The Year in Sports 2025

   

Sports	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
Tennis	120	187	78	146	77	77	124	147	228	241	0
Fitness	131	97	2	0	0	14	66	90	9	0	0
SUP Surfing	9	14	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Surfing	0	0	12	18	42	46	20	23	0	0	0
Windsurfing	21	9	10	19	20	12	15	16	7	0	1
Skiing (Downhill)	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Snowboarding	0	2	0	0	3	0	15	13	5	1	6
Skiing (Cross-Country)	2	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Swimming	4	5	5	5	11	0	0	0	0	0	0
Hiking	7	5	5	0	12	11	16	4	2	0	0
Mountain Biking	1	2	2	10	38	59	4	12	21	1	7
Indoor Biking	0	0	10	10	14	19	0	0	0	0	0
Off-road Motorcycling	0	0	0	0	0	2	1	3	6	11	2

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The Best of the Best 2025

 Which are the best restaurants, spas, and travel destinations? 

At the end of 2025, I will rate the following (in order from best to worst) based on my personal experience.

Restaurants

Even though Michelin has not rated it, Mama's Fish House on Maui is our favorite restaurant worldwide. It combines an authentic Hawaiian atmosphere with exceptional cooking and a magnificent tropical setting (overlooking Maui's North Shore, near the famous Ho'okipa Beach) to create an unforgettable dining experience. The restaurant uses only the freshest fish caught on Maui.

At the end of 2024, I will rate the following (in order from best to worst) based on my personal experience.

1. Mama's Fish House, Maui, Hawaii 
2. The Plumed Horse, Saratoga, CA  (1 Michelin Star)
3. Lagoon Restaurant by Jean Georges, St. Regis, Bora-Bora, French Polynesia 
4. Manresa, Los Gatos, CA (3 Michelin Stars) (closed)
5. Solbar, Calistoga, CA  (1 Michelin Star)
6. Gary Danko, San Francisco, CA  (1 Michelin Star)
7. Ristrot Guivol, Turin, Italy
8. La Foret, San Jose, CA (Michelin Rated)
9. Bouchon, Napa, CA & Las Vegas (Michelin Rated)
10. Weinstube Baldreit, Baden-Baden, Germany 
11. Plachutta, Vienna, Austria
12. Mistu, Porto, Portugal
13. Humuhumunukunuku'apua, Maui Hawaii 
14. Solo, Portland, Maine
15. Araxi, Whistler, BC
16. Cucina Rustica, Sedona, Arizona
17. Lenda Viriato, Unhais da Serra, Portugal
18. Eataly, WTC, New York City (and Munich)
19. Tatte Bakey, Boston
    
20. La Toque Restaurant, Napa, CA

SF Bay Area Restaurants

1. The Plumed Horse, Saratoga, CA  (1 Michelin Star)
2. Solbar, Calistoga, CA (1 Michelin Star)
3. Bouchon, Napa, CA  (Michelin Rated)
4. Foreign Cinema, San Francisco (bad neighborhood)
5. Naschmarkt, Campbell
6. Ettan, Palo Alto
7. Lele Kitchen, San Jose
8. JOEY Valley Fair, San Jose
9. ASA Restaurant, Los Gatos
10. Côte Ouest Bistro, San Francisco
    
11. Chez Philippe, Los Gatos
    
12. Napizza, San Francisco
13. Red House Cafe, Monterey
14. Sotto Mare, San Francisco
15. Passionfish, Monterey
16. Café Beaujolais, Mendocino, CA
17. Cracked & Battered, Marina, San Francisco
18. Teleféric Barcelona, Los Gatos

SF Bay Area Coffee Shops

1. Philz, Los Gatos, CA
2. Captain + Stoker Cafe, Monterey, CA
3. Equator Coffees, San Francisco, CA
4. Blue Bottle, Los Gatos, CA
5. Alta Bakery & Cafe, Monterey, CA

