The world is but a canvas to our imagination.

It is pretty much inevitable to create a bucket list without 80% of your goals being travel related. Let's face it; travel is the ultimate goal for anyone with ANY type of bucket list. Here is a really awesome quiz I came across (thank you Facebook ads), which I was very excited to take and couldn't wait to share my results.

The quiz is called "What's your travel style". According to #MyContiki, it is really important to know what your travel style is, in order to make sure that your travel experiences are life-changing, enriching and ultimately making you happier. Knowing your travel style will not only save you money but will allow you to live fulfilling experiences and help you meet people with similar views and bucket list goals.

The quiz starts with a video explaining what the quiz will do and how it will help you determine "which adventure best suits your travel style". Whether you're a luxury or budget traveler, solo or group adventurer, and city or nature tourist, this quiz will even tell you exactly where you should go!

The first few topics the quiz touches upon are activity preference and things you cannot live without. My preferred activity was obviously boat jumping, since my next travel plan is Yacht Week in Croatia. I then proceeded to choosing sunglasses as the one thing I could not live without. I was torn between my phone and my sunglasses but figured I hate eye wrinkles more than I love #selfies.  

#MyContiki then asks what your ideal evening would be. I was very tempted to choose 'a long leisure meal with LOTS of wine', but ended up going with 'a few sights, a couple bites and some great bars'.

Once I submitted my responses, I was so pleased and excited to know that I was in fact an 'In-depth explorer traveler'. This type of traveler has a strong desire to wander, embrace the unknown and find out more about themselves through the people they meet and places they visit. "I am eager to dive a bit deeper into local life, exploring cultural highlights and food delicacies". 

I couldn't help but think, OH MY GOD, THIS IS SO ME. Following this, I was suggested a 'European Magic', specifically to Spain, Morocco & Portugal, which are all on my 'top 5' list of amazing countries previously visited. 

Go check out this quiz! It takes approximately 5 minutes to complete and with the amount of travel opportunities you get to explore, it is definitely worth your time. 

Did I mention this quiz automatically enters you for the chance to win a trip for two to a European adventure?! I'm an in-depth explorer traveler, what are you? 

Cheers, 

Erika

My Ideal Bucket List

2015 has just started and we are only two months in. I often tell myself "this is my year" and always end up doing the same things with the same people and nothing really changes. I feel like once this is up and publicly available, I'll be more inclined and motivated to pursue my bucket list.

"Every man dies — Not every man really lives."

Now don't get me wrong, my bucket list is NOWHERE near complete as I have mentioned before, it is an ongoing, never ending list...

Henna tattoo from Morocco

1. Travel to all continents

2. Kiss in the rain

3. Go on an African safari

4. Learn to play an instrument

5. Fly a helicopter

6. Ride a gondola in Venice    ✓

7. Go to England

8. Visit Egypt

9. Swim with dolphins

10. Get a henna tattoo    ✓

11. Live in another country    ✓

12. Read of all Gabriel Garcia Marquez' books

13. Bungee jump

Visiting Fontana Di Trevi 

14. Create a non-for-profit

15. Practice Muay Thai in Thailand 

16. Go on a road trip

17. Learn to belly dance

18. Lose 10 pounds

19. Make a wish at the Fontana Di Trevi  ✓

20. Volunteer for a charity in a different country

21. Become a blood donor

22. Adopt a pet

23. Wear a snake around my head

24. Become 100% fluent in French

25. Learn a third Latin language

26. Go whale watching

27. Pay it forward

28. Brew my own beer or make my own wine

29. Plant a tree

30. Dye my hair a crazy colour for 6 months

Feel free to let me know what you think AND most importantly, what I should be adding. I realize a lot of these goals seem big and maybe not do-able in 2015, but a goal isn't all about its completion but how you lead up to it. 

Join me! Today is the perfect day and perfect time for YOU to create your own bucket list! 

All this talk about bucket lists...

Having trouble starting a bucket list?! 

Here are some of my personal pointers on where to start:

1. RESEARCH and start a draft: Think of things you have wanted to do since you were little and start from there. Let go of anything that may limit your bucket list and no matter how crazy and unrealistic your ideas may seem, write them down. 

2. Write a second draft: Don't be thrown off by the fact that your list looks tiny or that it has an incredible amount of goals because everyone's bucket list is different. Reading other people's bucket lists can inspire you to take a certain direction or even give you ideas you may have never imagined. The amazing thing about a bucket list is that it'll never be finished, as you will add ideas as they come. At the same time, if a goal is no longer appealing to you, don't be afraid to erase it.

3. Divide your list: Some people find it easier to divide their list into two; calling them their short-term and long-term lists. This will allow you to focus on smaller things that you can potentially accomplish on a day to day basis and maybe start piggy bank for that plane ticket to Australia.

