Have Clothes, Will Travel’s 2019 Top 10 Travel Bucket List

Happy 2019! I hope everyone had a wonderful time ringing in the New Year. I thought it would be fun to start my first post of 2019 off with a travel bucket list!

I did one of these lists back in 2017 and really enjoyed looking back to see which countries I made it to (like New Zealand and Turkey) and which ones are still on my list (or moved down a bit lower). I also loved reading everyone else’s bucket list destinations in the comments!

Now, I know full well that I won’t be making it to all of these destinations in 2019 – heck, if I make it to one or two I’d consider it a win! This is just a fun little post to share some hopes and dreams with you all. I hope you enjoy checking out my 2019 travel bucket list and let me know if you have any of the same countries on your wishlist in the comments section!

Have Clothes, Will Travel’s 2019 Top 10 Travel Bucket List

10.) China

China is still on my wishlist! And I am actually sharing a border with China right now…so, if there was ever a time to go, this might be it. I’m also kind of intrigued by taking the Trans-Siberian Railway from Beijing back to Moscow. I kind of doubt that will happen, but hey, it’s fun to dream!

9.) Tel Aviv, Israel

Tel Aviv has made its way onto this list, thanks to it only being a 4-hour flight away now and my husband’s coworkers enjoy vacationing here. I would personally love to see the Old City of Jaffa, hang out on the beaches and try some of the amazing restaurants there. Oh, and how awesome would it be to take a day trip from here to Jerasulem?! And now it’s actually plausible to head here for a quick weekend getaway. (Fingers crossed.)

8.) Jordan

Sticking with the Middle East theme, I would also love to see Jordan specifically Petra, one of the great ancient cities of the world (but really I’d be happy to see any part of this country). I’d also love to see the Dead Sea and head to Wadi Rum for some adventures… like staying in a yurt made out of wool in the desert for a night!

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7.) Thailand

I continue to hear the most amazing things about Thailand, and the amazing food alone is reason enough for me to want to go! Visiting an elephant sanctuary has become a dream of mine as well. Wat Pho looks incredible (Temple of the Reclining Buddha) and as does wandering through Khao San Road in Bangkok. I also think Chiang Mai would be incredible to visit too.

6.) South Africa

It’s going to happen! One day I will make it to South Africa! I really want to visit Cape Town. I also really want to go on a safari and also a river cruise (to see some hippos!), and see turtles lay eggs in St. Lucia and maybe dive with great white sharks. Oh, and I REALLY, REALLY want to visit the Cradle of Humankind and the Sterkfontein Caves. This where the discovery of the 2.3-million-year-old fossil Australopithecus africanus (nicknamed “Mrs. Ples”) was found, among others. Paleoanthropology is fascinating!

5.) Nairobi, Kenya

I’ll be completely honest, I haven’t put a ton of research into Nairobi yet. I know Kenya also has safaris and wildlife sancturies…but its main draw for me (at the moment) is The Giraffe Manor! Just watch the YouTube video above, you’ll get it then. Haha.

4.) Morocco

I would love to visit the cities of Marrakesh and Casablanca in Morocco, but specifically, my interest in Morocco is also in spending some time in the Sahara desert. I think it would be incredible to spend a few nights out there riding camels and visiting hidden oases!

3.) Antarctica

I never mentioned this on the blog…however, last year when we were living in Argentina, my husband and I were THIS close to going to Antarctica. We had our boat (Ocean Endeavour) all picked out, we had our dates and we were about to make our down payment…and then there were some scheduling snafus (on our end), and it all fell through at the last moment. (We even made it to Ushuaia, where we would’ve left from – that was cool and also a bit of a heartbreaker, haha.) So, now we are very ready to make a trip to Antarctica! The research has been done thoroughly already! This way, though, we’ll get to research dates further in advance and keep our eye on prices to get the best rates possible. (I was finding the best rates for expeditions in the month of November the last time I looked.)

2.) Chernobyl

Yes, it is safe to go to Chernobyl now. (You will have to be part of a tour group, though.) The nuclear disaster happened in 1986, and you can now enter previous “no-go zones.” This is one of those places where I think it would be incredibly eye-opening and educational to visit…and I am very intrigued to see it. However, it still feels kind of morbid to go to. I’m really torn on this one. I’ve included it so high, though, because there’s a really good chance we will make it here (given that we’re already quite close). If you’ve been, let me know your thoughts in the comments!

1.) Egypt

Egypt has reigned at No. 1 on my bucket list since I was old enough to read! I read all the books I could get my hands on growing up regarding Egypt, I tried to teach myself to read Hieroglyphics and memorized quite a lot of the ancient Egyptian gods. (I was not a normal kid.) There is no doubt I will one day make it to Egypt and see The Pyramids, The Great Sphinx of Giza, The Egyptian Museum, The Valley of the Kings, The Nile, Luxor Temple, and on and on…if it’s the last thing I do! Haha. Hopefully, it will be this year! (I don’t want to jinx it, but my husband already put in a vacation request with Egypt in mind. So, we shall see!)

 

Are any of these places on your travel bucket list? Let me know in the comments!

 

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