SF Bay Area Bakeries

1. One65, San Francisco
2. Tartine Bakery, San Francisco
3. Bouchon, Napa
4. Arsicault Bakery, San Francisco
   
5. Schubert's Bakery, San Francisco (Cakes)
6. Fleur de Cocoa, Los Gatos
7. Croissante Bakery, Los Gatos
8. Alta Bakery & Cafe, Monterey, CA

Dishes

• Apple Strudel: Cafe Demel, Vienna, Austria 
• Bread: "Country Bread," Tartine Bakery, San Francisco, CA 
• Cakes: A tie!
• Cafe Demel, Vienna, Austria 
• Extraordinary Desserts, San Diego, CA
• Croissants: "Pistachio Croissants", Thes Comptoirs Richard, Metz, France 
• Flammkuchen: Weinstube Baldreit, Baden-Baden, Germany 
• Fried Chicken & Waffles, Cafe Beaujolais, Mendocino, CA
• Gelato: Bella Gelateria, Vancouver, Canada
• Gnocchi: Osteria Nonna Gina, Siena, Italy 
• Opah, Mama's Fish House, Maui, Hawaii 
• Pancakes: "Lemon Ricotta Pancakes," Solbar, Calistoga 
• Pastel de Nata: Pastéis de Belém, Lisbon, Portugal
• Pâtisserie: Gérard Mulot Pâtisserie, Paris, France 
• Pizza: Vesuviana, Pizzaria D'Angeli, Naples, Italy
• Ramen: Matsumoto, Japan
• Sandwiches: Small World Sandwich Shop, Amsterdam, Netherlands 
• Sushi: Shou Tsukiji Sushi, Tokyo, Japan
• Tafelspitz: Plachutta, Vienna, Austria 
• Tapas: El Pinton, Seville, Spain 
  

Pizzeria

We have had pizza everywhere in the United States (New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Portland, etc.), as well as in France, Italy, Spain, Austria, the Netherlands, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Japan. So far, our favorite pizza restaurant is Pizzeria D'Angeli in Naples, Italy. We also had fantastic pizza in Japan - at Pizzeria Mar-de Napoli in Tokyo.

1. Pizzeria D'Angeli, Naples, Italy
2. Pizzeria Scugnizzo, Turin, Italy
3. Waikiki Pizza Restaurant, Bardonecchia, Italy
4. Bricks Restaurant Pizza, Turin, Italy
5. Don Kilo, Barcelona, Spain
6. Napizza, San Francisco, CA
7. Keste Pizza, Greenwich Village, New York City (Keste #1)
8. Eataly, World Trade Center, New York City ("Capricciosa" pizza)
9. Eataly Lingotto, Turin, Italy
10. Pizzeria Mar-de Napoli, Tokyo, Japan ("DLC winner" pizza)
11. Juliana's Pizza, Brooklyn, New York City (#1 Special)
12. Hearthstone in Red Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas

Gelato and Ice Cream

We loved Fresco Gelateria in Sorrento and tried many exceptional gelaterias in Florence, Siena, Lake Como, Venice, and Lucca.

1. Fresco Gelateria, Sorrento, Italy
2. Gelato in Bologna, Italy (near Piazza Maggiore)
3. Gelato in Florence, Siena, Lake Como, Venice, Lucca (Italy) 
4. Fresco Sorrento Gelato, Sorrento, Italy
5. DelaCrem, Barcelona, Spain
6. Bacio di Latte, Fashion Island, Newport Beach, CA
7. Gio Gelati, San Francisco, CA
8. Bella Gelateria, Vancouver, BC 
9. Grom Gelateria, Turin, Italy
10. Grom Gelateria, New York City (also in Florence and Siena) 
11. Kamakura Gelato, Kamakura, Japan
12. Eataly, New York City (and Munich)
13. Gelateria La Romana, Turin, Italy
14. Dolce Gelato, Laguna Beach

Spas

Our favorite spa is Aquadome in Langenfeld, Austria (near Tyrol), but we also really liked the thermal baths in San Montano, Ischia, Italy.

