I am trying to contain myself with this list because I have so many places that I would love to visit. If you are anything like me, you are eager to travel again. I have always enjoyed traveling; I even have a travel journal with a list of the top travel destinations and the best time of year to visit each place. When I read good travel tips of must-sees or must-dos for any of these places, I make note of it on the itinerary page I created for each of them. Below I have only listed 10 of the places I would love to visit one day, divided by continent, and the things I would like to do there.
Europe
Whenever I think of vacations, I think of tropical destinations because the beach is my favorite place. I think this is because I like to relax on vacations instead of doing a lot of walking or exploring. However, since I would really like to visit great cities in Europe and see Africa, I have made an agreement with myself that every time I add a city destination, I can include a beach destination as part of the trip.
Paris
I cannot decide what time of year that I would like to visit Paris. I have read that it is beautiful in spring, but I have also read that December is a good time to go, too. Either way, I want to try these activities:
- Have dinner at LeJules Verne and see the Eiffel Tower sparkle with lights
- Visit the Louvre
- Have a painting made in Montmartre
- Pick up a book from the Shakespeare and Company bookstore
- Take a River Seine Boat Cruise
- Take baking class at La Cuisine Paris
- Go boutique shopping in the Marais
- Try authentic French créme brûlée & macarons
- Spend a day at Disneyland Paris
London
Ever since I learned to play tennis, I have wanted to attend Wimbledon and have strawberries and cream. Until then, here are a list of must-dos for first-timers in London:
- Take a ride on the Tube
- Go shopping in Kensington and at Borough Market
- Visit Westminster Abbey and the Buckingham Palace to see the changing of the guard
- Cruise down the River Thames
- Take in the views from The London Eye
- Visit The British Museum
- Have fish and chips at a traditional British pub or at Maltby Street Market
- Attend the Mad Hatter’s or National Theatre’s afternoon tea
- Have a picnic in Hyde Park
Dublin
Ever since I learned about my Irish blood from Ancestry DNA, I have wanted to visit Dublin! I wonder if going during the week of St. Patrick’s Day would be too crazy or the perfect time to experience it?
- Tour Trinity College Tour, especially the library
- Visit the galleries in the Temple Bar neighborhood
- Tour Dublin Castle and St. Patrick’s Cathedral
- Try the classic Irish toastie (toasted ham and cheese sandwich)
- Stroll St. Stephen’s Green
- Visit Little Museum
Greece
A beautiful beach destination in Europe is why Greece is on my list. Between Mykonos and Santorini, there are so many things to do. Here are a few:
- Explore Mykonos on a scooter
- Relax at Paraga Beach
- Try a gyro at Jimmy’s Gyros
- Have dinner in Little Venice at sunset
- Hike up to Armenistis Lighthouse
- Visit the Mykonos windmills
- Stroll Mykonos Town all the way to the seaside
- Take a selfie with Petros the Pelican
- Visit Santorini and take a sailing tour
Africa
Cape Town
When I learned that there is a beach that is populated with penguins in Cape Town, I was won over! If that is all I got to see, I would be satisfied. But just in case I get to do more, this is what I would do:
- Spend an afternoon with the penguins at Boulder’s Beach (pictured)
- Take a photo at the Cape of Good Hope
- Sunset on Table Mountain
- See the colorful beach huts on Muizenberg Beach
- Historical City tour
- A cycle tour of Soweto
- A tour of Robben Island
- District 6 and Street Art Tour
- Souvenir shopping and sightseeing along the way to Cape Point park
- Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
But first, a safari in Kruger National Park!
