Traveling is my #2 “thing” in life (behind cooking/eating, natch. ;) ) It’s what keeps me going.
The thought of my next big adventure – what I want to see, learn and experience next – is sometimes all I can think about!
No less than five times a week I’ll turn to Ben and say,
“Babe, can we go to ______ someday?”
(The “blank” being the latest locale I’ve got my heart set on seeing.)
“Uh-huh!” he’s learned to reply, less I give him the “Noooo, whyyy????” if he says otherwise. ;)
Well the list is getting long, my friends. So long that I thought I’d better document it before I forget one single place that I’ve thought, at one time or another, was important to see.
Then I thought maybe I’d share it with you. Maybe we have similar travel interests and goals. Maybe you’ve been to some of the places on my list and can fill me in on what to expect. The list is not by any means inclusive or closed, but it’s what I’ve got right now. And so…
My Life’s Wanderlist
(in alphabetical order because I’m crazy like that.)
Bali, Indonesia
I’ve got the eat taken care of – now all I need is the pray and love (in Indonesia!) to experience.
Bangkok & Phuket Thailand
I can’t imagine a world more vastly different than my own, but I love being challenged and immersed in the unfamiliar.
And my friend went to Phuket for her honeymoon and saw baby elephants on the beach. Ummm, yes please.
(source 1, source 2)
Cannon Beach, Oregon
Once of my Dad’s most favorite places in the US.
Castle Tour of Europe
I will never forget the castles I toured when I went to Germany in my teens. The sheer size of these hand-made masterpieces is incredible!
(source)
Charleston, South Carolina
My Dad lent me Charles Kuralt’s America book when Ben and I went to New Orleans a few years ago, in which Charles describes some of the most memorable places he’s been to around the country. In addition to NOLA, Charleston and it’s blooming azaleas in the spring was included. Boy I’d sure love to see those someday!
Zip-lining in Costa Rica
I zip lined once in Puerta Vallarta, but I’m pretty sure I wasn’t harnessed or strapped in correctly…eeks. I’d like to do it right in the canopy of Costa Rica.
Croatia
Less touristy than it’s European coastal-city counterparts. Mmmm. :)
Dubai, UAE
I just really need to see this for myself. Plus I feel like it might rain gold coins there, or something.
Egypt
I’ve had a life-long fascination with Egypt and its pyramids, tombs, mummies and ancient structures. I would be crushed if I never got to see it in person.
Lake Louise, Banff, Canada
I learned of Lake Louise’s existence from one of the first food blogs I ever started reading and have been obsessed with getting there ever since.
Machu Picchu, Peru
Brilliant, ancient civilizations freak. me. out. but I still want to see this craziness.
Maldives
‘Nuff said.
(source)
Morocco
The colors! The sights! The sounds!
(source)
New England in the Fall
It has been a dream of mine for the last 5 years to take an autumn foliage tour down the east coast.
New Zealand
Ok, really lame, but I saw a few episode’s of America’s Next Top Model taped in NZ and it was breathtaking. I really want to sail there!
Niagara Falls
Every North American needs to see this at some point in their life, no?
Northern Lights in Alaska
I think a cruise to Alaska would be incredible too.
(source)
Paris, France
I have recently become obsessed with spending inordinate amounts of time sitting at a Parisian cafe sipping cappuccinos. I think I could stay here a month.
(source)
Petra, Jordan
If it came down to seeing either Petra or Egypt, I’d pick Petra – which is really saying something. A city carved out of the rock? It blows my mind!
(source)
Provence, France
I want to spin in fields of lavender then ride a cruiser bike to a crumbling farm house and sip red wine.
Kiss the Blarney Stone, Cork, Ireland
Just…need to.
Safari in Kenya, Africa
I think this would be the coolest thing in the entire world. Knowing that I could actually be eaten by a lion is both terrifying and thrilling at the same time. Mostly terrifying though. But I still want to do it.
