel.

1. Prepare For Any Weather With Layers

During a recent trip to Yosemite National Park, I found myself waking up to temperatures in the low 40s and later in the day hiking under a bright sun while the thermometer reached almost 80 degrees. Needless to say, staying comfortable was all about layering.

No matter where I travel during the fall, my top strategy is packing layers. A t-shirt, layered with a long-sleeved shirt, topped with a light sweatshirt or jacket can get me through any weather and even a particularly chilly air-conditioned restaurant. Packing light layers also helps if you’re flying and prefer to bring only a carry-on. Bulky sweaters or jackets take up too much space.

2. Bring A Large, Lightweight Scarf

During a trip to South Korea many years ago, I was given a large, lightweight scarf that has since become my go-to travel accessory. Sometimes I use it purely as an accessory to jazz up an otherwise boring outfit. But often I wrap it around my neck or shoulders for a little extra warmth. It’s easy to throw the scarf in my purse and pull it out whenever needed. I highly recommend choosing a scarf that is machine washable.

3. Choose Travel-Friendly Fabrics

No matter how stylish a piece of clothing, certain fabrics look terrible after spending several hours in a suitcase. And while most hotel rooms offer irons and boards, that’s rarely the way I want to spend my time when I’m in a new city.

Consider packing clothes made from rayon, polyester, and cotton blends. If it’s something I have to iron at home, I don’t pack it. If you’ll be in a cooler climate, merino wool is a terrific option since it’s a lighter weight than other wool varieties but provides sufficient warmth.

4. Opt For Dark Or Neutral Colors

I tend to travel with clothing that is dark or neutral-colored so that it’s easy to curate an outfit on the go. Essentially, I’m looking for plenty of easy opportunities to mix and match. I like to get ready quickly in the morning and maximize my time exploring. These colors also tend to be more forgiving in the event of small stains or sweat.

5. Don’t Forget Something Dressy

While I prioritize comfortable clothing for travel, I never want to miss out on an opportunity to dress up for a special dinner or evening out. So I always bring something a bit dressier.

A few years ago, my brother and I walked the Cotswold Trail during October. Needless to say, most of what I packed was for this adventure. However, with a few days in London after the trek, I brought a mid-length black rayon dress. It came in handy when we decided to visit Sky Garden and enjoyed dinner at one of their upscale eateries. Now this dress almost always gets added to my suitcase. In the event the weather is chilly, I add tights and a lightweight sweater and I’m good to go.

6. Make Your Outfit Complete With Accessories

I always prioritize comfort when I travel, and during the fall, it’s also important to be prepared for all weather conditions. But that doesn’t mean I don’t value style. My outfits come together with a small selection of accessories.

In addition to my all-purpose scarf, I often pack a smaller, colorful one that can brighten up any outfit. Then, I fill my traveling jewelry case with an assortment of earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. Everything I bring is fun and colorful, but not valuable, so that I’m not worried if anything is lost. And for the evening, I bring a small, clutch purse that’s far more stylish than the backpack I carry during the day.

As you prepare for your next fall adventure, take the time to carefully select the items you’ll pack. When you arrive at your destination, your clothing should be comfortable and well-suited for the local climate and your outfits easy to curate, with a bit of style to pull off with accessories. After all, you want to minimize time in your hotel room and maximize time exploring your new destination.