Have you ever wanted to take a round the world trip? What are your travel dreams and aspirations? Where do you most want to go? Is there a historical site, monument, city, a place that you’ve always dreamed of? Or maybe it’s about doing something active like hiking the Great Wall of China, seeing the northern lights in Iceland, or observing wildlife in the Galapagos Islands. If you could go anywhere at all, where would you go? Have you created a bucket list?
Lately it’s become pretty clear to me that travel is going to be a big focal point for the rest of my life. I don’t travel as much as I’d like to, yet, nor have I even begun to scratch the surface of all the places I’d like to see. But most anything is possible if you want it bad enough. It just takes some planning, time, and yes, a bit of cash.
I believe an important step to reaching your goals and making dreams come true is to write them down. In fact, there’s scientific evidence that if you write a goal down on paper, you are more likely to remember it and follow through.
Having said all that, I thought I’d better walk my talk and create my own travel bucket list.
McWay Falls by Adventures of a Carry-on
My Current Bucket List (in no particular order)
White Sands of Morar, Photo courtesy of WanderingEducators.com
1. Scotland: I love photography, particularly landscape photography. Scotland definitely fills the bill. History and landscapes in the Scottish Highlands, beautiful cityscapes and architecture in Edinburgh, and the white sands of Morar. That’s just for starters.
Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany, Photo courtesy of David Luong, Flickr Creative Commons
2. Germany: Driving the romantic road beginning in the north at Wurzberg and ending at Neuschwanstein Castle, which I have wanted to see since I was as young girl, though I no longer have romantic fantasies of meeting up with a prince in the Bavarian forest.
3. The Orient Express: I’d like to take the train from London to Venice. The Orient Express is the epitome of elegance and retro travel.
The Forbidden City, China. Photo by Michael McDonough via flickr creative commons
The Great Wall of China courtesy of anekdotique.com
4. China: I read a lot of Pearl S. Buck novels as a kid, and have always had an attraction to the lives of the Chinese emperors. A tour of China including a trip to the Forbidden City is on the list as well as a tour of the Great Wall.
The Grand Canyon, Arizona, Photo courtesy of traveladdicts.net
5. USA: The Grand Canyon. I know I went there on a family trip as a kid, but I have no memories of it. It’s one of the top tourist attractions in the USA. Again, landscape photography is a big draw for me here.
The Northern Lights, Iceland, Photo courtesy of luxadventuretraveler.com
6. Iceland: To see the northern lights. Looks amazing! I’ve seen the Marfa lights out in west Texas, but not exactly the same thing. Iceland is also another area of astounding natural beauty. Plus I hear it’s the ultimate party place. Might be a nice change for me.
Old Montreal, Photo courtesy of anatravels.org
7. Canada: I’ve been to Toronto and Vancouver (only briefly), but I’ve still not been to Montreal. The combination of history, architecture, and French culture intrigues me, plus I love places that have small walkable historic areas. I’d also like to go back to Vancouver.
Matera, Italy photo by Andrea Rinaldi from Flickr Creative Commons
Vineyard Emilia Romagna
8. Italy: If you read my blog at all you know Italy has to be on the list. For all the obvious reasons: history, culture, language, wine and food, stunning natural beauty, monuments, beaches. Matera is high on the list as this city is so architecturally interesting. It fascinates me that this is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world – I mean people really live there.
What a view! Big Sur
Imagine building bridges along this road.
9. USA: California, everywhere, anywhere, because I love California with its endless natural beauty, delicious fresh food, and great museums. I recently crossed one of my California wishes off my list – driving Hwy. 1 and seeing Big Sur. That was epic. Of course I’d like to do it again, but slower this time.
Pendennis Castle by Nilfanin, Creative Commons
St. Michael’s Mount by Ulli 1105 Creative Commons
10. England: Specifically, the Cornwall coast. For the historic castles built during the time of Henry the VIII, and Mount Saint Michaels, the tidal island.
This is but a small sampling. I could go on and on, but it’s a start. Really I’d like to go pretty much anywhere in Europe: Paris, Provence, Prague, Munich, Budapest… the list is long.
I’d love to hear what’s on your bucket list. After all, we all gain inspiration from each other. Leave a comment below or send me message via my contact page.
