15 Dream Travel Destinations to Visit Before You Die

Looking for dream travel destinations to fuel your wanderlust? Look no further!

As an avid traveller and travel blogger, it’s probably no surprise that I have a list of dream travel destinations as long as my arm.

I’m always dreaming of travel and all the places I want to visit – or re-visit.

My bucket list is already fairly lengthy, but continues to grow every year as I discover more adventures to add.

This list of dream destinations is my personal list, but be warned: I think you’ll get a healthy dose of wanderlust, too.

From well-trodden countries to off-the-beaten-path destinations, cities to beaches, here’s my list of dream travel destinations that I want to visit at least once in my life.

My dream travel destinations

1. Australia

After being an expat for 8 years, exploring my own country is right at the top of my list.

There are so many things to do in Australia, and upon returning home to Melbourne I realised how little of my own country I’ve seen.

I’ve fixed that somewhat, with a visit to Uluru, a hike in Tasmania and a 3.5 month road trip around half the country – through South Australia, stopping in quirky towns like Coober Pedy, up through the Northern Territory, through the Kimberley, and all the way down the Western Australia coast.

Of course, there’s so much more I still need and want to do – an East Coast Australia road trip from Melbourne to Sydney. Drive all the way up to the Cape of York. Hike Western Australia’s Cape to Cape trail. Another trip along the incredible Great Ocean Road.

READ NEXT: An epic Adelaide to Darwin road trip

2. Spain

Spain is my spirit country. I feel so alive when I’m there and so comfortable. This is always one of my dream travel destinations, and a place I’m so happy to return to each time.

Our incredible southern Spain road trip a few years ago took us through the beautiful Andalucia region. I could easily live in Seville, and eat all the tapas and become gorda.

I’ve been to Barcelona and Madrid, but next time I return to Spain, I would relish the chance to get out into the countryside, especially in the north of the country. I’d love to return to San Sebastián and eat all the delicious pintxos, or try more wine in La Rioja. I’ve heard incredible things about the Asturias region, and all of the coast of Spain looks spectacular.

Also on my bucket list is completing the Camino de Santiago, the famous pilgrimage route.

READ NEXT: How to spend the perfect 2 days in Granada

3. Italy

My husband and I were supposed to visit Italy for our 5^th wedding anniversary in 2019. But because we went on a 5-month road trip around the USA that year, we decided to postpone it until 2020. Obviously, that never happened!

Why do I want to go Italy? I don’t think I really need to explain why it’s one of my bucket list destinations. Italy has so much to offer, but for me, number one is the food. Sitting in a café devouring handmade pasta, or feasting on fresh seafood in an oceanside village or eating all the street food in Naples sounds pretty idyllic.

I would love to visit some lesser touristed places, like Puglia, Sicily or Umbria. But I also want to explore the churches in Rome and more popular spots!

In the meantime, I’ll be satisfied with the pizza that our Italian neighbour hands over the fence and fresh pasta delivered from Melbourne’s abundance of Italian restaurants.

4. Papua New Guinea

I was lucky enough to live in one of the most fascinating countries on the planet, Papua New Guinea (PNG). Papua New Guinea is the most linguistically diverse country in the world, with more than 800 languages spoken. It has mind-blowing festivals that are a riot of colour, song and dance.

From stunning beaches and islands (with few other tourists), to the challenging Kokoda Track hike, to incredible birds and wildlife, Papua New Guinea offers some pretty awesome adventures that are – dare I say it – off the beaten path.

While I’ve done many of the best things to do in PNG, I am still desperate to visit the Ambunti Crocodile Festival, which celebrates the importance of the crocodile to the people around the Sepik River.

I also desperately want to go back to Kavieng and stay in one of the overwater bungalows at Nusa Island Retreat, or maybe even bike the whole way up the island of New Ireland.

If your jam is finding bucket list adventures, you’ll discover quite a few in PNG.

READ NEXT: 20 things to know before you visit Papua New Guinea

5. New Zealand

For all the fun we Aussies make of our neighbours “across the ditch” and the number of their celebrities that we claim as our own, there’s one thing we can all agree on: New Zealand is unimaginably beautiful.

Our second-closest neighbour (after PNG) is practically an extension of Australia (with a funnier accent), and the Trans-Tasman hop barely feels like you’re “going overseas”.

While I’ve been to New Zealand many times, it’s usually been quick trips to cities for work. In the future, I imagine hiring a campervan and taking a lazy few weeks to cruise around the country, visiting friends, tasting delicious wines and fresh food, and enjoying the splendour of New Zealand’s outdoors.

6. Mexico

I’ve been to Mexico so many times – like Spain, it’s one of those countries I could easily live in.

For years, however, I’ve never been able to make the timing work so that we could visit during Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), which celebrates life and death. This experience is high on my bucket list.

One of my favourite cities in the whole world is Oaxaca, and I’d love to return there (and again, live there!).

Another favourite city is Mexico City, and if you’ve never been there, you’re really missing out. The food, the architecture, the history all make a visit to Mexico City memorable.

And don’t believe everything you hear – Mexico is actually quite safe to visit.

