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Two women smiling at each other, standing under the red torii gate arches at Fushimi Inari shrine in Kyoto, Japan

Eight Travel Bucket List Ideas to Book ASAP

In honor of March Madness and The NCAA’s Elite 8, we made our own lineup of 8 bucket list trips that are in fact—also elite.

B-ball fans wait for this moment all season. In March, some place bets on brackets, others—like, you and me—place deposits on top-tier trips. We may be biased, but when it comes to travel, you can’t lose. So, if you’re looking to shoot your shot on a trip abroad, but need a little assist, you’ve come to the right place. Phew, got the basketball stuff out of the way—now, let’s talk travel.

Two girls holding hands, jumping mid air under a tall, red, torii gate on the waters of Lake Hakone, in Hakone, Japan.

Japan

If you’re team Japan, you’re in for the best culture shock of your life. From Tokyo to Kyoto and beyond you can expect your days to be packed visiting shrines, hopping on the bullet train, soaking in onsens, and eating your body weight in sushi. Oh, and don’t forget the sake—lot and lots of sake.

An establishing shot of Wat Arun Buddhist temple in Thailand with a vibrant orange glow during sunset.

Thailand

An up-and-coming all-star, Thailand is the ultimate island paradise right now. We can just picture it, you’re sipping coconuts as you wander the floating markets, biking the streets of Bangkok and walking along ancient Buddhist temples. Oh, and did we mention there’s elephants involved?

Establishing shot on a sunny day of Neuschwanstein Castle in Schwangau, Germany.

Germany

There’s a million reasons to go all in on Germany. It’s home to the lederhosen and a hot spot for scenic bike rides, Cinderella-esque castles, and all the brauts you could ever crave. Extra points for their pints. Prost!

A close up shot of a dinner table with a plate of lasagna, seafood pasta, an aperol spritz and a glass of white wine.

Italy

It’s a fan fave for a reason. A perfect blend of history, charm and romantic cobblestone streets. Imagine strolling through the piazza, coasting the canal in a gondola, and then ending the night with an Aperol spritz—or three.

A view of the sea as well as some blue-domed buildings in Greece

Greece

If you’re a fan of Gatorade-blue waters and historically significant, crazy-old structures then welcome to the birthplace of democracy and the original Olympics. Grab a gyro and go have your own Mamma Mia moment.

A waterfall in Costa Rica

Costa Rica

Definitely a first-round pick if you wanna get that adrenaline pumping. From the moment you step off the plane, you’ll hit the ground running—or shall we say, hiking, rafting and ziplining? These waterfalls and rainforests look straight out of a movie!

Establishing shot of Golden Horn Beach in Croatia on a bright, sunny day with crystal-clear, blue waters.

Croatia

If there was a trophy for most diverse out of this lineup, Croatia’s got it in the bag. With Spanish-inspired architecture, to Eastern European dialects, and Mediterranean cuisine, this is the place to be. One minute you’re in a 20th century fairytale, the next you’re diving headfirst into the Adriatic Sea.

A woman in the foreground looking out over a balcony into the far right distance with Spain's La Sagrada Familia in the background

Spain

The absolute MVP for mixing old with new like sangria mixes booze with fruit. Critique famous artworks from Picasso and Dalí as you explore popular cities like Madrid, Toledo and Barcelona. Do it all after your tapas and siesta of course.

This is just the starting lineup of amazing countries you should have on your bucket list. There’s also Vietnam, Switzerland, South Korea—you get it. No matter what, you can’t go wrong with any of these because with travel, anywhere you go is a win. Sports!

A woman with flowers in her hair wearing a colorful Japanese floral kimono and holding a red parasol umbrella while standing in front of lush greenery.

About the author

Kiana Cook

Kiana Cook is a one-way ticket enthusiast and EF Ultimate Break seasoned traveler.

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