Making a bucket list: what’s on yours?

Updated: 12 October 2022

Up until 2015, whenever someone asked me what was on my bucket list or where I wanted to travel to, I would always reply with the same three things: to marvel at the Taj Mahal in India, to explore the ruins of Pompeii in Italy and to witness the Northern Lights in Iceland. The three I’s; India, Italy and Iceland. Three countries that couldn’t be more different, but all with the shared promise of adventure.

Those things are all still on the list, and I plan to accomplish them (in fact, I visited India in April last year – more below). But since I started properly travelling, the list has grown. And it keeps growing. Every time I read another travel blog, or see something really cool on the TV, I just have to go there and experience it for myself – like that time I conquered the Czech Republic Skywalk after seeing it in the Daily Mail.

So, in case you’re wondering what else I want to do and where else I want to visit, here’s what’s made my bucket list (so far):

1. Take in the Taj Mahal at sunset.

Tick. Visited India in April 2016 – find out more about my trip here.

tajmahal

2. Explore the ruins of Pompeii.

Tick. Visited Pompeii in March 2019.

pompeii

3. Witness the Northern Lights in Iceland.

Tick. I touched down in Iceland on 1 December 2017, and managed to watch the Northern Lights twice during my 5-night stay on the island.  It’s safe to say I fell in love with the country, and will be back again in March 2018.

iceland

4. Wander around the ruins of Petra.

So pleased that in 2017 I was able to tick another thing off my bucket list, as well as see one of the most well-known 7 Wonders of the New World. More on the ancient city of Petra coming soon…

petra

5. Watch some whales.

Nearly tick in March 2018 in Iceland… But then a big full blown tick in September 2022, when I had the opportunity to swim with whale sharks in the Maldives. Check out my video here.

whale-watching

6. Hike up a volcano in Hawaii.

volcano

7. Paraglide over the Haute Alpes in France.

paragliding

8. Come face-to-face with the heads on Easter Island.

easter-island

9. Go paddle boarding in the Philippines Maldives.

Tick, kinda. While I haven’t been to the Philippines yet, I did paddleboard in the Maldives in September 2022 – it was such a cool experience, and something I’d love to do again!

paddle-boarding

10. Drink a pint of Guinness in Dublin.

Tick. I went to Ireland for Valentine’s weekend with my (now ex) boyfriend in February 2017. We did a tour of the Guinness Storehouse and drank copious amounts of Guinness.

dublin

11. Cuddle a Koala.

koala

12. Sleep in a treehouse.

Two big ticks here – both in 2022. In April I went to Costa Rica with my mum, and one night we stayed in the coolest treehouse near Uvita Beach – will definitely get round to writing a blog post on that one.

Then

treehouse.jpg

13. Go whitewater rafting in Canada.

rafting

14.  Walk the Skywalk in Singapore.

singapore

15. Cross the Arenal Hanging Bridges in Costa Rica.

Nearly tick. Flights booked for April 2022.

Arenal-Hanging-Bridges

So there you have it, 15 things that are on my bucket list. What have you got on yours? Drop me a comment below and inspire me to travel somewhere else.

Note: I have “borrowed” the pictures in this post for the places I’ve yet to visit/items I’ve yet to do. I have linked through to the Instagram account for each.

99 thoughts on “Making a bucket list: what’s on yours?”

  1. They all look awesome ! What about a trip to Finland – Santa Claus’ village in the north. They have glass dome igloos up there too that allow you to view the night sky and the aurora in the comfort of cozy surroundings. That’s on my bucket list. I was born in Finland and moved to Australia with my family when I was young.
    Thank you for the follow of my blog 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I’ve actually been to Finland – it was the third country I went to last year, stayed up in Torassieppi, on a reindeer farm, so beautiful! And we saw the Northern Lights ☺️ I’d love to go back in the summer sometime, just to see how different it is when it warms up and the snow has gone ☺️

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Awesome. Summer is when people go berrying. We hope to go for a white Christmas next year. I know, people tell us we’re mad, but Christmas is the only time I really miss it 😦

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

  2. Ok, this post may have added to mine! I am the same – travelling anywhere and everywhere is my focus now as much as possible. I love watching “Travel Man” and I am trying to plan as many short and long haul jaunts as poss…just need to win the Lottery now! Northern Lights is totally on my list too.

