Top 10 Travel Bucket List Ideas
Q: What places are on your current travel bucket list??
A: Honestly, I want to go EVERYWHERE! But here are my top 10 travel bucket list ideas!
If I were to elaborate on my FULL travel bucket list, this blog post would be hundreds of pages long. Instead, I’ve synthesized my wanderlust into my top 10 travel bucket list ideas. Note, this list continues to morph and grow as time progresses, so there may be a PART II extension — stay tuned!! I hope that these travel bucket list ideas spark some travel inspiration for you; let me know which destinations are on our *shared* bucket list in the comments below!
Here are my top 10 travel bucket list ideas!
Paro Valley, Bhutan
Bhutan has been at the top of my bucket list for several years. A visit to the predominantly Buddhist country of Bhutan is apparently like stepping back to a simpler, more peaceful time. Himalayan peaks, lush valleys, and hundreds of monasteries.
One of the things that first piqued my interest was the government’s “Gross National Happiness” (or “GNH”) index, which measures the Bhutanese population’s collective happiness. It’s a principle that’s prioritized over the country’s GDP and is inked in their constitution. The Bhutanese tagline? “Happiness is a place!”
Locals intend to keep Bhutan’s culture intact and authentic; they believe in high-value, low-volume tourism. For that reason, the country has strict requirements for tourist visitors:
Obtain a visa in advance (except for passport holders from India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives)
Book a tour with a registered local operator
Minimum travel spend (covering accommodations, transportation, tour cost, etc.) of $200-290 per day, depending on season and number of travelers in your party
One of Bhutan’s most popular tourist activities (which is high on my travel bucket list!) is a ~2-hour hike up to the stunning Tiger’s Nest Monastery, perched on the side of a cliff! Bhutan is number one on my travel bucket list for a reason!!
Cappadocia, Turkey
Ever since I saw a photo of hundreds of hot air balloons taking off at sunrise in Göreme, Turkey, I knew that I wanted to visit the region of Cappadocia!
The landscape is made up of unique (and beautiful!) volcanic mountains, some of which hide secret underground cities — you can even dine in “cave restaurants!”
I can’t wait to gorge on Turkish coffee and desserts while taking in this view from a hotel rooftop… ONE DAY!!
North Island, New Zealand
The only regret I’ve heard from friends returning from trips to New Zealand is: “I wish I spent more time on the north island.”
Dreamy destinations on my north island New Zealand travel bucket list include:
Float down the cavern river inside the Waitomo Glow Worm Cave
Hike in Tongariro National Park, a World Heritage site
Explore the city of Wellington, known for its quirky culture, restaurant scene, nightlife, and quaint harbor
Cruise around the Bay of Islands
Take a set tour of Hobbiton, filming location for the Lord of the Rings movie series
New Zealand is also KNOWN for adventure activities (skydiving, bungee jumping, etc.), so I’d squeeze something thrilling into my trip too!!
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda
While I still have to experience a traditional African safari, I’d LOVE to connect it with a visit to Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This region is famous for gorilla treks!!
Guided small group tours hike deep into the jungle in hopes of finding rare species of mountain gorilla families in their natural habitat. I’ve heard it’s an awe-inspiring, incredible experience to share space with these creatures… especially if you’re lucky enough to see a massive silverback!
Temples of Angkor, Cambodia
You’ve likely heard of the famous Cambodian Buddhist temple, Angkor Wat, which is the largest religious monument in the world.
Did you know that there are also hundreds of smaller religious temples spread out over 400 acres?? That’s a lot of ground to cover, and from what I’ve heard, it’s worth venturing off the beaten path!
In addition to seeing the main Cambodian temples at Angkor Wat, my travel bucket list includes a two-day bike tour of the less popular temples; I’d love to meander through small jungle pathways and check out secret ruins! Who’s with me?!
Great Barrier Reef, Australia
As soon as I earned my scuba certification as a PADI open water diver, the Great Barrier Reef made it onto my bucket list!
With roughly ~25% of the Great Barrier Reef impacted by coral bleaching as of 2020 due to rising water temperatures, I’m hoping to visit Australia sooner than later!
How cool would it be to spend a couple of nights ON THE REEF and fall asleep to gentle wave sounds before waking up for a morning dive?! Sounds bucket list-worthy to me!!
Marrakech, Morocco
Something about Morocco just *speaks* to me.
My travel dreams consist of gorging on spicy meats stewed in tagines, strolling through crowded souks hunting for authentic Moroccan rugs, and glamping under the stars deep in the Saharan desert.
I’d LOVE a chance to visit various Moroccan cities, including Fez, Tangier, and Chefchaouen. Still, if I had to pick only ONE… it would be the vibrant and ancient city of Marrakech.
Island Hopping, Greece
Recently, I’ve been seeing more and more publicity for lesser-known, swoon-worthy Greek islands (or at least, lesser-known to ME)!
I can’t imagine a better way to spend a summer than boarding a sailboat and spending two weeks hopping from one island to another. Which Greek islands are on my mind? Paros, Naxos, Crete, Amorgos, and Paxos.
I’m vying for ancient town ruins, stark white cliffside homes, fantastic local FOOD, and ideally… fewer crowds!!!
Arctic Circle, Norway
Who *doesn’t* want to see polar bears in the wild?!
After my magical journey to Antarctica last year, I added the Arctic Circle to my travel bucket list.
I’d love to see the northern lights from Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago, before jumping on a ship and cruising around icebergs!
Oaxaca, Mexico
The Mexican state of Oaxaca (pronounced: wah-ha-kuh) has been on my travel bucket list ever since my solo travel visit to Mexico City. Mexican locals raved about Oaxaca’s prestigious foodie restaurants, unique culture, hip mezcal-centric bars, and gorgeous beaches along the Pacific coast. What more could you ask for?!
Lucky for me, I’m heading to Oaxaca City and Puerto Escondido next month, so I’ll be checking this location off my travel bucket list soon!!
Here are some Oaxacan things I’m excited to check out:
Agave farm tour to learn the process of making Mezcal, tequila’s smoky cousin… and tasting it, of course!
Ancient pyramid ruins of Monte Albán, a UNESCO world heritage site
Sampling various type of moles; Oaxaca is known as “the land of the seven moles”
Lazying on the tropical beaches of Puerto Escondido
Dining at top-tier Mexican restaurants with world-renowned chefs!!
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