Creating Your Travel Wish List

Making a bucket list is not only inspiring, it creates a goal that is fun to achieve. I promise...once you get started on your list, you'll find that wanderlust builds and builds.  So get ready to become someone that has the experiences, tells the stories, and shares the amazing pictures with others by following these steps to create your personal Travel Bucket List.

1. Choose a Method: There are a lot of ways to keep a bucket list ranging from a notebook, to a digital document, to a jar full of notes. The important thing is that whatever you choose, you use. Digital documents (like Trello) are great because you can easily add notes, images, and links. They are also easy to share with your fellow travelers and your travel advisor.

2. List Past Vacations: Include what you liked (and didn’t like).  This is a great way to get started.  You might want to share previous adventures with others, or agree that exploring things that are completely new is the way to go. Either way, having this list will further the discussion. Your bucket list will also help you determine what you find really meaningful when it comes to your travel desires.

3. List Your Destinations: This is the fun step!  Use your imagination.  Don’t hold back due to time or financial concerns...just list ALL of the places you have ever dreamed of visiting.  Where did you want to go when you were 6 years old? Or 10, or 20? Or maybe just last week?  What destination do you want to visit with your significant other or your children? Where do you want to celebrate your anniversary, birthday, or retirement? Remember, this is not the time to hold back. If you need advice, this is a great time to contact me to brainstorm and figure out which destinations you don't want to miss out on.

4. List Dream Experiences:  Places are one thing...activities are another. Have you always wanted to see the Northern Lights? Have you wanted to go on an African Safari? Maybe diving with whale sharks in Mexico, or cage diving in Hawai'i or South Africa is more your style.  Does hiking in Patagonia appeal to you, or maybe hot air ballooning over Tuscan vineyards?  This is the step where you get to list all the things you’ve wanted to do.  And just like with destinations, I can help by letting you know about exclusive experiences, some of which are only accessible to travel advisors.

5. Time to Organize:  Your list is probably getting a little long at this point. Now is the time to apply some practical thinking. Look through your destinations list and highlight the 4 or 5 places that mean the most to you, like visiting your ancestral homeland, or staying in a romantic overwater bungalow. It doesn’t mean you won’t ever see the others.  Then, go through your list one more time to make sure you didn’t leave anything out. Once this is done, you have created your bucket list!

6. Look at it once in a while.: That's right! Don't forget about your travel goals. Your list can and will change. You may add, or leave behind, a hobby. You may get married, have children, retire, or hit the lotto!

Now it's time to start planning. If you want help making your bucket list travel a reality, contact me today! And don't forget, it is impolite to keep a vacation waiting =)

You can take a look at my constantly changing Living List here.