A Compilation Of Places To See Before You Die

Plus a number of bucket lists compiled by visiting over two dozen sources and selecting those destinations that have been mentioned most often.

---

The Intentional Travelers 25 Must See Additions To Your Travel Bucket-list

This is The Intentional Travelers top destinations compiled from our decades of exploring the world. You might find it incomplete and you’d be right, since hopefully we haven’t done all of our own bucket list items yet.

After this list you’ll find more compiled lists featuring cruise itineraries, historic sights, nature travel and more, so here goes…

• Budapest: While it’s hard to single out one city from all the world’s great cities, Budapest is our favorite all-around city. It’s incredibly beautiful with castles, cathedrals and the Parliament building along the Danube River, a fantastic mass transit system and amazing restaurants and cafes.
• Iguazu Falls: Now recognized as one of the natural wonders of the world, Iguazu Falls is an experience that belongs on every bucket list. Be sure and note the best park for visiting the falls is in Argentina and the time is December to May.

• Prague: This historic city features a vibrant culture, world class public transportation and fantastic food and cafe opportunities. The parks and trails along the Vltava River invite you to spend hours strolling and relaxing.
• Kilauea Volcano At Night: When the volcano is active don’t miss the unparalleled opportunity to observe molten lava flowing into the ocean, lighting up the coast while clouds of steam billow skyward. Be sure and check ahead with tour operators about the current conditions.

• Paris: There is only one Paris and it should be near the top of everyone’s bucket list. Home to the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame, the list goes on and on and don’t miss the food and nightlife.
• Venice: The expression says “see Venice and die”, suggesting there is no place in the world that can top the experience of visiting Venice. With its magnificent canals, palaces, cathedrals and public squares you’ll understand why. Don’t miss the gondolas as it is a unique experience.
• Rome: Not only is Rome the ancient capital of the worlds greatest empire but it has dozens of amazing ancient building, it is also a city that was home to Popes, great architects and Renaissance artists. Throw in great restaurants, wine bars and fabulous shopping and this city belongs on everyone’s bucket list.
• Resurrection Bay, Alaska: We’ve taken numerous nature tours over the years from Denali to Amazonia to Australia and none of them come close to our day out on Resurrection Bay. From whales to eagles, sea lions and puffins, wildlife was everywhere. One important caveat, is you’ll need good weather for the best experience.
• Florence: The birth place and center of the Renaissance, this amazing city is a treasure trove of art, architecture and culture. Its museums hold extensive collections of Renaissance paintings, sculptures, and drawings by artists such as Michelangelo, Di Vinci, Raphael, and Titian.

• Jerusalem: This historic city is sacred to three of the world’s great religions; Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Walking its ancient streets can be a very emotional experience and something everyone should try and do once in their life.

• Bangkok: The capital of Thailand and the heart of the kingdom of Siam, this remarkable city is dotted with Buddhist temples, palaces and cultural sites. If the opportunity presents itself don’t pass up visiting Bangkok
• Penguins In The Falklands: It’s incredible how popular expeditions to see penguins have become and one of the easiest to get to locations for viewing large colonies is the Falkland Islands.
• Zion National Park: America has dozens of incredible National Parks and probably the best for hiking is Zion. From paved walkways to steep cliff tops and narrow passes through sandstone canyons, Zion has something for everyone.
• Haleakala Volcano: On the island of Maui, Haleakala National Park boasts some of the most diverse hiking trails anywhere. From leisurely strolls through lush rainforests to challenging treks to the summit of Haleakala, this park offers an experience that some have described as like exploring on the Moon.
• The Beagle Channel: Cutting across South America at Tierra del Fuego the channel provides some of the most concentrated wildlife to be found anywhere on Earth. From whales to sea lions to tens of thousands of sea birds it is an amazing experience.

• The Acropolis Athens: The Acropolis of Athens is an ancient citadel located on a rocky outcrop above the city. It is one of the most important and iconic landmarks of civilization and is universally recognized as the birth place of the worlds first democracy. It was a city state of the ancient Athenians who included some of the worlds most famous philosophers, mathematicians, scientists and writers.
• Hubbard Glacier: Of all the worlds glaciers one of the most spectacular is Alaska’s Hubbard Glacier. About a mile wide, this massive ice sheet is constantly calving large walls of ice into the bay. Visited by cruise ships and excursion boats it is the highlight of any Alaska trip.
• Yosemite National Park: This California National Park is one of the most visited in America and the scenery concentrated in Yosemite Valley is breathtaking. Its famous highlights include Half Dome, El Capitan and Bridal Veil Falls.
• Yellowstone: America’s first national park, Yellowstone is huge covering almost 3,500 square miles of natural wonders. Its iconic sights include the Old Faithful Geyser, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, Monmouth Springs and much more.
• Singapore: If you want to get a glimpse of the future visit Singapore. This modern multi-cultural city has one of the world’s best public transportation systems and more sights and attractions than you can fit into several weeks of visiting.
• Giants Causeway: Composed of 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, created by an ancient volcanic eruption it is not the only formation but it is the largest. Located on the coast of Northern Ireland, the columns are mostly hexagonal in shape and have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The site is also surrounded by a landscape of cliffs and headlands, with stunning views of the North Atlantic Ocean.
• Machu Picchu: An ancient city in Peru, located in the Andes. It was built by the Inca Empire in the 15th century and is considered one of the most iconic landmarks in all the world. The city is made up of stone structures, including temples, palaces, and houses, and is surrounded by lush vegetation and amazing mountain scenery.