4. Have a variety of goals: Always target different areas of your life such as finances, values, relationships, health, etc. For example: "Do something kind for someone and expect nothing in return" or "Take an Indian cooking class"

5. Do things that are right for you: It is important that your goals fit with your personality. At the end of the day, you must find meaning in your bucket list, and do things that fit your attitude, suit your needs and allow you to grow as a person. 

6. Show it off: If you're already in the process of creating a bucket list, why not show it off?! It's a great way to be held accountable for the things you say you'd like to do and you never know who you'll inspire with your own dreams and experiences. 

Remember, ALWAYS HAVE FUN! Your bucket list is your personal way of achieving your goals and it is all about YOU.

Hope you use these helpful pointers. Stay tuned, I'll be posting my personal bucket list next week!

Cheers, 

Erika

"When in Rome, do as the Romans do"

"When in Rome, do as the Romans do" and everyone pretty much knows what the saying means. In this case, it represents the immersion of a tourist into the culture of the country he/she is visiting. I am so excited to share with you the most amazing and life changing traveling experience I've had so far. An experience that I hope will not only cause you a tiny feeling of jealousy, but will also motivate you to book yourself a flight to Morocco :)

I first decided I NEEDED to go to Morocco, when I watched Sex and The City 2. When Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda found themselves riding camels across the desert, I knew that would be me one day. And so, while studying abroad in France, I booked a flight to Morocco.

Samantha, Charlotte, Carrie and Miranda on Sex and The City 2

My friend Carlie and I had planned the most perfect trip, which surprisingly went according to plan. When we finally arrived at The Riad Marrakech Rouge Hostel, my expectations were more than exceeded. Our hostel was perfectly decorated to provide a Moroccan feel and was set up in a way that allowed for togetherness and comfort among all tourists.

My friend Carlie and I at the Riad Marrakech Rouge 

We were welcomed in by whom we continued to call the hostel's "Butler". He made us tea and dinner every night as well as offered us the very traditional Moroccan Shisha. We had booked tons of tours and were eager for them to start, beginning with Africa's second tallest water falls and continuing to Ait Ben Haddou; the famous filming location for The Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia and The Mummy among other movies.

Ait Ben Haddou

Our second day had finally arrived and we embarked on the most epic tour; camel riding into the desert to camp there for the night. We began our journey by driving 3 hours from Marrakech to Zagora where we spent the night, out in the open beneath the sand dunes. During this trip, I got to experience Berber culture and made tons of life-long friendships.

Alibaba & Me :)

Experiencing Moroccan culture gave me a different outlook on life; watching people live comfortably day-by-day, not relying on technology and social media, but rather washing their clothes in the river, and making hair dye from scratch (I really should've learned).

I'm still fairly new at blog writing, so I'm sure this post does not come close to doing my trip any justice. It was the trip of a life time and if I could, I would do it over and over again. Experiencing a different culture is, in my opinion, essential to having and keeping an open mind.

If you're anything like me, I highly suggest you put this on your bucket list. On this trip, what I was more eager to do was immerse myself in the wardrobe, customs, language, food and overall Moroccan culture, and that, I definitely did.

When in Rome...

The total cost of our 4-day Moroccan experience was 230 euros which included a round-trip flight from Spain and Morocco, tours, hostel stay, food and drinks as well as a bit of shopping. This may seem expensive for your average backpacker, however you surely get what you pay for.

If you are interested in staying at this amazing hostel and embarking on similar adventures, feel free to visit http://www.marrakechrouge.com/. Want more details? Shoot me a message :)

Travel, food, entertainment, and MUCH, MUCH MORE

Wow, my first blog post ever, this should be interesting.

I have spent all day on Google trying to figure out what to tell you about my blog. Most "Intro to blog" sections began with, "Hello, my name is Chelsea, and I am a life coach". Let me stop you there, I am NOT a life coach. I don't pretend to be a life guru, nor am I an expert on traveling, trying new food or reading new books. I am however, a wanderlust fiend with a need for knowledge and new experiences.

As the author of this blog, my goal is to attempt to show you  my experiences through the use of words. I am a 22 year-old girl, so I admit my experiences are still very limited, however I'd like to think I've experienced a lot more than some people dream to in a life time.

This blog challenges the traditional bucket list as it is not limited to traveling and jumping off a plane as "things to do before you die". I have yet to decide on a structure for this blog, and I have a feeling I may not have one. As I write this blog, not only am I offering my insight and my experiences, but I am also taking steps towards fulfilling my own bucket list. I will include posts on past as well as future experiences.

1. Do you have a constant need to travel?
2. Do you feel like there's so much more to life?
3. Can't wait to experience the world?
4. Have already planned life experiences from now until you're 90?

Then you're just like me and you will love my blog! Should you continue to read it and want to know more about me or my posts, please feel free to contact me through Facebook, Email, Twitter or Instagram. I hope to provide good reads and would be more than happy to share more information on anything you see on My Ideal Bucket List.