Nearly everyone has a bucket list- that one list of things that they would like to do or achieve before they die. For some, the bucket list is something they would like to complete before a certain age whilst for others as long as they tick off most of the boxes before they die they are happy! One of the most popular options for a bucket list (aside from finding love and buying a house) – is travel.
It’s very rare to find someone that doesn’t get a touch of wanderlust at some point in their lives. The world is a big place and the idea that you could get from birth to death without getting that itch to explore is something that isn’t conceivable for most. Travelling is about so much more than hopping across continents on trains or planes. It’s about self-discovery. It’s about tasting new cultures and absorbing new experiences. It’s about drinking in the world and seeing people in a totally different way, accepting differences and adapting opinions based on those differences. Of course you do get those who believe travelling is about checking out the differences in the sand on the beach, but that’s beside the point.
I haven’t specified a state, city or a town here because Australia is huge and there are so many places that the only suggestion I can make is to road trip! Australia is travel heaven – how could it not be with its unique wildlife, beaches of white sugar and varied landscapes? The beaches you find along the legendary Great Ocean Road vary so widely that it isn’t possible to miss out on spectacular sights. There are beaches with hidden coves and water that sparkles like diamonds. There are beaches in the cities for people to relax beside during a sunny day, and let’s face it, there’s plenty of those!
There is an island of kangaroos to explore just off the South Adelaide coast. Alongside the cities are deserts in the form of the Outback. The scenery and landscape are so vast that it is physically impossible to miss out on something that suits you. You can ski in Mt Buller, swim in the oceans off of Byron Bay and meet indigenous people of varying cultures. Australia is somewhere that should be on your wanderlust list, and if it isn’t it’s time to write it down.
It may be a short hop over the English Channel but Paris with its beauty and history feels so far away from the day to day drudgery we all deal with. It’s not just a case of wanting to visit Disneyland- although that is something that should be on the bucket list of everyone in the world. However, gracing the Louvre with your presence, seeing the real pieces of art that have been lauded as masterpieces for centuries and soaking in the culture is a must. Visit the many galleries and museums that have been built for purpose and we now enjoy as monuments of history. Explore Parisian culture- enjoy pastries and chocolat chaud in the cafes that line the beautiful River Seine. Explore the French neighbourhoods from the top of the Eiffel Tower and hunt for Qasimodo at Notre Dame Cathedral. It’s just got to be done!
One of the world’s oldest civilizations, China has a history vaster than you could ever imagine. The culture, the food and the people are a world away from what you may be used to, but it’s a place that should be on your cultural radar to experience. It’s one of the biggest countries in the world, meaning that the landscapes that you would experience are bound to be breath-takingly beautiful. The frozen Harbin to the tropical warmth of Xishuangbanna should be life goals for all. You may be wary of street food, but unless you take a stroll through the many markets and breathe in the scents of spices and seafoods you’ll never know what it is to taste authentically Chinese food for cents!
This one is a little out there for a bucket list entry but there are so many reasons why Fiji should feature for you. The beaches are the main act of Fiji, with coconut trees and sunshine a step away from wherever you stay. The people that grace the island are friendly and will welcome you wherever you go and while you hop from one of the islands to the next, there is always someone to greet you and say hello. Experience the jungle treks in Nadi and discover hidden waterfalls and man-made canoes. Fiji has its own history, with the Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple, which is the largest Hindu temple in the southern hemisphere. Take part in extreme snorkelling, which is as good as diving down to the deep of the Great Barrier Reef. It’s somewhere that most people don’t think about, but it should be!
Your bucket list of places should always include somewhere you feel you could gain a cultural experience from. It should also include beautiful scenery to make memories from, and visiting the most cultural places around the world is how to get those memories. There is always something to visit and see, so don’t be left behind in life – go and see it all!
