I love travelling. In recent years I’ve been able to do more of it.  One of my more masochistic hobbies is putting together dream trips. I also love hearing about other people’s travel adventures. Sometimes though, I hear of a place and think oh, that’s neat but not for me, it’s not “my top 10″.  Y’know, those places that are super high on your list and if money and time were no object you’d go there before anywhere else? I realized I have a few of those places but I’ve never actually MADE the list. And one thing I love almost as much as I love planning fake vacations is making lists.

So I give you, my top 23 travel dreams. You’ll notice some trends: cold, animals, food.

1. Galapagos Islands – This has always been my #1 destination ever since I heard of it. I love animals and wildlife so this seems like the mecca of nature tourism.  The history of Darwin and everything is a big appeal.
2.  Churchill Manitoba Polar Bear trek – I once watched a documentary featuring Ewan McGregor (swoon) on a Tundry Buggy tour. Sold! I’m somewhat keen on the colder places of this earth, and polar bears are one of my favourite animals. [Note: BlogTO is running a contest to meet a Polar Bear Expert (http://www.blogto.com/contests/2011/12/contest_meet_polar_bear_expert_dr_ian_stirling/) and to enter I must state why I think *I* deserve to go! I think the fact that a trip to see polar bears in their natural environment is #2 on my dream vacation list speaks volumes! I love and am fascinated by them! I hope I win!]
3.  Alaska(n Cruise) – Again with the cold. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a cruise, but I do want to see the glaciers and so this seems the easiest way to do it. I’m tentatively planning this trip in May 2012 with my family. Hopefully it happens
4.  Maldives – This is not cold, but a beautiful tropical island. This is a more recent destination of desire for me. It’s not too far of the coast of India and I will be going back there – so I’m hoping next time I go (Winter 2012?) I can make the quick flight over for a weekend.
5.  Patagonia/Antarctica – Back with the cold! I’m just fascinated with the polar regions and the mountains and… everything. I need to improve my athletic level before I venture down here.  I also like stories of Shackleton and other explorers, so I feel the history is rich, if only in layers of ice.
6. Banff – Beautiful! I like mountains and blue waters! Who doesn’t?
7.  Switzerland – I know a few people who have been here recently and rave about it. Everything I’ve heard and seen seems to be wonderful. Also the chocolate.
8.  England – I can’t explain what exactly it is about England I want to see, other than it’s old.  The historical significance is huge and I would love to see it in person. I want to see London, because I love big cities, and I want to see the country side because it looks so charming.
9.  California (San Diego, San Fran, a bunch of stuff inbetween). Again – it looks wonderfully beautiful.
10.  Rome – Ruins! Ever since I saw the Taj Mahal, my mind was blown by wonders of the world and would like to see a lot of them. Again, the history thing.
11.  New England – HISTORY! I’m fascinated with the American Revolutionary war and Civil war – so I want to see New England for that reason. I took a lot of history classes in high school and loved reading about the revolution itself, Thomas Payne, The Boston Tea Party etc etc.
12.  Savanah, Georgia – See above re: civil war. I’ve seen photos and it looks gorgeous. I’d like to see old plantations and slave houses… this part of American history is so important and fascinating.
13.  Germany – Land of chocolate.
14.  Back to Singapore – I went here when i was 19 and fell in love with the place.  At the time I felt like I could definitely see myself living there for a few years. I’m sure I still could. It’s beautiful, and neat. and close to the south pacific.
15.  Lake Tahoe – google pictures of this. It’s like Canada’s Banff.
16.  New Orleans – I read Interview with the Vampire when I was 14 and was hooked. The little proto-goth in my fell in love with New Orleans. It’s fallen down my list of places I’d like to visit, but it’s still got a strong pull. If only for little 14 year old Anita.
17.  Tofino – I’ve been to Victoria and my gracious host took us to French Beach. It was amazing, so I’d love to see more of Vancouver island, and I’ve heard this is one of the best spots.
18.  Argentina – I would like to have a proper, grass-fed steak in Argentina. I’ve heard the food & wine are top notch.
19.  France – I feel like it’s mandatory to see Paris. I also love chocolates, pastries and baking, so another culinary must.
20.  French Polynesia – Bora Bora. C’mon. Ocean Stilts.
21.  Hawaii – Any island is automatically awesome, and I really don’t need to explain why I want to go to Hawaii.
22.  Mexico – Day of the dead. I’d love to go experience a Day of the Dead parade and related festivities for reals.
23.  Japan.  Again with the island – Also the food here. I like Japanese food. I also have seen pictures from friends voyages and the amount of ridiculous things (like a bus that’s been made to look like a dog) beg to be witnessed.