The Bucket List Traveller

—————-

‘Lauren, known as "The Bucket List Traveller," hails from Wrexham, North Wales. Growing up in a tight-knit community, she dreamed of living abroad, particularly in Spain or the US. Over the years, she has cultivated a dynamic bucket list filled with meaningful experiences, balancing her passion for travel with motherhood. Recent adventures include completing the Three Peaks challenge and a transformative solo trip to Cape Town. Lauren prioritizes detailed planning for her travels and believes in the beauty of exploring underrated destinations like Wales.’

Background

—————-

I was born in a small town in North Wales called Wrexham, which, prior to 2020, was relatively unknown but since has seen two Hollywood celebs buying our football club and has been ‘put on the map’. Wrexham is a pretty small town and once of those places where everyone knows everyone.

From a young age I had a lot of dreams about leaving Wrexham and living elsewhere, predominantly Spain or the US (my Grandfather was American and I toyed many times with getting my US passport!) I went to university in 2018 in Manchester and this was my first proper taste of living away, which I did love. I even spent my summers off in Magaluf, Mallorca, which was such good fun.

After university I set off on a solo travelling trip and it was following this that I started to realise I actually missed Wrexham - which was totally shocking to me. I have lived here ever since but love to travel and see the world. As much as this is a place I have built my life around, I do not envision me living in this country for ever. I need to live somewhere warm!

You’re aptly named - "The Bucket List Traveller." What inspired you to create your own Bucket List? When did you start this journey to fulfill it?

—————-

I have been keeping a bucket list for as long as I can remember! To the point that I could not tell you when I first created it, only that I have had it on-going for a very long time. When I was in high-school, I used to day-dream amount the minute I turned 16 and my plans to leave the country and live in Spain. I took Spanish at school to help make this happen, although the reality was I was not ready or mature enough at that age. I think this dream likely played a big part in me starting to have this list of things I wanted to do, and it has grown ever since then.

I realised when I was a teenager that I wanted more than just routine experiences—I wanted a life that was filled with memories that felt meaningful and adventure, and I have been chasing that dream ever since.

One thing to point out is, my bucket list is ever changing! I spend a lot of time and effort each year to tick one or several things off my list, but for everything that I tick off I add another two or three things. I don’t see it ever ending!

What types of bucket list experiences do you prioritise—adventure sports, cultural activities, or culinary delights? And how do you keep track of your list?

—————-

Over the past 12 months, I have been prioritising things on my bucket list that are around going to see new places. I have two young boys, who are currently three and five, and although I promised myself it would never happen, I feel I lost myself for a minute when I became a mum. I have continued to travel and taken holidays, but not in the way I used to. This came to a head in 2023 and I have spent the past 12 months making up for it! 2024 has been a big year for me in terms of travelling and completing things off my list that I have long wanted to do.

Following travel, anything adventurous or trying new things is priority for me. This year I have flown a helicopter and I should have gone up in a hot air balloon, but weather had a different idea on that! I also completed the three peaks (Ben Nevis, Snowdon and Scaffel Pike), which is something I had planned to do pre kids but did not happen, so this was a big achievement for me.

And finally, my latest thing that I am prioritising is actually my son’s bucket lists. Earlier this year my eldest asked me “What is a bucket list?” (which shows how much I talk about it!) and after explaining it to him, he asked if he could create his own (proud mum moment!) We did create them and now whenever we come across something new or a new place, he asks me if he can put it onto his bucket list.

I am determined to make as many of these come true as possible for him. It doesn’t harm that some of them he copies from me ;)

Since you started your bucket list, how many items from your original list have you successfully crossed off?

—————-

To be honest, I’ve lost track of the exact number, especially since my bucket list has evolved so much over the years! I started with a handful of big dreams and destinations, but as I've traveled and grown, I’ve been continuously adding new goals and experiences along the way.

What I can say is that I’ve ticked off a good number of items from the original list, from going on safari in Africa to seeing (and sleeping on!) the Great Wall of China. Each time I cross something off, it feels super satisfying, and it always inspires me to keep adding more to the list. It’s a dynamic, ever-growing journey—and I’m excited to see where it will take me next.

Can you share a memorable travel experience that had a significant impact on you?

