New travel bucket list items: UNESCO Europe, Utah Holi festival, ol’ US of A

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Maria Alexandra

It’s Travel Bucket List Wednesday! Let’s celebrate 😀 To be featured next week, simply post the link of your travel bucket list on a comment below!

travel bucket list - Dorset Coast, England, UK

“Bats Head to White Nothe: chalk cliffs on the Dorset Coast, U.K.” (JimChampion, Wiki)

25 of the Coolest UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Western Europe

UNESCO World Heritage Sites – love them! Many on this list are already on my travel bucket list, such as Cinque Terre, Alhambra, and Venice, Italy (the latter already crossed off in 2005!). However, I got new ideas! The Dorset Coast, England was a spot I had never heard of, for instance.

travvel bucket list, Il San Pietro di Positano

Il San Pietro di Positano on COnde Nast Traveler

Top 100 Hotels and Resorts Worldwide – luxurious travel bucket list!

Ahhh, if I were rich…but a girl can dream, right? And so I did while staring at this travel bucket list of luxurious hotels for a while. Gorgeous locales! While I love them all, among my top favorites are the Four Seasons Bora Bora (overwater bungalows!), Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Safari Lodges at Phinda Private Game Reserve, Hotel Caesar Augustus (Capri), and Il San Pietro di Positano.

travel bucket list, Utah Holi Festival of Colors

Holi Festival of Colors in UTAH, USA – on my travel bucket list now! (Photo: Jeremy Nicoll)

Photowalk during Holi, Festival of Colors in Utah, USA!

I have previously shared with you how Holi, the Festival of Colors, is on my travel bucket list. However, what I did not know is that the festival is huge not only in India. but in other parts of the world! Particularly, I found this gem of a post/tour/photos on the Jarvie Studios (Utah) website. Yep – apparently, the Festival of Colors is huge in Utah USA! I really wish I would have known ahead of time, as it is celebrated throughout an entire weekend. I can’t believe it is happening in just a few days and I’ll be missing it! Hopefully I can make it next year 😀

Road trip on a classic 60’s Mustang down Highway 1, California? Heck yeah! (eeetthaannn, Flickr)

Deej’s Top 10 USA Travel Bucket List

Speaking of the US of A, I stumbled upon Deej’s travel bucket list and it was a reminder that I must add more “domestic items” to my own list. Too many times I forget how many great sites, states, destinations are within this country itself. I’m grabbing some ideas!

South West Coast path of the UNESCO Dorset Coast, England – can’t wait to hike it one day! (Amy Groark, Flickr)

What’s on your travel bucket list? Post your links below to be featured!

#Travel bucket list of the week: Space, home stays and other quirky stays

Posted on March 14, 2012 by Maria Alexandra

It’s Travel Bucket List Wednesday once more! I didn’t get any submissions from your travel bucket lists, so today we are expanding my ever-long To-do List Before I die book 😉

Photo of 1999 total solar eclipse (Luc Viatour © GFDL, Flickr Commons)

Trip to Svalbard for the 2015 total solar eclipse

According to this Hermit.org page, the 2015 total solar eclipse will be best seen from Svalbard, an Arctic archipelago that is part of Norway. I definitely want to be there for the phenomena! And cross out another destination (and event) off my travel bucket list.

travel bucket list, Philippines homestay

Yap - San Diego Ancestral House @ Cebu City (By Dexter Panganiban, Flickr). This is close to what a homestay would look like!

**Philippines Homestay experience through Flip Flop (yes that’s the name!)**

I stumbled upon this agency named FlipFlop: The Philippines Homestay Experience today, right before I wrote this post. Naturally, I knew I had to add this to my travel bucket list! You get to stay with a local family for about $13 USD a night (600 Philippines Pesos) and have homemade meals for $1-2 USD (50-100 Philippine Pesos). I just hope I get to pay the family directly for these meals and that the agency doesn’t profit from that part at least. If that’s the case, I’m so doing this! Being able to help a local family directly all while being able to truly experience their country, their food, and even learn a few recipes in the process?! This is the type of travel I always dream about!

