T+L Editors Share the Trips on Their Bucket List

Since the first time I saw photos of Torres de Paine National Park, I have wanted to go to Patagonia. I don't know if it's because of the operatically jagged peaks and luminous lakes that seem to change color with the sky, or the promise of fresh air and immersion in nature, but I imagine it'll feel like I'm very far away and surrounded by some of the best scenery the Earth has to offer. – Laura Teusink, managing editor

It’s always been a dream of mine to take a month and travel around Southeast Asia. I want to eat street food in Saigon, float through the sea caves in Phang Nga Bay, swim with whale sharks in the Philippines, and stare in awe at the majesty of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. In reality, it’s a big bucket list made up of smaller bucket lists, but that’s not cheating, right? – Chelsea Schiff, senior designer

I've been hoping to go on another cruise for some time now, and my goal is to visit Alaska next. I'd like to go on a one-week trip this time (seven days with no phone service sounds delightful), and sail on a smaller ship that feels more intimate. I know the scenery and animals will be absolutely incredible, and there's no better way to see this gorgeous part of America than on a ship. – Stephanie Wu, senior editor

Last year, my wife and I took a quick trip to Charleston to walk the streets, stuff our faces at wonderful restaurants, and relax in the warm weather. Almost immediately we fell in love with the southern charm and quickly started to look for our next adventure below the Mason-Dixen line. New Orleans has been at the top of my bucket list for far too long and it's about time that I pay the Big Easy a visit. My wife and I are planning our first family trip with our new daughter, and New Orleans seems like the perfect choice. It's a quick flight away, has beautiful architecture, great food and plenty of culture, and it's surrounded by greenspace, making for the ideal family day trip out of the city. – Sean Flynn, digital operations editor

One of my family's closest friends has been going to Bora Bora for as long as I can remember. All through our youth, he would send my sister and me little tokens from his travels there. Porcelain figurines, old coins from the area, beautiful shells — all sorts of odds and ends packed into antique tobacco boxes and covered in colorful stamps. Ever since, I've been keen to go and explore the far-off island for myself. I picture spending days on end up under a palm tree in a hammock next to the turquoise blue waters. But staying in one of the overwater bungalows at the Four Seasons doesn't sound so bad either. – Ellie Storck, digital editorial assistant

Yoga classes have always served as mini-vacations for me, so a full-on destination retreat is something I've been wanting to try for a while. Sky Ting Yoga, a studio in New York City, offers a retreat in Morocco—in Marrakesh—that starts and ends the day on the mat, but fills the in-between with adventures like camel rides, surf lessons, wine tasting, traditional Moroccan cooking classes, spa treatments, and lots of free time to explore the city at whim. I'm about seven seconds away from booking. – Richelle Szypulski, assistant digital editor

I’m a complete Anglophile, and I’ve visited the U.K. many times, but I’ve never explored Britain extensively. My dream trip is a road trip around the British countryside. I want to check out little pubs, hike through the Scottish Highlands, and visit the picturesque counties that make up the Cotswolds. I want to make friends with the locals, learn about the nation's folklore, and eat fish-and-chips wrapped in newspaper. The one thing you won’t find me doing? Driving, since I’m lacking a license, so I’ll have to bring a buddy. Anyone want to join? – Adeline Duff, editorial assistant

The Faroe Islands, an independent nation under Denmark, are like the redheaded stepchild of the Nordic region, overlooked and undervisited. But I'm just itching to go; there's something very attractive to a sardine-can New Yorker about a place with fewer than 50,000 residents. The whole archipelago, halfway between Norway and Iceland, is appealingly off the grid. Before Google Street View finally arrived a few months ago, locals created something called Sheep View, which is exactly what it sounds like. The Faroes are made up of misty cliffs marked with Viking ruins and moss-cloaked rock formations jutting out of the North Atlantic, with seabirds circling over sky-high lakes and waterfalls. I think I might bring my own snacks, though. Faroese fare is characterized by dishes like tvøst og spik—flakes of dried black pilot-whale meat served with bits of brined blubber. – CB Owens, copy & research editor

This year, I crossed off my first bucket list trip: Iceland. It was extraordinary. But as I decided on my next once-in-a-lifetime destination, I realized I wanted something even less explored and somehow more wild. Now that there's a flight to Addis Ababa from my home airport (Newark) traveling to Ethiopia feels doable. There, I'd search for Gelada monkeys, ibex, and secretive Ethiopian wolves on safari, or trek through the scorching, underworld like Danakil Depression. – Melanie Lieberman, associate digital editor

Traveling to Vietnam has been at the top of my bucket list for years, and not just for the Vietnamese food. Vietnam is home to the biggest cave in the world, the Son Doong Cave, which is large enough to fit a 40-story skyscraper. My dream trip would include rappelling into the cave for a week-long camping adventure and then ending the vacation relaxing on one of Vietnam’s beautiful beaches. – Stefanie Wiener, digital manager