• Pompeii, Italy: This ancient Roman city located near modern Naples was one of the most important and prosperous cities of the Roman Empire, with a population of over 20,000 people. Pompeii is best known for its destruction in 79 AD, when the nearby Mount Vesuvius erupted and completely buried the city. Today it is one of the most popular and well-preserved archaeological sites in the world.

• Panama Canal: An engineering marvel the canal was built between 1904 and 1914 by the United States, and it has been in operation ever since. The Panama Canal is one of the most important shipping routes in the world lifting ships from sea level in the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean across the mountains of Panama using a series of locks. Cruising through the canal is an experience not to be missed.
• Normandy France: A special place commemorating a day where heroism was the norm. Spend time at the beaches where the allied armies stormed ashore to begin the liberation of Europe in World War II. Be sure to save time and pay your respects at the cemeteries where thousands of those brave men rest.

MORE BUCKET LISTS

---

---

Following is a series of bucket lists, each with a particular focus and compiled by visiting over two dozen highly regarded travel authorities and selecting those places that have been mentioned most often.

10 Best Archeological and Historical Places

• Rome, Italy: The Eternal City is home to some of the world’s most iconic landmarks of the Roman Empire, including the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Pantheon as well as major architectural highlights from the Renaissance through today.

• Cairo, Egypt: Gateway to the wonders of the ancient Egyptian empires. Located on the Nile River and near the great pyramids of Giza it is home to the Egyptian Museum and is the starting point for visits to Luxor and The Valley of the Kings.

• Athens, Greece: In the center of this city rises the Acropolis, holding spectacular ancient temples and recognized as the birthplace of the worlds first democracy. It was home to the ancient Athenians that included some of the worlds most famous philosophers, mathematicians, scientists and writers.

• Paris, France: “There will always be Paris!” The City of Light is known for its beautiful architecture, including the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, and Notre Dame Cathedral.

• Kyoto, Japan: This city is known for its well-preserved traditional architecture, including temples, shrines, and tea houses. Some of the most famous landmarks include the Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), the Fushimi Inari Shrine, and the Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

• Jerusalem: A city sacred to three of the world’s great religions, this international city was first the capital of the kingdom of the Israelites and housed their Temples. It is where Jesus preached and was crucified and is sacred to the Christian faith and is also the location of the Dome of the Rock, sacred to Muslims. Walking its streets will carry back in time almost 3,000 years.

• Machu Picchu, Peru: This ancient city, located in the Andes Mountains, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world and an archeological wonder. It is known for its impressive stone ruins, which were constructed by the Incas on a high mountain peak in the 15th century.

• Florence, Italy: This Italian city represented the very heart of the European Renaissance. Its famous residents included Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, the Medici family, Machiavelli, Galileo and Dante Alighieri and is the location of a number of world’s most famous art collections.

• Petra, Jordan: This isolated ancient city was carved right out of the rose-red rock, and is on most bucket lists for archeological destinations. It is known for its well-preserved ruins, including the Treasury, the Amphitheater, and the Royal Tombs.

• Angkor Wat, Cambodia: This amazing temple complex, located in the jungle, is the largest religious monument in the world. It was built by the Khmer Empire in the 12th century and is known for its intricate carvings and impressive architecture.

• Luxor and The Valley of the Kings, Egypt: A place in Egypt where, for a period from the 16th to 11th century BC, the worlds greatest civilization constructed temples and tombs for the Pharaohs and powerful nobles of the New Kingdom of Ancient Egypt. The valley stands on the west bank of the Nile, opposite Thebes and Luxor, within the heart of the Theban Necropolis.

Ten Cruise Itineraries For Your Bucket List

Arranged in descending order of most often selected chosen.

