Whether you’ve booked at a luxury ski resort in Europe that threatens to leave you with a whole year of rice and beans dinner, or you’ve decided to go backpacking with friends, it always helps to have some music blaring in the background to "bookmark" a certain moment in the vacation or just to give you a shot of energy (not like you need it anyway, but definitely won’t hurt) on your way to your destination of choice. You may or may not like my choice of music, but these are my personal picks whenever I wanna get psyched up for a trip!

Danger Zone – Top Gun Soundtrack
Just listening to this song makes me want to get a pair of aviator shades and strut the runway ala Tom Cruise. Although some would say this is a poor choice of song since riding a plane = danger zone? Technically, not a good fit but I promise this song will stay with you till you arrive at your hotel room and back. Reminds you of planes, flying high and aviator shades.

Fly Away – Lenny Kravitz
"I wanna get away, I wanna fly away.."

Perfect song for those who just want to get away from it all. Great guitars, even greater vocals. What more can you ask for? This song can get very addicting.

"I wish that I could fly
Into the sky
So very high
Just like a dragonfly"

Leaving on a Jet Plane by Peter, Paul and Mary
A lot of people diss this song but even if they don’t care to admit it, they’ve hummed this once or twice when packing their bags! You just can’t help it. Also probably the most controversial song on the list: the writer of the song, John Denver, died in a plane crash, and while this was the biggest hit of Peter, Paul and Mary, it was also their last (so I probably didn’t have to mention plane crash, but you get my drift).

"All my bags are packed I'm ready to go
I'm standing' here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say goodbye"

Roam - The B-52s
While you’re hopping from one train to another, getting to places in Asia completely off the map (there are still some), or you’re drinking in the sights and sounds of the lovely city of Paris, you are going to want this song playing on your music player. It keeps your energy level up even if you’re bone tired from walking, or traveling.

Foo Fighters – Next Year
No list is complete without a Foo Fighters song. The music video features Dave Grohl in a rocket ship to the moon and back, mentioning several times that he’ll be coming home next year. Reminds you of home, and although you really need that luxury cruise for your well-being, you still have a place you can go home to. Watch the video:

"I’m in the sky tonight
There I can keep by your side
Watching the wide world riot
And hiding out,
Ill be coming home next year"

Here are some additional songs you can choose from to get you hyped up for your vacation:

Here I come – The Roots
Wake me up before you go go – Wham
Favorite game – cardigans (if only for the instrumentals. A mean beat I say)
Baba o'Reilly - The who (timeless!)
Everyday is a Winding Road - sheryl crow
Should I stay or Should I go - The Clash (darling you gotta let me know..)
Right Here, Right Now - Fat boy slim
Beautiful Day - U2