The ancient Greek historian Herodotus is often credited with making the first travel “bucket list” when he wrote about the “theamata,” a Greek title that translates roughly to “things to be seen.” His list eventually became known as the Seven Wonders of the World, and it was kind of an early tourist guide for people looking to explore the known world at that time. There were other people who created lists of incredible places, but the accounts recorded by Herodotus in the 5th century BC are considered to be among the earliest and most detailed reports. The locations he chose were based on stories by ancient travelers—some of the world’s first tourists.

We like to think of Herodotus as the Godfather of tourism, and it’s with that as inspiration that we created our own travel bucket list based on places we’ve read about, heard about, seen on TV, or discovered in movies. We hope this provides inspiration if you are looking for new and exciting travel destinations!

NOTE: The items below are linked to either Wikipedia or our own Road Unraveled blog posts. Click the titles to learn more!

 

Travel Bucket List

This is our list (in no particular order) of places we would like to see, things we would like to do, and travel goals we would like to accomplish.

Iguazu Falls, Argentina

Taktsang Palphug Monastery (the Tiger’s Nest), Bhutan

Sossusvlei and Deadvlei, Namibia

Visit Bavaria during Oktoberfest

The Hypogeum of Hal Saflieni, Malta

Hanami Cherry Blossoms, Japan

Double New Year’s Eve: Samoa and American Samoa on back-to-back days

Kukeri Festival, Bulgaria

Terracotta Army, China

Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

Caral, Peru – the oldest city in the Americas

Mardi Gras in New Orleans

Tian Tan Buddha Statue, Hong Kong

Skellig Michael, Ireland

See a Live Sumo Match in Japan

Guaita Fortress, San Marino

Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

Attend the Summer Olympic Games

Knossos, Crete

The rock of Gibraltar

Ride The Ghan through the Australian outback

Attend all four Tennis Grand Slam tournaments (we’ve been to two)

Lascaux Caves, France

Ronda, Spain

Sydney, Australia for New Years Eve

Kailasa temple and the Ellora Caves, India

Trans-Siberian Railway

Greenland

Troy, Anatolia Turkey

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

See the Southern Lights (Aurora Australis)

Khao Phing Kan, Thailand (James Bond Island)

Moraine Lake and Banff National Park, Canada

Ayers Rock/Uluru, Australia

Alaska on the summer solstice (midnight sun)

Sloth Sanctuary, Costa Rica

Mano del Desierto (Hand of the Desert) Atacama Desert Chile

Lamanai Mayan Ruins, Belize

Red Square, Moscow, Russia

Andorra la Vella, Andorra

Hluboka Castle, Czech Republic

 

Completed Bucket List Items


 

Additional Bucket List Items


These are places that Stephanie has visited but Adam has not. We hope to cross these off his travel bucket list someday!

The Great Wall of China
Christ the Redeemer, Brazil
Eiffel Tower, Paris, France
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Taj Mahal, India