My 2021 Travel Wish List
So we are in unprecedented times LMAO I love that word “unprecedented” and I am not sure why. It just makes me chuckle every time! Anyway in the spirit of hope and wishing this pandemic away, I have come up with my 2021 Travel Wish List. I love reading other peoples’ wish lists so I thought, “why not write yours”? Hopefully, I am not jinxing anything, hmmmm. Anyway, too late, I’m writing one.
At the end of the year, we’ll circle back and either laugh at this list or tick off places I went.
For 2021, I am going to travel very intentionally when international travel does open up again. My plan is to stay close to home and visit locations that are familiar. For me, 2021 is not the year to be too adventurous with travel; safety and familiarity will be my focus. Now, I know that there are more important things happening in the world. However, “where there is life, there is hope” and this is my own way of staying hopeful.
“Where there is life, there is hope”
Paris
I have not been back to Paris for 3 years and it is stressing me TF out! Mr E and I used to go to Paris every year so it is not surprising that it is on my 2021 travel wish list. Paris is probably the easiest international travel from London thanks to the Euro Star. I also feel a train ride might be less fussy than a flight; so yes, Paris is on the cards.
Since I have been to Paris so many times, we tend to go for 2 to 3 days. However, if we do go this year, it will be for a minimum of 7 days. I would love to travel through Paris slowly. To remind myself of all the things that made me fall in love with it in the first place. Al fresco café breakfasts, traipsing around Montmartre and kissing Mr E when the Eiffel tower lights sparkle at night.
The Balkans
This was a cancelled trip from 2019 and then 2020. Let us hope that 2021, the third time, is a charm. Mr E and I booked 2 weeks off work to travel around the Balkans in September 2019. However, we suffered a bereavement in August and the rest of 2019 was a horrible blur. So if things go well this year, we’ll be heading to Montenegro, Serbia and maybe Bosnia & Herzegovina. If possible, Croatia too. Although I feel like Croatia might need a separate trip on its own but we will see. I am in the process of looking at specific routes for this September so fingers crossed!
This will be an exciting trip as Mr E and I have never been to the Balkans. It will hopefully be the perfect trip where we have a full adventurous and cultural immersion.
West Africa – Accra and Lomé
In 2020, we planned to go to Accra and Lomé in spring as my best friend lives in Accra. The plan was to fly into Accra as a base and Lomé would have been a 2-day trip. Look, we had this thing planned to a T but anyway it was cancelled so booooooo! This year, it is back on the list and we are thinking we might add Lagos to it. Between spring 2020 and now, my best friend has now had a baby who I am desperate to see. My other best friend plans to travel from Lagos to Accra as well so it will be a reunion for the 3 of us if this trip goes ahead.
Lagos
I have not seen my sister in 15 months so if I head to WA, Lagos will be an addition. Also, there will be a summer wedding in the family in May so another strong reason to head home. The possibility of my 3 West African trips will depend on a number of factors. It is the trip that will need a lot of planning in this current pandemic situation. I am not overly confident about these trips just because of the distance and logistics. Anyway, I had to include it here so I can be intentional about it as well as the others.
UK Travel
So I discovered UK travel last year. I mean, I knew that people travelled around the UK and loved it. However, every time I’d imagine travel, it was always internationally. The pandemic obviously forced me to look within and staycations are now my thing! I mean, I have even been able to influence people to visit places I have been to and it blows my mind!
The UK has a lot of gems and as a black woman, representation matters. Of all the staycations we did last year, there was a common factor – a massive lack of diversity in the UK travel space. So this is my jam now.
Within the UK, my 2021 travel wish list includes Cambridge, Windsor, Devon and a trip back to the Cotswolds.
Of all the staycations we did last year, there was a common factor – a massive lack of diversity in UK travel space
Related Post: UK Staycations in the last year
Venice
I’m trying not to be greedy but tbh, I want to travel all over Italy. On my Italian list, I have Portofino, Tuscany, Naples and the Amalfi coast. I am sure there are others but for now, Venice will see my face this 2021! The last time we went to Venice, we were there for 3 days and it was just enough to wander. However, this time, we will go for 7 days so we can visit neighbouring cities on day trips. Well, that is my plan and I am really hoping that if no other travel works out, this one will! For some reason, I am desperate to go back to Venice especially now that it does not seem as crowded.