Awasi Hotel, San Pedro de Atacama, Chile (Photo: Terry Feuerborn, Flickr)

Great Hotels for Stargazing

I’m a budget traveler, but like any human being, I’ll admit it: If I could splurge, I would too! And so when I stumbled upon this fabulous hotels for stargazing, I couldn’t say no. Plus, I’m a little astronomy geek who can spend hours staring at the stars (oh Egypt, I miss your desert and oases so much!). So yah, all these hotels are on my travel bucket list now 😀

travel bucket list, Magic Mountain hotel, Patagonia Chile

Magic Mountain hotel, "the Volcano Hotel" in the Chilean Patagonia (Photo: _tono, Flickr)

Volcano Hotel & other quirky stays at Huilo Huilo Reserve, Chile

I am all over these quirky stays at Huilo Huilo Reserve, Chile. Not only is the spectacular reserve located in the middle of the Patagonia, but the types of accommodation available are ah-mazing. If I had to pick just one though, I would stay at the “Volcano hotel” (MONTAÑA MÁGICA LODGE). Yes, it literally looks like a volcano and water just rushes down from the very top to the bottom. All over green lush vegetation that grows on the building itself (or seems like it!). Seems like I’ll have to save up some money to cross off the amount of quirky room stays that have made it to my travel bucket list thus far!

Huilo Huilo Patagonia hotel runner up: Baobab hotel (Photo: Mirthe Valentijn, Flickr)

view up the lobby of Baobab Hotel (Photo: Mirthe Valentijn, Flickr)

Got your own travel bucket list? Share it with me (post your link below!) and I’ll feature it on next week’s Travel Bucket List Wednesday post. Lets inspire each other to travel some more and discover unseen corners of our planet together!

travel bucket list, Magic Mountain Lodge

another great view of Mountain Lodge Hotel, Huilo Huilo Reserve, Chilean Patagonia (Photo: Nick Herber, Flickr)

What’s on your travel bucket list?!

Travel Bucket List Day: Dreams and posts, submitted by YOU!

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Maria Alexandra

Happy #TravelBL everyone! It’s Travel Bucket List Wednesday, the time of the week where on LatinAbroad blog, travel dreams come to life in order to propel them that much closer to reality.

Seeing the Medinat Habu temple - check!

I don’t know about you, but every time I write a Travel Bucket List Wednesday post I am reminded of all the hard work and long days I’m putting into developing my digital nomad careers (yes, more than one!). Getting experience as a translator & manager at this company to subsequently get certified this summer; picking up all types of assignments to bulk up my bilingual travel writing portfolio…AND frequently updating my three blogs all while holding a full-time in-office position…YIKES! Reading your posts are a great break, reminders of what is about to come. Keep dreamin’ and keep WORKIN’ for those dreams — never falter! When you feel like quitting your goals, it is usually when you are THE closest to them! So push on — and read Paulo Coelho’s “El Alquimista” or The Alchemist in English. Trust me, while all has been said before, this inspiring fable will keep you sane and help you on that great endeavor of making your dreams a reality.

And WHOA I went on a tangent today! XD Seriously though, it’s been a tough couple of weeks for me…so I needed to push you and motivate you through this post in order to push and motivate myself. I have thought about quitting and succumbing, either to just be yet another grounded translator or to have a regular “hobo” life now, like many other travel bloggers. But the way I’m going about things, whilst slower, will bring much more gratification later. I’m even saving for retirement, starting to invest, all while paying off debt, saving for my future grand journeys and developing my careers…So yes, encouraging words of wisdom and inspiration on how you became a digital nomad will sure help me heaps nowadays. Please leave those on a comment below 🙂 And now, with no more preambles:

night diving with giant manta rays, travel bucket list

On Sarah's travel bucket list: "Kona night diving with giant manta rays" (Photo: Chris Wilson, Flickr)

Sarah’s travel bucket list (@travelingneko on Twitter)

I loved Sarah’s list! Many of her destinations were already on my own travel bucket list, while some of her animal encounters she dreams of having are now my new additions. Perfect example of this is night diving in Kona, Hawaii with giant manta rays. After seeing many pictures, this is something I definitely want to try out!

Ryugyong Hotel, North Korea travel bucket list

Projected to open in April 2012, the Ryugyong Hotel is poised to become the world's tallest (Photo: adaptorplug, Flickr)

Derek’s travel bucket list (@the_HoliDaze on Twitter)

Described as “a truly epic bucket list, one fit for a lifelong vagabond or sufferers of wanderlust” by the author himself, Derek’s travel bucket list is actually an annual event. For the entire 2012, he has/will be tweeting one travel bucket list item every day with the hashtag #TBBL. On the link above, you will find how far along the list he is today. My favorite item so far? Ryugyong Hotel in North Korea, as it is the “tallest building you’ve never heard of.” The hermit kingdom has been in my own travel bucket list for quite some time, so it’s great to cross several items off my list at one.

