Photo Vacation Bucket List

[THXGEEK]

So....

I turned 61 this year and retirement is 3 years, 1 month and 14 days away (not that I'm counting). As long as the economy and my retirement funds cooperate (and assuming no intervention by the Lottery Gods), I'm starting to plan for the retirement adventures that lay ahead.

There are many sights I have not seen in Northern America. Acadia National Park. The Grand Canyon. Denali in Alaska. Banff in Canada (assuming the Canadians are still speaking to us Yanks). And so on. But I want to take a whole-Earth approach. With my Scottish and Finnish heritage, those wonderful countries are definitely 'in'.....

What photographic journeys have YOU taken that should be on one's 'bucket list'? What lessons have you learned? What would you do (or never do) again?

Thanks!

 

[iamdlewis]

If you want wildlife there are some obvious choices in Kenya, Tanzania (hope to be there in May) and South Africa (I know SA is also great for landscape as it is the one I've been too). If you want birds the Costa Rica to Ecuador area is a must (southern Ecuador has some amazing mountainous sights that I think are underrated).

If you want to get some tropical beaches and landscapes St Johns is great as it has a lot of great beaches and other tropical scenery but best of all as long as you stay away from Cruiz Bay area most of the areas will be lightly populated. There are some great Vrbos on the East End which makes for an awesome sunrise opportunity and there are dozens of places to see sunset.
Trunk Bay - this was like 8am

• SM-G996U
• 5.4 mm

Waterlemon at like 1pm

• SM-G996U
• 5.4 mm

Sunrise from deck of Vrbo

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS (SEL24105G)
• 24.0 mm
• ƒ/9
• 1/400 sec
• ISO 100

 

[GvilleRick]

We just returned from a Viking river cruise and had a great time and I got lots of photos. If you like museums, architecture, history, etc. it is a great experience. I saw lots of castles, cathedrals, and some stunning views of the Wachau Valley in Austria and on the middle Rhine.

We started in Budapest and were docked right below this bridge.

• DSC-RX10M4
• 13.0 mm
• ƒ/3.2
• 1/200 sec
• ISO 6400

There were lots of castle ruins and churches in the Wachau Valley on the Danube. Here is a shot taken from the ship of Durnstein Abbey and the Durnstein Castle ruins on the hill above the town.

• DSC-RX10M4
• 18.2 mm
• ƒ/4
• 1/500 sec
• ISO 400

Another photo taken from a smaller tour boat on the Inn River of Sharding, Austria. I had a canvas print made of this shot.

• DSC-RX10M4
• 8.8 mm
• ƒ/4
• 1/1000 sec
• ISO 200

Photo of the Nave of the Cologne Cathedral, the tallest twin spired cathedral in the world.

• DSC-RX10M4
• 8.8 mm
• ƒ/2.4
• 1/60 sec
• ISO 6400

Windmills in Kinderdjik, The Netherlands.

• DSC-RX10M4
• 13.0 mm
• ƒ/3.2
• 1/100 sec
• ISO 100

Canal in Amsterdam near our hotel.

• DSC-RX10M4
• 16.3 mm
• ƒ/3.2
• 1/160 sec
• ISO 100

 

[Chris 3754]

Wow, amazing pictures from everyone!!!
Would suggest Yellowstone National Park. Also suggest Florida State Parks for birds and alligators. Check out an airboat ride into the Everglades. The boats are low and put you right at the water level.

 

[FowlersFreeTime]

I visited China in the early 2000's, before getting into photography. While its been checked off my bucket list, I'd love to be able to go back and take pics [if they allow it] at several cultural sites such as the Great Wall, Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and Xi'An's terracotta warriors. I have no useful travel advice as it was a family trip and I had no part in the planning.

I went to Japan in 2019 with a brand new A6400, which I did not know how to use. So I ruined many photographic opportunities through ignorance, but there were equally many sites that were covered up for renovation in anticipation of the Olympics (that Covid ruined anyway). So a return trip is more than warranted. Highlights for me were Tokyo, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Kyoto, and I enjoyed Hakone though I didn't see Mt Fuji until we were leaving. Travel advice? If you want to go for cherry blossom season, be prepared for massive crowds. I prefer autumn to see the red maple and a cooler climate, even if the skies are often gray; early-mid November.

On the other side of the world, Scotland was amazing, can't wait to go back. Rent a car, circumnavigate that wonderful country in 2 weeks and take in the sights as you go along. I went in April, it was still cold and drizzly, the heather was not yet in bloom, but it was still quite an experience. If we had gone in summer I hear the midges can be a pain. If anyone knows the ideal time of year to visit, I'm all ears. Oh and the Isle of Sky was worth more than the 24hrs I gave it, so get a nice room in Portree and don't rush the experience.

EDIT: remaining international bucket list locations include South Korea, Greece and the Isles, Amsterdam, and Iceland.

 

[dav1d]

So....

I turned 61 this year and retirement is 3 years, 1 month and 14 days away (not that I'm counting). As long as the economy and my retirement funds cooperate (and assuming no intervention by the Lottery Gods), I'm starting to plan for the retirement adventures that lay ahead.

There are many sights I have not seen in Northern America. Acadia National Park. The Grand Canyon. Denali in Alaska. Banff in Canada (assuming the Canadians are still speaking to us Yanks). And so on. But I want to take a whole-Earth approach. With my Scottish and Finnish heritage, those wonderful countries are definitely 'in'.....

What photographic journeys have YOU taken that should be on one's 'bucket list'? What lessons have you learned? What would you do (or never do) again?

Thanks!

Been working on my bucket list for about 3 years. Just completing a trip in the US, when you go to Grand Canyon, follow this with a trip to monument valley, lake powell, bryce and zion and possibly other trips.

India is a must see and experience, minimise Delhi belly by eating vegetarian curry. Its a big country so we are planning our 2nd trip. Thailand is well worth a visit, going back next year and don't forget a safari to Tanzania or Kenya. The safari experience in South Africa isn't as good as they are mainly in parks. Highly recommend Vietnam.

We've taken private tours but generally prefer small group tours by the likes of intrepid, exodus, explore and g adventures as the guide will show you things you might not otherwise see.

I use my a6600 and generally just take the 18-135 lens with polarising filters but did take the 70-350mm on safari. I've not taken a tripod.

 

[FowlersFreeTime]

I use my a6600 and generally just take the 18-135 lens with polarising filters but did take the 70-350mm on safari. I've not taken a tripod.

This jogged a memory for me: several high traffic places in Japan and China have signs prohibiting selfie sticks and tripods. Best not to even bring them.

 

[THXGEEK]

Wow! So many awesome ideas! Some were on my radar, some were not.

I've cruised the Alaska inner passage twice, but sadly, without my current gear (will happily go back again, but with appropriate land-based excursions). I had not considered the 'river cruises' thru Europe, but that looks like a real option.

The topics and exotic birds are a must, especially since I've lost weight and the tropical heat will be more easily endured.

So I'm thinking that I'll start with the more distant & exotic locations first (Africa, SE Asia, Australia & New Zealand) and save the closer CONUS locations for later (better health and more robust finances in my 60's vs 70's), but who knows. With all the political, economic and climate changes coming fast and furious, I think I'll need to stay flexible and just go when the opportunity is at hand.

Thanks to everyone for their ideas! Keep 'em coming!




Here are few pics from Yellowstone, many years back. My sister had just graduated from the university of Montana with her law degree and we figured we'd visit Yellowstone since we were in the 'hood.

• FinePixS2Pro
• 252.0 mm
• ƒ/5.3
• 1/180 sec
• ISO 200