Since I was a little girl, I’ve had a dream: to travel around the world in one go. I remember the globe in my childhood bedroom, spinning it over and over, and being fascinated by Australia, as if it were a planet from another world. I also remember my older sister dozing on my bed, listening to me (and teasing me a little, thanks Sis) as I played radio host or travel agent. That dream has never left me. I have studied and planned countless itineraries, from east to west, north to south. While I wait to make it a reality, here are a few destinations that inspire me and that I hope to explore soon.

Egypt… a land of a thousand mysteries, of Agatha Christie, and the timeless flow of the Nile. I’ve always been captivated by Ancient Egypt — a powerful, mythical civilization that feels almost otherworldly, truly pharaonic in every sense. Yet beyond its history, I long to experience Cairo: its vibrant chaos, its hidden treasures, and that electrifying energy that never seems to rest.

Peru… In French, there’s an expression : “it’s not Peru” used to describe something ordinary, something of little value. An it’s right, to me, Peru is the very opposite: a land of wonder and richness. I imagine Machu Picchu emerging through the mist, peaceful llamas, rainbow-colored mountains that feel almost unreal, ponchos with bright tassels… and the dream of boarding the Belmond Hiram Bingham all the way to Cusco, like stepping into a journey beyond time.

I have a deep passion for train travel. Time seems to stretch, landscapes drift by, and I feel as though I’ve stepped into another dimension. Of course, the Orient Express, from Venice to Istanbul, represents the very essence of elegance to me. For a few days, you slip into a timeless world, an undefined era where everything is Ordre et beauté, luxe, calme et volupté *, as Charles Baudelaire so beautifully wrote in Invitation to the Voyage. *order and beauty, luxury, peace, and sensual delight

How could I not speak of Japan? I was meant to discover this country at seventeen, alongside my father. He had fallen in love with it the year before. But life had other plans, illness kept us from ever making that journey together. Since then, Japan has come to mean so much more than just a destination, no matter how captivating it may be. It feels like an invisible bond, an unfinished promise, something deeply personal that I wish we could have shared.

This is only the beginning of a dream journey… There are so many more destinations to imagine and share. In the meantime, I’d love to hear about yours : what are your dream destinations? The places that inspire you, the ones you hope to explore one day. Feel free to share them in the comments. I can’t wait to read them. And stay tuned… part two is coming very soon. ✨