Some journeys begin with a reservation. Others begin with a photograph, a story or a single experience that stays in your imagination until you can find a way to make it real. This page brings together the international destinations and experiences that continue to inspire my future travels.
The places below are part of my personal international travel bucket list. I have not experienced these particular journeys yet, so this is not presented as firsthand destination advice. Instead, it is an honest collection of the landscapes, cultures, creative traditions and meaningful encounters I hope to experience and photograph one day.
As these travel dreams become plans—and eventually memories—I will update this page with firsthand photographs, practical guidance and links to complete destination stories. Until then, I hope this list encourages you to think about the experiences that would make your own travels feel purposeful and unforgettable.
Image note: Some destination images on this page are illustrative rather than photographs from firsthand visits. I will replace them with my original photography as these journeys become real.
Europe Travel Dreams
Europe holds several of my strongest travel dreams—from watching the night sky come alive in Iceland and crossing the Swiss Alps by train to learning traditional creative and culinary skills in Italy. These are the European experiences I most hope to plan, photograph and eventually share from firsthand experience.
See the Northern Lights in Iceland
Seeing the aurora borealis above Iceland’s dark, open landscapes sits near the top of my international travel bucket list. I hope to stay beyond Reykjavík’s city lights, allow several nights for changing weather and join an experienced guide who can follow current forecasts. The dream combines patience, winter landscape photography and the chance to witness one of nature’s most remarkable displays.
Sail Through the Greek Isles
Rather than experiencing Greece only from a large cruise ship, I dream of joining a small-group sailing journey through the Aegean. Quiet ports, hidden coves, whitewashed villages, local meals and long evenings near the water would offer a slower and more personal way to experience the islands while photographing places beyond the most familiar views.
Ride the Glacier Express Through the Swiss Alps
My European train travels have strengthened my appreciation for journeys where the route becomes part of the experience. Riding the Glacier Express would offer panoramic views of mountain passes, valleys, bridges and alpine villages while allowing time to watch the scenery unfold. It is the combination of rail travel, winter landscapes and unhurried observation that places this journey high on my list.
Create a Mosaic in Ravenna, Italy
Ravenna’s artistic heritage makes it more than a place I want to observe—it is somewhere I hope to create. My dream is to learn from a local mosaic artist, select and cut the small pieces known as tesserae, and assemble a design using techniques connected to the city’s historic mosaics. Bringing home something made by hand would turn the experience into a personal connection with Ravenna’s creative traditions.
Learn to Make Pizza on the Amalfi Coast
I would love to join a hands-on pizza-making class overlooking the Amalfi Coast, learning how dough, fresh ingredients and a wood-fired oven come together through generations of Italian tradition. The experience is not simply about eating pizza in a beautiful location. It is about learning from local people, participating in the region’s food culture and creating a memory through something made with my own hands.
Africa and Asia Travel Dreams
Photograph Chefchaouen, Morocco
Chefchaouen’s blue-painted streets, arched doors, textured stairways and setting within the Rif Mountains make it one of the most visually compelling places on my list. I hope to explore slowly, photograph the details without treating the city as merely a backdrop and experience the markets, architecture and daily rhythms that give Morocco’s Blue City its identity.
Observe Elephants Responsibly in Thailand
Seeing elephants in Thailand would only feel meaningful if their welfare came first. I would look for a transparent sanctuary that does not offer riding, tricks or forced interaction and instead emphasizes rescue, natural behavior, education and observation on the elephants’ terms. Careful research will be essential because responsible wildlife travel matters more than obtaining a close photograph.
Learn Batik Art in Ubud, Bali
In Ubud, I hope to learn the traditional wax-resist process behind batik from an experienced local artist. Using a canting tool, applying wax and building color through layers of dye would offer a hands-on connection to Balinese creativity and storytelling. The finished textile would matter, but learning the patience, symbolism and cultural meaning behind the craft would be the true experience.
South Pacific Travel Dream
Stay in an Overwater Bungalow in Bora Bora
Staying above Bora Bora’s turquoise lagoon would be a rare, once-in-a-lifetime splurge built around stillness, privacy and immediate access to the water. If I pursue this dream, I would look for a responsible way to balance the experience with the cost—possibly combining a short bungalow stay with more affordable accommodations, considering rewards and traveling outside the busiest season. The setting, surrounding peaks and changing light would also make it an extraordinary place to photograph.
Turning Travel Dreams Into Plans
A bucket list becomes meaningful when a dream begins moving toward a real plan. When I am ready to choose one of these experiences, I will begin with my guide to planning a trip without getting overwhelmed, then use the ultimate carry-on checklist as departure approaches.
To explore an international destination I have already experienced, visit my Ireland Travel Guide: Dublin and Beyond. When these future journeys become reality, I will also use the techniques collected in my Travel Photography Tips guide to document them honestly and preserve the details that made each experience worth pursuing.