It’s soon about to be 2019! Wow time just flies by. At this time of the year, I always like to reflect back to all the memories and places I’ve travelled to in the past year and think about the experiences I’ve gain. As well, I like to refresh my bucket list with new destinations for the upcoming year. It’s so fun! But gosh the list just gets longer and longer! Where are you planning to go in 2019? Well, to help you get some inspirations, let me share with you all the places that are on my bucket list as well as some of my favorite places in the world that I’ve visited. Instead of widely famous places like Eiffel Towel and the Great Wall, I love discovering cool offbeat places that less people know about. See how many of these magical places do you know!
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Giraffe Manor, Kenya
Did you know there is a hotel in Nairobi, Kenya where wild giraffes come visit in the morning and have breakfast with you? The first time I saw a photo of this place on Instagram my jaw just dropped!
Chefchaouen (Blue Village), Morocco
A tucked away gem in the northwest of Morocco, this little mountain village is all blue! Blue alley ways, blue washed buildings, it looks completely like a dream!
White Desert, Egypt
In contrast to yellow sand deserts everywhere else in the world, this desert in Farafra, Egypt is completed white! A place to go spotting for unique and spectacular rock formations. The view is just amazing!
Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Abu Dhabi
One of the world’s largest mosques, Sheikh Zayed Mosque is a key place of worship in Abu Dhabi. It’s an architectural work of art and the definition of majestic.
Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
Heaven is that you? No we are still on earth but it sure does feel like heaven. This unbelievable salt flat in Bolivia will make you look as if you are walking on clouds.
Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
You may have heard of these remarkable remote islands in the eastern pacific ocean that inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. The abundance of wildlife and incredible landscapes makes the Galápagos Islands a popular bucket list destination. There are sea lions, giant turtoises, and so many amazing creatures found nowhere else on earth!
Vinicunca, Peru
Many people think of Macchu Picchu on the mention of Peru, but how many know about this gorgeous Rainbow Mountain a few hours from Cusco? Yellow, blue, red, it’s like staring at a world imagined by Dr. Seuss!
Punta del Este, Uruguay
An incredible resort city in Uruguay for enjoying beach, food, and culture. It’s also famous for this giant sculpture named “Los Manos” or The Hand.
Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica
It’s pretty much my dream to go to Costa Rica and meet a sloth. The Corcovado National Park in the Osa Peninsula is not only home to slothes, but nearly 463 bird species and 140 mammal species including monkeys, toucans, and even pumas! The park has long been celebrated as one of the most biologically diverse places on the planet!
Cano Cristales, Colombia
Otherwise known as the River of Five Colours, this Colombian river is one of the most spectacular natural wonders in the country. No Instagram filter needed!
Renaissance Island, Aruba
This private island in the Carribean has a beach where you can swim with flamingos! Enough said. Just look at this picture. Speechless…
Gili Trawangan Island, Indonesia
I have been to Gili Trawangan and the sunset here is just stunning. Find the famous Sunset Swing in the ocean for an awesome photo op. Gosh I need to go back to this view!
Hoi An, Vietnam
This little trading port town in Vietnam is so charming and delightful. Take a bicycle tour through the rice paddies, learn some traditional Viet cooking, float a lantern on the river at night, there are so many things to do here!
Wat Rong Khun, Thailand
This is perhaps the most unique temple on the planet. Located in Chiang Rai, Thailand, Wat Rong Khun is a completely white temple that is meant to symbolize Buddha’s purity. It’s covered in mosaics of mirrors sparking in the sun. All around the complex are intricate sculptures of demons, skulls and other strange objects. Traditional and artistic in one!
Bagan, Myanmar
Myanmar is underrated for its beauty. Take a hot air balloon ride over Bagan at sunrise and see thousands of beautiful temples from above. How surreal does this look?
Hitachi Seaside Park, Japan
This beautiful park in Ibaraki Japan is famous for two incredible views. One being a sea of 4.5 million baby blue eye flowers that blend together with the color of the sky in Spring. And one being a giant rolling hill of fiery red kochia plants in Autumn. It’s a paradise for flower lovers.
Related: Hitachi Seaside Park, Japan – Day Trip Guide
Gardens By the Bay, Singapore
This doesn’t even look like earth! This surreal park in the middle of Singapore was built as an effort by the government to enhance greenery and flora in the city. There are several gardens, as well as a cloud forest as a flower dome. Look at these supertrees. Whoa!
