From Dreaming to Doing: Your Guide to Bucket List Adventures

Brad Kaplan
Sep 13
3 min read

We all have those dream destinations tucked away in the back of our minds — a romantic gondola ride through Venice, standing in awe before the Great Pyramids, or watching the Northern Lights dance across the sky.

These are the experiences we promise ourselves we’ll do someday.

But here’s the thing about “someday”: it doesn’t just happen. If you want to turn your travel dreams into reality, planning ahead is the key.

As we approach the end of the year, now is the perfect time to start shaping your travel plans for 2026 and 2027 (no, it is not too early). Planning early not only gives you the best selection of cruises, tours, and accommodations, but it also locks in better pricing — and gives you months of anticipation and excitement to look forward to.

“How do you eat an elephant, on bite at a time (metaphorically speaking). How do you start your travel journey? One trip at a time.”

Why Planning Ahead Matters

Travel is more than just a vacation — it’s an investment in experiences, memories, and moments that last a lifetime.

Here’s why starting your planning now is so important:

✈️ Better Flight & Cruise Availability: The earlier you book, the more options you’ll have for preferred departure dates, flight times, and cabin categories.
💰 Lower Prices: Many cruise lines, resorts, and tour companies offer early-bird discounts, allowing you to get the most value for your budget.
🌟 Less Stress: With time on your side, you can plan every detail at a comfortable pace.
😍 Build Anticipation: Half the fun of travel is looking forward to it — the countdown, the research, the dreaming!
Your bucket list does not have to be anything fancy. It does though need to be purposeful and written down. Writing things down make them much more concrete. Click on the above image to create a google doc copy of the template I created and start filling it in.

Step 1: Prioritize Your Dream Destinations

With so many incredible places to see, deciding where to go first can feel overwhelming. These four factors will help you narrow it down:

Cost:
Be realistic about your budget. Include flights, accommodations, excursions, and meals. Certain destinations are much more affordable during the off-season, so consider traveling when demand is lower.
Travel Style:
- Do you love exploring independently, at your own pace?
- Prefer the ease and structure of a guided tour?
- Want to unpack once and see multiple destinations on a river or ocean cruise?
Your preferred style will influence where you go and how you experience it.
Seasonality: Timing matters!
- Europe’s Christmas markets are best in late November and December.
- Mediterranean cruises shine in late spring and early fall.
- Iceland’s Northern Lights are most visible from September to March.
Personal Goals: Consider what matters most to you:
- Exploring ancient ruins?
- Immersing yourself in local culture?
- Enjoying adventure travel like hiking or kayaking?
- Or simply relaxing on a tropical beach?

By weighing these factors, you’ll create a clear picture of where to go — and when to go.

Step 2: Create Your Bucket List Plan

Dreams become achievable when you put them on paper.

That’s why I’ve created a free downloadable Travel Bucket List PDF designed to help you:

Map out your top destinations.
Organize ideal travel dates.
Note the experiences and activities you don’t want to miss.

It’s the first step to turning “someday” into a well-thought-out plan.

[Download Your Free Travel Bucket List PDF Here]

Step 3: Get Inspired & Share Your Dreams

Planning is even more fun when you involve others!

Take a moment to answer this simple poll and see where fellow travelers are dreaming of going:

“Which of these destinations is on your bucket list?”

✨ Paris, France
🗺️ Machu Picchu, Peru
🛳️ Mediterranean Cruise
🌌 Iceland for the Northern Lights

Final Thoughts: Make 2026 Your Year of Adventure

Don’t let another year pass with your dream trips on hold. With a little planning today, you can make 2025 or 2026 the year you check something unforgettable off your bucket list. Whether it’s your first time traveling abroad or you’re a seasoned explorer, every journey starts the same way: with a single decision to go.

Let’s turn your travel dreams into reality — one unforgettable trip at a time.