March 25, 2014

Top Five Before 35 - International

I love lists.  In fact I love them almost as much as traveling, so it shouldn't be surprising that I've got at least half a dozen travel wish-lists.  When I'm not on vacation (or even when I am!), I'm envisioning the next destination and adding places to my list of where to go, what to do and see.  Although my body may be confined to my office desk, my mind may be thousands of miles away at one of my wish-list destinations - touring Roman ruins, or sipping a Mai-tai in Polynesia, or watching cloggers in Wales. 

Now that's not to say that I've accomplished even half the lists I've started!  My very first travel list was my "Top Five Before 25" destination list, composed when I was fifteen.  Unfortunately, I only went to one place on that list before I turned 25, and that was our honeymoon trip to Germany in 2010.  However, I've made some progress, and by my 27th birthday this August, I will have visited three more places on the list: Italy (July 2014), London (February 2014), and Prague (August 2012).  Wish-lists don't have to be realistic - they're just fun to make and give you a general goal!

Up until recently, Mr. Gypsy and I have only been able to afford one international trip every other year with several regional or domestic trips each year, but that doesn't stop me from adding more destinations to my list.  My current wish-list is quite extensive (pretty much the whole world is on it!), but I've been narrowing it down for my "Top Five Before 35" lists - an international version and a domestic one.  I'll write about my domestic list in a later blog post.  For now, here is my wish-list for international destinations!


"Top Five Before 35 - International"

Source.
1.  Sweden:  I am of Swedish descent on my father's side, and I have always identified strongly with my Swedish heritage.  I grew up in southeastern Massachusetts, an area that at one time was populated by many Scandinavian immigrants and to this day has many Swedish heritage gift shops (Dala horse, anyone?).  I love celebrating traditional Swedish holidays like St. Lucia's Day or Waffle Day (aka, Our Lady's Day), and I was tickled pink to discover that my wedding day was the same day as Victoria, the Crown Princess of Sweden.  From the beautiful coastal scenery to the cities, the woodlands to the mountains, I have a plethora of reasons why I would love to visit Sweden.




Jerusalem - Picture from
http://blog.pe.com/political-empire/2013/08/03/congress-ruiz-takano-visiting-israel/

2.  Israel:  The Promised Land.  History.  Culture.  Where do I start?  As both a Christian and a history buff, there are so many reasons for me to put Israel high on my wish-list.  I want to see the Temple Mount, walk in the Gardens of Gethsemane, reflect at Golgotha, and rejoice at the empty Garden Tomb.  I want to float in the Dead Sea, experience the vibrancy of Tel Aviv, and marvel at the fact that I am standing in the same places where so much history took place!








3.  The United Kingdom & Ireland:  What can I say - the United Kingdom is the mecca for English majors (such as I was!).  My weekend trip to London this past February merely whet my appetite to see and experience more of what the UK has to offer.  From the lochs and highlands of Scotland, to the mountains of Wales, to the castles of England, and the green allure of Ireland, I want to see it all. 



4.  Greece:  Whenever I think of Greece, I envision white-washed houses perched on a cliff overlooking an azure sea.  How stunning.  Again, the history factor draws me to Greece; I studied classics in college as a minor, and I'd love to see Grecian ruins in person rather than just in my history books.  The Parthenon.  The Temples at Delphi.  Myrtos Beach.  There is something just divinely exotic about Greece.  Besides, Mr. Gypsy really wants to stand in Sparta and proclaim: THIS IS SPARTA!!! 

Picture from Adventures by Disney.

5.  New Zealand:  Adventure is the name of the game for New Zealand's placement on my wish-list!  (And visiting the film sites for The Lord of the Rings may also be a contributing factor.)  New Zealand has such a wide variety of natural beauty, and invariably any "most beautiful places in the world" list features at least one place from New Zealand.  My ideal trip to New Zealand would include back-packing, camping, kayaking, boating, and maybe even a horse-back tour (if I can convince Mr. Gypsy!).  Unfortunately, New Zealand is one of the most expensive places to reach from the east coast of the U.S., but a girl can dream, can't she?!


