If you’ve ever wanted to feel the waves crash on your feet or taste the delicacies of a culture’s food that is not your own; if you’ve ever wanted to hear what’s like waking up with the wild in your backyard or view the inexplainable wonders of the world with your very own eyes, then you, have also conjured a travel bucket list at some point in your life.
Although my dream is to leave no stone unturned, and it’s so difficult to pick just a few places, I was able to narrow my list down to these 8 alluring places.
Machu Picchu
Peru (hike the Inca Trail)
This place is number one on my list. More than 7000 feet above sea level in the Andes Mountains sophisticated dry-stone walls that fuse huge blocks without the use of mortar can be found. This renowned world heritage site is a symbol of the Incan Empire. My dream is to do a four-day hike on the Inca Trail up to Machu Picchu.
Okavango Delta
Botswana
Known as “the river that never finds the sea”, the Okavango Delta is a unique pulsing wetland that covers 6 and 15000 square kilometres of the Kalahari Desert in northern Botswana. All the water that flows from the Okavango River is ultimately evaporated and transpired and does not flow into any sea or ocean. An oasis in an otherwise dry environment, the Okavango Delta is known for its incredible and significant wildlife. That’s why in 2014 it became the 1000th UNESCO World Heritage Site. That’s why it’s the perfect place to add to my travel bucket list.
Venice
Italy
This is the city where I want to drop the maps and plans and just lose myself in the miles of winding canals. 150 canals with more than 400 bridges connecting the 118 small islands would make getting lost very easy. This compact city has everything: romance, history, architecture, food, art and colour. Lots of colour.
Tokyo
Japan
For a very long time I’ve been sitting on the fence with this destination. I’m not sure if I will enjoy it. However, the more I research this traditional yet super modern and quirky capital of Japan the more I want to hop on a plane and see everything for myself. I want to experience this eclectic city from neon-lit skyscrapers to historic temples; from hole-in-the-wall gyoza joints to the opulent Meiji Shinto Shrine.
Great Barrier Reef
Australia
Home to the world’s largest coral reef system and diverse marine life of the most vivid colours, The Great Barrier Reef is open to a surreal adventure. Although my main goal is to see the reef through a scuba mask, I will also make time for the mainland attractions such as exploring the Daintree Rainforest or relaxing on any one of its tropical islands, like Lizard or Hayman.
Greek Islands
Greece
It’s kind of sad how I’m half Greek and I’ve never even been to Greece. I mean, even if I wasn’t Greek it would still be one of the first places to go on my travel bucket list. This place has everything. It has a striking volcanic landscape in Santorini and the best beaches in Mykonos and Corfu. The culture and adventure in Crete and Rhodes are enough to put me on a plane this very second. Not to mention the sun-kissed natural wonders in Naxos. You can never go wrong in this culturally rich country.
Maui
Hawaii
Today, it is so easy to be overwhelmed by the restlessness of our gentrified world. At some point we all want to sit down, have a drink in hand, and breathe. Well, for me, Maui is the place to do just that. From the captivating Road to Hana that will provide you with views of red sand beaches and rainbow eucalyptus trees; to the tranquil Makena Beach or Wailea Beach where the opulent resorts are enough to make you feel like you’re in dreamland.When the drinks are done and there is nothing else to do but get up off your sunburnt bum, then set your sights upon the dormant Haleakalā volcano via the Sliding Sands Trail. Or snorkel at Po’olenalena Beach which arguably offers some of the best snorkeling in all of Hawaii.
Disneyworld
Florida, USA
The place you hear about from the beginning of your adolescence. The most magical place is there is, so they say. After hearing about it so often I thought it was overrated. However, after being shown pictures by my host family and my friends my mind instantly changed, and I’ve been wanting to go ever since. Everyone who knows me knows that I embrace my inner child more often than I probably should. This is a place where that’s expected. Disney World is a place of cinematic dreams, childhood throwbacks and a bank crushing experience. It has some of the best-looking food, nighttime shows, parades, water parks, mini golf course and 4 theme parks to choose from. I really want to go!