Who knew saving for a wedding and cutting back on your travel would be so hard. The struggle is real. I think because I had such epic travel experiences in 2016, a quieter 2017 is proving super tough.
Last year I was lucky enough to go to the Dominican Republic with The Holiday Place, Tuscany, Cologne, Nuremberg, and Salzburg. Not a bad year if I do say so myself.
So even if I’m not going to be jetting off anywhere in the near future, in order to cope, I’m daydreaming about potential places I can go next. Three destinations keep popping into my mind for different reasons. Here are three destinations that are on my holiday hitlist.
Bali, Indonesia
Bali is popping up on my Instagram newsfeed like every single day. It literally looks incredible. An absolute mecca for relaxation and spiritual happiness. I’m definitely on board with the whole meditation/mindfulness/wellness movement.
One of the top travel experiences I want to take part in is some sort of epic relaxation retreat. I need to switch off from the modern world, but I also want to discover exactly what reaching a certain level of relaxation is like. Bali, I’m in need of your tranquillity, sandy shores and lush rainforests.
It seems like the kind of destination that has a profound affect on your wellbeing. From calming retreats and experiences close to nature, to healthy smoothies and an abundance of fresh fruit. Apparently ‘Duren’ is a fruit that the locals love but tourists hate. Imagine waking up in a treehouse style hotel with views of the rainforest and mountains. Pure bliss.
Things I want to do in Bali
- Visit Tanah Lot, a temple perched on a rocky island, it’s one of the most photographed temples in the world.
- Visit Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, a stunning water temple located on Lake Bratan in the mountains near Bedugul
- Visit Ubud, the cultural and spiritual centre of the island
- Go on a cycling tour of Bali’s little villages, secret back roads and mesmerising countryside.
Puglia, Italy
Last year my fiance and I went to Tuscany, and we absolutely loved it. We just can’t get enough of the Italian food. I do enjoy my carbs, so I’m basically in heaven in Italy with all the yummy fresh pasta dishes.
One of my fiance’s clients has a place in Puglia, and we’ve heard very good things. I know everyone is raving on about the Amalfi Coast at the moment, and I can’t disagree with its appeal, but I’d rather head over to Puglia instead.
Puglia is a region that forms the heel of Italy’s boot. It’s got a rocky coastline with traditional white buildings perched on the cliffsides, soft sandy beaches and pristine seas. Bari, the capital of the region is known as ‘the Florence of the South’ thanks to its beautiful baroque architecture. Puglia is actually on our honeymoon shortlist, I can imagine it’s quite stunning and romantic.
Things I want to do in Puglia
- Visit Castel del Monte
- Swim in the coves dotted around the Salentine peninsula
- Go hiking at Gargano
- Visit the ruins and baroque buildings at Centro Storico, Lecce
- Go wine tasting
- Go on a pasta making course and street food tour of Bari
Yosemite National Park, California
If I get to visit California, I’m not too fussed about the glitz and glamour of LA, as soon as I land, I’ll be making a beeline for the national parks. Yosemite is perhaps the most famous, and one of the main reasons I want to go there is to try and spot some of the wildlife such as the black bears and mountain lions. I want to wander around Mirror Lake, feast my eyes upon Yosemite falls and peek over Taft Point.
It just looks so beauty and I’d love to take my GoPro camera there and create an incredible video. I’d also like to pay a visit to a few other National Parks in California such as Death Valley National Park and Sequoia National Park. I’ve also wanted to visit San Francisco for a while now, so I’d make a huge effort to include it in my Californian travel itinerary.