1. Aquadome, Langenfeld, Austria
2. San Montano Resort & Spa, Ischia, Italy
3. H2otel / Aquadome, Unhais da Serra, Portugal
4. Friedrichsbad Therme, Baden-Baden, Germany 
5. Caracalla Therme, Baden-Baden, Germany
6. Alpentherme Gastein, Bad Hofgastein, Austria 
7. Miri-Miri Spa by Clarens, St. Regis, Bora-Bora 
8. Scandinave Spa, Whistler, Canada 
9. Tabacon, Costa Rica 
10. Spa LaQua, Tokyo, Japan
11. Spa World, Osaka, Japan
12. Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, Sonoma, CA
13. Solage, Calistoga, CA 
14. Indian Springs, Calistoga, CA 

Hotels

Our favorite hotel is the St. Regis in Bora Bora, Tahiti.

1. St. Regis, Bora Bora, Tahiti, French Polynesia
2. San Montano Resort e Spa, Ischia, Italy
3. The Four Seasons, Punta Mita, Mexico
4. Nayara Springs Relais & Chateaux, La Fortuna, Costa Rica
5. Makanda by the Sea, Costa Rica
6. Torel Palace, Lisbon, Portugal
7. Hotel zur Pfeffermühle, St. Anton am Alberg, Austria
8. Aquadome, Langenfeld, Austria
9. H2otel / Aquadome, Unhais da Serra, Portugal
10. Tabacón Thermal Spa, La Fortuna, Costa Rica
11. Hotel Davanzati, Florence, Italy

Books (all-time)

1. Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
2. Night by Elie Wiesel
3. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
4. The Forgotten Soldier by Guy Sajer
5. The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov
6. Les Misérables by Victor Hugo
7. The Godfather by Mario Puzo
8. The Caine Mutiny by Herman Wouk
9. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
10. The Gulag Archipelago by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
11. Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
12. Shogun by James Clavell
13. All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
14. Sophie's Choice by William Styron
15. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
16. Every Man Dies Alone by Hans Fallada
17. 1984 by George Orwell

Books (2025)

1. Burke and Wills: The Triumph and Tragedy of Australia's Most Famous Explorers by Peter FitzSimons
2. In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust
3. Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
4. Monash's Masterpiece: The Battle of Le Hamel by Peter FitzSimons
5. The Path Between the Seas: The Creation of the Panama Canal, 1870-1914 by David McCullough
6. Captain Courageous by Rudyard Kipling
7. The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny, and Murder by David Grann
8. 44 Scotland Street by Alexander McCall Smith
9. Milton Friedman: The Last Conservative by Jennifer Burns
10. Ian Fleming by Andrew Lycett
11. A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle

Movies (all-time)

1. The Godfather (1972)
2. Schindler's List (1993)
3. Casablanca (1942)
4. Gone with the Wind (1939)
5. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
6. Dead Poets Society (1989)
7. High Noon (1952)
8. 12 Angry Men (1957)
9. The Lord of the Rings (2001)
10. Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)
11. The Matrix (1999)
12. Sophie's Choice (1982)
13. Goodfellas (1990)
14. Amadeus (1984)
15. Aliens (1986)
16. All Quiet on the Western Front (1939)
17. Good Morning, Vietnam! (1987)
18. Modern Times (1936)
19. Das Boot (1981)
20. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (1966)
21. The Godfather, Part II (1974)
22. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
23. Unforgiven (1992)
24. Point Break (1991)
25. Double Indemnity (1944)
26. Some Like It Hot (1959)
27. Scarface (1983)
28. Judgment at Nuremberg (1961)
29. The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
30. Seven Samurai (1954)
31. Groundhog Day (1993)
32. Before Sunrise (1995)

Miniseries (all-time)

