Travel is one of my biggest regrets from my late teens and early twenties.

Not because I travelled too much, but because I didn’t travel enough.

Pre-kids and before real responsibilities kicked in, I had freedom I didn’t fully appreciate at the time. Instead of exploring the world, I spent far too much money shopping, chasing short-term thrills, and honestly, living beyond my means. I ended up in a fair bit of debt and spent the first half of my twenties digging myself back out of it.

If I could go back in time, I’d make very different choices.

I wouldn’t be a shopaholic. I’d live more frugally, save properly, and put experiences first. Travel wasn’t even on my radar back then, which feels strange now. Somewhere in my thirties, the travel bug well and truly arrived. And once it bites, it doesn’t really go away.

It’s an itch I really want to scratch.

I often tell my husband Ben that once the kids have grown up and moved out, we’ll start properly travelling the world. And we mean it. That’s the long-term plan.

Right now, though, funds are more limited. School holiday prices are eye-watering, we’re tied to term times, and travelling with two children changes what’s realistic. So for now, we focus on short-haul European destinations and exploring more of the UK, which honestly still has so much to offer.

But one day, when more money is saved, or when we’re very comfortable retirees if we’re being optimistic, we’ll start ticking off the bigger, further-flung dreams.

So just for fun, let’s imagine something different.

Let’s imagine money is no object. No budget spreadsheets. No price comparisons. No compromises. Maybe even a private jet waiting on the runway.

Where would I go if money were no object? Where would I go without money being a limiting factor at all?

This is my dream list.

1. Bora Bora

Bora Bora has been on my bucket list ever since someone I knew visited years ago and shared her photos.

They completely stopped me in my tracks.

The water looked unreal. That bright, milky turquoise lagoon you almost don’t believe exists until you see it. The overwater bungalows look like something out of a film, sitting directly above crystal clear water, with ladders straight down into the sea.

It’s often called the ultimate honeymoon destination. And seeing as Ben and I never actually had a honeymoon, I like to think this could be our very delayed version one day.

Bora Bora feels like the definition of luxury to me. Quiet. Peaceful. Slow. Somewhere you wake up with the sun, swim before breakfast, and feel completely removed from normal life. No rushing. No noise. Just beauty in every direction.

I genuinely struggle to find words that do it justice. It looks like a place that resets you.

2. Greek Island Hopping

Greek island hopping has always appealed to me in a different way.

Not one destination, but many. Moving slowly from island to island, staying in beautiful boutique hotels, soaking up the character of each place along the way. Each island has its own personality, its own pace, its own rhythm.

If money were no object, I’d love to do this properly.

Ideally, by luxury yacht!

Chartering a yacht in Greece would be the dream way to explore the coastline and islands, dropping anchor in quiet coves, swimming straight off the boat, and waking up somewhere new each morning.

Of all the places I’ve travelled so far, the Greek islands have some of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen. The water is unbelievably clear and vibrant. Shipwreck Bay in Zakynthos is one that really sticks in my mind. It’s famous for a reason and somehow still feels magical even when you’ve seen photos before.

Island hopping feels like freedom. No rigid plan. Just following the sea.

Symi - Greek Island

3. Great Barrier Island

Great Barrier Island isn’t just a holiday destination in my mind.

It’s somewhere I daydream about living.

It sits off the coast of New Zealand and has a population of around 900 people. It’s completely off-grid, yet still has the basics, a school, a shop, and even a pub. That balance between simplicity and comfort really appeals to me.

Life there seems slower. More intentional. Less noise, both literal and mental.

Even if relocating stayed firmly in the daydream category, I would absolutely love to visit. Staying in a cottage or villa just metres from a secluded beach, waking up to the sound of the sea, no crowds, no pressure to be anywhere.

That, to me, is luxury.

Not flashy. Just space, quiet, and time away from the rat race.

4. Thailand

Thailand has always pulled me in after seeing friends’ travel photos over the years.

It feels like one of those places that offers everything. Culture, scenery, warmth, incredible food, and stunning landscapes. For travellers, it’s often described as one of the best destinations in Asia, and I can see why.

I’m especially drawn to the rugged islands with their dramatic limestone cliffs, crystal clear water, and soft golden beaches. They look wild but welcoming at the same time.

The accommodation is another big draw.

Beachfront villas with private pools, surrounded by palm trees, open-air bathrooms, and views straight out over the sea. It looks like pure escapism. Somewhere you slow right down, live outdoors, and disconnect from the everyday completely.

Thailand feels vibrant but peaceful all at once.

5. Maldives

The Maldives often gets compared to Bora Bora, and it’s easy to see why.

Another place that looks like absolute paradise. Warm, clear waters. White sandy beaches. Endless blue horizons. It’s the kind of destination that feels designed for switching off.

The Maldives is famous for its overwater villas, and many of them have glass floors so you can watch marine life swimming beneath you. That idea still blows my mind a bit.

I can picture it so clearly. A luxury overwater hut, doors open to the sea breeze, steps straight into the water, and a jet ski parked outside waiting for a sunset ride.

It’s indulgent. It’s dreamy. And it’s definitely a money-is-no-object kind of destination.

Final thoughts

If money were no object, these would be the first five places I’d head to without hesitation.

For now, they stay firmly on the dream list. But dreams have a funny way of turning into plans over time. And even imagining where I’d go without money holding me back is a reminder of why saving, patience, and long-term thinking matter so much.

One day.