"The nomads have traded their horses for motorcycles. Solar power is also pretty popular at Gobi ger camps" --interesting! Different from what a Westerner like me might think (Photo and caption: maschnitz, Flickr)

Kelsey’s travel bucket list (@KelseyIvey on Twitter)

Kelsey’s travel dreams are among the most common – visit the Galapagos Islands, hike to Everest base camp, jump off a waterfall, etc. The one item off her list that really caught my eye was “living with nomads in Mongolia.” Now she just gave me the most refreshing idea to add to my own travel bucket list: Live with nomads in Mongolia for a full month. Volunteering, helping them, learning their ways and about their culture in the process. How fascinating would that be?!

What’s on your travel bucket list? Submit your post on a comment below!

Travel bucket list compilation and photos: It’s #TravelBL time!

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Maria Alexandra

It’s that time of the week again: Travel Bucket List Wednesday, aka #TravelBL! Inspiring each other to discover new destinations, events, and all things TRAVEL. I’m happy to announce that I received (and found!) some travel bucket list posts around Twitter and the web, so today we’ll read about the travel dreams of others besides yours truly 😉 Hope you enjoy them!

My favorite image off Raul's visual travel bucket list - Portugal is on my list now!

Raul’s travel bucket list

Raul (@ilivetotravel) sent me his travel bucket list via Twitter. What I love most is how he has listed his items on his blog (link above), but he also has a visual travel bucket list! Raul “pinned” the destinations he still wishes to cross off on Pinterest. His image compilation actually inspired me to add some countries and regions to my own list, such as Portugal, Spain’s Basque country, Mali, and a Hill of Crosses in Lithuania.

Tuvalu, 350.org campaign (Photo: Nacanieli Speigth, Flikr)

On Kel’s travel bucket list: Tuvalu

While Aussie Kel (@kelaussie29) didn’t share her full list with us, she did introduce us to an unknown country (to me anyway) until today. Her tweet was a response to a post about “15 least visited countries that tourists need to visit more often,” saying Tuvalu is not “too far away.” Would be exciting to know if she means that she will visit this year, as we will want to hear all about it! This little dot on the map is located in the South Pacific and, presumably, would be one of the very first places to be submerged (aka disappear) if sea levels keep rising due to climate change. I would love to experience that culture before it’s too late! You can reach Tuvalu via Fiji, by the way 😉

Photo collage: Karla Aguilar (travellersoul76.wordpress.com)

Karla’s travel bucket list – just updated!

Just updated, Karla’s list (@Travellersoul76) has many of the usual suspects: Visit Thailand, Bali, the Taj Mahal, and Petra. My favorite item off her list, though, is to publish a photo on National Geographic For some reason, that line made me reflect and think how relatively easy it is for freelancers today to reach such high-end publications. Social media, contests, and partnerships between travel agencies and publications are some things that have made all this possible. It also reminded me that one should reach for the sky, work hard, and always put yourself out there. With the Internet, you never know who’s watching! 😉 (aaand I’m sorry I just went on a small tangent haha).

I'm sure Michael missed this beauty! (Socotra Island, photo by Soqotra2007, Flikr)

Michael’s (sort of) reflective travel bucket list

Tweeted as “A bucket (list) for Monsieur” by @traveldudes, Michael wrote a post about his favorite, and least favorite, destinations and experiences whilst traveling. I must admit, it kind of irked me when I read that his least favorite is the Middle East, “whose desert landscape is rather monotonous.” Unfortunately, it seems like Michael has only visited the “most common” places in the region and has not seen other hidden beauties. Socotra Island, Egypt’s oases, and Haifa (Israel) are perfect examples. Highly doubt he would have published that statement after visiting those! But to each their own though, right? 😉 On the bright side, his post was still entertaining and rather informative. I didn’t know a disposable travel toilet existed?! Yikes! I want one now 😀

What’s on your travel bucket list? Any of these items made the cut?

X-rated travel bucket list: Parte DOS (photo essay)

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Maria Alexandra

Due to the extreme popularity of part one of my R-rated travel bucket list, I have decided to sprinkle even more spice. Indeed, I will continue the publication of my extensive X-rated travel bucket list. Wait–X-rated!? Oh yah, because this sequel is a tad bit…raunchier…!

