We’re about to set off on an amazing trip around the world, and we couldn’t wait to share our travel bucket list for 2024. Picking from our long list of dream destinations was tough, but we’ve narrowed it down to a selection of 9 items that promises adventure, culture, and unforgettable memories. So, join us as we spill the tea on our travel dreams for the coming year!
Table of contents
- 1. Hike the Salkantay Trek in Peru
- 2. Tick off three of the New Seven Wonders of the World
- 3. Explore Japan’s wonderful culture
- 4. Overnight cruise on Halong Bay
- 5. Dive at the Great Barrier Reef in Australia
- 6. Island hopping in Hawaii
- 7. Discover Khao Sok National Park
- 8. Visit Mexico for Día de Los Muertos
- 9. Bungee jumping or skydiving
1. Hike the Salkantay Trek in Peru
The Salkantay Trek has been on our bucket list ever since we saw that first reel about it. This five-day trek takes you to one of the New Seven Wonders of the World: Machu Picchu. It’s considered the best alternative to the Inca Trail, so we’re all for it! Not only is it cheaper, but according to many it is just as beautiful or perhaps even more beautiful because of its diversity. This would also be our first multi-day trek, and a big one at that! Trekking over 75 km with a height difference of 3000m will prove right away if we’re fit to do it or not. We can’t wait to see for ourselves!
2. Tick off three of the New Seven Wonders of the World
From the moment we visited our first Wonder of the World together (the Colosseum), we’ve been craving for more. So this year we’re on a mission to see not one, not two, but three of the New Seven Wonders of the World! Besides Machu Picchu, which we just mentioned, we would also like to see Chichén Itzá and the Taj Mahal. Initially, we weren’t planning on visiting India during our world trip. But Kelvin managed to convince Thysia to start off in India rather than in Sri Lanka, just by mentioning we could visit the Taj Mahal and tick off one more Wonder of the World. We’re so ready for mind-blowing sights and some serious bucket list checks!
3. Explore Japan’s wonderful culture
Thysia is the ultimate Japan enthusiast! For as long as she can remember, Japan has been her dream destination. From the amazing culture and delicious food to friendly locals, we both are excited about everything Japan has to offer. Thysia has everything planned out already, she listed all the sights, restaurants, and cocktail bars. The only thing left for us to do is counting down to our visit in May. We’re already dreaming of wandering through countless temples, and trying out sushi and ramen like a local.
Fun fact
It was Thysia who introduced sushi to Kelvin! Prior to our relationship together, Kelvin had never tried sushi before. And now he’s a biiiig fan.
4. Overnight cruise on Halong Bay
Halong Bay in Vietnam is a must-see, and we can’t wait to experience its magic! It’s one of the reasons we bought a drone, just so we could be able to capture all that beauty trough our lens. Imagine a series of impressive limestone islands, each telling its own story, and all designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. For this alone we’d visit Halong Bay in a heartbeat, but we’ve got something even more exciting coming up. We think that the best way to explore Halong Bay is by cruise, so we went ahead and booked one. We can’t wait to spend the night on the water!
5. Dive at the Great Barrier Reef in Australia
Kelvin is most excited about visiting Australia during our world trip, with the Great Barrier Reef being one of the main reasons of course. Who could say no to the world’s biggest coral reef? Picture this: a world under the sea filled with bright colors, stunning coral, and all sorts of cool sea creatures. We want to put on our scuba gear and dive into this amazing underwater world. The only thing is… We don’t know how to scuba dive (yet)! But if there’s one place where we really want to dive, then it’s in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia!
Our plan is to get certified during our year from home, preferably in the time before visiting Australia. That way we can get some extra experience under our belt for when it’s time to take on the big guy.
6. Island hopping in Hawaii
Aloha, Hawaii! The Rainbow State is next on our list after seeing hundreds of photos and videos online of people going on a helicopter flight over one of the islands. You best believe we’ll be doing that too! It looks sooo amazing. Other than being excited for an amazing helicopter ride, we can’t wait to go island hopping across this tropical paradise. Two islands stand out to us: Oahu and Kauai. We really can’t wait to experience the island-life of Hawaii!
We have to admit that Hawaii wasn’t on our original list of destinations. Not because it didn’t appeal to us, on the contrary, but just because it is so expensive! But after learning we could fly over the islands, we immediately put it on our list and started doing our research! What also played a part in adding Hawaii to our list, is that the destinations before and after Hawaii will be super exhausting. By adding Hawaii in between two busy destinations, we get to charge our batteries and relax for a bit. Great decision if you ask us!
7. Discover Khao Sok National Park
Next on our travel list is Khao Sok National Park in Thailand, a real beauty of a place and what some label “the most beautiful place in Thailand”. We can’t wait to see this with our own eyes! We’ve already booked a tour that includes a morning safari, hiking through the rainforest, canoeing, and an overnight stay in a floating bungalow. In addition, we also booked an overnight stay in a treehouse. So cool! Experiencing all these unique accommodations is what inspired us to start Tasting Sunsets in the first place. That, and trying out different kinds of delicious food, of course.
8. Visit Mexico for Día de Los Muertos
Ever since we watched the Disney movie Coco, we knew one thing for sure: we want to experience Día de Los Muertos in Mexico someday. This tradition is all about remembering and honoring our loved ones who have passed away, and what makes it even more special is that it’s done in a joyful way! In Mexico, during Día de Los Muertos, people create beautiful altars with photos, favorite foods, and mementos of their loved ones. Who wouldn’t want to “cross the border” and visit their loved ones in the Land of the Death one more time, like they did in Coco?
We can’t wait to be part of this unique and meaningful celebration because that’s how we are in life, too! Vibrant parades, colorful decorations, and above all: traditional foods! Don’t be mistaken, the incredible Mexican food scene is a close second when it comes to reasons why we want to visit Mexico. If you hadn’t noticed already, a Mexican restaurant is among the first we visit wherever we are! Whether it’s Ghent, Palm Springs, or at a stall of one of the many food markets we’ve visited: Mexican food is our go-to!
9. Bungee jumping or skydiving
No bucket list is complete without a leap of faith! Whether it’s a heart-pounding bungee jump or a thrilling skydive, we’re ready to take the plunge and add a dose of adrenaline to our global escapades. Hopefully our parents are not reading this! Sorry mom, but we’ve got to do what we’ve got to do.
And when you say thrill-seeking adventures, what country is better suited than New Zealand? Known for its stunning landscapes and adventure-packed activities, it’s the perfect place to take the plunge. We haven’t decided whether it’s going to be bungy jumping or skydiving, but one thing’s for certain: it’s going to be New Zealand! We have a few options in the back of our minds for now, and once we have booked our experience we’ll definitely disclose it here first.
And there you have it – our travel bucket list for 2024! How many items do you think we are going to be able to tick off our travel bucket list? 😉