Sahara Dessert
I know – crazy. I just feel like I want to go for like 5 minutes.
Santorini, Greece
I sort of feel like I’m cheating on Praiano by wanting to go to Santorini, but I’ve always wanted to go, and cough I was really jealous that Lena from the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants got to spend an entire summer there cough.
(source)
Savannah, Georgia
I want to hunt down Paula Deen and make her feed me macaroni and cheese.
Seychelles
I blame House Hunters International for my recent obsession with Seychelles. I feel like they’ve taped 10 episodes on this tiny island off the eastern coast of Africa in the last year. Stunning natural beauty!
Taj Mahal, Agra, India
The sheer size and meaning of this monument is something that has always intrigued me.
(source)
La Tomatina Festival, Bunol, Spain
My inner type A is petrified of the mess, but my inner wild child is winning out. :)
Tuscany, Italy
I want to explore every inch of Italy – including the picturesque wine country that reminds me of A Walk in the Clouds. I know – wrong country, but same cozy, romantic feeling!
Venice, Italy
I am literally waiting on pins and needles for the moment I arrive in Venice. I hope to the high Heavens that it hasn’t sunk by the time I get there!
(source)
Vietnam
Just feeling like I really need to see this place.
Yosemite National Park, California
North America has some of the most breathtaking scenery and landscape in the world. I’d love to check out what Yosemite has to offer!
(source)
Zanzibar
Clear water. Dolphins. Hammocks. Sign me up.
Zion National Park, Utah
The beauty of this place absolutely blows my mind – and it’s just a few states away!
(source)
Now all I have to do is convince Ben that taking a year off to travel the world is a good idea…
Raise your hand if you’re with me! ;)
~~~~~
Where do we overlap on My Life’s Wanderlist? What’s on yours?
Lauren 08.12.2011
GREAT list! New Zealand really is amazing; spend lots of time on the south island and pit stop in Fiji on your way home (seriously).
Also, so many people go to Thailand and Vietnam and totally miss out on what is really, truly SE Asia. Bangkok and Phuket are great but they are also super touristy. If you’re heading that way, you MUST stop in Cambodia (visit Angkor Wat obviously) and Laos. Biotourism is quite popular in Laos and you and Ben can stay in treehouses ala Swiss Family Robinson. How fun!
Safari in Tanzania is just as cool as Kenya – and I believe it’s a bit cheaper. There are no photos allowed of kisses at the Blarney Stone – lame – but still worth the trip! Ziplining in the Monte Verde Cloud Forest was unreal. I felt like I was in Fergully! I freakin’ love Lake Louise; one of the three blue water lakes of the world. You know where your local blue water lake is, right? (Hint – it starts with Oko and ends with Boji.)
Morocco, Dubai, Egypt, and Jordan are places I am dyinnng to see too! This is such a great list; sounds like you and Ben will be busy!
Nicole 08.12.2011
That’s a lot of really cool places, a few of which I’ve been to.
Charleston…pretty, yes, however, OMG do not go anywhere near the summer months. The heat is oppressive and that’s saying something because I live in the south as it is and we’re bred for oppressive heat. Also, there is a live oak (Angel Oak) outside the city that you must also go see if you get the chance. It’s pretty amazing.
Paris, France…there is truly nothing better in Paris than a French coffee and a nutellla crepe purchased for a couple of Euros from a street vendor. They are everywhere and by far better than any meal we ate in a restaurant. My husband was a huge fan of the croque monsieurs purchased from street vendors as well.
Ireland…one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been to. Kissing the Blarney Stone, eh, one of the more touristy things. We went for our honeymoon, flew into Shannon, rented a car and flew out Dublin 7 days later. Dingle Peninsula is a MUST. You can still see rows planted way up in the hills where the potatoes rotted in the ground during the famine and they never needed to plant that high again. Also, Newgrange is a must as well. It’s older than both Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids. Pub food is the absolute best. I had an irish stew in a pup there that I still dream about.
