Ideas beyond the UK

VISIT NEW COUNTRIES

Where have you always wanted to go to? Is that country near another that you could tie into 1 trip? I did this on a 24 hour trip where I ticked off Copenhagen (Denmark) and Malmo (Sweden) as well as another time when I did a 72 hour trip to Croatia, Bosnia and Montenegro? 

SEE A VOLCANO

Volcanoes are just spectacular and there're many around the world such as in New Zealnd but the one I saw with my family was in Iceland many years ago just after the dust cloud of 2011 that brought much of European air travel to a standstill.

SEE A GLACIER

Again, this was part of our Iceland trip many years ago and in fact we saw geysers too. Did you know that you can stand on 2 tectonic plates at once in Iceland? Eurasian and North American plates? You don't get to do that everyday...

GO SNORKELLING

I no longer swim so I don't know whether I'd do this (though I like the idea) but would you? Where would you choose to do this? The Caribbean? Australia? Indian Ocean? I do think about braving swimming again one day as I'd also like to try paddle boarding.

TRAVEL ON THE BULLET TRAIN (SHINKANSEN)

The iconic bullet train links destinations all over Japan (with extensions being planned) and can travel up to 320km/h. The country's transport system is famously efficient...pretty much to the minute. If you're travelling between Tokyo and Kyoto, look out for Mount Fuji and think about which side of the carriage to sit.

SEE THE ROCKETTES AT RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL, NY

For me, it's reminiscing about the film Annie as I was the same age as the character in 1982 and there was an iconic scene where Annie goes to the theatre. Whilst I did a backstage tour years ago as a teenager, I'm off to do this later this year and just waiting for the Christmas Spectacular tickets to become available.

SEE JAPAN DURING THE CHERRY BLOSSOM SEASON

I visited Japan in March 2024 and, according to the official blossom forecast, it appeared that my trip would coincide with the cherry blossom season that's usually in late March / early April. However, bad weather delayed the start of the season so I merely glanced at some early buds but the Sakura fesitval looks stunning. 

VISIT NEW ENGLAND DURING THE FALL

I've never been to New England but I've often seen films with the most vibrant autumnal colours creating the most stunning views to photograph. Like Japan's cherry blossom season lasting for a mere 2 weeks, it's often about getting the timing right ... and a bit of luck along the way.

VISIT LAS VEGAS

Yes, I'd love to go on the  famous strip. It just seems like there's nothing like Las Vegas on Earth and I might even have a flutter. Perhaps one to tie in with the Grand Canyon.

GO ON A SLEEPER TRAIN

This could be done in the UK but I love the idea of doing this across the US, Canada or Europe, falling asleep in one desination, waking up in another. You can often bring down the price by sharing compartments or have a cabin to yourself.

VISIT LAPLAND, FINLAND

I totally love the idea of with many flights there during the winter months and go on a husky ride. But I don't 'do' snow. I mean, I don't drive in it and even walking in snow scares me as I've a fear of falling so I need to conquer that first!

SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

Whilst going to Finland to see them is still on my list, the UK was lucky in 2024 with the Northern Lights being seen in the very south. Not only did the Aurora Alerts app alert me but so did social media with countless photos of green and pink skies. I'd definitely recommend downloading an app to keep you posted.

GO ON SAFARI

Whilst I've seen the African continent from afar when in Gibraltar, I'd never set foot on its shores but seeing the animals in their natural habitat would be beyond extraordinary. 

FEED ELEPHANTS

Oh, I did this in 2023 when in Thailand. Whilst elephants are often found in the country tied up by the roadside and not treated well, I went to a fabulous sanctuary that had rescued them from circuses, etc... and I got to feed them sugar cane. Wow. Wow. Wow!

GO TO THE TOP OF MARINA BAY SANDS, SINGAPORE

Inspired by the BBC 1 series Race Across the World, I finally made it here in 2023. MBS is packed with shops, a hotel, etc. and even its own canal! And the views from the observation deck are stunning, especially if you come at sunset. 

