My 2026 journey bucket record

Many of us in all probability use the New Year as a approach to set our journey targets for the yr. I do know I actually do! This yr I actually need to go to extra non-European locations so I can grow to be extra culturally conscious on the planet and to attempt my hand at solo travelling.  

I’ve already ticked off certainly one of my 2026 journey bucket record targets by visiting Morocco for AFCON (African Cup of Nations). This was one thing I at all times wished to do as African soccer followers are superb and completely totally different from wherever else on the planet. One of the standout superfans is Michel Mboladinga, a DR Congo fan who clothes up as Lumumba (the primary prime minister of the DRC) and stands as a statue for the whole thing of the sport. Watching the event on TV and seeing the loopy environment made me much more desirous to go expertise one of many largest tournaments in Africa.  

I need to get into solo travelling and Ireland must be a pleasant introduction to this expertise

One of the opposite causes I wished to go to Morocco in 2026 was due to its stark distinction to Europe. In Europe, you’ll by no means see the form of markets (Souks) you get in Morocco, and I wished to expertise this primary hand. Walking by means of the Souks is such a singular expertise. Upon getting into, we had been greeting with individuals parading their pet monkeys and snake charmers. We spent hours within the Souk wandering round its maze-like construction seeing the vary of products on the market from Moroccan soccer shirts to uncooked leather-based. And one of many biggest elements of the expertise in my view is the bartering (haggling). At first, this may increasingly really feel moderately uncommon, however when you do it as soon as, you possibly can’t cease bartering and it’s all a part of the Souk expertise.  The craziest value discount we managed to get was from 1,200 MAD (about £100) to 150 MAD (about £12.50). I might positively suggest a visit to the Souks, and it’s a kind of experiences I’ll always remember. 

Another place on my 2026 journey bucket record is Ireland. I’ve at all times wished to go to right here however had a tricky time convincing my household to come back together with me. So, I’ve determined that if they don’t need to come, I’ll simply go solo travelling there: I need to get into solo travelling and Ireland must be a pleasant introduction to this expertise. The nation may be very touristy, solely an hour or so away from house, and fairly handily for me, they communicate English. I need to go to Ireland for its nature aspect. Of course, I will likely be visiting Dublin and having a cheeky pint and tour of the Guinness Storehouse, however for me the opposite aspect of Ireland is way more engaging. Ireland has a great deal of nationwide parks to wander by means of like Killarney, house to the Torc Waterfall, and historic castles to discover reminiscent of Blarney Castle in Cork. And with flights as low cost as £30 there’s actually no excuse for me to not go to Ireland this yr and take a look at my hand at solo travelling! 

One of my extra formidable 2026 journey targets which I’ll whole-heartedly admit might be not going to occur this yr, is to go to the Everest Base Camp

One of my extra formidable 2026 journey targets which I’ll whole-heartedly admit might be not going to occur this yr, is to go to the Everest Base Camp. I turned concerned with doing this once I heard from an in depth household good friend that he was occurring the trek and was speaking to us about his preparation for it. After doing a little bit of analysis round this, I came upon that the trek truly takes round about two weeks with about seven hours of strolling a day. Going to the Everest Base Camp could be such a fantastic private achievement and would positively be one of the vital difficult issues I’ve ever carried out. I might like to tackle the trek for charity and lift cash for a trigger I’m actually captivated with. Admittedly, I’m unlikely to be doing the trek in 2026, but when I don’t, I’ll make sure you hold the Everest Base Camp on my 2027 bucket record! 

So, my 2026 journey bucket record incorporates a variety of various targets. From experiencing new cultural environments like going to Morocco to entering into solo travelling by easing myself in with Ireland to a extra formidable problem of going to the Everest Base Camp, my bucket record has a variety of targets for me to finish. Of course, all of us have totally different journey targets, and your bucket record could also be fully totally different to mine, however it’s positively price making a 2026 journey bucket record to cement your targets for the yr!