- LESSONS LEARNT FROM PERU’S ANCIENT PAST
- BIGGEST FESTIVALS YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF
- RECEIVING A ROYAL WELCOME IN BHUTAN
- LISBON: THE EUROPE SIDE TRIP YOU NEED TO DO
Some travel dreams are bigger than others. While a last-minute weekend getaway can recharge our batteries and lift our spirits, other travel plans can take years of dreaming and planning before they come to fruition.
Whether we call them bucket list items or travel dreams, whether it’s seeing Antarctica or standing atop the Empire State Building, keeping a list helps us work towards making our ultimate experiences a reality.
“Dreaming about and planning out these trips gives us all something to look forward to,” David Padman from helloworld says. “They also give travellers the experiences in life to treasure and, of course, when people return from their trips, they can tell everyone about them!”
Tom Walley, executive general manager of Leisure Travel at Flight Centre, says bucket list experiences are so special because they’re completely different from home.
“Typically, the scenery is incredibly breathtaking, but also very iconic, so everyone will know where you’ve been, which is great for your bragging rights!”
While some things are considered classic bucket list experiences, every year new places and experiences vie to be included. From extraordinary festivals and animal encounters, to emerging cities and the hottest destination for foodies, here’s a look at some top spots to include in your 2017 Bucket List.
1. SPIRITUAL ADVENTURE
California
While the original Burners will tell you “‘Burning Man has changed, man”, dreamers still travel from around the world to take part in this week-long festival like no other.
Everyone who goes to Burning Man becomes a co-creator of Black Rock City, a temporary community that mixes art, music and creativity with spiritual adventure in a barren Nevada desert lake bed prone to dust storms. An assault on the senses in every way, Burning Man may have changed but it’s the way it changes the people who go that makes it such an extraordinary experience.
2. HIGHER PLAINS
Bhutan
Some temples are more challenging to visit than others. While thousands of tourists arrive by coach, car and bike to visit Angkor Wat in Cambodia every day, Paro Taktsang is a different matter. Also known as the Tiger’s Nest, it is one of the world’s most remote temples.
It’s perched high on the side of a rocky cliff and the pilgrimage to the holiest site in Bhutan involves a steep climb along mountain paths to more than 3000m above sea level.
The time and effort required to reach this remote location make the reward all the greater.
3. ECO LUXE
Madagascar
A biodiversity hot spot, 90 per cent of animals and plants found in Madagascar are found nowhere else on Earth. Nature lovers can see creatures they’ve never seen before as they hike through tropical rainforests and across semi-arid deserts.
Mostly undeveloped and raw, the increasing demand in Madagascar is leading to a range of new resorts. In December, a new ultra-luxury lodge Miavana will open on the private island of Nosy Ankao. Miavana spokeswoman Mindy Roberts says the resort will offer the luxury of time and space in a unique setting.
“With the right care and sensitivity, we have the opportunity to create a sanctuary for threatened marine and land species and provide a sustainable way of living for hundreds in the local community.”
4. FAME OF THRONES
Ireland
Not only is Game of Thrones filmed in Belfast’s Titanic studios, many of the show’s famous locations are around Northern Ireland.
Fans can learn archery at Castle Ward, otherwise known as Winterfell, walk through the Dark Hedges, which starred as The Kingsroad, and visit Ballintoy Harbour, which appeared as the Iron Island of Pyke.
Those wanting their own castle experience can stay in luxury at Ashford Castle, the oldest castle in Ireland and a medieval fortress fantasy with Ireland’s first school of falconry.
discovernorthernireland.com, ashfordcastle.com
5. GORILLAS IN THE MIST
Africa
For some it was David Attenborough’s famous TV encounter with a family of mountain gorillas.
For others, Dian Fossey’s fight to protect them, or seeing Sigourney Weaver portraying Fossey on the big screen.
No matter how it started the idea of visiting these majestic endangered animals appeals to many nature lovers. With only about 800 mountain gorillas left on Earth, some are sheltered from human contact but others have been habituated so that small groups of up to eight people are able to sit among them with a guide.
Money raised from these visits helps to protect the gorillas’ habitat.
6. DREAM DINING
Peru
The gastronomic capital of South America, Lima has some of the world’s best restaurants including Virgilio Martinez’s Central, which once again claimed fourth place on the World’s 50 Best list this year, Mitsuharu Tsumura’s Maido, which came in at 13, and Gaston Acurio’s Astrid y Gaston at No.30. Peru has some of the world’s best fishing grounds, rich biodiversity with 30 of the world’s 32 climates, and exceptional chefs creating unforgettable dining experiences. Little wonder Lima has become one of the hottest destinations in the world for food lovers.
7. NEED FOR SPEED
Japan
Fast trains in Japan are nothing new, but 2017 will see a different kind of train take to the rails.
Luxurious and modern, the Train Suite Shiki-Shima will carry a maximum of 34 passengers in 10 carriages with two glass-walled observatory cars and a dining and lounge car. Five of the sleeping cars will have private suite rooms with individual showers and toilets; one car will have two split-level maisonette-style deluxe suites with bathtubs made of Japanese cypress. Another addition to the Japanese rail is the 10-car-long Twilight Express Mizukaze, which will run through the unspoilt landscape of western Japan, embarking from Kyoto, Osaka and Shimonoseki. Its plush train will include six sleeper cars – with one luxurious suite occupying an entire car – two sightseeing carriages, a dining car and a lounge car.
jreast.co.jp/e, twilightexpress-mizukaze.jp
8. INSPIRATIONAL LANDSCAPES
Wales
A new hot spot for adventure travellers, Wales has some of the world’s longest and fastest zip lines, including the largest subterranean zip line course, along with the first subterranean trampoline park.
Wales is also the home of “coasteering” where rock hopping meets cliff jumping and it is the only place in the world where you can walk uninterrupted along the nation’s coastline.
The Wales Coast Path covers 1400km of beaches, cliffs, woodlands, towns and city waterfronts.
As Welsh TV presenter and marathon runner Lowri Morgan, says: “You can be swimming in the sea in the morning and running a mountain in the afternoon.
“The beauty of Wales’ landscapes is such an inspiration, once you get outdoors and try something new, you’ll be hooked.”
9. LIFE AQUATIC
Almost 5m from wing to wing and with no bite and no sting, manta rays are spectacular to watch as they glide through the water and are safe to swim alongside. Snorkelling and scuba diving with these gentle giants is a highlight of any visit to the Kona coast on Hawaii’s Big Island. Here, underwater lights attract plankton that in turn attracts up to 200 huge manta rays to come and feed as people float in the warm tropical waters among them.
10. HOTTEST CITY
Portugal
Dubbed the “new Barcelona” Portugal’s capital has a warm Mediterranean climate and sandy beaches alongside a vibrant night life, restaurant and arts scene. One of Europe’s best-value cities, Lisbon’s population is seeing an influx of young creatives with artists and designers setting up shop in the meandering streets. Vintage stores rub shoulders with contemporary art galleries, diners can choose between Michelin-starred restaurants and local family-run favourites, and there are more than 250 bars and clubs in the Bairrio Alto district alone.
Escape to Lisbon0:43
Escape takes a look at Lisbon Capital of Portugal.
