21 Bucket List Travel Destinations To Visit in 2021
I don’t know about you, but I’m about ready to bust out of this joint and go somewhere — ANYWHERE — other than my four walls.
COVID has made travel nearly impossible. From social distancing guidelines, to restrictions on travel, vacationing has just been impossible for many of us.
I have started compiling a list — a Bucket List, if you will — of places to go once the coronavirus has been kicked to the curb.
These aren’t the hidden gems that you will find in many of our other vacation spot posts. These are the places we have been dreaming about for the past 10 months, the cream of the crop when it comes to major travel destinations.
Some of these places you can visit now, some you may have to wait until we get past the current climate of distancing. Either way, you will totally want to make yourself a to-do list of travel, and check off each destination you visit.
21 Travel Destinations To Visit in 2021
Disney World
Of course, Disney has to be at the very top of any of my vacation lists. It is my go-to, my home away from home, my favorite place in the world!
You will feel totally COVID safe as when you visit the House of the Mouse. They have such great social distancing measures in place. From staying 6-feet apart, to hand sanitizing stations, to mask regulations, Disney is about as safe as you can get for vacationing.
To get all the information you will need to plan a trip to Disney World, all you have to do is go to their website. It will walk you through pretty much anything you need to know.
New York
Okay, okay — so you can’t yet hit up Broadway, but there are about 50-11 other things to do in the City That Never Sleeps.
Grab your walking shoes, and take a stroll across the famed Brooklyn Bridge, or take a walking tour of the city — this is SERIOUSLY the best way I have found to check out all the city has to offer.
You know you have to hit up the typical New York travel destinations — like Central Park, the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, FAO Schwarz, and the 9-11 Museum for example.
You may just find some hidden gems in the city that you LOVE. Between the culture, the dining, the shopping, and the beauty, New York is an awesome place to put on your travel bucket list!!
Canada
You know, I have never been to Canada, but I definitely want to go!!
There are 13 provinces to explore, and each one holds just a bit of magic. From tasty cuisine, beautiful scenery, polar bears, northern lights, and culture galore, there is something for EVERYONE in Canada.
Mexico
Our Sister to the South, Mexico is such a great destination to put down on the travel plans.
Whether you want to hit up the spectacular beaches, explore all the history that Mexico has to offer, or spend some time shopping their traditional Mexican finds, you will LOVE to be submerged in the culture, the people, and the experiences that visiting Mexico brings..
Israel
Talk about seeing some old culture, architecture, and traditions. Israel is the place to go if you want to immerse yourself in old work magic.
From the ruins at Masada, to the Dead Sea, to the old city of Jerusalem — with all it’s TONS of little shops and eateries — to the beaches along the coast, to the little towns secretly hidden along the way, there is SO much to see and experience.
You could EVEN hit a Kibbutz while you are there. Each Kibbutz is its own sustained settlement, where the people work and farm and eat together. You have to experience it at least once in your life!
Italy
One of the best-known countries for tourism, Italy has so much to offer!!
You can’t go to Italy without checking out the vineyards, the culture, the ancient ruins, the beautiful coastal cities, the famous shopping spots, and everything the local artisans have to offer!
They got a pretty bad rap at the start of 2020, as basically an epicenter for COVID, but they have also gotten a handle on the situation better than just about any European country, and it’s just about time to visit!!
Egypt
You can’t take a trip to Egypt without going to see the Pyramids of Giza, which Egypt is probably best known for.
But there are so many ancient artifacts to see in this great country. Coming in 2021 is the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), which will house MANY of the ancient finds, including King Tutankhamun’s treasures. Sign me up!
Greece
Located just a breath away from Italy, and dropping down below the country of Romania, is the country of Greece.
In 2021, Greece will be marking its 200th birthday celebration, because in 1821, a revolution led to a war of independence.
Maybe you would like to celebrate in the city of Athens, along the coast on the beautiful beaches, or near one of the MANY ancient sites in the beautiful country of Greece.
France
I took French in high school, and ever since, I have dreamed of going.
