Travel Bucket List – 2020 and beyond!

Hey everyone!

Hope you are all keeping well and safe.

Due to present circumstances, we can’t travel right now, but that doesn’t mean we can’t prepare and dream of the places we’d love to see.

I thought I’d share a sneak peek of where I’m excited to travel to during this year and beyond. You’re def going to want to put these spots on your travel wish list, too. To help fuel your wanderlust, I’ve tapped a handful of places that I’m really excited about visiting.

Get your passports ready, here’s a list of must-visit destinations to add to your travel Bucket list.

Without further ado let’s get started;

Havana – Cuba 🇨🇺

Havana is known for its Spanish colonial architecture, whose buildings reflect the city’s vibrant eclectic mix.

When I think of Havana, the visual that comes to my mind are the fleet of pastel coloured luxury vintage cars parked outside the vibrant blocks of buildings, contagious rhythms of the musicians (particularly jazz/flamenco and Spanish fusión), energetic dances and not forgetting the legendary infamous cigars of course.

Oh and who can forget ‘Havana ooh na-na (by Camila Cabello), this song is always stuck in my head.. Well I guess I’ll start singing this to my trip to Havana now. Ha!

Havana seems to be covered with a certain veil of mystery. It’s a world of old and modern infused into a vibrant bustling city. So, Havana here I come..!

Phi-Phi Island/Phuket – Thailand 🇹🇭

Thailand has been on my list for quite some time now.

The Islands of Phuket & Phi Phi are known for their spectacular sights from blue lagoons, pink sunsets to white sandy beaches. I hear Thailand is known for its beautiful sunsets. I absolutely love the colourful burst of vibrancy in the sky. I have this dream of catching a sunset in every part of the world. I just find them so mystical and calming. I could stare at it for hours!

From the top of the lighthouse, you can witness endless spectacular scenery and if you catch the perfect timing, then you’ll be able to catch the beautiful sunrise and sunset too.

Phuket has a diversity of ethnicities and religions. Its mainly known for its stunning Buddhist temples. These are the images you’d have seen on many travel magazine and brochures. Some are prestige as they were centuries ago whilst others have become ruins with elegant structural designs.

As paying homage to the temples is considered good fortune, so the visitors can make their day even more special.

Fun-fact: As many of you may already know that the famous James Bond movie was also shot in Phang Nga Bay in Phuket (also now known as the James Bond Island) and is a great photo opportunity due to its very scenic view. So have a camera on hand and snap away! 📸

Oh and whilst you’re there, don’t forget the sea-turtles. I’m dying to see them!

This place is perfect if you’re looking for a relaxing and a calming retreat.

Santorini – Greece 🇬🇷

The magnificent Greek Islands are known for their spectacular landscapes with blue domed chapels and white-washed houses perched on the cliffs, all set against the backdrop of the shimmering sea.

I’ve seen so many insta-worthy pictures having been taken there that I’d love to visit the place for myself. Greece is also famous for its beautiful food and for the quaint, quintessential shops found in every nook and cranny. They have such a boho vibe that it’s totally the kind of place I’d love to be at for a little retail therapy session.

In the last few years, Greece has been going through a recession. I remember when I wanted to book my holiday a few years ago, it was very affordable. I couldn’t go eventually due to unexpected work commitments, but its been on my list for quite some time. Greek markets are flooded with fashionable pieces at at the cheapest rates possible so I will highly recommend taking a suitcase and filling it up with all the quirky goodies you can find. I’m such a home decor person, and the markets have so much of variety to offer.

Fun-fact: This is for all your desi’s out there, so may Bollywood songs have been shot against the lovely blue/white backdrops of Santorini. Does anyone remember the Katrina/Hrithik ‘Meherbaan’ song from the movie Bang Bang? Yep, that’s the kind of scenery I’m talking about. So dreamy!

Top-tip: Take an empty suitcase and fill it up with all the treasures you find here. You’ll find many trinkets and goodies at fraction of the price.

Mudhdhoo Beach – Maldives 🇲🇻

I fell in love with Maldives when I came across the magical blue florescent beach. Is this even real?!

I know Maldives has a lot more to offer but I just want to walk on the white sandy fluorescent beach under the beautiful night sky with the twinkly stars shining bright leaving blue glitter like footprints wherever I go.. Ahh so magical! ✨🔮

This view above is just my kinda vibe and I can’t wait to experience it. Perhaps I should put my buck list board on my bedroom wall so that I can visually look at it every day and start manifesting it into my life.. Eeks why not!

Have you heard of this beach at all? I’d love to know.. I did some research and it’s an actual beach. Say what? It’s a natural phenomena wherein light is emitted or created by a living organism. And therefore, the light produced at this beach is because of these organisms, which lights up the sea’s shorelines in the most magical manner. I’m simply obsessed with it.

Who doesn’t love a bit of magic right?

Petra – Jordan 🇯🇴

Petra in Jordan is a stunning archaeological site containing tombs and temples carved into sandstone cliffs. It’s surrounded by mountains and valleys which give it an earthy feel.

Petra is called the ‘Rose City’ because of the colour of the stone from which it is carved. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1985. UNESCO has described Petra as ‘one of the most precious cultural properties of man’s cultural heritage.

The most popular site that you’ll identify Petra is with the Al-Khazneh (or the Treasury) which was voted one of the new 7 wonders of the world. Its the image you see very popularly on Instagram by bloggers and tourists. For some reason, it gives me Lara Croft vibes. I always identify Petra with that particular Angelina Jolie movie, perhaps its the earthy raw vibe.. Please don’t tell me I’m the only who feels this way?!

I have already visited Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt and felt I had completed the famous trio. However, most recently Petra has joined the hot travel list for me. It’s become a buzzing tourist attraction and one that everyone must visit in their lifetime. Oh and aren’t those camels so cute! I had ridden one in Morocco and would love to experience it here in the beautiful Petra too. I hope hubby is listening! Ha!

Ahh there’s just so many beautiful places to see around the world. These are some of the destinations that I’m really looking forward to visiting. I hope I’ve given you a little inspiration with this travel post. If you’ve been to any of the above places, please do share below. I would appreciate any tips and tricks.. Happy travelling! 🌙

Until next time,

Sheema xo