Enchanted River, Philippines
The Philippines definitely doesn’t have a lack of stunning beaches and water holes. You may have heard of Palawan or Boracay. But this place here also needs to be on your bucket list! The Enchanted River is a deep spring river on the island of Mindanao. Its name suits it perfectly! Who wouldn’t want to take a dip in this magical water!
Lake Hilliar, Australia
How crazy is mother nature seriously? There is actually a pink lake on this planet! And it’s in Western Australia! The weirder thing is that the lake is right next to the pacific ocean and you can see the contrast between the blue and pink colors from above.
Tongariro Crossing, New Zealand
The most epic hike in Middle Earth! Be prepared to see everything: volcano, green emerald lake, giant craters. Mount Ngauruhoe is an active volcano in the Tongariro National Park and it was the setting for Mount Doom in The Lord of The Rings! Any LOTR fans here? The views, the memories, the photos, and the bragging rights will guarantee to last a lifetime.
Vaadhoo Island, Maldives
I am 100 percent certain that fairies live here! This beach on Vaadhoo Island in the Maldives is gorgeous during the day but becomes an even more mystical place at night time. It literally looks like a sea of stars! Unbelievable!
Banff National Park, Canada
Oh Canada! My country is so beautiful and I hardly explore it enough! Banff is located in the Canadian Rockies. It’s famous for its surreal colored lakes, majestic mountains and endless outdoor activities. In the winter, it also becomes a world class ski destination!
Mendenhall Glacier Caves, USA
This Mendenhall Valley of Juneau in Alaska is home to these ice caves that just look like a blue wonderland. This blue-tiful sight is still a bit of a secret so hurry up and head there!
Provence, France
Fragrant lavender fields, splendid coastlines, and charming old streets together have earned Provence a worthy spot on anyone’s bucket list. Ahh just picture standing in this violet field with peaceful scent of lavender. A perfect place for a romantic getaway…
Burano, Italy
A picture is really worth a thousand words. It would be impossible to be unhappy amongst these colorful houses in Burano, an island in the Venice Lagoon. Psst I hear they are also famous for wonderful seafood!
Crete, Greece
A pink beach? Ya that needs to be on my list! This is Elafonissi Beach on Crete island. Being the biggest island in Greece, Crete has not only has fine sand beaches, but also splendid mountains, fertile valleys and deep gorges. Its natural beauty can only be match with its rich culture and delicious cuisine!
Kirkjufell, Iceland
In western Iceland, there exist a dazzling mountain called Kirkjukfell. Here you can see otherworldly northern lights, stunning starry night sky and exquisite waterfalls!
Sintra, Portugal
Sintra is a small Portugese town near the capital, Lisbon. Imagine castles on the mountain looking into the Atlantic sea, lush gardens, cobble stoned streets, pastel colored villas and palaces. It’s a pure fairy tale!
Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
This exquisite forest reserve in central Croatia is home to 16 terraced lakes, beautiful waterfalls, and a limestone canyon. There are many walkways and hiking trails. Who would you love to take a walk with here?
Bruges, Belgium
Bruges has stunning water canels, wicked cool medieval buildings, cobble stone streets and not mention beer and chocolate! What more reasons do you need for a visit?
For more travel inspo, check out this wonderful list of places compiled by Mayi from Secret Moona! If these photos don’t inspire you to travel more, I don’t know what will! Have you started packing your bags yet? I definitely have!
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6 comments
It would be hard to pick where to go first! Such gorgeous spots ^^. Thanks for sharing all of this wonderful travel inspiration ♡.
Right?! So hard to pick haha. Thanks for reading Sara 🙂
Wow, I can’t stop looking at these pictures – my bucket list is now complete : ) Thanks for sharing! x
No problem Melitta! Glad to help add to that bucket list!
Wow this list is amazing. Looks like so many gorgeous places and that little seal (otter?) in that one picture really got me ha. Looks amazing. One day when I don’t have four littles to drag with me, I think we’ll start ticking these off.
Yes Jamie! I believe it’s a baby seal hehe. Maybe you can take your littles with you too when they are a bit less little 😀