My travel wish list: 10 top destinations (part 1)

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As we wait out at home in self-quarantine in response to COVID-19, I naturally think about travel and what we can’t do at the moment.  But that doesn’t prevent me from dreaming about where I’d like to go next.

Here, I’m going to mention places I’ve never been but would like to.  I hope to have plenty of time and years in my life to travel to these destinations.  Some have been grouped together, because I would probably consolidate multiple countries into one itinerary.  If I were slightly younger, I’d probably list them singularly.

I’d love to know where you would like to go, too.  Please let me know in the comments section below!

 

1.) Australia/New Zealand

After going to Japan last year, this area of Down Under became my top wish list destination.  Both of these countries deserve their own separate trips, but since it’s so far away from the U.S., I’d likely have to visit both in one. 

The place I’d love to see the most would be the Great Barrier Reef, before it’s completely gone, and probably Uluru in the Northern Territory.  After that, I’d probably head toward Adelaide and the wine country.  Climbing the Sydney Harbour bridge also makes the cut.

With New Zealand, I would probably spend as much time as possible hiking, biking and drinking more wine.  That would mean going to the South Island, where I could do the majority of these activities. I would also like to explore Maori culture, and many of those places are on the North Island.  Hmm…maybe I’d have to make Australia and New Zealand into separate trips.

 

2.) Greece

Because of its central role in western civilization and mythology, I think this eastern Mediterranean country is on nearly everyone’s list. But it’s not all that Greece has to offer.  There’s also dramatic scenery, delicious cuisine and friendly people.

I think the best way to see the country is by cruise, since many of its most popular destinations are on islands and remote peninsulas.  Going on a larger ship would prevent me from seeing some of the lesser-known islands that couldn’t host such vessels.  Some of those lines include Windstar or Celestyal.

Adding a land component to my Greek trip would also be essential, to see some of the highlights further inland.  Also, I would probably try to travel there in late fall or spring, to avoid the inevitable crush of tourists in summertime.

 

3.) Costa Rica/Panama

The first of these countries has been on my wish list for about two decades, after I heard how amazing it was for adventure travel.  Neither of my kids was too keen on visiting Costa Rica – or really anywhere in Latin America.  So RAS and I have put it off until NLS leaves for college.  It might work out better that way, anyway.  Perhaps the main area I’d like to visit is Mount Arenal and the Monteverde cloud forest.  After that, it would probably be Guanacaste on the Pacific Ocean side, or anywhere there is a decent beach with temperate water.

As for Panama, I don’t have as great a desire to travel there, but if I’m in the region I would definitely add it on.  Like just about everyone who goes there, I’d like to see the Canal, but that would probably just involve going through it on a ship.  I suppose that means another cruise, but if I had to choose, I’d go with UnCruise and hit both countries.