If you’re anything like me, an 18 year-old girl living life to the fullest and studying hard in the loveliest village on the plains, then I am so sure that you have a desire to seek out the world. When I think of this, the word wanderlust pops into my head. Wanderlust, such a beautiful word, meaning a strong desire to travel or wander the world. But when I say I want to travel, I don’t mean Hawaiian shirt, baggy shorts, high socks and tennis shoes, binoculars, and a straw hat (a tourist), I don’t want resorts, tour guides, and tacky souvenirs. I want to travel to see things from a new perspective. I want to enter another country and feel lost to try to become a part of it. I want to roam the streets and discover hidden gems. I want to interact with people who are not the same as me, but who I can admire all the same. I want to take pictures of every little awe inspiring thing I see. I want to look at life from a new perspective and be in awe at life on Earth. I want to be transformed by people I meet, the places I see, and the things I’ve done. I want to leave a little bit of my heart and soul in each and every place I go.
With this said, look at these 10 places I have every intention of traveling to and have wanted to for sometime…who knows, maybe you’ll find it in your heart to go too (p.s. My list of must-sees is WAY longer than just 10, so you can imagine how hard this was too choose which to display)!
Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
Known for: gorgeous waterfalls connecting lakes that lead into a canyon
Kawachi Wisteria Garden, Japan
Known for: wisteria flowers in varying colors that form a magical tunnel
Santorini, Greece
Known for: cities clinging to cliffs overlooking the Aegean Sea
Telluride, Colorado
Known for: the Bridal Veil Falls, a 365-foot waterfall at the end of the box canyon overlooking the city
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Known for: deep canyons showing layered bands of red rock that reveal millions of years of history
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Known for: elaborate Buddhist temples and the incredible/interactive Elephant Nature Park
Nairobi, Kenya
Known for: wildlife nature reserves, urban city life and Giraffe Manor, an adorable hotel and giraffe sanctuary
Patagonia, Chile
Known for: icy glacial fjords and temperate rainforests that share a border with Argentina and the southern section of the Andes mountains
Scarborough Bluffs, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Known for: bluffs located on the shoreline of Lake Ontario full of parks and majestic views of the lake
Kayangan Lake, Coron Islands, Palawan, Philippines
Known for: adventurous caves, lagoons and inlets that are surrounded by crystal clear blue water