X-rated travel bucket list item #1: Inside the Colosseum at night

X-rated travel bucket list item: Colosseum at night

The Colosseum at night…soo tempting…

Granted, it would be way too difficult to get down with a lover inside the Colosseum among the troves of tourist that visit during its opening hours. So the only way to cross this off an X-rated travel bucket list? To break in at night. You would probably need to befriend a guard (and got some fat wallets) to achieve this, but hey…maybe the guard can be your lover. Wink wink? A girl can dream…

X-rated travel bucket list item #2: In a van under the northern lights

make love under the northern lights? Romantic dream of mine! (Photo: Nick Russill)

Having sex inside a car with a big sunroof under the northern lights in the middle of some remote Arctic countryside…everything about that is plain epic. If I weren’t from the tropics, I would probably just do it outside and suck it up (errm, the cold). We all know it gets too hot in the end, right? But this hypothermia-prone Latina prefers it inside a warm vehicle. By the way: Which car/van out there has the biggest sunroof to date? Anyone? Because that’s what I’m renting to cross this item off my travel bucket list in 2013, when the northern lights will be the most fired up (baha).

X-rated travel bucket list item #3: On an open vineyard, Tuscany & Napa

do it in a vineyard - on my naughty travel bucket list!

Vineyard in Tuscany…calling my body… (Photo: Addictive Picasso, Creative Commons)

There’s no doubt: Tuscany is in virtually every single romantic travel bucket list worldwide. Thus, it is only natural it made it to my X-rated list in the form of making beautiful love out in one of its open vineyards. Ahhh, becoming one with your loved one in an open field, surrounded by hundreds of grapevines: Risky, romantic, sensual — so many adjectives to describe such magic! And Napa? You know, because I want to be able to say I pulled this off on both sides of the world. I’m just kind of a princess like that 😉

X-rated travel bucket list item #4: Inside a natural pool in Pamukkale

I have previously shared with you a dream 40-day Turkish Delights itinerary that is part of my “regular” travel bucket list. What I have not mentioned, however, is how I secretly want to get busy inside one of those gorgeous natural pools. They are so inviting, aren’t they!? And given to the fact I already did it in Iceland’s Blue Lagoon…I feel, somehow, this feat is doable (quite literally). Fear not, my friends — I do not plan for him or me to finish there, it’ll be more like a tease in order to say “done! Crossed off!” just like the Blue Lagoon act. I know, still too naughty…but…but…

x-rated travel bucket list - Blue Lagoon, Iceland

Blue Lagoon: Where things really went down…

Always in small doses when it comes to my X-rated travel bucket list items! 😉 I will thrive to share more of my raunchy list with you on a monthly basis. I know you will either blush, laugh, and/or be inspired. Or be grossed out. Either way, I’m gettin’ it on! Bahaha *evil grin*

watch out! ‘Cause I’m coming… to a city near you! 😉

What’s on your X-rated travel bucket list?

Weekly travel bucket list: Unusual restaurants, tree hotels & more!

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Maria Alexandra

Travel bucket list Wednesdays are back! Get your wanderfix by the weird, amazing travel bucket list items fellow tweeps and I add every week. Very fortunately, this week I got some submissions of your travel bucket lists, so we get to explore what’s on those wandering minds. Additionally, I found some unusual restaurants, unique tree hotels and other interesting items that landed on my own travel bucket list.

Marcy’s travel bucket list

Great inspiration for any adventurer: From a safari in Africa to six different places to ride in a submarine. My favorite item on her list, though? The Guinness’ “Perfect Pint” certificate – indeed, she poured a perfect pint and has a certificate to prove it. Adding that one to my list for sure.

Great Lakes Circle Tour – on Aaron’s travel bucket list (Photo: Great-lakes.net)

Aaron’s travel bucket list

My partner in crime in several sessions of the #TravelBL chat, Aaron (@elatlboy) has the ability to inspire any type of wanderer. His list has a great mix of romance, nature, foodie adventures, and even sporting events.

Redwoods Treehouse Restaurant, New Zealand (Photo:RunawayJane.com)

10 unusual restaurants around the world

I love how varied RunawayJane’s restaurant travel bucket list is. From romantic to downright weird, some items on this list I happened to have on my list already (i.e. Zanzibar’s Rock Restaurant). However, some new additions are New Zealand’s Redwoods Treehouse Restaurant (pictured above) and Dans Le Noir (England), where you dine in the dark. Adventurous much? Always on me!

