My Bucket List | 50 before 50

I haven't been everywhere, but it's on my list.

Travel has always been in my blood, and from an early age, my parents dedicated every summer holiday to exploring new destinations together. Travel, turned into something magical for me the older I got as I truly started to immerse in different cultures, tried authentic dishes, and learned about different people – all of which opened a complete perspective as to how magnificent our world is. It is these beautiful memories which inspired the start of my blog, and I smile, when I read back on all the adventures we have been on, all the beautiful places we have seen.

Turning 30 this year, was not nearly as scary as I have been led to believe, or rather, as modern culture pins the “dirty thirties”. I celebrated my 3rd decade, in paradise, The Seychelles, which happened to be on my bucket list for a very long time, and while it was absolute perfection, the experience also made me realise, how much more there is to discover in this world – and how much more I had to see.

With that said, here is my refined “50 experiences, before turning 50” list:

1. Watch the sunrise from a hot air balloon in Cappadocia, Turkey

2. Visit the temples of Chiang Mai, Thailand

3. Shop in the Marrakesh souqs

4. Visit an organic Argan factory in Essouira, Morocco

5. Go ice skating in NYC Central Park, USA

6. Have breakfast in front of Tiffany’s just like in the movie, NYC, USA

7. Watch the sunset in Santorini, Greece

8. Bask in the majesty of Florence

9. Capture priceless moments in Cinque Terre

10. Visit a tea plantation and elephant orphanage in Sri Lanka

11. Dance to live music on the streets in Havana, Cuba

12. Learn to tango in Buenos Aires, Argentina

13. Watch the cherry blossoms in Tokyo, Japan

14. Visit Ancient Egypt in Luxor, Egypt

15. Marvel at the world wonder of Pamukkale, Turkey

16. Go back to my birthplace in Melacca, Malaysia

17. Book a yoga retreat in Bali, Indonesia

18. Enjoy the street life culture in Singapore

19. Swim in the best beach in Boracay, Philippines

20. Eat original waffles and Belgian frites in Brussels, Belgium

21. Meet Elie Saab during Fashion Week in Milan, and wear an original dress

22. Make my own perfume in Grasse, France

23. Run across the lavender fields in Provence, France

24. Ride a bike along the promenade in Nice, France

25. Spend a night at the InterContinental Cannes, France

26. Go on a romantic date in Paris, France

27. Go on a cruise of the North Sea and stop in each of the Scandinavian countries

28. Enjoy a siesta in Barcelona, Spain

29. Sail on a yacht along the coast of Bodrum, Turkey

30. Visit the Neuschwanstein castle in Bavaria, Germany

31. Row a boat in Lake Bled, Slovenia

32. Listen to the Sea Organ in Zadar, Croatia

33. Go snorkeling in the Maldives

34. Bask in the beauty of Ireland’s nature

35. Find the most majestic waterfall in Costa Rica

36. Walk the Great Wall of China

37. Swim with dolphins in Hawaii

38. Explore the old charms of Zanzibar, Tanzania

39. Wear wellies and have a real English high tea experience in London

40. Go on a wine tasting tour in Napa Valley, USA

41. Enjoy Creole culture in New Orleans, USA

42. Take a historical and culinary trip of the entire Italy from north to south and east to west on a Vespa

43. Visit the Pink City of Jaipur, India

44. Watch ballet in the Sydney Opera House, Australia

45. Delight in the magic of Petra and swim in the Dead Sea, Jordan

46. Visit Byblos and enjoy the nightlife of Beirut, Lebanon

47. Visit Jerusalem

48. Admire the culture of Budapest, Hungary

49. Island hopping in the Bahamas

50. Make my own chocolate in Switzerland

After 50, the sky is the limit 🙂 Have you ever been to any of these destinations? I would love to hear about your experiences!

xo,

Marina

Disclaimer: All views are my own and all photographs are © My Sweet Escapes, unless otherwise stated.