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21 Life-changing Trips Everyone Should Experience at Least Once

From African safaris to must-visit cities, these once-in-a-lifetime trips will make you want to plan your next great adventure.

Elizabeth Rhodes is a special projects editor at Travel + Leisure , covering everything from luxury hotels to theme parks to must-pack travel products. Originally from South Carolina, Elizabeth moved to New York City from London, where she started her career as a travel blogger and writer.

What's next on your travel list? With so many places worth traveling to, it can be hard to narrow down your top spots to visit.

Sometimes, it's the famous attractions, delicious food, and stunning hotels that draw us to a certain destination, and other times, it's the bragging rights that come with checking off every continent, country, or state. Whatever your motivation, we've rounded up 21 incredible trips, complete with once-in-a-lifetime experiences and iconic sights you won't find anywhere else in the world.

So, what makes a trip truly life-changing? That answer varies from traveler to traveler, but one thing is for sure: From African safaris to classic road trips, this list will make you want to plan your next great adventure.

Deciding between the historic cities of Rome, Venice, Naples, and Florence for the top destination to visit feels impossible, so the entire country of Italy deserves a spot on your list. Start in the Eternal City and head north through the rolling hills of Tuscany to visit Florence, followed by Milan or Venice, or go south to the beaches of the beautiful Amalfi Coast and Sicily.

New York, New York

Visiting the Statue of Liberty , standing at the top of the Empire State Building, walking across the Brooklyn Bridge: These are just a few of the things you can only do in New York City. Whether you dream of visiting all the places you've seen on screen, catching a Broadway show, or eating your way through the city's diverse neighborhoods, there's no doubt that NYC deserves a spot on your list.

Tokyo, Japan

Old and new come together in Japan's bustling capital city. Historic temples and shrines, busy shopping districts, delicious food, and some of the world's best theme parks and attractions — whatever your interests, there's something for you in Tokyo.

Paris, France

From watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle and viewing famous works of art at world-renowned museums to eating delicious French pastries, there are innumerable reasons that Paris deserves a spot on your list. Of course, other dreamy French destinations like Mont-Saint-Michel, Chamonix, and the Riviera are well worth a visit, too.

Busy medinas, intricate architecture, and a unique combination of cultural influences make Morocco unlike anywhere else on the planet. Whether you're traveling to bustling Marrakesh, pretty coastal cities, or remote desert towns (or hopefully, all three), a trip to Morocco is bound to be one to remember.

Monica Farber/Travel + Leisure

From the whitewashed homes of Santorini to the Ios party scene to the relaxing atmosphere of Milos, there's a perfect Greek Island for every type of traveler. Island hopping gives you the chance to experience more of what the country has to offer, but plan to spend a couple of days in Athens at the beginning and/or end of your trip.

T+L Backpack Quiz

Rory Fuller/Travel + Leisure

Machu Picchu

Seeing the historic ruins of the Incan Empire set among the breathtaking Andes at Machu Picchu is an undeniably life-changing experience. The stunning citadel ruins of Machu Picchu are worth the journey — and for some travelers, that trip, often taken by train or on foot as a multi-day trek , is a big part of the experience. Editor’s note: Machu Picchu is currently closed due to civil unrest in Peru. Visit the  official website  for the latest news and reopening details.

African Safari

Seeing majestic animals like lions, elephants, and rhinos in the wild is a dream best accomplished with an African safari . South Africa, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Kenya are among the most popular safari destinations — and in each of those countries, you'll find incredible lodges and tour operators who can help you spot these creatures in their natural habitat.

Whether you dream of cruising down the famed Nile River, seeing the Pyramids of Giza, or visiting the ancient Valley of the Kings, Egypt's historic wonders make the destination completely unique (and worthy of a spot on your travel list).

Unlike many of the action-packed trips on this list, the Maldives is synonymous with relaxation, luxury, and romance. A stay in an overwater bungalow set atop turquoise blue waters is the ultimate getaway that's worth the long-haul flight and oftentimes pricey accommodations.

Antarctica Cruise

Hoping to visit all seven continents? Cross Antarctica off your list with a cruise. Several major cruise lines have journeys to Antarctica, offering incredible views of the ice and wildlife from the comfort and safety of a ship. Travelers typically fly in and out of Buenos Aires en route to Ushuaia (where most cruises depart from); we recommend spending a few days in the fascinating Argentine city before your expedition.

Irjaliina Paavonpera/Travel + Leisure

Dubbed one of the natural wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef is a can't-miss for many wildlife lovers. Of course, Australia's gorgeous coastline, the iconic Sydney Opera House, and fuzzy creatures like kangaroos and koalas are also reasons to head to the destination. Fly into Sydney and spend a few days there before heading out to explore more of this expansive country teeming with natural beauty.

Galapagos Islands

Incredible and diverse plant and animal species make the Galapagos Islands another must-visit for nature-loving travelers. This stunning archipelago off the coast of Ecuador is best explored by cruise, so you can take in as many breathtaking landscapes and animals as possible during your trip.

Like the other countries on this list, India has countless destinations worth exploring, but one of the most famous attractions that travelers dream of seeing for themselves is the Taj Mahal. This 17th-century white marble mausoleum has drawn visitors to Agra for years. Luxury travelers might consider a train trip aboard the Maharajas' Express (with a stop at the Taj Mahal) as the ultimate experience. Travelers planning to visit the Taj Mahal or take the luxurious train ride will want to fly into Delhi, India's capital territory.

Petra, Jordan

The stunning ancient city of Petra is made up of several impressive structures carved into sandstone rock faces, including the famous Al-Khazneh. The city dates back thousands of years, making this UNESCO World Heritage site a must-visit for history buffs.

Passing through India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Bhutan, and Nepal, the Himalayas are home to some of the world's highest peaks — and that means breathtaking mountain views, too. For adventurous and active travelers, climbing Mount Everest (or at least trekking to Everest Base Camp) is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

American National Park Road Trip

The classic American road trip is a mainstay on many travelers' lists — and for good reason. The country's incredible national parks , including Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Yosemite, are best explored on road trips with stops at charming small towns and kitschy roadside attractions.

Great Wall of China

Stretching across China for thousands of miles, with sections dating back nearly 2,000 years, the Great Wall is regarded as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Visitors can hike along parts of the wall — some areas are located within driving distance of Beijing, so it's a perfect day trip from the city.

Easter Island

The hundreds of monolithic moai statues have drawn curious visitors to Easter Island for years. This remote Polynesian island is worth the lengthy trip for travelers hoping to see these impressive human figures, while also soaking in some incredible coastal views.

Northern Lights Trip

Catching a glimpse of the elusive northern lights is possible in several destinations close to the Arctic Circle, including Alaska, Iceland, Canada, Greenland, Finland, Sweden, and Norway. All of these places have incredible viewpoints (and even hotels where you can see the phenomenon from your bed ), in addition to great, wintry scenery. (The lights are best viewed from late fall through early spring.)

Thailand and Vietnam

A trip through Southeast Asia is a must for any traveler, especially foodies who love street eats. While you could spend weeks in each of these countries, Thailand and Vietnam can easily be paired for an exciting trip packed with lush scenery, cultural experiences, and delicious food. Have a little extra time to spare? Add Cambodia to the mix and include a visit to expansive Angkor Wat.

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10 Trips of a Lifetime to Take in 2024

Caroline Morse Teel

Caroline Morse Teel is the Managing Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Follow her adventures around the world on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline.

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Let 2024 be the year you stop dreaming about that bucket list trip and finally book it. From riding the rails through Alaska’s stunning scenery to hiking along Japan’s under-the-radar coastline, these are the best trips to take in 2024. 

Paris, France: Olympics Travel Package

The City of Light will be even more abuzz than normal as Paris hosts the 2024 Summer Olympics. The games will be hosted in iconic locations, so this is your once-in-a-lifetime chance to watch skateboarding in the Place de la Concorde, beach volleyball in the Champ de Mars, and equestrian events in the Palace of Versailles. 

If snagging a hotel room and tickets to a game seems impossible, don’t worry—official packages that combine Olympic tickets and accommodations are available. 

Torres del Paine National Park, Chile: Journeysmiths

Located towards the bottom of Chile, Torres del Paine National Park feels like the end of the earth. This rugged and wild place rewards intrepid visitors with stunning scenery around every turn. The best way to see the highlights of Torres del Paine is via the W Trek, a hiking trail that leads to the views of the most iconic sites in the park. 

Although the W Trek traditionally involves camping or sharing rooms in a hostel-style refugio, bespoke travel company Journeysmiths can plan a custom trip along the trek with luxury resort accommodations instead of tents.  

Hidden Gems of the Greek Cyclades, Greece: Kensington Tours

If every time you opened a social media app recently you saw another friend in Greece, it’s not a coincidence—tourism to this vacation hotspot has exploded over recent years. Enjoy all the best parts of Greece, without the crowds, on Kensington Tours’ Hidden Gems of the Greek Cyclades tour , which visits the lesser-known islands of Milos and Naxos. 

The itinerary includes unique experiences like a citron liquor sampling at a local distillery and a private tour of Byzantine and Venetian relics.

Under the Northern Lights: Iceland & Greenland: Exodus Adventure Travels

To spot the Northern Lights, it’s best to head somewhere with minimal light pollution—like the middle of the Arctic. Exodus Adventure Travels’ Under the Northern Lights trip does just that, taking guests on a cruise around the remote coasts of Iceland and Greenland. 

Although seeing the aurora borealis, polar bears, and whales isn’t guaranteed, you’re sure to see incredible mountains, fjord, and massive icebergs along the way.

Madagascar Adventure: World Expeditions

Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world, and this remote island is home to an incredibly diverse ecosystem where you can find lemurs, chameleons, Baobab trees, and rainforests.  

Traverse this unique country on World Expeditions’ 21-day Madagascar Adventure trip. On this extended tour, you’ll hike colorful sandstone canyons and swim in natural pools in Isalo National park, hike through the limestone pinnacles of Tsingy de Bamaraha, canoe along the Manambolo River, and more.

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Alaska Railroad, Glaciers, Rails, and Trails Package

An Alaska trip might conjure up visions of cruises, but there’s a better way to immerse yourself in The Last Frontier—on a land-based trip, like Alaska Railroad’s Glaciers, Rails, and Trails journey . This 11-day package includes a variety of day trips featuring scenic train rides, glacier and wildlife cruises, glacial river float trips, and jetboat tours.

You’ll see the state’s highlights with stops in Kenai Fjords National Park, Denali National Park, and National Wild River Park.