    Thanks for sharing!

    Leigh at Fashion Du Jour LDN x

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Oooh really Jenni? How long did you go for? Was there anything else you did when you went there? I’m thinking of going, but not sure how long I’d need to visit… x

      Like

      Reply

  5. I’m so with you on wanting to see the northern lights, this is something that I’m looking into at the moment to try and find out where we’d be more likely to witness them. I was thinking Finland, but I’m definitely going to check out now Iceland too. x

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I have seen them in Finland, but they were quite faint. I think it’s hit or miss, our guides said sometimes people could come three or four times a year and never see them, or get lucky and see them on their first trip! X

      Like

      Reply

    1. India was amazing Ashleigh, if you ever get the opportunity you should definitely go! I’ve actually now booked Iceland for December this year, so need to update the post! So excited 🙂 Blue Lagoon will be visited for sure!! x

      Like

      Reply

    1. Start off small and work your way up, that’s what I say – are there places you’d like to visit near you? If so, maybe put these on the list and set yourself a target date of when you want to have visited them by 🙂 x

      Like

      Reply

  11. Oh gosh I haven’t thought about making a proper bucket list – it’s something I’ve chatted about with my son as he quite likes the idea of writing one

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  12. I don’t have a bucket list for travel as with kids the only place I visit now is back home (I’m’ from the US) and it takes all our travel budget. Before kids I lived in 5 different countries and traveled quite a bit. When they’re grown I’ll get the bucket list out again!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Yes, you definitely should Erin! Why not make a mini bucket list of things you’d like to do with the children? It doesn’t have to be travelled orientated 🙂 x

      Like

      Reply

    1. Did you know you can actually see them in the UK sometimes Jenny? My friend saw them in Scotland once, incredible! Just shows that things like this are easier to see than you think! 😉 x

      Like

      Reply

    1. Thanks for your comment hun! I did see the Northern Lights in Finland back in 2015, but Iceland would be sooooo good! Still umming and ahhing over where to go next though… 😉 x

      Like

      Reply

  18. I love this post! I love the idea of the three I’s – I’d love to visit India, Italy and Iceland too and never thought of them that way. Some of these I definitely agree with like visiting the heads at Easter Island and sleeping in a treehouse. I did a post similar to this a while back but instead it was an anti-bucket list, talking about things I’d already done 🙂 I’ve just followed you on Insta too as I’d love to see the photos when you visit India x

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks Louise, that’s so lovely, I’ve followed you back ❤ I've actually done India and Italy now, but will be ticking off Iceland in December, whoop whoop! If you want to see some photos from India though, I've done a couple of posts on the site already x

      Like

      Reply

    1. I’ve been following your India travels, they’re reminding me of my trip last year 🙂 What have you got on your bucket list then Nayna? Any recommendations to add to mine? x

      Like

      Reply

  22. I love your bucket list. My bucket list is kinda flexible right now. I think I have to narrow down my list, and make realistic goals. I would love to see Petra, and the Pompeii ruins. Machu Picchu would also be in my list and so is Amanpulo island in the Philippines.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks for commenting Kristine – I think having a flexible bucket list is sometimes for the best, as circumstances and situations can change so quickly! I’ve never heard of Amanpulo Island, but have just googled and it looks incredible – maybe I should add that to my list 😉 x

      Like

      Reply

    1. Thanks Carol – I hope to do it one day, though haven’t any plans to do it any time soon 😦 I’m not sure where my next trip will be, but I’ve been looking at Jordan, so I can tick off Petra from my bucket list! x

