What destinations are on your bucket list travel wish list?
Anyone who knows me would agree that I love researching and planning travel adventures – it’s totally my thing! It’s become such a passion that my friends often turn to me for help or tease me about my meticulously organized itineraries, which they jokingly claim are laminated…
But jokes aside, I truly believe that travelling is one of life’s greatest pleasures. It has always been my top priority in terms of self-exploration, understanding different cultures, and exploring the world.
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The excitement of exploring new and fascinating places and the chance to go on unique off-the-beaten-track adventures means I keep adding more and more destinations to my ever-expanding bucket list! So if you are in need of some inspiration, look no further than these fabulous travel ideas.
This post is about bucket list travel destinations
1. Tiger’s Nest and Phallus Art, Bhutan
Bhutan is an extraordinary destination, a captivating Buddhist kingdom that seems to have been shielded from the influences of the modern world. It’s a country where the harmony of nature and religion creates a unique atmosphere, making it one of the happiest and safest places on earth.
Located between China and India, this landlocked gem offers unspoilt breathtaking scenery, gigantic monasteries and an intriguing culture. If you visit Lobesa in Punakha, you’ll come across a fascinating tradition that is sadly fading away. It involves the unique art of painting phalluses on houses or hanging carved wooden phalluses from the eaves to protect against evil or promote fertility.
As you set off on your hike from Paro to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, get ready to be amazed by the stunning mountain views, the mystical fog swirling around, and the elegant Spanish moss and colourful prayer flags draping from the trees. And if you’re lucky, a furry four-legged buddy might just decide to join you on your journey.
We travelled to Bhutan with Samsara Journeys.
2. Mountain Gorillas in the Mist, Uganda
Seeing the mountain gorillas in the wild has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember, especially after reading the book and watching the movie about Dian Fossey’s mission to protect them in Rwanda. It’s truly an unforgettable experience to observe these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat. The permit to see the gorillas in Uganda is more budget-friendly than in Rwanda. I also visited Dian Fossey’s museum in Rwanda.
I travelled to Uganda with Gorilla Trek Africa and booked a private driver.
3. Roadtrips USA Style
There’s just something about a big USA road trip! If you’re a blues music fan, don’t miss the Mississippi Blues Trail that winds through the Mississippi Delta and takes you to legendary towns like Clarksdale, the birthplace of the blues!
Another uber-cool journey is cruising along the Florida Keys to Keywest, crossing the Seven-Mile Bridge and soaking up Keywest’s tropical vibe while sipping a cocktail.
For a breathtaking drive, the Blue Ridge Parkway offers winding roads that meander through the stunning Great Smoky Mountains. And let’s not forget the iconic road trip along California’s west coast. The Pacific Coast Highway stretches from San Diego to Seattle, providing the ultimate California road trip experience.
Another one of my favourites is the road trip to the Black Rock Desert in Nevada for Burning Man. So many amazing adventures await on the open road!
4. Hike the Stromboli Volcano, Italy
Mount Stromboli in the Aeolian Islands close to Italy is always active. If you’re looking for an exciting, albeit slightly nerve-wracking adventure, I highly suggest joining a guided sunset hike to the summit craters with Magmatrek.
The vistas overlooking the island are incredible, and as night falls, you can see the twinkling lights of boats floating out at sea. The further you ascend, the more you feel the volcano rumbling beneath your feet like a living entity, and the steam reduces visibility.
Upon reaching the summit, the steam was so thick that I could barely make out the person’s feet in front of me, creating a heady mix of disorientation and excitement! The vibrant orange lava pulsating and flowing from the craters was hypnotic, but the deafening roar of the volcano releasing steam and gases made me scream – definitely not my coolest moment! The hike up took a few hours, but coming down was a quick slide on soft volcanic ash. What an awesome adventure!
We stayed at the chic La Locanda del Barbablù guesthouse. Our room offered spectacular views of the volcano, delicious coffee from Naples no less, and we loved having breakfast on the sunny terrace each morning.
5. Temples and Kabuki, Japan
Japan is an incredible mix of age-old traditions, rituals and fast-paced modernity. It’s truly mind-blowing! In Tokyo, you can stay in a themed love hotel or capsule hotel and experience sumo matches and traditional kabuki performances – I’m still dreaming of the udon noodles and tempura!!
In Kyoto, you can book a traditional Japanese inn called a ryokan and discover serene temples and gardens that will leave you feeling super zen. And if you head to Five Lakes, you can conquer Mount Fuji, spend a night camping in his shadow and visit hot springs or onsens.
We mostly drove during our trip, but we also had the incredible experience of riding the high-speed bullet train, which I totally recommend!
Our stay at Kyoto Nanzenji Garden Ryokan Yachiyo was one of the highlights of our trip to Kyoto. It provided us with a unique opportunity to fully embrace the local culture, being located near the historic Nanzen-Ji Temple and surrounded by stunning Japanese gardens.
