Travel + Leisure featured 25 Trips of a Lifetime in their June 2015 issue.

Always curious about what the “experts” suggest (mindful that I am, I suppose, an expert!), I checked it out and was gratified to see that most of the destinations I’ve offered to my WOW! Travel Club are prominent on their list.

1. Santorini – We just completed our first WOW! cruise in which we chartered a magnificent, luxury mega-yacht, the Tere Moana. Because it was a charter, we conspired with the Captain to create a special itinerary that called on smaller places where the big ships don’t (e.g., can’t) go. Santorini was the exception, although – blessedly, there were only two other not-too-huge cruise ships in port when we were there. It truly is spectacular, and I would agree it’s not-to-be-missed in your lifetime – but just make sure you go to Symi, too. (And Patmos. And Tilos… I think I’d have to change this listing to “Greek Islands” rather than simply Santorini.)
   

   You’ve seen a zillion photos of Santorini, on the left, but it’s only the in-person experience that can reveal the grandeur and drama of the caldera with the candy-colored houses perched at its edge. Symi, by comparison, is less dramatic – but is a “wow” because it’s so unexpected (as in, “It can’t be that great if I’ve never heard of it.”)

2. Marrakesh – Hasn’t yet been a WOW trip. I took an incentive group to Marrakesh a few years ago, and it was an absolute “wow” in every sense of the word. Loved it!
3. Galapagos – WOW went there in 2009! And, yes, Galapagos would be on my list. There’s no place on earth where creatures – even birds – are unafraid of humans and don’t run or fly away.
   

   Hiking on any of the Galapagos Islands, being careful to avoid stepping on creatures like this who are unafraid of humans, is inconceivable – but true!

4. Cape Town – We’ve taken corporate groups there, but not yet a WOW group.
5. Provence – Ditto. I thought I wouldn’t like Provence as much as I did. It was truly lovely, with all the right “stuff” to be in my Top 25, too.
6. Egypt – Would love to offer this to WOW, but it would be a tough destination to fill right about now. Just too much negative media – 95% of which would have absolutely NO adverse impact on the traveler’s experience. If anything, the fact that so many people are not going there would be an advantage – to have the monuments practically to oneself – OMG! And yes – I would agree this should be on everyone’s list.
   

   The centuries-old monumental attractions of Egypt are almost inconceivable in their scale. You GOTTA go there!

7. Myanmar – It’s on calendar for January 2016! Join us! (I’ve written about it a lot!)
8. Petra (Jordan) – Would make a great trip, in combination with Egypt. (Scott and I went here on our honeymoon!)
   

   Jordan: Petra was spectacular, but you’ve seen those pictures before. After being slathered with Dead Sea mud, rinsing off and floating in the Dead Sea was like heaven!

9. Zambia Safari – In 2012, WOW! ventured to Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia – where the countries all meet at Victoria Falls. Any African Safari should be on your list – but Zambia is a great choice because of the great variety of attractions in addition to the pure safari experience. They’ll soon be opening an international airport in Victoria Falls – making it easier to get to!
   

   One of the most memorable experiences I’ve ever had in my life: sitting in The Devil’s Pool – surrounded by the world’s largest sheet of falling water

10. Tokyo – I’d love to offer a WOW trip to Japan one day soon! I dunno about Tokyo in the Top 25. Too much concrete for my taste.
11. Lake Como – Beautiful, uber expensive … and best experienced in the company of the one you love. For my money, I’ll take Bled Lake in Slovenia. More beautiful, more unique, more affordable.
    

    Lake Bled, Slovenia, gets my vote for the most beautiful lake in the world!

12. Bhutan – Definitely on my Bucket List! You gotta love any country whose rulers promote the philosophy of “Gross National Happiness” (GNH), which strives to achieve a balance between the spiritual and the material. THAT is something special!
13. Montana – Certainly gorgeous – but not exotic enough for my list.
14. Bali – I was only here one time – many years ago – on a too-short travel industry familiarization trip. I’d definitely agree it’s in my Top 25. And I MUST go back and stay awhile!
15. New Zealand – There’s something about the air down there . . . no doubt the purity – that makes the spectacularly beautiful scenery pop even more. Scene of my first, second and third bungee jump. There’s just something about the place that gets under your skin and inspires you to strap rubber bands around your ankles and jump. It’s 10-15 seconds of pure terror + all hours of pre-jump dread and anxiety – and you pop up with a sense of exhilaration you’ve never known before. Yup – definitely in my Top 25.
16. Rajasthan (India) – One of the places we visited on the inaugural WOW! Travel Club journey in 2006. Yes, indeed, this is a MUST!
17. Petit St. Vincent – I know it’s an island in the Caribbean, but I don’t know much about it. A curious choice, I think.
18. Napa – See #13.
19. Amalfi Coast – Certainly Italy would make my Top 25 . . . but I’d give the nod to Puglia. Absolutely extraordinary in every way.
20. Easter Island – Can’t count it … don’t know it, and not sure it has enough diversity to make my Top 25.
21. Istanbul – Remarkable for its physical beauty, geography and secular society.
22. St. Petersburg – Naaah – don’t think so. Haven’t been there since it was Leningrad. Didn’t love it then, and I have no strong desire to return.
23. Ireland – Well, what would you expect from a Murphy? Of course, Ireland should be on this list!
24. Patagonia – Another place on my Bucket List – and a contender for WOW’s 2017 calendar.
25. Antarctica – Haven’t yet been there . . . but it is a MUST on my list.

So what would my list look like?  (note: these are not in any particular order)

From T+L’s list, I’d keep Marrakesh, Galapagos, Egypt, Myanmar, Anywhere-in-Africa Safari, Bhutan, Bali, New Zealand, Istanbul, Ireland, Patagonia and Antarctica. I’m gonna keep Provence in there, too. That’s 13.

I’d make slight adjustments as follows:

• Greek Isles instead of simply Santorini.
• The whole of India instead of just Rajasthan.
• Puglia instead of Amalfi Coast.
• Japan instead of only Tokyo    . . . plus 4.
  

  Typical trulli houses in Puglia, the “heel of the boot” of Italy.

Editing is not easy, but I’d remove Lake Como, Montana, Petit St. Vincent, Cape Town, Petra, Napa, St Petersburg and Easter Island.

I’d add Lake Bled, Rio de Janeiro, Vietnam, Cuba, Cappadocia, Amsterdam, Prague and the southern Baja peninsula.

If I did my math right, that’s 25!

If you ask me tomorrow, my list would be a little different. The world is SUCH an extraordinary place. I hope you have an active, ever-changing list – and that you’re not just dreaming and wishing! Go, see, do.

Live!

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NOTE: Someone asked me recently how they could join the WOW! Travel Club. Simple. Come on a trip – respect the WOW Vows* – and you’re a WOWee – for life! A mighty fine club of exceptionally fun and interesting people. And, as you can see, we go to some really cool places!

* What are the WOW Vows, you ask?

1) I vow to travel with my sense of wonder and my sense of humor.

2) I vow to be a gracious guest – thoughtful of the people and places I visit and considerate of the people with whom I travel.

3) I vow to leave a place at least as good as I found it.

4) I vow to be on time, or will catch up to the group at my own expense.

5) I vow to share the front seat on the motorcoach.

6) I vow to communicate grievances to the tour leader privately and appropriately (i.e., I will not whine in front of the group!)

7) I understand that travel requires patience, a positive attitude and an ability to laugh. If I can’t relax and enjoy the journey, I vow to stay home!

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Comments? What would you add/subtract from their list?