We will travel again – but for now we’ll just dream

The world is on lock down and we have all been told to stay home.  We know we won’t be going anywhere for the foreseeable future.  However, travel will eventually resume and at some point, we will travel again.  Meanwhile,  we have plenty of time to dream and plan our travel wish list.

Here at Chimptrips HQ, the family pooled our ideas of dream travel destinations, if money and time were no object.  We had the Lonely Planet’s “Ultimate Travel List” as our inspiration for our mini bucket list.

Here are the 6 favourite dream destinations on our travel wish list and why we want to go:-

Norway was a unanimous family decision for top place on our travel wish list.  It has something to offer everyone.

Norway is a Scandinavian country in Northwestern Europe.  On one side it shares its borders with Sweden, Finland and Russia, but most of the country borders water.  It is here that you can find over 1000 fjords, for which the country is most famous.  These beautiful fjords are long, narrow inlets in the water, which have been created over many years by glaciers.

• Amazing Northern Lights
• Whale-watching in Tromso
• A hike to Pulpit’s Rock (Preikestolen) above the Lysefjord
• Explore the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo

Italy is in Southern Europe and shares it borders with France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia.  It is easily spotted on the map, as it famously looks like a boot.

We got as far as booking a trip to Rome for the Easter holidays, before Covid-19 devastated the country.  We planned to start in Rome and then travel by train to Pompeii.  Our hearts go out to the Italian people who have already suffered so much at the hands of this pandemic.

• Breathtaking, historical attractions in Rome – the Colosseum and the Pantheon
• Climb a living volcano – Mount Vesuvius
• A visit to the spectacular ruins and artefacts of Pompeii and Herculeum
• Go kayaking near the stunning island of Capri and its Blue Grotto
• Fine architecture and art of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican City

Thailand is a kingdom in Southeast Asia.  It shares its borders with Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia and is renowned as a popular destination for travelers, particularly backpackers.  However, it is a great location for family holidays too.

Thailand is a country of many contrasts, offering its visitors a rich mix of history, cultural, beaches and nature.  I travelled to Thailand several times as a solo backpacker and am now keen to return to share the delight with the Chimptrips family.

• The Grand Palace and Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) in Bangkok
• Damnoen Saduak floating market
• Elephant Nature Park, Chiang Mai
• Snorkelling at Ko Samui
• Take a Thai cooking class

Snowdonia is a region in the West coast of Britain and is Wales’ largest National Park.  It is a very natural, mountainous area and proudly boasts the highest mountain in England and Wales, Mount Snowdon.

We have spent many fabulous holidays in the Pembrokeshire towns of Saundersfoot and Tenby, where we make the most of the fabulous beaches, great bike rides and coastal walks.  However, we have never ventured further North.

• Climb Mount Snowdon
• Be thrilled on Europe’s Longest zip line
• Sleep in an isolated woodland treehouse
• Step back in time at Portmeirion

Montenegro is a Balkan country in Southern Europe.  It sits on the Adriatic Sea and has borders with Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, and Albania.  Montenegro is home to breath-taking National Parks, majestic mountains and ancient fortified town.

Having been to the neighbouring country of Croatia several times, to visit Dubrovnik and Split, we are keen to explore more of this part of the world.

• Ride the rapids of Tara River
• Explore Lovćen National Park
• Enjoy the beautiful beaches of the Budva Riviera
• Visit the mediaeval walled town of Kotor
• Climb up to the Ostrog Monastery

Cuba is a Caribbean island, just South of Key West, Florida in the US.  Although it only has one major city, Havana, it is mainly urban and very multi-cultural.  The country comprises of an archipelago of about 1,600 islands, islets, and cays.

Cuba was the travel wish list choice of one of the Chimptrips kids, who had researched it as part of a Spanish project at school.  Above all, he was tempted by the golden beaches and clear seas for snorkelling.

• Beautiful beaches
• Turtles at Playo largo del Sur
• Snorkelling
• Havana Vieja (Havana Old Town)

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