Every year more and more people discover cruising and what better way to tick off those bucket list destinations than on a luxury cruise ship. Here’s a list composed from several cruising bucket list articles showing the most popular cruise itineraries:

• Alaska: Year after year Alaska cruises top every survey as the best cruise itinerary worldwide. Pick your favorite cruise line and go see Alaska.
• The Caribbean: With its crystal clear waters, white sand beaches and proximity to the U.S. market these cruises are really popular in the Winter and are often good values.
• The Mediterranean: Most Med cruises come in two choices, Eastern and Western and deciding which one is very difficult. Choosing between Spain, the Riviera, Italy or Athens, the Greek Islands, and the Adriatic is a matter of individual interest. If you’re flying over perhaps consider doing both?
• Panama Canal: The canal is another of those “once in a lifetime” experiences. Most cruises sail from the U.S. west coast to the east coast or the other way round. Some Caribbean itineraries also offer a canal short trip going part way in and back out into the Caribbean.
• New England and the Canadian Maritimes: These are popular Autumn itineraries for see the leaves changing colors and the scenery is amazing. Most include a number of ports from Bar Harbor to Old Quebec.

• Australia and New Zealand: For long distance travel, Down Under is the number one itinerary and for good reason. For English speaking destinations you can’t get any more exotic and amazing than Australia and New Zealand.
• The South China Sea: With Singapore being a popular departure port Vietnam, Thailand, Hong Kong and dozens of other exotic destinations in the South China Sea are waiting to be explored.
• Antarctica: As hard as it is to believe there are dozens of options for cruising to the frozen continent. From luxury cruise ships to smaller expedition ships Antarctic cruises are now available for anyone to experience.
• Scandinavia and the North Atlantic: Popular destinations in the Netherlands, Norway, the Shetland Islands, Iceland and even Greenland are on a number of cruise itineraries from several cruise companies.
• The Hawaiian Islands: These Pacific islands are truly America’s paradise with each island having a unique character, cruising is probably the best way to experience them. While U.S. law makes cruising them a challenge there are a number of itinerary options available to see these amazing islands.

---

10 best Cities known for their unique and impressive architecture, famous sights, bridges, and monuments.

• Cape Town, South Africa: Known for its rich history, diverse culture, and stunning natural beauty. The city is home to numerous famous buildings that includes the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, the Castle of Good Hope is a well-preserved 17th-century fortress and St. George’s Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral known for its Gothic Revival architecture.

• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: The most famous structures in Rio is the Christ the Redeemer statue, an awe-inspiring symbol of Christianity and Brazilian culture. The city is also noted for the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian a striking example of modern architecture. Its unique cone-shaped design and stained glass windows make it a must along with the National Library of Brazil.

• Paris, France: World-renowned for its historical, cultural, and architectural significance the highlights include the over 1,000 foot tall Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, one of the largest and most visited museums in the world, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Arc de Triomphe and Sacré-Cœur Basilica.

• Copenhagen, Denmark: Famous for its picturesque waterfront area lined with colorful 17th and 18th-century townhouses, Tivoli Gardens, one of the oldest amusement parks in the world, the Little Mermaid statue, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s famous fairy tale. The official residence of the Danish royal family is Amalienborg Palace a magnificent complex of four identical palaces surrounding an octagonal square and famous for the changing of the royal guards, a traditional ceremony that takes place every day at noon. Copenhagen is also noted for Christiania a self-proclaimed autonomous neighborhood known for its unique and alternative lifestyle.

• London, England: One of the worlds great cities famous for the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, The British Museum, home to one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive museum collections, St. Paul’s Cathedral and the London Eye.

• Sydney, Australia: Sydney, Australia is a vibrant city with a diverse range of attractions that cater to a multitude of interests. Famous for the Sydney Opera House one of the most recognizable buildings in the world. It is known for its unique sail-like design and hosts various performances and events throughout the year. The Sydney Harbour Bridge: Another iconic symbol of Sydney, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Bondi Beach offering a lively atmosphere with cafes, restaurants, and shops nearby. The Royal Botanic Gardens located in the heart of the city and Taronga Zoo situated on the shores of Sydney Harbour.
• Stockholm, Sweden: Known for its beautiful architecture, rich history, and vibrant culture its major highlights include Gamla Stan (Old Town) the oldest part of Stockholm and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Royal Palace is the official residence of the Swedish royal family and one of the largest palaces in the world. The Vasa Museum that houses the world’s only preserved 17th-century warship, the Vasa. The Skansen Open-Air Museum that features traditional Swedish buildings, farms, and workshops along with the Stockholm Archipelago, a group of islands located just outside of Stockholm. The archipelago is known for its beautiful scenery, including rocky shores, lush forests, and sparkling waters.

• Wellington, New Zealand: highlights include Te Papa Tongarewa (Museum of New Zealand), the Wellington Cable Car, Weta Cave, Zealandia Ecosanctuary, Mount Victoria Lookou Wellington Botanic Garden, Museum of Wellington City & Sea, the famous Wellington Waterfront, Beehive and Parliament Buildings.

• Bergen, Norway: A vibrant and popular city that is home to Bryggen, a series of Hanseatic heritage commercial buildings lining up the eastern side of the Vågen harbor. The Fløibanen Funicular, Bergen Aqaurium and the famous Fish Market.

