Travelling anywhere can be a thrilling and life-changing event, but some places and adventures go above and beyond. These are our picks for the top bucket list travel experiences you must enjoy before you die.
African safaris are rightly popular and seen by many as the ultimate bucket list travel experience. But Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse countries on the planet for its small size. You can visit Caribbean beaches, cloud forests, and hike jungle, all just a few miles apart. Thanks to Costa Rica’s decision to protect its diverse habitats, animals of all shapes and sizes thrive and are so familiar with humans that they will often come up close to say hello.
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The last surviving Wonder of the Ancient World, the Great Pyramid of Giza was built 4,500 years ago. Some of the nearby pyramids are older still, and we have only scratched the surface of the secrets they hold inside. When you’re not exploring these architectural and historical marvels, there are museums, ruins, bustling towns, and luxury beach resorts to enjoy.
It is easy to see why Greece became known as the birthplace of Western civilisation and philosophy; its beauty is awe-inspiring. With gorgeous coastal hikes, sweet-smelling citrus orchards, white sand beaches, and glorious ocean sunsets, visitors will no doubt rediscover their own sense of creativity and imagination upon the many picturesque islands.
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Ibiza is the party capital of the world. The island’s clubs and hotels are open all year round thanks to the consistent sunshine, and you have your choice of DJ festivals and celebrated boat parties. But nothing beats a good old-fashioned beach party, when you dance and laugh until sunrise.
If Costa Rica is the place to go for rich biodiversity, Iceland is the bucket list travel destination to see nature at a completely different extreme. Stepping onto this volcanic island is like stepping back through time to when the planet first formed. Black sand beaches, waterfalls as tall as skyscrapers, glaciers as large as entire countries, and exploding geysers are just some of the impressive features. Take a dip in the blue lagoon, step between tectonic plates, watch whales as they swim to the surface, and then settle down at night to gaze upon nature’s ultimate lightshow: The Northern Lights.
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The Holi Festival of Colour has made its way to the West in recent years, but there is still no better place to experience this celebration of colour and love than in India.
Italy is an opportunity to tick off several bucket list travel goals. You can indulge in winter sports in the Alps, which has probably some of the world’s finest ski slopes. Or take a ride on an iconic gondola in the unique and historic city of Venice. But our choice has to be exploring the gorgeous vineyards and quaint towns of the Tuscan countryside. Where you can taste the world’s most delicious wine.
Mexico’s Caribbean Coast attracts millions of tourists each year. Guests are always pleasantly surprised by the teeming ocean life they can swim alongside every time they dip their toes in the water. From turtles and dolphins, to humpback whales, and everything in between.
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An essential bucket list travel objective for any eager traveller should be to journey into the desert. There are numerous places to choose across any continent, and almost any one will offer an unforgettable gaze at the power of nature and a night-time sky full of stars and the glow of the Milky Way. To maximise this experience, visit Morocco. Desert oases at the base of the Atlas Mountains present comfortable resorts among paradise vistas. And you can ride by camel into the largest dry desert in the world, the Sahara.
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Turkey is another country where you might travel for one bucket list travel goal, and end up with more memories than you can fit in several photo albums. The call to prayer at one of the most objectively beautiful buildings in the world, the Hagia Sophia, stuns the senses. Or take a ride in a hot air balloon at Cappadocia. Then hire a boat and sail the dramatic and sensational coastline while enjoying the warm Mediterranean weather, the clear water, and the excellent beaches and resorts.
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With the sunny beaches of California, the beauty of Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon, family-friendly theme parks in Florida, and the sprawling metropolis that is New York, there is something for everyone in the USA. Grab a plane ticket, rent a car, and begin the ultimate road trip to remember for a lifetime.
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The rice terrace paddies of Asia are some of the most stunning blends of human intuition and natural wonder. Some of the best can be found in Vietnam, where you will also have opportunity to speak with locals about the country’s fascinating history.