I want to see the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Louvre. I NEED to eat at a little outdoor bistro along the streets of Paris. Wouldn’t having a glass of wine in one of the countryside vineyards be simply fantastic?
Ireland
There is so much to see and do in Ireland.
Of course, Ireland is an island in the British Isles, and as such, they have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
All you have to do is check out the official Ireland website, and you can see the THOUSANDS of things to do in this gorgeous country.
Germany
This country is KNOWN for its beer, sausages, festivals — I’m looking at you, Oktoberfest — and its diverse cultural experiences.
You haven’t lived your best life until you have gone on a tour of the majestic castles, cathedrals, and sprawling countrysides!
Japan
We are about to see a slice of Japan, as the world is ready to watch the summer Olympic Games — which have been moved to 2021 in Tokyo.
There are SO many beautiful and unique places to visit in Japan. They have, perhaps, some of the coolest architecture in the world.
ALSO, since I am a child at heart, I can’t help but mention you can visit the new Super Mario World at Universal Studios Japan, Tokyo Disneyland, and Tokyo DisneySea.
New Zealand
I’m going to admit, I don’t know a whole lot about this country. That doesn’t stop me from totally wanting to visit!!
Anyplace that’s good enough for Hobbits, is good enough for me, AMIRITE?!?
You can go to the Official New Zealand website to check out everything this beautiful country has to offer.
Australia
Yes, please!! This continent is made up of 14 countries, and I wouldn’t mind visiting most all of them.
While Australia is known for its kangaroos and koala bears, there is SO much more to see and do!
On my Australia bucket list are the Sydney Opera House, The Great Barrier Reef, Cradle Mountain in Tasmania, and I want to see the Southern Lights!
Hawaii
I don’t even think I have to explain why Hawaii is a bucket list destination!
There are stunning beaches, lush greenery, dormant volcanoes to hike, all kinds of movie locations to check out, you can swim with dolphins, whale watch, and go to a luau! Sign me the heck up!!
Spain
I just want to go to a Spanish Fiesta. Gah!! Outdoor parties with fireworks and parades are the most fun.
Then, it’s time to visit all the Spanish attractions and eat all the Spanish food. I just may never come home!!
The United Kingdom
From the Highlands of Scotland, to the famous allure of London, Wales, and Northern Ireland, I WANT TO GO!!
It got kind of a rap during the coronavirus pandemic, but things are starting to look up for the UK.
It is really made up of a collection of islands — and I want to visit them all!!
Mumbai
The largest city in India, Mumbai is known for being the financial capital of India. It is also the commercial epicenter, and we can’t leave out that it is the city famous for the Bollywood film industry.
The colors, the food, the architecture, the history — you need to stick Mumbai on the tops of your vacation bucket list!
Africa
I have ALWAYS wanted to take an African Safari looking for giraffes, lions, leopards, zebras, elephants, hippos, and hyenas. This would be GREAT to start out your African adventure.
Then you can visit Victoria Falls in Zambia, the Jane Goodall Institute and Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, and take a trip to Cape Town in South Africa.
Singapore
Many people avoid Singapore, because it has a reputation of being expensive and too clean. BUT, you simply can’t leave Singapore off a vacation bucket list!
The airport, itself, is almost reason to go ahead and book your vacation now. The Changi Airport is known for being the BEST airport in the world. It is home to the Jewel Changi, which is a “nature-themed entertainment and retail complex on the inside of Changi Airport, Singapore.”
They even have the HSBC Rain Vortex, which is the world’s largest INDOOR waterfall!
Antarctica
I bet you didn’t see THIS one coming!! This is the ULTIMATE vacation destination for the traveler’s bucket list!!
It can be VERY expensive to visit the southernmost continent of the world — we are talking hundreds of thousands of dollars. BUT, if you can swing it, it is a ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME experience you won’t want to miss.
HELLO — you will get to see Emperor Penguins in their natural habitat.
When cruise lines start back up, get yourself a savings jar, and make Antarctica a must-visit destination!
That is not a Picture from Spain. That Picture was taken in Lisbon, Portugal…