I have been to a lot of places in my life, but still have not scratched the surface of seeing this world. Lately, due to circumstances that will not be named we all have a lot of time to think out our travel wish list. There were so many trips planned that have since been canceled, travel seems almost like a fantasy. Still a man should dream, and I know this will one day be a distant memory.
The purpose of writing this travel wish list is twofold. First, I hope to provide inspiration to those (at a future date) that will be traveling again. Secondly, if someone has done something on my travel wish list, tell me if it is worth my time and money. I plan on hitting every nook and cranny of this world before I leave it. I just want to prioritize the best things first. Below is my personal bucket list as it stands currently.
As a side, a lot has changed in my personal life due to the Covid gods. My financial situation, physical health, and relationships all took a hit (by a nuclear bomb). This travel wish list reflects my new desires, as well as some of my older aspirations.
1. Jaco Beach, Costa Rica
As a soon to be single man, what better place to start than Jaco Beach, Costa Rica. I know what you are thinking, he is back to his old tricks again, like in this post regarding Thailand here. While I cannot deny I may indulge in certain behaviors if the opportunity presents itself, this is not my only (or main) motivation. Right now, that kind of activity is not in my realm of thought.
Funny thing, I never was much of a beach person. This last 3 months and the months that are sure to follow make me want to sit by the water with a cold beer in hand. Jaco has a lot to offer besides lounging, there are surf lessons, crocodile tours, Zip lining in the rain forest. The rain forest is the biggest draw for me. There are also casinos and poker houses…this just seems like a guy’s trip and I do not have to travel 23 hours like Thailand. The first place on my travel wish list has been picked to just get away from it all and get a bit crazy.
2. Great Wall, China
This one may be a bit of a pipe dream for now. The United States and China are not exactly on the best of terms. Whether or not you can see the site from space is irrelevant, the Great Wall is just one of those childhood travel bucket list items. From the time I was a little kid The Great Wall of China was an awe-inspiring destination. The history, the size, it is the perfect excuse to visit China. That is if we ever can visit China again.
3. Grand Canyon, U.S.A
Pack up the station wagon and grab the 2.5 kids we are heading to the Grand Canyon. This fell on my travel wish list because no self-respecting travel blogger should have missed the Grand Canyon. To be fair I have flown over the Grand Canyon more times than I can count, but that is not the same. Unless I can die from taking a selfie, I do not consider myself a visitor to the Grand Canyon. There is a bonus of it being in the United States, so I do not have to worry about travel restrictions.
4. Swim in a Shark Cage, South Africa
Yeah, this seems sane, and not something I thought of when I was plowing through a bottle of bourbon. I want to get into a cage in freezing cold water and let Great Whites try to eat me through this cage. I have seen video of people doing this and it looks terrifying. So why not? I feel if I do this, I do not have to sky dive to prove my courage. I would rather get eaten by a shark than fall to my death. Thank god for Covid, right now I am just talking Sh*t
5. Eiffel Tower, France
This might seem like another one of those basic things, but I just never have gotten around to see Paris. After visiting Rome, I try to avoid the more popular tourist destinations. I find too many of them to be expensive and mostly overhyped. Regardless, my goal is to plan a larger trip with Paris as one of the stops as soon as all of this clears up. Any proper travel blogger should at least try and go to the Eiffel tower. I will have a croissant and a smile and move on. Something inside me just knows this will be a disappointment, but I must do what I have to do.
6. Fly First Class to Singapore
It is not so much as I want to see Singapore, although I do, just not a great need. The thought of flying first class to this destination will be amazing. My former editor told me her story of being in a private pod for the 20-hour flight. Every once in a while, there would be a knock on her door to taste what the chef whipped up. I can get used to that. A bonus to having your own pod means no need to social distance. When I can swing this, it may be one of those flights that they will have to peel me out of.
7. Jerusalem, Israel
It may be time to make amends with my creator after some of the partying I plan to do. What better place to do this than the holy land? Jerusalem is one of my top three bucket list destinations. The country has always fascinated me. The food, the history, the people, everything seems amazing. Let me know in the comments if you have been and what to expect. I cannot think of a better place to find peace than the birthplace of Christianity (and many other religions). This is why Jerusalem falls to the top of my travel wish list.
8. See Christ the Redeemer, Brazil
One of the “New 7 Wonders” according to some. I have never been to South America; we had our reasons as a couple to avoid the continent. Now those reasons are in the past, so I can go to Brazil. I have technically seen one Christ the Redeemer, but it was in Lisbon (read my review of the city here). I want to lay eyes on the original, while simultaneously seeing Brazil. Maybe it is a check the box kind of thing, but I want to do it all the same. Unfortunately, these days Covid is making Brazil just as difficult to travel in as the United States.
9. Singita Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania
I had plans before the great Covid gods have forsaken us to go to South Africa and stay on a nature reserve. There was a river where you can see the hippos and the crocodiles chowing away from the balcony of your hotel room. I was excited at the opportunity to sit listening to the animals while drinking some brandy. Plus, I hear that hippos are really friendly and let you ride them (this is a joke, please do not ride the hippos!). Alas, the trip that was planned is no more. I vowed to do something like this and my research brought me to Tanzania. Since I am already going to South Africa to get eaten by sharks, might as well hit another country for the reserve.
10. Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, Australia
While I have nature on my mind, let me hit the great barrier reef, I imagine the snorkeling in the Great Barrier reef must be fabulous. Really, I am trying to find a good reason to go to Australia. I know, I know, everyone always wants to go, but I never had a great desire. The people look great, it just reminds me too much of America. If I am traveling 20 + hours I want to land someplace strange and unfamiliar. Now if I go snorkeling, I can knock off a continent, country, and experience off my list in one foul swoop. If you are reading this tell me the country is worth a day of my life in a tin box!
