My Top 10 Travel Bucket List
In the last few years, my interest in travelling has definitely been piqued. In a recent Instagram post I asked what sort of content people love most when reading blogs and scrolling Instagram and there was a pretty mixed response. I’ve found myself really loving travel inspired blog posts lately and I have been mentally adding cities and countries of the world to my travel bucket list.
I’m 30 in a few years and that terrifies me! I know people reading this will think I’m mad to be freaking out over being 30 but I really feel that I need to achieve some more things in my life. The recent ’10 Year Challenge’ social media craze has also got me thinking about the past ten years of my life and what type of accomplishments I have managed to do in that time. I feel like I have spent a few years of my life floating…I went from being in college, leaving college and working to having a baby…and then having another baby! That’s not to say that motherhood isn’t very rewarding…it just doesn’t leave a lot of time for exploring your interests and trying new things.
Despite what some may say, I do think that travelling can be quite tricky, especially as a family. If you want to go on a big adventure with the whole tribe, you need to ensure that you’ve got extra cash to splash because you’ll be bound by school holidays. Then there’s the fact that the kids aren’t prepared to rough it out quite as much as adults, so the cheap options may not always be the best options. That being said, I do really want to plan some big holidays with the whole family and hope to do some savvy saving over the years in order to make this possible.
I thought that it was about time I wrote some of my dream destinations down, rather than relying on my ageing brain to remember them all. The dream, of course, is to visit these places on a fancy private jet, like the ones that Jettly supply; can you just imagine touching down in LA with all that glamour and glitz?
My aim is look back on the last ten years at the beginning of 2029 and feel proud of the life I have lead and the memories I have made.
- Iceland. Who doesn’t want to visit Iceland? I would love a romantic getaway to Reykjavik. I’m so eager to explore the amazing sights and places that Iceland has to offer – from romantic walks through Thingvellir National Park to the breathtaking views of the Gullfoss waterfalls. Not to mention I long visit the Blue Lagoon. It also goes without saying: I have to see the Northern Lights from Iceland one day! We’ll probably rent a campervan for this dream holiday in Iceland. Sounds like the perfect plan!
- Scotland. There’s so much of the UK I am yet to explore. It’s strange that we have this brilliant, quirky island full of marvels and yet us Brits spend so much time holidaying abroad. I have wanted to visit Scotland for a long time now and I think this is a family adventure we’ll be embarking on in the next year or two. Obviously, I want to find the Glenfinnan Viaduct from the Harry Potter films, visit Loch Ness and see if the kids can find Nessy, as well as taking a trip to Loch Lomond. You can’t visit Scotland without popping along to Ben Nevis for the day or finding the iconic Edinburgh Castle. This is a trip that we have already started planning and I’m really excited for it.
- Portugal. I’ve seen online that if you book at the right time, you can get some excellent deals on flights and hotels in Portugal. I think a family trip to somewhere like the Algarve region would be heavenly. I’d also love to attend some of Portugal’s Famous Festivals!
- Czech Republic. I do love a good city break. A week after I found out I was pregnant with Oscar, we spent the weekend in Bruges and it was good fun. I’d love to head to the Czech Republic maybe this year or next year for a November city break before Christmas kicks off. I’m unsure whether I want to visit Prague or explore somewhere different like the stunning Gothic and renaissance architecture of Český Krumlov.
- Las Vegas. AKA ‘the city that never sleeps’, or ‘the entertainment capital of the world’. It would be rude not to visit at least once, right? Clearly this is an adults-only kind of holiday, thanks the whole ‘sex, drugs and rock and roll’ vibe the Las Vegas offers. I’m not a massive drinker or gambler, so I’d be more interested in what else the area has to offer. What better way of viewing it in all its glory by being able to go on a helicopter tour of Las Vegas? I’ve always wanted to see the Grand Canyon and it doesn’t get much more impressive than seeing it from the air.
- Malta. It’s such a popular destination and I know so many people have been there for some summer fun or went there as children on family holidays! Sadly, I’ve never been, so I definitely want to book a trip, most likely with the children, so we can go and enjoy the sun, sea and beaches. I also kind of want to swim with dolphins? But I also feel that’s cruel to the dolphins so…I’m on the fence about that one! {Someone please hit me with some dolphin facts!}
- The Bahamas, specifically Nassau. Nassau, formerly known as Charles Town, is infamously known for its connection to piracy in the in 18th century. I think that makes it the perfect place to explore, especially as I’m from Cornwall! The glorious weather and sandy beaches also make it worthwhile. I know that this is my other half’s dream holiday destination and I’m determined to make sure we get there one day.
- Ireland. Another one that’s close to home, but far enough away that it will make an excellent holiday destination. I’d love the whole family to hop across the Irish Sea and take in the stunning scenery Ireland has to offer.
- Maldives. This is one of those dream destinations that I know will take a lot of planning and a few years of saving, but it’ll be 100% worth it. I’d really love a romantic trip away to the Maldives with my other half for a few days. Visiting those sandy beaches, exploring the coral reefs and taking in the breathtaking views with a cocktail in hand? Sounds like paradise to me.
- New York. Who doesn’t want to visit New York and see all the sights? Unfortunately New York is another very expensive one to book but I know there are people who regularly travel from London to NYC and have found lots of ways to save money, so I’ll definitely be doing my research on that one when the time comes. What more can I say other than I want to be a full on tourist and go everywhere and take pictures of everything!
