Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans. ~John Lennon
I asked our travel agents where are some of the most exotic places around the world? What are some of the most exciting excursions? What are some of the must-see and must-dos in the world. While some of their answers were more exotic than others, they were all worthy of making this list: 18 Things I Want to Do & See While I Still Can.
#17: Galapagos Islands. Our very own Debbie Maguire recently visited the Galapagos Islands and was lucky enough to swim with sea lions!
#16: NYC Deli. Ya, that sounds about right to me! You haven’t had a real sandwich until you’ve been to a New York City Jewish deli. I recommend Carnegie Deli on 7th Ave at 55th St.
#15: Le Lido in Paris, France. You don’t hear as much about this one, I think simply because there are so many sights to see in France. But the cabaret show at Le Lido is not to be missed.
#14: Speaking of Paris shows, Moulin Rouge is another must-see when visiting France. This show features world-renowned showgirls and Cancan dancers!
#13: Gorillas in the Mist. Remember the Sigourney Weaver movie about naturalist Dian Fossey? Imagine walking the same Rwandan jungle with the mountain gorillas, quietly gazing upon these gorgeous creatures. Top of my list for sure!
#12: Inca Trail Hike: This is one of the most famous hikes in the world. The 4-day walk takes you through 45 kms of mountain scenery, subtropical jungle, Inca paving stones, tunnels and ruins. This journey is not for the faint of heart.
#11: Jamaican Jerk Chicken. Another one of life’s simple pleasures, Jamaican jerk chicken paired with beach-side reggae music and tropical bevvies — try me!
#10: Farm Stays. Seriously? Why not! There are “luxury” farm stays from New Zealand to New York, where you can get your hands dirty and lounge at the pool. Check out some of these ultimate farm stays to see what I mean.
#9: The city below me from a hot-air balloon. Now that sounds like fun! If you’re not afraid of heights, a hot-air balloon ride is an experience of a lifetime – one that too many of us miss out on, I think.
#8: Niagara Falls. I forget about this one at times because it’s practically in my backyard. But for those who aren’t lucky enough to live here, Niagara Falls is a site that absolutely must be seen.
#7: Ski the Swiss Alps. This was my contribution to the list. One of my greatest regrets in life is that I didn’t ski the Alps while I was in Switzerland. At least I have a solid excuse to return!
#6: Take a river cruise. It’s true what they say, river cruising is without a doubt the best way to travel through many of the world’s most fascinating places. Cruise Europe, Russia, Egypt, China … so many spectacular sights to see on a river cruise.
#5: Take any cruise! Yes, a river cruise does sound tempting with its more intimate setting, but cruising is cruising, and if you’ve never been on a cruise ship, you are definitely missing out. If you like the water, a cruise really can give you the best bang for your travel buck.
#4: The Great Barrier Reef in Australia. This is one of the best vacation destinations in the world. Better still, it is arguably the most well-known and well-loved places to go scuba diving and snorkeling … on the entire planet!

#3: The Luxor. No, not the hotel in Vegas. The Luxor in Egypt. Travellers have been visiting this destination for hundreds of years to gaze upon its magnificence. For anyone interested in ancient history, monuments and culture, the Luxor is a must-see.
#2: Iceland – the land of fire and ice. Did you know that Iceland is one of the most volcanic regions in the world? In addition to whale-watching, hiking and fishing excursions, one of the most famous attractions is the Gullfoss double-tiered waterfall and the spouting hot springs of Geysir.
#1: Cesme Peninsula, Turkey. Here are some of the world’s most picturesque villages with crumbling Greek facades and seemingly endless miles of sparsely populated beaches. Vacationers can relax in the thermal spas, stay at one of the many bayside resorts, or book a romantic boutique hideaway.
Now it’s your turn! Tell us about your favourite vacation destinations of all time…