A friend recently said to me, “Oh, you’ve probably been everywhere!” “Not true,” I replied. “I still have lots of places on my bucket list.” It is true that people in my profession travel a fair amount. Learning about destinations first hand and forging personal relationships with hoteliers and tour operators is how we travel professionals stay at the top of our game. Plus, a passion for exploring and experiencing other cultures is something we share. But it’s a wide, wide world out there and even the most well-traveled among us still have a bucket list. To share a little peek under the hood, I took a poll of the destinations that are on some of Covington’s well-traveled travel advisors’ bucket lists. Do any of these surprise you?

Covington Travel Advisors’ Bucket List Destinations

Europe:

Ireland is on my bucket list, because it’s the land of my husband’s family heritage, and we’ve not been yet… perhaps there’s an Irish castle we’ve inherited and didn’t know about! – Barbi Partlow, Tropical Vacation Specialist

My bucket list trip would be following the path of Easy Company (the group depicted in Band of Brothers) through Europe. My first stops would be Aldbourne, Wiltshire, UK and Upottery, Devon, UK before continuing on to Sainte-Mere-Eglise, France where they ended up on D-Day. After that, it would include several other local areas of France where the company fought, then on to Eindhoven, Netherlands, followed by Bastogne and Foy in Belgium. My final stop would be Berchtesgaden, Germany where they liberated Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest. – Amanda Taylor, Online Booking Specialist

I am looking forward to taking a Christmas Market River Cruise sometime in the future. Getting away from the holiday rush and stress on a luxury river cruise where I can relax is so appealing to me. As is shopping for unique gifts at the charming Christmas markets, and warming up with the traditional holiday glühwein (hot mulled wine). – Liz Gluck, Vacation Team Assistant

Everyone who knows me knows that I want to go to Greece. I love the people, the food, the music, and everything I have seen in movies and in photos. And that beautiful blue ocean… Ahhh! I’m getting there in the next couple of years for sure! – Madhavi del Favero, Meeting & Event Planner

Asia:

If I had to pick the top one right now, I’d say Japan. I’m fascinated by their rich heritage and thousands of years of tradition. I want to wander the bustling cities such as Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, explore the picturesque scenery of the countryside, visit temples and shrines, see Mt Fuji and indulge in the amazing cuisine. – Liz Prom, Virtuoso Vacation Advisor

My bucket list destination is Japan. I would love to see where my husband’s family is from and where he went to school. – Cindi Brewer, Vacation Travel Advisor

I’d love to go to Japan. It has both amazing mountains and crazy cities that I’d love to see, not to mention the food and fashion! – Ashley Branch, Operations Support

Travel Maestro tip: Wow! Three votes for Japan from in-the-know travel pros. That should tell you something about Japan.

Vietnam and Cambodia are on my bucket list. My husband was a Vietnam medevac helicopter pilot and I’m interested in the mix of history, nature, and tradition in that part of Southeast Asia. – Valerie Ambrose, Vacation Travel Advisor

I want to backpack through Southeast Asia to experience life in a way that is totally different on the other side of the world. – Kate Beattie, Business Travel Consultant

Australia:

I would love to go to Australia and New Zealand. They each have such interesting culture, history, and magnificent scenery. In fact, both countries have so much to explore and do, I might just have to make it into two bucket list trips! – Jennie Hynson, Administrative Assistant & Graphics Designer

Africa:

I want to visit Morocco and stay in a tented camp in the desert. – Doug Floyd, Vacation Travel Advisor

My bucket list includes returning to Africa for a safari in Namibia and Zimbabwe. I also want to explore the Galapagos, swim in the Blue Lagoon in Iceland, and taste my way through India. – Karen Kilyk, Luxury Vacation Designer

North America:

My bucket list includes training through the Canadian Rockies on the Rocky Mountaineer followed by a week of exploring the Banff/Jasper area. The combination of spectacular scenery and active vacation options fits my style to a Tee. I’d also love to do a river cruise to Prague and Budapest. I’m all in for the history and museums, and of course, wine and luxury. – Christi Ruddy, Certified Meeting Planner

My dream trip would be a series of golf and wine tasting trips. I’d play the great courses of California’s Monterey Peninsula and visit the vineyards of Sonoma County. Golf and wine pair also well along the southwest coast of Oregon and Costa del Sol, Spain. In Ireland, I’d switch to a “Golf and Guinness” because, well… it’s Ireland. – Rob Haislip, Vice President, Business Development

I want to go to Churchill, Manitoba, Canada to observe polar bears in the wild. Churchill is also one of the top three places in the world to see the Northern Lights – another item on my bucket list – so if I time it right, I might be lucky enough to get a double! – Tracy Carr, Vacation Travel Advisor

South America:

The great outdoors is a big draw for me and I love experiencing different cultures, traditions, and history. Because of that, tops on my bucket list are Machu Picchu and to revisit the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. Europe has always been a favorite of mine, too, so I’d add the English countryside, Italy, and France. – Kim Sonderman, Virtuoso Vacation Advisor

Harder to Pin Down:

My travel bucket list isn’t one particular destination, but 100 of them. I want to join the Traveler’s Century Club, an elite membership of about 2,000 people worldwide who have visited over 100 countries and territories. I’m currently in the range of 65, so my goal is within reach. – Judy Faust, Vacation Travel Advisor

Surprisingly, none of my colleagues listed Antarctica on their bucket lists, but it is definitely on mine, so now all continents are represented. My other top dream destinations are currently Morocco and Machu Picchu. I make it a point to check off at least one bucket list destination each year, but it is quickly replaced by another one (or two!), so my list tends to grow, rather than shrink. – Beverly McLean, a.k.a. Travel Maestro

This seems to be a common malady among my colleagues, as well. The more we travel, the more places we yearn to see. So be careful! If you enjoy your travels too much, you’ll also get stuck in this wonderful web of continually seeking enrichment through travel experiences, otherwise known as “the travel bug.” If you’ve already contracted this delightful dilemma, your only hope is to get in touch with one of our advisors for help in planning your next adventure. Chances are, one of us has been there and will have some insider tips to share.