I’ve tried to keep this list as reasonable as possible, with 10 travel destinations for 10 years. Realistically, I know that I’m going to tick one off every year because, as I say, paying for a trip away to Nassau or New York isn’t really a “pay off your holiday with this month’s paycheck” kind of deal! However, I am hoping that we can at least tick off the UK and European trips, as well as one or two of the other bucket list travel destinations.
What travel destinations are at the top of your list? Will you be crossing any of them off during 2019? Let me know in the comments.
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Lukeosaurus And Me
Rachael is a 31 year old mum to 10 year old Luke and 5 year old Oscar. She lives in England and writes about family life, crafts, recipes, parenting wins(and fails), as well as travel, days out, fashion and living the frugal lifestyle.
29 Comments
Sim @ sims life
A fabulous bucket list with some great destinations – Portugal is an amazing family destination. Both myself and my daughter loved it out there! Sim x
Lukeosaurus And Me
Thank you – I really think Portugal will be an amazing place for a family holiday. Not too expensive, lots to do and, of course, there’s sunshine!
Emma Raphael
I have been to a good few of those and can really recommend them, Iceland is still on my list though, as are the Maldives! I have a packed year travel wise, but for now I am just enjoying a quiet few weeks at home! 🙂
Lukeosaurus And Me
Iceland is the dream for me, I’d love to see the Northern lights. My family seem to get a lot more travelling in then I do so my dad has already been there a few times. It makes me feel very jealous!
Kate
What a great travel bucket list! I hope you get to tick them all off.
Lukeosaurus And Me
Thanks so much – me too!
MELANIE EDJOURIAN
You’ve covered quite a few places I’d love to visit or revisit. Iceland is high on my list although so is New York.
Lukeosaurus And Me
I think they’re probably popular destinations but I’d love to visit them all at least once.
Sonia cave
These all look like exciting places to take a trip to. Instagram is a fabulous place to get inspiration from as often it will give you an idea of a place that you may never even have considered or know about before
Lukeosaurus And Me
Definitely – Instagram makes me insanely jealous too though haha!
Fran Back With A Bump
Totally with you on the Maldives and this is definitely on my list for that day long in the future when we can have child free holidays! You’d love Portugal. We’d never been til about 4 years ago and we love it- my dad has a house there so we try and go twice a year and it’s alot cheaper than package holidays for us so ideal! It’s a lovely place, amazing food, beaches and the friendliest people!
Sabina Green
Great list! I have so many on mine it is untrue, I hope you get to start ticking some of them off soon. I love the idea of Iceland and the Czech Republic too!
Amy - All about a Mummy
We are taking the kids to Disneyland Paris this year which is one to tick off the bucket list. Some of the Italian cities are on my list and Vegas.
Lukeosaurus And Me
I have been to Disneyland twice, but I’ve never taken the kids!
Jayne @ Sticky Mud and Belly Laughs
What awesome places to have on your bucket list! We are looking forward to going to Scotland this year for the first time, can’t wait! I have been to Dublin and had the best time, will definitely be returning to Ireland at some point.
I hope you have fun working your way through your list. x
Lukeosaurus And Me
Thank you so much – I can’t wait to visit Scotland! What have you got planned?
Jenni
Great list! I live in Scotland, and I’ve been to Iceland, Ireland, Malta and New York. I think my own bucket list would include Iceland again (I’d love to do a road trip around Iceland’s ring road), and Japan again (been there before, but re-visiting with my kids in two weeks time!), and from places I’ve not been to before, New Zealand and Cuba.
Lukeosaurus And Me
Oh wow, I hadn’t thought about Japan, I bet that is incredible!
Jess Howliston
What a great list, lots of amazing places here! It has been a dream of mine to be able to see the Northern Lights one day and hope I can tick it off my list one day. New York or Las Vegas would be pretty awesome too! Your right about traveling as a family though, it definitely feels much more difficulty planning a family trip (and much more expensive!).
Lukeosaurus And Me
It’s so much more expensive, but I’m sure it’ll be 100% worth it once we get there!
Cath - Passports and Adventures
We’ve been to a few on your list like Iceland and New York. And we’re from Ireland but now live in the Algarve and I can highly recommend both. Our Bucket List is ever growing the more I follow travel bloggers on IG!
Lukeosaurus And Me
Oh yes, following travel bloggers on Instagram is bad for the bank balance!
Nicolette Lafonseca
I am 41 and so I have done most of those apart from Vegas and Iceland.
My current dream is to spend Christmas in New York
Lukeosaurus And Me
Oh wow, Christmas in NY sounds absolutely dreamy!
Emma Vanstone
Most of those would be on my bucket list too! I would especially love to see New York.
Louise
There are SO many great places on your travel bucket list. I’d love to visit The Algarve, New York and Iceland myself 🙂
Louise x
Louise
There are some great picks in here! My list is endless but Portugal is a must do for me (specifically Lisbon), as well as a great USA road trip! x
Natasha Mairs
There are so many places i want to visit! But I’m sticking with places in the UK, still not been to Scotland, Wales, or Cornwall which are on my list
Anosa
I absolutely love your bucketlist, I have been to most of all of these places, I want to visit the Maldives soon.