I was at a farewell party yesterday for a friend moving back to Switzerland, in a stunning Soho apartment where one wall was adorned with Burmese drawings kept behind glass. This sparked a conversation about places I’ve been to and places I dream of visiting.

No surprise, I woke up with wanderlust this morning and started running through the list of countries and cities I fantasize about. So I decided to share my list of the first five dream destinations that came to mind, together with the reasons they appeal to me.

Bhutan
This mountain kingdom in the Himalayas holds an almost mystical appeal. It’s among the world’s most isolated nations, steeped in the Buddhist tradition and pristine landscapes perfect for long hikes. It’s ultra pricey though, due to the strict government-imposed measures in controlling the influx of tourists.

Zanzibar
This archipelago off the coast of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean calls me for its interesting culture – an eclectic fusion of Arab, Indian, Portuguese, British and African influences. The islands are known for the spices as well as the legendary Stone Town, a World Heritage old quarter within Zanzibar City.

Damascus
I’ve heard wonderful things about Syria’s capital, said to be one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, with labyrinthine streets and bustling markets. Years ago when I lived in England with a Syrian roommate, she used to bring back the most delicious baklava bought at the Damascus market.

Cape Verde
This island nation in the North Atlantic off the western coast of Africa calls me for the music, like the soft morna balads popularized internationally by Cesária Évora. There’s a lot more of the rich musical tapestry to explore in Cabo Verde – the upbeat funaná, the batuque dance…

Albania
This little-known country right next to Greece is one of Europe’s last frontiers. It has two beautiful coastlines, the Adriatic Sea to the west and the Ionian Sea to the southwest, and a revived capital city of Tirana that’s booming due to the creative governing by the ex-artist mayor Edi Rama.

Senegal
It’s the lovely and hospitable Senegalese people I’ve met around the world and the tasty food that draw me to this country in western Africa. I’ve heard wonderful things about Dakar, the capital city on the Atlantic coast, as well as the old colonial capital of Saint-Louis.

Jordan
The ancient city of Petra, a World Heritage Site carved into the mountains near the eastern shores of the Dead Sea, and the desert landscapes of Wadi Rum in southwest Jordan have been on my dream list for some time now. I have a very romantic vision of traversing Jordan on a camel.

Tasmania
The largely unspoiled nature is what calls me to this Australian island-state, located 240 kilometres south of the eastern side of the continent. What appeals to me is the remoteness; the supposedly excellent organic dairy and wines; and the biodiversity – 37% of Tasmanian landscapes are protected!

Easter Island
I’ve seen countless photos of the monumental statues of Easter Island, a territory of Chile in southeastern Pacific Ocean, but I really want to see them live. Known locally as moai, these megaliths have been carved into the rock centuries ago by the Rapanui, the island’s native Polynesian inhabitants.

Greenland
I’ve never been particularly attracted to cold destinations but Greenland, the self-governing Danish island between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, does tempt me. I’d love to visit while it’s still there – Greenland’s ice cap has been progressively melting, to the dismay of environmentalists.

Photo “A new and accurat map of the world” by Norman B. Leventhal Map Center at the BPL on Flickr

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