Can a bucket list really help you to achieve your dreams? I’ve found that they can be both motivating and disheartening. It may kick start a journey of a lifetime or, the failure to tick something off may be a downer. Consider as well that sometimes life just gets in the way; mortgages, kids, and relationships will all do their best to grind away at those dreams of swimming the English Channel or visiting the Serengeti Migration in Tanzania. But having a bucket list can also be a huge motivator. Just the act of writing down a list can sharpen your focus and turn you dream into a reality.
And your bucket list is all about you and your dreams. It can include anything, big or small, achievable and optimistic; from watching the fireworks over Sydney Harbour on New Year’s Eve to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
As a lover of art, I have a bucket list peppered with dreams of standing before some of the world’s most inspiring artworks, and every year I make sure that I craft my travel experiences to some of the most exciting destinations in the world, while weaving in elements of art and culture. I am still yet to see Gaudi’s Le Sagrada Familia and Velazquez’s Las Meninas, but as I’ve spent many years working on and ticking off some of my major bucket list items, I’ve learnt that it’s often the unexpected that makes our lives so interesting.
Yes, the Egyptian pyramids, Angkor Wat and the Taj Mahal are jaw-dropping, and the streets of London and Rio de Janeiro are as vibrant as they’d have us believe, but the world is a wonderful place that is always changing, and one thing is for sure – there will never be a lack of new and exciting things to put on your bucket list. So here are a few places that might take your fancy and make their way on to your list.
AFRICA
The African continent is full of bucket list experiences. From seeing the Big Five while on safari to conquering Mount Kilimanjaro, the mind boggles with the possibilities of travel experiences on offer. But for us, the sheer immensity of Victoria Falls is enough to have most people’s hearts palpitating with the power of one of the world’s most impressive waterfalls. You can cross over the railway bridge, fly in a helicopter or micro light over the Falls or sit in Devil’s Pool on the edge of the Falls. It’s not only about looking at something so awesome, but also about feeling part of something larger.
To tick the majestic Victoria Falls off your bucket list, why not combine a visit to the Falls with a trip to Tanzania on our Handpicked South Africa & Victoria Falls trip.
SOUTH AMERICA
South America is as mysterious as it is captivating. With a history spanning thousands of years and as the home of numerous empires that have left their indelible mark, the ancient and the modern combine to create one of the most colourful regions on earth. Nowhere is this more evident than when visiting the country of Peru. Peru is an empire of rich colonial traditions, magic and mystery, rainforests and jungles and hidden treasures. For lovers of wildlife, you can watch the majestic condor in full flight in Colca Canyon or explore the Peruvian Amazon. For the adventurous, hike to country’s highest point at Huayna Picchu and marvel at the empire the Inca’s created.
Visit the land of the Inca’s and travel the expanse of Peru from the Pacific Ocean to the soaring Andes Mountains and Amazon on our Handpicked Peru journey.
NORTH AMERICA
Cities such as New York, Las Vegas and San Francisco rightfully find their way on to many a bucket list, but the National Parks of Canada and the USA are mind-blowing in terms of what they offer. With the Rocky Mountains running like a spine through both countries in the west and the Appalachian Mountains doing the same in the east, there’s no shortage of options. From the impressive Yosemite with its towering sequoias, the abundant wildlife of Yellowstone, the Alaskan “Big Five” in Denali National Park and grandeur of Zion National Park in the USA to the natural wonders of Yoho National Park, the outdoor enthusiasts’ paradise of Banff National Park and the turquoise lakes of Jasper National Park in Canada, the possibilities are endless.
Travel through the famous Rocky Mountains on our Best of the Rockies tour or discover the USA’s National Parks on our National Park Lodges small group journey.
SOUTH PACIFIC
Many people’s bucket lists are peppered with wildlife experiences, from a Big Five safari in Africa to witnessing the Polar Bear migration in Churchill in Canada but one of the most exhilarating wildlife encounters would have to be getting in the water in Tonga with creatures the size of semi-trailers – humpback whales. Each year, from July to October, humpback whales gather in Tongan waters where they start to train the next generation of calves on how to survive the journey back to Antarctica. You could enjoy a gentle swim with a mother and a calf, watching as the inquisitive calf shows off to an audience, or witness an exuberant encounter with juvenile whales that have been “dropped off” in the waters off Tonga to begin their own life.
Swim with Whales trip gives you the chance to get up close to the magnificent humpback whales in Tonga.
ASIA
The pulsating countries of Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam are filled with tasty cuisine, intriguing cultural sites and beautiful Zanzibares but for those looking to get off the tourist track, look no further than Burma. Burma, often referred to as the ‘last great South East Asian wilderness’ features on many an intrepid travellers’ bucket list due to the many majestic pagodas dotted across the country, rising from the cities and the jungles in all of their glowing glory. If temples feature strongly on your bucket list, visit the glittering Schwedagon Pagoda. This 2,500 year old pagoda is the most sacred Buddhist site in Burma and one of the religious wonder of the world. The pagoda is covered with hundreds of gold plates and the top of the stupa is encrusted with more than 4,500 diamonds, hence Burma’s nickname, ‘The Golden Land’.
To discover this golden land, our Passage Through Burma journey showcases not only the magnificent Schwedagon Pagoda but also the enchanting temples of Bagan.