Cool tree house in Laos (Photo: Christian Haugen, Flikr)

The coolest tree houses in the world

Speaking of tree houses, this list is…self explanatory? Sort of. While I have stumbled upon many of these lists, I am very happy to say that I had never seen any of the tree houses mentioned on Matador’s list above. Ahh, eleven new additions to my travel bucket list – nothing like fresh meat!

travel bucket list, engagement concierges

the Paparazzi Proposal package, offered by Tides Rivera Maya, has a photographer secretly stalk you, from the start of your vacay all the way to proposal, in order to perfectly document every moment. Me want! (Photo: Tripadvisor)

Hotel engagement concierges – the ultimate dream!

Like many girls around the world, I was dreaming about my future Prince Charming & his proposal by the time I hit preschool (thank you, Disney). Thus, I literally squealed when I saw this – now a few select hotels (listed in the link above) have an engagement concierge who specializes on helping my man to create the most memorable proposal ever?! And let’s be honest here: I am sure our Princes are very glad that some weight will be taken off their shoulders. Double winning!

Acqualina Resort, located in Miami FL, also offers special engagement packages (Photo:ACQUALINA RESORT)

Want to be featured next week? Then do this: Post your travel bucket list on your website, copy/paste the permanent post link on a comment below (no bit.ly’s, su.pr, etc), tweet that post with the #TravelBL tag and then cc me (@latinAbroad) on it. LISTO! It’ll be RT’d to the travel twit world + be featured on next week’s Travel Bucket List Wednesday post. If there are no submissions on a given week, I’ll simply stumble the travel nets and repost the best of the best on our travel bucket list. The wanderfix doesn’t end there, though! Join the #TravelBL chat on Twitter, every Wednesday at noon & 6:15 pm EST! Next topic will be Latin America. Oi, you know that’ll be a spicy one indeed, can’t miss it! 😉

What’s on your travel bucket list?

Travel bucket list photos & #TravelBL Holidays chat recap – Dec. 21st

Posted on December 22, 2011 by Maria Alexandra

To learn more about #TravelBL Wednesdays, click here

Missed #TravelBL aka the Travel Bucket List chat yesterday? We got your back! Here’s a recap of what happened on both sessions so you get what you missed and write it down on your own travel bucket list. Don’t forget the #TravelBL chat happens twice every Wednesday, at noon and 6:15 pm (EST). Also, always use the #TravelBL in your tweets to share your travel bucket list items, experiences and spread the inspiration!

This week’s theme was HOLIDAYS. Grab a pen and add your favorite answers to that travel bucket list of yours! **All questions formulated by yours truly, @latinAbroad =)

Christmas in Vienna (Photo: Manfred Werner)

Q1. What holidays do you celebrate? Where?

“It’s not really a holiday but I plan a trip every year during my birthday. Always somewhere on my #TravelBL” -@emeraldcitytooz

“All of them….haha I will celebrate the opening of a letter if I get a day off” –@Mackinnontweets

“Any excuse to celebrate & travel – I’m there!” -@LolaDiMarco

“The usual suspects- Christmas, Easter, etc. – the ones that fatten you up and leave you with a hangover!” –@marktravel

Q2. What are some traditions in your country for the holidays?

“In Puerto Rico we do PARRANDAS: Spiced up version of Xmas Carols that lasts til the next morning. Blog post comin soon! ” -@latinAbroad

“In Australia, kangaroos deliver the presents in the pouches #TravelBL… or, in this case… #TravelBS :)” –@goodtravellife

“Unfortunately it seems to involve stampedes and violence in walmarts #travelbl #saynotowalmart” -@2trucks1week

“Because the US is a ‘melting pot’ country, there is a wide array of traditions!” –@RachelChaikof

Chinese New Year (Photo: Nepenthes, Wiki Commons)

Q3. What holidays have you never celebrated, but would love to someday?

“A Chinese New Year especially if its the year of the dragon!” -@goodtravellife

“Just heard about the Loi Krathong festival in Thailand. I am hoping to go to Thailand in Nov to see it :)” -@thetravelbee

“Would love to celebrate the ‘don’t overeat or drink too much’ holiday but haven’t yet- ‘making merry'” -@marktravel

“Australia Day” -@MiraCristine

Christmas in Las Vegas, NV, USA (Photo: Lasvegascityguide.org)

Q4. What Christmas-related items are on your travel bucket list?

