My Ultimate 2024 Travel Bucket List: Reaching New Corners

2024 is the year of firsts and greats for me. I’m excited going into this new year with such anxious anticipation because for once, I know what it is that I want to do, rather than copy the goals that other people are setting around me. This year marks the first year of prioritizing my smile.

This year, I started my travel blog (this is one of my first posts actually). I have created my Pinterest bucket list, I have written out my goals and I am on my way to manifesting the years-long daydreams. So, I figured, it would be best for me to publicize my 2024 travel bucket list (and hold myself accountable for completing it).

Please note that this bucket list outlines the destination goals I have set for myself and why. This is not a reflection of internet stats or trending places. This is a list of places I simply want to see this year, and why I think they will be perfect for 2024.

Let’s get started!

Portugal

Portugal was one of my first tastes of Europe, I went long ago with a group of friends in high school. Since then I have been to Europe 3 times and thoroughly explored about 9 other countries. There is a reason Europe is so popular, with its thousands of coffee shops, lean-back culture, and history written through every building.

The Goals

I remember falling in love with Portugal, but I’m starting to forget what parts of it I loved most. So, I figure, it’s time to make my way back there and re-experience the magic, but a little more tuned to my tastes. I want to see the islands off the coast, and the embedded history of the landmarks.

The Plan

I actually already have this trip booked (soon to check this off the list)! Aiming for the off-season, I plan on filling up the time with every nature hike I can find, all the chocolate croissants I can afford and every historic landmark I can take a picture with! I also plan on meeting as many people as I can.

Madeira is top of my list for this trip. It has so many hikes that just look stunning. I haven’t been to many islands in my lifetime (I plan to change this) and Madeira just jumps to the top of my list of islands to explore.

Nomadic Hotspot

Portugal is a nomadic hotspot and a travel oasis for young people exploring the world for the first time. It’s filled so many happy and excited explorers, eager to jump into exciting new experiences. Why not just into my year of travel here?

Spain

My longing for Spain stems from the same reasons as those in Portugal. I have been here a long time ago, but I didn’t experience it the way I wanted to.

Spain is filled with amazing hikes and intricate history. As an avid walker, one day I will do the Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage – not this year, but maybe I will put it on my 2025 bucket list. I have never seen Barcelona, and that is my #1 priority for Spain this year.

I want to experience the world-famous architecture. I want to see the beautiful beaches and history-filled streets. I want to watch a traditional Catalan Dance – the Sardana and hear how Catalan is spoken.

Guatemala

For the last few years I have been working toward my degree, and then using it to pursue a career in my industry (not related to travel). I am a travel enthusiast who travels for a week or two at a time, a few times a year. For those who enjoy weekend trips or week-long getaways, this is an amazing lifestyle that allows for a consistent income and a home base.

The Goal

I’m craving a full-time travel adventure. I’m using my time currently to save all my money, but when the time comes this year (and it will!) Guatemala is going to be my debut.

Guatemala is beautiful, it’s tropical, its full of hikes, rich with culture and I think it’s a perfect segue into the rest of Central America. Also, it’s cheap!! Not to mention it has some of the best and most unique hostels in the world.

My goal is to see the Guatemalan islands

There are so many islands in Guatemala and along the Central American coast that just look amazing. Why not try to visit them?

Maybe try some snorkeling

I’m terrified of water so this is a big one for me. But new year new me? New travel idea’s new reasons to overcome my fear?

Learn more about the Mayan history

The Mayan civilization is just fascinating. With their knowledge of agriculture, pottery, writing, calendars, and math – and how it is all reflected in the cities and buildings that still stand today. I need to know more.

I want to learn to dance

Of course, my love for history extends to the traditional dances. Central America is known for their dancing but the national dance of Guatemala is son guatemalteco. How cool is that?!

Hawaii

I’m building up my Island bucket list now. We all know Hawaii is known for its beauty and amazing people. It’s also known for having some of the most amazing hikes in the world. The lush land, and beautiful mountain, all surrounded by water just sounds like a dream come true.

The trails at the top of my list:

• The Manoa Falls
• Hi’ilawe Falls

I just really want to feel the ocean mist in my lungs.

Australia

As a Canadian, Australia amazes me. A continent on the other side of the world, fills with hilarious people, scary snakes, beautiful beaches and no cold weather? What?

Why Australia

I have two friends moving there this year which makes for a perfect reason, on top of all of the landscape beauty to visit before the year is up. I told myself I was going to start facing my fear of the ocean finally, so why not learn to surf in the surfing capital of the world?

It is also filled with an abundance of amazing animals that don’t exist in the northern hemisphere. I would like to experience that.

My Goal

Additionally, I hear the van life is popular down there. That has been an experience I have been itching to try for some time. Now, I know I will not be living it up for long but that is okay for me.

My goal while in Australia is to rent a van and drive across the country for a few weeks. I want to experience the camping differences from what I’m used to, and how I can learn new skills in the camper lifestyle.

New Zealand

This is the big one! New Zealand has been at the top of my go-to list for a long time now, and without a doubt, I will be there by the end of 2024.

New Zealand holds such a weird and interesting grasp on my heart and I don’t know why. Maybe I have romanticized it, but the cities and nature are so intriguing to me.

For this years bucket list I want to discover more of Queensland and do some tours along the coast.

The Milford Track

I want to hike the Milford Track. This trail takes you through ancient rainforests, beautiful waterfalls, and valleys that were carved by glaciers! Photos of it look like a dream. (I do not have any photos of my own to share at this moment, I do apologize)

Future Hiking Goals in New Zealand

There is the Te Araroa trail – it takes about 4 months to complete, but it’s a hiking path that goes from one point of the Northern island to the bottom of the South Island (or the other way around depending on where you start).

Now, I don’t think I will be hiking this in 2024, but I do want to look at the landscape, do some other famous hikes on both islands and find the best way to tackle the Te Araroa trail when the time comes.

And that’s my list!

That is my full personal 2024 travel bucket list and why I am choosing these places to prioritize on my travels. I have so much to look forward to this year and I hope this post inspires you to make a list of your travel goals too. Or comment on mine!

I wish you an amazing year! The best is yet to come.

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