A “30 Before 30” bucket list is an increasingly more common thing women are shooting for, so I’ve decided to show you mine! In general, the 30 before 30 travel bucket list is a list of 30 countries you want to visit before the age of 30. Here are my 30 countries, and why I want to visit!
10/30 completed
Australia
Australia is at the top of my list for multiple reasons. First, I am dying to see the wildlife in the Outback of Australia! Second, Steve Irwin has been a huge influence on my life, and I would love to visit the zoo he so painstakingly built during his life. I would also love to experience Australia’s food scene! Currently, I have no set plans to visit Australia.
Belgium
While visiting my younger sister in Germany next spring, I plan to take a train tour through the surrounding countries and visit WWII sites. In Belgium, I plan to visit Ardennes to check out the Mardasson Memorial and the Bastogne War Museum.
Belize – Visited!
I visited Belize with EF Ultimate Break in the summer of 2017 and absolutely loved it! I mainly wanted to see the wildlife and Mayan ruins that populate the small tropical country and was pleasantly surprised with how much I truly loved this country.
Cambodia
I have plans to backpack Cambodia in the summer of 2023 with my sister. I am most excited to see phosphorescent plankton in Koh Rang, visit the bat cave in Kampot, and sample the incredible food call over the country.
Canada
While I’ve been Canada’s neighbor my entire life living in the United States, I have yet to visit! I recently moved to Seattle, Washington, and plan to make a trip up to Canada this year. I would love to explore Canada’s national parks and have some fun in Vancouver.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is an incredibly diverse country with hundreds of species of wildlife. I would love to see Costa Rica, explore the volcanos and cloud forests, and even try my hand at surfing! I currently have no set plans to visit Costa Rica.
Ecuador – Visited!
I backpacked Ecuador for a month in 2019 and completely fell in love with the country. There, I visited the mainland as well as the Galápagos Islands and saw too many species of wildlife to even keep track of. I highly recommend Ecuador to adventurous backpackers!
Egypt
Ever since I was a cute little middle schooler crushing on Brendan Frasier in The Mummy, I’ve been dying to visit Egypt. I even poured over an Eyewitness book on mummies in grade school! The amount of history in the African country astounds me, and I’ve always been drawn to it. Currently, I have no set plans to visit Egypt.
France
France is the country I would love to visit with my mom. We dream of dining on wine, bread, and cheese while visiting the Louvre and soaking in the blossoming lavender fields around the countryside. I currently have no set plans to visit France, but definitely will as a mother-daughter trip!
Germany
My sister will be student teaching in Germany next spring, and I plan on visiting her during her school break. We plan to visit any and all WWII memorial sites we can (as well as neighboring countries).
Greece
I have been dying to visit Greece to explore ancient ruins and indulge in delicious food. Of course, Instagram has had a hand with stunning photos overlooking the sea and architecture. Currently, I have no set plans to visit Greece but plan to visit with my husband.
Guatemala – Visited!
I visited Guatemala with EF Ultimate Break in the summer of 2017 to see the Tikal Ruins. I highly recommend visiting these stunning ruins! I’m dying to go back to explore more of the country, especially to see wildlife and hike some volcanoes.
Haiti – Visited!
While Haiti was beautiful, I am disappointed in myself with how I visited. While in high school, I had no idea the negative impacts church mission trips have on parts of the world. I felt uncomfortable with the group of people I was with and what we were doing the entire time. You can check out my story here.
Iceland
Like most other backpackers I am dying to complete the Ring Road in Iceland. Iceland’s Ring Road is 825 miles (1,328km) long and runs through all of Iceland’s major attractions such as glaciers, cities, and volcanoes. Most complete the road in an RV in at least a week. I currently have no set plans to visit Iceland.
Indonesia
Indonesia is another country I plan to backpack through in 2023 with my sister. We have both always wanted to see Bali (thanks, Instagram) and experience the yogi vibes of this stunning country.
Italy – Visited!
Speaking of my sister, she and I visited Italy in 2019 during her college spring break. I have a habit of taking my friends and family out of the country for the very first time, and this was her turn! We visited Milan, Rome, Naples, and Pompeii during our short trip and had the time of our lives. I highly recommend visiting Pompeii and Rome for history lovers and foodies!