“To see the holiday tree and lights and ice skating rink in as many big cities as possible” -@elatlboy

“Do you think you could visit the North Pole on the 25th of December or would everything be shut for Christmas?” -@michaelturtle

“Wouldn’t say no to these options #vegas #Miami #stbarts: http://yfrog.com/odesruwj http://yfrog.com/hwwx3mj http://yfrog.com/mg14hfsj” -@LolaDiMarco

“A flying sled would be AWESOME” -@HitTheRoadca

travel bucket list, Ningaloo whale shark

Whale shark, Ningaloo reef, AU (Photo: NeilsPhotography, Flikr)

Q5. If Santa could grant one wish from your #TravelBL this year, which one would it be?

“A RTW plane ticket” -@KelseyIvey

“He could just take you on his sleigh this week @kelseyivey!” –@michaelturtle

“Snorkeling with whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef is at the top of my #TravelBL. So Santa if you could work on that it would be great” -@emeraldcitytooz

“Dear Santa: I want my own show with the @travelchannel !!” -@latinAbroad

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!!

* Submit your travel bucket list, website, and topic suggestions HERE *

Fun, eh? Join the travel bucket list chats!

Wednesdays @ noon and 6:15 pm (EST), only on Twitter #TravelBL

Travel Bucket List of the Week: Holidays RTW!

Posted on December 21, 2011 by Maria Alexandra

To learn more about #TravelBL Wednesdays, click here

Happy #TravelBL Wednesday peeps! The items on this week’s travel bucket list are related to Christmas and the holidays. So grab a pen and keep expanding that travel bucket list of yours!

travel bucket list, Loi Krathong festival

Loi Krathong festival, Thailand (Photo: Robert Pollai)

Holiday travel bucket list item #1: Loi Krathong festival, Thailand/Laos/Burma

I had no idea of this Thai festival’s existence until I heard it was on one of my fellow tweeps’ travel bucket list yesterday at the #TravelBL chat. Happening on the full-moon night of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar (usually sometime in November), krathong rafts are released into the water as a way of “paying respects” to the spirits of this element. Fireworks and a huge party are typical of this celebration as well. Who wouldn’t want to go?!

travel bucket list, Vienna Christmas market

Christkindlmarkt in Vienna, Austria (Photo: Manfred Werner)

Holiday travel bucket list item #2: The European Christmas markets

I have heard so many things about the wonderful, magical Christmas markets in several cities across Europe. However, the one that has mostly resonated around me has been the one in Vienna! Although also Luxembourg…and Prague…but they are all close by so I’ll probably cross them all off my holiday travel bucket list at once! 😉

Australia Day fireworks in Perth (Photo: Nachoman-au, Wikipedia)

Holiday travel bucket list item #3: Australia Day, AUS

We all know that Aussies really know how to party. Then, imagine how it would be to celebrate the first settlement in Port Jackson (nowadays, part of Sydney) with them?! A whole different story! I plan Australia Day celebrations to be top-ranked among the best parties ever experienced once I finally crossed this one off my travel bucket list. When will this happen? I was planning for 2012 or 2013, but it seems that Egypt & the Middle East are calling my name strongly once more. But behold my fellow Aussies, I shall join you soon enough!

Holiday travel bucket list item #4: Christmas in Bethlehem

Some call it West Bank; others Palestine. Tensions keep rising. Regardless of your political views, a vigil on Christmas Eve & Christmas Day celebrations in Bethlehem will definitely take your breath away. The aura and air simply smell differently; the surroundings charged with spiritual energy. I was really close to crossing this item off my travel bucket list 3 years ago, but I ended up spending Christmas in Puerto Rico instead. I, however, plan on joining the solemn vigil & celebration at the place most believe Jesus Christ was born in the future. Can’t wait for that day 🙂

Holiday travel bucket list item #5: The Chinese Lantern Festival

I have always been infatuated with this Chinese type of lanterns–they are romantic and add spice to any room’s decorations. Now, put thousands together and let them fly up into the sky, all during a traditional festival that has been celebrated for more than 2000 years — now that’s just something else! Oh btw, it is to scare the ghosts away, too 😀 it happens on the 15th lunar day of 7th lunar month, which will fall on February for the next 3 years. I wanna go in 2014, just because it falls on St Valentine’s Day — how romantic would that be?!