CLIMB SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE

Never been to Australia though I hope to go there in the next few years along with New Zealand. It just seems like it's the most iconic thing to do in Sydney. The other place I'd like to visit in Australia is Pin Oak Court in Vermont South, also known as Ramsey Street in Neighbours.

TAKE A HELICOPTER FLIGHT OVER THE GRAND CANYON

Definitely one to tie in with a trip to Las Vegas and perhaps a road trip to LA! I've been on 2 helicopters (both in the UK) but the views would be just spectacular. 

VISIT THE DUTCH TULIP FIELDS

The tulip fields of the Netherlands are meant to be quite a sight though I'm sure, like other events like cherry blossom,  it's about the timing. Whilst not quite the same, Tulleys Farm (10 minute drive from my home) ran its first tulip event in 2024 with more than 500,000 bulbs planted and it featured on various TV programmes. Looked ace!

GO ON A WICKER RIDE IN MADEIRA

Madeira is a gorgeous country bringing winter sun but you can also travel down a hill in a wicker basket, steered by men with rubber soles, wearing stripped jackets and boater hats, and.... no brakes in sight! 

VISIT 3 EUROPEAN CHRISTMAS MARKETS

Whist we have these in the UK, I'd love to visit the markets in destinations like Strasbourg, Vienna, Munich and Prague. If you're reading this and don't live in Europe, major cities are easily linked with the railway system so definitely possible to do several cities/countries in one trip.

GO ON A DUNE BUGGY

Don't these look like fun?! Even if I were a passenger, these look thrilling to experience. I can't think of anywhere in Europe that would offer this so I need to get thinking about where to head to.

VISIT/SEE A DESERT

Last year, I flew over Oman and Saudi Arabia in clear blue skies and saw a desert for the first time, looking at the contours, occasional buildings, remote roads. Was an extraordinary sight. But I'd like to visit too...

VISIT/SEE A RAINFOREST

I ticked this off visiting the Caribbean island of Martinique in December 2024. Lush foliage, trickling streams, etc. Really was quite a sight.

GO ON A CRUISE

I've now done 3 but I started with a 2 night mini-cruise from Southampton to Bruges. The thing I love most is waking up to a new destination each day and how it's so stress-free.

GO TO THE CARIBBEAN

As I write this, I'm in the Caribbean having already visited Saint Maarten and Martinique but with St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico still to go to in the next few days. It's December 2024 and 31 degrees! Definitely loving the stunning views, beaches, music and people.

GO ON A GONDOLA IN VENICE

I did this in 2022. The city gets incredibly busy but it's well worth getting up in the very early hours if you'd like uninterrupted photos. Gondolas are not cheap but they're great as a one-off experience and going at dusk in the middle of summer felt  almost magical. 

GO ON A JET SKI

This was added to my list recently after seeing it on TV...though I've developed a fear of water and it's something that I really do question how up I'd be for it. One for the warmer climates for sure but, again, watching TV can bring lots of ideas. 

VISIT COLMAR, FRANCE

If there was a town in Europe that truly encapsulated the Disney vibe, this would be it with its colourful wooden beam houses. It seems reachable from Basel airport but I took the train from Zurich and changed at Basel. It's meant to be particularly stunning at Christmas.

TRAVEL BY NIGHT BUS

No doubt you can do this in the UK too but I'm currently discovering that travel all over Europe (and other countries) can be done super cheaply if you're okay to put up with sleeping on a bus, many of which have recliner seats.

MASTER LOCAL CUISINE

I don't know how brave I'd be doing this but perhaps you fancy attending a pasta making class in Naples, a macaron making class in Paris or a paella masterclass in Seville. When I looked into this a while back, many were English speaking but what an opportunity to learn from the best!

GO TO THE OLYMPICS/ PARALYMPICS

You might even get lucky if you have a home games! I went to the 2024 Paralympics in Paris where I saw the athletics at the Stade de France and I'm planning on going to LA in 2028. It's hard to describe the buzz but there's such a sense of positivity and having people descend from all over the world. Very highly recommend!