I could spend hours every day dreaming about the places I’d like to travel to and the places I’ve been – but what are the top destinations on your bucket list?
The European City Survey in September’s issue of Which? Travel made me take stock of where I’d been and the destinations that remain on my own travel bucket list.
People travel for different reasons; some seek a sense of exploration and adventure, while others go on holidays to relax and escape.
I fall into the former category and like to visit as many different locations as possible for the thrill of experiencing new places and things.
With this in mind, my colleagues and I recently chatted about how many countries we’ve been to – and what impressed us most about each one.
I heard many exciting stories from my colleagues, but they were a little taken aback at the number of places I’d been to. After some time spent recollecting, I put the figure at 33 countries. But here’s what I thought of the last three I visited:
Japan
Though expensive to visit, Japan left me with the richest, most diverse memories: the lights of busy Tokyo at night, crowded Shibuya crossing, gaming districts full robots, bullet trains, geishas, shrines, trying on a kimono, having tea ceremonies.
And all of this in just one incredibly diverse country. Japan’s beautiful culture and powerful history left me speechless and astonished.
🇯🇵 📌 Kinkakuji Golden Temple, Kyoto.
The romantic presence of Kinkakuji is breathtakingly beautfiul.
The outside walls of the two upper storeys are plated with gold. pic.twitter.com/xhgPG65hJ0
— Which? Travel (@WhichTravel) July 12, 2018
Iceland
A cold but charming country, Iceland gave me an unforgettable sense of adventure in some truly awe-inspiring wilderness.
Though food and accommodation are expensive, it’s a price worth paying for Iceland’s unique wild landscapes.
My highlight had to be going on a Glacier expedition – I felt blessed seeing such amazing beauty on our planet.
UAE
With its discount shopping and affordable hotels, Dubai is famous for marketing itself as ‘affordably luxurious’.
Personally, I didn’t do much shopping, but I enjoyed getting lost in The Rub’ al Khali desert and exploring a Bedouin camp.
In the middle of the desert, miles away from the skyscrapers of Dubai, among the endless sands, the camp showed me a different side of UAE: more mysterious and unique.
So, how many countries have you been to – and which ones have been special and unforgettable? Are there any on your bucket list you’d love to visit? Let me know if you’ve been to as many (or more!) than I have.