Want your travel bucket list items featured next week? It is simple: Post your travel bucket list items on your blog, post the blog post link in a comment below, tweet that post with the #TravelBL tag and then cc @latinAbroad (moi!) on it. Y listo! I’ll RT and feature the post on next week’s Travel Bucket List Wednesday. What if you guys take a vacay and I don’t have any new blog posts and lists to feature? I simply go around the Internet browsing and reposting the best of the best for our travel bucket list. Moreover, don’t forget to join us on Twitter #TravelBL chat every Wednesday at 12 & 6:15 pm (EST)! 😀

What’s on your holiday travel bucket list?

Where to go? Get inspired by the travel bucket list of the week!

Posted on November 16, 2011 by Maria Alexandra

What’s Travel Bucket List Wednesday about? Click here to learn more!

Woot woot it is #TravelBL Wednesday peeps! Yaaaa, the travel bucket list! Week 8 ova here, inspiring each other to see more of the world and simply take in the beauty of this beautiful planet we were blessed to live in for a couple of decades 🙂 To join is simple: Post your travel bucket list on your blog, , comment below with the link, tweet that post with the #TravelBL tag and cc @latinAbroad (moi!) on it. Then voilá! I retweet + I feature on this post. If not? I just go around the Internet trying to find the best of the best for our travel bucket list and introduce it to you! Plus don’t forget about the Twitter #TravelBL chat every Wednesday at 12 & 6:15 pm (EST)! 😀

"Wanna race?" -Tourist2Townie

* Thrill junkie travel bucket list item…!

So I don’t even know what’s the name of this thing: Downhill sledding? Just sledding? Huh say what? But I do know it is the *perfect* addition to any thrill junkie’s travel bucket list! I found it inside one of Tourist 2 Townie’s Facebook pagealbums and you can do it in Park City at the Park City Mountain Resorts in Utah, USA. Who’s in!?

Bahariya Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt! Visited in 2009 🙂 (Photo: Marine Begault)

* 10 Most Beautiful Oases RTW – Nature lover’s travel bucket list

I have been obsessed with oases ever since I first took a glimpse at one when watching The Mummy Returns as a tween (yes, this movie basically changed my life lol). Then, I had the privilege of seeing the oasis that actually inspired the computerized version of the movie when I lived in Egypt (Western Desert). And then, I stumbled upon this travel bucket list of oases. The amazing photos and locales all over the world simply make you go Ahhhh. Can.Not.Wait!

the EPIC Silk Road - red for overland routes and blue for sea route. AH-MAZING!

* For the epic journeys travel bucket list – Essential backpacker Trails, LP

Mention any ridiculous, seemingly-impossible-by-Western-standards journey to me and it is a guarantee that I’ll add it to my travel bucket list. There is something about that word, that adjective, epic, that I simply can’t resist! I mean seriously: The Banana Pancake Trail? Count me IN!

Giant at Swarovski Crystal World, Austria (Photo: EuropeanTravelista.com)

* Bedazzling travel bucket list – The Bizarre World of Swarovski

Ok I must admit – I actually got MAD when I first read this article because I was in Innsbruck, Austria & all over Europe when I was 17 and somehow missed this!!! I actually visited a Sawvroski store but in a different European country. UGH! So now I have a great excuse to go back to the lovely European Alps not only to learn how to skii and snowboard, but also so I can cross the Swarovski Crystal World off my travel bucket list. I mean seriously – a WATERFALL in the form of a FACE with water flowing out of the mouth AND Swarovsky-bedazzled eyes!? WHO wouldn’t want to see THAT!?

Lord Howe Island, located between Australia and New Zealand on the Tasman Sea

* New on my travel bucket list: Lord Howe Island

Sure, it is Australia. Sure, Lord Howe may seem “just another island” to most. Oh my, but does it call my name. Any island with rugged terrain or oddly-shaped hills and mountains, bathed by lighter-than-the-sky waters, excites me…and arouses my little heart and makes me want to swim right to it. Or arrive on a seaplane. Yes yes…

For more items of my own travel bucket list, you may click here

What are you waiting for?! Write down that travel bucket list, publish it on your blog and then come back here to share it with us. Be part of the epic Travel Bucket List Wednesdays! Oh and I beg you, overuse the hashtag #TravelBL. Include it when you tweet about your travel dreams & cc @latinAbroad – I guarantee an RT!

“So live that your memories will be part of your happiness”
-Unknown