—————-

As I mentioned earlier, in 2023 I came to the relalisation that I needed to be a little selfish and have more ‘me’ time, that being a mum didn’t mean I could not do the things that I want to do and that I needed to take control and to make sure this happened for myself. With this in mind, I decided I needed to book a trip, something on my bucket list that would allow me to tick it off and do something amazing. And with this in mind, I booked a trip to South Africa.

In January 2024, I travelled on my own to Cape Town and spent nearly 2 weeks there, without my children, exploring the country, visiting new beaches, going paragliding, climbing mountains and, of course, going on safari.

Coming back from that journey, I felt energised, recharged, and more in touch with myself. The experience sparked a change that’s impacted my life since. I realised that by taking time to recharge, I could return to my family with a renewed spirit, able to be more present, patient, and happy. Now, I’m making it a priority to keep working through my bucket list. Every trip I take helps me bring more of myself back home, giving me a fresh outlook and helping me be a better mum, and person.

What destinations are currently at the top of your bucket list, and why?

—————-

I have 3 trips that are currently at the top of my bucket list and are what I have either got planned or am planning for the next year.

Iceland: Iceland has been at the top of my bucket list for as long as I can remember. There is something about the Northern Lights that I find so mesmerising and I am so keen to see these! Despite them being visible this year in the UK, I have purposefully not looked for them as I feel I want to fulfil my bucket list dream of seeing them in Iceland.

Originally, I had plans to do this for my 30th but this, typically, fell into lockdown and never happened. I have finally had the push to make this happen when my son put this as his number 1 bucket list wish, so I had to make this happen for us both.

I have booked us a trip that sees us leave on Boxing Day and come back New Years Day, and I will be telling my son about it on Christmas Day - cannot wait! I am well aware that the Northern Lights are not a guarantee so I have added a lot of other fun stuff into this trip, including whale watching (another bucket list for me - seeing whales in the wild!), touring the Goldern Circle, lots of waterfalls, going to the Blue Lagoon, sleeping overnight in a bubble hotel and seeing some glaciers. Fingers crossed though we see them!

Switzerland: After completing the three peaks this year, I have been keen to explore hikes in another country. I would love to do the Dolomites one day but not quite ready for that level, so Switzerland has become my next destination for a walking holiday. Since I started looking for ideas on Instagram, the algorithms have done their job and I have seen such amazing things to do there, which offer me both incredible walks and scenery with some adrenaline adventures, such as a canyon swing! I am currently planning this trip for April 2025.

Vietnam/Cambodia/Laos: Asia is by far my favourite continent and not one I have been to since having children, so I feel it is long overdue. With this in mind, I am planning a trip for September/October 2025 which covers three new countries to me in one go.

Vietnam and Cambodia have both been on my bucket list for a long time and my thought process is, whilst there, why not visit neighbouring Laos too! There is so much I want to see in there countries, from cruising the waters of Ha Long Bay, wandering the streets of Hoi An or having amazing street food in Hanoi in Vietnam to embracing history in Cambodia through Angkor Wat and the lush jungle scenery. I feel both countries offer an experience of culture, amazing scenery and so much new things to see, I cannot wait to make this one happen!

How do you typically plan your trips? Do you prefer a detailed itinerary or a more spontaneous approach?

—————-

I am someone who LOVES a plan! I need to have a fully planned our itinerary, especially if going on my own, as this gives me confidence in what I am doing, where I am going and also ensures I get everything I want out of my trips.

The first thing I do when I decide that I want to go somewhere is search for ideas and inspiration on Instagram, save anything that looks interesting and then take it to Google for a full research session. I tend to put as much as I can into options and then remove things if time does not allow me to do it all, but I do like to have a jam-packed, full itinerary in place when going on a trip.

I also have a few stages in this. I set up an excel document / Googles sheets where I set up a table including each day and each area I want to visit. I put all of the information into this in terms of what can be done in each area. From this, I set up a new tab, work out how long it takes to travel between each destination and plan my timings. I build out my itinerary from this.

Once set, I go about booking accommodation and transport etc. Following this and once everything is booked, I move it over to a word document where I put all information into one place on a day-by-day basis. This includes address of hotels, check-in times, timings to get to difference places and what I am doing in each. It is probably overkill for a lot of people, but this is part of the fun for me - planning the trip in detail before embarking on it!

