Big Dreams: A Travel Wishlist for 2019

As we are now in the last few months of 2018 I’m beginning to put together my travel wishlist for 2019.

Now I’m realistic enough to know I may not get to all these places.

But the point of the travel wishlist is to lay it all out there — dream big.

Then see what’s possible and what needs to wait a year or 2.

And I believe in the power of putting these big dreams on paper and to share them — because then you are held accountable for them.

So here it goes…

 

Slovenia

This little country, part of the former Yugoslavia, has been high on my list for the past few years.

So this year I’m going to travel to Slovenia.

It’s not very big, but there is a lot of natural beauty with mountains, lakes, gorges and caves.

Here’s my Slovenia list:

 

Ljubljana

The capital of Slovenia receives a lot of praise from those who have spent time here.

It’s small, easy to get around, beautiful and gets high marks for being very eco-friendly.

There’s a wonderful cafe culture and the food is outstanding.

And there are a handful of interesting museums including a library in the Seminary Palace which looks right up my alley.

I love books and old libraries!

 

Lake Bled

Chances are you’ve seen images of this place.

Yup.

Gorgeous.

So I can’t visit Slovenia without spending a couple of days here, despite the fact that it’s far from off the tourist track.

My guess is Lake Bled is on many travel wishlists and it is on mine.

It’s just not at the top for my time in Slovenia like the next 2 destinations.

 

Lake Bohinj

Lake Bled’s cousin is Lake Bohinj.

And while maybe not quite as glamorous, it’s definitely a beauty — with a fraction of the tourists.

Lake Bohinj sits in Triglav National Park (see below).

It’s actually the largest lake in Slovenia so it’s easier to find secluded spots.

I’m eager to see this stunner up close and personal.

 

Triglav National Park

At the top of my Slovenia travel wishlist is this magnificent national park.

Triglav is home to the Julian Alps.

And the highest peak is Triglav. That’s why they named the park Triglav.

If you’ve been reading this blog, you know I love the mountains.

So naturally I want to spend some time in this national park and in the mountains.

There are also some charming villages within the park that have some interesting history and where certain traditions are alive and well.

And there are, of course, some myths and legends.

Personally, I can’t wait to hike some of the trails!

 

Northern Italy

I have not traveled south of Rome so I can’t attest to what southern Italy is like from a personal perspective.

But I do love northern Italy and this comes from a lot of personal experience.

In 4 trips to Italy, I’ve been to northern Italy 3 of those times.

So I must like something about it.

Here’s my northern Italy list:

 

Castelrotto and Alpe di Siusi

Otherwise known as my favorite place in Italy, Castelrotto and the Alpe di Siusi need me to visit again.

They’re calling.

This part of northern Italy, the Alto Adige portion of the Trentino-Alto Adige region, is more Germanic with German being spoken first and the food having a Germanic flair.

Castelrotto is known as Kastelruth and the Alpe di Siusi as Seiser Alm.

The Alto Adige is referred to as Südtirol, South Tyrol.

Castelrotto and Alpe di Siusi have made my travel wishlist every year since I first visited in 2011.

But I haven’t traveled here since September 2014.

I’m waaayyyy overdue for a visit.

The Parco Naturale Sciliar-Catinaccio (Naturpark Schlern-Rosengarten in German) is stunning with the Sciliar/Schlern capturing your attention.

The Alpe di Siusi is the most beautiful high alpine meadow I’ve ever seen.

And I love the onion-domed churches that dot the area.

This destination tugs at my heart and soul.

I was brought to tears the first time I laid eyes on it — and the second time too.

So, this time, I’m staying for more than a few days.

Hell, I may stay an entire month.

That’s how much I love it.

 

San Vigilo di Marebbe and Fanes Sennes Braies

On my 2014 trip I made my way to this part of the Südtirol.

Parco Naturale di Fanes-Sennes-Braies is another of the Dolomite parks.

It’s gorgeous!

And San Vigilio di Marebbe is a fabulous base to explore the park.

The town is really a village with just enough in it so you have what you need.

I dream of going back and staying in Hotel Olympia again, sitting on the balcony and taking in this view.

*Sigh*

 

And I’d love to stay a night or 2 in either Sennes Rifugio or Fanes Rifugio.

There’s nothing like the mountains with star-filled skies.

 

More Dolomites

Also on my travel wishlist for 2019 is to visit a couple of other Dolomite parks.

I skirted around Parco Naturale Puez Odle in 2011.

It’s very close to both of the above so I’d love to make a day trip to this park and do some hiking.

I’d also like to at least drive through Parco Naturale Adamello Brenta which is in the Trentino portion of this region.