Kenya
I used to be terrified of the idea of going on a safari, but then I realized that if other people were surviving theirs, it must be safe, right? Now I am excited to try one or two. Here are some beautiful things to see and do in Kenya:
- A safari in Massai Mara National Park
- See vistas of Mount Kilimanjaro in Amboseli National Park
- See the flamingos in Lake Nakuru National Park
- Relax on Diani Beach
- Go snorkeling in the Malindi Marine National Park
- Spend the night at Giraffe Manor in Nairobi and enjoy breakfast with their resident giraffes
Seychelles
My only motivation for wanting to go to the Seychelles is because it is a picturesque archipelago in Africa. Is it the location of the real Garden of Eden..? Here are a few beautiful beaches to see and things to do in this paradise:
- Visit Anse (Beach) Source d’argent on the island of La Digue
- Go to Valeé de Mai nature park in Praslin to seethe ancient Coco de Mer trees
- While there, visit the Anse (Beach) Georgette
- Go shopping at the huge marketplace downtown Mahé and at Eden Island
- See the giant tortoises on Desriches Island
The Caribbean
Bahamas
My high school had a tradition of a senior trip to the Bahamas until my senior year when it was suddenly switched to Mexico. We were all very disappointed after spending the first three years thinking we would be going to the Bahamas! We had a great time in Mexico (we took a cruise with ports of call in Key West, Cozumel and Playa del Carmen), but I still want to take that trip to the Bahamas! Some things I would do:
- Relax on the Pink Sand Beach on Harbour Island (pictured).
- Tour Big Major Cay to see the swimming pigs
- Snorkel at Thunderball Grotto
- Relax on Paradise Beach in Nassau
- Spend an afternoon at Gold Rock Beach in Lucayan National Park
- See the Queen’s Staircase
- Dine at Oh Andros
- Cross Glass Window Bridge
- Visit Blue Holes National Park and The Abaco Islands
St. Barth’s
It sounds like it is a little treacherous to get to this Caribbean Island with the landing of the commuter jet being described as a nose dive over a mountain onto a short runway, so I am not sure about this one! Maybe a 2-hour wait for the ferry is not such a bad alternative? Anyway, once on the island, I would like to do this:
- Explore the beaches in a colorful “Mini Moke” (Beach buggy)
- Hike to Le Colombier Beach or to Saline Beach to boogie board
- Watch the sunset from Fort Karl
- Shop & dine in Gustavia
Asia
Maldives
I want to go here mostly because of the sea plane transfer from the airport! How often does a person get to fly on a sea plane? Also, it is so beautiful. Some things I would try if I ever get to go to this remote location:
- Explore the museums and the food scene in the city of Male
- Snorkel the Banana Reef
- Visit the island of Mahibadhoo
- Try some water sports, like a banana boat ride
- Enjoy a spa day
- Ride the Whale Submarine
- Dine at the Undersea Restaurant
Writing this has made me excited to travel and has given me something to look forward to for the future. What destinations do you have on your travel bucket list? I would love to read about them so please add them to the comments below.
Until next time! 🗺🙂🙏🏽
This list makes me want to travel so bad! The Maldives have always been on my bucket list too.
I know, me too! I was thinking about it all day. 😊🙏🏽
Ahhhh! Dreaming once again. Greece looks amazing. And an African safari is on the top of my bucket list of adventures. Be safe. We will get there some day.
Yes, it helps to dream. 😊 Thanks, you too! 🙏🏽💕
Great to read
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed! 😊
You covered most of my immediate travel wish…great tastes!!!
Thanks! 😊
Very good list. I really want to go to the Maldives.
Thank you, me too! 😊
This post has me wanting to pack a bag and go! Great travel ideas, hopefully one day we can go vacationing again.
I know, right?! I hope we will be able to vacation again soon, too. 😊
So many cool places that I hope to visit too!! I’ve been to Paris and it’s beautiful! I would love to go to Greece or the Maldives next!
Paris, that’s great! I cannot wait to go to there and to so many other places, too! 😊
Great list! I live like 10 minutes from the beach, but it’s not as pretty as these 😅Maaaybe the penguins and pink sands are my favorite.
Yes, I think those two might be my favorites also, especially the penguins! 😍
Wow amazing list. Many countries of South-east Asia deserve the visit.
I’ve just been to Bali and Sri lanka and they’re just so fascinating.
In Europe I would love to explore Germany and Austria and of course
France..
Yes, Bali is definitely on my bigger list! I have not thought about Sri Lanka. Germany and Austria would be amazing to see, I am sure. Thank you 😊
Pretty! This was an extremely wonderful post. Thank you for providing this info.
Thank you, and you’re welcome! 😊