The cost of your post-Covid bucket list

Having been unable to travel as freely as possible for the past year, thousands of Brits and Europeans have begun to plan their post-pandemic holidays and create a bucket list of items they would like to tick off with any extra money they have saved during the Covid-19 pandemic.

For some, retirement offers the freedom to be able to travel the world but the pandemic has put travel and social plans on pause. A new Audley Villages study reveals which destinations and attractions are on our bucket lists, and exactly how much they will cost to complete.

In order to do this we looked into Google search data, Instagram hashtags and press mentions of 141 bucket list items including destinations, landmarks, theme parks and activities.

Brits Will Spend Nearly £3,000 Travelling to these Destinations on Their Post-Covid Bucket List

Brits are raring to go travelling again once the pandemic is over, with Italy set to be the travel destination of choice. Returns flights to the top ten bucket list locations will cost just under £3,000 - with prices set to soar once travel restrictions are eased.

The Lake District appears to be the staycation destination of choice this year, in position 15 - the highest UK county - but it would seem that Brits are looking forward to being able to live a jet-set lifestyle again, with no UK hotspots making it to the top 10 travel destinations.

These are expected to be the most popular post-covid bucket list destinations when travelling from the UK:

Rank	Destination	Google Search Volume	Instagram Hashtag	Press Mention Volume	Cost of Travel
1	Italy	368,000	135,640,282	11,100	£81.00
2	Japan	201,000	138,869,816	7,600	£409.00
3	Barcelona	450,000	59,664,633	18,600	£54.00
4	New York	201,000	108,402,813	10,500	£265.00
5	Paris	110,000	125,480,223	10,000	£73.00
6	Dubai	165,000	104,203,113	4,500	£322.00
7	USA	110,000	111,420,811	10,300	£337.00
8	Bali	135,000	111,840,390	1,200	£572.00
9	France	165,000	88,515,673	15,900	£73.00
10	Australia	246,000	67,003,599	13,800	£785.00
11	Indonesia	74,000	112085621	1,800	£548.00
12	Spain	201,000	64,266,911	11,500	£65.00
13	Germany	165,000	63,744,487	8,200	£71.00
14	Los Angeles	90,500	71,529,809	2,500	£307.00
15	Lake District	301,000	3,000,547	2,800	£152.80
16	India	246,000	3,129,906	12,300	£368.00
17	Hong Kong	135,000	38,047,427	5,400	£358.00
18	Amsterdam	165,000	32,879,217	1,700	£72.00
19	Mumbai	33,100	65,046,483	723	£368.00
20	Tokyo	60,500	54,009,207	5,100	£409.00
21	Cornwall	201,000	7,162,016	13,400	£116.20
22	Yorkshire	74,000	9,068,677	47,100	£115.00
23	Berlin	60,500	46,312,883	3,100	£71.00
24	Maldives	201,000	8,748,668	1,100	£630.00
25	Las Vegas	74,000	39,176,061	1,800	£348.00

Alton Towers Is Set To Be The UK’s Favourite Experience Post-Covid

When looking at which attractions people from the United Kingdom will be heading to, it appears we are a nation of adrenalines-junkies, as three of the top 10 attractions are theme parks.

Completing the top 10 attractions on the bucket list will set Brits back by £8,173.98 with a once in a lifetime Safari trip being the most expensive on the list at £7,775.

Brits have been missing live shows, with both Festivals and Concerts making the top 10, in positions four and seven respectively. Music fans will need £202.72 in order to enjoy just one festival and one concert post-lockdown.

Ranking	Things to do	Google Search Volume	Instagram Hashtag	Press Mention Volume	Entrance Fees
1	Alton Towers	450,000	389,261	1,200	£34
2	Disneyland Paris	301,000	5,106,041	1,100	£48.06
3	Thorpe Park	301,000	250,368	714	£34
4	Festival	33,100	36,930,182	38,300	£157.23
5	Museum	90,500	20,677,922	17,200	£0
6	Stonehenge	201,000	762,115	975	£21.10
7	Concert	18,100	38,814,569	10,800	£45.49
8	Zoo	110,000	13,352,281	7,000	£35
9	Eiffel Tower	135,000	6,545,917	179	£23.10
10	Safari	110,000	8,538,336	2,500	£7,775.00
11	Art gallery	33,100	23,596,070	2,500	£0
12	London Eye	110,000	3,262,640	495	£24.50
13	Buckingham Palace	110,000	1,280,719	1,100	£26.50
14	Burj Khalifa	90,500	4,741,357	76	£71.18
15	Escape room	90,500	2,113,862	730	£18.67
16	Northern Lights	90,500	1,776,321	480	£0.00
17	Taj Mahal	90,500	1,614,258	126	19.32
18	Volunteer	49,500	6,011,924	8,000	£0.00
19	Machu Pichu	90,500	211,840	0	£47.32
20	Skiing	49,500	10,194,461	925	£878.03
21	Statue of Liberty	74,000	2,040,806	62	£14.01
22	Mount Rushmore	74,000	177,685	174	£0.00
23	Chessington World of Adventures	74,000	54,977	161	N/A
24	Grand Canyon	49,500	3,849,073	188	£25.94
25	Central Park	33,100	7,555,715	394	£0.00

