I received the Lonely Planet Ultimate Travelist for Christmas last year. It details the “500 best places on the planet… ranked” and it is possibly the most wanderlust-inducing thing I’ve ever read!
It got me thinking about what my ultimate travelist would be. So, I’ve decided to put together a top 10 of the places I’ve already visited and the 10 that are highest on my bucket list. I’ve ranked them in order, which was not an easy task!
Top 10 Places Visited
1. Khao Sok National Park, Thailand
Khao Sok National Park is situated in the Surat Thani province of Thailand. The crowing jewel of the park is Cheow Lan lake, which is home to beautiful lime stone karsts.
I stayed in a floating bungalow on the lake, where the facilities are very basic and there is only electricity for a few hours in the evening. The setting is absolutely stunning and my one-night stay is one of my all time favourite travel memories. Quite simply, it’s the most breathtaking place I’ve ever visited.
Read more: 9 Reasons to Visit Thailand
2. Great Wall of China
The Great Wall probably makes it on to most people’s travel bucket lists, it is a bit of a cliche.
It rightly deserves a place, it is out of this world amazing. I was super excited to hike the wall but nothing could prepare me for quite how incredible (and steep!) it was.
I visited the Jinshanling section of this wall and there were barely any other people!
3. Temples of Angkor
The Temples of Angkor are out of this world and like nothing I’ve ever seen before.
I joined a small cycling tour when I visited; we got to Angkor Wat for sunrise and then cycled around the other temples and surrounding countryside.
Read more: Female solo travel in Cambodia and Vietnam: a 3 week itinerary
4. Hoi An Old Town
Most people that have visited Hoi An Old Town would probably agree that the place just feels absolutely magical, especially at night when the beautiful old buildings are lit up with colourful lanterns.
It was definitely my favourite place in Vietnam, although as you’ll see, two more places in my favourite country ever have also made it on to my list!
5. Hanoi Old Quarter, Vietnam
Hanoi is by far my favourite large city in Asia. It’s busy and it’s polluted but it also has so much charm!
Home to many beautiful buildings, Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple and lots of lovely restaurants, there’s plenty to see and do. But this is also a place where you can just wander and get lost, taking it all in.
Read more: Vietnam Travel Tips
6. Galle Fort, Sri Lanka
One of the things I loved most about Sri Lanka is that every place we visited was so different. Galle Fort was no exception, I certainly wasn’t expecting charming cobbled streets, boutique shops and a lighthouse in Sri Lanka!
I stayed within the fort, which I’d highly recommend doing.
Read more: Sri Lankan Adventure Part 1: Colombo to Galle
7. Plaza Mayor, Cuba
Trinidad in Cuba is by far one of the prettiest towns I’ve ever visited. Cobbled streets and pastel coloured buildings, it is a delight. It attracts a fair amount of tourists but it still felt really laid back and not at all crowded.
Plaza Mayor is the historic centre of the town and it’s the perfect place to wander for a couple of hours, followed by a cold beer.
See more: Cuba: Photo Edit
8. Halong Bay, Vietnam
Halong Bay is a must-see for visitors to Vietnam. It’s famous for its limestone karsts and dramatic scenery.
I stayed on a traditional junk boats for two days and it was an amazing experience, not to mention that the seafood served on board was some of the best and freshest I’ve ever eaten.
9. Habana Vieja, Cuba
Think of Cuba and Habana Vieja is likely to be the picture in your head- the bright, pastel coloured old buildings in the old part of town.
They are iconic and even better experienced on a ride around Havana in an old American car.
Read more: Cuba Travel Tips
10. Le Jardin Majorelle
I recently visited Marrakech and was concerned that I’d be disappointed by Le Jardin Majorelle given all the photos I’d seen and the masses of tourists.
I definitely wasn’t disappointed, the gardens were absolutely magical and like a complete oasis away from the slight madness of Marrakech itself.
Read more: How to Spend a Long Weekend in Marrakech
So, that’s where I’ve been. Now for the list of the top 10 places I’d like go visit form the Lonely Planet Ultimate Travelist:
1. Bora Bora, French Polynesia
2. Machu Picchu, Peru
3. Petra, Jordan
4. Taj Mahal, India
5. Bagan, Myanmar
6. Gardens by the Bay, Singapore
7. Dubrovnik Old City Walls, Croatia
8. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi
9. Cristo Redentor, Brazil
10. Empire State Building
Check out the Lonely Planet Ultimate Travelist here.
Where are your top 10 places visited and the top 10 you want to go to? I’d love to hear from you xxx