My (updated) Travel Wishlist

It's that time of year again! The days are short, mornings are frosty and I am living under an electric blanket (send help). So no surprise that I'm surfing through travel websites for my next getaway. A few years ago, I wrote a post about my travel wishlist and thankfully I've been able to take a trip to the most magical place on Earth. But a lot has changed since then so I want to give you all an updated wishlist. Let me know in the comments if anywhere on my list surprises you.

South Korea

Yes, I have been swept up by the K-culture wave! It all started in December 2023 when I watched my first Korean drama. I sat on my sofa and innocently turned on Extraordinary Attorney Woo after a recommendation from a friend. Fast forward two years and I am now learning Korean, have been to a K-pop concert & eaten as much Korean food that I can get my hands on. It feels like a natural progression for me to now desire I set foot on South Korean soil. I'd love to say that I want to go and visit all the cultural sites/museums and be all high brow but that would be a half truth. What I really want is to have a late night snack at 7/11, eat ramyeon and fried chicken by the Han river, eat fresh seafood on Jeju, munch on tteokkboki at a market and drink a coffee in the heart of Seoul. I do want to visit all the beautiful and rich cultural historical landmarks but my stomach also demands a banana milk iced americano first . I'm not sure if I'll ever go - it's an expensive flight and I don't know how wheelchair friendly the country is - but I am holding out hope because who knows what tomorrow will bring...?

Japan

Another new entry to the list. Honestly, my desire to visit Japan is not as strong as other places so I guess I am more curious about the culture. I have casually been watching anime since I was a teen so inevitably an interest in the country developed. As a not-so-secret romantic, I would love to see the cherry blossoms in bloom but asides from that, I would simply want to explore. Oh, I must also visit Tokyo Disney! It's also a one hour boat ride away from South Korea so it just makes sense to go. If you've been before - what should I do if I visit Japan?

Disneyland, California (...and Disney World, Florida)

"Mary, will you ever get bored of Disney?" Probably but that day has yet to come.

The California park has taken my interest the most at the moment. I want to visit the original Avengers Campus and ride the iconic Mickey ferris wheel. It's also a great excuse to visit the West Coast and I can hear Hollywood calling me!

Disney World in Florida is still a top contender though. There is so much to do and so many places to eat that I know it will always draw me back. There are 4 different festivals in the Epcot park with new foods and drinks to try so I kinda want to try them all! I also have a moderately large collection of Minnie ears that deserve to be worn.

Australia

The creepy crawlies still terrify me but I still want to visit the land down under. Honestly, it's fully due to my love of Masterchef Australia. I've become fascinated with Australian native ingredients and it seems that the food culture is incredibly diverse. I also hate the cold so being able to escape the bitter British winter for Australian summertime is a bonus. There aren't any restaurants in particular that I am adamant abot visiting but I do feel like Three Blue Ducks is the type of food that speaks to me. It's just seems like a welcoming mix of familiar and fancy.

New Orleans

Beignets, Bayou & crayfish boils - what more could a girl need? I am still planning on visiting the southern state some day. As always, it's the food that entices me. I envision myself on a lazy weekend morning, in my khaki linen shorts, with a bag of freshly fried beignets from Cafe au Lait as I walk back to my hotel. I want to visit New Orleans to have a slower holiday. Taking in the sites at a serene and mindful pace.

And that is my updated travel wishlist! Some new entries and a few firm favourites. If you're planning to go anywhere this year, let me know in the comments section!