Recently I shared a series of posts on my Simsana Travel IG page to highlight the countries that were high on my travel bucket list. Most of my friends know that I constantly dream about travel, endlessly plan itineraries and I think about travel during most of my waking moments. Being grounded during these tough COVID times, my curiosity has not stopped, it’s only been transferred to exploring some local destinations, doing day trips but still I’m planning international trips for late 2021 till 2022. In the past, whenever I informed my mother about any upcoming trip, she would always ask, “Sims why do you want to go there?!”. So instead of merely listing those places I dream about and plan for, this post will explain the reasons for my travel tabanca! Tabanca is the Trini word for a painful feeling of unrequited love causing unbalanced behavior…yup, pretty accurate I would say! On to my list!
DUBAI & ABU DHABI
The UAE is one country made up of 7 Emirates. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are 2 of these Emirates that I’d like to visit. Why do I want to visit a Middle Eastern country? Well for one, I’d like to explore the wealthiest city of the Emirates, Dubai. Dubai was created in 1971 following independence from Great Britain. Secondly, Emirates Airlines offers free global coverage for COVID 19 health expenses and quarantine costs just in case. Next, the Expo 2020 Dubai was rescheduled for October 2021 – March 2022 and this will be the 1st time it will be held in the Middle East. Lastly, I’d like to see the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa and also visit the long awaited Museum of the Future. Dubai is a country that offers luxury tourism which would be something new for me to experience. I imagine it would be somewhat similar to Las Vegas, but with over the top luxury displayed and experienced to the nth degree! Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the Emirates and is home to the Sheikh Zayed mosque. To be frank it haunts my Instagram dreams. This mosque took over 10years to build and embodies Islam’s message of peace and tolerance of people of all religious beliefs. The white/gold facades are spectacular and breathtaking! According to Google, the UAE is the most popular destination for 2021. I tell you as soon as those borders open, I AM GOING!!
GREECE
Greece offers both history and the pristine beaches with crystal clear waters. This is not joke history either, their history is over 7000 years old! It is also home to 18 UNESCO World Heritage sites. I’ve already been to 26 other sites around the world, so this will be my chance to tick off visiting a few more. It is the sunniest place in the world with over 6000 islands which sounds perfect for social distancing protocols. Lastly, they will be celebrating 200 years of Independence in 2021, so you can imagine the parties they will be having next year if COVID gets handled and is under control. I want to experience and learn about the Acropolis, the Meteora Monasteries somehow built on inaccessible mountain peaks in the 11 century, spend a few nights relaxing in a luxurious hotel room with its own cave pool, eat a gyros in its home country and let’s not forget about posing in a flying dress on the rooftops in picture perfect Santorini. The itinerary was already planned for 2020 so it’s ready to go, Go, GO!!!
JAPAN
Japan is one of five most searched countries on Google for 2021 trips. I want to see the natural beauty of Mount Fuji, eat sushi at one of the numerous Michelin star restaurants and from a conveyor belt, experience the magic and tranquility of the Fushimi Inari Shrine (the one with the red/orange tori gates), ride on a bullet train between cities, see the home of anime, robot restaurants and dress up in a traditional kimono. Is this enough?? Oh! I forgot the famous Shibuya Crossing, Sumo wrestlers and the Imperial Palace. There! Now, I’m done, LOL! If all of those were not enough, take note that the Olympic Games have been re-scheduled to be held in Tokyo in July 2021.
KENYA & TANZANIA
Normally I like to explore one country at a time but because Kenya and Tanzania are so close it just makes sense to experience both in one trip! I believe that we will be able to book at the world famous HOT property of Giraffe Manor normally booked up months in advance. To spend at least one night in this hotel, ahem, note to all: its super, super expensive, but to be up close to giraffes and feed them from your bedroom window or at afternoon tea is a princess’ dream! Learning about the Maasai tribe and culture…even why ARE they are so tall? Anyone…anyone…Bueller? LOL! That appeals to my childhood fantasy of being an anthropologist and finally, last but certainly not least on my list! Being able to witness the Great Annual Migration of almost 2 million wildebeest and zebras across the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, wow! JUST WOW! The PENULTIMATE safari trip, ‘nuff said. The cherry on top is that these 2 countries have practiced rigorous COVID testing and are ideal for social distancing in their vast spaces.
PORTUGAL
Portugal is high on my bucket list because it was home to my great, great, great grandparents! I plan to learn more about my family roots and would like to see one of Europe’s oldest countries. I want to ride the tram in Lisbon, visit the fairytale castles in Sintra, see the turquoise beaches, taste the fabulous award winning Port wine and see the Roman ruins under the city. Did I already say taste the wine and visit a wine estate?? So nice gotta say it twice!! I want to discover the food and the local pasteis de nata pastries whose recipe is only known by a few people in the world. I want to see where J.K. Rowling wrote some of her Harry Potter books and visit the 100-year-old bookstore, Lello Bookstore which was Rowling’s inspiration for creating the Hogwarts library. Most importantly Portugal has been named as one of Europe’s best budget destination.
So there you have it! My Top 5 countries that I cannot wait to visit! It is said that you are 42% more likely to achieve your dreams if you write them down. So, I’ve written them down and I am convinced, pandemic or no pandemic, they shall all come true!
“Travelers are dreamers who make their desires for adventure a reality”.