Japan: Kyoto, Tokyo & the Michinouk Coastal Trail: G Adventures

Long known for its backpacker-budget trips, G Adventures recently branched out and launched The Geluxe Collection . These upgraded experiences combine active adventures with luxury accommodations and transport. Check out the new travel style on G Adventures’ Japan: Kyoto, Tokyo & the Michinoku Coastal Trail trip , an 11-day journey highlighting the best of Japan. The trip starts in Kyoto and ends in Tokyo, and visits Lake Tazawa and Jodogahama Beach along the way.

During the day, you’ll enjoy unique activities like creating crafts using bark from wild cherry blossoms or tasting sake at a 330-year-old brewery. At night, you’ll stay in four-star accommodation like the lakefront Tazawako Rose Park Hotel.

Cycle New Zealand: Otago Rail Trail: Intrepid Travel

The best way to see New Zealand? On two wheels. Intrepid Travel’s Cycle New Zealand Otago Rail Trail trip follows the spectacular Otago Central Rail Trail, a flat and traffic-free path that was voted New Zealand’s favorite ride for two years in a row.

The biking journey takes you on a loop from Queenstown to Omakau Ophir, Wedderburn, Hyde, and Middlemarch. In addition to cycling, there are opportunities to add some adrenaline in the form of bungy jumping or jet boating.

Sailing the Caribbean: National Geographic Travel

See the gems of the Caribbean in style on National Geographic Travel’s Sailing the Caribbean tour. This eight-day cruise takes place aboard the elegant square-rigger ship the Sea Cloud, a beautiful historic boat that was once the private yacht of Marjorie Merriweather Post. This elegant ship has just 30 staterooms, allowing for a much more intimate experience than a typical cruise.

The itinerary travels through some of the Caribean’s lesser-visited islands, including Dominica, Bequia, and Terre-de-Haut.

Disney Parks Around the World: Adventures by Disney

The Disney Parks Around the World trip is the ultimate splurge for true fans of the mouse. This luxury adventure costs $114,995 per person for 24 days and visits 12 Disney theme parks as well as three iconic real-world landmarks (the Taj Mahal, Pyramids of Giza, and the Eiffel Tower.)

You’ll travel in style on a private jet, and receive special behind-the-scenes access at many of the parks. 

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Top 10 most epic once-in-a-lifetime trips

Monday  newsletters  always feature  top 10 travel lists  to inspire.

Today: Top 10 most epic journeys of a lifetime

Most of us have an instinctual desire to visit inspiring new cultures, faraway shores and desolate wilderness spots. Travel is indeed one of the spices of life, offering an escape from the routine of daily life and creating a string of memories that will stay with us for a lifetime. And while our beloved planet has countless adventures and interesting destinations on offer for travel enthusiasts, only few trips are guaranteed to change your entire outlook on life. With this in mind, I’ve put together a round-up of the 10 most epic trips to make in your lifetime (each journey of them based on a 2 to 3 week holiday). Consider these the ultimate trips for discerning travelers, including a mix of some of the planet’s most beautiful landscapes and unique cultures.

Think I missed one? Share your favorite trip of a lifetime in the comments section , or take my  poll  below!

10. AUSTRALIA

Australia seemingly has it. With cosmopolitan cities like Melbourne and Sydney, magnificent beaches , virgin rainforests,  over-the-top hotels , and the unforgiving Outback, it does not fail to impress. The famous landmarks of the Sydney Harbor, the Great Barrier Reef and Ayers Rock (Uluru) are on every tourist’s bucket list, which – most likely – also includes spotting some of Australia’s intriguing wildlife, ranging from utterly cute (penguins, koalas and wallabies) to extremely dangerous (crocs, sharks, and snakes). But go off the beaten track in the absolute desolation of Kakadu’s wetlands and the unspoiled wilderness in Tasmania, and you will discover what Oz is really about.

Related post: top 10 best luxury hotels in Australia

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9. VIETNAM, LAOS & CAMBODIA

The peninsula that comprises the territories of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam remains Asia’s most enchanting region to visit. All 3 countries are known as Indochina and a share a history of French colonialism, which is still evident in the fading French architecture and cuisine. Laos is the most authentic country, still relatively untouched by Western influence, where you step back in time and explore ancient temples, coffee plantations and remote villages. Vietnam’s highlights include the fascinating city of Hanoi, the scenic rock formations that dot world-famous Halong Bay, and the beautiful scenery that stretches along its coast. But everything pales in comparison to the senses of cultural awe  that awaits you at Angkor Wat, the iconic temple ruin complex hidden in Cambodia’s jungle.

Related posts: top 10 best luxury hotels in Cambodia and top 10 best luxury hotels in Vietam

8. TRANSSIBERIAN RAILWAY (RUSSIA, MONGOLIA, CHINA)

The Trans-Siberian Railway, linking Moscow to Beijing, is one of the world’s most epic train journeys . Spanning a record 7 time zones, this is the longest continuous rail line on earth, covering 9,289 km (5,772 mi) or over one-third of the globe. Departing from Moscow, the train will first cross the mighty Ural mountains into European Russia and the immense wooded expanses of Siberia, before continuing its epic journey through the vast plans of Mongolia after which Beijing comes in sight. While you can make the journey in just 9 days, most tourists will at least double that time, so that they can hop off en route to discover the Romanovs’ last home in Yekaterinburg, hike near Lake Baikal, camp out in a traditional Ger in Mongolia, and explore Mongolia’s capital city of Ulaan Baatar.

7. NATIONAL PARKS OF WESTERN CANADA

Start your journey in the Rocky Mountains, home to  amazing wildlife , with bisons grazing in boreal forests, moose ambling through dramatic landscapes, and grizzly bears roaming free. From the dizzying mountains of the Icefield Highway to the crystal clear water of Lake Morraine to the open plains around Calgary, you can easily spend months in the Rockies while fishing, hiking, walking, riding, and ranching. Afterwards, head to Prince Rupert for an awesome day cruise on the incredibly scenic Inside Passage. When arriving on Vancouver Island, stop at Telegraph Cove for a  kayak trip with killer whales , before living the grand finale of your great Canadian adventure at the Pacific Rim National Park, where mountains, rainforests, wild beaches, and exclusive lodges meet in the most mesmerizing scenery of all.

Related posts: top 10 best hotels in British Columbia and top 10 best hotels in the Canadian Rockies

6. ALASKA & HAWAII (USA)

Raw nature awaits you in America’s Last Frontier. The unspoiled landscapes, mountainous grandeur, mighty rivers, and awe-inspiring wildlife of the Alaskan wilderness is overwhelming and a perfect fit for a trip of a lifetime. Start your Alaskan adventure with a cruise through the Inside Passage and enjoy views of spectacular fiords, marine wildlife and calving glaciers. Next, embark on a road trip to discover the open tundra and wildlife in Denali National park. While it could not be further apart from Alaska in terms of scenery and weather, Hawaii is only a 6 hour, direct flight  away. With their lava-spewing volcanoes, lush valleys, glorious waterfalls and towering coastal cliffs, the  beautiful islands of Hawaii, especially Kauai, boast some of the most dramatic  scenery on earth, that set the perfect stage to end this epic journey in style.  

Related posts: top 10 things to see and do in Alaska and top 10 best hotels & resorts in Hawaii

5. THE GREAT MIGRATION, MOUNT KILIMANJARO & ZANZIBAR (TANZANIA)

The yearly wildebeest migration in Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Masai Mara just might be called “t he greatest animal show on earth ”, when ten of thousands of wildebeest and zebras migrate to greener pastures as the seasons change, with lions, cheetahs and other predators following them and waiting for an opportunity to kill the weak. Following this trilling safari experience , nearby Mount Kilimanjaro, with 5,892 m (or 19,331 ft) Africa’s highest peak, awaits you for the adventure of a lifetime. But while you do not have to be an expert climber to conquer the mountain (just regularly fit), do not take the exhausting climb – which takes as least 5 days – lightly. Afterwards, you can end your trip of a lifetime on the sugar white, palm-fringed sands of Zanzibar, Tanzania’s tropical spice island.

Related posts: top 10 best luxury hotels in Tanzania

4. NATIONAL PARKS OF THE USA

America’s West is home to a string of magnificent  National Parks . Start your journey in Yosemite, with its dizzying granite domes, towering waterfalls  and the highest trees on earth. After passing through desolate Death Valley, you will gasp for air when overlooking the spectacular Grand Canyon, although nearby Zion and Bryce Canyon are at least as impressive. Your next stop is the heart of the USA’s most untamed wilderness, being Grand Teton and Yellowstone, where you can see spouting geysers, hike in the shade of rough mountain peaks and observe  bizon and wolves roaming free in the valleys. While a little out-of-the-way, finish your trip at Glacier, my favorite National Park, offering incredible hiking opportunities as well as the best chance for spotting grizzlies in the wild.

Related post:  top 10 most beautiful National Parks of the USA .

3. PATAGONIA, ATACAMA DESERT & IGUAZU FALLS (SOUTH AMERICA)

Patagonia is the sparsely populated region located at the southern end of South America, shared by Argentina and Chile.  Here, you can marvel at the calving Perito Moreno Glacier from a boat, hike in the surreal mountain scenery around El Chalten, and be awe inspired by the unrivaled beauty of South America ’s most pristine wilderness area in Torres Del Pain. There cannot be a greater contrast than with the starkly desolate Atacama desert in northern Chili, an easy connecting flight away from Patagonia. With its deeply incised canyons, high steppe and towering Andes mountains, it’s a paradise for photographers, nature lovers and active travelers. Finish your ‘trip of a lifetime’ at Iguazu Falls on the Argentinian-Brazilian border, where you can get close to 275 thundering waterfalls .

Related posts: top 10 most amazing places to visit in South America and best luxury hotels in South America

2.  NEW ZEALAND & TAHITI (SOUTH PACIFIC)

Bilbo Baggins and Tolkien’s Middle Earth will come alive when you travel through New Zealand’s magnificent landscapes. The country’s position on two tectonic plates creates active geothermal activity on the North Island, with hot water pools, bubbling mud, spouting geysers, and volcanic forces. A palate of even more dramatic scenery, New Zealand’s South Island is home to the majestic Southern Alps, peaceful sounds, rugged coastlines and sweeping plains. While it’s painful to leave Middle Earth, the most mythical of all Pacific Ocean islands, Bora Bora, awaits you a 5 hour flight away from Auckland. A stay in an overwater villa on stilts in Bora Bora’s idyllic lagoon will make memories for a lifetime and definitely ranks among the most spectacular trips one can make in their lifetime.