Stonehenge Will Be Europe’s Most Sought-After UK Attraction Post-Covid

Stonehenge consistently comes above Buckingham Palace and the London Eye as the most sought-after British landmark to visit.

Many of the attractions which European’s want to visit in the UK highlight our rich history - and they don’t come at a high price point. Visiting The State Rooms at Buckingham Palace will cost an adult just £26.50, with Hadrian’s Wall being free to visit if you pick the right spot!

Ranking	Attraction	Google Search Volume	Instagram Hashtag	Press Mention Volume	Entrance Fees
1	Stonehenge	1,649,200	5,200	13,669	£21.10
2	London Eye	107100	1,014,700	250,368	£24.50
3	Buckingham Palace	70,600	1,280,719	466	£26.50
4	Giant’s Causeway	12820	296439	15	£13.00
5	Hadrian’s Wall	13200	97665	16	£0.00

Post-Covid Bucket List Items for Over 50’s

With over 50’s being among those affected most by COVID-19 they may not be as comfortable with the thought of travelling again. We have explored some of the best retirement bucket list experiences that can be ticked off without venturing too far from home!

In Europe, individuals over the age of 50 are most looking forward to being able to visit museums - top of the list - with art galleries in position 5.

This bucket list costs £31,020.50 with the cost of owning a pet coming in at £16,000, and also learning a language which can cost around £14,000.

Without the two most expensive bucket-list items, the eight experiences remaining costs £1,020.50 - meaning this is the perfect bucket list for retirement living. For individuals looking to live life to the fullest, but with a smaller budget.

Based on search patterns, individuals over 50 may need to spend £31,020.50 in order to complete their bucket-list below:

Ranking	Experience	Google Search Volume	Instagram Hashtag	Press Mention Volume	Cost
1	Museum	385,300	20,677,922	81,501	£0
2	Own a pet	300	104,283,126	76	£16,000.00
3	Zoo	286,250	13,352,281	15,710	£35.00
4	Volunteer	55,820	6,011,924	8,337	£0
5	Art gallery	52,520	4,145,183	3,241	£0
6	Staycation	25,580	5,458,680	2,821	£874
7	Spa day	50,020	2,537,968	510	N/A
8	Wild fishing	31,040	70,162	1,461	£36.50
9	Star Gazing	16,910	1,029,493	213	£75
10	Learn a language	6,480	11,914	531	£14,000.00

The United Arab Emirates is Europe's Most Sought-After Post-Covid Destination

View of Dubai with sky, water and plants

Combining the search volumes, instagram hashtags and press mention volumes of the six countries researched has allowed us to reveal Europe’s Ultimate Post-Covid Bucket List.

Europeans are more likely to fly to the United Arab Emirates (which comes in first place), than the exotic island of Bali, which sits in position number 15.

London is the highest placed city on the list, sitting in second position, meaning that Europeans look set to be crossing the channel once it is safe to do so post-covid.

Festivals are the event individuals on the European mainland and British Isles are most looking forward to, in position 14, beating Los Angeles, in 23rd place, and Tokyo in 25th place.