10 Best Places For Stunning Natural Environments

• Cape Town, South Africa: Nestled under mountains to the north and the peninsula stretching to the southern tip of Africa to the south, Cape Town is surrounded by natural beauty. It is no exaggeration to call it a nature lovers paradise.

• Vancouver, Canada: Surrounded by a large natural harbor with impressive mountains at its back, Vancouver is Western Canada’s natural jewel. The city is famous for its skiing and hiking trails along with its popular boating opportunities.
• Sydney, Australia: Sydney owes its success to being located on one of the worlds largest natural harbors. Add in proximity to a number of the world’s great beaches, nearness to the Blue Mountains and its remarkable weather, and it’s hard to find a more inviting location.

• Copenhagen, Denmark: Surrounded by water, with waterways that play a vital role in the city’s identity and natural beauty. The city is intersected by canals, harbors, and lakes, offering ample opportunities for water-based activities. In addition nature is celebrated with numerous parks like King’s Garden, Denmark’s oldest royal gardens. This Botanical Garden contains ten hectares of gardens with a butterfly house and a tropical palm house dating back to 1874.

• Stockholm, Sweden: Noted for Hellasgården located only 20 minutes from Stockholm, this outdoor activity centre offers swimming, fishing, canoeing and cycling activities.The Sörmland Trail, 1,000 kilometres long and one of the longest hiking trails in Scandinavia, with many starting points easily accessible by public transport from Stockholm. The city is built upon 14 islands, and in the archipelago just outside the city, you’ll find nearly 30,000 more, a paradise for boaters and kayakers.

• Wellington, New Zealand: Forested hills and the sea embrace Wellington offering nature so near there are many opportunities to experience native wildlife. New Zealand is famous for rare flightless birds including the national icon, the kiwi, along with common flighted species such as the tūi and kererū. Everywhere you travel in Wellington there’s wildlife from marine mammals to birds and lizards.

• Honolulu, Hawaii: From snorkeling right off the beaches to hiking trails that lead to waterfalls, gardens, and scenic lookouts, to kayaking through caves and snorkeling in some of the most beautiful reefs anywhere around, there are so many ways to get into nature on this amazing city.

• Bergen, Norway: Bergen is located on the west coast of Norway in the heart of the fjords. As a UNESCO World Heritage City and a European City of Culture, the Bergen region has the ideal combination of nature, culture along with an exciting urban life all year around.

10 Best Cities For Great Public Transportation

The one thing that really makes a city stand out is a well developed, efficient and inexpensive public transportation network. To really enjoy visiting a city you need to be able to get around without spending a lot of money or waisting too much time and it’s really important for public transportation to be easy to understand. Good maps, easy to identify stops that are well marked and a simple fare system. Below is a consensus of the best cities for public transportation.

• Tokyo, Japan: Tokyo has one of the most efficient and extensive public transportation systems in the world, with a vast network of subways, trains, and buses that operate 24/7. The city also has a well-developed cycling infrastructure, making it easy to get around by bike.

• Singapore: Singapore is another city with an excellent public transportation system, including a modern MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) system, buses, and taxis. The city is also known for its efficient traffic management, which helps to keep the roads congestion-free.

• London, UK: London has a long history of public transportation, with its iconic red double-decker buses and the world’s oldest underground railway system, the London Underground. The city also has a well-developed network of trains and trams.

• Paris, France: Paris is known for its efficient and extensive public transportation system, including the Paris Métro, buses, and trams. The city also has a well-developed cycling infrastructure, making it easy to get around by bike.

• Hong Kong: Hong Kong has one of the most efficient public transportation systems in the world, with a vast network of subways, trains, and buses that operate 24/7. The city also has a well-developed cycling infrastructure, making it easy to get around by bike.

• Seoul, South Korea: Seoul has a modern and efficient public transportation system, including a well-developed subway system, buses, and taxis. The city also has a well-developed cycling infrastructure, making it easy to get around by bike.

• Budapest, Hungary: This city has a well-developed public transportation system that integrates trams, buses, a subway and a funicular. Tourist passes are inexpensive and system maps are readily available and easy to understand.

• Berlin, Germany: Berlin has a well-developed public transportation system, including an extensive subway system, buses, and trams. The city also has a well-developed cycling infrastructure, making it easy to get around by bike.

• Amsterdam, Netherlands: Amsterdam is known for its excellent cycling infrastructure, making it one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world. The city also has a well-developed public transportation system, including trams, buses, and ferries.

• Copenhagen, Denmark: Copenhagen is another bike-friendly city with an excellent cycling infrastructure. The city also has a well-developed public transportation system, including a metro, buses, and trains.

The World’s 10 Best National Parks

Planning A Cruise? Start With The Intentional Travelers Port Guides

Search

Search