Japan
Japan is one of those destinations that I refuse to visit unless I have at least a month to spend there. I will likely visit with my husband, as we are both anime fans, Japanese cuisine enthusiasts, and wildlife lovers. While Tokyo looks exciting, I am most excited to visit Ōkunoshima (bunny island), see wild snow monkeys, and visit smaller towns around the country. We currently have no plans to visit, but will likely visit in the next couple of years when a close friend of ours is living there!
Laos
Laos is yet another country I will backpack through with my sister in 2022. I can’t wait for the UNESCO sites and the stunning nature of this country.
Mexico
Surprisingly, I have yet to visit my neighbor to the south, Mexico! I am dying to explore the Mayan and Aztec ruins throughout the city, sample the food, and celebrate El Día de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead) in the country. I have no set plans, but will hopefully visit soon!
Morocco
I had plans to visit Morocco in 2019 that fell through and I am aching to finally make that trip happen. The architecture, culture, and food just seem to draw backpackers in from all over the world!
The Netherlands – Visited!
I briefly visited Amsterdam in an overnight layover in 2019, but plan to return this spring to visit the many sights we missed during that short trip. I fell in love with Amsterdam that night and would love to see more of the country next year!
Peru
It has been a dream of mine to trek up the Incan Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru for years. I would also love to see the Rainbow Mountains and sample local foods in Cusco and visit other ruins throughout the country. Of course, I would also love to see the abundant wildlife! I currently have no set plans to visit Peru.
Poland
While visiting my younger sister in Europe this spring, I plan on visiting Krakow, Poland to pay my respects at Auschwitz and Oskar Schindler’s factory. Warsaw, Poland is also home to the remains of the Warsaw Jewish ghetto and the Warsaw Uprising Museum.
Portugal – Visited!
Portugal remains one of my all-time favorite countries in the world that I always highly recommend to other travelers, especially first-time travelers. The country is easily navigated, much more affordable than other neighboring European countries, and offers so much! Lisbon is one of my favorite cities I have ever visited!
South Africa
South Africa is one of my top wildlife bucket list destinations. For what? Penguins! African Penguins live at the tip of South Africa and the country is an excellent jumping point to other African countries I hope to visit, wildlife parks, and safaris. Unfortunately, I have no set plans to visit South Africa.
South Korea
South Korea’s food scene is calling to me from the other side of the world. I’m dying to explore the country, especially the capital city Seoul. I currently have no plans to visit South Korea.
Spain – Visited!
I visited multiple cities in Spain in January of 2019. I loved Spain, especially Seville. The food scene in Spain is absolutely incredible and I loved visiting various museums, shows, and cities. I hope to go back while the weather is warmer to explore Spain’s beaches.
Thailand – Visited!
I visited Thailand in 2016 during a Veterinary internship and have plans to return in 2022. I previously only visited the Chiang Mai area in Northern Thailand and plan to visit multiple cities throughout the entire country next summer. I love Thailand’s wildlife (elephants!!!), food scene, and scenic architecture.
The United States – Visited!
I decided to include the United States even though it is my home country. I have visited over half of the states and aim to visit all 50. Some of my favorite destinations in the United States include Gatlinburg, Tennessee; Seattle, Washington; Washington, DC; and Sarasota, Florida.
Vietnam
Last but not least, I am excited to visit Vietnam. I will visit Vietnam during my 2023 backpacking trip I previously mentioned and I am very excited to see the stunning nature, beautiful temples and tombs, and sample the food.
Honorable Mentions
Shockingly, my 30 before 30 travel bucket list does not include some of my top travel bucket list destinations. This is simply because I do not foresee myself visiting before I turn 30 due to cost, danger, or current political climate.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo
Trekking to see wild gorillas is a major dream of mine. The best place to do it? The Congo! This country is notoriously difficult to visit and extremely dangerous, especially for white women.
Antarctica
Technically not a country, I hope to see Antarctica someday and all of its special wildlife. This destination is cost-restrictive for me, as it costs around $10,000USD to visit.
Madagascar
Similar to Antarctica, I want to visit Madagascar for its wildlife. However, it can be very expensive to visit and the country gives visas very sparingly, so it is difficult to legally see the parts of the country I want to see.
Kenya
Kenya is simply cost-restrictive for the things I want to do there. I hope to see the wildlife in this African country!
India
Due to COVID-19 and the current political climate, India is just simply not safe for me to travel for the foreseeable future. I do hope to visit once things calm down.
What are some of your bucket list travel destinations?
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