There are few things in this world that are as inspiring and motivating as travel. Getting outside of your comfort zone and exploring different landscapes and cultures can be a truly amazing growth experience. Having gotten to personally experience different parts of this world, I feel like I have a far deeper appreciation for this planet and the different cultures and customs of the people who inhabit it. I have been bitten by the travel bug, and now all I want to do is explore the rest of the world. Here are some of the places on my 2019 travel bucket list.
Australia
The land down under is a destination that I have always been intrigued to visit. With absolutely beautiful beaches and coastlines, Australia is among the most beautiful places in the world. This is a destination that I hope to cross off the bucket list this year after I make a trip to Australia this fall. I am beyond excited to be able to share my experiences on that trip with you.
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Torres del Paine National Park
Patagonia has been a dream destination of mine since I was a kid. This vast wilderness is one of the most beautiful areas in the world. The huge, jagged mountains and crystal blue lakes seem to call my name. Patagonia is a big area, and much of it is beautiful. However, Torres Del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia is especially scenic. It would be amazing to plan a visit to do some hiking, photography, and general exploration. Definitely on the top of my list of places to see.
Antarctica Cruise
Antarctica is such an amazing and beautiful place, but it is also very difficult and costly to get to. I guess that is part of the allure for me. Seeing icebergs the size of skyscrapers, as well all of the amazing wildlife that calls Antarctica their home, would be amazing. However, for me, the bigger lure is the fact that it is a place that not many people get to. Visiting Antarctica comes with a sense of adventure you can’t really match when traveling to many other places in the world these days.
New Zealand’s South Island
New Zealand is a landscape photographer’s dream, and that is especially true for the stunningly beautiful South Island of New Zealand. With gorgeous mountains that stretch into the ocean to huge glaciers that boggle the mind, New Zealand’s South Island is as pretty a place as they come. I hope to be able to cross this off my bucket list this year when I visit this fall. I should have plenty of beautiful photographs to share with you!
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Iceland
Another location that is a landscape photographer’s dream is Iceland. What more can I say that the picture above doesn’t already say a thousand times better? The beautiful landscapes in Iceland are almost fairytale-like beautiful. One day I hope to visit this beautiful place and photograph these amazing landscapes.
The Himalayas
What can I say about the Himalayas that a picture cannot express a thousand times better? Just look at those peaks. If you love mountains, the Himalayas are the gold standard. The Himalayas are the home of many of this world’s tallest peaks, including the highest peak, Mount Everest. I am not a mountaineer, so I don’t think there is an Everest climb in my future, but it would be fantastic to visit Nepal and see the Himalayas first-hand.
Safari in India
When it comes to safaris, Africa gets most of the attention. Yet India, the country that inspired the Jungle Book, has some absolutely fantastic safari opportunities of its own. Like Africa, you can see lions (the Asiatic variety), leopards, rhinoceros (the Asian, one-horned variety), elephants (the Asiatic variety), and buffalo. However, unlike Africa, you can also see tigers and snow leopards. It would be absolutely amazing to see a tiger in its natural habitat, and that is why going on safari in India is high on my bucket list.
Cappadocia
There are few places in this world as unique and as mystifying as Cappadocia, Turkey. The landscape alone is fantastic, with all of the dwellings built into the rock formations that litter the countryside. Add to that all of the hot air balloons that launch over Cappadocia daily, and this is a fantasy world that I am desperate to visit.
Orangutans in Borneo
In the coming years, I hope to be able to do some volunteer work with the conservation of orangutans in Borneo. It would be hugely rewarding to be able to assist, first-hand, in making sure these close relatives of ours are around in the wild for the foreseeable future. Being able to volunteer in a beautiful country like Borneo would be the cherry on top.
Siem Reap
I have yet to travel to Asia, so there is still so much that I would like to see there. Siem Reap is near the top of that list. Cambodia is a beautiful country, and no region is more so than Angkor region. One of the things I am most excited to see in Siem Reap is Angkor Wat. This ancient temple is a wonder of the world. It’s unique and beautiful architecture is something to behold, and I would love to be able to explore it.
Bali
If there is a more beautiful tropical paradise in this world than Bali, I would like to know about it. This Indonesian Island is stunning. In addition to the beautiful beaches, it has some beautiful forested volcanic mountains to explore. It is also home to the unique and amazing cliff-side Uluwatu Temple, which I very much want to see. I would love to spend some time exploring and getting to know this amazing island.
Safari in Loango
I have been on safari in Tanzania, and I am hooked. There is nothing more exhilarating than seeing some of this world’s most amazing animals in their natural habitats. And when it comes to safaris, Africa is king. The next place I would like to go on safari in Africa is the Loango National Park in Gabon.
In addition to being able to see lions, elephants, and giraffes on safari again, Loango has some absolutely stunning ocean coastline. This coastline is frequently used by animals such as elephants and hippos to bath, which would be amazing to see. Loango is also home to the critically endangered lowland gorilla, which is very high on my list to see in the wild.
The Amazon Rain Forest
There is no place on Earth with more biodiversity than the Amazon Rain Forest, and that is exactly why I want to visit. There are so many unique and interesting plant and animal species that I would like to see in their natural habitat. Beyond that, the Amazon Rain Forest is such a stunning and beautiful place. I would love to be able to explore it.
Your Bucket List
I have shared with you what my top bucket list destinations are, now I would like to hear from you. What are your top bucket list locations? What places do you really want to start exploring? What adventures do you want to go on?
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All of your places look superb. I am happy to report that we expect to be in Siem Reap toward the end of the year. I haven’t blogged about it yet because, even though we’ve put down the deposit, we can’t say for sure we’re going until the husband’s school calendar gets released. But I will put it out in this comment that it is part of a combined Laos-Cambodia trip… our first time to Asia!! I’m so excited and I hope you get there soon, too!
A-Mazing!!! You are going to have an absolute blast!! I can’t wait to hear all about it when you get back 👍
Great bucket list, I pretty much agree with all of them. Although I think Antarctica would be too cold for me!
Yeah, Antarctica is definitely an extreme destination 😀
An impressive list… maybe a little ambitious for one year, but you’ve included a lot of awesome destinations. HOWEVER you may be disappointed in Bhutan if you are looking for orangutans… They are very much rain forest creatures and Bhutan is most definitely nestled in the Himalayas, not near rain forest territory. You might have more luck on Borneo.. Head for Sandakan and visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre… Alternatively, there is Sumatra…
Oh, this isn’t my list for just this year. I wish I could travel that frequently 😀. Sorry, Bhutan should have read Borneo. Thanks for catching that.
That’s a fantastic list! Happy travels 🙂
Thank you so much for the kind words 😀
Great post and places on your list! I actually just did a similar post over on my blog which you should totally check out when/if you get a chance! 🙂
Awesome! I will check it out! 👍
You just about covered it. I would personally add the castles of Scotland and then Greenland or perhaps Baffin Island in Canada. Seeing the north country above the Arctic circle would be cool. Thanks for helping me dream.
Great adds Tim! Baffin Island would be especially amazing! Thanks for reading! 👍
You are welcome, and thanks again for the great post.
Antarctica is beautiful. Just arrived in Kuching, Borneo hoping to see the wildlife on this island.
That is awesome!!!! Borneo is a dream destination of mine!! Can’t wait to see your pictures!!! 👍👍👍