I've been to a lot of international destinations, but I haven't explored much of the U.S. yet, which is why I'm hoping that my next trip will be to the American Southwest. In photos, the red rocks look unlike anything I've ever seen in person before. I'm excited to experience the unique climate and try the dishes from the area's food scene. – Julia Warren, editorial producer

With the advancement of technological innovations over the past few decades, space travel no longer seems as unattainable as it once did. The cosmos seem so large, and the world we live in seems so small. Whether to travel or to live, the universe outside of the Earth processes unknown possibilities that are waiting to be discovered. I suspect space travel will not be like any travel that I have ever done in my life. – Sherry Hsieh, audience engagement manager

I once read a book called “Dalai Lama, My Son,” which is a memoir written by the 14th Dalai Lama's mother. She talks about all of the training her son had to go through, how he was chosen for the honorary title, and the places he lived. Lhasa was once the Dalai Lama's winter home, and the palace houses almost 1,000 rooms, hundreds of paintings, and chapels. This kind of history is something I dream of seeing in person. – Erika Owen, senior audience engagement editor

After visiting Africa for a month a few years ago, I found myself wanting to see more of the gorgeous continent. The natural beauty there is truly breathtaking and, as an avid hiker, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro was a natural fit for my bucket list. The ascent to the top is actually not that difficult—most climbers succumb to altitude sickness before physical fatigue. The 55-mile hike brings you through multiple climates: farmland, rainforest, and finally arctic temperatures at the summit showcasing a wide range of wildlife. I’ve actually started planning this dream trip and will embark on the trek, followed by a safari, in March 2017. I’ll be documenting my adventure, so stay tuned. — Lindsey Campbell, audience engagement editor

My next trip will reflect the list that’s growing in my iPhone notepad: Truth or Consequences, New Mexico; Antelope Canyon, Arizona; Joshua Tree, California; and a handful of towns across Texas. The quirky names are partly responsible, but I think the desire to drive away on the open road and deep into the country is a result of my being a city-dweller. Or perhaps it's because my next trip always seems to be the one I’m embarrassed I haven’t taken yet. In the fantasy version of this trip I have two months of time and a retrofitted school bus, or a tricked-out Winnebago. I criss-cross the country visiting every curious town and national park I've ever imagined standing in. – Jen Salerno, editorial freelancer

Ever since reading “The Motorcycle Diaries” as a teenager I’ve dreamed of riding across Patagonia. After living abroad for years in a Spanish-speaking country and improving my own skills as a motorcycle rider and mechanic, I feel like the time is right for me to explore Argentina and Chile on my own terms. Jagged mountain faces and pristine lakes would be the perfect backdrop for the zen-like peace that can be found on the back of motorcycle. Home to rainforests, mountains, volcanoes and the wide-open plains of the pamapas, I can’t think of another trip that would offer such a diversity of landscapes, food and adventure. – Tom Grahsler, video producer

In 2017, I'm making a point of visiting parts of the world where I am less widely traveled to further my understanding of the planet. I haven't spent too much time in the Arab World, and Oman is at the top of my list, particularly because it is rich in history and culture and also has some pretty dramatic landscapes. It's also got terrific places to stay: I've heard great things about the Six Senses Zighy Bay, a stone-and-thatch enclave on the water (with a super spa), and the new Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar, perched on a canyon edge among the Green Mountains. – Nathan Lump, editor in chief

I’ve always loved being in the water, and with its 15,000 miles of coastline, New Zealand seems like the ideal place to dive in. The country is home to stunning beaches like its secluded Tunnel Beach, and a geothermal pool is never too far away. I have also found that one of the important factors for me when I travel is trying to balance time spent relaxing and time spent adventuring, which is why New Zealand’s mix of calm activities like visiting quaint vineyards and olive groves in Waiheke and adrenaline-pumping sports like bungee jumping and heli-hiking makes the country all the more intriguing to me. – Talia Avakian, digital reporter

For years, I've wanted to explore Mexico. Although I grew up in Texas, I seemed to miss all of the opportunities to head south of the border. The author Sandra Cisneros describes the countryside drives in Mexico and the vibrancy of colors and life in a way that has just deepened my desire to see it for myself. I'd spend a month or two to travel throughout the country and spend time improving my poor Spanglish to Spanish. Starting the trip in Oaxaca, I want to learn the crafts of wool weaving and pottery while eating some of the most well-known cuisine in the country. Also, near Oaxaca is Hierve el Agua, an amazing rock formation that appears to be petrified waterfalls and serves as a spa-like pool of water, it looks absolutely incredible. The next big stop on the trip would be driving north to Mexico City. My top stops here would be the Frida Kahlo Museum and The National Museum of Anthropology. I could spend days listing all the things I have saved up to see someday in this beautiful country. – Mariah Tyler, digital assistant photo editor