Savannah, GA…Sadly, Paula Deen’s restaurant was a bit of a disappointment for me. Too much build up I guess. Living in Georgia though, I have no shortage of Southern cooking to compare it too so maybe that’s my problem.
Enjoy your travels, and I hope you get to see all these places someday!!
Kgrrrl 08.12.2011
Oh geeze, you better get on that!
Add Portugal to your list. I was just there for a week on a two and a bit week trip through Europe – I did the coastline above Lisbon, the food, awesome! And cheap!
Ok – I lived in Calgary for 3 years, (norther lights are incredible!) so I’ve been to Lake Louise a couple of times, that picture doesn’t do it justice: http://www.banffnationalpark.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/fairmont_chateau_lake_louise.jpg
Now THAT is Lake Louise! In the winter, the lake is fully frozen and you can skate on it. INCREDIBLE.
Ok – next. I did both Provence as well as Paris last year (I like to travel, ha!) – I did the south first, but I think if I did it again, I’d start in Paris and work my way down south. Paris, so cool, but the people there are truly rude. My travel buddy is a French Immersion teacher and they refused to speak French to her, because of the Canadian accent. Irritating. Anyways, the sites and sounds and food more than made up for their rudeness (which was honestly almost everywhere, I was SHOCKED! Mainly as Canadians are treated incredibly well internationally!). The south and Provence? BEAUTIFUL! Nicest people you’ll ever meet, 1/2 the price of Paris (or less) and the food? My pants were tighter at the end of the trip than the beginning. First time that’s ever happened and I was in Italy for a few weeks a couple years back.
Italy – TUSCANY ROCKS. The wine is better than France, the people, soooo nice, the prices, meh, not spectacular, but cheaper than Paris. I did Florence (FAV CITY!), a few places through Tuscany, Rome and by far Tuscany was the fav. Go. Now. I was in Greece too, but didn’t hit Santorini, perhaps next time :)
I totally have Vietnam, Dubai and Croatia on my list (hoping to do Croatia next year…). Your list is incredible. Just do it now! You live in the US, so flying within the US is cheap, you can mark off all those places pretty quick! Internationally, a tad bit more expensive :) But worth it!
Delia 08.12.2011
I recently spent some time in Andalusia on the southern coast of Spain along the Meditterranean and it was an amazing food journey! Lots of cured and fresh seafood, delicious rose’ wine, and you are in the agricultural valley of basically, all of Europe. Something like 75% of the fresh produce and tropical fruits Europeans consume comes from this area (because of its southern exposure/warm climates) and you can see that by travelling along the coast, peering down at the terraced hillsides sliding into the sea. If you go to Spain, check out the Alhambra; amazing, breathtaking old Spanish castles surrounded by meticulously curated English-style gardens: http://www.alhambradegranada.org/en/. It is like the Central Park or National Monument of Spain. Amazing!
Nicolle 08.12.2011
I’ve kissed the Blarney Stone and also been to Tuscany and Venice. LOVED LOVED LOVED Venice. You must go there!!!
Hannah @PalmBeachRunner 08.12.2011
So Crazy! I did a Germany trip in my teens as well! The castles blew my mind…. Walking threw the stone courtyards I pictured myself living there back in the day- so surreal!
Tonya 08.12.2011
All of those places look amazing! The only place I’ve been is Savannah, when my sister-in-law was living in Georgia. We went once on a girls trip and then for her wedding on Tybee Island which isn’t that far from Savannah. We rented a house on the beach and it was awesome. My favorite thing was exploring all the little shops and the horse drawn carriage tour. I wanted to take one of the ghost tours and go to Paula Deans’ reasturant but neither happened. We did find it but the line was ridiculous! My number one place to visit would have to Rome!