Related post:  top 10 best luxury resorts in French Polynesia

1. VICTORIA FALLS TO CAPE TOWN (SOUTHERN AFRICA)

Follow in the footsteps of Dr Livingstone and brace for thé ultimate trip of a lifetime. Traveling from the mighty Victoria Falls  to South Africa’s Mother City encompasses an epic journey through Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, that covers all of Southern Africa’s highlights. You will hike in the Fish River Canyon, spot wildlife in Etosha National Park, track predators in the Okavango Delta (where unrivaled  luxury safari lodges await you), watch the sun rise over the world’s highest dunes in Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert, and get sprayed by the world’s largest sheet of falling water at Victoria Falls. Finally, you will end your journey in pure chill in the world’s most beautiful city , Cape Town, with its stunning beaches , beautiful mountains, inviting vineyards, spectacular drives , and tons of trendy bars and fine dining restaurants.

Related posts: top 10 things to see and do in Cape Town and top 10 best hotels in Namibia

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Loved Alaska. I just recommend flying to Fairbanks and working your way south to the cruise at either Seward or Whittier. The reason is that the traveling tires one out and its then nice to settle onto a cruise ship for the second half.

Can I ask what camera do you use? I am looking to visit kanazawa and will like to get a good camera. Thanks.

How tone deaf to list traveling to Russia when they are committing genocide in Ukraine!

I agree with Laura Welch on principle, but then you should also remove any mention of travelling to China for what they’re doing to the Uyghurs and in Tibet, to Burma for their actions against the Rohingyas, and to North Korea for what they’re doing to their own people, to pick just the first three examples which come to mind. I have every sympathy with the Ukraine, don’t get me wrong, but IMO they’re getting a lot more attention in the West just because it’s so much closer to home.

I actually do not agree with Laura at all but I agree with Brian and feel empathy for all people suffering, not just Ukrainians. What about travelling to the US, should that be also banned Laura? US attacked Syria, Libya, Afghanistan, Vietnam…shall I say more? If we all think like Laura, we will unfortunately have almost nowhere to travel. So let’s be empathetic to all people over the world suffering and try to enjoy and admire all beautiful countries, incl. Russia and USA. I am going to sound like an old lady (which I am becoming) but we never know what tomorrow brings so let’s make memories. This blog is not about politics but it should educate us what is out there worth seeing. And what is worth seeing is so individual for everyone. And no, I am neither Russian or Ukrainian.

The list is amazing, but there is so much more over there!!! I really like and follow this site, but I think it underestimates South America, and especially Brazil, my beatiful, beloved country. How come a list like this makes no mention to the Amazon and Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, or to the amazing Pantanal and its region of Bonito, or to Northeast Brazil, or to Rio de Janeiro and its beaches and lakes, just to name a few. And yes, we do have a lot of Luxury Travel here in Brazil yet to be explored by this website!

Have you ever book on Skylux Travel for business and first class?

Hi, Your blog content is really incredible & the place you mentioned in the article are exceptional and mind blowing. I can’t wait to see such wonderful places especially in CANADA. Once again, I really appreciate you on providing details of epic places for traveling and spending holidays from all round the world.

I liked the list I would like to keep this list for my upcoming trip. Thats really greatful

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Trips of a Lifetime: inspiration for booking your bucket list travel

When I was younger my goals revolved around work and family. I had no time, energy, or money to consider trips of a lifetime. Mortgages, school expenses, braces, etc., ate up most of our cash (though we did manage to squeeze in some great trips with the kids to the National Parks and twice to Europe!). If you’d asked me what my travel future would be, I’d likely have been dreaming of summers by the beach and an occasional trip to Paris. I never thought that regular people like me could go on a safari, or cruise down the Nile. But when a friend went to Africa to celebrate a big birthday, I began to realize that (some of) these bucket list trips are possible if you want them badly enough. By planning, prioritizing, and saving, I’ve had some extraordinary adventures. And you can too!

What are trips of a lifetime?

These are the Bucket List trips – the ultimate travel destinations we dream about. For some that might be New York City, for others India. Some may want a physical challenge, and some may want to be pampered. Our dreams are as individual as we are.

Some people don’t like ‘bucket lists.’ But I find having a list of anything – errands, activities, or books – increases my likelihood to get stuff done. I didn’t have an ‘official’ travel list until we retired and suddenly, we had opportunities we hadn’t had before. Whereas before we planned vacations on a whim, with a prioritized list we’ve organized our travel and reached for more of our trips of a lifetime.

Prioritizing is key. A few years ago we jumped on a friend’s suggestion to travel to Alaska. We’d always wanted to see Alaska, so this seemed a great idea. But when we looked at our combined priorities, we noted that Alaska was way down the list, far below out #1 destination – Costa Rica . We opted to skip the trip and went to Costa Rica instead. We’ll get to Alaska some day, but only when it’s our top choice!

As older adults we know that now is the time to turn our dreams into plans. Top travel bloggers share suggestions for the Best Trips to Take in Your 60s .

Create your Trips of a Lifetime list

1. make a list of all the places you’ve dreamt of going – your bucket list trips..

This is the time to brainstorm and dream.

Make a list of all the places you’ve dreamed of going. Don’t discount any cool travel ideas. Just write it all down. Consider your passions, the things that make you happy. Are you …

( click on a topic for brainstorming suggestions )

• An art aficionado ?
• A beach lover ?
• A history buff ?
• A foodie or wine lover ?
• A hiker and camper ?
• A music lover ?
• A thrill seeker ?
• A sports fan ?
• A book lover ?
• An animal lover ?
• The family historian ?
• ______________________ fill in your dream!

We’ve listed some ideas below, but would love to have you add suggestions for other dream locations in the comments!

2. Cross out anything on your list that is unattainable

Unfortunately some dreams may be physically impossible and we need to accept that. But before you cross off the idea, look to see if you can modify your dream to something that is possible. For example, most of us can’t climb Mt. Everest, but if that’s been our dream, maybe we could make a trek to base camp in Nepal.

Other destinations may be too dangerous to visit now, but might be possible in a few years. Keep those on your list with a note to reconsider in a few years.

3. Set priorities

What is most important to you? This can be difficult if you have a lot of bucket list trips. Consider that you were getting a opportunity to go to any of your picks. Which would you choose? Then consider you didn’t get an opportunity to take the trips. Which would you be most disappointed to have missed?

If you travel with a partner, each should set their priorities separately and then discuss.

Note: I use a spreadsheet to list and evaluate our options. This is an easy way to see what trips will fulfill both my husband and my priorities. Neither one of us may get our #1 pick, but we know we’ll both be happy with #2.

4. Estimate costs for the top priority trips.

Estimate airfare, car rental, or other transportation expense, cost of accommodations and meals, and anticipated activities. Add the cost of travel insurance if you expect you’ll need that. Divide by the number of days to get a sense of how pricey the trip is.

5. Be realistic about your abilities and your budget.

Abilities and Fitness Level – Can we really keep up with the proposed itinerary? For example,

• We bike a lot at home, but can we bike 8-10 hours a day through Europe? Would it be better to book one or two day tours in between a more leisurely vacation? Or as we did, book a bike and barge trip in the Netherlands with our friends of similar fitness levels.
• African safaris involve long flights , very early mornings, and climbing into safari vehicles. This might be difficult with mobility issues.

Budget – Can we really afford the trip? Is there a less pricey option? Or could we establish a savings plan towards the cost of the trip?

Consider traveling in the off season, or shoulder season to save some money. Combining destinations can save you money in the long run.

If budgeting will take an extended time, consider scheduling a lower priority, but less expensive trip, while you save. Check to see if there are destinations closer to home that might satisfy your passion. For example, if you live in North America-

• For history, beaches, cycling, and culture head to New England. Boston or Plymouth .
• There are mountains, ocean, and art in Seattle, WA and the Pacific Northwest .
• The Canadian and U.S. National Parks are phenomenal destinations for adventures, history, and fun.
• Costa Rica is a nature lovers dream and quite reasonably priced!
• Beach lovers will love Hawaii , Puerto Rico and the islands of the Caribbean.
• Those looking forward to experiencing a formal tea in London, can find some of the best afternoon tea spots in the U.S. and Canada.

Consider your future abilities as well.

As older travelers the ‘future abilities’ is most important. We’re active now, but know that’s not guaranteed in the future.

Dave and I have chosen to take the more physically difficult journeys first and have deferred the more sedate ones. We are booked for Machu Picchu next year, and look forward to European river cruises when we’re a bit older.

6. Choose a trip that is within reach physically, financially, and satisfies all travelers priorities. Compromise is key here.

You’ll probably come up with two or more trips that meet your criteria, as we did in our spreadsheet above. You’ll have to decide which ones to do first and which ones will need more planning time.

In our analysis, three trips tied for top priority – Galapagos and Machu Picchu, Costa Rica, and New Zealand. At the time, New Zealand was closed to visitors, so we put that aside until it became a viable option. We booked Costa Rica (traveled 1/2022) and began researching the Galapagos and Machu Picchu trip (now booked for 4/2023)

7. Pick a time frame based on how long it will take to reserve and budget for the trip, etc. Then Book Your Trip!

Once you’ve chosen your destination, begin planning for sustainable options for tours and lodging. If this trip is YOUR trip of a lifetime, it’s likely someone else’s too. Let’s make sure our tourism contributes to preserving these beautiful spots.

Click on the pin to read more about a dream destination.

Inspiration for your Trips of a Lifetime

10 Easy Steps to Plan the Best Luxury Safari in Africa (2024)

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Visiting Petra: Everything to Know About the Rose City (2024)

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5 Best Reasons to Visit Costa Rica: Pura Vida Ecotourism

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The Big 15 and More Reasons to Visit the Enchanted Galápagos Islands

Welcome to the extraordinary world of the Galápagos Islands, a paradise for nature lovers. Visiting the Galápagos is a chance to experience nature nearly untouched…

How to Plan a Perfect (relaxing!) European Vacation

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See the Best of Egypt with a Luxury Group Tour

Traveling to Egypt is on most people’s Bucket List. Who wouldn’t want to cruise the Nile River? See the famous landmarks in Cairo and Luxor?…

Ideas to Help You Choose Your Trips of a Lifetime

Art Destinations

• Acropolis Museum
• Egyptian Museum
• Louvre – Paris
• Gaudi’s architecture – Barcelona
• Metropolitan Museum – NYC
• Vatican Museums – Rome

Wine & Food Travel

• Champagne-Ardenne – France
• Istanbul – Turkey
• Mendoza – Argentina
• Napa – USA
• New Orleans – USA
• Tuscany – Italy

Birding Hotspots

• Everglades NP – USA
• Manu NP – Peru

Music Destinations

• Barcelona – Spain
• Buenos Aires – Argentina
• Broadway – USA
• Havana – Cuba
• Nashville – USA
• Sydney Opera House – Australia
• Vienna – Austria

Dream Beaches

Camping & hiking.

