Allow me to be vulnerable for a second. All year long, all I’ve heard is, “Aren’t you afraid to turn 30?” and “Do your knees already hurt?” and “Wow, you’re getting old” and “So when are you getting married?” And it’s frustrating for someone who was actually excited to turn 30. My 20s were miserable. I was lost: I had no idea what my future held or what I even wanted it to look like, and I had little independence and freedom. I didn’t know who I was or who I wanted to become, not to mention a global pandemic, political turmoil, a world that turns a blind eye to televised genocide, personal losses, and much more.
But this was the year when I fell apart and came back together at the same time. Even while dealing with profound grief and experiencing career burnout, I’ve found my footing. I was able to bounce back. I’ve built a solid career for myself and worked on a few side projects. I’ve rediscovered my passions for writing, traveling, baking, and painting. I know who I am and what I want from life, all while continuing to try to make the world a better place than I came into it, one day at a time. And I owe some of it to a great therapist, as well as to a fantastic support system. I’m more than excited to embark on the next decade of my life, and I can’t wait to explore all the incredible places I have yet to visit.
So, in honor of my 30th birthday, I’m sharing a list of 30 destinations I want to visit in my 30s. I’m not a fan of traveling for the sake of travel, or going to certain destinations just because other people are. I have a traveling bucket list with notes next to specific destinations, calling out cool places to stay or unique experiences. Some of them include seeing polar bears, going ziplining, and watching more live sports in new places. I have my reasons for every trip below, and I hope this list inspires you to create your own list.
One note that you might notice as you read it: I cheated (a little) on a few trips by grouping places together, but in my defense, I do want to visit those places together, on the same trip. I hope my reasoning makes sense, and even if it doesn’t, I can do what I want. Frankly, I am too grown to care what other people think (not that I put too much stock in that to begin with).
Without further ado, let’s get into the 30 destinations I want to visit in my 30s (and then some):
Chile, Argentina, Patagonia, and Antarctica
This is my ultimate, once-in-a-lifetime, once-before-I-die trip. Yes, I’m aware it’s going to cost about $30,000 USD (at the time of this publication), but I want to see Antarctica at least once before I die (or before it’s completely decimated by climate change). I want to experience that vast wilderness and be utterly alone with my thoughts. Then, I want to be at the edge of the world, teetering over the abyss.
Ideally, I would love to do a horseshoe: start in Santiago, Chile and work my down to Patagonia and Torres del Paine (the end of the world), before sailing to Antarctica to spend a few days there, then sail back to Ushaia and explore Argentina up to Buenos Aires. I would need at least a month, but hey, that’s why it’s a bucket list trip. I’ll do everything to make sure it happens.
Kiribati
An off-the-beaten-path destination, I’ve wanted to visit Kiribati for a few years after asking the question: “Where does the sun rise first on the planet?” and the answer is Kiribati, an island nation in the Central Pacific. There are actually 33 different islands that comprise the country. But just once, I would love to see the sun rise first before the rest of the world. I would also love to see the Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA), the world’s largest marine protected area, and (try to) learn how to surf.
Iceland, Greenland, and The Faroe Islands
Realistically, I would not be able to see all three countries together; I would tackle Iceland and the Faroe Islands separately from Greenland (now that there’s a direct flight from Newark to Nuuk!). BUT, the original plan was to do all three together (and maybe I still could). Iceland feels self-explanatory: I want to rent a campervan and do a road trip around the island, and then jet over to the Faroe Islands for their vast natural beauty and relative isolation. Greenland was always a dream; I love cold weather and polar bears, and I want to exist in that vacuum.
Norway & Denmark
More places with cold weather! I want to see the Northern Lights at least once before I die, whether that happens in one of these places or elsewhere. I want to explore Svalbard and see more polar bears, and travel way up north to be surrounded by utter emptiness and silence.
Lapland
Also on this list for the above reasons: cold weather, Northern Lights, polar bears, and lots of snow. Because of its proximity to the Arctic Circle, depending on when you visit, you can also see the midnight sun and polar night. Though I don’t celebrate Christmas for religious reasons, I would also love to see the Santa Claus Village in-person and hope I can experience some of that childlike holiday wonder again.
Costa Rica
This country has been on my travel list for so long. I love nature, I love adventure, and I love vegan food, so Costa Rica (for me) feels like a no-brainer. There are vegan-friendly, eco-friendly hotels that I would love to stay at. I want to see the national parks, go ziplining, soak in their hot springs, surf, and do yoga on the beach. I want to immerse myself in their lush green environments and enjoy being in nature.
Madagascar
For most of the reasons above, I also want to visit Madagascar, sometimes referred to as the “eighth continent”. I want to lounge on pristine beaches, explore the unique animals and biodiversity, go surfing, maybe see some whales, and continue to travel off the beaten path. I’m also fascinated by pirates, and no amount of Internet research could match seeing Ambodifotatra and Ile Saint-Marie in person.
