What are the 3 top destinations that you want to visit? I have been asked this question umpteen number of times. My usually answer ‘Every place I have not visited is on my wishlist’. I mean it. I am curious about every place that I am yet to visit. And I know I can’t see the whole world. But the fun is in attempting to see as much as possible. This time, when an interviewer again sent me the same question, I thought I should put an end to it – write a post on it and point all future questions to this post.
Top destinations on my must travel list
So here is my prioritized list of top destinations I want to visit. At the cost of repeating myself, I must say that ‘Everywhere’ is what my bucket list really is.
India
I am a self-proclaimed Indophile. I can explore India for the rest of my life. And I love reading about India. I have lived in 10 states of India and visited much more. This travel blog tries to focus on the lesser-known aspects of India, the multi-faceted aspects of its cities through various walking tours. In fact, I am writing this from the jungles of North Bengal where I am traveling at the moment.
India is a layered country, a country that I know best but yet on every step, it amazes me, surprises me and makes me fall in love with it all over again. So, India is and will always remain there on top of my list. Do not ask me which part of India. I like all parts of it – each for a different reason. India will always be on top of my list of top destinations – visited or yet to be visited.
Greece
The home of ancient philosophers and the ancient civilization of Greece fascinate me. Its architecture intrigues me. I know it has a wealth of islands that are extremely popular. But I want to see Athens where the first Olympics were played. I want to see those ancient structures that became the model for many other civilizations. I did see a glimpse of Greek architecture when I visited Sanchi or the Greek Theatres that I saw in Amman Jordan. They only made me more curious.
Indonesia
Recently I discovered the ancient cultural roots of India in Thailand when I did the Ratchaprasong walk in the heart of Bangkok. Then Benoy K Behl wrote about Indian culture in Japan. This made me curious about exploring the parts of the world that had deep cultural connections with India. Indonesia with its Hindu culture has been intriguing to me. I have also been looking at pictures of Hindu temples there and I can’t wait to see them.
Egypt
I have seen a Mummy in Giu, and another in a museum in Hyderabad, so I am not that curious about Mummies. Pyramids though continue to intrigue. I have seen millions of pictures of pyramids and watched many videos. Am sure none of them give me the feeling that you get only when you stand next to a structure where people lived millenniums ago. Places that have mystery wrapped all around them tickle a certain part of your brain. And you must see the place yourself to get rid of that itch.
Cambodia
Angkor Wat and other temples are my sole reason for yearning to visit Cambodia. I have been studying temple architecture in India – be it terracotta temples of Bishnupur, Chola temples of Thanjavur or Nagar styles temples of Khajuraho. They all have such a lovely amalgamation of art, science, and aesthetics that you wonder where we lost all this in the name of development. I want to read the stories written in stone, understand the iconography and visit an unknown chapter from the past in Cambodia.
Guatemala
When I briefly lived in Houston, on one of my visits to San Antonio, I saw a film about the ancient Mayan civilization that happened in Guatemala. Since then, I have wanted to visit this ancient country. I know it may be nothing like its old self, but then past has a way of leaving it traces for the future generations. I am sure they would be there in Guatemala.
Apart from this my other dream destinations to visit include Italy – for all its gorgeous architecture, Spain – for its ancient cave paintings, Japan – to visit all the Saraswati shrines, China – to do a bit of reverse Huan Tsang. The list goes on…
Tell me what are your favorite destinations to visit?
Dear Anuji
I am an avid reader of your travel blogs and book reviews,(opening my inbox every day with a hope that I would get something to read either from inditales or anu reviews)I cherish and nourish the dream to travel the world all by myself,and your travel blogs fuels it.
Thank you so much Sarita for your kind words. There is nothing more a writer can ask for. Do share your comments on the blog posts that you read. Stay blessed and stay connected.
In Java there is a temple called Prambaban – which is a temple of brahma, Vishnu and Siva !
Java and Balinese has many words common with Sanskrit. Danapatra is donation box, Surga Narka is heaven and hell……In Bali we stayed in a road called Wanara Wana Road and its English name is Monkey forest road….
Thanks for sharing the information on Bali & Java Sourabh.
Good to know your list… Mine would be Cambodia, Egypt, Peru, Cuba & Norway.
My list everything that I have not visited – these are little towards the top may be 🙂
yes all are truth and lovable places ti visit them
That’s exactly why they are in my wish list.
Take me with you 🙂 Your list is so like mine and India sure tops my list too
Ami, come let’s plan to travel to all these places.
For sure….lets!!! 🙂 India is the easiest to start
Why take the easy route 🙂 though am game for exploring India any time. There are 6 states still pending for me, they are priority but anywhere I have not been before is good to go.
I have been reading your travel journey since long and I really like the list your shared here. My all time favorite place obviously is India and I first want to explore all amazing places around. I will start from Gujarat (where I do stay) and will eventually keep exploring other states.
In Gujarat, I have already explored Polo forest, Kutchh, Saurashtra (Dwarka, Okha madhi, somnath, gir) and planning to visit dang forest & saputara post monsoon.
Have you been to Gujarat?
Thank you, Jignesh Ji. I have been to only a few places in Gujarat, I am yet to go to Kutchh & Saurashtra – hopefully there would be an opportunity soon enough.
Hi Anuradha Goyal ji,
I like your destination list that you want to explore.No doubt India is my favorite place to explore .I was also explored some part India in the last couple of months, which include Mumbai,Gujarat,Rajasthan etc..Its really good to see places like this in India.
Again, thanks and keep sharing such nice information
Glad you are enjoying India and its rich diversity, Hitesh.
india’s many places are so beautiful but i want to travel first in Goa. Goa is one of the most beautiful places.I want to enjoy food, meet people, want to know about their culture. Thanks for sharing these wonderful destinations.
You are most welcome in Goa, Sony.
Hye, I love India, I also love reading about India. The top destination you shared is India and would like to travel to all the destinations of India. After that, I will plan for the rest of the destinations. Thank you, Anuradha for sharing this blog. I like this blog. Hope, you will share more on travelling. I will be waiting.
Good post. I think this is very useful for travelers.
Wonderful and very excellent post. I like this website very much. keep posting.
Good and very useful information. Thanks for sharing.
Excited to see India on Top Destinations to visit list. India liked by tourists from all over the world. This helps foreigners to understand India well. Thanks for sharing.
I’ve read a couple of blogs about Indian travel. I’m planning to visit India in 2020. I got new places from this blog.
Thanks, Let me do make it happen.
I loved your writing style.
Good to know your list. Keep posting. It will help people to know about the different and exciting places.
Thanks for sharing this informative blog. Nice to hear your amazing list of wonderful places. Really it’s superb it makes people enthusiastic and exciting to visit over there.
Thanks for sharing these wonderful destinations with us. These all seem to look amazing and exciting.
Thanks for sharing your tour list of wonderful places. It’s really nice to pleasant.
Nice to hear your wonderful tour list of exciting places. This make people curious to know about these places.
Lovely, i hope one day to visit Athens where the first Olympics were played, you can see all the sights there, the stadiums, the Acropolis or Plaka. You can also travel on 20 minites on the road from the center to Athens riviera at south side!
Greetings from Athens 🙂 !!!
Indonesia is a very beautiful country. I hope one day visit this place after covid19.
Indonesia is the most liked country for me, the best country to visit for vacation.