      Like

      Reply

    1. I completely understand what you mean Lindsey – time and money can limit me from going places to 😦 I’m currently out of work though, so seeing it as an opportunity to fit as much travel in as I possibly can! x

      Like

      Reply

    1. The Northern Lights were epic when I saw them in Finland, but I’ve booked to go to Iceland in December now, so that will be amazing and hopefully I’ll see them there too x

      Like

      Reply

  30. Wow an amazing list. I am about to publish my own lost on my blog (linked to the birthday I’ve just had 🙂 ) but it is nowhere near as exciting as yours!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  35. You have a great bucket list! I would also love to visit Santorini, Greece, Austria and New Zealand. Oh my. If traveling was only free, my family would wait years for me to return. Haha. Thanks for sharing your bucket list. Happy to see you’ve ticked off a few. That’s awesome.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  36. Such a nice list you got there! Loved that the pint in Dublin is crossed out, that is one of my hubby’s bucket list!! My bucket list is big (a little too big lol), but I have always wanted to visit Scotland and go to an Native American Pow Wow!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  38. You have an impressive bucket list and I hope you achieve them and many more for years to come. I have a few that I am yet to do but have achieved many of mine.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  39. You’re so adventurous, mines like ‘stay up all night’. But now you’re making me want to do the same as you, they all look so wonderful and pretty 😫

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  42. Great to see that you managed to tick some things off your bucket list, the northern lights must have been amazing to see, I hope that by the end of the year you tick off some more things, and to keep on traveling.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Unfortunately I don’t think I’ll be ticking anything further off the list this year Matija – I am going to Czech Republic and Croatia, but neither have been high on the list. Perhaps you have some recommendations for either of those? x

      Like

      Reply

  43. Looks like you have a fantastic bucket list and are making amazing progress! On my bucket list… I want to see the world! But to break it down – I’d say the wonders of the world, all provinces and territories of Canada, each of the states of USA and Australia, New Zealand and Russia.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  44. This looks like an amazing list. And so many of the destinations are on my list too. I am a big history buff and I love Petra, Easter Island, and Pompeii. And many more, of course! I love how you have created this extensive list and keep on updating it. After all, this is the biggest treasure of travellers like us!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  45. It is such a brilliant thing to do, isn’t it – to have a bucket list, and then start checking the stuff that you’ve managed to do! I don’t think there’s a lot of difference in our bucket lists Becca, but I haven’t been lucky enough to see the Northern Lights yet and I am really hoping to make it to Iceland for it next year! Another bucket list item for me is visiting Antarctica!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Antarctica would be AMAZING! But it’s so expensive, so I don’t know if I’d ever realistically make it there 😦 Let me know when you’re planning Iceland, I can definitely give you some tips Medha x

      Like

      Reply

  46. As a traveller, the list keeps on growing. In the earlier days, I too had a few, but now the bucket seems to overflow. 🙂 All the places on your list looks so impressive and I have a few on my list too. Hope you get to visit all of these and also keep adding on.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  47. Having a list is really essential. Too many places to see, too short a life I feel. You have got a great list our there Becca. I am doing the Northern Lights in Iceland this winter, also the whale watching tour from Snaefellsnes. I have visited the Taj Mahal and slept in a treehouse too. And rest from your list, I have not done any yet. Hope you can achieve your list soon.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  48. Have done most of these things. I think I would still love to see Koalas (and pandas), it is in my list.
    But yea, we seem to have slightly different priorities. I am more interested in people and prefer going to some locations where people are open and interesting to talk.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Just because I have a list of experiences and activities that I’d like to do doesn’t mean I don’t want to meet people and talk LOL 🙂 I have posted a few times about making friends while travelling, and how locals can make your experiences more authentic and enriching 🙂 x

      Like

      Reply

  49. This is an amazing bucket list. But even that there are still a lot of places I want to see in this World. A lot of amazing experiences to do and people to meet. Just time and money can divide you into the amazing experiences.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a Reply