Ranking	Location	Google Search Volume	Instagram Hashtag	Press Mention Volume
1	United Arab Emirates	104,289,613	2,081,238	793
2	London	877,600	145,568,522	211,300
3	Rome	487,100	30,607,940	268,300
4	Barcelona	1,415,600	59,664,633	134,000
5	France	752,400	3,704,151	239,507
6	New York	1,367,500	108,402,813	43,700
7	Italy	1,600,300	60,654,404	62,206
8	Germany	1,150,300	13,984,777	159,300
9	USA	835,500	111,420,811	63,300
10	Japan	675,000	138,869,816	39,400
11	Berlin	1,034,500	46,312,883	98,700
12	Paris	507,400	125,480,223	35,076
13	Spain	845,120	64,266,911	60,810
14	Festival	96,600	36,930,182	164,207
15	Bali	595,100	111,840,390	2,886
16	Australia	956,100	67,003,599	19,500
17	Dubai	475,800	104,203,113	11,672
18	England	426,300	33,831,716	87,301
19	Indonesia	273,100	112,087,115	6,406
20	Museum	385,300	20,677,922	81,501
21	Scotland	425,600	21,640,479	74,874
22	United Kingdom	823,100	11,161,758	42,900
23	Los Angeles	432,600	71,529,809
24	Tokyo	299,200	54,009,207	26,200
25	Hong Kong	474,900	38,047,427	17,116

Europeans Need Over €2,600 in Order to Complete Their Post-Covid Bucket List

When looking at the most popular post-covid travel bucket list searches by Europeans, we looked at search volume, Instagram hashtags and press mention volumes to reveal the true price of each country's bucket lists.

Many Germans will be heading straight to America, with the USA and New York being placed first and second respectively on their post-covid bucket list. Europa-Park has also secured a position in the top 10, coming in at number nine, showing that not everyone will be heading straight to the airports once the pandemic is over.

Germans will need a total of €2,693.12 in order to complete the top 10 items on their bucket list:

Ranking	Attraction	Google Search Volume	Instagram Hashtag	Press Mention Volume	Cost (€)
1	USA	550,000	111,420,811	31,900	315.28
2	New York	550,000	108,402,813	6,100	316.420
3	London	135,000	145,568,522	4,500	68.54
4	Japan	135,000	138,869,816	6,100	462.640
5	Paris	165,000	125,480,223	7,300	73.11
6	Bali	135,000	111,840,390	565	662.52
7	Dubai	165,000	104,203,113	1,100	360.97
8	Barcelona	201,000	59,664,633	5,100	69.68
9	Europa-Park	550,000	582,979	734	55.54
10	Los Angeles	110,000	71,529,809	1,500	308.42
11	Italy	368,000	2,465,685	10,700	71.97
12	Mumbai	27,100	65,046,483	101	472.92
13	Amsterdam	165,000	32,879,217	1,500	73.11
14	France	201,000	994,971	10,500	73.11
15	England	74,000	33,831,716	3,600	68.54
16	Las Vegas	60,500	39,176,061	665	450.07
17	Hong Kong	60,500	38,047,427	216	389.53
18	Rome	90,500	26,897,795	2,500	71.97
19	Spain	165,000	1,261,853	8,000	71.97
20	Australia	201,000	325668	3,800	1154.88
21	Sydney	40,500	32,542,854	336	883.01
22	Museum	135,000	17,200	7,700	0
23	Peru	60,500	22,880,918	915	496.91
24	Denmark	165,000	676,906	2,900	60.54
25	Zoo	135,000	7,000	6,200	39.98

A quick trip into the neighbouring country is what Spaniards are yearning for post-pandemic. Paris comes in at number one on their bucket list! Sunnier and more exotic climes also feature, with Indonesia, Bali and Australia being the go-to travel destinations.

In order to tick off the top 10 items on their bucket list, Spaniards need to be prepared to spend €4,460.73:

Ranking	Attraction	Google Search Volume	Instagram Hashtag	Press Mention Volume	Cost (€)
1	Paris	110,000	125,480,223	5,900	68.54
2	United Arab Emirates	104,203,113	25021	0	415.80
3	Indonesia	40,500	112,087,115	844	591.72
4	Bali	74,000	111,840,390	226	825.89
5	Dubai	2,900	104,203,113	472	299.29
6	Italy	201,000	60,646,906	21,000	75.39
7	Australia	110,000	67,003,599	5,100	1165.16
8	Mumbai	6,600	65,046,483	22	480.91
9	Berlin	6,600	46,312,883	2,800	71.97
10	Las Vegas	27,100	39,176,061	830	466.06
11	Hong Kong	49,500	38,047,427	2,100	477.49
12	Rome	90,500	30,605,084	4,400	75.39
13	Sydney	9,900	32,542,854	88	823.61
14	Ibiza	110,000	17,251,951	16,100	35.41
15	France	110,000	3,704,071	18,100	68.54
16	Festival	6,600	38,300	22,900	179.61
17	USA	135,000	726,973	21,100	266.16
18	Concert	14,800	3,730,884	14,300	51.96
19	Jamaica	27,100	11,615,893	218	584.86
20	Shanghai	9,900	10,670,157	291	394.10
21	Museum	40,500	2,672,838	13,500	0
22	Germany	90,500	1,797,329	14,900	71.97
23	United Kingdom	90,500	389,903	16,500	58.26
24	Yorkshire	60,500	9,068,677	91	189.62
25	Peru	60,500	4,616,585	5,000	468.35

