Bucket List World Travel
Bucket List World Travel Travel stories & trip planning

The Journal

Stories from places she has actually stood.

Destination stories, cruise notes, travel tips, and guides from Bucket List World Travel.

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Visiting the Trevi Fountain: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go There are plenty of famous landmarks in Rome, but few capture the city’s charm quite like the Trevi Fountain. Whether you’ve seen it in movies, on postcards, or... Jul 31, 2026 Walking Through Pompeii Is Like Traveling Back 2,000 Years Pompeii is far more than an ancient ruin. Walking its streets feels like stepping into everyday life nearly 2,000 years ago. From remarkably preserved homes and bakeries to the moving plaster casts of its residents, here’s why Pompeii is one of Italy’s most unforgettable experiences, and why understanding its stories makes all the difference. Jul 3, 2026 Colorado Road Trip Through the Rockies This Colorado road trip loops from Denver through Vail, Aspen, Telluride, Ouray, Silverton, and Great Sand Dunes National Park before returning to Denver. Along the way, you’ll experience alpine mountain towns, the iconic Million Dollar Highway, historic mining communities, dramatic mountain scenery, and the tallest sand dunes in North America, making it one of the most diverse road trips in the American West. Jun 16, 2026 Why Trastevere Is One of Rome’s Most Charming Neighborhoods Trastevere offers a different side of Rome, one filled with cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, lively piazzas, and local charm. Located across the Tiber River from the historic center, this beloved neighborhood is perfect for wandering without a plan, discovering hidden corners, visiting the beautiful Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere, enjoying authentic Roman cuisine, and taking in panoramic views from Janiculum Hill. Whether you visit during the day or after sunset, Trastevere captures the atmosphere and character that make Rome unforgettable. Jun 9, 2026 Slow Coastal Living Still Exists in Rosemary Beach, Florida There are beach towns that feel busy the second you arrive, and then there’s Rosemary Beach. The pace changes almost immediately here. The streets are quieter. People walk... May 28, 2026 The Ultimate Guide to Jekyll Island: Driftwood Beaches, Hidden Paths, and the Georgia Coast at Its Best A detailed guide to Jekyll Island featuring the island’s best experiences, from biking beneath moss-covered oaks and watching sunrise at Driftwood Beach to exploring the historic district, quiet beaches, marsh sunsets, local restaurants, and scenic places to stay. The guide focuses on the slower, more atmospheric side of the Georgia coast with practical tips, hidden spots, and a grounded storytelling style. May 22, 2026 The Road to Hana: Hawaii’s Most Beautiful Drive Is About Everything In Between The Road to Hana is one of Maui’s most unforgettable experiences, not because of one single stop, but because of the journey itself. Winding through rainforests, waterfalls, black sand beaches, and tiny roadside stands, the drive feels less like a road trip and more like a slow discovery of Maui’s wild side. This article explores what makes the Road to Hana so special, from the changing landscapes and hidden moments along the way to the quiet charm of Hana itself. May 13, 2026 The Best Things to Do in Sun Valley in Summer From iconic alpine lakes to quiet mountain reservoirs, these are the most beautiful lakes near Sun Valley for swimming, kayaking, hiking, and taking in Idaho’s incredible scenery. Discover the best lakes to visit, what makes each one special, and why this region is one of the most underrated summer destinations in the West. May 6, 2026 Coconut Island Thailand: A Short Boat Ride to Something Quieter Coconut Island is a quiet, easy escape just minutes from Phuket. It’s less about doing everything and more about slowing down, with private villas, calm water, and simple local life. Close enough for day trips, but a completely different pace once you’re there. Apr 29, 2026 The Caribbean Island That Still Feels Like a Secret: Tobago A quieter, more untouched side of the Caribbean, Tobago offers empty beaches, lush rainforest, and a rhythm of life that hasn’t been rushed by tourism. From standing in the crystal-clear waters of the Nylon Pool to watching fishermen return at sunset in Castara, this island feels grounded, real, and refreshingly undiscovered. It’s the kind of place you don’t just visit, you settle into, and leave feeling like you’ve found something rare. Apr 21, 2026 Kravica Falls: The Waterfall You Don’t Expect to Love This Much There are places you plan to visit, and then there are places that feel like you somehow stumbled into them by accident. Kravica Waterfalls was that kind of... Apr 15, 2026 Vanuatu: The Last Place That Still Feels Untouched There are places in the world that feel curated. Smoothed out. Polished for visitors. And then there is Vanuatu. There’s nothing polished about it, and that’s what makes... Apr 12, 2026 Martha’s Vineyard, the Way Summer Should Feel A slow, story-driven look at Martha’s Vineyard in summer, where simple moments and the island’s easy rhythm are what stay with you most. Apr 6, 2026 Pompeii: Walking Through a City Frozen in Time Beneath Mount Vesuvius There are places you visit, and then there are places that stay with you. Pompeii is firmly in the second category. I had seen the photos, read the... Mar 30, 2026 Sailing Into Storybook Stone: Experiencing Dubrovnik Aboard Windstar Star Legend We arrived in Dubrovnik aboard the Windstar Star Legend, easing into the Adriatic as the city slowly revealed itself ahead of us. There is something about arriving by... Mar 28, 2026 A Slower Day in Zadar: What It’s Like to Wander Without a Plan We arrived in Zadar on Windstar’s Star Legend with no plan, and that ended up being exactly the right way to experience it No checklist. No pressure to... Mar 25, 2026 Venice at Two Speeds: How to Experience Both Sides of the City Venice was where our journey began aboard Windstar Cruises’ Star Legend, and the city’s rhythm was clear right away. Most people arrive expecting one version of Venice. The... Mar 24, 2026 Visiting Osnabrück: A Slow, Peaceful Guide to One of Germany’s Most Underrated Old Towns Osnabrück is one of those German cities that reveals itself slowly. Old stone, stepped-gable houses, peace history, thoughtful museums, and a walkable old town make it feel calm, meaningful, and easy to love. Mar 17, 2026 Visiting Glacier National Park: What You’ll Be Glad You Knew This guide covers what to know before visiting Glacier National Park, from timing and where to stay to navigating crowds and planning your days. It focuses on slowing down, choosing a few key experiences, and making the most of your time in the park. Mar 17, 2026 Andorra: The Hidden Mountain Country Between France and Spain High in the Pyrenees, tucked between France and Spain, the tiny country of Andorra sits quietly among some of the most beautiful mountains in Europe. Most travelers drive right past it. They move between Barcelona and southern France without realizing they just passed through an entire country. Andorra rarely makes the typical European itinerary. Maybe […] Mar 14, 2026

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