Expand Your Vacation Bucket List

“Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.” – Unknown

Your interests will ultimately dictate your travel bucket list. Here are 4 ideas to consider

If travel for you is less about escaping life and more about living it, then consider these vacation ideas. When Jerome and I travel, we enjoy lots of nature adventures and outdoor activities. Below you will find ideas for consideration.

Road Trip the East Coast of Australia

There may be no better way to experience the amazing continent of Australia than by driving along its east coast, which stretches from Melbourne in the south to Cairns to the north. This 2,500-mile drive carries you through rainforests, cities, mountains, and the outback, with the blue waters of the Pacific as a constant companion.

This East Coast of Australia Road Trip is designed for travelers who seek to create their own adventures as they drive down one of the world’s most epic long-haul journeys.

Be sure to carve out time for the Great Barrier Reef, snorkeling, kayaking, and hiking along the way. Need more reasons to visit Australia? Check out this article on 10 Reasons to Visit.

Need help planning your trip? Try Kimkim, which will connect you with a travel specialist to help plan your trip and make the most of your visit to the Land Down Under.

How will you make Australia your adventure?

Also, head to the app store! The NSW National Parks app has tons of information on exploring Australia’s greatest national parks. If you plan to camp, you may want to try the WikiCamps Australia app. It is considered the ultimate camping companion (with over 40,000 site listings) that works offline.

Lastly, this is a fun resource for those wanting to “speak like a local”.

Cruise the Northwest Passage: A Voyage from Greenland to Alaska

Excursions on the Northwest trail typically begin in Greenland and move towards Alaska.

For hundreds of years explorers tried, and failed, to find the fabled Northwest Passage. European explorers sought a navigable passage to Asia, but were blocked by ice or rough waters. Now, travelers can discover what eluded so many brave adventurers.

Your journey on the Northwest Passage will begin in Greenland, sailing past its fjords and you’re on your way towards an adventure you’ll never forget. As you penetrate deep into the Arctic, you’ll scrape against icebergs and marvel at the harshness and sublime beauty at the top of the world. But, it’s not just ice. You’ll see the remains of explorations that came before you and the polar bears that call this home.

Pack ice in the Bellot Strait in 2010 (Photographed by Ansgar Walk)

Learn more about the Northwest Passage’s history and take a look at what this experience may include.

Pilgrimage through Camino de Santiago

Sometimes adventure is a journey to discover ourselves. The Camino de Santiago is a medieval pilgrimage through France, Spain, and Portugal to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in northwest Spain. Stretching 500 miles over hilly terrain, this northern trek typically takes 35 days for the seasoned hiker, but may take several months depending on how you space your pilgrimage with rest days. It’s a mystical experience that gives you time to reflect on life, learn about yourself, and connect with kindred spirits.

The scallop shell, often found on the shores in Galicia, has long been the symbol of the Camino de Santiago. Over the centuries the scallop shell has taken on a variety of meanings, metaphorical, practical, and mythical, even if its relevance may have actually derived from the desire of pilgrims to take home a souvenir.

The trail is marked with scallop shells and yellow arrows, with scallop shells being the top momento for many adventurers. For those beginning this pilgrimage, picking up a Pilgrim’s Passport will be a wonderful way to collect stamps from the different stages of your journey.

REI provides great advice on how to hike the Camino de Santiago. Learn more on Uncommon Path – An REI Co-op Publication.

Luxury Safari in Botswana, Africa

One of the most sparsely populated nations on earth, Botswana is dominated by the Kalahari Desert and the Okavango Delta, the world’s largest inland delta and now a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Okavango is the ideal spot to safari as its waters attract a richness of wildlife that is unmatched on the continent. The country’s focus on minimizing human impact means that your African experience will be both primal and transcendent.

Okavango Delta is formed by the Okavango River draining into the Moremi Game Reserve, an endorheic basin of the Kalahari. The river does not have a normal river mouth, all the water reaching the Delta will ultimately evaporate. (image captured by Justin Hall)

The best time to visit Botswana is during the dry season between May and October, when you can expect warm, sunny days (71.6°F to 95°C) and chilly nights. This is also when the water levels in the Okavango Delta are at their highest, creating the waterways and channels Botswana is famed for.

Prepare for this adventure with National Geographic, Signature Safari, and World Expeditions.

Final thought.

Your interests will ultimately dictate your travel bucket list. For major excursions it’s a good idea to plan well ahead of time to balance your personal, financial and professional considerations. If you have financial questions about fulfilling your bucket list, speak with your financial advisor.

Are you comfortable with your progress towards retirement? How about helping future generations meet their financial goals? If you have more than $2 million saved and need help from a wealth manager, the Peak Wealth Planning team can assist.

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About the Author

Peter Newman is a Chartered Financial Advisor (CFA) and president of Peak Wealth Planning. He works with individuals nationwide that have accumulated wealth through company stock, ESOP shares, real estate, or running a business. Peter applies his unique background to help clients achieve their specific goals and enjoy peace of mind.

Peak Wealth Planning provides concierge services to meet your wealth management needs. Services include: financial planning, investment management, esop diversification, retirement income, insurance, and estate planning guidance. Peak Wealth Planning is a fee-based financial advisor based in Chicago, Illinois, and Colorado.