The world has so many breath-taking experiences to offer, how do you go about choosing what to add to your bucket list? The truth is that you probably already have a list of things that you want to see and do, but before you plan your next adventure, take a look at some of our favorites.
Here are the best eight travel experiences we think you should have at least once in your lifetime.
Island Hopping
There is no shortage of beautiful islands for those intrepid travelers who want to do some exploring. From swimming with dolphins in the Azores to the rugged beauty of the Hebrides, there is an island-hopping adventure for everyone.
Our personal favorites include the Scandi seaside charm offered by the 8000-odd Bohuslän Islands in Sweden. Or why not arrange a yacht charter in Fort Lauderdale, the yachting capital of the world, and take a beautiful trip past Miami to the amazing Florida Keys?
Munich During Oktoberfest
Munich is a beautiful city steeped in history and culture. The German capital is home to numerous museums and centuries-old buildings, but its annual Oktoberfest is what we recommend experiencing.
Every year, the city celebrates with the world’s largest Volkfest, which includes the famous beer festival and traveling funfair too. This year’s festivities start on the 17th of September.
See the Northern Lights
The northern lights are a truly phenomenal natural light display. They can be elusive at times, needing the location, time of year, and weather conditions to be just right to create the technicolor curtains, rays, and spirals.
Though they are visible in most high-altitude regions, for those who want something special, we recommend venturing to Finnish Lapland between December and March. The area has some of the best viewing available, and you can even stay in an igloo at the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort.
Trek to Machu Picchu
If we are being honest, no bucket list is complete unless it includes climbing Machu Picchu. This Incan citadel is nestled high in the Peruvian Andes, and although the Classic Inca Trail is a moderate 26 miles, the elevation means it takes longer than usual.
You can opt to get there by bus, but more adventurous travelers should make the five-day trek, covering 26 miles and rising 13,828 feet. The views are spectacular; taking in 500-year-old archaeological treasures, crossing Dead Woman’s Pass, and stepping through the Sun Gate, it is easy to see why this is considered one of the greatest adventure experiences on the planet.
Hot Air Balloon in Cappadocia
Turkey’s Cappadocia region in Central Anatolia is home to beautiful limestone chimneys affectionately known as “fairy chimneys”. The view from ground level is amazing, but once you fly over them, they’ll take your breath away.
With rides ranging from 45 minutes to an hour and a half, it’s easy to lose yourself in the ethereal beauty of the chimneys as you float silently above them.
Road Trip to the U.S.A
America is famous for its expansive roads and spectacular scenery, and while flying is by far the quickest way to get across the country, taking your time to drive across is an experience you will never forget.
Many of the National Parks are perfect for a road trip, like Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park and Alaska’s Denali National Park, and that’s before you’ve even considered the likes of Yosemite or the Gand Canyon!
Swim the Great Barrier Reef
Whether you are an experienced diver or a casual snorkeler, a visit to the Great Barrier Reef is a must. This World Heritage Site offers more than 400 different types of coral and 1,500 species of fish.
With over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands over 344,400 square miles, it makes sense to rent a boat and take your time exploring.
Visit Japan
An immersive trip to Japan truly is a “one of a kind” trip. From Mount Fuji to Tokyo and the Kanazawa coastline, there is plenty to keep even the most seasoned traveler entertained, each of them offering a peek into the different sides of Japan.
Offering bustling cities with neon lights and endless vending machines and also the calm sanctuary and quiet of ancient shrines and temples, Japan really is a unique blend of old and new.
With travel restrictions lifting around the world and normality returning to most industries, the time to start ticking items off of your bucket list is now! While all of the suggestions above might not be for you, we hope that you found something that makes you want to get back out into the world and explore everything it has to offer.