1. The Winds of War (1983)
2. War and Remembrance (1988)
3. Band of Brothers (2001)
4. The Pacific
5. Pride & Prejudice (1995)
6. Shogun (1980)
7. Masada (1981)
8. The Thorn Birds (1983)
9. North & South (2004)
10. Black Mirror (2011)
11. Shogun (2024)
12. A Gentleman in Moscow (2024)
13. Queen's Gambit (2020)

Rock Concerts

My favorite rock concert was Elton John's Made in England Tour at the Tacoma Dome. It was my first Rock concert, and it was a truly fantastic experience. I have also attended his other concerts, such as the Red Piano in Las Vegas, but they had a different atmosphere and intensity.

1. Leonard Cohen, HP Pavilion, San Jose, 11/7/2012. 
2. Hauser: The Rebel is Back Tour, San Jose Civic, San Jose, on 6/1/2025
3. Elton John's Made in England Tour, Tacoma Dome, Washington, on 9/9/1995
4. Hauser: The Rebel is Back, 6/1/2025
5. The History of the Eagles, HP Pavilion, San Jose, 1/29/2013 
6. James Blunt: Back to Bedlam 20th Anniversary, The Masonic, 6/26/2025
7. Elton John's Farewell Yellow Brick Road SAP Center, San Jose, 10/19/2018
8. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Harrah's Hotel and Casino, 5/30/2015
9. Carlos Santana, Shoreline Amphitheater, 2002
10. Elton John's Million Dollar Piano, The Colosseum, Las Vegas, 10/13/2011
11. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Uptown Theatre, Napa, 2/23/2019
12. Postmodern Jukebox, The Warfield, San Francisco, 12/13/2015
    
13. The Gipsy Kings, Mountain Winery, 8/27/2014. 
14. Sarah McLachlan: Better Broken, The Masonic, 11/28/2025
15. Lara Fabian 50, San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 9/20/2019

Opera

My favorite opera is Carmen by Georges Bizet, due to the fantastic music and dramatic story. I am also partial to Puccini, especially Madame Butterfly.

1. Carmen, Houston Grand Opera
2. Madame Butterfly, Houston Grand Opera, 1993
3. Marriage of Figaro, San Francisco Opera, 6/21/15
4. Barber of Seville, San Francisco Opera, 11/23/13
5. La Traviata, Houston Grand Opera
6. Don Giovanni, San Francisco Opera
7. La Boheme, San Francisco Opera,  11/22/14
8. The Magic Flute, San Francisco Opera
9. Lucia di Lammermoor, Houston Grand Opera
10. Elektra, Houston Grand Opera
11. Salome, Houston Grand Opera

Musical Theater

My favorite musical is Chicago (most recently seen at the Ambassador Theater on Broadway), but I am a massive fan of Kander & Ebb musicals (including Cabaret, Liza with a Z, and Fosse). I also like most Cole Porter musicals (Anything Goes, Kiss Me Kate!) and George Gershwin (Crazy for You).

1. Chicago, Ambassador Theater, Broadway, New York City 12/18/2016, 9/25/2018
2. Fiddler on the Roof, Broadway Theater, New York City, 12/23/2016 
3. Cabaret, Orpheum Theater, San Francisco 
4. Anything Goes, Golden Gate Theater, San Francisco, 1/19/2013 
5. Grease, Orpheum Theater, San Francisco 
6. Monty Python's Spamalot, Orpheum, San Francisco 
7. My Fair Lady, Vivian Beaumont Theater, New York City, 9/22/2018
8. Kiss Me, Kate!, Orpheum, San Francisco 
9. Saturday Night Fever, Orpheum, San Francisco 
10. 42nd Street, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London, 7/15/2017
11. Mary Poppins, Orpheum, San Francisco, 5/12/2013 
12. The Book of Mormon, San Francisco, 1/7/2014 
13. Showboat, War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco, 6/13/2014 
14. Aladdin, San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 4/17/19
15. Mamma Mia, Orpheum, San Francisco
16. Phantom of the Opera, Orpheum, San Francisco, 8/21/2015
17. Cats, Neil Simon Theater, New York City, 12/24/2016 
18. The Lion King, Orpheum, San Francisco
19. Les Misérables, Orpheum, San Francisco
20. Avenue Q, New World Stages, New York City, 9/24/2018
21. Hello Dolly!, Orpheum, San Francisco
22. Mathilda, Orpheum, San Francisco, 7/23/2015
23. Wicked!, San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 8/31/2019
24. Fosse, San Jose Center for the Performing Arts
25. Hamilton, Orpheum, San Francisco, 8/17/2019
26. Miss Saigon, San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 11/15/2019
27. Evita, San Jose Center for the Performing Arts
28. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, San Jose Center for the Performing Arts
29. Annie, Portland, Oregon

