Travel Tips

How To Create Your Ultimate Travel Bucket List

Go beyond your dreams and discover your top bucket-list destinations

The Vacationeer

Whether it’s seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time, taking your kids to the theme parks in Orlando, relaxing on the beach in Hawaii or learning how to make your own pasta in Italy, a travel bucket list can help you turn big vacation aspirations into unbelievable getaways with Hilton Grand Vacations.         

It All Starts With A Dream

Stunning canyon waterfall, Arizona.    

Vacation begins in your imagination. It’s the places you dream about going and the things you envision doing. So before you build your ultimate travel bucket list, think about the types of trips you want to take and start to define your personal travel style.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself when considering your vacation wish list:

  • What type of environment do you prefer?
    Do you enjoy being surrounding by nature — or the bright lights of a big city?
  • What are your interests and hobbies?
    Golfers, foodies, beach bums, adventure seekers, sightseers, shoppers and spa goers all see vacation differently. By figuring out what you want to do, you can find the places you want to go.
  • What type of weather do you enjoy?
    Perhaps you’re drawn to tropical destinations with warm weather and beaches — or maybe it’s a snowy mountain landscape that makes you smile.

"For us, thrill-seeking includes an active curiosity about local cultures and a thirst for great views from iconic places."

—  LeeAnn M., Hilton Grand Vacations Owner

As you answer these questions, you’ll gain a better understanding of your vacation preferences. This will help you choose the bucket-list destinations and activities that suit your personality. For some, dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Las Vegas is an absolute must. For others, hiking in Lake Tahoe is the way to go. Either way, it’s all about you.

Let Inspiration Move You

Hilton Grand Vacations Explorer, Hawaii.    

Dreaming big is essential, so allow your imagination to run wild as you research different destinations and experiences.

  • Read Travel Blogs
    Get expert advice, read firsthand reviews and gain special insights from travelers who have already experienced the destinations you want to visit. You might find that reading about other people’s adventures will inspire your own. And speaking of travel blogs — meet the HGV Explorers. This is a group of well-traveled Hilton Grand Vacations Owner guest bloggers who scope out the scene for your next adventure. In fact, Sue M., Member since 2015, has some travel inspiration and ideas to help you build your bucket list right now.
  • Click Around On Social Media
    Watch scenic videos on YouTube, scroll through gorgeous travel images on Instagram, create a dream board on Pinterest or browse vacation-based posts on Threads to save your favorite bucket-list destinations and ideas.
  • Browse The “Best Of” Lists
    Annual travel lists are a tremendous way to learn about new places and find new ideas for your vacation bucket list. The lists can be broad, like “the best beaches in Florida” or super specific, like “8 of the best vegan restaurants in Washington D.C.

Write It Down To Make It Real

Couple sharing iPad together over coffee.   

Do more than daydream about your travel goals — write them down. Studies have shown that there’s power in putting pen to paper. Doing so helps turn abstract vacation ideas into actionable priorities. Additionally, a written bucket list allows you to organize your thoughts, hone ideas and celebrate your progress.

"As Hilton Grand Vacations continues to grow its portfolio, we’ll compare the new offerings to our bucket list and check them off one by one. We can’t wait to see where we’ll go on our next bucket-list vacation."

— Gina P., Hilton Grand Vacations Owner since 2010

Now that your travel bucket list is top of mind, read “How To Stay Present And Enjoy Mindful Moments On Vacation” to find new ways to make every trip more memorable.

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Vacationeer

The Vacationeer

The Vacationeer is a collective of Hilton Grand Vacations storytellers whose goal is to inspire travelers to go further. We're always on the lookout for new destinations to explore, useful travel tips, and unique ideas to help you plan the most memorable vacations possible.

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