Mauritius
Another stunning wonderland just east of Madagascar, Mauritius looks like one of the most beautiful (and one of the most peaceful) places in the entire world. With blue waters, white beaches, and a variety of hiking and adventure opportunities, I think I would enjoy it. It’s also a great place for diving and snorkeling with an abundance of coral reefs nearby, and you can see dolphins!
South Africa
South Africa is included on this list for several similar reasons: wildlife safaris and national parks, beautiful beaches, whale-watching, fantastic food, and numerous other adventures. I also want to visit the Cape of Good Hope and Agulhas, and see penguins! It’s also where the One Piece live-action TV series is being filmed.
Kenya & Tanzania
A lot of people tend to do these countries because of their proximity to each other, and I can’t say I’m any different. One of my bucket-list items is to see Serengeti National Park and Mount Kilimanjaro (even if I can’t climb it) as well as the Masai Mara National Reserve. That vast, open wilderness beckons to me.
Fiji
Fiji is another ideal place to rest and relax, while also seeking new adventures. With its white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, sustainable and eco-friendly resorts, and unrivaled natural beauty and fauna. Though maybe not suited for super active vacations, it would be a great place to lounge around the beach and maybe catch some waves.
Spain & Portugal
These two countries are on here mainly because my friends and I had planned to do both in August 2026 to see the total solar eclipse. I’m heading to Barcelona in November (which I’m beyond excited for!), but I would love to see the rest of Spain, especially Mallorca (mainly to visit the Rafael Nadal Academy). My best friend’s family is from Portugal and owns a farm in the countryside that I would love to visit for a few days to unwind. Plus, both countries are incredibly vegan-friendly and I have long lists of restaurants I want to eat at and foods to try.
Italy
Some of my roots might be Italian, but this one is all about the countryside and the history. Italy’s rich culture and long history are among the most compelling reasons to visit. Plus, being able to explore historical sites while also trying delicious food and enjoying great weather is a bonus. I would like to see Venice before it’s completely underwater, but I’m aware that overtourism is a major concern for many places on this list, including Venice, and I want to be as respectful as possible.
Vietnam & Thailand
My brother went to both of these countries with 15 (a slight exaggeration) of his closest friends last spring and I would love to do the same (but with fewer people). He really enjoyed his trip and shared so much of his adventures when he returned, that it made me want to go too. Plus, both countries are less expensive to navigate once you get there and they have so many vegan-friendly options.
Nepal & Tibet
From pictures and anecdotes, Nepal and TIbet seem like beautiful countries. I do want to see Mount Everest and the Himalayas up close at least once, even if I can’t climb it, and I want to see where my beloved pet shih tzu’s ancestors came from and maybe find his cousins. Both countries are immersed in their rich cultures and traditions, and I want to be surrounded by it (even if I struggle to eat).
Mongolia
Another place where I will struggle to eat: Mongolia. The country is home to one of the world’s last remaining nomadic cultures and as someone interested in slow travel (and wants to slow down in general), we could all learn a thing or two from them in this hectic, frenetic life we are forced to live. It’s also another nice, relatively empty country, as it’s the least densely populated country in the world. I’d love to explore the Mongolian wilderness and culture as much as possible, and maybe trek in the Gobi Desert. It would also be cool to attend the Nadaam Festival.
Ladakh
Probably the least recognized place on this list, Ladakh is a small region in the northern part of India close to the Himalayas. It is one of the most beautiful places on earth, ideal for hiking or trekking, and exploring nature. The landscapes are simply stunning. I would also love to visit the many gompas and explore the capital of Leh.
Pakistan
Pakistan is one of the places on this list that I can’t say I’ll be able to visit with full certainty, by virtue of being a U.S. citizen. My reasons for wanting to visit Pakistan are simple: I want to visit all of the historical Sikh gurudwaras and sites that I can, since they were blocked off by the Partition of Punjab, and see where all four of my grandparents were born (and where they were eventually forced to flee from). I want to see the grandeur and stunning architecture of Lahore, the capital city and Amritsar’s twin city, and above all else, visit Sri Nankana Sahib.
Ecuador & The Galapagos Islands
Another place I want to see before climate change ruins it, Ecuador is stunning and hopefully, by now, you’re starting to see a pattern if you haven’t already. Ecuador boasts volcanoes, the Andes mountains, cloud forests, the Amazon rainforest (which I absolutely need to see before it is decimated by deforestation), and beautiful beaches. There are a ton of adventure activities, and then I would hop over to the Galapagos to see all of its abundant wildlife, flora, and fauna, including penguins and Darwin’s finches.
Belize
I should just copy and paste the above for this one, but Belize has been on my list for a while. It has a good, healthy mix of everything: beaches, jungles and forests, relaxation and adventure, and rich history and traditions. But mostly, I want to kayak through caves and see the country’s barrier reef, the second largest barrier reef in the world after the (aptly-named) Great Barrier Reef.
Greece
Recently, Greece has felt like one of those countries where everyone and their mother has traveled to in the last few years (like Japan or Italy), either for a family vacation or to take professional photos (which is a bit weird to me, but okay). But that’s also for good reason. Greece (mainland and its surrounding islands) is simply stunning. The colors, the water, the beaches, and the architecture all seem so unique. Additionally, the historical significance and impact that this region has had on human civilization cannot be overstated. I would like to visit many of the museums and historical sites before staying at one of the area’s many vegan, eco-friendly hotels.