• Antelope Canyon
• Appalachian Trail – USA
• Canadian Rockies
• Camino de Santiago – Spain
• U.S. National Parks
• Wadi Rum, Jordan

Animal Wilderness

• Galapagos Islands
• Kenya/Tanzania
• Okavango Delta – Botswana
• South Africa
• Whale watching in New England – USA
• Yellowstone NP – USA

Historical & UNESCO Sites

• Angkor Wat – Cambodia
• Berlin Wall – Germany
• Dubrovnik – Croatia
• Forbidden City – China
• Ha Long Bay – Vietnam
• Machu Picchu – Peru
• Pyramids – Egypt
• Rhodes – Greece
• Venice – Italy

For Thrill Seekers

• Grand Canyon – USA
• New Zealand
• Victoria Falls – Zambia & Zimbabwe

Literary Destinations

• Stratford-on-Avon – UK
• Trinity College Library – Dublin
• Prince Edward Island – Anne of Green Gables
• Rome – Angels and Demons

For Sports Fans

• Boston Marathon – USA
• Kentucky Derby – USA
• Olympics – ???
• St. Andrews golf – Scotland
• Tour de France
• Wimbledon – UK

Do you have a bucket list? We’ve shared ours on our Favorites and Still to Do page.

Books to Inspire Your Trips of a Lifetime List

• 1000 Places to See Before You Die by Patricia Schultz
• The Bucket List: 1000 Adventures Big & Small by Kath Stathers
• Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert (fiction. Free with Audible trial)
• World’s Best Travel Experiences – National Geographic

Find more books on select destinations – Reading the World

Share this:

6 thoughts on “ Trips of a Lifetime: inspiration for booking your bucket list travel ”

My top priority trip has to be New Zealand.

Love this list! I’ve done Antarctica and can say it’s changed my entire perspective on our world and Mother Nature!

Ooh, I’d love to see Antarctica someday!

This is pretty much my bucket list right here – I’ve ticked off a few but still working on it.

Lots of great trips. Top of my list is doing a big lap of Australia – having travelled extensively abroad, I’m finally finding the time to travel my place of birth.

Great planning suggestions! I’m glad I do most of it and slowly ticking off things from my bucket list.

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Dave's Travel Pages

Greek Island Hopping | Greece Travel Ideas | Bicycle Touring

How to plan a trip of a lifetime – Step by Step Vacation Checklist

Discover how to plan a trip easily and stress free in this step by step guide. The perfect vacation checklist and trip planning process for your next trip or vacation.

In this guide, I'll share some helpful travel tips for planning the perfect trip so you can enjoy a relaxing vacation.

Best way to plan a trip

There's no need to get stressed about planning a trip as long as you take the time to plan it right.

I'm going to show you just that–a step-by-step guide on how to plan your trip without forgetting anything! If you're thinking of traveling overseas to your dream destinations , then this is the article for you!

Trip Planning Tips

Planning your next vacation can be overwhelming. It's hard to keep everything in mind while organizing all the details of where you're staying, what you'd like to see, and what you shouldn't miss out on when there etc.

For this reason it's good travel advice to have a concise checklist or bullet point list.

Underneath, is a basic bullet point list of the main things you might consider when planning to travel.

The order you choose to do some of these steps in might depend on your own personal circumstances such as if you're a budget traveler, your travel destinations, and if saving money before you go is needed.

Further on in this guide on how to organize a trip, I'll break each point down into more detail.

Checklist to Plan the Trip

The easy way to plan a trip, step by step. 

Step 1: Choose your destination

Step 2: make sure you are visiting at the best time of year, step 3: decide how long your trip will be, step 4: work out your travel budget.

• Step 5: Book transportation such as flights

Step 6: Organize your accommodation

Step 7. start planning an itinerary.

• Step 8: Finalize your finances
• Step 9: Make sure your paperwork is in order

Step 10: Pack, throw away half the stuff, and pack again

Step 11. you're on your way.

So, where do you want to go? What is your dream destination? Seek inspiration. Build a bucket list. Research is fun!

The planning and dreaming of a trip can be an exciting time! With a map in front of you, it feels like you can go anywhere and see anything.

No travel destination is out of reach, whether you want off the beaten path adventures or boutique hotels in a beautiful location. Your imagination is your only limit.

Perhaps you've got a destination in mind, but even so, you might want to find out more about it. For example, people ask me how they can combine visiting Santorini , Zakynthos and Athens in a week – and the answer is they can't (which they would have realised if they had looked at a map!).

You might also want to look at if your desired destination has any travel restrictions or visa requirements for entry. I'll go over documents and travel itineraries later on in this list, but these are all things to store away in the back of your mind for future reference.

Stuck for inspiration? Travel blogs are a great read. Take a look at my  European bucket list  ideas.

When is the best time to go? Are some months cheaper than others? What will the weather be like when you travel? Why do long term travelers avoid peak season?

Once you have a destination sorted out, you might want to check when is the best time to go there. For example, if you are traveling for the party season in Mykonos , you don't want to rock up in November.

You might also want to find out when high season is, and travel just outside that window if you want to avoid the higher prices that will be applied to flights and accommodation.

Travel planning tip: Shoulder season (the months either side of high season) are typically a good time to visit most destinations. Check my guide on how to find cheap flights .

Do you have limited vacation days? Do you already have a set budget? How many days do you need in a destination (too much time is not always good).

Whether you're planning a weekend city break, or an epic around the world cycling tour , it's good to have some idea how long the trip will be. Generally speaking, the shorter the trip, the more accurate you can be with how long it will take.

For example, a 2 week trip in regular vacation time is easy to plan for. An open-ended trip might not be based on time, but instead based on budget – kind of like when the money runs out, the trip is over!

Also read: City break packing list male

Research Your Costs. Will you Travel Solo? How much money do I need? How do budget travelers make ends meet?

One of the most important steps in planning a trip is considering your budget. You need to understand how much money you can spend on the excursion before setting off for your adventure abroad.

You'll also need to consider how much you should be spending on each aspect of the venture, from plane tickets to transportation. Will you have enough money for food while at your destination? Do you have any other big costs? How much do you need to be saving and when do you need it by?

Your best bet is to sit down with a pad of paper and pen along with your budget worksheet. Consider what things will cost and how much they'll set you back.

You should also allow for unexpected costs , like emergency travel insurance or replacement of lost baggage. Keep in mind that airfare can be the largest expense when traveling overseas, but it's still something you need to budget for.

Once you have a travel budget written out in at least pencil, I'd suggest using a bank account that is dedicated to your trip. Keep it simple – only put money into this account, never take it out!

Related: How to Save Money for your Next Trip: Budget Tips, Hacks and More

Step 5: Book transportation such as cheap flights

Can you find any last-minute deals? Which airport are you flying into? Are you making a round trip and flying out of the same airport? Or is your departure location different than where you're arriving at?

When booking your flight, you should know that airline companies don't have equal prices, so the key here is to know exactly what it is that you want.

Be sure to check and see which airlines offer “promoted deals”-this may be cheaper than other available flights; maybe even in Economy Class! However, it could also end up being more expensive if each airline charges different fees associated with traveling (such as baggage carryon costs).

Ryanair in Europe is notorious for their additional fees in terms of carry-on hold luggage. This is why I recommend doing some research on whether or not getting a promotion would be worth it for your trip, otherwise you might end up overspending.

You might also want to look at ways of getting from the airport you land at to your hotel. Of course, you can always take a taxi or rent a car if your hotel offers parking.

I would check with the staff of the hotel to see how much they cost and if it's worth it for that trip. Taking taxis in Europe can be very expensive; however, there are ways you can save money on taxis . Sometimes you might just want to look into public transportation such as trains and buses to get around.

What type of place do you want to stay in? Look at where to book places online?

Before you go ahead and book any places to stay on your trip, take some time to work out what types of accommodation you might use. If your planned trip is for just a few days, the chances are you will want more high quality accommodation than if you are traveling for months at a time.

Nowadays, people use AirBnB as their first go to point, but my personal travel experience has shown that Booking is better.

For trips of just a few weeks, you'll probably want to book your accommodation in advance. If your trip planning goes out beyond this, there's no real point in booking accommodation way ahead just in case plans change.

What do you want to see? What are the highlights of your destination? How will you get around?

I like to list all of the sights, activities, and locations in my destination that sound interesting. I balance this by things I wouldn't want to miss out on (like the Acropolis in Athens for example), with other things that might interest me (street art in Athens). This way, I get to check out all the ‘must-do' attractions as well as another side to the destination.

For cities specifically, I normally like to allow 3 days for each one when possible. For large cities like London, perhaps 5 days or even more might be needed. It all depends on how much you want to see and do!

Once I have my list, I usually split it up into categories. This is not strictly necessary, but it does help me plan the trip better if I group the sights by location or type.

For example, a city trip might include a category for each district of the city (like ‘City Center' or ‘The Old City'), locations (like museums), and other countries nearby.

On the other hand, something like a beach vacation would have categories for different beaches in that area as well as villages/towns/cities nearby where it's easier to get food (if needed). Generally speaking though, it's best to go with your instinct when planning an itinerary!

An alternative to packing everything in to a short amount of time is to travel slowly. Find out more: What Is Slow Tourism? Benefits Of Slow Travel

Step 8: Finalize your finances – save money!

Tell Your Card Companies You’re Traveling. Automate Your Bills. Get hold of travel cash.

Hopefully, you've accumulated enough money for your travel plans, but you'll now need a way to use the money on your trip! It's always best to let credit card companies know that you will be traveling so that your card doesn't get blocked when overseas.

Also, you don't want to rely on just one card – make sure you have 3 or 4 cards with different banks you can take with you.

When I travel, I like to make use of Wise and Revolut accounts. They give great exchange rates in the different countries I travel to!

You might also want to make sure that any bill payments are taken care of for when you're away on your trip. Automate your bills for credit card repayments, mortgage, phones, and loans (and anything else you can think of!) to make sure that you don't have to worry about things when away.

Related: How to hide money when traveling

Step 9: Make sure your paperwork is in order – travel insurance

Don't forget the travel insurance. Do you need visas? I hope your passport hasn't expired!

True story – My brother went on vacation, and it was only on the way to the airport that he realised his daughter's passport didn't have enough time left on it! Somehow, he got away with it (I have no idea how), but you probably don't want to find yourself in that situation. Make sure your passport is valid before you travel!

Additional paperwork or admin task include getting travel insurance for your trip, getting online visas if needed for some countries, and nowadays making sure you are complying with whatever covid travel restrictions there might be.

You'll probably want to buy some suitable clothes for your vacation or trip, but don't go overboard when traveling abroad! There's no point in lugging around lots of clothes you'll never need, especially if it's you that has to carry a heavy bag everywhere! Take a look at my travel packing checklist for ideas.

Perhaps you also want to think about what luggage to use. Wheeled luggage has its advantages, as do bags with straps so they are easy to carry. For my style of traveling, I like to take a wheeled backpack which seems to suit me just fine.

