Since we can’t travel and plan much during these times, I thought I’d jump on the bandwagon of listing my dream destinations. There are plenty of vacations I’ve planned in my mind. For the most part, I would seriously go anywhere, but here are the top things I’ve done research on and want to make an intentional effort to see one day.
Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia
Honestly, I hadn’t even heard of this place until I watched a vlog of Kara and Nate having the time of their lives there. I’m a beach girl and never thought of Bolivia as a must see destination because it’s landlocked. However, the salt flats just look too amazing to not experience. During certain times of the year, a light glaze of water gives the landscape a spectacular glass or mirror like image. Where else could you see something like this? Also, the area is gigantic. You can drive for hours and still not see it all. Bolivia also includes many other attractions to make the trip even more worth while, like the Witch’s Market, the train graveyard, an abandoned ski lodge, and dinosaur footprints!
The Ultimate Thailand Experience
The idea of Thailand started as my husband’s bucket list destination. When trying to decide where exactly in Thailand we would go (read: where was cheapest to fly to), I discovered how many amazing things the country has to offer! Here’s the ultimate plan: fly to Bangkok because it’s the least expensive from where we live, spend a couple of days there and then head down to Phuket. Then, over to Krabi. If I’m dreaming big, we’d find time to get up to Chang Mai and explore the inland part of the country.
Elephant sanctuaries, temples, ruins, beaches, long boats, Thai food, night markets, floating markets, ladyboy cabaret, tuk tuks…the list just grows every time I start researching! To do it right, I feel like I’d need at least two or three weeks to see it all. Plus, for a 22+ hour journey to get there, we’re not coming back in just a couple days! With all these attractions, we may not come back at all!
Cruise to ALL the Caribbean Islands
Okay, maybe not every single island! The Bahamas alone have about 700 islands, so that’s near impossible. But to hit every country, territory or nation along the Caribbean chain is doable and sounds like an exciting challenge. One of my favorite things when flying to this region is looking out the plane window and seeing all the other nearby islands sprouted throughout the spectacularly blue-green water. I’ve looked at island hopping tours, especially for the Bahamas since there are so many places to choose from. We’ve got a pin map of the Caribbean and I’d love to get it as full as possible. A few more cruises should hit a big chunk, but I’d like to spend more than just a port day at some places, like Cuba, Jamaica and Curaçao.
Eastern African Safari and Zanzibar
Who doesn’t want to see the Big Five outside of a zoo in their natural environment? Elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, and rhinos, oh my! Besides these animals, you have hippos, birds, zebras, cheetahs, giraffes, wildebeests, warthogs, gorillas, and many more that call Africa home. It can’t be guaranteed to see every animal, but I know any combination of this wildlife would be so cool to see up close. I’ve read a lot about safari experiences and I really want to be able to do this one day. I’m mixed on shelling all out for a luxury experience, or roughing it in tents to cut costs and get more of an authentic feel. A two to three night safari would be ideal. Side note—who has seen Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard’s Africa music video? If you haven’t, go find it on YouTube!
Like our Thailand dream, if we’re traveling this far, we might as well plan for an extended stay and see more of the area. Stone Town, Zanzibar looks really pretty and has a lot of history. I love a good beach, so combining several days of inland wilderness with some gorgeous coastline is ideal for me. Stone Town looks like a great place to explore and experience new things. I’d love to learn more about the local culture.
All Over Australia
I have always want to go to Australia! Initially, there was no real reason other than “just because.” Or maybe it’s that plane tickets are wildly expensive from where I live, so it’s almost a “challenge accepted” scenario. Too much Netflix binging on Bondi Rescue, Instant Hotel, and (embarrassingly) Back With the Ex recently reignited the spark. Ive done some research and can’t decide between Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney. You’ve guess my M.O. by now—for as expensive as it is to get there, I might as well make the most of it and hit all three. This also would allow me to experience more of Australia instead of just one city representing the entire country, as I’ve heard the vibes can be quite different. I’d love to snorkel or do some underwater activity in the Great Barrier Reef, hit Bondi Beach just for the novelty, and apparently Melbourne boasts the world’s best coffee—that alone may be worth the $1200 journey!
I think some people don’t realize that Australia has more to offer than beautiful beaches and coastline. You can go skiing there—just like in Hawaii! Before this trip could become a reality, I need to do some more exploration around what I really want to see and do. I couldn’t go all that way and miss out on the best things due to lack of preparation.
The Ultimate Beatles Holiday in Liverpool
My father is obsessed with the Beatles. I would love to go to England with him to visit all the famous spots related to the Fab Four. Tour packages exist taking you to Stawberry Field, Eleanor Rigby’s grave, the Beatles’ childhood homes, the Cavern Club, the Beatles Story Museum, and more, all while staying in the Hard Days Night hotel. Although this dream is more for my father’s enjoyment, I would thoroughly enjoy it also. Plus, I’ve never been to the UK, so why not?
