M Y U L T I M A T E
B U C K E T L I S T
Here to bring some travel inspo to you with my ultimate bucketlist. I know everyone wants to travel to every country out there, but here are a few of my must go to places...
EUROPE:
Croatia, Dubrovnik:
Dubrovnik, home of Game of Thrones, but home to much more. Dubrovnik offers a sense of awe that never fails to descend when you set eyes on the beauty of the old town. Gaze upon the endless shimmer of the Adriatic Sea, feel inspired by a walk along the ancient city walls or climb to the top of the hill and take advantage of the surreal views that fill the horizon...
Germany, Neuschwanstein Castle:
The Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the most visited castles in Germany and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. This 19th Century Bavarian fairytale style Castle was the inspiration for Walt Disney to create the Magic Kingdom, and use as the setting for Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty...
Gibraltar, The Rock:
This remarkable part of the United Kingdom in the South of Spain has never failed to amaze me; mainly for its unique features. Gibraltar Airport has a road that crosses the middle of the runway so for a lot of avgeeks it's on everyones bucketlist! The Rock itself hosts incredible views, caves, and cheeky monkeys...
Greece, Santorini:
Now I've been to Greece before (you can check out my blog), but visiting Santorini has always been a dream for me. Santorini is considered the precious gem of the Aegean with its whitewashed walls, blue shores, and its volcanic beaches. One of the most Instagrammable spots in the world, this place is high on my list...
Hungary, Budapest:
I believe Budapest has something for everyone: from its dramatic history and flamboyant architecture to its healing thermal waters and entertaining nightlife. The Houses of Parliament is the centrepiece along the Danube River, but in fact there are so many places to go to in Budapest. Anyway, we all know that Budapest is the Buda-best...
Iceland, Blue Lagoon:
In Iceland there seems to be so much to choose from. It's not just bathing in the Blue Lagoon, it's visiting the famous Gullfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls, hiking the volcanoes, scuba diving between two continental plates, or trying to stay dry from the geysers; Iceland is a geological hotspot...
Italy, Rome:
Buongiorno! There are two places on my list in Italy and first its Rome! The top destination is obviously the magnificent Colosseum but there is so much more to explore. Exploring the city centre by foot, surrounded by glorious monuments and ancient remains. And while you're there, you may as well take a visit to the Vatican City...
Monaco, Monte Carlo:
We say Monte Carlo and we think of casinos, James Bond and home of the rich and famous. I'm sure Monte Carlo in Monaco is a very expensive place to visit, but for sure it will be worth it! Monaco's exceptional location, between mountains and sea, its gardens, its athletic and cultural events, attracts all kinds of people from all over the world...
Portugal, Lisbon:
The 'San Francisco of Europe' with its hilly coastal roads, tram lines, and its suspension bridge are some of Lisbon's most notable landmarks. Walk through Lisbon where you'll find streets filled with heritage monuments, and characteristic neighbourhoods...
Spain, Ronda:
Though I've lived in Spain for many years, Ronda in the South of Spain near Malaga has always been a dream destination, before I even moved to the country. Ronda is a mountaintop city that’s set dramatically above a deep gorge. This gorge (El Tajo) separates the city’s new town from its old town. Puente Nuevo, a stone bridge spanning the gorge, has a lookout offering views, as well as a hike down the gorge to the waterfall that flows between...
Switzerland, The Matterhorn:
An icon of Switzerland, and a mountain that is by fair highly distinguishable due to its pointed shape, the Matterhorn mountain looking over the town of Zermatt, is a winter wonderland. Triangular, a cragged rock tooth, standing alone on the horizon is a magnet for alpinists...
The Netherlands, Amsterdam:
Considering Amsterdam is just just a 45 minute flight from where I live, you may be surprised that I've never been...Amsterdam in Holland, home to Anne Frank, sex museums, and its famous canals, seems like the perfect city to travel to for a long weekend break...
United Kingdom, London:
With its metropolitan skyline lined with famous landmarks such as the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, the Shard, Tower Bridge and many others, to its quaint yet vibrant streets, there is certainly a lot to see and do in this city...
NORTH AMERICA:
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Canada, Niagara Falls:
The stunning horseshoe falls on the Canadian/American border near Toronto, are one of the most beautiful sights you will ever see. Take a 'Maid of the Mist' boar tour right up to the waterfalls, feel hurricane forces at 'Cave of the Winds', walk through the tunnels behind the falls, ride up the Skylon Tower and enjoy the view, the list of things to do here at endless...
United States, Hawaii:
Aloha! Discover the beauty, culture and adventures waiting for you on the Hawaiian Islands: Kauai, Oahu, Maui, just to name a few. Golden or black sand beaches, hidden waterfalls, jungle treks and natural wonders, Hawaii offers it all. And if you're looking for some volcanic activity, the Kilauea volcano is the place to be, with what seems to be regular eruptions, and constant lava flows...
United States, New York:
Times Square, the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, the World Trade Centre, Grand Central Station, the Chrysler Building and much more, this is the concrete jungle where dreams are made of, the city that never sleeps...
United States, San Francisco:
San Francisco is known for its cool summers, fog-covered city, steep rolling hills, eclectic mix of architecture, and landmarks: cable cars, and Alcatraz. The iconic Golden Gate Bridge demonstrates the city's engineering strength with its impressive, razzle-dazzle showmanship. Take a ride on a cable car, one of the last remaining in the world of its kind. Or visit Alcatraz, a former Federal Penitentiary, for many death row prisoners...
