My 2020 #TTCTop10 Bucket List

Happy New Year! This past year, I was very fortunate to visit several destinations on my 2019 TTC Top Ten List with my family. These amazing travel experiences included staying at a WE village in Kenya, meeting the incredible women at the Iraq Al-Amir Women’s Cooperative in Jordan, seeing the Pyramids in Egypt with Insight Vacations and taking in the stunning beauty of Sri Lanka with Adventure World. In each of the countries, we had opportunities to engage with local people, learn about different cultures and customs and give back to the communities that were so welcoming to us. For me, they also highlighted how fortunate I am to be part of a company (TTC) that so strongly values Making Travel Matter.

Looking ahead to 2020, my list has evolved based on these experiences and recent relocation to the new office in Cypress, California. There are many places to explore from here to sooth my never-ending wanderlust. Given my proximity to the major US National Parks, we can save a flight and join easily join Insight Vacations Great Western Adventure this summer. With a continued focus on Making Travel Matter, I would like to visit the WE Lodge in Ecuador , to assist with a WE Charity sustainable development project. The WE Africa experience was a major highlight of 2019 and had a meaningful impact on all of us. If we happen to be that close in South America, I'd certainly love to see Peru again but this time on the new Uniworld Aria Amazon ship.

On that note, I must say that every year, as I put these TTC Top Ten lists together I am reminded not only about all the amazing places I still need to see but also new ways to see and experiences places you're already been. Although there are many new places on my 2020 (Hawaii with Trafalgar) list, there are also places I would love to return to (like Peru & Sri Lanka) and a couple local places (in California) to explore to ensure I keep seeing the world as a traveller.

Please see my latest 2020 Bucket list below and I hope it inspires you to create your own and make as many of them happen as possible. It's a New Year and a New Decade. Time to get out there and see more of this incredible world!

1. Ecuador - WE initiative  - Looking forward to returning to a WE village to work on development projects and trek through the rainforest.

2. Great Western Adventure - USA National Parks with Insight Vacations - If you can please plan to pick me-up in LA enroute to Santa Barbara that would be terrific :) This extensive 15 day itinerary is perfect!

3. Hawaii, USA Four Island Adventure with Trafalgar. Almost every person I've met so far in California has told me amazing Hawaii is and that "you have to go". Many of them have raved about their experience with Trafalgar, would would an ideal way to experience all 4 islands.

4. Peru & Amazon Uniworld - Here was my first experience at Machu Picchu with Trafalgar a few years ago. It was a beautiful day...

Next time I return hopefully I'll be on this incredible new Uniworld ship to the Peruvian Amazon...

5. Disneyland, California - For local measure and to satisfy the kids latest Mandalorian obsession, a trip to Disneyland to see the new Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge is definitely in order. "That is the way".

6. Botswana - Xigera - I genuinely love travelling to Africa. Here's is one my photos on Safara in Tanzania this past year. In 2020, our RCH Hotel collection is opening a new property in Botswana that is set to be extraordinary. I hope to visit one day.

7. Australia – Northern Territory - Another one of may favourite places in the world is Australia. Although I've lived there and travelled all around Australia, I've never been to the 'Top End' and would love to take a day trip to Kakadu National Park with AAT Kings.

8. Colombia with Contiki I've travelled through most of South America but have not been to Colombia. If I have the chance to go I definitely want to visit our TreadRight initiative to protect the Cotton-Top Tamarins. Contiki has several great options from 9, 12 to 18 Days.

9. Bear Mountain, California- Being a Canadian & a Snowboarder in California means I have to find the Snow & Mountains. A trip up to Big Bear in early 2020 is a must.

10. London, UK - Whenever I travel to London, I try to take some time to walk and explore this city. I always find it inspiring. Years ago, our CEO, Brett Tollman, suggested I check out Borough Market on a Saturday and it was so amazing that I've been numerous times since and told lots of friends & family. (I even bought my Aunt a Cook Book for Christmas) This year, Evan Evans Introduced a Borough Market Tour & Gin Tasting. I would highly recommended this for 2020!

Thanks for taking the time to read through my latest TTC Top 10 List. I hope you've been inspired to check out some new places this year. I certainly look forward to experiencing some of these and will be sharing my photos here and on Insta @dctrips.

Wishing you safe travels and incredible adventures in 2020!

All the best,

Dan

#TTCTop10 #2020 #BucketList