Everyone should have a bucket list, a list of things you want to do and place you want to go. Travel is usually high up on everyone’s list and for that reason we are going to look at some suggestions for places to visit and reasons to go there. Hopefully, by the end of your reading you will have caught the travel bug, and then you’re on the first flight to ticking somewhere special off your list.

Australia 

We’re going to start by discussing one of the most fascinating countries in the world. A question that comes up so often is how can somewhere so beautiful be full of so many deadly things? Well, the truth is, so long as you’re a sensible traveler you won’t need to worry about these creatures. So before we get into the reasons to go to Australia, keep this in mind – take heed of warning signs and listen to officials.

But, there really is no reason to worry and some of the sights you are going to see will be stories you tell for a lifetime. So let’s start with one of the main reasons to travel to Australia.

The Great Barrier Reef, the largest living thing on the planet and home to so much sea life that your eyes will never stop having something new to look at. The color of the water underneath the surface is a clear turquoise, which allows you to enter into this hidden world and take in the breathtaking beauty. Whether you are scuba trained or just able to snorkel, a trip to the Great Barrier Reef should be right at the top of anyone’s bucket list. In addition to all of the wonderful things from coral to parrot fish that you will be able to see, the reef has a unique shared distinction with the Daintree Rainforest that makes a trip to Queensland in the northeast of Australia a must. The Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest are the only two natural World Heritage sites that meet, meaning you can stand with one foot in the reef and one on the rainforest floor and be doing something totally unique to this part of the world.

However, Australia is so much more than reefs and rainforests. This country boasts a rich historical culture and a fascinating wildlife which is just waiting for you. A trip down to the state of Victoria should see you taking a short journey over to Phillip Island. If nature is what you want, then here nature you will get. For starters, there is a conservation centre for Koalas that means you will get to meet one of Australia’s famous marsupial creature up close and personal. But that is far from the main attraction of Phillip Island.

Every evening around sunset, fairy penguins take part in what has become affectionately known as a parade. You can take a seat in the provided decking and watch in awe as the maximum 43cm penguins come back from the sea to their nests and families among the rocks around you. It is a moment that will stay with you for a lifetime and will truly make you feel at one with nature.

While in Victoria, be sure to pay a visit to the state capital, Melbourne. Home of the 100,000 capacity Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) where you can see Aussie Rules Football, Cricket and so much more year round. If you’re in town during New Year’s Eve, you will find that Melbourne prides itself on a competitive fireworks show with its rival Sydney. The latter has the Sydney Opera House and its infamous Harbour Bridge, so is also well worth a visit while you’re in this part of the world.

Finally, a natural phenomenon that will bring you closer to the native Aboriginal heart of this country. Uluru (Ayers Rock) has become a tourist hotspot over the last few decades, but this part of the world near Alice Springs has millennia of history coursing through it. During the day the temperature can be scorching hot, but that works just fine for you because a visit during sunrise and sunset will be perfect to capture its beauty.

Australia has many other states and wonderful places to visit like Rottnest Island home of the Quokka just off the coast of Perth and wine country in Adelaide, South Australia. But now we must move on to a different part of the world to give you bucket list some different tastes.

Europe

You might wonder why have we suggested a whole continent here rather than a country like above. That is because Europe offers you the opportunity to visit many different countries and cultures in a short space of time so we are going to go through some of the places you can visit and what you should be doing there as well.

1) London, United Kingdom 

Home of Big Ben, fish and chips, and the royal family. If one country has outpunched its weight around the world for past few centuries it is the UK, and London its capital has so much to see and do that you’ll be occupied for days. A lot of the main attractions are actually within walking distance which is one of the joys of London. Big Ben, the House of Parliament and the London Eye are all separated by just a few minutes of walking and a bridge. Buckingham Palace isn’t much further down the road, and if you’re paying a visit be sure to check if the Royal Standard flag – not the Union Jack – is flying because that will indicate that Queen is home. If sport is your thing then London is the place to be. In the North of the city you have the national stadium Wembley which was rebuilt in the mid-2000s. To the east, you have the London Stadium which was home to the 2012 Olympics and not to forget the countless football stadiums including Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge in the west. While in west London, you might want to consider a trip out to the home the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in SW19.

2) Paris, France

Once you have finished your sightseeing in London, it is time to catch the Eurostar and move on to Paris, France where you will be welcomed by the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. Similar to London, Paris is a good city for walking. However, you might want to explore the metro in order to find your way to impressive Montmartre in the 18th arrondissement. Be sure to take the walk up the stairs to find a hidden village of sorts with restaurants and street musicians looking out over Paris.

3) Switzerland

From Paris you have many options, but for the sake of this journey we are going to head south into Switzerland where you will be greeted by the Alps. A stunning mountain range which spans this part of Europe from France, across Switzerland and down into Italy. Take the train from Paris to Geneva and enjoy the beauty of Lake Geneva and pay a visit to the European headquarters for the United Nations, before boarding your final train down to Italy. The joy of rail travel through Europe is that you can pick and choose your destinations with ease. This recommendation, seeing as we are ticking bucket list items, is to find your way to Venice.

4) Venice, Italy 

This unique place is actually 100 small islands in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea. What makes Venice a must see place is how different it remains to many other places in the world. There are no roads, only canals and pavements. So if you wish to navigate your way around you will need to board one of the many water taxis or if you’re feeling up to it, a ride in a traditional gondola. This part of Italy is full of attractions including Saint Mark’s Basilica, Burano and Rialto Bridge. The second of this is an island outside the main hub of Venice and should be top of your list if you’re in the area. A small fishing town, all of the houses are painted different bright colors which gives this place a distinctive characteristic in an enchanting part of the world.

Check List 

Before you go travelling anywhere, you should ensure that you have checked a number of items on your to-do list to ensure safe and happy travels. For starters, make sure you have insurance for while you’re away, companies like Leibel Insurance Group can assist you if required. Next up, have all your reservation details stored – that included accommodation, transport and any attraction tickets bought in advance. Finally, make sure you are organized. You should be ready to see the world with a suitcase full of useful things, not the entire house. Your itinerary should be packed of fun, but remember you’re going travelling to enjoy life so don’t be too rigid. You never know where life might take you.

So do you have an Adventure Travel Bucket List like we do? What places are high up on your bucket list for the coming year? Are there any other travel tips for your bucket list that you recommend we add? Let us know all about it in the comments below!

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