Ever since I was a little girl, I've been obsessed with the children's book “Madeline.” I would constantly day dream about seeing the Eiffel Tower with my own two eyes. My love for French culture actually came from my mom, who is also obsessed with Paris, so when I go, she has to come along. She took French in school and I followed in her footsteps, practicing the language up through college. And don't get me started on the food. Did someone say crepes? It's such a beautiful city with so much culture, history, and architecture—it would definitely satisfy both my inner wanderlust and childhood dreams. – Cortni Spearman, digital producer

An African safari has been on my bucket list since childhood. Now that I'm an adult, witnessing a wildlife migration is at the top of my list. While I'd eventually love to encounter the smells of Spice Town in Zanzibar, or the Avenue of the Baobabs in Madagascar, I've narrowed down my first African experience to Namibia. My dream itinerary includes watching a zebra migration across Etosha National Park, trekking through the gorgeous red landscape of the Namib Desert, treasure hunting in the sand enveloped ghost town of Kolmanskop, and photographing the dramatic light and shadow play against the Dali-esque trees of Deadvlei. – David Kukin, digital photo researcher

My long-standing interest in Japan took root during the 1998 Olympic Games in Nagano. I’d start my trip with a few days of skiing at the Hakuba Happo-One resort that hosted the Alpine skiing events. Then on to Tokyo, where I want to eat my way through the city’s izakaya, noodle shops, and sushi bars. Finally, a visit to Japan’s Edo period capital in Kyoto to see the gardens and architecture. – Alex Arnold, photo editor

I once read a book about Genghis Khan (nerd alert!) and was instantly transfixed by the descriptions of the Mongolian steppes. The visual evidence I've seen of the country's rolling grasslands has only gotten me more hooked. I'm fixated on the idea of joining up with the nomads, sleeping in a cozy ger, and horse-back riding across vast, empty stretches of land. – Jacqui Gifford, special projects editor

Like Lindsey, I also have Mount Kilimanjaro at the top of my bucket list. After reading Werner Herzog’s memoir, “Of Walking in Ice,” I’m convinced that some places are meant to be traveled on foot. In the case of Mount Kilimanjaro, traveling by foot to the summit is your only option. At 19,341 feet above sea level, Kilimanjaro stands as the highest mountain in Africa, and the tallest free-standing mountain in the world. In addition to its height, Kilimanjaro contains multiple unique ecosystems, and is the second closest point in the world to the sun, after Ecuador’s Mount Chimborazo. – Mary Robnett, assistant photo editor

I've ridden horses since I was a child, but don't get to do so nearly often enough as a city-dwelling adult. My dream trip is to combine my love of riding with an African safari. I'll head to the Okavango Delta in Botswana, trail giraffes, wildebeest, and elephants on horseback during the day, and spend the evenings resting my tired muscles beside the campfire at luxurious safari camps. – Skye Senterfeit, associate photo editor

Jordan has been on my bucket list ever since I saw “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” as a child. (Yes, I often base my travel list off of my favorite movies.) In the film, Jones makes his way to the ancient city of Petra in search of the Holy Grail. Pretty enticing, right? The carved city is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and Wadi Rum National Park is also in the southwestern region of the country. The vast desert can be explored by a 4x4, camel, or by foot, and personally, I don’t think spending the day climbing the desert’s rock faces before settling in at one of the luxury campsites sounds too bad. – John Scarpinato, editorial assistant

I've been to Nova Scotia (in my first job as a stylist assistant), but sometimes it's who you want to travel with as opposed to where. My grandmother's family came to Nova Scotia (and later to the Bronx) during the Highland Clearances. She always talked of wanting to take her daughters, granddaughters, and great-granddaughters to visit her remaining family there. We never made the trip with her, but the women in my family are determined to make a pilgrimage together someday. – Melissa Ventosa Martin, fashion director

Living in New York sometimes feels like nonstop sensory overload, so more than anything I crave quiet and space on my vacations. I’m dying to take a summer trip to the Canadian Rockies—specifically, to British Columbia. Here’s where it gets really nerdy: Ever since I took a paleobiology class in college, I’ve wanted to see the Burgess Shale. It’s one of the most important fossil finds in the history of geoscience, and it’s just a treasure trove of marine invertebrates that have been preserved, soft parts and all. You have to go with a guide, and it takes a few hours of hiking to reach the most accessible outcrop, but you’re rewarded with stretch of land that’s just littered with 500-million-year-old fossils. After a few days of hiking and camping and proving to my family that my geology degree wasn’t a complete waste of money, I’ll head to Lake Louise, stay at the Fairmont overlooking the lake, and spend lots of time drinking wine and getting massages and sitting in a cloud of bubbles in some obscenely fancy soaking tub. I contain multitudes. –Lila Battis, associate editor