Adamello Brenta is a large park but has some stunning mountains and rock formations.

 

Franciacorta

So a couple of years ago as I wrote the Location Inspiration: A Journey Through Italy guide I came across this wine region.

I’d never heard of it.

It’s basically the Champagne region of Italy.

The bubbly is made exactly like Champagne.

Only you can’t call it champagne since it’s not grown and created in the Champagne region of France.

So it’s called Franciacorta.

I had a bottle of this and it’s incredibly tasty.

The vineyards are located between the southern shore of Lake Iseo and the city of Brescia in the Lombardy region.

It’s a small area but the sparkling wines have DOCG status.

A visit to taste these bubbles at their source is high on my 2019 travel wishlist.

 

Piedmont and its vineyards

And staying with the wine theme, I very much need to get to the Piedmont region of northern Italy so I can taste Barbera, Barberesco and Barolo at their source.

The area around Alba, Bra, La Morra and Barolo are heaven for wine lovers.

Vineyards, vineyards and more vineyards not to mention some of the best food in Italy.

And the Piedmont region is also where the Alps begin so I can get a little mountain fix.

I also discovered the Great Wall of Piedmont — Fortezza di Fenestrelle — as I researched the Location Inpsiration Guide.

There’s some amazing history and gorgeous scenery along with all that delicious food and wine.

This is why this area is another of those destinations that has been on my travel wishlist for a few years.

So 2019 is the year to make that dream a reality.

 

France

I’ve only been to Paris and know there is so much more to France.

And yes, Paris is on my France travel wishlist for 2019 — even if just for a few days.

But I’m looking to other parts of France for 2019 so I can truly experience France.

Here’s my French list:

 

French Alps

I have to see the French Alps.

Having seen the Swiss Alps in 2014, I just have to see the French Alps.

Mont Blanc has been calling to me for the past few years.

I’d probably stay in Chamonix although I’m still considering other options for less touristy towns to take in these gorgeous peaks.

The Tour du Mont Blanc is high on the travel wishlist, but I’m realistic to know that it’s probably not going to happen in 2019.

But if I could just visit the area and see it all, taking a few day hikes, I’d be happy — for now.

 

Burgundy

Another wine region on the travel wishlist is the home of some of the best wines and some of the oldest wineries in France — Burgundy.

I can’t say I’ve had any good red Burgundy wine lately because so much is out of my price range.

Red Burgundy is actually made from Pinot Noir grapes and I love a good Pinot Noir.

If you’re a wine afficianado you know that the Pinot Noir grape is rather fickle and hard to grow, so this makes the wines a bit pricier.

I’m a huge fan of Oregon Pinot Noir and they’re quite similar to Burgundy.

Now, I have had the Chablis, the lovely Burgundian white wine made from Chardonnay grapes which I find more appealing than the Chardonnay from California.

As a friend of mine says, “Chablis is the best expression of the Chardonnay grape.”

I agree.

Anyway…

This region in Eastern France is on my travel wishlist so I can play in the vines, taste wine I can’t really afford and wander around small villages with intriguing history.

 

The Loire Valley

Chateaux and vineyards.

Oh and fruit orchards.

This is why the Loire Valley is on my 2019 travel wishlist.

It’s actually known as the Garden of France due to the vineyards, orchards and all the other fruit and veg that grow here.

And it’s home to numerous chateaux.

The wines are really good — especially the white and the bubbly.

So, kind of like Burgundy, it’s about vineyards and history.

And it’s about the gentle landscape of an agriculture region which is a nice contrast to being in the mountains.

 

Switzerland

This entire country will always be on my travel wishlist because it’s so damn beautiful.

But specifically, here’s my list for Switzerland:

 

Grindelwald/Lauterbrunnen area

I dipped my toe in here back in 2014 on a long day trip from Geneva with my friend.

And it so wowed me that I just want to go back more than anything in the world.

It’s stunning.

It’s breathtaking.

And it’s, unfortunately, expensive.

As is all of Switzerland.

But I always put this area on my travel wishlist because I really really really want to spend more time here.

So, it’s on my 2019 list and I’m hoping I can find my way here — even for a couple of days so I can hike in this gorgeous part of the world.

 

What’s on your travel wishlist for 2019?

Dream big.

And write it out.

Even if you don’t get there in 2019, you might get there in 2020 or soon after.

The only way to make those travel dreams a reality is to put it out there.

Be accountable.

Save up (see this post for ideas).

Dreams do become reality.

So what’s on your travel wishlist?

Drop your comments below because I’d love to hear all about them!