The Travel Bucket List

27th September 2015

We travel because we need to, because distance and difference are the secret tonic of creativity. When we get home, home is still the same. But something in our mind has been changed, and that changes everything.

With a bleak British winter on the way it’s no surprise I’m feeling the urge to jet off somewhere new and exciting. I’m leaving for Florida in less than a week, but I still can’t resist mentally planning my adventures for the future. The world is so big and there’s so much of it I still want to see, it’s impossible not to daydream.

Sydney, Australia. This had to be first on the list, as it’s the next destination I’m saving for. I’m hoping to spend a year working in Sydney and travelling to other parts of Australia. I’ve never been before because it’s so far away and also, spiders… but it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and something I want to do while I’m young and have the chance. And I’ll be sticking to the cities where the spiders can’t get me.

Marrakech, Morocco.Morocco is somewhere I’ve wanted to visit for such a long time. I am a sucker for any kind of market and I’d love to spend a day wandering through the souks buying jewellery, lanterns and spices before getting stuck into the local food – tagines and shakshuka, yes please. I’ve already hunted down at least a dozen beautiful riads to stay in on Airbnb for future reference.

New York, USA. Does this even need an explanation? So many things to do and see – I’d start with a little culture in the MoMA, fit in plenty of sightseeing and shopping, then eat my way through the best pizza joints the city has to offer. This list would serve as my guide.

Santorini, Greece. Ever since watching The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants, I’ve wanted to visit Santorini. I watched that film when I was eleven – ten years ago… wow, I feel old – but I’m still so drawn to the white-washed houses nestled in the cliffs, each with their own views of the ocean.

Udaipur, India. It was hard to pick just one destination in India for this list, but Udaipur looks like the perfect white marble haven, home to the famous Lake Palace. I’d also have to see the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the beaches of Goa and of course, the Taj Mahal – and I couldn’t leave without taking a cookery class or two.

Berlin, Germany. Having never been anywhere in Germany before, Berlin seems like the perfect place to start. Despite it’s troubled past, today it is a cultural hotspot, full of life and art. I’d love to see the East Side Gallery, try out a real German soft pretzel and immerse myself in the history.

Ubud, Bali. Ubud is home to these incredible rice fields, the Sacred Monkey Forest and they have an annual Writers & Readers Festival with writers from all over the world giving speeches and workshops. Tranquil surroundings, wild monkeys and a writing festival? Sign me up. Plus, no trip to Bali would be complete without visiting one of the many beaches.

Tulum, Mexico. Tulum is becoming a travel hotspot in Mexico and it’s easy to see why; beautiful beaches, ancient Mayan ruins, and hundreds of crystal clear cenotes, like the one pictured above, which looks like a portal to another world. Also: Mexican food and tequila.

So that’s just a small selection (believe me, I was brutal) of places on my bucket list. It’s continuously growing. Unfortunately, the world’s a big place and travel isn’t cheap, but the waiting and saving is part of what makes travelling so special, I guess. Or at least that’s what I’m going to tell myself for the next year, while I wait to start my adventure.