One of my top places to visit, because I've been talking about going since I was a senior in high school with a best friend German exchange student. We've stayed in touch for more than 17 years and reuniting with her is long overdue. Not to mention, having a private tour guide who happens to know everything and everywhere we NEED to go, is everything I've ever dreamed of!

My life changed when I found out the Cuban heritage I thought I was, was actually very much Sicilian in 2016... I was Italian? It explained a lot! 43% to be exact of southern Italian makeup, and 4% of Greek and Albania DNA. We are a family who loves Italian cuisine. While searching for ancestors that never left home, we are excited to visit Mount Etna, the islands of Ortigia, Isole Dello Stagnone, see the ancient theatre of Taormina, and the Valle den Temple. The Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto and as many beaches we can fit into our schedule.

If the food doesn't inspire you, having Greek friends will. I LOVE my Greek friends... Like love them beyond words. Show up at a Greek Orthodox Easter and when her dad offers your then boyfriend a lamb's eyeball I was convinced I needed to go, and hopefully with them! On our bucket list of things to do, we hope to hike the trails of Fira-Oia, Visit Amoudi Bay and Kamari Beach, Visit Perissa Black Sand Beach, see the Akrotiri Archaeological site as well as Ancient Thera. Also on our list is the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and tour by Santorini cable car.

I think I was watching the Kardashian’s sometime in 2011. The one episode where Kim lost her NEW diamond earrings above one of those villas on top of the blue lagoon. I remember thinking, ‘I didn’t know places like this existed.’ Knowing I NEEDED to experience it one day. I added the four seasons resort in where I can basically live in paradise for a week or longer with my own private pool underneath the Tahitian night sky, and even hang with a marine biologist in admiration of marine life. Call me crazy, but I don’t think there is anything better I can give my children than to learn from hands on experiences rather than from a textbook alone.

It's ICONIC! I went into Freshmen year of high school determined to learn and I just couldn't get the hang of it. It's way more difficult to do when you spent your early school life learning how to articulate English well enough let alone they didn't prepare you for another language. Things we want to do? I dream of the museums, the Cathedral of Notre- Dame de Paris, Sainte Chapelle, the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe top the list as well as the Louvre Museum, Montmarte, the Seine River and so much more.

True story: I became Catholic in 2010 after asking God to work his magic. I'll never tell you who to believe in, I don't even discuss religion or politics, but Rome became one of those places I said I needed to see at least once in my lifetime. I want nothing more than for my kids and I to see the ancient ruins of Pantheon, the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. We'll visit the Piazza Novona, Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, Trevi Fountain, and enjoy the night life and lights of Trastevere and Museo Nazionale di Castel Sant' Angelo.

I struggled in History classes through school. It wasn't until after that I became OBSESSED with the History channel and visually learning about world history. The Giza Pyramids Complex that holds one of the Seven Wonders of the World the Great Pyramid of King Khufu is one of those early on stories I remember watching that sent chills down my spine with curiosity. I want my kids to experience it first hand so when they do learn about it in school they can put what they saw to practice. There we will visit the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, the Nile River, maybe even use atv's and camels to get around.

Have you seen EAT, LOVE, PRAY with Julia Roberts? If not I highly recommend it. It is by far one of the best most insightful movies of my life. It made me wish I could leave my life and spend the entirety of my savings on travel. While I would like for Bali to be moved up further on my bucket list, it is a place I wouldn't mind going to for bug bites if I got to come home with a renewed spirit, greater appreciation for life, and a new found peace of mind.

I remember seeing someone snorkeling in a magazine highlighting the "Soft Coral Capital of the World." I remember thinking how amazing would it be to raft down the pacific harbor and beqa lagoon. I want to chase incredible waterfalls, and kayak on top of the crystal clear ocean.

Anne Frank is one of my earliest memories of history that I actually enjoyed learning about. I have seen every History channel documentary and stayed up to date with the remaining survivors and prosecutions of the surviving Nazi's.I would love nothing more than to visit the Prinsengracht or the Anne Frank House where diarist Anne Frank and her family hid from the Nazis for two years after fleeing persecution in Germany.

