Travel bucket list
This page contains destinations, experiences, and travel ideas that I would like to consider for future Travel and vacations. Some are specific trips I hope to take, while others are ideas that simply sounded interesting and are worth remembering. Items can be researched over time and moved to Upcoming vacations when I decide to take the trip.
Highest Priority Trips
| Destination | Why I Want to Go | Best Time to Visit | Estimated Length | Priority | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | Tokyo, Kyoto, food, history, and culture | March–April or October–November | 10–14 days | High | Researching |
| Italy | Rome, Florence, Venice, art, history, and food | April–May or September–October | 10–14 days | High | Idea |
| Alaska | Glaciers, wildlife, mountains, and photography | June–August | 7–10 days | High | Researching |
| Iceland | Waterfalls, geothermal areas, Northern Lights, and scenery | September–March for Northern Lights | 7–10 days | Medium | Idea |
| Yellowstone and Grand Teton | Wildlife, hiking, photography, and national parks | June–September | 7–10 days | Medium | Idea |
International Destinations
This section contains notes on international vacation destinations.
Japan
- Possible Length: 12–14 days
- Places to Visit:
- Tokyo
- Kyoto
- Osaka
- Hiroshima
- Mount Fuji area
- Things I Would Like to Do:
- Ride the Shinkansen
- Visit traditional temples and gardens
- Explore Tokyo neighborhoods
- Visit a Japanese onsen
- Attend a traditional cultural performance
- Try regional Japanese foods
- Photograph Mount Fuji
- Spend several days exploring Kyoto
- Best Time to Visit: Spring or fall
- Research Questions:
- Is a Japan Rail Pass worthwhile for the planned itinerary?
- How difficult is independent travel without speaking Japanese?
- How far in advance should hotels be booked during cherry blossom season?
- Would it be better to fly into Tokyo and return from Osaka?
Italy
- Possible Length: 10–14 days
- Places to Visit:
- Rome
- Florence
- Venice
- Tuscany
- Amalfi Coast
- Things I Would Like to See:
- Colosseum
- Roman Forum
- Vatican Museums
- Sistine Chapel
- Uffizi Gallery
- Florence Cathedral
- Venice canals
- Pompeii
- Experiences:
- Take a cooking class
- Travel between cities by train
- Spend a day exploring Tuscany
- Try regional foods and wines
- Visit smaller towns in addition to major cities
- Possible Itinerary:
- Rome – 4 days
- Florence – 3 days
- Venice – 2 days
- Tuscany or Amalfi Coast – 3 days
Iceland
- Possible Length: 7–10 days
- Reasons to Visit:
- Northern Lights
- Waterfalls
- Glaciers
- Geothermal pools
- Volcanic landscapes
- Photography
- Places / Experiences:
- Reykjavík
- Golden Circle
- Blue Lagoon or another geothermal spa
- South Coast
- Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon
- Northern Lights tour
- Questions:
- Would I prefer visiting during summer for long daylight hours or winter for the Northern Lights?
United States Destinations
This section contains notes on domestic vacation destinations.
Alaska
- Possible Length: 7–10 days
- Ideas:
- Alaska cruise
- Denali National Park
- Glacier viewing
- Whale watching
- Wildlife photography
- Scenic train ride
- Trip Options to Compare:
- Cruise only
- Cruise plus land tour
- Independent land trip
- Research Questions:
- Which cruise route offers the best scenery?
- Is a balcony cabin worth the additional cost?
- How many days should be added for Denali?
- What photography equipment should I bring?
Yellowstone and Grand Teton
- Possible Length: 7–10 days
- Things to See:
- Old Faithful
- Grand Prismatic Spring
- Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
- Lamar Valley
- Yellowstone Lake
- Grand Teton National Park
- Jenny Lake
- Interests:
- Wildlife
- Landscape photography
- Hiking
- Geology
- Notes
- Consider staying inside or very close to the parks to reduce driving time.
Pacific Coast Road Trip
- Route Idea: Seattle → Portland → Oregon Coast → Northern California → San Francisco
- Possible Length: 10–14 days
- Stops to Consider:
- Seattle
- Mount Rainier
- Portland
- Cannon Beach
- Redwood National and State Parks
- Napa Valley
- San Francisco
National Parks
Parks I would like to visit:
| National Park | State | Primary Interest | Priority | Visited? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yellowstone | Wyoming / Montana / Idaho | Wildlife and geothermal features | High | No |
| Grand Teton | Wyoming | Mountains and photography | High | No |
| Yosemite | California | Scenery and hiking | High | No |
| Glacier | Montana | Hiking and mountains | Medium | No |
| Acadia | Maine | Coastline and hiking | Medium | No |
| Zion | Utah | Hiking and scenery | Medium | No |
| Bryce Canyon | Utah | Geology and photography | Medium | No |
Experiences
Not every bucket-list item needs to be a particular destination.
Nature and Wildlife
- See the Northern Lights
- Go whale watching
- See a glacier
- Visit an active volcanic area
- Go on an African safari
- See giant redwood trees
- Visit a dark-sky location for stargazing
- See autumn foliage in New England
Transportation Experiences
- Take an overnight sleeper train
- Travel on a high-speed train in Japan
- Take a scenic train through the Canadian Rockies
- Take an Alaska cruise
- Take a European river cruise
- Take a long-distance road trip
Cultural Experiences
- Attend a performance at a famous opera house
- Attend a traditional Japanese tea ceremony
- Take a cooking class in another country
- Visit a Christmas market in Europe
- Attend a major international festival
- Visit important historical sites with a knowledgeable guide
Someday / Maybe
Destinations that sound interesting but are not currently high priorities:
- Australia and New Zealand
- Antarctica
- Galápagos Islands
- Egypt
- Greece
- Norway
- Switzerland
- Scotland
- Costa Rica
- Canadian Rockies
- Patagonia
- Hawaii
- South Africa
- Singapore
- Vietnam
- Peru and Machu Picchu