Are you one of those well-travelled gypsy’s forever exploring the globe? Or perhaps you are a bright eyed and bushy tailed youngster who has never left Australian Shores? Whatever the case, it’s a beautiful thing to experience different cultures and walks of life whilst meeting an array of colourful characters along the way. See below for our Travel Bucketlist

 

AFRICA
This is where to go if you want adventure. Think safari’s, treks through the jungle and hot deserts, and spectacular colourful bazaars . If you are an archeology enthusiast then head to Johannesburg where two million year old human bones were found. Animal lovers, this is a perfect place to connect with nature and see the beauty of these wild beasts in their natural habitat. A lot of people also travel to Africa to volunteer their time to help out various organisations in providing food, water and clothing to famine and drought effected areas. Full of history, go and admire the incredible work in Egypt or get lost inside the chaotic and colourful bazaars of Morocco.

 

Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

Mosque, Casablanca Morocco

 

 INDIA
Whilst India can be overwhelming for some, no one can dispute that visiting the country is an absolute eye-opener. The culture, the people, the food and the natural beauty all mixed up in a world of organised chaos. Glimpsing the areas of India with extreme poverty such as the slums, and seeing the numerous beggars on the street really makes you question your own life and your own values. Materialistic objects suddenly become meaningless and instead you realise that relationships with loved ones have the most value.

 

Taj Mahal, India

 Image credit: Bucketlistly (one of our favourites sites!)

 

 

CHINA
Another densely populated country with so much incredible history. The Great Wall of China is an obvious must visit. The magnitude of it is not truly realised until you are standing in front of this vast giant. The food in China will definitely take you out of your comfort zone, as will the crowds. Whilst a lot of Chinese people speak English, there are still many that only speak Mandarin. I always love going to areas where hardly anyone speaks English as I find it more of a challenge, and connecting with people is always that much more rewarding.

 

Great Wall of China, Beijing China

 

 

VIETNAM
An exotic, historic gem in South East Asia. Utterly compelling, Vietnam is a country of breathtaking natural beauty and heritage, boosting vast experiences, smells and culture. Start your journey in the hustle of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh), take a local train ride to beach side Nha Trang, wander through the ancient and enchanting street of Hoi An before heading up north. Discovering the islands of Halong bay and hike until your heart’s content in the rice field of Sapa. Vietnam literally has it all and can be done rather cheaply.

 

Hoi An, Vietnam

 

CROATIA
Eastern Europe is one of my favourite places to visit as it attracts a lot fewer tourists than the rest of Europe. Croatia in particular still has so much of its history painted on it’s face. You will often walk past buildings that are covered in bullet holes or ravaged in some way from the Croatian War of Independence back in the 90’s. The Plitvice Lakes National Park just near the Serbian border has some of the most beautiful waterfalls you will ever see. Perfect for hikers and nature lovers as the country is full of picturesque landscapes and amazing history.

 Image credit: Tuula

PERU
Doing the hike up the mountain to Machu Picchu is a once in a lifetime experience. The Inca ruins are a fantastic insight into Peru’s ancient history and the view from the top is absolutely breathtaking. If you are into the more mystical side of things, Peru has a vast number of spiritual advisors and healers, and people come from all around the world to partake is ayahuasca ceremonies. Peru is also great for adrenaline junkies with sandboarding, paragliding and ice climbing as just some of the many options.

Machu Picchu, Peru