You’ll Want To Tick These Epic Destinations Off Your 2018 Travel Bucket List
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Editor’s note: We’re resurfaced this article from this time last year so you can see how many 2018 bucket-list travel destinations you’ve covered!
The bucket list: whether we admit it or not, we’ve all got one on the boil – especially when it comes to travel.
[related_articles]66293,64358[/related_articles]So as this year comes to an end, we’ve put together a rundown of some of the most epic and highly desired travel experiences that everyone ought to add to their bucket list for 2018– from island hopping the Galapagos to safari camping through Kenya. Go to it!
Go on safari in Kenya
The big African sky: a sky like no other, a sky that must be seen and felt. Think dramatic savannahs, majestic wildlife, and eye-wateringly spectacular sunsets.
This is Africa’s safari HQ, folks, the place to witness hulking great wildebeests as they migrate over the Maasai Mara, the pink flamingos of Lake Nakuru, the elephants of Amboseli, and the dramatic Great Rift Valley. Brush up on your Swahili, and get there quick smart.
Island hop in the Galápagos
Does it get any more bucket list-worthy than Ecuador’s Galápagos? This volcanic island archipelago 1000km off the coast of South America remains one of the most unique and biodiverse regions on the planet. Species live here that can’t be found anywhere else, amidst an incredible array of ethereal landscapes.
Galápagos is, after all, where Darwin was inspired to create his theory of evolution, and it’s likely to inspire you just as much.
Experience the winter wonders of Iceland
Though a chilly spot, Iceland remains red-hot on every savvy traveller’s bucket list. With a host of incredible natural sights, including the northern Dettifoss waterfall, the Western fjords, the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and the amazing Golden Circle, there’s wonder to be experienced in this incredible place.
Did we mention ice caving and glacier hiking? Add that to the list too – oh, and let’s not forget the Northern Lights. It’s one of the best places on earth to see that emerald lava glow.
Soak up summer on the coast of Portugal
While the beauty, dazzling cuisine, and incredible landscapes of Portugal have hardly been a secret of late, this nation-on-the-rise continues to impress.
Lisbon will intoxicate you with its cobbled lanes and magnificent hills, while the southern wine region of Alentejo gives one of the most epic Atlantic experiences, a road trip par excellence replete with delicious local seafood, port and wine.
Get to Vietnam and Cambodia before everyone else does
It’s rare that South East Asia is ever omitted from a reliable travel bucket list, no matter the year, and in 2018 the hot ticket items are Vietnam and Cambodia: two of the most dazzling, interesting, and culturally intoxicating nations in the world.
Siem Reap and Angkor Wat beckon with their ancient allure, while the tantalising flavours of Vietnam and it’s burgeoning adventure tourism scene will have every longing satiated. Cruise the Mekong, and indulge in the incredible history of these two remarkable countries.
Soak up the magic of Essaouira and Marrakech
Majestic cities and desert dunes: what’s not to love about Morocco? For long the refuge of mystical seekers, Neptunian wanderers, and fans of something a little bit different, Morocco remains one of the most out of this world travel jaunts possible.
Head a little further south along the western coast to Essaouira, the lesser known, slightly more laidback boho surf hub, or experience Marrakech and the sizzling night-time smoke mists of the Jemaa el-Fnaa. Intoxicating and liberating, it’s everything you want from an intrepid North African adventure.
Lay on the pristine beaches of the Philippines
Long on the wish list of most beach lovers, the Philippines continue to impress with their array of amazing islands. Head to Manila and shoot an hour south to stunning Boracay, one of the most incredible island experiences in Asia, replete with endless sandy stretches and unforgettable tropical sunsets.
For something even more low key, consider magical Palawan, awesome Cebu, or for some of the region’s best surf, the turquoise waters of the Siargao Islands.
Sail in Sri Lanka
For a slightly more chilled out and relaxed take on the subcontinent, Sri Lanka has everyone’s number covered. Truly a land like no other on earth, folks have been flocking to the island for its unrivalled beauty and personality – so too, its incredible array of beaches and coastline.
Sailing is a must in Sri Lanka – it’s a perfect part of the world to leap aboard a catamaran and take in the local marine wildlife: dolphins, humpback whales, blue whales and more.
Roadtrip in the USA
The road trip is an institution, a phenomenon, and something always best done in the American south. The deserts and dusty interstates of Nevada, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona are arid, awesome, and in the night-time, a little spooky.
Check out Route 66 for a little faded, old-school Americana, get lost in Arizona’s Monument Valley, ‘break bad’ in Albuquerque, and sew your wild Westworld roots in Utah. Cowboy/cowgirl boots recommended (as well as a 1957 El Dorado convertible).