11. Have a Pint in Ireland
The Irish just look like they are always having a good time and from what I hear they are some of the nicest people on the planet. This item on my travel wish list is one of the easier ones to accomplish. Once the world stops burning, I will hop on a plane and take a week when given the chance. Ireland looks like a beautiful place, and everyone I have spoken to has loved it. So, the food might not be the best in the world…this is what beer is for.
12. Taj Mahal, India
Call this another check mark, but it must be done. India has never been one of those places that screams for me to visit it. This is exactly why I should go. Sometimes your best trips are from places you least expect them. Even if I do not particularly like the area, at least I can see one of the biggest tourist attractions in the world. If anyone has visited this site, I would love to hear more about it. I trust readers more than I trust random websites. So please leave a comment below.
13. Eat A Katz Pastrami Sandwich, New York
I know, low hanging fruit…I mean up until a few months ago ridiculously low hanging fruit. I am probably the only person to grow up in the state of New York and not have visited Katz deli. I have had yokals from Ohio tell me how great their sandwiches are, yet it escapes me. Funny thing is, I love pastrami and I visit New York often. At first part of me thought it was a tourist trap. Then I was always so full on soup dumplings I could not eat there...(read more about my trip to New York here). Whatever my “reason” I am a poor excuse for a New Yorker for not visiting Katz.
14. Eat My Way Through San Sebastián, Spain
When it comes to food cities, San Sebastián is rumored to be one of the best in the world. Ever since I saw an episode when Anthony Bourdain visited, I have been wanting to go. I love Spain in general, this city in particular has some of the best restaurants in the world. It seems the area is both well known and underrated, which is nice. I will be able to eat some of the best food of my life and avoid tourists.
15. Disappear for a Week (or longer) in Montana
I am planning a trip now, where the end of the destination will be Montana. I do not think I will spend a week just there, but at least I can see the state and know if I want to keep this on my travel wish list. The idea of just turning it all off appeals to me greatly. There is too much noise today. The world is ending, I am continuously reminded of my own life unraveling. I just want to be immersed in the quiet. A place where I am not being notified of every email and news story. The more I write this, the more I realize I am going to take this trip sooner rather than later.
16. Angeles city, Philippines
Ahhh, back to the old me for now. I have heard things about this city, just amazing things. After listening to wonderful, great tales of the Philippines and I am ready to jump back into it. Well, not now, but in a year or two I should be mentally ready. This trip is dependent on how my life rolls out. It looks like it is rolling that way, so I am ready for the debauchery and fun.
17. Machu Picchu, Peru
I love a good hike and Machu Picchu, Peru might be one of the world’s best. This trip was in a couple of my top two choices, yet I always seemed to choose the other choice. From the looks of it, there is not much to dislike about this adventure. The history is amazing. The views are beautiful, and I am immersed in nature. I will even get the opportunity to eat a guinea pig or two, how can anyone pass this up!
18. Pyramids, Egypt
Another must see in the world in my humble opinion are the Pyramids of Egypt. The Great Pyramid of Giza as it is officially called is one of the seven wonders of the world. The original, not all the new lists that come out (and mentioned earlier). These pyramids are another must for any self-respecting travel blogger, therefore they make my travel bucket list.
19. Forbidden City, China
Another travel wish list item to China, where the U.S. does not have the best relationship. The Forbidden City is a palace complex in central Beijing, China. China has fascinated me for a long time (hence it is on this list twice). I never visited the country. I did sprint through an airport in Beijing, I do not think that counts. Maybe it is just the word Forbidden in the title, but I want to see this site.
20. Get New Pieces of Art from All The Places I Visited
This one is personal. Whenever visiting a place, we would pick up art work from the area. Usually something local, it reminded me of that moment and the day whenever I saw it. The little café we were in when we saw the picture from Rome. The street vender in Lisbon selling sketches way too cheaply. It brings me back to that time. Well, when you and your travel partner go your separate ways things have to be divided up. In my case it was all divided one way, but the painting from Prague. I will not let myself lose all the memories from these wonderful places, therefore I am going back to each and grabbing some more art for myself.
Travel Bucket List Places To Revisit
Besides, strictly for art, there are some places I want to double down on because I loved them so much. Call them repeat travel wish list items. The three places below top my list of areas I want to return.
Pattaya, Thailand
Again, read my full review here, this is just a place for me to cut loose. As mentioned, a man needs to go crazy every once and a while, it is good for his soul. Thailand did that for me the first time, and I expect to get similar results.
Santorini, Greece
The most beautiful place I have ever visited. The food was amazing, I could stare out into the Mediterranean for hours. Maybe one of the happiest weeks of my life, just from everything that the island had to offer. It is a definite revisit. If you have not gone, put it on your travel wish list. Read about my trip to Santorini here.
Palermo, Sicily
While you are at it, put Sicily on your list. This is real Italy, Rome was Disney land, so was the Amalfi coast. Sicily felt real, the food was amazing, the people were awesome. Palermo is my favorite city in the world. I have two posts that you can read to get more information about Sicily here and one about safety here. This city may very well be my home base one day. If you are making your travel wish list, consider Sicily.
Conclusion: Travel Wish List
This is just a start, I realize I left a lot off but if I hit all these places, combined with the countries I have already visited it is a rather good life. Most likely I will update this list and hopefully make an entirely new travel bucket list. For now, I am ready to hit the road…if we only did not have a worldwide pandemic. If you have seen something on the list, please tell me about it!