6. Aurora Borealis and Husky Dogs, Norway
Tromsø, located in Norway’s Arctic Circle, is a winter wonderland straight out of a storybook. Whether you’re embarking on an Arctic cruise, chasing the Northern Lights or gliding through the frozen tundra on a husky sled, the ethereal beauty of the landscape is out of this world.
Read more about my trip to Tromsø in this blog post.
7. Giant Tortoises and the Underwater Waterfall, Mauritius
With its diverse scenery of beaches, lagoons, rainforests, waterfalls, mountains, and the unique 7 Coloured Earth Geopark, Mauritius in the Indian Ocean is a true island paradise. Get up close with the wildlife, from the giant Aldabra tortoises to the playful dolphins.
Treat yourself to a helicopter ride over the island for a bird’s eye view of the stunning landscape and the mesmerizing “underwater waterfall” – it’s an experience you won’t forget!
We stayed at the gorgeous LUX* Grand Gaube resort in the north of the island. This trendy retro-chic hotel is surrounded by lush tropical greenery and has private beaches and swimming pools. The staff are an absolute delight as are the restaurants – especially the Turkish and Peruvian restaurants. One of the highlights was watching a movie at their open-air cinema.
8. Angkor Wat and the Smiling Faces of Bayon, Cambodia
I had always dreamt of visiting Cambodia and experiencing the beauty of the Angkor Wat Temple in Siem Reap. The sight of the temples intertwined with roots, being reclaimed by nature, and the tranquil smiling faces of Bayon left me speechless.
I stayed at the stylish Viroth’s Hotel in Siem Reap – it’s like a tropical oasis! I also booked a rejuvenating yoga retreat at the Hariharalaya Holistic Wellness Sanctuary, where the experience was nothing short of beautiful. Oh, and the food? It was absolutely divine!
9. A Very Tuscan Roadtrip, Italy
Travelling from Florence to Rome through Tuscany by road is an experience not to be missed. The stunning scenery of rolling Tuscan hills, charming hilltop villages, and endless vineyards is truly captivating.
Book a stay at an Agriturismo (working farm) to fully immerse yourself in farm life, connect with the locals, and indulge in the delicious organic farm-to-table delights such as olive oil, fruits, honey, and veggies.
The rustic charm of Agriturismo Podere Spedalone in Pienza, with its ancient olive groves, farm gardens, and rolling hills, left a lasting impression on me. One of the highlights that still brings a smile to my face was sharing a traditional Tuscan meal with guests from around the globe at a long trestle table.
10. Safari in Masai Mara National Park, Kenya
To witness the raw and unscripted drama of the wild, venture into the heart of Kenya’s Masai Mara. The annual Great Migration is a stunning display of survival and the circle of life, revealing nature at its most primal level.
Our accommodation of choice was the &Beyond Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp. Touching down on a small landing strip in the midst of the Masai Mara was an adventure in itself. The journey from the landing strip to the camp was like a mini safari, with various animals crossing our path, including a shy hippo!
Our days were packed with game drives, both in daylight and after sunset – the African wilderness truly awakens at night! The sounds we heard from our tent during the night were beyond belief!
We also had the surreal experience of floating above the Masai Mara in a hot air balloon, immersing ourselves in the Masai tribe’s culture, and were incredibly fortunate to witness the magnificent Great Migration.
11. Experience the Land of Fire and Ice, Iceland
The beauty of Iceland lies in its stunning raw landscapes, including glaciers, volcanoes, black volcanic beaches, moss-covered lava fields, waterfalls, hot springs, and geysers.
If you visit from mid-June to the end of the month, you’ll witness the magical midnight sun, where daylight lasts for 24 hours. It’s a strange experience to have the sun shining in your eyes at 1 am!
During our trip, we went to the Secret Solstice music festival, which takes place in Reykjavik in June, and explored the incredibly scenic Golden Circle route by car. You will want to include a visit to the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and Diamond Beach in your itinerary.
12. Cape Town, Wine Country and AfrikaBurn, South Africa
Get ready for an amazing adventure in South Africa! Cape Town offers stunning views of Table Mountain and the ocean, while the vibrant markets, like The Neighbourgoods Market in Woodstock, and colourful Bo-Kaap Street add to the city’s charm.
Don’t miss the chance to explore the lush vineyards in the Western Cape on the Franschhoek Wine Tram and sip some of the world’s finest wines. And if you’re up for a one-of-a-kind experience, check out the AfrikaBurn festival, which takes place every year in Tankwa Karoo at the end of April.
Read more about my trip to Cape Town in this blog post.
Each of these destinations provides a unique experience that constantly reminds us of the stunning natural beauty and incredible diversity of our world. As passionate travellers, we yearn not only to see, but also to learn, immerse ourselves, and make meaningful connections.
May your journey be full of unforgettable moments, and may the world unfold before you in ways beyond your wildest dreams.
Adventure awaits!