Theater (Drama & Comedy)

I am particularly fond of William Shakespeare's dramas, especially Hamlet, Macbeth, and King Lear. Having seen them long ago, I have yet to encounter more recent productions.

1. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Geary Theater, San Francisco, 11/20/2019
2. Emma, TheatreWorks, Palo Alto, 12/4/2015 
3. Les Liaisons Dangereuses, New York City, 12/22/2016 
4. Disgraced, Berkeley Rep, Berkeley, 12/12/2015 
5. Cyrano, TheatreWorks, Mountain View, 4/24/2016 
6. Outside Mullingar, TheatreWorks, Palo Alto, 10/7/2016 
7. The Hard Problem, Geary Theater, San Francisco, 10/19/2016 
8. Daddy Long Legs, Lucie Stern Theater, Palo Alto, 12/3/2016 
9. Oleanna, Houston, 1992

Hiking Trails

Half Dome was the longest and most challenging hike I have ever done. It has fantastic overlooks of Yosemite Valley. However, the other hikes in Silver Falls State Park, Oregon, are also excellent.

1. Half Dome, Yosemite, CA 
2. Little Horse Trail to Chicken Point, Sedona, Arizona
3. Silver Falls State Park, Oregon 
4. Dipsea Trail, Sausalito, CA 
5. Devil's Bridge, Sedona, Arizona
6. Big Basin Redwoods, Boulder Creek, CA 
7. Sanborn County Park, CA
8. Castle Rock State Park, CA 
9. Mt. Shasta, CA 
10. Point Lobos Natural Reserve, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 
11. Lassen Volcanic National Park, Mineral, CA 
12. Huddart County Park, Woodside, CA

Ski Resorts

My favorite places to ski and snowboard are St. Anton am Arlberg in Austria and Whistler in British Columbia. Whistler usually has great snow with minimal elevation gain, excellent, inexpensive restaurants, and a tremendous youthful vibe (with many other nearby activities such as tubing, ice skating, dog sledding, cross-country skiing, & snowmobiling). It also has a fabulous Scandinavian Spa! In addition, I also enjoy the fantastic powder at our local Mammoth Mountain.

1. St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria
2. Whistler/Blackcomb, BC, Canada
3. Mammoth Mountain, Mammoth Lakes, CA (best California powder)
4. Verbier, Switzerland
5. Solden, Austria
6. Kirkwood, Lake Tahoe, CA (best local powder)
7. Mount Hood Meadows, Mt. Hood, Oregon
8. Palisades Tahoe, Lake Tahoe, CA
9. Alpine Meadows, Lake Tahoe, CA
10. Heavenly, South Lake Tahoe 
11. Mt. Bachelor, Bend, Oregon 
12. Mt. Rose, East Lake Tahoe, NV 
13. Sierra-at-Tahoe, Lake Tahoe, CA
14. Bardonecchia, Turin, Italy (the most delicious food of any resort)
15. Sugar Bowl, Lake Tahoe, CA (closest resort) 

