My Travel Bucket List: Top 10 Countries That Keep Calling Me

There's something enchanted about desiring places you haven't been to yet. The thought that right now, someplace across the ocean, people are sipping tea differently, welcoming each other in other lingoes, and living a rhythm fully unlike yours. It's humbling and exhilarating all at once.

Travel isn't just about escape. It's about growth. Each destination I add to my bucket list isn't just a pin on a map. It's a desire to comprehend, to taste, to discern something new.

In this blog that I'm about to share with you are my top ten countries that sit at the top of my travel bucket list and why they keep calling to me. The first one is my favorite because my husband like it too.

1. "Japan – The Land of the Rising Sun"

Japan, a perfect blend of ancient wisdom and futuristic marvels, beckons with its unique experiences. The anticipation of wandering through Kyoto's serene temples during cherry blossom season, then zipping off on a bullet train to neon-lit Tokyo, where robots serve ramen, is genuinely exhilarating. The contrast between serenity and pace, as well as minimalism and technology, in Japan, is a poetic experience in itself.

Furthermore, let's be real: their food alone is a bucket list thing." Delicate sushi, steaming ramen, all things matcha, and the art of an omakase meal, where each bite unfolds like a carefully composed story." Also, I want to be in Japan as the first country where my husband and I, along with our kids, go together in 2026, which is manifesting next year!

2. "New Zealand – For the Epic Nature"

Whenever life feels too noisy, I imagine standing at the edge of a New Zealand cliff, overlooking emerald hills or snowcapped peaks, and just breathing. The landscapes here look like something out of a dream. Its dramatic fjords, crystal-clear lakes, untouched wilderness, and the weather. I hope this is the country I would like to live in with my family. I dream of one day going hiking with my husband and kids, as we love exploring and wandering around in nature, taking road trips and singing our favorite songs together, stargazing, and listening to the birds chirping.

We also enjoy trying something adventurous, like bungee jumping in Queenstown. It's the kind of place where the Earth reminds you just how small and lucky you are. I feel like this place on earth is so peaceful and quiet; I picture myself having a simple, comfortable, happy, and quiet life with my husband and children one day. See you soon, New Zealand!

3. "Italy For adventure and cultural influence"

Italy is more than just a country; it is a state of mind. As a coffee lover, I dream of sipping espresso in a sleepy village square, living the dreamy, simple, and relaxed Italian life. Getting lost in the cobblestone galleries of Florence and savoring authentic, handmade pasta under the Tuscan sun is a picture of tranquility.

But more than anything, I enjoy experiencing how Italians find pleasure in the everyday. "La dolce vita" isn't just a phrase. It's a way of being, and I'd love to drench in every bit of it.

4." France For Art, Culture, and Yummy Croissants."

France is more than Paris (though I'd never say no to a week in the City of Light). When I was young, this was the number one country in my mind that I wanted to visit one day. It's because of the Eiffel Tower, Provence's lavender fields, the vineyards of Bordeaux, and the rugged cliffs of Normandy.

I long to spend slow mornings in a French café with a book and a buttery croissant, just like what I saw in movies. I want to wander through museums that house centuries of beauty and practice my terrible French with strangers who hopefully won't mind. Cliché or not, France is iconic for a reason.

5. "South Africa – For Wildlife and Wonder"

A safari in South Africa has been on my list for as long as I can recall. There's something archaic and humbling about seeing lions, giraffes, elephants, and rhinos in their natural habitat, not behind glass, but out in the wild, where they belong.

Exceeding the wildlife, Cape Town's scenic coastlines, the Winelands, and the rich local culture draw me in. It feels like a place where wildlife and humanity coexist in astonishing ways.

6. "Iceland – For Fire and Ice"

Iceland looks like another globe in the best way possible. Volcanoes, glaciers, black sand beaches, and the northern lights? Yes, please.

It is the place I'd go to when I desire to feel like a tiny explorer in a vast and decisive world. I want to bathe in geothermal springs, hike across archaic lava fields, and listen to silence so pure it echoes. And also, my son would love to see Polar Bears, I mean the real ones, in the flesh.

7." Greece – For Myth and Mediterranean Magic"

Maybe it's the mythology, the ruins, or the sun-drenched islands, but Greece feels timeless. I'd love to wander through Athens and feel history under my feet, then hop to Santorini and watch the sky melt into the Aegean Sea.

Greek food is also high on my goal menu: fresh olives, grilled seafood, and feta on everything. It's a homeland that feels like a living poem, and I want to read every stanza. I want to see if the books I read were real. I want to see it for myself, because I've only read about it in books, and the history was excellent.

8. "Morocco For the Color, Chaos, and Calm"

The thought of Morocco excites all my senses. I want to get blissfully lost in the souks of Marrakech, where spices fill the air and fabrics flow like rivers of color. Then I'd ride a camel into the Sahara, sleep under a sky dusted with stars, and listen to the wind whisper over golden dunes.

I'm fascinated by Moroccan architecture, the intricate tilework, the peaceful riads, and the secret courtyards. It feels like a land full of stories waiting to be discovered.

9. "Turkey For the Bridge Between Worlds"

Istanbul alone is enough to justify this entry. A city where East meets West, where mosques share a skyline with modern buildings, and where centuries of history echo in every cobbled street.

I want to sail on the Bosphorus, relax in a traditional hammam, and drink tea with strangers who feel like old friends. And yes, I want to float in a hot air balloon over the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia at sunrise. Who doesn't?

10. "South Korea For Soul, Fashion, and Street Food"

Last but not least, South Korea is where tradition and trend collide in the most captivating way. I imagine myself wandering through the narrow alleys of Bukchon Hanok Village, where centuries-old houses whisper stories of the past, before diving into the neon glow of Seoul's nightlife in Hongdae or Gangnam.

Korea has a heartbeat that's hard to ignore, pulsing through K-pop rhythms, late-night markets, and the quiet serenity of mountain temples. I want to hike through Seoraksan National Park in autumn when the leaves set the landscape on fire. I want to sip soju at a pojangmacha (street tent bar) with locals I just met and belt out karaoke until sunrise.

And, of course, there's the food: bubbling kimchi jjigae, crispy hotteok, fresh gimbap, and endless bowls of spicy tteokbokki. I've heard that eating in Korea is an experience of its own, a dance of flavors, textures, and side dishes that never stop coming.

But beyond the aesthetics and eats, what draws me is Korea's cultural depth nits blend of modern innovation with deep respect for heritage. It's a place where style meets soul, and I can't wait to feel it for myself.

Final Thoughts

This list will probably change. Travel has a way of surprising us, of turning the "maybe someday" into "I can't believe I'm here." And honestly, that's the best part. Some of these countries I'll reach sooner than others. Some will take years, planning, and a little courage. But every step will be worth it. Because, in the end, I don't just want to collect stamps on my passport. I want to gather stories, connections, lessons, and a deeper understanding of how beautifully diverse our world is.