Related: How to choose the best digital nomad backpack

You've used these easy trip planning tips, and now you're on your way! Take plenty of photos and video, make meaningful memories, and have a great time!

FAQ About Planning A Trip

Here are some of the most popular questions asked by other travelers when it comes to planning their trips and dream vacation:

How far in advance should you plan a vacation?

No matter where you are going, it's a good idea to plan at least six months in advance. Going more than a year in advance will allow you to find the best deals and get the most from your vacation days!

What is the best way to plan a vacation?

The best way to plan a vacation is by following these steps:

• Figure out your budget
• Define what you want to do on vacation
• Create a list and group it into categories
• Research each location on the list that you want to visit
• Pick the best places
• Book flights, hotels and activities

How do you figure out how much a trip will cost?

You should always start by figuring out how much money you have for your trip. If it's a vacation, then we recommend looking at the average travel cost of the country you're going to visit. You'll also want to consider things like visas, clothing, and souvenirs – these can add up easily so make sure that you account for them!

How much does a round the world trip cost?

This really depends on the style of travel, mode of transport, and how long you want to travel around the world for. I have cycled around the world on 10 dollars a day. Some travelers spend 25,000 dollars a year on their trips. Most people should probably aim for somewhere in between.

Can I work and travel as a digital nomad?

Any job you can do online you can do anywhere in the world. This guide takes a look at the best digital nomad jobs for beginners .

Do you have any suggestions on how to plan the trip of a lifetime? We'd love to hear them, so please leave a comment at the end of this blog post!

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2023 bucket-list trips you should start planning now

Jan 2, 2023 • 12 min read

Make 2023 the year you finally make it to Burning Man © lukas bischoff / Alamy Stock Photo

Want to start planning for the year ahead? Here are more than 20 reasons to consider a once-in-a-lifetime trip in 2023. 

WorldPride crosses the equator

Since its inaugural event in Rome more than two decades ago, this semiannual global celebration of LGBTIQ+ pride has never been held in the Southern Hemisphere – until  2023 , when it will touch down in Sydney for 17 days of parades, parties, exhibits, immersive art installations, sporting events and more. 

Key dates: Though the extravaganza runs from February 17 to March 5, things really kick off with an opening concert on February 24 starring Kylie Minogue – “not only a beloved musician and rainbow icon, but the highest selling Australian-born solo artist of all time,” per Sydney WorldPride CEO Kate Wickett. The Bondi Beach Party on March 4 is another hot ticket, with Nicole Scherzinger set to headline.

The 12 most LGBTIQ+ friendly places on Earth

Dominica parties hard

One of Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel picks for 2023 , the Caribbean island of Dominica has a big year ahead. Its three main festivals are back in business: following successful runs in 2022, Jazz N’ Creole and Dominica’s World Creole Music Festival are returning, and Mas Domnik, aka “The Real Mas,” is back for Carnival for the first time since the pandemic.

Key dates: Mas Domnik , February 20 to 21; Jazz ‘N Creole , April 30; World Creole Music Festival , October 27 to 29.  

Latin American and Caribbean Carnivals for every traveler

Burning Man explores its animal instincts 

Welcoming 75,069 participants at its peak in 2022, Nevada’s artsy, week-long Black Rock Desert gathering returns in 2023 with the theme Animalia . 

“This year’s Burning Man theme will celebrate the animal world and our place in it – animals real and imagined, mythic and remembered – and explore the curious mental constructs that allow us to believe that imagined animals are real, real animals are imagined, and that somehow, despite all evidence to the contrary, mankind is somehow not part of the animal kingdom,” writes Stuart Mangrum for the blog Burning Man Journal.

Key dates: The event is scheduled for August 27 to September 4. Ticket on-sale  dates have yet to be announced for 2023, but early passes have previously gone on sale in February, the main sale in late March and last-minute tickets at the beginning of August. Prior registration is required for all options. 

Sporting and cultural events 

Super bowl lvii.

At this point in the NFL season, the teams battling it out for Super Bowl supremacy are still to be determined – but we do know Rihanna is providing the halftime entertainment. If that’s enough to pique your interest (and how could it not be?>), tickets are still available (on the resale market, for big spenders only). And there’s plenty to do in the Phoenix metro area before and after the big game, which is taking place at State Farm Stadium Glendale, home to the Arizona Cardinals .

Key date:  Super Bowl LVII will take place on Sunday, February 12. 

2023 FIA Formula One World Championship

Engines will be revving in Bahrain  come early March, with three days of testing leading up to the first race of the F1 season at the track in Sakhir . 

Key dates: Testing begins March 3, then the 2023 season kicks off with the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 5. 

Where and how to watch sport like a local

Sakura season 

Japan has finally reopened to individual travelers, so if catching the cherry blossoms at their peak has long been on your list, now’s a great time to go. While you should check the forecast before committing to a particular region (the trees are in full bloom at staggered times across the country),  Fukuoka is a safe bet for hanami (cherry-blossom viewing) in March. The biggest city on the southern island of Kyūshū , this  Best in Travel pick offers fantastic food and a beautiful bounty of flowering trees. 

Key dates: Because it’s a natural phenomenon, there’s no set schedule here. In 2022, the bloom began in mid-March and peaked a couple weeks later, per Kyuhoshi.com  – but you’ll want to keep an eye on the forecast as the season draws closer before making any nonrefundable plans. 

Eurovision Song Contest

Typically the winning country hosts the Eurovision finals the following year, but when Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra took home the coveted glass microphone in 2022, plans had to change. A twin city of Odesa , Liverpool was chosen from a shortlist of seven cities to host on behalf of the besieged Eastern European nation in 2023.

Key dates: The Eurovision semifinals are slated for May 9 and 11; the final showdown follows on May 13. 

10 things Liverpool locals want you to know before you visit

Coronation of Charles and Camilla

This spring, King Charles III and the Queen Consort Camilla will be crowned at Westminster Abbey , continuing 900 years of tradition. Unless you’re an A-lister, the ceremony isn’t open to the public, though traditionally there’s been a procession through the streets of London afterward. Reports indicate that given the current economic climate this will likely be a more modest affair than Elizabeth II’s back in ’53. Still, expect rates on accommodations to soar and availability to be minimal around coronation weekend.

Key dates: The coronation is scheduled for May 6.  

Where to explore royal history in London

FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023

If it felt weird to watch the World Cup ahead of the winter holidays rather than over the summer, not to worry – the international soccer competition returns to its usual season in 2023, when women’s teams from 32 countries take the pitch in Australia and New Zealand . 

Key dates: The group stage begins July 20, and the round of 16 starts August 5. The quarterfinals take place on August 11 and 12 and the semis on August 15 and 16. The third-place game will be held on August 19 and the final on August 20. 

Rugby World Cup 2023

South Africa will defend its title, Portugal will play its first match on this stage in 16 years and Chile will join the fray for the first time ever when the Rugby World Cup comes to France . The pool matches will be played at stadiums across the country, from Paris to Marseille  and  Lyon to Lille  – on the off chance you need an excuse for a road trip . 

Key dates: The opening match kicks off September 8, the quarterfinals are October 14 and 15 and the semis are October 20 and 21. The bronze final is October 27, and the final is October 28. 

Museum openings

International African American Museum

More than 20 years in the making, the International African American Museum opens in 2023 in Charleston , South Carolina . 

Covering almost 150,000 sq ft of exhibition, learning and interpretive space on the site of a notorious former slave-trading port, the Henry Cobb–designed IAAM has nine galleries with exhibitions delving into the horrors of slavery and the African diaspora’s contributions to US history, among other themes. There’s also a memorial garden, an infinity reflection pool and a Center for Family History​ that will serve as a much-needed resource for African American genealogy.

"The International African American Museum’s work meets at the intersection of local, national and international stories that comprise a holistic view of the African American journey," chief learning and engagement officer Malika Pryor-Martin tells Lonely Planet. "[It's] not a monument to the carnage and injustice that was the slave trade. It is a testament to the fundamentally human experience of African American people who navigated great pain and joy: a people who survived and triumphed and are here now, telling their own story." 

Key dates: The IAAM was scheduled to open in late January, but it's since been delayed due to unforeseen circumstances. It's still slated for 2023, though, so keep an eye on the official site and socials for updates.

Grand Egyptian Museum

After years of delays (both COVID-related and not) Giza’s long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum finally looks set to open. The showstopping US$1.1 billion, 484,000-sq-ft facility has “jutting, prowlike lines [that] resemble an enormous ship run aground in the desert,” National Geographic reported in October, housing 12 exhibition halls and 100,000 artifacts, including more than 5000 burial treasures from the tomb of Tutankhamun – on display together here for the first time ever. 

Key dates: Doors should be opening any day now. As of mid-December, the GEM had hosted a limited number of private events and group visits, with a trial phase for public visits due to be announced “soon,” per the museum’s Instagram . 

Experience Egypt’s epic history by getting up close with these latest discoveries

Robot Science Museum 

Back in 2019, Istanbul- and Seoul-based Melike Altınışık Architects won a design competition for a new Seoul museum dedicated to robotics – to be built by them, too. The RSM was slated to open in late 2022 in Chang-dong’s “New Economic Center,” and while updates haven’t been forthcoming, we’re hopeful this is the year. 

Key dates:  TBA. 

Our guide to Seoul’s must-visit neighborhoods

Istanbul Modern 

After four years at its temporary home in Beyoğlu , Turkey’s first museum of contemporary art is set to reopen at its original location in Karaköy , in stunning new digs designed by architectural maestro Renzo Piano. The five-floor, 15,000-sq-m (161,459-sq-ft) space will include an outdoor cafe and sculpture garden, a below-ground cinema and a rooftop deck – not to mention permanent and temporary galleries boasting 3300 sq m (35,521 sq ft) of exhibition space. 

Key dates:  Piano's first project in Turkey will be unveiled for visitors on May 4.

14 must-do things on your trip to Istanbul

Catch the Yosemite firefall

Between mid- and late February, when the conditions are just right, Yosemite National Park ’s Horsetail Fall glows electric-orange at sunset, giving the illusion of a plummeting flume of fire. In recent years, it’s become a can’t-miss event . (Blame social media.)

Key dates: Though it’s impossible to predict the exact dates the phenomenon will occur, it almost always happens in February. If your schedule’s flexible, check it out during the week; you’ll need a reservation on the weekends of February 10 to 12, February 17 to 19 and February 24 to 26. 

See the northern lights

Though the next solar maximum isn’t expected until 2025, the sun’s activity ramps up as the maximum grows closer, making 2023 as good a time as any to go looking for the aurora borealis. Head north : you’ll have the best odds in Iceland , Norway and Greenland , as well as towns like Fairbanks , Alaska , and Churchill , Canada . 