Oh... I want to see the churches and the incredible colorful buildings. I want to see the mountains from the beach, and experience ALL the food and wine I cannot even begin to imagine. I want to ride the cable cars, watch for whales and dolphins... I want to ride in one of the crazy basket cars... If you've never heard of it I recommend googling it for yourself!

If you are an Outlander fan, than you already know that Scotland needs to be on your bucket list. I was pregnant with my youngest when I found it and became hooked. I'm talking I binged four seasons in three weeks or less. I watched so many in my third trimester in the middle of winter that when I went outside I was surprised too see roads and cars. I know that sounds crazy but that's how invested I was. Outside of finding Jamie Frasier, I want to see the castles, museums, and explore the 24% of my DNA Story (thank you ancestry DNA).

Ancestry DNA isn't specific in identifying how much "English and Northwestern Europe" you are. With that being said, 24% of my being NEEDS to see the all the English Monarchy History. YES... This too I am completely obsessed with. I want to tour Windsor Castle. I want to see Mama Mia live, visit Harry Potter London, and fall completely in love with the accent and architecture.

If you were to tell me that I could sleep in the sea I'd sign up in a heartbeat. Just to roll out of bed and immediately submerge myself into the clear blue sea, I'd RUN to the airport. I want to eat dinner under the sea watching the fish swim above me. I want to relax underwater at the spa, visit as many beaches and islands as I can, and walk around the local markets.

If you're a fan of The Little Mermaid, one of Copenhagen's most iconic tourist attractions is the sculpture of The Little Mermaid. Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s famous fairy tale and brought to life by Disney! There is far more though to explore including zoos, and Denmark's National Aquarium, Castles and palaces of Danish royalty, and Bakken--the oldest amusement park in the world. 

Disney's RIO is a HUGE hit in our family and absolutely inspired this bucket list destination. Home to some of the world's kindest people, beautiful beaches, and even tropical rain forest. My US soccer players want to experience futebol first hand in Brazil. We want to spend time in Cabo at the beach, check out the city from the Ariel view and by train, as well as experience Selaron Steps, Christ the Redeemer Statue, and Tijuca National Park.

In first grade, my littles did a "Christmas around the world" lesson plan. I believe this is when my son was REALLY interested in learning more about other cultures. In Sweden I think we are all excited to see the once sunken Vasa ship in Stockholm 1628 that was salvaged after 333 years. We have seen that the cinnamon rolls are the best at Haga, the music at Lund Cathedral around noon is incredible. Also on our list is visiting the beautiful castles and palaces, spending time at the beaches.

Photo credit: Earth

I'd be lying if I said that this is a destination I choose for us as a multicultural family in appreciation of Nelson Mandela's fight towards a multiracial democracy. Here the beaches are BEAUTIFUL, and for 87 years the best way to see Cape Town is by cable car. The historical harbor and shopping experience, and visit the Kirstenbosch Gardens. Despite my awful anxiety around heights, I think visiting the first botanical garden in the world robe declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site is worth it.

Another one of the seven wonders of the world is Petra, Jordan. Since I was a kid, we drove through the mountains of Tennessee to get to Florida. Seriously, big whoop compared to the incredible civilization of the Nabataean Arabs who carved an entire city IN THE ROSE COLORED MOUNTAINS! The ancient city of which is only 15%ish uncovered dates back to the first and second century BC and is pretty advanced for that time. It was once considered to be the “Lost City” that was filmed during Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

In 2014 I went to Cancun, however while there I swore up and down I’d go back with my kids. It was amazing. It was beautiful, the ocean was crystal clear, and the country’s people were so incredibly kind. While we didn’t do any real adventuring beyond swimming with dolphins, I absolutely want to explore the history and culture of Mexico. I mean, Mexico has approximately 193 archaeological sites—possibly more hidden in the jungle or under the asphalt of bigger cities. Beaches, and waterfalls, whale and turtle watching, mountains, volcanos… Wildlife, and what I’ve newly discovered are a lot of the resorts are becoming more and more ecofriendly. As we work within our bucket list, of bucket lists, Mexico has one of the new seven wonders of the world which is the Chichen Itza or the Mayan ruins. The pyramid takes up the site’s center, and is roughly 1,500 years old and was built as a home to Mayan people from all areas of the Yucatan Peninsula. There was an underground source of fresh water.

