Asia — Bucket List

Balance neon cities, serene temples, onsen baths, and seasonal cuisine of Japan

Explore the diverse continent of Asia, home to ancient cultures, modern cities, and natural wonders

Feast on street eats, admire temples, and sail limestone bays of Thailand

Taste street food, sleep in temples, and stroll neon cityscapes of South Korea

Walk the Great Wall, imperial palaces, and karst rivers of China

Sail karst bays, wander noodle-scented alleys, and emerald highlands of Vietnam

Ride peak trams, browse neon markets, and hike island trails of Hong Kong

Straddle Byzantine domes, Cappadocia chimneys, and turquoise coasts of Turkey

Taste hawker stalls, walk rainforest canopies, and city skylines of Malaysia

Island-hop volcanoes, rice terraces, and coral gardens of Indonesia

Island-hop rice terraces, limestone lagoons, and fiesta-bright towns of the Philippines

Span onion-domed skylines, taiga rails, and imperial art treasures of Russia

Trace temple cities, Himalayan foothills, spice bazaars, and coastal calm of India

Trek Himalayan trails, prayer-flag passes, and courtyard temples of Nepal

Ride tea-country trains, explore temple cities, and spot leopards of Sri Lanka

Leap between desert dunes, skyline icons, and pearl-diving heritage of the UAE

Sample night markets, hike marble gorges, and coastlines of Taiwan

Unwind in over-water villas, turquoise lagoons, and coral gardens of the Maldives

Blend desert dunes, dhow-lined corniche, and museum-rich districts of Qatar

Watch Angkor sunrise, floating villages, and lively Phnom Penh of Cambodia

Uncover rose-red Petra, Wadi Rum desert skies, and Dead Sea shores of Jordan

Toast qvevri wines, hike Caucasus trails, and soak sulfur baths of Georgia

Roam sweeping steppes, Tian Shan peaks, and bold skylines of Kazakhstan

Trace Nabatean canyons, Red Sea reefs, and date-palm oases of Saudi Arabia

Marvel at tiled mosques, desert caravanserais, and poetic hospitality of Iran

Visit Macau, a Special Administrative Region of China known for its unique blend of Portuguese and Chinese heritage. Explore the Ruins of St. Paul's (the iconic facade of a 17th-century church), try Macanese egg tarts (a famous pastry with a flaky crust and creamy filling), and see the Grand Lisboa Casino (a landmark hotel and casino with a lotus-shaped design).

Explore fire temples, Caspian skylines, and Caucasus villages of Azerbaijan

Ride open steppe, eagle festivals, and Gobi desert of Mongolia

Drift Inle stilt villages, temple-studded plains, and teak lanes of Myanmar

Ride jailoo pastures, mountain lakes, and yurt-dotted valleys of Kyrgyzstan

Drift Sundarbans mangroves, tea hills, and river life of Bangladesh

Experience India's land of maharajas and desert culture

Drift Mekong sunsets, saffron-robed mornings, and misty waterfalls of Laos

Hike cliffside monasteries, high passes, and pristine valleys of Bhutan

Dive pristine reefs, mountain backroads, and coastal villages of East Timor

Explore ancient monasteries, volcanic highlands, and generous wine culture of Armenia

Walk layered holy cities, desert fortresses, and Mediterranean beaches of Israel

Explore the Hindu Kush peaks, Silk Road citadels, and resilient traditions of Afghanistan

Blend Dilmun history, modern skyline, and pearl-diving heritage of Bahrain

Trace tiled Silk Road cities, desert fortresses, and plov-rich bazaars of Uzbekistan

Glimpse regimented boulevards, granite peaks, and layered history of North Korea

Drive Pamir Highway, sky-high passes, and Silk Road fortresses of Tajikistan

Savor mountain terraces, coastal ruins, and Beirut nights of Lebanon

Glide through water villages, golden mosques, and rainforest of Brunei

Imagine mud-brick skyscrapers, incense routes, and terraced highlands of Yemen

Recall ancient souqs, Roman theaters, and resilient culture of Syria

Visit Abkhazia, a partially recognized state in the South Caucasus. Explore the capital Sukhumi with its botanical garden (one of the oldest in the Caucasus, founded in 1840) and the Abkhazian State Museum (showcasing local history and artifacts). Relax on the beaches of Gagra (a resort town known for its subtropical climate and Soviet-era architecture) and hike in the Ritsa Nature Reserve (home to Lake Ritsa, a scenic alpine lake surrounded by mountains).

Camp frankincense deserts, swim wadis, and stroll seaside forts of Oman

Gaze into the Door to Hell, marble boulevards, and Silk Road ruins of Turkmenistan

Explore the roof of the world and Buddhist culture

Explore the stunning landscapes and historic sites of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), known for its ancient monasteries, scenic canyons, and the iconic We Are Our Mountains monument.

Explore Mesopotamian heartlands, date-palm rivers, and golden minarets of Iraq

Walk storied hills, old-city souqs, and olive-dotted terraces of Palestine

Climb Karakoram valleys, wander Mughal gardens, and buzzing bazaars of Pakistan

Find desert dunes, seaside corniche, and vibrant souks of Kuwait

Traverse Caucasus valleys, fortress ruins, and pastoral hamlets of South Ossetia

Explore Xinjiang, a vast autonomous region in northwest China known for its dramatic landscapes and diverse cultures. Trek through the Tianshan Mountains (home to the stunning Heavenly Lake and glaciers), visit the ancient city of Kashgar (with its Sunday livestock market and 1,000-year-old Id Kah Mosque), see the Flaming Mountains and Turpan Depression (one of the hottest places in China, famous for grapes and the Karez irrigation system), and discover the remote Altai Mountains and Kanas Lake (legendary for its mysterious lake monster and pristine forests).