Key dates: The best time to see the northern lights varies by location, however the northern hemisphere's winter is the ideal time for a visit. Here's what you need to know about planning a trip to see the northern lights in Europe . 

Make a reservation at a US national park 

Many of the USA ’s national parks had timed-entry requirements during and in the aftermath of the pandemic, the majority of which have begun to ease. Yosemite announced in September that it was rolling back the reservation system for guests in summer 2023, while other parks still require permits year-round for certain activities, including viewing the sunrise at  Haleakalā National Park and climbing Angels Landing at Zion National Park . 

Key dates:  Currently, most national parks have yet to announce whether or not reservations will be required during peak season (usually mid-May to mid-September) – so one park in particular is on your bucket list, keep checking for news. Of course, permits are still required to camp in the national parks, with most reservations opening up a few months in advance; specifics vary from park to park . 

Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

One of Peru’s most iconic treks, the 24-mile (39km) Inca Trail reopened to hikers in 2022. At first it wasn’t as busy as it had been before the pandemic , but things have since picked up.

Only 500 people are allowed on the Inca Trail per day, and only 4000 or so can enter Machu Picchu , so get your trip on the books as soon as possible to get your first choice of dates (and to have time to train for the challenging climb). 

Key dates: High season is between June and September , so book well in advance if you’re considering a trip then. Be sure to pick a reputable operator, as there were reports of overbooking last summer. 

How hiking the Inca Trail with my mom revamped our entire relationship

Schedule a safari 

Whether your dream trip has you following the Great Migration in Kenya or Botswana , Zambia or Namibia , there’s a safari experience that’s right for you. Deciding on a destination is half the battle; once you’ve worked that out, it’ll be much easier to determine the best time to go. 

Key dates: In general, aim to book your safari between June and September, but look into the specifics before booking any nonrefundable fares. Remember that some countries have stellar wildlife watching year-round (or at least as late as October and November).

Take the wheel on Going-to-the-Sun Road 

You’ll be limited to 40mph at lower elevations and 25mph at alpine heights, but no matter – the thrill of driving Glacier National Park ’s Going-to-the-Sun Rd doesn’t involve high speeds. It’s all about the scenery: winding through 50 miles of natural splendor, this is one of the most spectacular stretches of pavement in the country .

Vehicle reservations were required between late May and mid-September in 2022, but the situation is still TBD for 2023, so keep an eye on the park's official site for news and updates. 

Key dates: While the low-elevation sections of the road remain open year-round, the more treacherous parts remain closed until the weather cooperates. Usually it’s fully open by early July, though in 2022 late winter weather pushed things back to July 13. 

Two incredible itineraries to explore Montana's Glacier National Park

Watch the solar eclipse 

Don’t look directly into the sun if you’re out and about in the Western Hemisphere this fall, when an annular solar eclipse is set to leave parts of North, Central and South America in shadow. 

These are 5 of the world's best places for stargazing

According to NASA, the eclipse “will begin in the United States, traveling from the coast of Oregon to the Texas Gulf Coast. Weather permitting, the annular eclipse will be visible in Oregon, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, and Texas, as well as some parts of California, Idaho, Colorado, and Arizona. [It] will continue on to Central America, passing over Mexico, Belize, Honduras, and Panama. In South America, the eclipse will travel through Colombia before ending off the coast of Natal, Brazil, in the Atlantic Ocean.”

Key date: October 14

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Home » Travel Inspiration » 21 Epic Travel Experiences Of A Lifetime To Put On Your Bucket List

21 Epic Travel Experiences Of A Lifetime To Put On Your Bucket List

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These Are 21 of Our Must-Do Travel Experiences of a Lifetime!

Having had a wild year, we’ve thought a lot about our once in a lifetime travel experiences lately.

That’s what happens when you visit off-the-beaten-path countries like  Albania , Bosnia and Herzegovina , and Romania, and then quickly contrast them with the wildly popular Dubrovnik, Croatia .

You start to think about the places that stick with you, stand out in your mind, challenged you, and changed you. That was Sarajevo for us.

One thing we’ve come to understand is that everyone experiences places differently – and each of those experiences are valid. So, in coming up with an ultimate list of experiences, it would be wrong to call them the best travel experiences in the world.

These kinds of top life experiences lists are totally subjective – and everyone is going to have a different list. It’s important to remember that.

So, having read quite a few travel experience articles over the years and having heard stories via word of mouth, this is OUR bucket list of life-changing travel experiences.

We’ve also included one or two things which we are lucky to have done already and feel they were so good that it’s worth chatting about! Ready? Let’s get on with the adventure.

See Penguins in the Wild

Starting off strong with this one, we really want to see penguins in the wild. We love penguins  – as you might have already guessed by the name.

We love our stuffed penguins (who were gifts when we first met ) but seeing real, live penguins would be awesome.

Now, there are a few different places that this could happen: South Africa, Argentina, Australia, and even Antarctica, to name a few.

That said, we might lean towards doing a tour in South Africa because you get to see other cool things like Table Mountain as well as a giant penguin colony!

Island Hopping in Croatia

It seems that lots of travellers go to Croatia with the intention to see the beautiful islands. We sure did when we stayed outside Split.

Turns out, it can be tricky to explore them on your own schedule due to ferry schedules and finances.

So, we did a bit of research and determined that an island hopping day tour was legitimately the best bang for our buck. Honestly, it was the BEST day – so we are recommending it as a bucket list item.

We explored the islands around Split ( including Hvar ) but there are more further up the coast closer to Zadar and a few further down the Adriatic Coast to Dubrovnik.

You can actually read about our experience island hopping in Croatia  and  watch the video  on YouTube.

Camping and Canoeing Adventure in Yukon, Canada

Staying a little closer to home for this one, Canada is so massive that exploring it could take a lifetime – and you still probably wouldn’t see the whole thing.

We’ve been to the cottage in Ontario, and Eric has been to way up in Northern Ontario, but the Canadian territories are a whole other level of Canadian wilderness.

The Yukon territory (the one close to Alaska) is one such place that we want to check out. That’s one reason we have Yukon’s capital, Whitehorse, on our Canada sightseeing list , as well!

We would definitely not be ready to tackle a big trip in the Yukon on our own so we would go with an experienced guide on an epic Yukon adventure .

Watching The Sunset Twice At The Burj Khalifa

Always a sucker for a sunset, we think that seeing the sunset twice in a single day would be cool. How do you do it? Head to the top of the Burj Khalifa, of course!

The Burj Khalifa is the tallest structure on Earth and is located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Because the building is so tall, it is theoretically possible to watch the sunset from the ground, take the elevator to the viewing decks, and watch the sun set AGAIN.

Hooray for angles! To do that, we’d need a Burj Khalifa visitors ticket  for the elevators to the top but that’s easy to manage. Dubai is also a city that calls to us for exploring.

Seeing The Moai Heads On Easter Island (Rapa Nui)

Do you know those giant carved rock heads on that island? You know, the one you’ve seen in travel books or online before?

Well, they are called “Moai” and they are standing mysteriously on Rapa Nui, also called Easter Island. Technically part of Chile, this island has been shrouded in mystery and adventure for centuries. Naturally, we want to go and see the Moai up-close.

It’s no easy feat to carve hundred of stone heads measuring 4 metres tall and weighing around 14 tons a piece.

Getting there is also no easy feat. You basically have to fly from mainland Chile – which can get expensive and logistically tough since there aren’t that many flights and spaces book up in advance.

Visiting Easter Island is one of those experiences that you kinda have to plan ahead for. You don’t wake up and go, “Hey, let’s head to Easter Island today”. Unless you’re a millionaire with a private jet, basically.

Lounging On The Purest Sand In The Whitsundays, Australia

Our list wouldn’t be complete without at least one Australia spot. The Whitsunday Islands will do! Fun Fact: there are 74 Whitsunday Islands, with the famous Whitehaven Beach featuring some of the purest, whitest sand in the world.

Eric visited way back in 2010 and got to go on a Whitsunday catamaran adventure out to the islands. It was such a great day. The whites and blues of the landscape are out of this world.

Lisa has never been to Australia so we think it’s about time we returned to the land down under. Plus, we’ve got quite a few Aussie friends that keep pestering us to make the trek down there.

We actually had some travel bloggers share their other top places to check out in Australia  so we’ve been reading that list for inspiration!

Making/Eating Authentic Sushi in Japan

Just to preface this one – we both love Japanese cuisine. Particularly, Lisa loves a bowl of authentic ramen while Eric is more a sushi guy.

We’ve both never been to Japan but have friends who have lived, taught, or visited there over the years. Having heard stories of how amazing the country is, we are dying to go.

When we are there, we want to take full advantage of the experience and go to a sushi making/eating class . The authenticity level would be off the charts.

Aside from eating, we also want to explore the cities like Tokyo and Osaka as well as dig our own onsen (hot spring bath). We’ll keep you posted on that one.

Riding In A Hot Air Balloon Over Cappadocia, Turkey

While there are a few well-known places to take an epic hot air balloon ride, few can compete with the grandeur of taking a ride in a hot air balloon over Cappadocia , Turkey.

The volcanic landscape provides an epic backdrop for dozens of balloons floating towards the sky. Eric has actually been in a hot air balloon before – but not in a place like this with many more balloons around!

We also want to explore Turkey, in general, but it’s not on the list for the immediate future. Too many places, so little time.

Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

The next two in this post are on the bucket list and are a bit of a sore spot for us. We once HAD a whole trip to South America planned and half-booked.

As per usual, life got in the way with other plans. So, we haven’t been to Peru to discover places like Lima, Cusco, and Machu Picchu.

That said, we know that someday we will make it down there. For us, hiking the whole Inca Trail would be an amazing mix of exercise, scenery, and nature.

There are different trail lengths/configurations based on the time you have, your fitness level, and where you wish to begin. You don’t have to walk to Machu Picchu if you don’t want to.

There are day train tours to Machu Picchu from Cusco  that are popular but if you wanted to make a whole trek out of it (like we want to), you might consider a full-on Inca Trail trekking tour .

Stargazing in the Atacama Desert in Chile

This is another one of those bucket list items that we ALMOST did. If you read the above entry about hiking to Machu Picchu, we had a trip planned that included (among other things) camping in the Atacama Desert on Chile.

We had heard that the stars are just absolutely out of this world and we were so looking forward to it. We are determined to make it down there someday!

We were going to do the trip on our own but hop on appropriate tours as necessary throughout South America.

Heading across the Atacama Desert with an adventure guide was one such instance since there is a lot to see along the way and navigating on your own would be difficult and potentially unsafe if you aren’t prepared!

Exploring Castles In The Scottish Highlands

This is another bucket list travel experience of a lifetime that hits a sore spot. See, we’ve both lived in Edinburgh at one time or another (it’s where we met, kinda) and neither of us made it up to explore the famed Scottish Highlands.

