15 Countries I’d Like to Visit in 2015

The beginning of a new year is blank slate. It’s a time to make resolutions, set goals, and imagine all the places you want life to take you in the next 365 days.

It’s also a great time to make a plan of where you want to physically go in the next year. While my ability to travel is a little more up in the air than previous years, it doesn’t mean my mind is dreaming of far away destinations any less.

I’f I had my way, I’d be stepping foot in these 15 countries in 2015.

New Zealand

A few years ago, I’d never really thought about New Zealand. I mean, I knew it existed but that was about it. Then in 2013 I met a lot of Kiwis while traveling (all of whom I thought were Australian which is apparently offensive) and Liz from Young Adventuress moved there and started posting all these awe inspiring Instagrams of mountains and lakes and beaches. Now all I can think about is roaming through fields of lupins before hiking up Mt. Cook.

Indonesia

I’ve been to Indonesia once before. I spent a week in Bali about 4 years ago visiting my friend and former flatmate Claire at her parents’ place on the east side of the island and instantly knew that a week wasn’t enough for just Bali, not to mention the rest of this archipelago. A good friend of mine may move to Jakarta next year and I’d love to have a local show me around that bustling metropolis before relaxing on Gili Trawangan and taking on Mount Rinjani.

China

I spent two and half years in Asia but somehow never made it to China. It was on my original Big Trip itinerary, but eventually got axed because of time constraints. I still have dreams, though, of camping on the Great Wall, eating mapo doufu in Sichaun, and hiking through Tiger Leaping Gorge.

Mongolia

As a testament to how good she is at her job, Liz has convinced me that I not only need to visit New Zealand, but also Mongolia. Her posts about horseback riding through the country have me wanting to drop everything for a couple weeks of unconnected, simple living in yurts.

Iran

Iran is a country that gets one hell of a bad rap in the US. While the government maybe deserves a lot of it, the rest of the country doesn’t. Tales of Iranian hospitality abound and the thousands of years of history have me wanting to explore Iran probably more than any other place. While I’m not too keen on having to take a group tour, Becki’s posts about her trip earlier this year have me convinced that it’s worth the not being able to go solo.

Jordan

I’ve long been interested in the Middle East, but it’s a region that has just never been able to work its way into my travel plans. Jordan seems like the perfect introduction to the region. It’s perfectly safe and home to world famous places like Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea. There’s even a microbrewery! Sounds like the ingredients for an amazingly blog worthy trip.

Italy

This is the one country I can’t quit. As soon as I visit a new city, there are ten more I need to see. Southern Italy, especially, is high on my Italy to-do list. I want to visit my great-grandparents’ former homes in Sicily, explore the city of Matera in Basilicata, and soak up the sun on Puglia’s beautiful beaches. Oh, and eat. Eat a lot.

Spain

There’s one big reason I want to return to Spain- to walk the Camino de Santiago. Jessica spoke so highly of both the natural beauty of the walk and the emotions that surrounded the experience and it inspired me to one day follow this path.

Slovenia

I had planned to visit Slovenia last spring, but when I cut my solo trip short it didn’t make the final cut. Of course, now I can’t flick through Instagram or Bloglovin without seeing a mention of this country which has kind of made me regret my decision. Hopefully I’ll soon be able to wander through Ljubljana’s old town and relax around beautiful Lake Bled.

Iceland

Iceland is one of those countries that I feel like everyone in the travel blogging world has visited and LOVED. Like, there’s no one who’s been to Iceland and even only kind of liked it. I feel like a Ring Road road trip (with hot springs stops and hopefully a Northern Lights sighting) is necessary so I can see if it lives up to the hype.

Cuba

I’ve long wanted to visit this Caribbean island full of vintage cars and beautiful beaches, but it’s fairly inconvenient as an American. And, you know, illegal. Now that the United States is lifting sanctions and making traveling to Cuba easier, I want to get there before it becomes another characterless Caribbean cruise ship port.

(Before you accuse me of being selfish and heartless, I am very happy that economic sanctions are being lifted and hopeful that this means a better life for millions of Cubans.)

Nicaragua

I’ve long dreamed of traveling Central and South America, with Nicaragua topping this list of must visit countries for me. Not only is it cheaper than the ever popular Costa Rice, it’s also chock-full of natural beauty. My potential plans: surfing, yoga, Little Corn Island, Leon, volcano sand boarding. Beachside living paradise. Take me there now, please.

Panama

Two years ago Christine wrote a post about sailing the San Blas Islands and ever since then I’ve known I need to do this sometime in my life. Will 2015 be the year I make my living on a sailboat in the middle of the ocean come true?

Colombia

Colombia’s topped every “You Must Go Here Now” list for about the past 5 years, so obviously I need to go there now. With my chances of being killed or kidnapped by a drug cartel now almost nil, it’s the perfect time to lay on the beaches of Cartagena and go street art hunting in Bogota.

Bolivia

Salar de Uyuuni. The world’s largest salt flat where you can take tons of really cool photos. Enough said.

I know I won’t end up visiting all these places, or even any at all, but these are the countries that will be on my mind as I plan my 2015 travels. Where do you want to go this year?