This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser, MARS Wrigley Confectionery. All opinions are mine alone. #flavorvote2019 #CollectiveBias
Something kind of crazy has happened to me and I haven’t picked our destination for our next trip yet. I’m the girl that will book plane tickets 9 months in advance and have a full-blown itinerary completed at least 3 months out. Now, my husband has his time off approved and we’ve been going around in circles on deciding where we should go. Who am I?!
A little dilemma I’ve had is that I’m turning 30 this year and I’ve been to 27 countries. That means, we could probably knock off 3 new countries by the time I’m 30 and I could get some kind of #bucketlist pleasure out of that. However, I’ve been longing for adventures in places I’ve already visited. In particular, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii. So, as we keep going back and forth on the destination for our next vacation, I finally nailed down the top 5 things to consider when planning the next trip.
And if my M&M’S candies have already caught your attention, head over here or scroll down to check them out!
Bucket List
Create it! Sure, we probably all have one in our mind, right? But have you actually written it out? It’s funny because I’ve always just had a little list in my head of all the places I want to go, which is basically “everywhere”. Well, that’s kind of overwhelming when it comes time to narrow it down. So I finally created a “dream bucket list” with all of the destinations in the world in an order that I have a desire to see them. And I made it pretty specific, too. I didn’t just put the country, I put specific cities in each country. On top of that, I added experiences like swimming with whale sharks. The list will grow, evolve, and change as I do, but at least it’s a good starting point and can always bring me back to my initial desires. I’ve knocked off my top 5: Sydney, Paris, London, Maui, and Tokyo.
Make Your Budget
Obvious, right? Well, my wanderlust mind tends to actually forget about the budget. In reality, when deciding where to go on a trip, this should always be the number one consideration. I’ll start researching destinations that are 30 hours away or dreaming of five-star accommodations for a Safari in Africa. And then reality sets in again and I have to remember that I don’t have a money tree in the backyard. Marc and I don’t always discuss the budget before we start planning and I think if we were on the same page from the beginning of the planning, it would make it so much easier to narrow it down.
Now I’ve created a budget for us for monthly/bi-monthly weekend getaways and for the “big” vacations a couple of times a year. It makes me realize the kind of travelers we can be. If we splurge on a Disney weekend, it might mean we can’t afford the flight to the other side of the world. More than anything, looking at a detailed budget helps us say “no” to the little things throughout the week. For example, I have happily given up my gel manicures, random Starbucks runs, and impulse Target buys in order to increase our travel budget.
What Experiences Do You Want?
What is it that your little heart is craving right now? Are you looking for an adventurous vacation with bungee jumping or scuba diving? Are you longing for a cocktail on the beach with the sun setting? Maybe you’re ready to walk the streets of Paris or go wine tasting in South America. You really need to tap into what your body is looking to get out of the vacation. For so many people, it really is just about “checking out” and getting away from the normal routine. For others, AKA me, it’s about experiencing a culture, falling in love with the world, and typically going out of my comfort zone in one way or another.
Time of Year
This seems obvious, but it’s kind of big deal. If you’re longing to see the Northern Lights, you don’t go to Iceland in the summer. If you want to go surfing in Australia, you have to remember that their summer is our winter. And if you’re traveling to Florida, you’ll want to keep hurricane season in mind. When I start planning our trips and I narrow down the destinations, I always look up the average temperature and precipitation for that time of year. It never guarantees me the kind of weather we’ll get, but it’s a good idea. Last May, we bundled up for a few days in Iceland, but this year I’m craving a warm vacation in the sun. So even though I really want to get back to New Zealand, I’m not sure if I want to go right before their winter.
Think of the Flavors That Excite You
Our taste and smell can trigger so many emotions and memories. When you really tap into those senses, they can tell you so much more about your desires. For me, a certain taste or smell can bring me back to some of the fondest and strongest memories of our travels. I can still remember the curry I had in London for the first time, the smell of the cafe in Paris, and the delicious taste of a Guinness in Dublin. Not only can I remember the flavors and smells, but I can tap right back into those memories with friends and loved ones like it was yesterday. Flavors can be so exciting and stimulating. And come on, I can’t be the only one that constantly thinks of their next meal or treat while they’re traveling! 😉
When I found out that M&M’S® Chocolate Candies came out with three new flavors, I thought it was such a fun way to get inspired for our next adventure! M&M’S candies are one of the only sweet treats you’ll find in my carry on basically at all times.
M&M’S New Peanut Flavors
After stocking up on them at 7-Eleven, I tried all three of the new flavors: Thai Coconut Peanut, Mexican Jalapeño Peanut, and English Toffee Peanut to see which ones triggered my taste buds and inspired me. While I expected the English Toffee to be my number one (because yum), the Mexican Jalapeño Peanut was exactly what I was craving! A slight taste of spicy green peppers mixed with the chocolate was such a sweet surprise and had me researching trips to Mexico and South America. I never knew I’d love the little kick of spice in something sweet, but I definitely have a new favorite!
Marc said his favorite was the savory and sweet taste of the Thai Coconut Peanut which had him jumping on the computer and researching trips to Thailand. I totally loved that because he never does the research. And I have to admit, Thailand would be a dream trip. The English Toffee Peanut brought us right back to our memories of Great Britain with it’s rich and delicious taste. It’s so fun to basically fly our senses to different parts of the world with these new M&M’S candies!
If you’re looking for a little inspiration from flavor, you definitely need to head to your local 7-Eleven to pick up all three flavors. Once you try them, you can go online to vote for your favorite one. Plus, you’ll help decide which of the three limited-edition M&M’S flavors will stay in stores!
So… Would You Want to Win a Trip Around the World?!
Of course, you do! Then go ahead and TRY THEM ALL and vote for your favorite flavor! New internationally-inspired flavors: Mexican Jalapeño Peanut, English Toffee Peanut, & Thai Coconut Peanut. Vote and you could win a trip around the world* . No Purchase Necessary. 50 US/DC, 18+ only. Ends 5/17/19. Rules http://cbi.as/a2zh4.
Sweepstakes Information:
- Consumers who are 13 years or older can vote for their favorite of three new, limited-edition M&M’S flavors (English Toffee Peanut, Thai Coconut Peanut or Mexican Jalapeno Peanut) by texting VOTE to 84444 (Message and data rates may apply) OR by visiting www.flavorvote.mms.com. If you are 18 years or older, you may vote as well as enter the sweepstakes for a chance to win a trip to the three countries of flavor inspiration (England, Thailand and Mexico).
- Sweepstakes run time: 1/28/19 – 5/17/19
- Entry Methods:
- On-Line Entry: To enter online, Entrant must visit the Website during the Promotion Period and follow the online directions to submit his/her date of birth and vote for a New Flavor.
- Text Message Initiated Entry: Using an SMS-enabled mobile device, text the word “Vote” to 84444 and follow the instructions contained in the reply text messages to vote for one of three new M&M’S® flavors*
- *By sending a text, you authorize CFA/Mars Wrigley Confectionery to send an autodialed reply text to the number you provide. Consent is not a condition of purchase. For every text you initiate, you will receive up to 6 automated reply texts. Message and data rates may apply.
