The lovely Becky over at Treasured Travels recently put together a blog post on her ultimate travelist, read it HERE.
This was based on where she had visited from the amazing list in the book, the ‘Lonely Planet Ultimate Travelist: The 500 Best Places on the Planet’. I also have a copy of this book (one of the best birthday presents I have ever received). Get your copy by clicking here. From Becky’s post I was inspired to dig it out, see how many I had visited and write my own blog post on my top 10.
I have now made it to 76 of the 500. This 15% is a good start, but I have so many more I want to see. It also made the top 10 quite hard to choose, ask me again tomorrow and it might have changed. But in no particular order here goes.
My top 10 places I have visited from the ultimate travelist
1. Temples of Angkor, Cambodia
Number one in the Lonely Planet Ultimate travelist for a very good reason. This enormous complex of temples is like nothing else. The sheer amount of history here is outstanding.
I went to see the iconic sunrise over the Angkor Wat temple. While it was crowded, it is definitely an experience you don’t want to miss.
Read more about my time in Cambodia here.
2. Great Wall of China, China
China was the first country I visited on my solo trip around Asia, so it holds a special place in my heart. In fact the reason I decided to visit this country was because I had always wanted to see the Great Wall of China.
After climbing the fairly steep hill to reach the wall, it did not disappoint. This feat of what mankind has achieved is a sight to behold.
3.Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania
Safari was just the most amazing trip and I was delighted with the beautiful Selous. It was so green and luscious. The Rufji river runs through the middle and you can see such incredible animals in the wild.
Safari in the Selous was the most sensational trip. Read more about this wonderful place here.
4. Lake Bled, Slovenia
Oct 2018 – an update to this list.
Lake Bled has been on my bucket list for a long time! I finally visited in October 2018, and it was everything I had hope it would be. As I rounded the bend and saw my first glimpse of the lake, it took my breath away.
The little island in the middle, the only lake in all of Slovenia, is home to the most picturesque church. You can swim out in the summer months or row out at other times. There are also hikes and take a trip up to Bled castle for amazing views. And make sure you you try the famous Bled cake! Take a look here!
5. Halong Bay, Vietnam
With 1969 rock formations and islands rearing out of the water and little floating villages, Halong Bay almost feels like another world. There is a lot of mythology surrounding the bay and you can certainly feel it.
I stayed the night on a junk boat. An experience not to be missed when visiting Vietnam. Read more here.
6. Empire State Building, U.S.A
It is fairly common knowledge that New York is my favourite city in the world. I have been to the top of the Empire State building twice. But even on my most recent trip, when I didn’t feel the need to go up it again, the sight of this iconic building made me so happy.
Crossing any bridge into Manhattan and catching that first glimpse of the building – for me nothing is more exciting.
The setting of so many moments in films, it really is a ‘pinch me’ place to visit.
7. Gardens by the Bay, Singapore
Much to my disappointment I still haven’t been able to go on the skyway walk despite having visited twice. However, these beautiful vertical gardens and the cloud forest are not to be missed.
This is why I included them on my top 5 things to see in Singapore.
8. Isla de Ometepe, Nicaragua
The island made up of two volcanoes in the middle of the largest lake in Central America. What is not to love?
It was unbelievably beautiful, lots of history for a tiny island, such friendly locals and so relaxing. It completely took me in from the word go. Read more here.
9. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda
I visited Bwindi when I went hiking to see the gorillas in their natural habitat. It really was a once in a lifetime experience. I feel so lucky to have been able to spend some time in this incredibly special part of the world.
The forest is thick, untamed and home to the most incredible families of gorillas.
10. Khongoryn Els, Mongolia
Climbing a sand dune in the Khongoryn Els was the most exhausting thing I have ever done. I am not fond of any sort of exercise, so this felt like a big achievement for me. It took just less than an hour, although some of the group did it much faster.
Khongoryn Els is also the first time I saw a desert, so it was very special. Read about my time in the Gobi here.
Honourable mention
(I just couldn’t remove it!)
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, Japan
I visited the Peace Memorial park on a trip to Japan with my mum. While it was very saddening to visit, I felt it was extremely important to see. The ruins of the only structure to survive the bombing of Hiroshima have been left as a reminder.
Now a very peaceful and reflective place to visit.
Top 10 places I want to visit:
1. Machu Picchu, Peru
2. Petra, Jordan
3. Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
4. Bagan, Myanmar
5. Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
6. Karnak, Egypt
7. DUBROVNIK OLD CITY WALLS, CROATIA
8. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
9. Cappadocia, Turkey
10. Santorini, Greece
have you been to any of these places? What are the top 10 places you have seen?
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Love this!! I have spent far too long flicking through this book! I haven’t been to any of your top picks but have been to a fair few on your “wishlist” – between us, we’re doing well 😉
Author
I am the same! So many places to go! So jealous of your South America trip. So many I want to see from that part of the world. We are doing well between us though! X
I love that book so much! Your list sounds amazing, I haven’t been to any places on it yet but I’m heading to Dubrovnik very soon and can’t wait to see the walls!
Author
Me too! I spend so much time dreaming of where I could go. Can’t wait to see more of your Dubrovnik pics!
You’ve been to some incredible places! I’d have to agree in New York being one of my faves too though. Hopefully you’ll go to the 10 on your list to visit soon 🙂
Author
Thank you! It was quite hard to choose 10! New York is definitely my favourite city. I’m got three of my wish list planned for next year already. So hopefully can tick a few more off as well!
There isn’t a single place on this list that I don’t want to go to! Cambodia, Vietnam, Singapore & Peru are most definitely on my list!
abbiejadewanders.co.uk
Author
I can’t vouch for Peru (yet) but he other 3 are amazing!! So many more places to go and things to see!
The world is certainly a melting pot of never ending experiences! We’ve only done New York on your list but so many are on the bucket list! We’ve been to Dubrovnik,Croatia and Lake Bled, Slovenia. Both of those countries themselves have so much to offer. Slovenia was one of our favourites, beautiful scenery abound.
That’s the great thing about travel – we’ll never run out of places to visit in our lifetimes ❤️
Author
I hoping to go to Slovenia this year, it just looks so beautiful. You’re right, the world is so big. It’s such a wonderful thing!
They all are incredible places to visit ! All so different and incredible in their own way !
Author
It was really hard to pick a top 10! They are also so amazing
What a brilliantly curated collection of must-see places! I’m definitely going to be adding these to my own list of places I need to check out! Thank you for sharing – sending you good vibes for a wonderful week!
Nati x | http://www.curatedbynati.com | @curatedbynati
Author
Thank you so much Nati. And the same to you 😊
I am so jealous of your list 🙂 I have only been to Bled (because I live in Slovenia) and to Dubrovnik. Everything else is still waiting for me.
Author
Two places I’d love to go to! Enjoy planning to visit the rest 😊
I love your list! Was it super hard to decide on just 10–10? I know I would have a tough time when it comes to top 10 places I want to see 😂
Author
It was so hard!! I wanted to include the NHM, the colosseum and about 63 others of the 75 I have made it to. And then I really want to visit them all on the list. I’ve got at least 4 of them planned for next year though 😁
Great list! I cannot wait to visit Halong Bay in a few weeks time. I would 100% recommend Old Bagan in Myanmar – it was amazing and so hard to put into works how beautiful it is.
Holly x
http://www.ldnmuse.com
Author
Oh your so lucky! Such a beautiful and just incredible part of the world.
I definitely need to make it, always on the list!