14 Travels for 2014

For the past four years I have made a wish list of destinations that I hope to visit and feature on the blog. It started in 2010 with ten travels, and has consecutively gone up with each passing year. As blog years have gone by, I’ve gotten more ambitious with my list (always dream big!), with the goal to have at least one item checked off at the end of the year. 

In 2013 I was fortunate enough to cross off two new experiences, with the highlight being a cruise to Europe with my husband and daughter. This year I hope to expand my family’s travels even further.

Fourteen Travels for 2014

1. Norway — I’ve wanted to visit Norway long before the movie FROZEN— but with the success of the film, there’s not a more appropriate time to travel there. Adventures by Disney has a new vacation for families beginning in July … can you imagine how magical that would be?

2. England — When I was a tween/teen I was a complete Anglophile. It pains me that I still haven’t been to ANY of the UK, let alone London (not even on a layover!) … I’m ready for high tea, double decker buses, fish & chips and excursions to Stonehenge and Highclere Castle. IT’S TIME!

3. Hawaii (with the family) — I’ve been to Hawaii on my own, but the destination should really be shared with people you love.  I want to plan a real ‘Hawaiian’ family vacation, complete with hula lessons, volcanoes, hiking, snorkeling and a luau.

4. Southeast Asia – Hong Kong & Thailand are at the very top of my list. I figure if I’m flying all the way to Asia, I might as well visit more than one country. I’ve got my sights set on the Big Buddha, temples and lots of street food (just to name a few!).

5. Disneyland (with the family) — It took me 30 years to visit Disneyland on my own and I’m not willing to wait another 30 to share that experience with my daughter. It’s a great year to visit, too, with all of the new attractions and shows for the Disney Side campaign.

5. Alaskan Cruise — I’ve been wanting to take my family on an Alaskan cruise for awhile now and I’m hoping it works out this year. My daughter specifically requested this for her 10th birthday (!!!). She’s really into nature and wildlife, and I think a cruise is the best way for anyone to experience Alaska for the first time. COMPLETED 8/14

6. Puerto Rico — JetBlue has fight specials to Puerto Rico ALL. THE. TIME. from Tampa. I’m talking $200 round trip tickets. Still, I haven’t been. I want to experience the culture, eat the food and find some adventure … no passport required! {though I have one}

7. U.S. National Parks — I got my first taste of a U.S. National Park when my daughter and I spent a {rainy} afternoon at Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, Maine this past summer. The stop was part of our Canada/New England cruise on Holland America. Seeing just a glimpse of the protected lanscape that makes up the United States was enough to have me hooked. Dream parks include Arches, Denali, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Yellowstone and Zion.

8. Jordan — Surprised? I know most Americans are hesitant to visit countries in the middle east, but Jordan is one of a few that can be visited safely. I want to see Petra, snorkel in the Red Sea and ride a camel in Wadi Rum.

9. Peru — Two words: Machu Picchu.

10. Dude Ranch — Hey Dude was one of my favorite Nickelodeon shows as a kid. Do you remember it? It was set on a Dude Ranch in Arizona. I admit, I have no experience with horses, but I would imagine this experience would be great for families… it’s just so different from anything else we’ve ever done.

11. River Cruise — I’ve been on quite a few ocean cruises (sailing in the Caribbean, Atlantic, Pacific and Mediterranean Sea), but I haven’t been on a single small ship. River cruises, like Viking, can sail into smaller waterways, giving guests access to destinations that aren’t directly accessible by larger ships. I love that river cruising is more intimate, with a focus on the culture and history of each destination. Is it sad to say that I would be willing to sail anywhere?

12. Ireland — I was supposed to travel to Dublin in 2013 for TBEX, but it just didn’t happen. I still regret not making that trip work out way or another. My grandmother, who’s Irish, bought me the shamrock Pandora bead for Christmas … maybe luck is on my side this year!

13. Cape May, New Jersey — This one might seem random, but it’s not. Growing up, I spent nearly every summer with my grandparents in Cape May. I have very fond memories of the Jersey Shore, including many trips to Wildwood and Seaside Heights. Sadly, I don’t have a single living relative in the area anymore, but I still want to take my daughter to experience a little bit of my childhood.

14. A new Caribbean Island — I heart the Caribbean. Island life is so laid back… there’s gorgeous beaches, lush landscapes and RUM — what’s not to love? In 2014 I’d like to visit at least one new Caribbean Island. Off the top of my head, I haven’t been to Turks & Caicos, St. Lucia, Aruba, Curacao, Barbados or the Dominican Republic. COMPLETED – visited the Dominican Rebublic, Aruba, Curacao & Turks & Caicos in 2014

Where do you want to travel in 2014?