What resources or tools do you find most helpful when researching a new destination?

—————-

Recently, the tool I rely on the most when planning trips is ChatGPT. Love it or hate it, AI has truly become a game-changer in travel planning, saving me both time and energy. I primarily use it to help organise the order of activities, understand travel times between destinations, and even get insights into must-see spots that I might otherwise overlook. For instance, when recently planning my trip to Switzerland, I had a list of places I wanted to visit but wasn't sure of the best route to take or how long it would realistically take to get from one location to another.

I entered all the destinations into ChatGPT, and it quickly mapped out a logical order, complete with travel times. This saved me hours of research and allowed me to focus on refining my itinerary and getting excited about the trip.

Beyond just logistics, I’ve also found ChatGPT to be a helpful resource for uncovering lesser-known tips and insights. For example, it can provide guidance on the best times of day to visit popular sites (like avoiding the crowds at Chillon Castle on Lake Geneva) or suggest specific experiences, such as taking the scenic Bernina Express train through the Alps. It’s almost like having a virtual travel guide who can give advice tailored specifically to my interests and travel style.

While ChatGPT is incredibly versatile, I also turn to a few other trusted resources. Google Maps remains essential for getting precise travel routes and checking out the areas around destinations. I often cross-reference my routes with reviews on Google and TripAdvisor to confirm that the spots I’m interested in are worth the time and offer the experience I’m hoping for. Additionally, I use Instagram and travel blogs to gather more visual inspiration, helping me discover scenic spots and photo opportunities that guidebooks might not mention.

Can you describe a bucket list experience that exceeded your expectations? What made it so special?

—————-

This year I completed the three peaks - meaning I summited the three highest peaks in England, Wales and Scotland. I’d wanted to do it for years and had planned to do the challenge (where you complete all three within 24 hours), but the kids came along and life got busy, so it never happened. Myself and my friend started talking about it again at the beginning of the year and, to be honest, I wasn’t sure I’d be physically up for it, or if I’d even have the time to train / prepare for it.

But as things settled a bit, I decided to go for it and committed to it. We set the dates in place and went on some big walks, which really helped in getting us prepared, and before I knew it, it was time! Getting to the top of each mountain—Scafell Pike, Snowdon, and Ben Nevis—felt like a real accomplishment, but in particular there was something magical about getting to the top of Ben Nevis - it was amazingly rewarding! Standing on each summit was satisfying, not only because of the view but because it reminded me that I can still take on challenges I’d once sidelined. It was a great experience, and it’s pushed me to look forward to more things on my list.

What’s one destination you think is underrated and deserves more attention?

—————-

One destination I think is seriously underrated is Wales. Being from there, I might be a bit biased, but I honestly believe it’s one of the most beautiful places you can visit. It’s got this amazing mix of rugged coastlines, lush green valleys, and really cool castles that you don’t get in many places.

I mean, have you seen Snowdonia National Park? The mountains and lakes are breathtaking, and the coastal paths around Pembrokeshire are just gorgeous. You get all this beauty without having to deal with huge crowds, which is a real bonus.

And there’s so much pride in the culture here that people sometimes miss. The Welsh language, music, and festivals give the country a vibe that feels really special.

Whether you’re wandering through the castles in Conwy or Caernarfon, checking out small market towns, or even picking up a bit of Welsh, you really get a sense of the local spirit. Wales has something for everyone—mountains, beaches, history, and some of the friendliest people around. It’s definitely worth a visit!

If someone wanted to follow in your footsteps, what advice would you give them regarding travel planning and bucket list experiences?

—————-

If someone wants to follow in my footsteps when it comes to travel planning and bucket list experiences, my biggest piece of advice would be to start by defining what really excites you. Think about the experiences you’ve always dreamed of—whatever it is, and write it down! Having a list in front of you / saved on your phone / written down can go a long way in helping it to become a reality.

Also, be flexible and open-minded. Plans can change, and sometimes the best experiences come from spontaneity. If you discover something new while you’re traveling, don’t hesitate to switch things up and explore that instead.

Lastly, remember that travel is not just about ticking items off a list; it’s about enjoying the journey and making memories along the way. Take your time, soak in the experiences, and cherish every moment. Each adventure can teach you something new and add to your growth, both as a traveler and as a person.