SOUTH AMERICA:
Brazil, Rio De Janeiro:
Rio De Janeiro with its crazy carnivals, famous favelas, and samba music, makes it one of the most visited cities in the Southern Hemisphere. Overlooking the city is the Christ the Redeemer statue on top of Sugarloaf Mountain which of course is on my list! As well as a stroll down Copacabana Beach...
Peru, Machu Picchu:
An ancient settlement, 7000ft above mean sea level, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu in Peru has always been top of my bucketlist. The lost city of the Incas was rediscovered in 1911, but in actual fact was built around 1450AD...
AFRICA:
Kenya, Maasai Mara National Reserve:
Maasai Mara National Reserve is an area of preserved savannah wilderness in Southwestern Kenya, along the Tanzanian border. Its animals include lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras, hippos and wildebeests! It is one of the most famous and important wildlife conservation and wilderness areas in the African bush...
Morocco, Marrakesh:
Marrakesh is the city that shows North Africa's exotic charm; with the hustle of the medina you'll find the city's epicentre. Soak up the atmosphere here with snake charmers and shop touts competing for your attention amid a noisy, colourful bustle that encapsulates Morocco's vibrant soul...
South Africa, Cape Town:
Take a hike up to Lion's Rock, or take the slowly rotating cable car to the top of Table Mountain, and from there admire the sweeping views of the city and the busy harbour. Make the spectacular journey to the Cape of Good Hope where giant waves crash over enormous boulders and head into the Atlantic, and if you're lucky maybe you'll see a few penguins too...
Tanzania, Mount Kilimanjaro:
Mount Kilimanjaro, dominating the African landscape like no other mountain, iconic and instantly recognisable, is a dormant volcano in Tanzania, but it is also the tallest single free-standing mountain in the world. They say it takes quite a few days, or even a week, to climb to the very top, but for sure this hike is on my to-do list...
MIDDLE EAST:
Egypt, Cairo:
One of the most advanced civilisations at its time and one of the Wonders of the Ancient World; an incredible achievement of engineering, the Pyramids of Giza really are a sight to see. Enter into the tombs, see the Sphinx, and sail along the Nile...
Jordan, Petra:
Now I've been to the Pyramids of Egypt but Petra in Jordan also really stands out to me. Petra is a world known archaeological site famous for its rock-cut architecture, and is considered to be the symbol of Jordan. The caves, temples, and tombs reveal its impressive civilisation...
United Arab Emirates, Dubai:
Dubai, a rapidly growing, financial and economical capital of the world, with its biggest and tallest landmarks, makes it a force to be reckoned with. The Burj Khalifa, the Burj Al Arab, the Dubai Mall, the Palm, the Atlantis Hotel, the Dubai Frame, the Dubai Aquarium, are all just a few popular attractions that you must see...
ASIA:
India, Taj Mahal:
A declaration of love, the Taj Mahal, is an immense, ivory white marble mausoleum, and it is considered as the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage. Standing majestically on the banks of the River Yamuna, the Taj Mahal in its own beauty is another wonder of the world...
ASIA:
Indonesia, Bali:
The Nusa Penida is what I think of when I think of Bali, but there's so much more. The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, the volcano of Mount Agung, the Tegallalang Rice Terraces, the Bali swing, hot springs, watefalls, the village of Ubud and its temples, and of course the famous Bali Gates which have been dubbed the "Gates of Heaven"...
Thailand, Krabi:
Thailand, whether it's volunteering at an elephant sanctuary or relaxing upon the beaches of Krabi or the Phi Phi Islands where giant rainforested boulders meet the sea, Thailand is the place to be; there's something for everyone in the area...
Turkiye, Istanbul:
Next on the European list is Istanbul in Turkey. The country's economic, cultural and historic centre, this magical meeting place of East and West, straddles between Europe and Asia. We talk about Istanbul and we think about the Hagia Sophia: a great architectural beauty...
Vietnam, Ha Long Bay:
To be honest, Ha Long Bay has been in my bucketlist ever since I watched that Top Gear episode, and it fascinated me. Ha Long Bay in Northeast Vietnam, is known for its emerald waters and thousands of towering limestone islands topped by rainforests. Catch a ride on a junk boat tour or take a sea kayak expedition past all the islands (well not all, because there are over 1,600 of them)...
OCEANIA:
Australia, Sydney:
Sydney is a vibrant capital and the largest city in Australia. Marvel at the iconic Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, catch the ferry through the harbour, sunbathe down at Bondi Beach, swim in the ocean pools, or take an excursion and visit the spectacular Blue Mountains...
Australia, Uluru:
Uluru or 'Ayres Rock' is a massive sandstone monolith in the heart of the Australian Outback. Witness the different shades of Uluru Rock as the sun changes its colour over time during the day. Once upon a time you used to be able to climb the rock, but now you can only look in admiration...
New Zealand, Hobbiton:
For obvious reasons this place has to be on the list: Hobbiton, the movie set for both the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings trilogies. To go your own quest and Middle Earth adventure, this place has to be paid a visit...
R E C E N T P O S T S
Make sure you check out my blog to see which contenders are in line for the TOP 3! Do you agree with my bucketlist? Contact me and let me know your thoughts and your favourite places to go to, I look forward to hearing from you!
(DISCLOSURE: I do not take credit for the following photos, their rights and ownerships are with their own proprietors)