There are so many great day trips from Edinburgh that we have been on – but up to the Highlands, Isle of Skye, Loch Ness, etc just aren’t one of them.

We know plenty of people who have explored the Highlands on tours, in rental cars, on backpacking bus routes, you name it.

In particular, there is one castle we want to see – Eilean Donan Castle. It looks gorgeous sitting there surrounded by Scottish landscapes.

We might take more time to do a day trip to Eilean and the Isle of Skye but we will plan more when trips become official and we are back in the UK!

Riding The Trans-Siberian Railway

Lisa has a thing for train rides (and Eric doesn’t mind them) so naturally one of the longest train routes in the world at almost 5,000 miles over 6 days seems like a once in a lifetime travel experience.

The Trans Siberian Railway is a massive grouping of rail systems that cover Europe and Asia. The Man in Seat 61 has a helpful guide on the Trans Siberian .

The classic portion of the route would be from Moscow, Russia to Beijing, China. However, the real journey starts in the European rail system with an unofficial starting point to the “proper route” as St. Pancreas Station in London, UK.

While the tickets for a 2nd class berth aren’t crazy expensive, the VISAS would be the most difficult part considering there might be 3 or more involved – Russia and China being the not-so-fun ones to apply for!

Swimming on the Edge of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe

Heading back to Africa – specifically Zambia and Zimbabwe – and checking out the mighty Victoria Falls is definitely on our experiences of a lifetime list.

But just seeing the falls is not enough – we want to swim on the edge. Visitors to the falls can swim in what is called the “Devil’s Pool” which is located beside Livingstone Island (which is on the Zambia side).

This famous pool is a rocky area that is located right on the edge of the falls – basically the scariest infinity pool imaginable. Would you hop in?

You can do a tour of Livingstone Island and hop in the Devil’s Pool for the ultimate Victoria Falls experience and we are SO in.

Exploring Petra and Camping in The Jordanian Desert

This is one that Eric has had on his bucket list for a long time now. Being a big fan of Indiana Jones, he has been wanting to explore the lost city of Petra and sleep under the stars in the desert for years.

He also has a buddy who has been to Jordan and loved every second there.

After doing a bit of research, we’ve realized Petra is way larger than we had previously imagined. There are also lots of other things to discover in the region.

That said, we’d do a multi-day desert camping tour since a day trip just wouldn’t cut it – especially if you go all that way into the desert!

Riding The Glacier Express in Switzerland

Back to the idea of trains, this is one that calls to Lisa. The Glacier Express is both the name of the train company and route that takes you through the most spectacular, wintery, and scenic parts of the Swiss Alps.

The trains have massive glass coverings so riders get the best views of the mountainous terrain. The train goes through tunnels and over large span bridges for a memorable day trip between St.Moritz/Davos and Zermatt.

If you want to check out the Glacier Express, visit their website and prepare to be amazed!

Dog Sledding and Seeing The Northern Lights In Finland

We have a thing for animals so naturally we love dogs, as well. We also really want to see the Northern Lights up close and bright while in the right season.

Eric has seen them in Canada and from an airplane but never crystal clear. Since we know that Finland’s northern parts – called the Lapland – are a prime spot to view them, we’d love the opportunity to tour into Lapland .

The snow is abundant, the activities are endless (dog sledding, snowmobiling, etc), and the northern lights are basically guaranteed to be absolutely gorgeous.

That said, we would definitely keep an eye on which dog sledding company we use to make sure they have a good record going for treatment of their doggies.

Read Next –   12 Winter Destinations in Europe We Love

Hang Gliding in Rio de Janeiro

This one is definitely to cater to the adrenaline-junkie side of us. We have classic train rides on this list – but yet we also have hang gliding in Rio de Janeiro.

Having seen this activity done on Departures (arguably the best travel show ever created), soaring above the bustling Brazilian city has been on Eric’s list for years.

Heights don’t scare us – we’ve both been tandem skydiving (Eric went skydiving in Cairns, Australia ) and Eric has also been bungee jumping before.

There is one company that is known for its safety record and experience taking to the skies hundreds of times a year – so we would definitely try to go tandem hang gliding with Rio Hang Gliding . We would also not tell our mothers beforehand!

Reflecting At The Salt Flats in Bolivia

This one is the last of the South America-based activities that we were about to book and then had to cancel. We SO BADLY want to see the salt flats at Uyuni, Bolivia – the world’s largest salt flats.

When there is water, the place is a giant mirror, seen above. When it’s dry, the flats are good for those classic photos people take that play with scale and depth.

We actually spent quite a bit of time researching the top tour companies to take us out there for a few days.

When we looked, the information was kind of lacking so we considered booking at trusted  Uyuni salt flats tour beforehand as opposed to booking there.

Whatever we end up doing (when we do it) we will write all about it!

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

Always one to be drawn to high places for the amazing views (hence the Burj Khalifa earlier on this list), hiking to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro is definitely on our list of experiences of a lifetime.

Eric has been to Kenya and stood (briefly) in Tanzania, but never had the chance to check out Kilimanjaro.

As with most experiences here, we know a handful of people who have climbed the mountain and had an incredible time. The trick is – it’s not cheap. Usually, it’s best practice to hop on a guided climb  that takes you up safely.

Watching The Sunrise Over Angkor Wat in Cambodia

Since neither of us has been to Asia before, we would definitely start off a little more “touristy” before diving into other experiences and countries.

When it comes to Southeast Asia, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Malaysia are our top places to go first.

For us, visiting Angkor Wat is probably one of the biggest draws to the region. We aren’t religious but can appreciate the dedication to faith through architecture.

The grand size of the temple complex must be just awesome to explore, and watching the sunrise at Angkor Wat  is definitely on our bucket list.

Road Tripping The Pacific Coast Highway In California, USA

Last, but certainly not least, is taking an epic road trip down California’s famed State Route 1. In particular, there is a famous portion known as the Pacific Coast Highway.

This stretch of the highway has some of the most scenic and longest straights of untouched coastline in the whole of the United States.

You’ll pass through the famous mountainous region, Big Sur, among other amazing places along the way.

If you are planning a road trip and looking for a deal on rental cars, you can compare prices here across the companies you know and love. We’ve been planning this route for some time but need to get to the US to get started!

And there you have it – 21 of our ideas for epic travel experiences of a lifetime. We truly hope that we can complete this list and then some over the course of our life but we know that we would be lucky to do even a quarter of them.

What do you think? Any of these stand out? Have you done any of them before? What experiences of a lifetime are on your travel bucket list?

Get in touch and let us know – we’d love to compare notes and ideas!

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23 Trips of a Lifetime to Plan this Year

At Indagare, we’re always dreaming of our next adventure (and fondly remembering previous ones). This year, again, planning ahead feels challenging in an unpredictable world. Still, we’re dusting off our proverbial travel wish lists with a renewed sense of wanderlust.

Where in the world can measure up to the lofty hopes of a 2022 traveler? Read on for our list of 23 destinations on our minds now for sensational journeys, from the silent steppes of Mongolia to the cosmopolitan bustle of Mexico City. And while some of these destinations are still closed to international arrivals, or are currently experiencing a surge in Covid, planning early can help ensure you have the best experience possible as soon as you’re able.

Related: How to Build Your Bucket List

Contact us to answer your travel questions or consult with our expert trip designers to start planning your next trip today.

An Epic Safari in Kenya

An African safari is one of the most thrilling trips for wildlife lovers. One destination that’s reemerged as a favorite for Indagare is Kenya . The birthplace of the modern safari, which translates to “journey” in Swahili, Kenya has inspired generations of visitors. Expect the quintessential, pulled-from-a-movie East African landscapes (films like Out of Africa and even The Lion King are set here)—but also snow-capped mountains, arid deserts lush coastlines, with plentiful wildlife experiences that incorporate big game (and the Great Migration) plus exotic birdlife. But a visit to Kenya is so much more than a nature trip. Known as the “cradle of humanity,” this is where some of the earliest humans walked. And today, it’s home to a diverse culture of more than 40 distinct ethnic groups and the cosmopolitan hub of Nairobi.

Ideal length of stay: Seven days

The Quintessential South Pacific Sojourn in Fiji

This South Pacific archipelago—with more than 800 islands and islets, of which just over 100 are inhabited—is a dream destination for experiencing far-flung tropical beauty. Visitors to Fiji can explore its jungles (the country ranks near the top for its forest integrity) and go on multi-island sailing excursions. And for the ultimate Fijian getaway, COMO Laucala Island is a five-square-mile private-island retreat. Guests at its 25 bungalows enjoy myriad water and land activities, including access to a mini-submarine and an America’s Cup racing yacht—as well as the postcard-perfect beaches that surround the lush, hilly island.

Ideal length of stay: Five days

Related: Indagare Index: The World’s Top Hotels

The Eternal French Connection

Whether you’ve never set foot there, or—like many Indagare members and many on our team—you usually go every year, it’s impossible to ignore the allure of France . Paris is a global capital for culture, fashion and food, and travelers could have a “trip of a lifetime” simply by exploring its multifaceted arrondissements for days on end. The rest of the country calls, too. We love adding in time along the French Riviera along with wine tastings and chateaux visits in Bordeaux and the Loire Valley .

Ideal length of stay: 10 days

Into the Wild in Alaska

The 49th State is another of the world’s great ecological masterpieces, with hundreds of thousands of square miles of protected wilderness. What’s in store: glacier-capped mountain ranges, vast tundras, rushing rivers and blankets of boreal forests, all home to elk, moose, caribou, brown bear, wolves and more. Indagare’s favorite Alaska lodges each give guests prime access to explore the untamed terrain, be it by foot, helicopter, horseback or bike. A top destination for fly-fishing, skiing and hiking, Alaska always brings the adventure.

Ideal length of stay:10 days

Related: 13 Ultimate Wilderness Vacations

The Magic of Morocco

has long been a treasured destination for both Indagare staff and members. It is a country of dramatic contrasts: the dunes of the Sahara Desert, the snow-capped peaks of the Atlas Mountains and the seductive allure of cities like Marrakech , Tangier and Fez . Visitors here can spend days wandering through centuries-old medinas, browsing the souks and spice markets, exploring secret oasis-like gardens, and marveling at the Moorish architecture and sublime natural setting. Another plus: Morocco is home to some of Indagare’s favorite hotels in the world, including glamorous palatial retreats and soulful riad boutiques.

Ideal length of stay: Five to 10 days

Slovenia, Europe’s Secret Gem

Tucked between the Alps and the Adriatic, Slovenia is a fascinating melting pot of cultures and traditions. It shares the same physical beauty (and much of the history) of its neighbors Italy, Croatia, Austria and Hungary, yet receives just a fraction of the visitors—and has an energetic spirit all its own. What’s in store: a verdant Adriatic coastline, historic cities with imperial grandeur, the towering Julian Alps, picture-postcard castles and the rolling Brda winelands (which happen to produce excellent vintages).