Mountain Biking Trails

1. Soquel Demo Forest, Santa Cruz, CA
2. John Nicholas Trail, Los Gatos, CA
3. Almaden Quicksilver County Park, San Jose, CA
4. Saratoga Gap & Long Ridge, Saratoga, CA
5. Santa Teresa County Park, San Jose, CA
6. Joseph D. Grant County Park
7. Limekiln Trail, Los Gatos, CA
8. Monte Bello OSP
9. Wilder Ranch State Park, Santa Cruz, CA

Off-Road Motorcycling Trails

My favorite place to ride off-road dirt bikes is in Hollister SVRA. I have taken classes with Brian Garrahan and have ridden multiple 4-stroke and 2-stroke motorcycles.

1. Hollister Hills SVRA, Hollister, CA
2. Carnegie SVRA, Tracy, CA
3. Metcalf, San Jose, CA (nearest local riding spot)

Windsurfing/Wing Foiling Spots

My all-time favorite place for windsurfing is Spreckelsville Beach on the northern shore of Maui. However, windsurfing on Lac Bay in Bonaire is outstanding and ultra convenient! I also enjoyed windsurfing in the Columbia River Gorge ("The Gorge" near Hood River, Oregon) at Sherman Island in Rio Vista, Coyote Point in San Mateo, and Crissy Field in San Francisco.

1. Lac Bay, Sorobon, Bonaire (most convenient)
2. Spreckelsville, Maui, Hawaii (best waves)
3. Kanaha Beach Park, Maui, Hawaii
4. Crissy Field, San Francisco, California
5. Sherman Island, Rio Vista, California
   
6. Coyote Point, San Francisco, California
7. Swell City, Hood River, Oregon (strongest wind)
8. Rowena, Hood River, Oregon
9. Event Site, Hood River, Oregon
10. 3rd Ave, San Mateo, CA
11. Waddell Creek, Santa Cruz, California

Surfing Spots

I really love the convenience of SUP surfing on Kalapaki Beach, Kauai (despite the smaller waves and shallow water).

1. Trestles, San Clemente, CA
2. Ala Moana State Park, Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii
3. Rockpile Beach, Laguna Beach, CA
4. Huntington Beach, CA
5. Surfer's Point at Seaside Park, Ventura
6. "The Hook", Capitola
7. Newport Beach Pier
8. Dolores Beach, Laniakea Beach, Oahu, Hawaii
9. Pismo Beach Pier, Pismo Beach, CA
10. Pleasure Point, Capitola (great beginners' spot)
11. Steamer Lane, Capitola (experts only)
12. San Clemente Pier, CA
13. Manresa State Beach, Capitola
14. Kalapaki Beach, Kauai (for SUP surfing)

 

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The Bucket List 2025

 Is human knowledge only to be found in books?

As wonderful as books represent, document, and express human thoughts, they are not a substitute for direct, personal contact that comes from seeing, hearing, feeling, and experiencing things for oneself.

Can any book truly capture the exhilaration of windsurfing on Bonaire, snowboarding on freshly fallen powder at Mammoth, piloting a Cessna single-engine aircraft, swimming with sharks in Bora-Bora, racing a sportbike at Laguna Seca, or seeing Fiddler on the Roof on Broadway?

"The business of life is the acquisition of memories. Ultimately, that's all there is," - Carson of Downton Abbey.

 

Bucket List

1. Once-in-a-lifetime Natural Wonders

• Galapagos Islands, Ecuador – Unique wildlife and pristine ecosystems you can’t see anywhere else.

• Safari in Kenya, South Africa (Kruger), Botswana (Okavango Delta), and Victoria Falls – Epic wildlife experiences and iconic African landscapes.

• Iguazu Falls, Brazil/Argentina – One of the most powerful waterfalls in the world; a Seven Wonder of Nature.

• Amazon Rainforest, Brazil – Biodiversity and adventure in the world’s largest rainforest.

