Travels With Sheila has a list of destinations to visit that grows longer by the year rather than shorter. Too many interesting countries to visit and too little time. No, we haven’t been everywhere and, no, I’m not interested in traveling for the sake of checking countries off a “been there…done it” list. Once again, we have the same three limitations as everyone else. Time, money and heath. Then a person has to consider the optimum seasons to visit these countries and you’ll understand why one lifetime is not enough.

A few of the following destinations have been on my “wish list” for ages and may have to remain there a bit longer because of distance, cost and political upheavals. The first five are very doable and, number one, Eastern Turkey, is scheduled for September 2010. Here we go…

1. Eastern Turkey. You can read the details about Cappodocia, the Lycian Coast, Istanbul and the Kackar Mountains on Travels With Sheila that we previously visited but have never gone into Eastern Turkey. Eatern Turkey has Nemrut Dagi with huge stone heads, Lake Van, Urfa (the reputed birthplace of Abraham) and the entire area is close to the borders of Armenia, Iraq and Syria. (Many of you may not think that’s a “good thing”…) We just booked this group trip with Explore U.K., again through Adventure Center. If you are interested in the entire itinerary, go to the Adventure Finder on the left as you read this page, enter “Europe” where it says Region,”Turkey” where it says Country, click “Find My Adventure” and you’ll see “Eastern Turkey” in the huge list of tours along with dates and prices. It sounds fabulous and I can’t wait. (Check! Read about Eastern Turkey on Travels With Sheila.)

2. Albania. Another country to visit before everyone begins going there. Albania may not be on your “must see” radar yet but it will. Explore U.K. (check out the itinerary on the Adventure Center Finder to your left as you read this post) has a cultural exploration of Albania but my druthers would be a little more hiking in Albania’s Swiss-like mountains. Albania is also relatively inexpensive and you can even include Greece in your travel plans since Corfu is only a short ferry ride away. (Check! Read about Albania on Travels With Sheila.)

3. The Aurora Borealis also known as the Northern Lights. Whether we travel to Norway, Iceland or Alaska in Winter, 2011, I’d really like to witness the Aurora Borealis aka Northern Lights once in my lifetime. A very big Birthday, gag…choke…comes up in January 2011 and that is how I want to celebrate. If we head in this direction, there are also ice hotels in Sweden, Norway, a Lapland Igloo Village in Finland. Who says you can’t have fun in the winter?

4. Philippines. A definite maybe for Christmas, 2010. ex-Marine has fond and not so fond memories of hunkering down in steaming, muddy, rainy jungles during his Marine Corps days but Tomas, Footloose Tours is enticing me with thoughts of ethnic tribes, mountains, the famous World Heritage Site Banaue rice terraces along with crystal clear turquoise water and white sand beaches. And the Philippines aren’t expensive unless you park your body at one of the “Rich and Famous” resorts.

5. Ireland. Are you shocked that we’ve never visited Ireland? Without any genealogy, family or other ties to Ireland, this country has managed to stay on the fringes of my “wish list.” it seems to mentally pop up whenever the timing and/or season is wrong. We have to tramp Ireland…

6. Madagascar. Those adorable lemurs are calling, “Sheila, come and see us.” Unfortunately, Madagascar is pegged to the Euro and the Euro is just too strong against the Dollar right now to make it feasible. Madagascar is also politically unstable at this time. Otherwise, I’d be there in a nano-second.

7. Spitsburgen. Those endangered Polar Bears are also calling, “Sheila, come and see us” but Spitsburgen cruises cannot be considered cheap. Nine-day cruises usually begin at $4,000 a person (probably bedding down in crew quarters), and then add land, air and the Polar Bears will have to live without us for at least one more year.

What’s on your Wish List?