The World Heritage Convention describes the Taj Mahal as an immense mausoleum of white marble, built in Agra between 1631 and 1648 by order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, the Taj Mahal is the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage. It is the greatest architectural achievement in the whole range of Indo-Islamac Architecture. By the description if you haven’t guessed it, the Taj Mahal is one of the seven wonders of the world for the aesthetic qualities in balance, symmetry. It honestly gives me all of the Aladdin vibes and in Agra India we’ll see forts created of red sandstone, Jahangir’s Palace, Tumbs, taste traditional cuisine like spicy chaat, and all the things we’ve never tried. I’m pretty excited to shop the local street markets, and so much more.

In addition to the food and culture we are most excited about experiencing in Spain, we are also excited to see the cathedrals and churches. The Expiatory Church of the Sagrada Familia is one of the top places I'd like us to visit for perspective and acknowledgement that our own smallness & insignificance compared to something so great. The Bioparc Valencia zoo, the Volcan El Teide, even to walk up to the Castillo de Santa Barbara. While the beaches are always and forever on our bucket list, in Spain one of the trips we've decided on is the Siam park water park.

We hate our winters in Ohio, and we love warm sunny beaches. Antartica is quite the opposite Even during their summer we're looking at temps being between 20-50 degrees. How'd it make our bucket list? Two words: WHALE WATCHING! I do feel it's fair to share that this one is not just a costly travel adventure, BUT one that is life changing. The packing list for this one is also more out of the ordinary and may require lots of layers as you can imagine.

I cannot even begin to tell you the excitement we'll have when we visit Barbados. We'll hit up first and second street for food and shopping, check out sealife in the Atlantis Submarine, take some surfing lessons, and island hop! There are incredible caves that we can also check out. We're talking We love food almost as much as we love a good entertainment so Barbados combines them all to create a Beach Extravaganza Dinner Show!

Have you ever seen the 2006 American Drama Take the Lead? It’s one of a couple movies that inspired me to go to school to become a teacher. More importantly I fell in love with the seductive intense tango dance. Argentina is not only the birthplace of tango but is filled with culture that will take you back to 1858. First and foremost, I’ve heard the food in Argentina is to die for and for as many years as I’ve avoided eating red meat, it’s like I was saving for this one experience! I’m so excited to walk along the river front of Puerto Madero, visit the historic sites, parks, and gardens.

I’ve for a long time received Travel + Leisure magazines and stored them for when I gather groups together for vision board workshops. Machu Picchu is one of those magazine worthy places you don’t forget seeing. The low elevation and preparation to see the religious, ceremonial, urban creation of the Inca Empire built in the fifteenth century. It’s no wonder that Machu Piccu is one of the wonders of the world since it went about 400+ years before being discovered by the outside world. Mysteries remain unsolved surrounding Machu Picchu and the role it played in the Incans’ greater understanding of astronomy and domestication of wild plant species. Imagine learning first hand as a kid by seeing this not only in text books or on google but in person.

23% of my makeup is rooted back to the celtic folklore and spirit of hospitality. I am such a sucker for accents, and luckily Ireland has several dialects of the Irish language. Before discovering how Irish I was, I remember seeing something on TravelZoo’s website advertising a castle tour? I immediately became intrigued and determined to go. Can you imagine taking your kids to Giant’s Causeway and telling them that long ago these strange rock columns were built by giants? Can you imagine finding waterfalls tucked away from the coast, walking through beautiful untouched green valleys and standing on top of these peaks or mountains looking out for miles at the ocean? What about instead of Costco’s Irish stew, you get to try the real thing at an eighteenth-century market? Drink tea in a castle and try Ireland’s deep tradition of whiskey??? Not the kids, but maybe I’d give it a taste for educational purposes that is.