With the most expensive bucket list out of the European countries studied, Italians seem excited at the prospect of being able to leave the continent, with only one European place making the top 10. That’s Amsterdam in tenth position on the bucket list.

Italian’s also plan to explore their own history post-covid, with The Colosseum sneaking in at number 25.

Italy has Europe’s most expensive post-covid bucket list, spending €4,972.48 in order to enjoy the top 10 items:

Ranking	Attraction	Google Search Volume	Instagram Hashtag	Press Mention Volume	Cost (€)
1	New York	201,000	108,402,813	13,200	402.090
2	Bali	74,000	111,840,390	340	673.960
3	Dubai	110,000	104,203,113	3,100	315.28
4	Indonesia	49,500	112,087,115	1,400	592.86
5	Australia	165,000	67,003,599	6,400	1088.62
6	Los Angeles	110,000	71,529,809	3,300	472.92
7	Tokyo	74,000	54,009,207	8,500	447.79
8	Mumbai	14,800	65,046,483	160	424.94
9	Hong Kong	110,000	38,047,427	5,400	478.63
10	Amsterdam	90,500	32,879,217	1,300	75.39
11	Las Vegas	40,500	39,176,061	1,000	687.67
12	France	165,000	3,704,151	30,800	67.40
13	Barcelona	165,000	1,307,021	32,900	59.40
14	Spain	165,000	1,334,794	30,300	70.82
15	Germany	165,000	651,877	28,200	71.97
16	Sydney	18,100	32,542,854	599	1100.05
17	Ibiza	60,500	17,251,951	1,000	110.80
18	London	110,000	1,811,962	14,000	56.00
19	Paris	110,000	1,674,440	11,800	67.40
20	India	110,000	3,129,906	5,900	418.09
21	Maldives	135,000	369,320	1,100	591.72
22	Mirabilandia	135,000	151,102	152	N/A
23	Japan	110,000	851,698	10,200	447.79
24	Festival	8,100	38,300	65,100	179.61
25	The Colosseum	110,000	1,552,148	1,700	18

Bucking the trend, Norwegians are most looking forward to being able to listen to live music, with this being the priority before travelling once restrictions are eased.

The natural phenomenon of the Northern Lights appears at number four, meaning Norwegians could be lucky enough to tick off a bucket list item without having to leave the county, helping reduce the price of their post-covid bucket list.

Norwegians are planning to spend €2,676.60 on the top 10 items on their post-covid bucket-list:

Ranking	Attraction	Google Search Volume	Instagram Hashtag	Press Mention Volume	Cost (€)
1	Festival	4,400	36,930,182	7	179.61
2	London	18,100	145,568,522	0	61.68
3	Japan	18,100	138,869,816	0	450.07
4	Northern Lights	165,000	1,776,321	0	0
5	USA	40,500	111,420,811	0	166.68
6	New York	40,500	108,402,813	0	338.12
7	Paris	12,100	125,480,223	0	133.65
8	Bali	12,100	111,840,390	0	613.42
9	Indonesia	8,100	112085621	0	468.35
10	Dubai	14,800	104,203,113	0	265.02
11	Australia	33,100	67,003,599	0	983.53
12	Barcelona	33,100	59,664,633	0	107.38
13	Los Angeles	12,100	71,529,809	0	412.37
14	Italy	22,200	60,654,404	0	93.67
15	England	14,800	33,831,716	1	61.68
16	Mumbai	2,400	65,046,483	0	378.11
17	Tokyo	8,100	54,009,207	0	450.07
18	Berlin	9,900	46,312,883	0	110.80
19	Museum	6,600	20,677,922	1	0
20	Hong Kong	9,900	38,047,427	0	388.39
21	Las Vegas	5,400	39,176,061	0	480.91
22	New Delhi	5,400	38,863,580	0	323.27
23	Amsterdam	8,100	32,879,217	0	119.94
24	Rome	8,100	30,607,940	0	93.67
25	Sydney	5,400	32,542,854	0	867.02

The bright lights of New York are where individuals from France will be heading. Exotic destinations such as Bali, Los Angeles and Mumbai are featured in their top 10.