JT @ The Faux Foodie Girl 08.12.2011
I was thrilled to see Croatia on your list of places to visit. I am from Croatia, and of course completely biased, but Croatia has the most beautiful coast in all of Europe and the cleanest sea you will ever see. So…if you are ready to visit Croatia, let me know, all you would need is a ticket to get there and I would love for you to be a guest of mine while there…
Teresa 08.12.2011
I live 2 hours from Banff and was happy to see that as one of your places. Banff and Lake Louise are absolutely beautiful and you will enjoy it for sure.
Eileen 08.12.2011
I love this blog, and this post made me just HAVE to leave a comment because of a book I just rad. You need to read a book called The Lost Girls. It is a true story about 3 women from NYC that take a year off to travel the world. They go to several of the places you mentioned above and it is an incredible book. You must read it! :)
Anna 08.12.2011
Ahhh, we overlap in so many ways! My personal list could be a copy of yours, but I will say another personal goal is to hit all 7 continents at some point. Yes, Antartica, just to say I did it. What about Australia for you? Unless you already have been there?
And I have traveled to many of the places you wish for. Egypt is so AMAZING and wonderful. And you must hike the Inca Trail if you go to Peru.
Carrie 08.12.2011
The Oregon coast is gorgeous. I really need to go back.
And I’d skip the Blarney Stone (read awful things of what locals do!) and replace it with the Cliffs of Moher. I don’t know if I’ve ever been stunned speechless at such beauty. (Seeing it at sunset helps.)
Right now, Egypt, Mexico and Alaska are on my lists.
Katy 08.12.2011
What a fantastic list! I have a similar (albeit shorter for the moment) one and was lucky enough to check off Savannah this past May. A friend and I spent 4 days there, and it was amaaaaaazing. We left wanting to be tour guides for future visitors, so when you eventually make it there, feel free to ask!
Oh, and yes, Paula Deen’s restaurant is totally worth the hype. Her chicken pot pie is to die for. It was our very last meal in town and despite being hot from standing in 90+ degree weather, we devoured that baby with ease. Worth.It. :)
Amanda 08.12.2011
Ideally, I would LOVE to tour Europe for a couple months. I went to London and Paris my senior year in high school, and I’ve always, always wanted to go back. As a teenager, you just have no idea what to appreciate while you’re there — and I think I would enjoy the food SO much more! I didn’t even pay attention at 17!
Sarah T. 08.12.2011
I’ve been to Egypt and Greece – both are amazing! If I had to pick a favorite of the 2, it would be Greece. Aside from the Pyramids, Sphynx and museums, Egypt is just a big busy city. Greece though has history and beauty and magic everywhere!
Cindy 08.12.2011
There are some places on your list I’ve never heard of! But I want to go to ALL of them now! Can I make your list my list? :)
Stephanie 08.12.2011
Ohmygosh girl, my list is pretty much exactly the same!!! So many of our places overlap, it’s crazy! And, Cannon Beach holds a special place in my heart b/c that is where I got engaged! :) It really is an awesome place, I love it there!
Rachel 08.12.2011
Great post!! I have been to Savannah, Oregon Coast, Charleston, and Niagara Falls. All of these places are definitely worth visiting!!
Of the places you’ve listed that I haven’t visited, if I picked 3 that I could visit it would probably be Santorini, Costa Rica, and Kenya!
Bobbi 08.12.2011
Oh my! To take a year off to travel would be HEAVEN!!! If only I had the funds. The beginning of your blog sounds very familiar to the conversations that I have with my own husband every week about places I want to go. Topping my list is Rome, Beijing, and Ireland
Daisy 08.12.2011
phenominal, Kristin!! I swear I have pretty much all the same places on mine. I shamelessly add spots after I see them on the bachelorette (Phuket!!) and from Ali’s season, I am all about Iceland. This fall I’ll be traveling to Spain and I’m super pumped.
I’m from New England – you’ll love it! For the best foliage do VT and NH, you can hike, go apple picking, it will be awesome. I think you need to add Boston and Cape Cod to the NE list – but that can be anytime, not just fall!
I’ve got Greece (Santorini & Athens) checked off the list as well as Paris and southern france so if you ever need advice…