Updated Travel Wishlist- 2024 edition

It's been nearly 5 years since I made my original Travel Wishlist here and despite a global pandemic, a cost of living crisis and a world that constantly seems to be getting more unstable, I've been fortunate enough to cross quite a few things off. However, as one thing gets crossed off, another seems to take its place. So, therefore, here is my updated Travel Wishlist with a little bit of a rationale for each one...

1. See a sloth in Costa Rica

My boyfriend and I went to Colchester Zoo and caught a glimpse of their sloth, so it would be cool to see one in the wild and Costa Rica seems to be the place to see them.

2. See a waterfall in the jungle

This could be quite ambiguous- I've seen Niagara Falls which were amazing, but I'd love to go hiking in the jungle and come across a waterfall. I'm thinking it could tie in with the Costa Rica sloth or in one of the Canadian national parks. 

3.See the Canadian Rocky Mountains

I'd love to see Banff and Lake Louise and do some hiking in the national park. Plus the Icefield Parkways looks an amazing drive. Hopefully we could see a bear or moose in the wild too.

4. Eat pizza and pasta in Italy

I love pizza and pasta so where better to eat it than in its native land?!

5. Go on safari

I'd love to go on safari- I'm thinking Tanzania to see the Serengeti. I'd love to see a lion and a giraffe in the wild. Plus the idea of camping sort of appeals to me, but hoping I wouldn't chicken out... 

6. Fly first class and enjoy it

I've been fortunate enough to fly on a return ticket with Virgin Atlantic in their Upper Class cabin when I splurged out on a reasonably price ticket. However, due to a number of contributing factors- one being ill with Covid (which I was unaware I had) I feel I did not appreciate the full experience enough. Therefore, depending on price, it would be an amazing treat to fully appreciate. 

7. Roadtrip around New Zealand

New Zealand is one of the countries I would feel comfortable driving a car around. While I don't think this will happen for another 10+ years as I'd like to take a big trip and combine it with a revisit to Australia, it's nice to begin to think about it.

8. Visit parts of Europe important to my family history

I have strong family links to Austria- particularly Vienna- my uncle was part of the Vienna boys choir and fled during WW2 and my Great Grandmother fled Vienna on the break out of WW1. It would be nice to visit places they experienced living in. 

9. Visit Petra

I would be lying if I said that the reason I want to visit Petra isn't because it featured in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade...

10. Swim with a turtle

On a trip to the Great Barrier Reef I was so sea-sick I opted not to partake in one of the snorkelling session in case I puked again. Not only did my cousin see a turtle, I also chundered on the way home so my reason for not snorkelling again was pointless! I would love to sea a turtle in the wild.