“There comes an hour of sadness with the setting of the sun, not for the sins committed but for things I have not done.”

I don’t know the origin of the above quote or where I first read it, but it stuck with me. There is inevitably regret in life for the chances not taken, the paths not explored, the experiences not experienced. A life well-lived is a life with the fewest of these sort of regrets. 

We all have, tucked in the back of our brains, lists: places we haven’t visited, restaurants where we haven’t dined, experiences we have yet to enjoy, all sorts of opportunities we have yet to grab hold of. There is so much to do, so much to see, so much to explore and only so much time and money with which to do it. But we plan anyway for “Someday.” Someday when we have more money. Someday when we have more time. That plan for Someday typically takes shape as a bucket list. Whether we keep an actual list we’ve scribbled down on a piece of paper, written in the Notes app on our iPhones or just tucked away in the back of our brains, the bucket list is there—a constant plan for the future. And since most bucket lists are travel-centric, they are an indispensable travel planning aid that can help Someday become Today.

GO THERE!

Here are the destinations we are currently dreaming about:

*Japan, for its beguiling culture and culinary traditions

*Sri Lanka, for the beautiful beaches, wildlife and history

*Crete, to experience a more authentic side of Greece

EXPERIENCE IT!

Experiences can be just as important as a destination:

*The unforgettable memories of seeing Africa’s wildlife on a safari

*The chillingly eerie sight of the Northern Lights

*The extravagant festive Christmas markets in Cologne

*Hot air ballooning over the breathtaking ancient Temples of Bagan

*Snorkeling in the clear waters of Bora Bora

REVISIT!

Return to one of your favorites with a twist:

*Sure you’ve been to Paris, but have you been there in rainy April when the damp chestnut trees make it smell the sweetest? 

*Summertime Venice is great, but how about the mystery and moody atmosphere at Carnevale in winter?

*Return to Argentina, but take a side trip to the stunning Iguaçu Falls

There’s no time like the present to sit down, dust off and polish up those bucket lists and use them to start making plans, so that Someday becomes Today!