Ahhhh, bucket lists.  These are personal wish lists of things you want to do, see, or experience.  You may think you don’t have one, but you probably do.  Isn’t there some place you’ve always wanted to go?  Something you’ve always wanted to take part in?  Well, that is the start of a bucket list.

Take the time to write these things down.  Seriously.  They are ideas, destinations, and events to shoot for in life – and a life full of rich experiences and memories is a life well lived – at least in my opinion.

Still stuck?  Well, let me try to get you started.  I’ve had the good fortune of being able to do quite a bit of traveling in my lifetime.  I’ve been to Europe several times (even living there for a brief period) and visited such famous cities as London, Paris, Cologne, and Florence (just to name a few).  I’ve cruised through the Panama Canal, seen the wondrous sights of Alaska, and even strolled the charming streets on the island of Bermuda.

Even though I’ve been lucky enough to see all of these things, I still have other destinations and events I hope to one day see or take part in.  Listed below are just some of the things still on my bucket list:

 

Japan 

I love everything about Japan, from its cuisine to its culture.  I would love to visit the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, see the artistic form and beauty of historic cities like Kyoto, and of course, as a Disney fan and former cast member – visit Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea.  I want to drink sake in a street-side café and have sushi prepared by an expert, ride the bullet train with a view of Mount Fuji from my window, and bow respectfully to a martial arts master.

 

Scotland

The rugged hills and highlands, misty mornings, and warming drams of whiskey call to me.  I also can’t get enough of the unique and almost unintelligible sound of a thick, Scottish brogue.  Bring me a haggis and a pint of your darkest ale, innkeeper!

 

Glacier National Park

I want to drive to Chicago and take a train across country, gazing on the wide vistas and scenery of North Dakota and Montana as I am whisked by rail to the rugged beauty and majesty of Glacier National Park.  I want to stay in a historic park lodge and travel the “Going to the Sun” road, taking in all of the scenery and wonder of the American West.

 

Burning Man

The Burning Man festival, held each year in the Black Rock desert, north of Reno, Nevada is unlike anything else on earth.  For one week, it is a temporary, living city of over 50,000 people created from nothing and filled with artists, ideas, music, and unique experiences.  It is a community, it is a lifestyle, and it looks like a life-changing experience.

 

Cruise the canals in the South of France

I want to rent a small canal boat (complete with a captain and a chef, or course) and – along with some of my friends – lazily float our way down the canals in the south of France.  I want to enjoy bike rides alongside the canal boat (following the canal as it drifts ever southward), explore the quaint, French towns, tag along with the chef as he disembarks and explores the local markets for ingredients for that night’s meal, drink wine in the afternoon, and have the only worry of my day be whether or not I’m going to save room for dessert after a long and leisurely French dinner.

 

These are just some of the things still on my bucket list – but what about yours?  Take the time to write them down – and make plans to experience some of them!

Drop me a line in the comments and feel free to share some of your favorite dream destinations!