Nation of dreamers admits their bucket lists are scuppered by finances

More than one in two people have a ‘bucket list’ — places they want to see and things they want to do before they die, a survey reveals.

However, going to far-flung places will remain just a pipe dream for 70% of people, who admitted financial constraints were holding them back.

The AA Travel Insurance survey based on more than 7,000 responses, found that destinations included the Great Wall of China and the Grand Canyon in the US.

More than one in four (26%) said work responsibilities were thwarting their travel plans, while one in five said family life was preventing their dreams from taking flight.

It emerged that people aged between 17 and 24 who want to travel the most are least likely to go places on their travel wish list.

Young adults also confessed that their fear of the unknown was a factor. At over 10%, it was the highest of all age groups.

Those over the age of 65 are least likely to have a travel bucket list — one in four said their health had got in the way of adventurous excursions.

Most people (53%) want to see the Northern Lights, before they die. The Grand Canyon (37%) was placed second, followed by the Great Wall of China (29%).

One in four people want to go on a Safari trip while one in five want to trek the Inca Trail in Peru.

Other popular choices included visiting the Himalayas in Nepal (14%), taking an elephant ride in Thailand (12%), sky-diving over the Great Barrier Reef in Australia (12%), and diving with great white sharks (8%).

Just 4% wanted to climb Mount Everest, which is not surprising because they would have to scale 29,029 feet to reach the summit.

Director of consumer affairs at the AA Conor Faughnan said his own bucket list included seeing the giant redwood trees of northern California and the Northern Lights.