Japan
My brother and I have been trying to plan a siblings’ trip to the island of Japan since 2019, and we have not yet made it happen, but I hope that 2026 will finally be our year. I cannot talk about how desperately we’ve wanted to visit. Reasons include: I want to visit the temples and eat vegetarian Buddhist food. I want to walk around the main cities, eat more vegan-friendly food, and visit the museums. I want to get late-night snacks from the konbini’s before going to an underground car meet. For at least one night, I want to stay in the Godzilla hotel in Shinjuku, see the Demon Slayer village, and do everything One Piece-related. I also love fashion and want to visit Harajuku and go thrift shopping when and where I can. My brother and I also want to watch a Nippon Professional Baseball game!
South Korea
Okay, so I have to preface this one by saying that even THOUGH I like BTS and Korean pop, Korean dramas and movies, etc., they are NOT the (only) reason I want to visit South Korea. Similar to Japan above, food, culture, and shopping top the list. South Korea also feels like a great place to get lost and truly explore, because it feels safe (even if it may not be). I want to visit many libraries and art museums, and I’d also love the chance to exercise my Korean speaking skills.
Guatemala
Guatemala is primarily on this list because I want to explore the Mayan ruins and the numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Tikal National Park. It’s a country so steeped in culture and history, with great food, nature, and adventure, and a chance to see the stars. I also want to see some of the 37 different volcanoes in the country, the rainforests, and the black sand beaches. I wouldn’t be able to leave without trying locally crafted coffee and chocolate. Guatemala really does feel like an ideal place to go to get a little bit of everything.
The UK
Other than my love for Pride & Prejudice, my main reasons for wanting to visit the UK are: 1) to try all of the vegan food in London, and 2) visit the libraries and museums in Scotland (and then visit the countryside). London is consistently ranked as the most vegan-friendly city in the world, and I’ve been adding to my list of places for years. I’d also like to attend Wimbledon once, for the vibes and the tennis, of course. Edinburgh (and Scotland, in general) feel like an academic’s dream come true with stunning architecture and buildings.
Egypt
Egypt is on the list for purely sentimental reasons. My paternal grandmother, who passed away earlier this year, was an architect before moving to the United States and retiring. She was utterly fascinated by the Great Pyramids and Ancient Egypt, and was quite knowledgeable about them. She had always wanted to visit to see them in person, but never had the chance. Once, before I die, I want to make her dream come true.
Romania (& Transylvania)
I am a huge fan of Bram Stoker’s Dracula and all things vampire-related. So, naturally, I want to visit Romania and Transylvania to see what inspired Stoker’s work, given the copious amounts of research I’ve done and the literature I’ve read. Ideally, I’d visit around Halloween, so I can attend the party at Dracula’s castle in full costume. Generally, I would also love to visit Budapest and explore Central Europe. The architecture is beautiful and they seem better suited to slower travel.
Indonesia
While I do want to visit Bali just once for the ample amount of vegan food it has, I want to hop around the other islands to see the fantastic wildlife, lounge around the beaches, try the local cuisine, visit Komodo National Park, see the world’s most active volcanoes, and generally, just explore all of the nature that the country has to offer. In a perfect world, I’d take a month (or two weeks) off and explore as much as I could, while also slowing down and soaking in as much as possible.
Singapore
Singapore might be Indonesia’s polar opposite with its towering skyscrapers, sci-fi-esque buildings, and fast-paced lifestyle, but that doesn’t make it any less fascinating. I would love to watch the Singapore Grand Prix (F1) if I could ever afford to, and try as much of the vegan food (and street food) the island has to offer as possible. It’s safe, clean, and easy to navigate, with plenty of things to do.
Australia
I’ve been to Australia once before (Sydney in 2015, as I have family there), but I would love to go again, not just to explore more of Sydney (because I’ve only scratched the surface but you can check out my top things to do in Sydney), but also the rest of the country. The wildlife, nature, and beaches are the first that come to mind, but major cities also have an abundance of vegan-friendly food options. Lord of the Fries, anyone? I also want to visit Melbourne (specifically at the end of January so I can pop over to see the Australian Open).
Bonus: The USA
My home country is still so unexplored. I’ve been to a few places and cities, yes, but the vast majority of it is still undiscovered. I want to see Alaska, climb the glaciers before they melt, and visit the dozens of national parks. When I can, I want to visit Portland (Oregon) to try their vegan food and immerse myself in the culture. Then, I want to visit Sedona, Chicago, and Atlanta, and I want to explore more of Southern California and NYC. At least once, I want to visit Glacier National Park in Montana and Yosemite National Park in California, then travel south to Palm Springs to visit Joshua Tree. And don’t forget the road trips: I want to drive up or down the Pacific Coast Highway, and drive all the way up Route 15 from San Diego to Calgary. There is still so much to be discovered without ever leaving my home country.
So, now that I’m 30, the only question left is: where do I start?
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