Experience resolutions: what to experience this year and how to plan for it?

Learn something new

Have you always wanted to make a café latte? How about trying your hand at acting or forging something of your own? Or will you outdo yourself this year and learn to rock climb to enjoy the reward of perfect views? You can even learn to fly a plane. Both on a flight simulator and on a real machine.

The choice of courses is really wide. And if you don't want to pay for new skills, there are still free apps where you can hone a range of skills.

Outdo yourself

Is your fear of heights limiting you? Or do you avoid the water as much as possible on holiday? This year, try to overcome the fears that keep you from enjoying yourself to the fullest. Once you've mastered bungee jumping or tandem skydiving from a plane or helicopter, just about anything won't get you down. The extra endorphins you'll release will be the perfect reward.

You'll get rid of your fear of the water together with a therapist who will make you look forward to your next snorkelling trip among the sea animals, not dread it.

Take care of your body and soul

To balance out the action, we recommend incorporating some quieter experiences in the form of massages or a spa stay, where you'll have time to yourself and recharge your batteries for all the frenzy. You can head out on your own, or perhaps load up in a beer spa with your loved one.

Exercise your brain

If you haven't tried an escape game yet, you have a unique chance to remedy that. Just arrange a group of people you get on well with and you can set off to solve tricky puzzles. Not only will you exercise your brain, but you'll also strengthen your interpersonal bonds. Win-win.

TIP: Check out our article on escape games for game types and practical tips on how to tackle each game.

What's hot this year?

If you're looking for specific inspiration on the experiences that are trending at the moment, we recommend checking out our Experience of the Year poll rankings. The absolute winner here is bungee jumping off a 62-metre high bridge, which promises an adrenaline rush with awesome views. The auto-moto category is dominated by the skid school, which combines fun with practical skills. Among the sports, adventure shooting was a hit, while the biggest relaxation is promised by a stay at the Babylon Hotel with unlimited entertainment. There is definitely plenty to choose from.

How to plan it?

Experiences for every season

You already know what you want to try this year. But when? Spread your experiences evenly throughout the year so you have just enough. You can plan one big activity for each season and intersperse them with smaller, low-cost ones.

• Spring calls for outdoor adventures where you can climb the peaks of our mountains, and once you've mastered them, how about taking a tandem paragliding or sightseeing helicopter flight for a once-over without pedaling?
• Summer is the season for water adventures. How about riding a wave on the Elbe, going for a weekend cruise on a yacht or renting a paddleboard to stretch your whole body? If you're more drawn to the road instead of the water, we recommend you try a ride in a souped-up sports car.
• Autumn is the perfect time to learn new skills, for example in a cooking class, or buy tickets to the theatre or a concert where you don't have to worry about the autumn drizzle. Then, whatever the weather, you can also immerse yourself in virtual reality and try out 25 blockbuster games!
• Winter offers endless fun on the slopes or on a dogsled ride, but it's just as tempting for a hot bath in the spa or a romantic dinner for two.

Create your own little adventure to-do list

Can you get excited about everything quickly and then forget about it just as quickly? Don't skimp on the fancy adventures and make a to-do list where you check off what you've experienced one by one. This way you'll not only get a good feeling about the experience itself, but also that you were moving and not comfortable.

TIP: To make sure your resolutions don't just stay on paper, create a budget that includes all the activities you plan to do and try to stick to it. Also, be sure to reserve time in your calendar.

Resolutions are a great way to make the upcoming year more fun. Not only will they bring joy and excitement, but they will also strengthen relationships with your loved ones and help broaden your horizons. So get a move on and start planning your year full of unforgettable experiences right away.