It's one of life's most common hypothetical questions: what would you do with your time if you knew you only had one week left to live? If you've already been bitten by the travel bug, the chances are your answer will involve knocking a few more places off your destination bucket list. But with teleporting yet to become an option, one week isn't really that long when it comes to traveling, so you'd better choose wisely. Luckily, we've compiled some of the world's most tempting one week travel itineraries:
1) Florence, Tuscany and Rome: Italian Romance
If you only have a week left on this planet and you're yet to visit Italy, you need to get there. Florence, Tuscany and Rome make up the perfect trio for a week's itinerary, and have a lot to offer between them.
Start off by strolling through the historic streets of Florence, visiting the legendary statue of David and admiring the architecture of the city's unique Duomo. Watch the sunset wash the river and surrounding buildings sepia pink, before retiring to an authentic restaurant with a bottle of the region's finest red.
Next, take a few days to explore some of the most beautiful countryside in the world, in the region of Tuscany. Take in forestland, mountains and vineyards, and maybe even pop over to a gorgeous Tuscan beach town as you wind your way South towards the capital.
When in Rome...well, the rest is history. Rome is packed with beautiful historic landmarks like the Coliseum, the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain. Make some time to visit Vatican City and then fill the rest of your time getting lost in the historic streets, gelato in hand. Pure bliss.
2) Sofia, Bucharest and Budapest: an Eastern European adventure
Eastern Europe is a region of the world sometimes overlooked (with backpackers often focussing on the Western side of continental Europe). Nonetheless, it's one certainly an area worth seeing before you die. Get off to a relaxed start in the laid-back capital of Bulgaria, admiring Sofia's Ottoman mosques, onion-domed churches and Red Army monuments. Next, take on the hiking trails of Mt Vitosha for some serious natural beauty.
Then, step things up a level in the dynamic capital of Romania. Bucharest's mix of modern architecture and 17th-18th Century orthodox churches is accompanied by a host of fascinating museums and trendy cafes. If you appreciate the outdoors, dedicate a chunk of your time to exploring the unmatched beauty of the castle-studded Transylvanian countryside before moving on.
Finally, let your trip come to a climax in the historic party city of Budapest. If parties aren't your scene then simply appreciate the architecture, from the decadent Hungarian Parliament Building decorated inside with real gold, to the still-functioning thermal baths. If parties are your scene then think nightclubs in the thermal baths, and bar crawls through eccentric, artsy bars in abandoned buildings. Budapest nightlife is some of the best on the continent, and the perfect way to go out with a bang.
3) Bangkok, Ayutthaya and Hua Hin: Thailights tour
If Thailand is your biggest bucket list destination then begin your one week trip in the legendary city of Bangkok. Visit the artificial island of Ko Ratanakosin, the city's oldest district. Explore the unmissable temples of Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Arun and Wat Pho. Sample the affordable delights of Thai street food for dinner before heading 60 floors up to Moon Bar for rooftop drinks with a view.
When you're done with Bangkok, head up to Ayutthaya, an UNESCO World Heritage site and second capital of the Siamese Kingdom .This breathtaking collection of over a dozen ancient temple sites is like nothing else in this world, and can be explored on foot or by bicycle.
And for a relaxed end to your whirlwind tour, head back down past Bangkok to Hua Hin, a peaceful seaside city. Here you can appreciate fresh and delicious seafood, explore the vibrant markets and wind down on one of the beautiful sandy beaches.
4) Athens, Santorini and Mykonos: Geek island hopping
Birthplace of democracy, philosophy and the Olympic games, Greece is somewhere you should definitely visit before leaving this world. Tick off the mainland by arriving into Athens, taking in key sights such as the Acropolis, an ancient city built high on a rocky outcrop to honour the goddess Athena. From Athens, you can also take a daytrip to Delphi, a nearby town with impressively preserved ancient ruins and beautiful hiking routes.
Your next stop is Santorini, one of the Cyclades islands in the South Aegean Sea. The beaches of this volcanic island are stunning, as are the views. Enjoy picturesque hiking trails, relaxed days by the sea, and indulge at one of the islands several fine wineries. Don't miss the opportunity to taste local delicacies such as stuffed vine leaves and fried tomato balls.
Then, it's on to Mykonos, another island in the South Aegean. Mykonos is a well-known party island, but if you're not up for partying until the end, there's plenty else to do. Relax and take in the island's 16th Century architecture, shopping boutiques, idyllic sandy beaches, and marvel and the unforgettable sunsets.
There's also the option of a short trip to Delos, the island birthplace of Artemis and Apollo. This uninhabited island is home only to stunning ruins and sites of legend such as Cleopatra's House and the Terrace of the Lions. Whatever you're into, there's nowhere better to finish up your Greek trip.
So with only one week left, where's it going to be? The options are plentiful, and you can pack as much or as little into these itineraries as you want. Whether it's culture-soaking in Europe or island-hopping in Greece, temple-gazing in Bangkok or hiking through vineyards in Italy, it's up to you to make it count. Why not travel like it's your last week, every week?