Greece or Cyprus
The last time I went to Greece was in 2016, almost 5 years ago. We went to Santorini for a week and had the most perfect time away. It is time for us to go back and we are still deciding where exactly to go in Greece but it will not be Santorini. Cyprus is on the cards as well. We have never been and would love to visit so it will be one of both countries. The plan for Greece or Cyprus is for much later in the year, I am thinking October perhaps? Oh, I’m dreaming too much now right? I think it is time to stop here.
So there you have it. This is my 2021 travel wish list, short and sweet. Pre-pandemic, we would usually travel to a minimum of 8 locations yearly. Looking back, I am now so appreciative of all those travel experiences. One thing is for sure; we will travel slower in 2021. Obviously, this travel wish list is all in faith. There is a huge possibility that none of these trips will happen but one can only wish. So I encourage you travel lovers to make a list and let us keep our travel dreams alive!
Bisous, Bugo x
8 Comments
Sally
Greece and Cyprus are on my lists for this year. If we are EVER allowed to go away. I love the weather, the people and the food!
Bugo
haha! If we are ever allowed to go anywhere!
I have never been to Cyprus and always wanted to go so hopefully, one day soon x
Viv
Paris is always on your list.. Lol. I’ve never visited Italy but you make it sound lovely. I’d love to travel Far East to Thailand, Vietnam etc but Corona 🌚. Also have the Americas in mind like Aruba, Jamaica or Barbados in mind. Unfortunately, all these places will continue to be in my wishlist until it’s safer to travel again.
Bugo
LMAO Paris is always on my list o!! That city must see me this year! I think that by summer, it will be much safer to travel so fingers crossed. Jamaica is one that I’d definitely love to visit but I’m guessing that won’t be until next year now x
Enoho
Very lovely list and I hope it goes according to plan. Been to all places before but definitely have Venice and Mykonos back as a plan for this year. I tried doing Venice autumn of last year as a close friend went and gushed at how lovely it was without the terrible queues and cruise visitors. She said you could go anywhere no queues and get reservations to the nicest restaurants easily. I’m hoping it stays this way this year and I get to enjoy a week exploring all the museums and restaurants. You would love Cyprus. I did uni in Cambridge and it is very beautiful and I try to go to the colleges anytime I can spare from London. The walk to Granchester is not to be missed when you go as well as punting through the colleges (bridge of sighs). Cornwall in the UK is very beautiful too. You should consider it if you haven’t been and try using the sleeper train from Paddington (closest version to the almighty orient express 😂). Happy travels and look forward to reading about your year of adventure x
Bugo
Oh I love how detailed this is! Yes, that’s why I am eager to go to Venice now just before it becomes crazily packed again (same with Paris tbh). I want to revisit before they go back to what they looked like pre-2020! You know I had Cambridge planned for the last few days of 2020 and then lockdown happened! so It’ll most likely be the first place we go as soon as things open up! I even had hotel booked, punting booked etc! I’m just waiting to reschedule now.
Everyone speaks so highly of Cyprus so I am excited to hopefully try it out. Happy travels to you too my lovely, and I hope we get some adventure this year x
Jumie
That’s a very optimistic list! Lol. I’m so scared to make travel plans for this year. Last year I had it planned to a T – but COVID happened and here we are. If I get two trips in this year, I’ll be chuffed! Top 2 for me will be somewhere in Italy late summer (Venice/Rome/Amalfi Coast); and hopefully Dubai in December with my siblings and our families (fingers crossed!). Maybe one or two weekend gateways within Scotland too if things get better soon. Go away COVID!!!😩
Bugo
very very optimistic! I’m trying to be as hopeful while keeping in mind that there is a possibility none will go ahead LOL. I’m very paranoid this time with this 2nd variant (much more than I was last year) so I know I would have to be extremely comfortable before I go anywhere. I really need it go away asap UGH