Disney released Encanto and our lives will never be the same. We talk about Bruno, ok. We LOVE Bruno, no, no, no! You guessed it, Bruno himself inspired us to hopefully one day take a trip to Puerto Rico and experience the history, culture, FOOD, beaches, mountains, beaches, and food. How amazing would it be to experience a festival celebration around the island during the summer, or even lay low in the tropical rain forest? El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest that is part of the U.S. national Forest System. I live for good food and the street food? I heard its even better. You can drink coconut water straight from the coconut all while relaxing on an island by the bioluminescent bay. The country is filled with 500+ years of history and island heritage and I almost feel bad for my mouth-watering thinking about the authentic food and incredible Spanish colonial architecture. It’s a way of life with beautiful vibrant rich colors and culture.

Take us on a crazy trust zipline through the jungle, rock wall climbs or whatever its called where you lower yourself down through a waterfall. Give me meat pies for every meal, and send me home with Marie Sharp Pepper Sauce. We want to see the Altun Ha and The Olde belize River, Shark Ray Alley, and veg on a secret beach for as long as we’re allowed. Seriously we want all the adventure we can find including cave tubing, snorkeling taking a boat out into the beautiful blue sea.

The sky may be the clearest darkest and most breathtaking experience in New Zealand and even offer tours just to see it in its best light. Unlike the beaches we’re used to, hot water beaches offer a jacuzzi like experience, whale-watching all year long. Milford Sound offers waterfalls for our ever growing list and is an incredible place to be one with your own thoughts… every moms dream! Unlike Alaska’s Northern lights, We’ll watch the southern lights (or Aurora Borealis), that are for sky admirers like we are. Waitomo Caves also offers an incredible “little mermaid” like magical experience with a “glow worm grotto. It is guided on a boat through a cave with thousands of glow worms that make 

There are these hanging suspension bridges in Costa Rica that are high in the tree-tops. I’m sure my hands will sweat profusely holding onto the rope rails… and I pray I don’t chicken out in front of my kids. La Fortuna/Arenal and Mistico hanging Briges Park as well as Sky Adventures Hanging Bridges Arenal Park are the two where you’ll do the sky walk activity. There is an incredible view of a volcano, the rainforest and ocean and it is just something I pray that I can get through without losing my lunch… or breakfast… or both.

Talk about Lakes… If you know someone who loves lakes more than the ocean, you need to plan your trip to Switzerland ASAP! You have Lake Zurich and Geneva, Lucerne, Lugano in the hills and mountains of the Swiss Italian border to choose from. I personally fell in love with The Matterhorn, and the mountains reflection in the bluest of blue’s lake. I want to walk in the street of both Old City and Old Town as well as see the Chillon Castle, Rhine Falls, and take a train ride to a high-altitude glacier (Jugfraujoch). As a proud bread and cheese lover, we—except for our two dairy allergy kids will enjoy all the fondue we can stand, leeks with potatoes and sausage and things we have no clue how to pronounce.

My earliest fondest memories of paradise include that of Hawaii. My aunt and uncle were stationed there with the Air Force long before I was ever thought of. I have long dreamed of visiting the Pearl Harbor Museum, paddle boarding and building sand castles with my littles without a care in the world. I imagined we’d see volcanos, my more nimble children would learn how to surf and we might even see a humpback whale or two. Seriously I remember watching Full House on one of those TGIF nights when the Beach Boys made a guest appearance, and a Brady Bunch rerun when they vacationed in Hawaii. I cannot tell you why, but it is something engrained in my soul, that I need to be where the water is!

Again I am a sucker for vegging in front of the TV watching the history channel. I’ve seen everything conspiracy theory related to JFK and how First Lady Jackie Kennedy wanted him to have an eternal flame to all the Abraham Lincoln burial kidnapping "things." I want to see the Washington DC Monuments lit up at night, and for my children and I to take the African-American History Museum tour. 

