10 Ideas For Your Travel Bucket List
There are so many wonderful travel experiences out there that it can be overwhelming to keep track of the ones you hope to one day experience for yourself.
Having a travel bucket list is a great way to daydream and visusalise yourself having these incredible experiences. Plus, the satisfaction of ticking them off after a memory-filled adventure is a great feeling.
From white-water rafting to African safaris, there are so many things you can add to your travel bucket list. Read on for 10 ideas to add to yours.
See the cherry blossoms bloom
Important to its national culture, Spring transforms Japan into a sea of pink Sakura, cherry blossoms. Festivals are held to celebrate these delicates blossoms in places such as Kyoto and Takada Castle. They are also an integral part of the Japanese custom of hanami, which encourages the appreciation of the transient beauty flowers offer as they come to life again in the Spring.
Cherry blossom season in Japan is usually between late March and May, with April being the best time to see these beautiful trees bloom with soft pink flowers.
Kenyan Safari
Getting up close and personal with some of the most majestic and dangerous animals on the planet is a must for many people’s travel bucket list. The Masai Mara Nature Reserve is home to the ‘Big 5’ - lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards and buffalo - as well as the patterned zebras and giraffes.
From group trips and private tours, camps to lodges, there are many safari options to choose from, even beyond Kenya’s borders to the Serengeti, Moremi and the archipelago of Zanzibar.
Many choose to tag on the coastal city of Mombassa to their Kenyan safaris, to enjoy some beach and leisure time after the thrill of the safari.
See the Northern Lights
The Northern Lights are likely on many a bucket list, not just for travel. The aurora borealis is caused by solar activity lighting up the atomosphere in colour, from blue and green to pink, purple and more.
They occur frequently, but can be difficult to see with the naked eye. In lower regions, it’s easier to see through a camera lens. Guides suggest picking the right time before the new moon and on a clear night to have the best chance of witnessing these beautiful light displays.
The further North you go, the more likely you are to see them, with Iceland and the Scandinavian countries being the most common places to experience them. Sometimes they can be seen from my home country of Scotland, though I’ve yet to see them myself.
To give yourself the best chance, many recommend booking a ‘Northern Lights’ package, with local guides who know the best methods to see the Lights.
Blue Lagoon in Iceland
As well as offering the chance to see the Northern Lights, the geothermal spa of Iceland’s Blue Lagoon is a relaxing and healing experience.
The hot spring water there is rich with minerals said to aid relaxation and offer benefits for the skin. With spa treatments readily available, and stunning views of the Icelandic landscape, the Blue Lagoon is a must visit for some R&R.
Stroll the Palace of Versailles
France is a country of turbulent history, fine culture and the romanticism of Baroque architecture. Experience it all with a visit to Versailles.
Just a few miles from the centre of Paris, Versailles is a beautiful chateux, famous for its Hall of Mirrors, beautiful gardens, and the Treaty of Versailles. The Treaty ended World War I, imposing hefty sanctions and responsibility for the Great War on Germany, perhaps indirectly leading to World War II.
Neuschwanstein Castle
Set in the foothills of the Alps in the south of Germany, Neuschwanstein Castle was the inspiration behind Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle. There, white spires reach into the sky, and nearby villages offer an authentic Brothers Grimm-esque experience.
Neuschwanstein’s fairytale exterior and stunning Alpine surroundings make it a must see on your travel bucket list.
Sip wine in an Italian Vineyard
Italy is famous for its fine wine and good food, with vineyards across the country. Some of its most famous vineyeards are in the central region of Tuscany.
With it’s famous cities of Florence and Pisa, and off the beaten track towns of Siena and Lucca, the regions idyllic vineyards with rolling hills are a great day trip in an Italian summer itinerary.
Additionally, many vineyards boast hotels on their properties, to make the most of the wine and landscape, and avoid a commute back to the bigger cities after a few too many glasses.
Mount Fuji
For many, the mention of Japan conjures up images of cherry blossoms, bustling metropolises, and Mount Fuji. The iconic mountain, just two to three hours by train from Tokyo, is high on many bucket lists. An active volcano which is often capped in snow, it has featured in iconic Japanese artwork and is a sacred symbol for the country.
If you’re interested in hiking it, you should visit between July and September when it is open to climbers. Depending on the trail you choose, it takes anywhere from 5 to 10 hours, and as always, remain respectful of the mountain and the locals by sticking to the paths and cleaning up after yourself.
Greek Island Hopping
Live your Mamma Mia summer with pristine blue waters, vibrant culture and idyllic villages along Greece’s Mediterranean, Aegean and Ionian coasts. Hopping between islands is a great way to experience this ancient land and beautiful scenery.
Santorini and Mykonos are the hotspots for tourists to the Greek isles, famous for their party scenes, but there are still laid-back and authentic Greek experiences to uncover on the islands of Crete, Kos, Paros and more.
Tour the cells of Alcatraz
Inhabiting an island just over a mile off the coast of San Francisco, Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary housed outlaws, psychotic murderers, and gangsters over its 29 years in operation, before it closed its doors in 1963.
Thought to be inescapable due to the mile of choppy waters across San Francisco Bay, only three men were ever succesful, though its not known how long they survived after.
Nowadays, Alcatraz Island and prison welcomes over one million visitors a year, with tour highlights including Al Capone’s cell and the Wardens quarters.
Have you experienced any of the above? What is on your own travel bucket list?