• Komodo Island, Indonesia – See the legendary Komodo dragons and pristine beaches.

• Great Barrier Reef, Australia – Iconic coral reef, world-class diving.

• Jeju Island, South Korea – Volcanic landscapes, waterfalls, and coastal beauty.

• Puerto Princesa Underground River, Philippines – Stunning underground river and caves.

• Table Mountain, South Africa – Panoramic views over Cape Town.

• Halong Bay, Vietnam – Dramatic limestone karsts in emerald waters.

2. Iconic Cultural & Historical Wonders

• Machu Picchu, Peru – Incan citadel and one of the Seven Wonders

• Great Wall of China – Must-see ancient architecture and history.

• Petra, Jordan – Rose-red city, carved into rock; a Seven Wonder.

• Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Iconic statue overlooking Rio; a Seven Wonder.

• Chichen Itza, Mexico – Ancient Mayan city; one of the Seven Wonders.

• Colosseum, Rome, Italy – Legendary Roman amphitheater; Seven Wonders.

• Taj Mahal, India – Stunning Mughal architecture; a Seven Wonder.

• Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt – Timeless ancient structure; one of the Seven Wonders.

• Opera at Teatro Alla Scala, Milan & Vienna State Opera – Iconic cultural experiences.

• Mardi Gras, New Orleans – Vibrant cultural festival.

• Carnival, Rio de Janeiro – World-famous cultural celebration.

• Angkor Wat, Cambodia – Legendary temple complex; often considered on par with the Seven Wonders.

 3. Adventure & Outdoor Activities

• Hike Trolltunga, Norway – Epic Norwegian cliff hike.

• Surf Camp in Bali + Ubud & Monkey Forest – Surfing paradise and cultural immersion.

• Motorcycle Europe with Edelweiss Bike Tours – Ultimate adventure through scenic landscapes.

• Sapporo Snow Festival + Ski in Niseko, Japan – Stunning ice sculptures and world-class skiing.

4. Must-Visit Countries & Cities

• Thailand (Bangkok, Koh Samui) – Mix of culture, beaches, and street life.

• Peru (Cusco, Lima, Arequipa) – Beyond Machu Picchu: colonial cities, local culture.

• Argentina (Buenos Aires, Patagonia, Iguazú Falls) – Tango, glaciers, and waterfalls.

• New Zealand (Auckland, Rotorua, Hobbiton, Tongariro) – Adventure, Maori culture, and iconic landscapes.

• Australia (Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Darwin) – Cities + Great Barrier Reef diving.

• Greece (Athens, Crete, Meteora, Vassiliki) – Ancient ruins, islands, and stunning cliffs.

• Croatia (Dubrovnik, Plitvice) + Montenegro & Albania – Adriatic beauty, national parks.

• Southern France (Dijon, Strasbourg, Toulouse, Gruissan) – Wine, cuisine, and medieval charm.

• Turkey (Istanbul, Alacati) – An East-meets-West cultural hub with a beautiful coast.

• Georgia (Tbilisi) – Unique culture, wine, and mountainous landscapes.

• Sri Lanka – Beaches, tea plantations, wildlife, and ancient ruins.

• China (Zhangjiajie, Hong Kong, Beijing) – Natural pillars, cityscapes, historical sites.

• India (New Delhi, Taj Mahal) – Rich culture, history, and architecture.

• Morocco (Marrakesh, Casablanca, Agadir) – Markets, deserts, and vibrant culture.

• Brazil (Rio de Janeiro, Amazon, Iguazu Falls) – Carnival, beaches, and jungle adventure.

• Bhutan (Paro, Tiger’s Nest Monastery) – Unique Himalayan culture and monasteries.

5. Ambitious Global Goals

• See the Northern Lights (Alaska or Norway) – Natural wonder.

• Visit Every Continent – You’ve already ticked Europe, North America, and Asia/Middle East; next: South America, Antarctica, Australia, and Africa.

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