Dear Wandering Spirit,
I created this blog during Covid-19, completely going against the tide. I looked at old travel pictures of myself standing in huge crowds, and I just thought, ‘What will travelling after Corona be like?’. 🤔
Keep reading to discover my post-pandemic travel bucket list!
Post-Pandemic Travel Bucket List
A light nostalgic feeling resonated in my head, as I thought it would never ever be the same again. But then, I remember, I sat down and thought of all the good vibes that my curls and I had collected from past travels.
I finally asked myself, ‘Where am I going next?’. We will go back to travelling. We will travel differently, with different rules to follow and different goals in mind. But we will travel. 💪
Travelling is just part of ourselves, and each of us needs it.
Where am I travelling next?
I would say everywhere, but I will start with a list of 10 near and far places I believe I will be able to visit in the next few years:
Post-pandemic Trips Within Europe
I am not sure if I want to explore these places in summer or winter. The Baltic countries must be beautiful in summer, bright and colourful. I would rent a car and reach the 98 km long sandy peninsula of Curonian Spit. On the other hand, Finland, especially the Lapland region ❄️, is a winter fairy-tale destination. It would be thrilling to ride in a dog sled and enjoy a steaming sauna in -30 °C weather at the end of the day.
Estimated time: 10 days.
Budapest is absolutely one of my next post-pandemic spring destinations! This picturesque city is rich in culture and famous sites. It blooms in spring with vivid colours 🌸 and has a variety of relaxing thermal baths. I have a few acquaintances and friends there, so I genuinely hope that one of them will be my Budapest guide for discovering the local culture and food.
Estimated time: a long weekend (Thursday to Sunday).
If you did not know about these places before, spot them now and within few seconds you will understand why I plan a 2-week road-trip from Malaga along the shores up to Cadiz. Next to the touristic destinations 🏖️, there are many untouched white sandy beaches and other unspoilt paradises everywhere in Andalusia. I must see them at least once in my life.
Estimated time: 2 full weeks.
Cultural Travels Outside Europe
Cuba has a complex contemporary history and was flooded with tourism within the last few decades. Despite this and despite the fact that it is not the cheapest (and easiest) place to visit, I keep dreaming of my childhood. I picture myself dancing in a bar in Havana 💃, getting lost through the labyrinth streets, trying local products, including cigars, and talking to local children in Spanish. Will Cuba be my first post-pandemic long trip?
Estimated time: 10 days to 2 weeks (if combined with another visit in the U.S. for example).
No other place in the US is as captivating as the cultural melting pot of New Orleans to me. This vibrant city full of colours, festivals 🎺, and cultures is not the right place if you are looking for a relaxing, detox holiday. I expect long nights dancing and sipping great cocktails in the French quarter, strolling through the crowded streets the day after, and getting curious about voodoo shops.
Estimated time: 4 days are enough to visit New Orleans, although there is a 15 h flight between Europe and South U.S. I would combine this visit with Cuba, so that 2 weeks should be enough for both.
I have been only to Edinburgh in Scotland, and I was astonished at how grand the city is. I have only heard of the beautiful natural countryside and the giant old castles, and I think it is now time to go and visit them. Stargazing ⭐ and hiking are among the activities I would plan when visiting Scotland. Hidden paradises like the Smoo Cave and other sandy beaches make Scotland one of the most diversified landscapes just next door.
Estimated time: 5 days to one week.
Seaside and mountain views make of this country between Europe and Asia one of the most beautiful, yet undiscovered. I have a good Georgian friend, and she always invites me for a trip through Georgia together by car. The ancient history, its exclusive language and alphabet 😮, the stunning old mountain villages and the many legends about the origin of wines and humanity make Georgia a unique place. You know what? It is still a cheap travel destination, so what are you waiting for?
Estimated time: 10 days to 2 weeks.
Post-Pandemic Far-Away Destinations
Another beautiful naturalistic paradise can be seen in this part of the world. I would combine a naturalistic 🐒 and historic-based holiday in South Africa with a more relaxing experience in Madagascar and the neighbouring islands. I would honestly put more African destinations on my travel bucket list because I love this colourful continent, although it is not particularly tourist-friendly everywhere at the moment. Hopefully in the next decade though!
Estimated time: 2 weeks.
South-East Asia is my long-term slow travel project! I hope I can achieve this goal before my 40s. Being based in Thailand, I would explore little by little several neighbouring countries like Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. I think that slow travel is the best thing to do here, because I believe that the amazing culture 🙏🏼, cuisine, and nature must be preserved from mass tourism. To truly capture the spirit of South-East Asia, you must live and explore like a local.
Estimated time: 4 to 6 months.
I have a friend in South Australia who keeps inviting me to visit her in this beautiful, yet very distant, part of the world! Starting from Brisbane, I would rent a campervan and drive southward to Sydney, Canberra, westward to Adelaide, and then downward to Melbourne. Since Australia is massive, you spend many hours driving from one city to another. 🛣️ After 4-5 weeks here, I would take a 1 h flight to Tasmania and book an unforgettable safari experience.
Estimated time: 6 weeks or 3 weeks but going twice.
What about your post-pandemic travel bucket list?
Yours,
riccivagabondi