However, the draw of Mickey Mouse is never far away, with a day at Disneyland Paris costing €54.88 and being placed fifth on the list.

Those living in France should be prepared to splash €3,308.20 on the top 10 items on their post-covid bucket list:

Ranking	Attraction	Google Search Volume	Instagram Hashtag	Press Mention Volume	Cost (€)
1	New York	301,000	108,402,813	7,400	253.59
2	Bali	165,000	111,840,390	555	672.82
3	Los Angeles	110,000	71,529,809	2,700	657.97
4	Italy	368,000	2,522,711	13,000	69.68
5	Disneyland Paris	368,000	5,106,041	1,600	54.90
6	Tokyo	74,000	54,009,207	5,800	548.31
7	Mumbai	22,200	65,046,483	40	451.21
8	Berlin	74,000	46,312,883	4,200	73.11
9	Hong Kong	110,000	38,047,427	4,000	424.94
10	Amsterdam	135,000	32,879,217	1,100	101.67
11	Spain	246,000	1,625,107	10,500	75.39
12	Eiffel Tower	246,000	3,511,363	1,100	26.10
13	Las Vegas	49,500	39,176,061	886	648.83
14	Europa-Park	246,000	582,979	150	55
15	Japan	201,000	4,310,673	9,500	450.31
16	New Delhi	22,200	38,863,580	227	435.22
17	Rome	74,000	26,876,067	3,300	69.68
18	Australia	201,000	332,185	4,200	1,049.79
19	Sydney	33,100	32,542,854	634	814.47
20	Germany	165,000	544,992	11,300	73.11
21	Ibiza	74,000	17,251,951	439	81.10
22	Maldives	110,000	8,748,668	290	735.65
23	Go-karting	135,000	1,483,437	468	N/A
24	United Kingdom	110,000	50,057	10,900	66.25
25	London	90,500	3,574,815	7,500	66.25

European’s Are More Interested in Visiting Yorkshire Than Wales and Northern Ireland

To reveal where foreign tourists hope to visit post-covid, we looked at the UK locations and attractions individuals living in Italy, Spain, France, Norway and Germany are searching for. Here we have European’s Post-Covid bucket list of UK destinations.

Yorkshire is more popular than any of the other counties in the list and is number five on the bucket list, pipping Wales and Northern Ireland to the post.

Northern Ireland sits just outside the top 10 UK destinations, at number 11, making it the least popular country within the United Kingdom.

Ranking	Location	Google Search Volume	Instagram Hashtag	Press Mention Volume
1	London	427,600	145,568,522	31,300
2	United Kingdom	273,100	389,903	36,200
3	England	280,300	33,831,716	15,801
4	Scotland	179,600	21,640,479	4,274
5	Yorkshire	213,500	9,068,677	431
6	Wales	153,500	8,143,533	2,970
7	Devon	87,900	3,899,861	5,991
8	Edinburgh	96,600	9,170,323	354
9	Cornwall	62,000	7,162,016	242
10	Cardiff	57,700	18,325,510	645
11	Northern Ireland	56700	2,578,930	871
12	Belfast	53900	3225911	251
13	Norfolk	20600	3276393	61
14	Lake District	15320	3000547	7
15	Northumberland	9,420	1,151,315	0

Methodology

To reveal our findings, our campaign analyses the monthly Google Search volumes, number of Instagram hashtags and number of times the keyword has featured in news articles in the past year. This process was repeated for each of the six countries studied - Italy, Spain, France, Norway and Germany. Where translated terms showed no statistics in the European countries, English names were used. Where exact Instagram hashtags were not available, closely related terms were used.

When looking at prices all were correct as of 28.01.2020.

When finding travel prices, airports in the capital city of the country were used. Flights are based on a one week holiday for one person on dates 23rd November 2020 to 30th November 2020, best departing flights were chosen. Train fares are based on an anytime return ticket for one adult on dates 14th April 2020 to 21st April 2020. Where return prices were not available, single prices were doubled.