It’s no secret that I LOVE to travel. I truly want to go everywhere. To every single country on Earth if I could. To be real though, there are a few places that I would definitely say I have to go before I die. I still haven’t figured out if I’m a mountains or beach kind of girl because when I visited Denver in May 2016, I was instantly in love. Before that, however, I was all about walking down the beach and spending my vacations lounging in the sand. The culture of each city in each country around the world is the most intriguing thing to me. To visit these places would be a dream come true. So here is my ultimate bucket list!
Italy
Number one for this bucket list. I truly am obsessed with the Italian culture. Everything about it is just absolutely beautiful. The scenery, the food, the people, the art – literally all of it. Ever since I read Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
Giada de Laurentis is one of the most beautiful women and the fact that she’s from Italy makes me love it so much more. Watching her show and learning about all her Italian favorites makes me so excited to visit!
I took a seven week beginners Italian for travelers language course where I was the youngest in the class by at least 25 years. It wasn’t awkward or intimidating for even a second. It was so beautiful to hear the instructor speak & to teach us not just about the language, but about her experience living in the country I want to visit most. I’ve had many friends travel to Italy & their reports definitely confirm the beauty that I believe lives there.
I would love to take an Italian cooking class that would allow me to learn even more about the flavors and country specialties! Is there a better way to experience a culture than by eating all the food? I seriously doubt it. And I definitely will make it a priority to visit wineries along the way! Prosecco is my drink of choice!
How many of you guys have been to Italy? Where did you go? Who did you travel with? What some things I have to see when I finally decide to make it there? All advice & recommendations are appreciated!
Cape Town, South Africa
Cage diving with the great white sharks is probably the number one thing on my bucket list of life. I am the girl who has watched Shark Week on the Discovery Channel since I was in 4th grade. Every single year, my best friend and I would rush home from school, turn on Discovery Channel, and call one another to talk about the show of the afternoon & night. Our fascination with all sharks is likely strange to some, but for many years I thought I wanted to become a marine biologist when I grew up! I mean really, a lot of me still really wants to be!
Great white sharks are known to breach in Cape Town more than any other place in the world. While cage diving here is my top reason for wanting to visit, I’m also so intrigued by the South African culture. Every country has it’s own story – of the people, the language, the food. I sincerely want to experience it all.
Has anyone been cage diving?
The Great Barrier Reef
When I visited Australia in 2011 on a study abroad trip, it was a short four days & we stayed mostly in Sydney. Sydney is absolutely incredible! Unfortunately there wasn’t time to make the trip up to The Great Barrier Reef for snorkeling excursions, though. I’m honestly worried about the bleaching of the coral & the condition of the marine wildlife in the Reef in the meantime because I don’t know when I’ll be able to make it back! I think I’m really just waiting for the right time to go because I think I might just stay. It goes back to my love for marine life & wanting to help the environment in all the ways that I possibly can. I fully realize one person can’t stop the bleaching, but I know there are so many people who are passionate about the beauty that is being destroyed every single day.
Each time I see the news, I hear more about how a majority of the Reef is dead and will never recover. I’m afraid I may have missed my chance to see one of the most beautiful sights on Earth.
Paris, France
Is there really anyone that doesn’t want to go to Paris? Doubtful. At least I really hope not. The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the language, the food, the shopping. Plus, it’s the most romantic place a girl could think of!
I definitely want to hear all about any trips to Paris you’ve taken. When did you visit and how long do you recommend to go?
Napa Valley, California
Where would be better for this wine loving girl than to visit America’s Wine Country? My goal is to spend a week visiting several wineries, experiencing the best wines California has to offer. I’m also a lover of beautiful scenery so I can’t even imagine how much I would enjoy seeing the miles and miles of grapes.
How fun would it be to take a girls trip? Definitely going to put this one on the top of the list!
Favorite kinds of wine? Where should we stay and which wineries are an absolute must to visit?
Advice Needed
It’s definitely obvious I don’t know as much about the last two as I do about the first three places I listed. I guess that means there’s that much more to discover and experience in those places? It also means I’m so open to all of the advice and recommendations you all have for me! I would really appreciate any help I can get!
Your Bucket List
Where have you been dying to visit? What places are on your top 5 travel bucket list?