“We live in a world that is full of beauty, charm, and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open”. – Jawaharlal Nehru

 The Bucket List

This list was incredible hard to make. There are so many amazing places in the world to see, narrowing it down to ten was rough.

For the choices I made, there is a variety ranging from remarkable views to illustrious culture, and places that hit home with my personality.

1. Athens, Greece

Growing up as an athlete, the Olympics was the highest level achievement anyone could strive for. The Olympics was always an event I dreamed of attending, but I was able to compete in the Olympic trials which was a dream come true in itself.

Athens is one of those cities with renowned history and culture. The capital city of Greece is home to iconic ruins and archaeological history as it’s one of the oldest cities in the world.

While there is so much to do here, the top 3 places to visit are the Acropolis of Athens, Panthenon, and Plaka.

2. Nusa Penida, Indonesia

 Nusa Penida is one of three islands southeast of Bali, Indonesia. The coastline and scenery seem like an absolute beach lover and travelers dream.

There are so many hidden gems around this island, a popular one being the Kelingking cliff in the shape of a T-Rex. You can also enjoy pristine snorkeling conditions with mantas.

With there being such a big hype around Bali right now, if you are looking for a place to enjoy the Indonesian culture without running into too many tourist, based on research, Nusa Penida is the way to go.

Also, Nusa Penida is known to be a remarkable travel destination that won’t break the bank, and there are two neighboring islands to explore as well.

3. Bora Bora, French Polynesia

 I know you’re probably thinking this is more of a honeymoon destination, so why would this be on my list. But ever since my parents told me about their honeymoon trip to Bora Bora, it’s always been on my mind.

I feel like Tahiti is just one of those remarkable locations everyone needs to visit in their lifetime. Beside relaxing at luxurious beach bungalows over the crystal clear water, Bora Bora offers more for its visitors.

One can hike old volcanoes, jet ski around the island, take a safari tour, swim with sharks, or surf perfect breaks.

4. Cinque Terre, Italy

 Cinque Terre consists of five seaside villas along the Italian Riviera Coastline. The cities offer vivid and colorful scenery dating back to the early medieval times.

The five villages in Cinque Terre are Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.

A unique aspect of Cinque Terre is it can only be accessed by paths, trains, or boats. Cars aren’t able to access the villages from the outside.

Being in Italy, I have to bet the food is nothing short of amazing. Italian food is my favorite, so I know I’ll be in for a real treat. Two common foods Cinque Terre is known for is focaccia (my favorite bread) and pesto. Definitely a hit on my list.

5. Hobbiton, New Zealand

 I don’t know how many Hobbit or Lord of the Rings fans are reading this, but I LOVE these two series. One time I watched all three Lord of the Rings movies back to back to back. Don’t ask my how I did it because I’m still not sure.

Anyways, Hobbiton is an absolute must for me. I’ve been to New Zealand once before, and it was one of the most beautiful countries I’ve been to. There is a vast amount of green in this country making it an absolute gem.

Matamata, New Zealand is the actual name of the town, and there are many different excursion and tours of the iconic movie set.

6. Zakynthos, Greece

 This beautiful gem is a Greek island located on the Ionian Sea. What first attracted me to this incredible destination is watching videos of base jumpers soaring off the cliffs at Shipwreck Beach.

Although Navagio (Shipwreck) Beach is the most popular attraction, there are other must see places to see.

At Cape Skinari in the north, there are the Blue Caves you can visit in glass bottom boat. Another cave to visit is the Keri Caves which are great for snorkeling. And Zakynthos Town offers great sites and history to see. 

7. Great Barrier Reef, Australia

One of the natural wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef in the world. More than 2900 individual reefs make up the Great Barrier Reef, and it’s located off the coast of Queensland.

There are multiple places to visit to snorkel at the reef, the Whitsundays Island being a popular choice. The Whitsundays consist of 74 islands located right in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef.

Cairns, Green Island, and Hamilton Island are three other tropical destinations to getaway and discover the natural beauty the Great Barrier Reef has to offer. 

8. Plitvace Lakes, Croatia

 I had never heard of Plitvace Lakes until I started researching places for this article. As soon as I saw a picture of this place, I knew this was definitely a place I wanted to see.

Considered one of the best national parks in the world, Plitvace Lakes located in Croatia is a forested park consisting of 16 crystalline lakes connected to one another by a series of waterfalls and cascades.

Although there is no swimming in the lakes, this is still the most visited destination in Croatia, and by the looks of it, I can see why.

9. Machu Picchu, Peru

 Machu Micchu is home to the world famous icon of the Inca civilization in Peru. While a good deal of it’s history is unknown, we know it’s a historical sanctuary covering more than 116 square miles.

Getting to this lost city of the Incas can be rather challenging due to it’s remote location, but worth it once you get there. Traveling options to Machu Picchu are the Inca Trail, the train, or simply taking a tour. 

10. Malta

Malta is located in the Mediterranean Sea between the North African Coast and Italy. The country is laid back, similar to Hawaii. Malta also has some stellar beaches and towns.

Valleta is the capital of Malta and the most popular city to visit. It’s small but packs a big punch with its 16^th century elegance.

For the beach lovers out there, Malta has some pristine places to see. Blue Lagoon, Comino is the most famous beach with incredible landscapes and crystal clear water.

The cost of Malta is one of the great things. Overall, it’s a very budget friendly place to visit. Growing in popularity though, it might not stay that way for long.

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