Bucket list destinations, we all have them! Some of us dream of faraway exotic lands and others dream of destinations that provide adventure and activity they have always dreamed of doing. Every year it seems there are some new “hot” bucket list destinations, but there are also some destinations that are on the bucket list for many people year in and year out.
Japan is one of newest destinations to be “hot” in the bucket list travel market! We are seeing an increased interest in tourism to Japan. So much so that even some of the cruise lines have increased their Asia cruise options and now have Japan as a stand-alone category in their itineraries. Japan has also been named one of the top 10 places to travel by CNN. Princess Cruise Lines is now in their 3rd year in Japan and they see the demand growing each year. If you love the idea of an exotic location, but want the comfort of “familiar”, a cruise can be the perfect way to experience Japan!
Alaska always remains a favorite when people talk about their bucket list destinations. Alaska is a very popular and easily accessible (with regards to logistics!) bucket list destination. The Alaska season is generally mid-May through mid-September, with June, July and August being the peak months. Alaska is a huge state, to give you some perspective, it is approximately 2 ½ times the size of Texas! A great way and one of the most popular ways to visit Alaska is on a cruise. There are also land based tour and vacation options as well. Due to the vast size of the state, one of the best ways to see the state is with a CruiseTour. A CruiseTour is a combination of a cruise and a land tour, really the best of both worlds! Your choice of “how” you visit Alaska will really be determined by “why” you are going to Alaska. If you are interested in an Alaska cruise, it’s not too late to take advantage of the 2015 cruise season!
Tahiti – Bora Bora is one of my most requested destinations for the bucket list honeymoon or milestone anniversary. French Polynesia basically has 2 seasons, the dry season and the humid season.
•The dry season -also called Austral winter- taking place between April and October brings an expected coolness, July and August being the coolest months of the year due to southeast trade winds called maraamu. As a consequence a cotton sweater will often be enjoyable in the evening (or early in the morning).
•The humid season -also called Rainy season- starts in November and ends in March. It brings mugginess, humidity as well as heavier and more frequent rains than in the dry season.
Having said that, one important thing to remember, it is the tropics and the weather is not on a schedule! I have people that have been in the dry season and it rained most every day; I have people that travel during the humid season (often rates are very attractive!) and not one drop of rain.
There are both cruising and resort vacation options for you to visit French Polynesia.
Cambodia and Vietnam tourism is another destination on the rise in bucket list travel. In Cambodia, the sprawling Cambodian temple complex of Angkor Wat is a source of national pride and international renown because of the distinctive sandstone spires, intricate artistry and massive moat that encloses the grounds in a three-and-a-half-mile perimeter. Vietnam is certainly exotic and you will be in sensory overload throughout your journey! Gazing over a surreal seascape of limestone islands or exploring the world’s most spectacular cave systems in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park are just two of the many experiences awaiting you in Vietnam. River Cruising and Cruising in general are great options to explore this exotic location.
Hawaii is another favorite bucket list destination for many people. Hawaii is certainly a way to visit paradise without a passport! The most commonly visited Hawaiian Islands are Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii (The Big Island). Lanai and Molakai are less visited, but certainly spectacular options if they are what you are looking for. Each island has its own distinctive personality and provides a very different vacation experience.
Australia and New Zealand are also very popular bucket list destinations. There are many ways to experience these great destinations! You can take a cruise that will visit some of the major cities in both Australia and New Zealand or there are cruises that concentrate more on one or the other of the countries. You also have the option of escorted tours, or putting together a fully independent trip for your adventure!
Australia and New Zealand are in the southern hemisphere and the seasons run opposite of ours. Mild spring weather lasts from September to November and summer spans December through February. Summer features longer daylight hours with warm to hot conditions depending on where you are. March through May constitutes autumn, leading into the cooler winter period of June to August. The climate changes significantly as you head north in Australia near places like Darwin and Cairns. This region lies within the monsoon belt and has just two seasons. Hot and wet conditions prevail from October to March, while blazing arid weather kicks in from April to September.
This is just a short sample of a bucket list, what is on your bucket list? Let’s start checking off some of the destinations on your list!
Happy Travels
Kelley