There you have it. Since we can’t quit our day jobs, this list will likely take a decent amount of time to conquer. Plus, who knows what international travel is going to look like for a while. In the meantime, I’m perfectly happy dreaming about these amazing adventures and creating possible itineraries. We’ve written down our great travel destinations and placed them in this jar. It’d be so fun to be able to randomly draw a destination out of the jar and have that be where we go next. Maybe we’ll be brave enough for that one day!
Which trip should be our first? Have you done any of these yourself? Tell me all about it in the comments!
Your bucket list sounds proper exciting. The way you put it in writing and the type of photos you’ve used is empowering to be honest. Good luck with getting round to ticking them off after quarantine is over and done with.
Johnny | Johnny’s Traventures
https://johnnystraventures.com
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Thank you! It’s fun to dream since we can’t actually go anywhere right now.
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There are so many wonderful places in the world. I can’t wait to start seeing the world again.
I am in the UK and I have to say Liverpool is one of my favourite places to visit. You’ll love it x
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Thanks! And I’m sure there’s more to see in Liverpool than just the Beatles attractions. 🙂
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This bucket list looks absolutely amazing. I’ve even added one or two to my own bucket list after reading this. I really didn’t know how amazing Bolivia was so I’m very excited that you taught me a little more about it. Amazing post.
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Yes! I was excited to learn about Bolivia, too. I had interest in South America, but had no idea where to go.
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I got so excited when you mentioned Instant Hotel! Never seen anybody else talk about it before! It seems silly but it made me want to see Australia so much more than before
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I know! There were some cool places. That underground one in the outback? So cool!
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Coober Pedy! Always sticks in my mind that one, mainly for the awesome accent 😂
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Those all look like amazing trips to take! We are supposed to be going on a Caribbean cruise next year but with COVID happening my husband is now super leery about getting on a cruise ship, if we will even still be able to go. My dream vacation is Ireland. It’s my top bucket list vacation.
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Have you cruises before? I just love cruising! Hopefully it works out. I’ve thought about Ireland and all the castles and cliffs. And their awesome accent!
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This would be my first cruise. I’m really looking forward to it so keeping my fingers crossed hoping everything works out!
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Some great places there, I have now added some to my bucket list! I’ve been to the Caribbean (St Lucia) and Liverpool but not the others yet.
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Awesome! I look forward to actually being able to plan some travel!
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I love reading other people’s travel bucket lists. You have so many places that I had never really thought of, but Australia is one that is definitely on my list too!
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Who wouldn’t want to go to the land down under?!
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This is such a great bucket list, all of these places look and sound amazing. Australia is definitely at the top of my bucket list. I probably won’t be doing any traveling this year, but I can’t wait to visit places like these! I hope you get to cross these places of your bucket list ❤
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Thanks! I have two trips that were already planned within the US at the end of the year, so hopefully they happen. International travel will just have to wait it looks like.
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Wow! I LOVE all the pictures but the one that took my breath away is the picture with the flamingos in Bolivia salt water🌸
http://beautyofcafe205.blog
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Yes, I just love flamingos! It’s crazy how they can be in all kinds of environments and climates.
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In Aruba there’s an island with flamigos! lovely x
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Wow these are some great places in your bucket list. I had never heard about the salt flats in Bolivia, I’ll have to add the place to my bucket list too! Thank you for sharing 🙂
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If you watch Kara and Nate vlogs, go check out their Bolivia videos! It looks so amazing!
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I’ve never done any of these places but they all sound amazing! My brother went to Thailand a few months ago & visited the places you mentioned and he highly recommends it. He got some beautiful photos too! I hope you’re able to head off on a trip sooner than later! Sounds like you have great things planned!x
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Thailand has so much to do and see, it’d be hard to pick one location there. Glad your brother enjoyed it!
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I’m all about bucket lists right now. 2021 is going to be a busy year if all goes well. The salt flats are on my list, and I’d love to go back to Thailand. Tanzania is my big plan for next year. Fingers crossed it all works out
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We have similar taste it seems! My next scheduled trips are in the US, but I’m hoping Thailand can be our next international trip. We shall see.
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I’d happily go to any of those places, especially Bolivia. As well as the salt flats I’d love to take the boat across Lake Titicaca to Peru. My flatmate at university did that and her photos were amazing. All those cities in Australia have their own particular character and are wonderful in their own way. But my favourite is Sydney, because of its fabulous harbour. It creates all those gorgeous suburbs with beaches and coves, like Bondi. I just love it – it’s my favourite city in the whole world. For the best coffee in the world, however, you have to make a little trip from Australia across the Tasman Sea and come to Wellington, New Zealand 🙂
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I’ve seen cruises to New Zealand from Sydney. I’ve heard more about the South Island than the North, so I’ll have to do some research and see what I’m missing out on!
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Great photos. I have not done any of them, but my fiance has been to Australia and Tanzania for a safari. We have plans for travel, but they keep getting cancelled. Hopefully next year we can get going again.
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