One of the caveats of my job as a travel advisor (and proud travel hustler!) is that I spend a lot of time planning and researching trips for other people. The result? I’m constantly daydreaming about my own adventures. I think I tell my boyfriend at least once a week, “Oh, we need to do this,” or, “Add this to our bucket list!”

Some of these are classic dream destinations. Others are experiences I didn’t even know existed until I started living and breathing travel full-time. But all of them are on my personal list for a reason—and I’m sharing them here, along with a few insider tips on how I’d plan each one.

So, let’s start with my number one dream vacation…

1. Alaska – The Last Frontier

The Last Frontier is an absolute dream for me—and one that’s surprisingly doable. Personally, I’d experience it through a CruiseTour, which is a fancy way of saying a 7-day cruise paired with 3–10 days on land, either before or after sailing.

This combo gives you the best of both worlds: breathtaking glacier views from the water and unforgettable inland adventures through Denali National Park and beyond. I plan to take this trip as soon as I can—and it’s one I’d love to share with my parents.

If I were booking it today, I’d go in September. Peak season runs from June through August, but shoulder months like May and September offer fewer crowds and often better prices. Plus, you still get those crisp mornings, golden sunsets, and maybe even a glimpse of the Northern Lights.

Click here to Browse Alaska Cruises on my website.

2. European River Cruises

Honestly, all the river cruises through Europe are on my bucket list. Europe can be super overwhelming because in order to see it all, you usually have to do a lot of hopping between cities, trains, and hotels. A River Cruise changes that entirely—it lets you explore multiple destinations while only unpacking once.

There are a ton of options out there, and while River Cruises tend to be a little pricier, they’re also much closer to an all-inclusive experience. Depending on the cruise line, your dining, drinks, and even some excursions are included, which makes it a really relaxing way to see Europe.

Personally, the one at the top of my list is the Festive Markets River Cruise with AmaWaterways. This specialty itinerary sails through France, Germany, and Amsterdam, visiting Europe’s most magical Christmas markets. Picture twinkling lights, mulled wine, handmade ornaments, and that cozy holiday charm only Europe can deliver.

Most itineraries even allow you to add 3 nights pre- or post-cruise in select cities—perfect for wandering Paris before you sail or extending your stay in Amsterdam afterward.

Explore River Cruises Here.

3. Ireland – Castles, Cliffs, and Titanic Dreams

Ireland was the very first destination to ever make it onto my bucket list. It’s been there since I was a teenager, and I’ll admit—it might have something to do with the Scottish and Irish historical romance novels I devoured growing up.

But it’s also because I have a full-blown obsession with the Titanic—not the movie, the historical event. The ship was built in Belfast, which makes visiting Northern Ireland an absolute must for me.

If I were planning this trip, I’d partner with a tour company that specializes in Ireland (there are so many good ones!) and probably splurge a bit to combine Ireland, Scotland, and Wales into one grand adventure.

My must-see list? Belfast, of course, to tour the Titanic Museum; the Cliffs of Moher for those jaw-dropping views; and every castle ruin I can possibly squeeze in.

4. Greece – Sunsets, Sailing, and Santorini

Greece is one of those destinations I’d honestly love to do twice—once by land and once by sea.

The first way? A Greek Islands Cruise, which is the perfect way to hop between the islands without having to juggle ferries or unpack multiple times. There are incredible itineraries that include Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, and even stops in Italy or Spain, depending on the cruise line.

But I’d also absolutely add a few extra nights pre- or post-cruise in Santorini. Those cliffside views, blue-domed rooftops, and glowing sunsets are everything you dream of when you picture Greece.

Honestly, I think I’d want to experience Greece both ways—the luxury and ease of a cruise, paired with the slower pace of island life on land.

5. Italy & The Amalfi Coast – Pasta, Postcards, and Pure Bliss

As someone who loves all things food, Italy is an absolute must on my bucket list. Specifically—the Amalfi Coast. Just picture it: colorful cliffside villages, lemon groves, pasta on every corner, and that turquoise water glittering below.

For this trip, I’d partner with a European tour company (like we talked about earlier) to help check every box—Venice, Rome, Sicily, and the Amalfi Coast all in one go. It’s the perfect way to balance structure with flexibility and take the stress out of getting between cities.

Of course, there’s always the option to experience Italy by cruise, too. Many itineraries combine Italy, Spain, and Greece, giving you a taste of multiple Mediterranean cultures in one incredible trip. Honestly, either route would be a dream come true—and either way, you can count on me eating all the pasta.

There you have it—my top five bucket list trips (for now!). One of the best parts of being a travel advisor is helping others chase their dream adventures, but it also keeps my own wanderlust alive and thriving. Whether it’s glacier-spotting in Alaska, cruising Europe’s rivers, tracing Titanic history in Ireland, soaking in a Santorini sunset, or winding down the Amalfi Coast with pasta and wine in hand—each of these trips reminds me why I fell in love with travel in the first place.

If one (or all) of these destinations just jumped onto your bucket list, I’d love to help make it happen.

Click here to start planning your trip today!