Bonus Destination:  Caribbean
Because... beach!

"Some beach....somewhere."
Dreamstime.com

Now it's your turn!  If you were to make a "Top 5" list for international sites, what places would be on it?

Linking up with Van for #TravelTuesday!

Updated July 29, 2014

21 comments:

  1. Lisbon, Portugal.
    Prague, Czech republic
    Copenhagen, Denmark
    Tokyo, Japan
    Sydney, Australia

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    1. Great list! I really enjoyed visiting Prague and would love to go back as there is so much that I wasn't able to see in my three days there.

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  2. Some great choices here. Sweden is definitely on my list. New Zealand is absolutely stunning, you wont regret going there!

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    1. I don't think I've seen a single ugly picture of New Zealand! And lately I've been seeing a lot of flight deals between the U.S. and NZ. I think the universe is trying to tell me something... :)

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  3. Some crackers there - I hope you make it...

    I did a similar list to this leading up to my 30th. I never did make it to my number 1 (Rio) and time is running out to get there before my 40th. :(

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    1. Just keep it on your list until you make it! Unless you can sneak it in for the World Cup or the Olympics?

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  4. Greece and New Zealand seem to be the most popular ones today and I can't agree more! Though Sweden and the UK are ALWAYS worth a visit! I'm also kinda sad that I don't move to Scotland as I absolutely loved that country! Israel is an interesting country too!

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    1. I've heard so many awesome things about Scotland! I just had to lump all of the UK together because I don't want to see one part of it more or less than the other parts!

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  5. Great list!! I am so loving reading everyone's bucket lists, makes mine even longer hah ;) I loved Sweden when I was there, the people were so nice and the scenery was amazing. Scotland is place that I am desperate to explore more of!

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    1. I know, right? I've been seeing Croatia on a few lists, which makes me think I may have to modify my list.... the pictures are stunning!

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  6. You should visit Sweden. I actually live in the Dala Horse region and my grandpa used to work at the factory. Let me know if you find yourself in the area! I would love to visit Israel too! It seems to be such an exciting country!

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    1. That's awesome! My family came from Vastergotland, so that's the part I want to see the most.

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  7. Love the list! The Caribbean do look like a dream in my mind :) I completely agree that the UK is the mecca of English majors! Everywhere you look is an amazing landscape from your favourite novel, or a museum about your favourite author!

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  8. I'm turning 27 in August as well! I feel soooo old. LOL My top travel destination right now is the UK. I'd love to live and work in England. I'd also really like to go to Italy again (this time with my husband) and see the French countryside!

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  9. your list sounds great.. the caribbean and a Rain forest have always been places i'd love to go to, hopefully I can visit in the future!

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  10. AnonymousJuly 29, 2014

    Greece was one of my favorite places I have visited. Sweden is on my list as well and I hope to make it there soon while I live so close by.

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  11. I'm digging both of your lists. Israel is high on mine, too, though not at this moment :/ I like how you included specific things to see in each spot - great links!

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  12. It would be hard for me to pick 5! I want to go everywhere, and I'm pretty sure my top 5 changes a lot...maybe daily ;). Right now Prague (since I'm moving there in a week!), Montenegro, Italy, South Africa and New Zealand! But talk to me tomorrow haha.

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  13. Greece looks so pretty, I would love to go but I am not great in the heat.
    My bucket list is not very long as I tend to think very short term. For this year it is Seoul, Osaka, Switzerland (leaving tomorrow!), Finland and either Norway and Sweden or Berlin.

    -Eimear {www.CuteTravels.com}

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  14. Rachel's post on Greece last week definitely reminded me why that's on my bucket list. It's so hard to narrow down all the new places I want to explore and all the places I wish to return to!

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  15. Great idea for a list and good choice of destinations...it has definitely got me thinking! As a Brit we are very lucky to live so close to Europe and are going to do more of France and Sweden this summer. Iceland would make my list as well as Argentina...it's hard to get it down to 5! #traveltuesdsy

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Thanks for stopping by! I'd love to hear your comments, feedback, and suggestions.