European travel bucket list revealed - with the Northern Lights topping the list

Brits’ European bucket list includes seeing the Northern Lights, the Eiffel Tower and Scotland’s Loch Ness. A poll of 2,000 adults found Italy is a place people are keen to visit, with Pompeii, Lake Como and the Colosseum taking up three of the top four in the ultimate wish list.

Destinations such as Iceland’s Blue Lagoon, Germany’s Black Forest and our very own Stonehenge are also sought after. Three in 10 adults (29 per cent) currently have a bucket list of sites and places they want to visit, which they predict will typically take 11 years to complete.

The research, commissioned by ALL – Accor Live Limitless - Accor’s lifestyle loyalty program, found seeing the Northern Lights was the bucket list experience most Brits are wander-lusting for, and top destinations people want to visit include Rome, Athens and Barcelona. Travellers want to do more than just see a place, they want to be part of the destination and dream of experiences including travelling on the Orient Express, sledging with huskies in Lapland and sailing around Greek islands.

On average, 37 per cent of the typical bucket list is European and 34 per cent admitted there are plenty of places in Europe they are yet to explore. (© Paul Zizka /SWNS.COM)

Castles are the number one landmark people are most interested in seeing when they travel, followed by wild nature, and bodies of water. On average, 37 per cent of the typical bucket list is European and 34 per cent admitted there are plenty of places in Europe they are yet to explore.

Accor’s spokesperson, Luc Gesvret, said: “It’s great to see how much of a Brits’ bucket list is inspired by Europe and the desire to discover incredible destinations and experiences just a few hours away. Now travel is back people want to travel more than ever and have been dreaming of bucket list experiences which they can now, finally, make happen.

“People agree that having a travel wish list inspires them and gives them something to look forward to and one in five polled Brits already have bucket list trips planned and booked in the next year. Whether your travel is food focused, you’re motivated by adventures, or you prefer to see historical sites, there is something for everyone to explore and enjoy in Europe. ”

The study also found the top places and landmarks people have already seen are the Eiffel Tower, Stonehenge and the Roman Baths. Brits predict their bucket list – which on average contains 22 things – would set them back £13,368.

Almost a third (32 per cent) would rather see a natural sight when travelling compared to just eight per cent who opt for manmade landmarks.

Similarly, 22 per cent would like to go on holiday where they learn something or feel they’ve ‘bettered’ themselves. A fifth (21 per cent) believe having a bucket list or travel wish list is good for their mental health as it makes them feel inspired and gives them something to look forward to.

During the typical year, Brits visit an average of three European destinations and 21 per cent are planning to tick something off their bucket list in the next 12 months. When it comes to traveller types, 39 per cent feel they are relaxed, while 35 per cent describe themselves as cultured and 31 per cent believe they are outdoorsy.

A further 26 per cent travel for food and 26 per cent seek adventure. Since the pandemic, 16 per cent of those polled via OnePoll have wanted to see more of Europe.

Luc Gesvret, from Accor, which is offering a giveaway where members can win a million points – worth €20,000, added: "Seeing as the average bucket list will cost over £13,000, that’s a lot of bucket list travel to enjoy in Europe.”

BRIT’S EUROPEAN BUCKET LIST:

1. Northern Lights - Iceland/Norway
2. Pompeii - Italy
3. Lake Como - Italy
4. Colosseum - Italy
5. Giant's Causeway - Northern Ireland
6. Acropolis of Athens - Greece
7. Eiffel Tower - France
8. The Blue Lagoon - Iceland
9. Leaning Tower of Pisa - Italy
10. Auschwitz - Poland
11. Vatican City - Italy
12. Loch Ness - Scotland
13. Lake Geneva - Switzerland
14. Trevi Fountain - Italy
15. The Black Forest - Germany
16. Bran Castle (Dracula's Castle) - Romania
17. Grand Canal - Italy
18. Stonehenge - England
19. The Azores - Portugal
20. Geysir - Iceland The Matterhorn - Switzerland
21. The Roman Baths - Bath, England
22. Anne Frank Museum - Amsterdam
23. Arthur's seat Edinburgh - Scotland
24. The Duomo, Florance - Italy
25. Tivoli Gardens - Denmark
26. Brandenburg Gate - Germany
27. Mermaid Statue - Copenhagen
28. Durdle Door - England
29. Buckingham Palace, England
30. Normany Beaches - France
31. Neuschwanstein Castle - Germany
32. Caucasus Mountains - Georgia
33. Shakespeare's Stratford - England
34. Landwasser Viaduct Bridge - Switzerland
35. Arc de Triomphe - France
36. Sagrada Familia - Spain
37. Checkpoint Charlie - Berlin
38. Lake Constance - Austria
39. The Hague - Netherlands
40. Montmartre - Paris
41. Lokrum Island - Croatia
42. The Vienna Hofburg - Austria
43. Ancient city of Caceres - Spain
44. Cliffs of Moher - Ireland
45. Duomo di Milano Milan - Italy
46. Park Guell - Barcelona
    
47. Vipava Valley - Slovenia
48. Maritime Greenwich - England
49. Szechenyi Bath - Budapest
50. Comporta - Portugal

TOP 10 DESTINATIONS BRITS WANT TO VISIT:

1. Rome, Italy
2. Florence, Italy
3. Athens, Greece
4. Venice, Italy
5. Barcelona, Spain
6. Vienna, Austria
7. Naples, Italy
8. Madrid, Spain
9. Lisbon, Portugal
10. Amsterdam, Netherlands

TOP 10 EXPERIENCES BRITS WANT TO HAVE:

1. See the Northern Lights
2. Travel on the Orient Express
3. Stay in an ice hotel in Norway
4. Sledge with huskies in Lapland
5. Sail around Greek Islands
6. Climb the steps at Giant's Causeway in Ireland
7. Ride a water Taxi in Venice
8. Pay respects at Auschwitz
9. Swim in the Blue Lagoon, Iceland
10. Tour a vineyard in Italy