Inside Marcy's Mind
Having hosted the Aging aint for Sissie's podcast for two years, I wanted to expand what I could discuss. This podcast will touch on the fun of aging and whatever has crossed my mind! Please join me as I walk through life! #retirement #travel #fun #aginggracefully Link in my bio! Listen now!
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Inside Marcy's Mind
The Ultimate Top 10 Travel Destinations You Need to Experience Before Airlines Charge for Breathing
What makes a destination worthy of your precious vacation days, hard-earned money, and Instagram grid? Is it the jaw-dropping scenery? The culture? The food? Or that indescribable feeling when you witness something that leaves you speechless?
Join me as I break down the world's top 10 travel destinations, complete with unfiltered commentary about why each earns its spot. From New York City's chaotic charm (though I'll tell you why Chicago deserves that spot more) to the postcard-perfect views of Santorini that somehow look even better in person, we're exploring what makes these places magnetic for travelers. You'll hear about my personal experiences eating carbonara while staring at the Colosseum, the ongoing joke about my husband's favorite city (Paris) that he's never taken me to, and why Tokyo claims the number one position as the ultimate travel experience.
Between destination details, I share a personal update on my cancer treatment journey and how travel continues to be my north star through difficult times. Whether you're a seasoned globetrotter with a dog-eared passport or someone who travels primarily through Google Earth with a good glass of wine, this episode celebrates both the grandeur and the small moments that make travel transformative.
The world is waiting, your knees won't work forever, and airlines might start charging us to breathe any day now. Pack light, laugh loud, and don't forget to take the damn trip. Your stories are waiting to be written, whether they involve spiritual awakening in Bali or your suitcase bursting open at the airport (because those make the best stories anyway).
Hello and welcome to Inside Marci's Mind. My name is Marci Backus and I am your host. Well, hello, hello and welcome to Inside Marci's Mind, the podcast where the filter is off, the sarcasm is strong and the suitcase is always half-packed. Because, let's be honest, I'm ready to disappear at a moment's notice, and today we are. Oh gosh, I'm ready to disappear at a moment's notice, and today we are oh gosh, I can't even talk today.
Speaker 1:Today we're diving into the top 10 travel destinations in the world. You know the places you see on Instagram and wonder do people really go there? Or is it all AI? Now, some of it is lots of it, isn't. I've combed through lists, blogs, rankings and one BuzzFeed quiz to bring you the hot spots, plus the why. Why is it hot? The wow, and are you kidding me? So buckle up. Globetrotters or couch travelers? No judgment here. Let's just explore.
Speaker 1:So before we get into exploring the top 10 travel destinations and why, just an update on me. I have finished my radiation treatment. I now have 12 weeks of chemo left. That will start in the end of July and then I'll be done. So I'm two-thirds there. I'm two-thirds there. That's how I'm looking at it. I'm two-thirds there and hopefully, at the end of this I'm cancer free. But in the meanwhile, I have a trip planned for next week and I thought what would be better than to talk about traveling?
Speaker 1:So what are the top 10 destinations and why so number 10, and these are worldwide. Number 10 is New York City, usa. I argue with this one the Big Apple, the city that never sleeps, the place that rats fight, pieces, slices and wins. Why is it on the list? Culture, broadway, museum, shopping, overpriced cocktails with a view, and you know what it really is an amazing city. I've been there. It's chaotic. You know what it really is an amazing city. I've been there. It's chaotic. It's loud and magical and a place that only can be with that many honking taxis. Pack your walking shoes and maybe your therapist. You're probably going to need both after going there. I am going to argue and I'm going to put that right up against Chicago. Chicago is more beautiful. Chicago has a huge body of water, with beaches galore, beautiful buildings, great museums, top-notch food, easily walkable and no trash on the sidewalks. So I'm in a fight for spot 10 for Chicago. Number nine is a place I've never been. Maybe you haveally indonesia bally, the spiritual yoga haven for people who just discovered mindfulness last tuesday. It's on the list because it's beautiful. It has lush jungles, crystal beaches and that whole eat, pray, love thing going on.
Speaker 1:Valley is where you go to find yourself, or lose yourself to cheap spa treatments and banana pancakes. Oh, I didn't know they had banana pancakes, interesting. Just, don't go during rainy season unless you're into being soggy and zen at the same time. So I don't know when, I didn't look up when the rainy season is, but I would suggest that you do so, because I don't think valley season would be that fun in the rain. I think it's different rain.
Speaker 1:So the next one I have a problem with, in the sense that number eight, is Paris, france. Now I'm going going to tell you there is an ongoing fight in this house Now. Craig and I have traveled all over the world all over. We travel a lot. We have a trip to Ireland scheduled here in October. Last November we traveled all through the Christmas markets in Europe. We're always going somewhere.
Speaker 1:Paris, france. Now the reason I have an issue with this is because it's my husband. If you ask my husband, his favorite city in the world is Paris, france. Has he ever taken me to Paris, france. No, every time I try to plan a trip there, do we get Shanghai'd into some other trip? Yes, so that's what the problem I have with Paris? Nothing with the city, but it's a kind of an ongoing joke in our house. And then we'll be with people and they'll be talking about Paris and I I'll look at the group and I'll go. Oh, I've never been. And Craig's going on and on. He went to school there for a year. Oh, paris, the city of lights, love and tiny coffees that cost more than your rent or your mortgage. Why is it on the list? Because it's Paris, for gosh sakes. Art, fashion, architecture, bread, so much bread and croissants that are legally not allowed to be dry. Yes, Parisians can be a little direct, but that's just French, for we're not here to coddle you. Honestly, it's respect and respect them. So maybe sometime in my life before I die, which I doubt, I will make it to Paris, france.