READ NEXT: What to know before you visit Oaxaca

7. Scotland

My husband’s grandfather was from Scotland, and I’ve always thought it would be wonderful to visit the country of his heritage.

While I’d prefer better weather, the rugged landscape, castles, whisky and cosmopolitan cities would make for an entertaining few weeks of road tripping.

When we were last in Spain we actually met a couple of Scots who told us about Burns Night and Hogmanay. Scots strike me as people who love to have a good time, so I can only imagine the wild fun of celebrating these events with them!

8. The Amazon

Sailing down the Amazon River has always been one of my bucket list adventures. I imagine sleeping on the deck of the boat in a hammock, lazily whiling away the days reading books and playing card games, spotting birds on the shore and pink dolphins in the water.

Who knows if that’s actually what it’d end up being like, but it still remains on my bucket list.

I’ve always wanted to visit the Brazilian Amazon, and sail from Manaus to Belem, but I’ve also read about amazing experiences visiting the Amazon from Peru, Colombia, Bolivia or Ecuador (all of which are also dream travel destinations of mine!).

READ NEXT: The best places to visit in Brazil

9. Iran

Before the pandemic hit, Iran had just started to become a hot spot for tourism. It seemed like everyone and their mother were visiting this Middle Eastern country.

The food, the hospitality, the surprising sophistication all intrigue me.

Unfortunately, Iran doesn’t have the most amazing reputation at the moment, so it may be some time before I can visit.

10. Peru

My first – and only – experience of Peru was a few days in Cusco followed by the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu. It was just a taster of a country that has been calling me ever since.

If you haven’t caught on yet, food is usually what draws me to a country, and with Peru it’s no different. I adore Peruvian food, and if I’m ever visiting a city and I see a Peruvian restaurant, I’ll be there straight away. I also make a pretty mean Pisco Sour if I do say so myself.

The next time we go to Peru, I plan to head to some of the lesser-visited ruins like Chan Chan or Choquequirao, fly over the Nazca Lines, explore historic Arequipa, and spend some time by the beach.

READ NEXT: The ultimate Salkantay Trek packing list

11. Colombia

I’m sad that we never visited Colombia while we lived in Argentina or the United States. We always talked about it but just never got there.

This South American country is stripping off its dangerous reputation, and visitors have been streaming in to discover its beautiful beaches, lush mountain villages and colourful culture.

A hike that’s been on my radar is the Ciudad Perdida trek. This hike is only 44 kilometres long, but the mountainous jungle terrain means it take 4 to 6 days to complete. The reward is arriving at the “Lost City”, ancient ruins buried deep in the interior.

Plus, every Colombian I’ve ever met speaks such clear Spanish, so this dream travel destination is also a great place to learn or practice Spanish.

12. Malaysia

For Aussies, the first overseas destinations we head to are usually in Asia. Because we’re at the bottom of the world, it’s the closest continent for us to reach – and even if it were harder to get to, we’d still make the effort.

The variety of food, the breadth of cultures, the amazing beaches – Asia does have it all.

One country I’ve only spent a bit of time in and would like to go back to is Malaysia. I’ve visited the capital, Kuala Lumpur, for a few days, but it’s other areas of the country that are drawing me back. Penang for its food (indeed, all of Malaysia for food…), the Perhentian Islands or Langkawi for beaches, and Mt Kinabalu for active views.

There are also so many other places I want to visit or re-visit in Asia: Thailand, Laos, Japan, Indonesia, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam… the list is endless.

13. Oman

I remember once reading an article about a road trip through Oman, and it sounded like such an adventure.

This small Middle Eastern country is quite surprising. It has lovely cities, ancient sites, expansive rust-coloured deserts, and turquoise-coloured waters backed by jagged beaches.

Like other Middle Eastern countries, I expect that it’s filled with amazing food and warm hospitality, too.

14. Argentina

I lived in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, for almost two years and I’m dying to return.

The 8^th largest country in the world has so much to offer: a beautiful capital city reminiscent of Europe, an expansive north that’s perfect for road tripping, incredible wine, the vast Patagonia wilderness and friendly people always up for a good time.

I’ve previously written a blog post about how to spend two weeks in Argentina that barely scratches the surface of everything that’s wonderful about the country.

I would love to go back soon to visit Argentina and explore some areas that I didn’t get to, like the Iberá Wetlands – as well as rediscover my favourite parts. Consider putting it on your list of dream travel destinations, too.

READ NEXT: The best things to do in Argentina

15. Ethiopia

A country that sounds so fascinating – and one that’s also become a bit of a hot spot in recent years – is Ethiopia.

The ancient traditions, churches carved out of rock, tribes of the Omo Valley and fiery Danakil Depression have put this intriguing country on my wish list.

With a visit to Ethiopia, I could also tie in a return trip to East Africa with my husband, given we’ll be in the area. I’d love to take a road trip around Uganda, and climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania or Mount Kenya in Kenya. And I’d definitely end the trip with a few days on the beach in Zanzibar again.

READ NEXT: 9 reasons to hire a private guide while on safari in East Africa

Now it’s your turn! What dream travel destinations are on your wish list? Let me know in the comments below.

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