My Wanderlist

Sainte-Chapelle, one of Paris' many exquisite beacons of French art history and architecture

I'm in the process of planning my next trip abroad and although I find it terribly exciting, I'm a little overwhelmed. The best trips, in my opinion, are those with equal parts sponteneity and carefully devised plans. Having structure helps you ensure you'll see and do everything you'd like to, but too much planning can make travelling feel like a chore or school fieldtrip.

As I pour through travels books (the DK Eyewitness ones are my favourite), and google search Airbnb options, train tickets, sights worth seeing and the best restaurants of 2015, I have to remind myself that I won't be able to see and do everything in one trip, and I need to prioritze sights, sounds, flavours and experiences.

Recommendations from loved ones are always a great jumping-off point when trip-planning, but I also find it really helpful to think about trips I've taken in the past, and reflect on what I liked and didn't like about those journies. This process helps me to develop my wanderlist - the list of places I'd love to explore next.

Of course, every trip is different, and it's not always fair to compare journies. Often places just aren't comparable. But, reflecting on previous journies can help you to avoid future travel mistakes and focus on what you love doing, rather than simply what Trip Advisor suggests. Below are a few of my favourite trips I've taken, what I loved about them, and how they've crafted my current wanderlist.

One of my favourite photos from my trip to Anchorage, Alaska

Alaskan Adventure

One of the coolest trips I've taken was a short junket to Anchorage, Alaska about 10 years ago. My favourite part of this particular trip was travelling up the side of a mountain in a gondala, and looking down at the Northern Pacific coast from the mountain's peak. I couldn't believe people were skiing in late May, and I loved getting to see moose, mountain goats, porcupines and whales as we journied up those snowy hills. This trip has always made me realize the importance of exploring the natural landscapes of my travel destinations, especially when they're as awe-inspiring as Alaska's.

I love the coloured windows, juxtaposed against the neoclassical architecture of Paris' Picaso museum

Strolling through Paris

The first time I visited Paris, I fell in love with the unique contrast of narrow, winding avenues and grand, regal boulevards. I loved that we travelled around the city mostly on foot, occassionally hopping on the metro to skip over to other arrondissements. This trip really highlighted the importance of walking through cities when visiting them, as it allows you to experience some of the local treasures that live in those places.

Lazing around on the Beach, just outside of Nassau, Bahamas

Basking in the Bahamian Sun

My first trip to the Caribbean was to Nassau, Bahamas with four of my best friends. I was fortunate to stay at a friend's home, which I preferred to staying at a resort, as it gave us all a chance to really experience life on the island. This trip showed me that some destinations are made for relaxation, and when you find yourself in one of those destinations, that's exactly what you should do. While I loved exploring downtown Nassau and old ruins of a colonial resport that had been destroyed in a hurricane years ago, I also loved lazing on this beautiful beech. I think it's crucial to spend at least one day relaxing in your surroundings, on every trip.

One of Montreal's stunning townhouses, chalk-full of character

Boutique-Hopping in Montreal

A couple years ago, I visited one of my best friends in Montreal for a long weekend of cocktails and boutique shopping. I loved finding unique items in stores I'd never been to before, and tasting traditional French Canadian pastries in between each stop. One of my favourite spots in Montreal is Juliette et Chocolat, where the fragrant smell of crêpes, pastries and chocolate truffles fill the air. There are a few of these gems sprinkled throughout the city, and a couple locations elsewhere in Quebec. This trip emphasized the importance of heading to boutique shops and stores that are unique to the place you're visiting, rather than shops you can find in your home town, as tempting as that sometimes is, while travelling!

The view from outside San Francisco's beautiful Ferry Building; on weekdays, dozens of people descend from the lofty office towers in the city's close-by Financial District, to grab a quick bite at this gourmet hub

Living like a Local in San Francisco

Before visiting San Francisco, I had read that a bicycle was the best means of getting around the city, and that most locals cycled around town despite the volumous hills that define SF. It was really easy to find a bike rental shop in Hayes Valley, and after that, I was able to get around the city quickly and easily, while experiencing different neighborhoods. I knew I wanted to explore Golden Gate Park, and based on its massive size, cycling was the best way to efficiently see as much of it as possible. I also appreciated the bike routes provided by the bike rental shop and the city of San Francisco, that help cyclists to navigate around especially steep uphill streets. I will definitely always consider renting a bicycle in each of the destinations I visit, from now on.

Sailing into Souffriere, Saint Lucia, on a catamaran

Sailing Along the Coast of Saint Lucia

Sailing down the interior coast of Saint Lucia on a catamaran afforded my friends and I the most incredible views of the island's famous Pitons, and allowed us to jump off and snorkel at certain points too. While I'm not a huge believer in cruises, I do think taking day trips on boats is a great option during trips, especially in the Caribbean.

All of these experiences have shaped my current wanderlist, and have helped me to realize what I think I would most enjoy seeing and doing on my next trip abroad. Up next on my wanderlist is Italy, Argentina, Turkey and Australia. I can't wait to explore the natural landscapes, one-of-a-kind boutiques, and local treasures these destinations have to offer.

If you have any reccommendations for what to see and do in Italy, I'm all ears!

What's on your wanderlist?

#Travel #Wanderlusy #wanderlist #planning