Travel Bucket List

LET’S GO 2023!

Since I have yet to make any concrete plans yet (lol who else is a professional procrastinator?), I decided to make this year’s bucket list a little on the generic side. To make it not only adaptable for you guys but something that will be flexible enough as I’m trying to transition into my dream career. Whether your adventures lead you somewhere far away or perhaps just down the road let’s make some lasting memories together!!!

Go to a Festival

There’s no better way to experience a culture than by diving head-first into a festival. There is something about them that really brings people together. Excitement fills the air and it’s infectious to those who are present. Even if there aren’t any major festivities near you like Mardi Gras in New Orleans I bet there are some seasonal, art, or food festivals just around the corner from where you live.

Here are some of the top festivals that I absolutely love to attend or experience again!

Mardi Gras (New Orleans, USA)
Holi Festival (India)
Caranival (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Oktoberfest (Munich, Germany)
Gion Matsuri (Kyoto, Japan)

Solo Adventure

I’m a big advocate of solo travel. Not only do you get to experience a destination completely on your terms but it really allows you to grow as an individual. I really believe everyone should take a significant trip like this once in their life. It pushes you past your comfort level, helps you grow as a person, and gives you that quality time we all deserve to understand ourselves. So stop wasting time waiting for others to come with you because spoiler alert you might end up waiting your entire life and miss out on one of your dreams.

Road Trip

There’s nothing like the open road. All you need are some good friends and a killer playlist to create a great trip. Sometimes it’s not about the destination but the journey to get there.

Route 66 (a classic!)
Pacific Coast Highway (to chase that California sun)
Overseas Highway
Trans-Canada Highway (had to include at least one international trip!)

Go on a Cruise

Let’s set sail! I have never been on a cruise, but everyone I know who has, are obsessed with them. So you know I gotta see what the fuss is about. Spoiler alert! I’m really excited to share with you all soon about my upcoming journey across the Atlantic Ocean, it’s going to be an absolute Dream! 😉

Fun Fact: Did you know that the average commercial cruise ship travels around the world about three and a half times per year? This is crazy to think about since they only travel about 23 miles per hour, or 20 knots for all you sailors out there.

Visit A National Park

There are 423 national parks! Crazy to think that there are so many, but that only means that there is a park out there for everyone. On top of that out of that number, there are 63 picked out by Congress which are especially important and should be treasured; think Zion National Park or the Everglades in Florida. I’m a little embarrassed to admit that I haven’t been to any of these revered parks yet but I’m determined to change that!

Here are a few that I have my eye on for this year:

Yellowstone
Yosemite
Zion
Grand Canyon
Rocky Mountain

Girl’s Trip

It’s time to get your besties together! Whether you have a big crew or not, grab those girlies who are important in your life and make some memories. We all have at least one ride-or-die friend and it’s crucial that we put time into those relationships. Grow and flourish with your friends and do something that you both love. It can be anything, maybe you guys are really into wellness trips, camping, or a weekend in a big city. Just get out there so that one day you can be those cool old ladies, cracking up about some inside joke or story (to my bestie Sarah; let’s go on a vending machine heist soon! 😉)

Weekend Trip

Nothing like a reset from your busy work life to center yourself again. This doesn’t have to be extravagant but it’s important to prioritize ourselves and our health. Research was done at the University of Illinois and they found people who take short mental breaks receive benefits of improved focus in productivity over time and health benefits (lower blood pressure and stress hormones). Can’t argue with science right?

By: Aaron Burdon, Main Street, Frankenmuth, Michigan

Explore my City like a Tourist

You never really appreciate the value of something until it's gone. I was really lucky and grew up in one of those towns that looks like it came straight out of a Hallmark Christmas movie. Even now I live close to the “Most Magical Place on Earth” and I have yet to give the city I’m in now justice. I think like most, we keep putting it off because we have a group mentality of oh it will be there tomorrow. I’ll just do it later. NO! Live in the moment, and appreciate it before it’s gone.

I hope something has sparked your interest! I hope to hear from you all soon.❤️Let me know what your plans are for this year in the comments. Have an amazing day and I’ll talk to you again soon!

Love,

Your Bestie, Dana