As a multiracial family, there were great strides our nation, really our world has taken how much further we have to go. I want them to be proud of who they are… Black, white and Italian. I want them to know who pioneered the way for us to be where we are. I want to us to climb the steps to Capitol Hill, and in our family, a trip wouldn’t be a trip without some kind of wildlife… or hopes that maybe, just maybe Night at the Museum happens when we are there. Sign us up right now for the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. I want to see the Lincoln Memorial, and most of all visit the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Being from Ohio, the birth place of aviation, I wouldn’t mind seeing the National Air and Space Museum, and so much more.

I can’t say it without singing, Aruba, Jamaica, ooh I wanna take ya Bermuda, Bahama, come on pretty mama, Key Largo, Montego, baby why don’t we go… we’ll get there fast and then we’ll take it slow… That’s where I want to go, way down to kokomo. I think it’s fair to say Aruba had me at island paradise… I just want to wander down the beaches, admire the scenery of the mountains and volcanos, and adventure in the caves and natural pool.

A lot of what I aspire to do is create tradition within families. Jamaica does just that and not only believes it takes a village but is rooted in generational living. If ever there was a family destination to experience that and screams family, its here! Maybe I love the beach so much because I’m able to disconnect and lose track of time. I want to feel the beat of reggae, not to worry and be happy. I want to experience the culture of Jamaica, see the breathtaking landscapes, and eat all the jerk food I can find. I want to watch the sun set on the ocean. zipline over the forest and climb our way to the top of waterfalls. Something we’ve never done but sounds better to do in Jamaica… horseback riding on the beach and in the ocean.

If you are looking for a tropical place to go with white sandy beaches, Nassau is the place. It made our bucket list for just that. The crystal clear water, getting in the water with hundreds of sting rays, snorkel alongside turtles older than our grandparents (or great grandparents). A seaside adventure with kayaking, sailing for a day and leaping into the most beautiful turquoise water… and maybe even fishing.

Hear me out, I know this sounds bazar considering I love beaches and warm weather. We all do really, I have one kid who lives in shorts year around without complaining or batting an eye. So why Alaska? One reason for starters is the Northern Lights. I have heard and seen them on TV, but I’ve read they are even more breathtaking in person. I wouldn’t mind telling friends I learned how to ski or snowboard in Alaska, seeing the dog sledding or even riding on one, checking out the glacier tours, rafting, and hiking. Alaska has incredible whale watching tours, and I know what you’re probably thinking… what about the food???? The food is absolutely on my TO DO list. Alaskan crab legs overlooking Mount Alyeska nearly 2,300 feet above sea level? I’ll bring my gum so our ears don’t pop!

On our quest for traveling all the places our hearts can imagine, doing things we have another bucket list we can conquer at the same time. Since knowing I was having a son, I've wanted to hit as many US ball park stadiums as humanly possible. Thirty in total, and the one I really cannot wait to visit is Fenway Park in Boston. Home of the Boston Red Sox in 1912 it is iconic. I am beyond excited to do all the touristy things with the kids including checking out The Freedom Trail landmarks. The pedal-powered swan boat rides will more than likely wear everyone out after whale watching. The historic harbors and local markets are also something I’m pretty excited to see in person as well as riding the train, going to the New England Aquarium and Franklin Park Zoo.

I wont lie, this one has come up a couple of times. The most recent time, American Girl was brought up as the reason and NEEDING one of our dolls to have a doll best friend. Lucky for me, one of my greatest friends is from the area, and her daughters are Loyola graduates. I’d like to think they wouldn’t let us leave home until we’ve experienced all the must do’s Chicago has to offer. For starters I’ve been told there is a pretty incredible children’s museum, I’m positive the kids would go crazy for segway tours, maybe take a private yacht… and I’m sure I’d be in trouble if we left out American Girl. We’ve never had Chicago style pizza, but like most families, our family does not discriminate when it comes to pizza. We love them all.

I’ve traveled through Florida more times than I can count over the last almost 36 years… But I have never been to Key West. I’ve been told its crowded, but beautiful. The beach is gorgeous, the sand is soft, and the food is delicious. The history buff inside me is excited for the train’s conductor stories as we’re chugging along the bottom of Florida. What is often considered the fishing mecca, I think my crew will be more excited than I am about bating and casting our line into the ocean. As much as I love nature and marine life, I prefer not to you know… bait and hook them.

