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Wales Online

Entertainment

Sarah Lumley

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

Europe Italy England Iceland Lake Como Accor BRIT (Geopolitical Entity) Germany Pompeii Spain

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: