It is amazing how many people have “a trip around the world” or a number of exotic, culturally significant or spiritually uplifting destinations to visit on their bucket lists, as if we were nomads at heart (which perhaps we are).

Equally interesting is that some people have more things on their bucket list than anyone could achieve in a whole lifetime, and others have few or even none.

For both of these, and for travel lovers of all shapes and sizes, here is the ultimate bucket list of “must-see” places. It is not necessarily a practical list; some of these places are all but inaccessible, others in some way dangerous, including countries burdened by poverty, racked by disease, ravaged by war or suffering in the wake of some terrible (or man-made) catastrophe. Some of them will also be way over the average person’s budget.

However, we need to dream before we can act: in the words of a very wise North American Indian: “Truly rich is he who has more dreams in his soul than reality can destroy”. Some of these places one might actually visit, but in our dreams, we can visit them all.

21. Venice (Italy)

If there is one European destination which should be on every bucket list, it has to be Venice. This “floating city” is actually a series of small islands connected by bridges and waterways: there are no cars or roads in Venice. Established as a naval and economical city state between the 9th and 12th centuries, Venice flourished as a center of the arts during the Renaissance, and many of the city’s most famous sights (Piazza San Marco, Santa Maria dei Miracoli, Scuola Grande di San Rocco) bear witness to this. A trip to the famous glass-making islands of Burano and Murano is a must, as is (of course) a trip down the Grande Canale on a gondola.

Venice has its own airport, the Aeroporto Marco Polo Tessera, which is 40-60 minutes from the city center by waterbus.

22. Island of Skye (Scotland)

For mesmerizing natural beauty, the “fairytale island” of Skye is unbeatable. Known in Gaelic as An t-Eilean Sgitheanach (the winged island), this hauntingly beautiful region is traditionally associated with giants, brownies and fairies, many of them at least spooky if not downright malevolent. Both the rather brooding climate and the craggy hills and many rivulets and waterfalls contribute to the island’s magical and mysterious atmosphere. Later legends and folk songs center on the Jacobite Risings of 1746; Bonnie Prince Charlie sheltered on and later escaped from Skye, aided by Flora MacDonald. For lovers of unspoiled natural beauty off the beaten track, the island of Skye is a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience.

Skye is the largest and northernmost island of the Inner Hebrides. It is connected to the rest of the Highlands by the Skye Bridge at the Kyle of Lochash. The closest airport is Inverness (around 161 km, 2 ½ hours by road).

23. Golden Ring (Russia)

The Golden Ring is the name for a ring of cities northeast of Moscow, in the region formerly known as Zalesye. These ancient towns comprise a kind of living museum of Russian cultural, architectural and religious history and feature many of the famous “onion domes” often associated with Russian architecture; indeed, they number the prettiest and most picturesque locations in Russia. For anyone staying in or near Moscow, a trip along the Golden Ring is a unique and unforgettable experience.

Guided tours can be booked in Moscow and range from day trips to five-day tours. Other towns on the Golden Ring include Vladimir, Sergiev Posad and Suzdal.

24. Boracay (Philippines)

The diminutive Boracay island, located in the Visayas archipelago, is just 7 km long and less than 1 km wide at its narrowest spot; nonetheless, Boracay Beach was named second best in the world in 2011 (TripAdvisor), and Boracay was designated best island in the world in 2012 (Travel+Leisure). With its dazzling white sand, clear azure water and tropical foliage, it is a picture postcard of a paradise island. Being small and extremely popular, it can become overcrowded, however; one way to escape the crowds is to book a boat and tour the other islands of the archipelago. Scuba diving, windsurfing and paragliding are further popular activities on Boracay.

Boracay is best accessed by taking a plane from Manila to the island of Panay (50 minutes) and then bus and ferry (4 ¾ hours).

25. Lhasa (Tibet)

Lhasa is the capital city of the Autonomous Region of Tibet and one of the highest cities in the world (3.656 m above sea level). As Tibet’s religious center since the 9th century AD, with much of its population Buddhist monks and laymen, it is one of the holiest places on earth, indeed the name “Lhasa” means “place of the Gods”. Particularly worthy of a visit are the Potala Palace and Norbuglinka (former winter/summer residence of the Dalai lama), the Lukhang temple and the monasteries of Drepung and Sera. The Nyetang Lhachemo and the Nyetang Dolma Lhakhang temples are two further attractions largely undamaged during the Cultural Revolution. For a more authentic experience of Tibet, walk the “koras” or prayer paths around and between the sacred monuments.

Lhasa has its own airport (Lhasa-Gongghar), which is most easily accessed from Kathmandu in Nepal (around 3 ½ hours).

Source:
http://www.jenreviews.com
https://www.jenreviews.com/best-places-to-visit/