Speaker 1:Number seven is an interesting one and I'd really like to go there, but it's not on my bucket list. The only thing left on my bucket list. Well, two things left on my bucket list. Niagara Falls Funny enough, been all around the United States, never been there, and I want to go on an African safari. That's it. Those are the only two things. I have really lived a great life and my bucket list is very complete. I don't feel like I'm lacking anything. Maybe some grandchildren.
Speaker 1:Anyways, dubai, where luxury goes to just show off On the list for its future. It's on the list because of its futuristic skyline, desert safaris and malls that make your hometown look like a garage sale. Walk to ski in, walk. I can't even read my own writing. Do you want to ski indoors in 110 degree weather? You can Want to brunch like your royalty, absolutely Just. Maybe don't check your bank account while you're there. It'll cry. It's not cheap, but man, it just is one of those places.
Speaker 1:The Verge, cali, I just, it's so full of awe, awe, your mouth is open all the time, kind of stuff. I can see why. So that was number seven. Number six, I agree. I've been to Rome. I've been to Italy. It's number six. Rome wasn't built in a day and you won't see it in one either. We were lucky enough to see the Pope, before he passed away, do a sermon from his little window in that square. I forget what it's called, but Rome, I give it high marks. There's a lot of beauty in Rome and and it's got old stuff, lots of old stuff. This place is a living museum, absolutely. One minute you're staring at the Coliseum, the next you're eating Carbonara, and literally Craig and I ate Carbonara across the street from the Coliseum, sitting in a cafe, looking right at it like right at it that was. I can still picture that in my head. That was an amazing moment.
Speaker 1:Why is it top 10? History, food, chaos, scooters and more food. If you don't gain five pounds, you did it wrong. I feel that way on any vacation. But okay, I have not been here. My son has Tulum, mexico. Why Tulum? It's where influencers go to pretend they're not just in it for the selfies. It's gorgeous. Yes, turquoise water, turquoise water, ancient ruins, beach clubs where you pay 40 bucks for coconut water. You can connect with nature while simultaneously posing in front of it for your followers. But real talk, it's dreamy. Just maybe don't expect solitude unless you're up at 5 am, and even then you'll probably run into a drone. So Tulum is somewhere I've never been. It's not really on my bucket list, but if somebody said let's go, you bet your bippy I'd be going.
Speaker 1:Number four is Cape Town, south Africa, cape Town, where mountains meet the sea and your jaw hits the floor. It's one of the most naturally beautiful cities in the world, with Table Mountain looming like it's posing for a travel poster. Add in penguins on the beach yes, penguins. An incredible wine country and it's a no-brainer cape town. I have never been there. It sounds amazing. The only downside is the flights bring snacks and maybe a neck pillow that doesn't suck like a good one. It's a long flight. So that is Cape Town's number four.
Speaker 1:Number three is Kyoto, japan. Kyoto is peace, tradition and serious aesthetic goals. This place is all about Zen gardens, ancient temples and, of course, during cherry blossom season, cherry blossoms they make you believe in magic. It's on the list because it's the soul of Japan Graceful, timeless and, yes, Instagrammable in the most respectful way. Just don't be that tourist taking selfies during a tea ceremony. No, don't do it. Remember respect when we travel. Kyoto was never on my list, but again somebody said you want to go, I would go. Okay, number two I've been here.
Speaker 1:Santorini, greece. Santorini, where every photo looks like a postcard and every step is a leg workout. And the amen, sister, that is true. Those white buildings with blue roofs? They're real. So are the sunsets that look like a filter. It's romantic, dramatic and filled with donkeys who are very over the tourists. Yeah, the donkeys go up and down, ran into them. It is definitely a leg workout. It is amazing. Great food, even better wine and the kind of views that forget you've maxed out your credit card. So drum roll please.
Speaker 1:Tokyo, japan, is number one. Why, you say? Because where else can you eat sushi that's better than anything you've ever tasted, shop in a vending machine and see a robot show all in one afternoon. Tokyo is vibrant, clean, efficient and wonderfully weird. It's futuristic and traditional all at once, polite and overwhelming and, honestly, it's everything, just everything all at once. Like if Las Vegas and Kyoto had a baby and raised it on punctuality. I've never been to Tokyo, so. So, if you have, I hope my description there does it some justice.
Speaker 1:It's not a very long episode today, but I just wanted to give you some thoughts on traveling and some places to go the top 10 that I came up with, and why so? There you have 10 places to visit before your needs give out or the airlines start charging us to breathe. That's no joke. Whether you're dreaming of Parisian pastries or Bali, bliss, remember this. A visit before your needs give out or the airlines start charging us to breathe. That's no joke. Whether you're dreaming of Parisian pastries or bally, bliss remember this.
Speaker 1:Travel isn't just about the place. It's about the stories, the surprises and the moments your suitcase bursts open in the middle of the airport. Let me tell you something Planning is great when you're on a vacation, but leave room for spontaneity, like the day that we planned on going to St Peter's Basilica and had no idea that the Pope was going to preach that morning. The only reason we knew is because the vestments were outside the window. Vestments are the, not the vestments. Anyways, there was stuff out the window and we knew, and we were able to enjoy that, and we made it to our tour of the Coliseum in time.
Speaker 1:If you've been to any of these spots, let me know. If you live in one, I'm jealous, and if you're stuck at home, don't worry. I live in Chicago. I am happy. I am in a destination. There's always Google Earth and a good glass of wine if you need to zoom in someplace and see. Until next time, thanks for hanging out inside my mind. Pack light, laugh loud and don't forget to take the damn trip. Bye everyone. Talk to you next week.