I wonder if there is a way to travel throughout California and see all its wonders over a two-week span? Maybe we’ll backpack through California before attempting to do that in Europe? Hypothetically we were to do this, my goal for us would be to see the most iconic landmark in cinematic history, the Hollywood sign. We’d catch a couple baseball games, visit the Big Sur and watch the waves crash against the cliffs and check out Venice Beach Boardwalk. I’ve heard things about Death Valley National Park and while the name frightens me along with the conditions (dry, hot, and snakes oh my), I would have to say the landscapes I’ve seen photographed there look incredible. Santa Cruz vineyards wine tastings for mama, Disneyland of course, and eventually end up in Malibu to check out local surfers and maybe give it a go us.

Winchester’s Mystery House is a spooktacular “to-do” if I can convince my kids along with Alcatraz Island… IF they are still doing tours. We take annual pictures that naturally I put on Christmas cards, and I’d think Lake Tahoe would be the best place for those to happen. Underneath an incredible sunrise or sun set? Oh its gorgeous. Glass beach is I’m thinking a sheller’s dream. Sequoia National Park and their redwood trees, Fisherman’s Wharf, and another Florida but now in California favorite, Universal Studios Hollywood.

Our attempt at chasing waterfalls doesn’t end because we’re in California, I’m thrilled to see Burney Falls or the once called eighth wonder of the world by Theodore Roosevelt and hike the untouched wilderness at Anacapa Island. Like many of the other places we cannot wait to go, we always find a little bit of comfort from the zoo’s at home (Cincinnati and Columbus). San Diego Zoo, Turtle Bay Exploration Park and Monterey Bay Aquarium top our list with additional things to do.

Something that has remained on my personal bucket list that has never waivered is going to New York City during the holiday season. I want to see the most beautiful Christmas tree in time square lit up, attempt to ice skate, and maybe even spin around those revolving doors like Buddy the elf did. YES, we are those people who love Christmas and watch Elf no matter the time of year. Being that I love genealogy and learning about our ancestry, The statue of Liberty and Ellis Island tours are calling my name. If you’ve never signed up on ancestry.com let alone DNA, you have to do it! It is so incredible to see your ancestor’s names who came over, denounced their king or rulers from their origin and believed in America’s freedom and opportunity. Another incredible place I am excited to work up the courage for is Edge Observation deck and or Summit One Vanderbilt experience.

As a freshmen in high school watching 9/11 happen, I’ll never forget the sadness I felt and fear of the future on that day. Then, as a senior I wasn’t able to afford to take the class trip everyone went on. I want my children to grow up with so much respect and appreciation for first responders and our military, not only for what they did on that day and those after but the sacrifice they make day in and day out for us to live the life we choose. With that being said I want to visit the 9/11 ground zero tour, memorial and museum, one world observatory. And you better believe New York style cheesecake and pizza are at the top of our restaurant lists. Not lastly, but maybe for this post, I want us to take a horse drawn carriage ride in Central Park and relive another one of the greatest movies of all times, home alone and the central park schenanagans Kevin got himself into.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t there an OG cast of the real world/road rules in Seattle? Didn’t someone catch salmon? I may be thinking of someplace else. Oh, the things we will do in Seattle. I’ve for one, heard it rains a lot, so we’ll bring ponchos. We must see the 605’ tall space needle, ride on the Seattle center monorail, and check out the Pacific Science Center. HELLLLLO Tropical Butterfly House! I’m psyched out of my mind to drink my favorite coffee at its place of origin, go to the aquarium, and ride across Puget Sound, one of 22 Washington State Ferries. With nervousness We’ll ride the Seattle great wheel, visit the Museum of Flight and pay homage to our Ohio loving aviation roots at the Future of Flight Aviation Center. Do not mistake me when I say this but catching a Mariners game is a MUST, and stroll down Pioneer Square.