Ideal length of stay: Six days

Related: 7 Up-and-Coming Wine Regions to Know Now

Venturing to Antarctica in its Natural State

The White Continent, with a population of scientific researchers and penguins, is one of the most remote destinations a traveler can experience. Since it’s regulated by international law, overtourism—for now—is a non-issue. Climate Change, unfortunately, is still a major concern, and Antarctica is one of the places on earth where its effects, both current and potential, are most worrying. That added urgency has led a clutch of responsible travel outfitters to offer sustainable adventures there, hoping visitors will become entranced by Antarctica’s rugged, icy beauty and double down on their efforts to preserve it for future generations. That was the case for Colin Heinrich, Indagare’s Impact Manager. Read his essay on visiting Antarctica,  here .

Ideal length of stay: 10 days round-trip cruising.

Culture & Cuisine in Japan

A country at once steeped in tradition and driven by an embrace of the future. One of the world’s most beloved cuisines. Glass and steel high-rises overlooking historic temples, with Mount Fuji rising in the distance. Japan checks all the boxes for travelers in search of cultural stimulation. And while we weren’t able to attend the Olympics this year, it’s still possible to look ahead to future visits. A comprehensive journey here includes time in Tokyo (the world’s largest metropolis), Kyoto (famed for its temples), the monuments at Hiroshima and Mount Fuji, with overnights at soothing ryokans.

Ideal length of stay: 14 days

The Best of Italy

The ideal Italian visit has so many permutations: Rome to Florence to Venice ; the Amalfi Coast and Capri ; the countryside of Tuscany plus Milan and Lake Como or the Dolomites ; Puglia and Sicily ....The options and combinations are endless, each with one hand full of pros and not a single con in the other. One thing to keep in mind when considering your Italy wishlist: balancing culture-heavy days in its historic towns and cities with time spent simply being in Italy. That could mean meandering the ancient streets of those same cities, or venturing into the country, coasts or mountains. La dolce vita is real. Contact your Trip Designer for help with planning a trip that best suits your interests and preferences.

Multilayered Discoveries in Cambodia

Some of the world's most impressive ruins complexes, coupled with a deeply spiritual society and a complicated history make Cambodia a treasured big ticket trip for Indagare members. An itinerary here combines stops in Siem Reap , near the incredible Angkor complex , as well as to Phnom Penh , the country's buzzing, artsy capital city with must-visit memorials and museums devoted to the not-so-distant past of the Khmer Rouge regime. And along the coast, tropical islands shelter luxurious and soul-enriching retreats.

The Northern Lights in Scandinavia

No place can guarantee seeing nature’s greatest light show, but the northern reaches of Scandinavia have a stellar track record—along with some of Indagare’s favorite polar properties. During the winter months, days are short, but filled with activities like snowshoeing, dog-sledding and cross-country skiing. And come sunset—as early as 2:00 p.m. in some spots—there’s the magic of anticipation, as travelers await the aurora borealis dancing across the night sky. Indagare Tip: We love combining trips to Northern Scandinavia (including in Norway as well as Finnish and Swedish Lapland ) with stops in the region’s southern cities, like Oslo , Stockholm and Helsinki .

Ideal length of stay: Six to 10 days, to maximize chances of seeing the Lights

Cultural & Style Overload in Mexico City

Few places inspire and ignite the senses like Mexico City —the oldest capital in the Americas, one of the world’s most populous cities and a favorite urban getaway for Indagare members. Recent decades have brought a modern renaissance that celebrates both Mexico’s cultural heritage and its contemporary innovations. The city is home to a staggering collection of must-see museums and galleries, high-design shops and a globally renowned food scene that includes some of the most-lauded fine-dining restaurants and street food alike. Overwhelming in size and scope, Mexico City lures travelers for multiple visits, so they can discover the city’s many layers.

Ideal length of stay: Six to eight days

A Spiritual Hiking Retreat in Bhutan

Deep in the Himalayas, Bhutan ’s allure is twofold: its fascinating culture which remains proudly distinctive thanks to centuries of isolation—shut off from the world by geography—and its jaw-dropping mountainscapes. Ideal visits here include stops in several valleys, heading on daily hikes through the foothills to see Buddhist temples, monasteries and shrines, including the iconic Tiger’s Nest, and staying at chic, soulful mountain lodges along the way. Indagare can help you determine which lodge combination is right for you, based on your interests and needs.

Time-Traveling Through Egypt

Few destinations allow travelers to feel the weight of history so tangibly as Egypt. Its sheer span of existence boggles the mind: Cleopatra’s reign is closer in years to the moon landing than to the construction of the pyramids at Giza. The country is also home to more than one third of all the world's antiquities, and archaeologists keep unearthing more: Last November, Egyptologists announced the discovery of more than 100 near perfectly preserved mummies in Saqqara, and this April, a 3,000-year-old lost city was uncovered near Luxor. By the end of 2022, the highly anticipated and long-delayed Grand Egyptian Museum is finally set to open.

A Soulful Escape in Mongolia

Like Bhutan, Mongolia is a mythic destination. Sprawling over vast steppe plains north of the Gobi Desert, it is the world’s least densely-populated country. Outside of the capital, Ulaanbaatar, it feels—and largely is—empty, with few people, structures or even trees. It is precisely this sense of isolation that attracts travelers. Visitors here can experience true silence and stillness, while also encountering a rich cultural legacy that maintains its traditions passed down over centuries.

Evolution on View in the Galápagos

Charles Darwin helped put the Galápagos on the traveler’s map when he published On the Origin of Species in 1859. More than 150 years later, this isolated volcanic archipelago in the Pacific, now part of Ecuador, still attracts naturalists and nature lovers who want an immersive wildlife experience. Endemic highlights include marine iguanas, Galápagos penguins, and the Galápagos tortoise. Visitors can set up a home base on one of the islands, or island-hop via a charter yacht or scheduled sailing.

Peru: Machu Picchu & Beyond

features prominently in many jetsetter’s travel dreams. The mountaintop ruins, which date to the 1450s, are often the main draw, and many Indagare members have enjoyed both hiking the Inca Trail or taking the fabulous Hiram Bingham train from Belmond to get there. But  Peru is so much more than the—admittedly jaw-dropping—UNESCO World Heritage Site. Not only are there lesser-frequented Inca ruins throughout the Sacred Valley , but there are fascinating cities like Cusco and the too-often ignored Lima , a rising mecca for gourmands. Plus, travelers can venture into the headwaters of the Amazon and swim in Lake Titicaca.

Ideal length of stay: Seven days for Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu; longer for additional exploring.

The Multiple Worlds of Chile

Spanning barely 200 miles at its widest point, yet extending 2,600 miles north to south, Chile is an enigma. In the high-altitude Atacama Desert , salt flats and Mars-like red dunes meet the Andes; along the coast, visitors can find some of South America’s most fabulous beaches and colorful fishing towns; Patagonia is a lush wilderness of rolling mountains, fjords and glaciers; and Santiago de Chile is one of the world’s most modern metropolises, with some of the tallest peaks of the Andes forming a backdrop to its skyline of highrises. The perfect trip here relishes these distinctive regions, and sees travelers embarking on a comprehensive tour through the country—with the option to add in Easter Island or Argentina’s wine country in Mendoza .

Cultural Resilience and Great Ape Encounters in Rwanda

We share around 96 and 98 percent of our DNA with gorillas and chimpanzees, respectively, and seeing them in their natural habitat is a life goal for many in the Indagare community. The experience involves trekking from one of Rwanda ’s lodges into national parks, where the endangered gorillas and chimpanzees go about their social lives hidden in the dense mountain forests. What many travelers don’t know is that the journey plays a crucial role in protecting gorillas and chimps. Visits help fund critical conservation efforts, as well as continue to divert local economies and communities away from illegal poaching towards more sustainable practices. But a visit to Rwanda should always include Kigali, not just for a sobering visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial (a must), but also for a look at Rwanda today. The people of Rwanda continue to open their hearts to outsiders, sharing their own stories from the horrors of 1994 and the years after, as they came together over a shared mission: lasting, meaningful peace. Indagare’s favorite itineraries combine jungle and city, using the country’s top guides and stopping at the best hotels, art galleries, shops and restaurants.

Following the Ancients in Greece

Like Egypt, Greece holds a special place in the hearts of history lovers. Athens , of course, is a must, both for its incredible ruins in and around the city, and for its laid-back, cosmopolitan energy. But even the contemporary beach destinations have ties to the past.  Mykonos  is the best home base for visiting Delos, one of the most powerful trading cities in the Ancient Mediterranean, and mythological birthplace of twin gods Apollo and Artemis. Santorini , meanwhile, is potentially the site of the lost city of Atlantis. Visits to the ruins of Delphi and Olympus on the Peloponnese, as well as of Knossos on Crete , can all be combined with fabulous resort stays. Not sure where to start? Our team helps you figure out which sites—ancient or otherwise—are the best match for your trip, and can craft a customized itinerary around your wishes.

Related: Secret Greece: Our Favorite Under-the-Radar Greek Islands

Safari, Wine, Art & Surf in South Africa

is what Indagare calls a “slam dunk” destination: for almost any type of traveler, the country offers something worth traveling for. And often, that something feels out-of-this-world amazing. Of course, there is some of Africa’s best wildlife-viewing at top lodges and tented camps, from Kruger to KwaZulu-Natal. Beyond the bush, visitors can spend days crisscrossing the lush Winelands, driving along the coastal Garden Route and sightseeing in Johannesburg and Cape Town. The two cities are a study of contrasts: both have become global art hubs, yet they have strikingly different histories and culinary scenes.

Ideal length of stay: Seven to 10 days

Related: Indagare Matchmaker: Best Safaris in Africa

Adventure Overdrive in New Zealand

popularized New Zealand back in the early 2000s, cementing it as one of the world’s most visually stunning destinations. Two decades later—and more than a year since we’ve been able to visit—the country is still on our minds. It tops the wish list for many adventurers, with heli-skiing, fly-fishing, mountain hiking, and volcano touring all within reach from some of Indagare’s most adored, intimate hotels. First time visitors will want to schedule time on both the North and South islands, with wildly different scenery. The country is still closed to visitors, but we hope to be able to return by 2022.

Note: A backlog of postponed 2020 and 2021 trips makes planning New Zealand particularly challenging. And since the country’s top properties are small in scale, finding availability for a multi-stop trip can be a puzzle. Contact us to discuss options with an Indagare Trip Designer, who can coordinate stays at multiple lodges throughout the country.

A Multi-sensory Journey to India

We are eagerly awaiting a return to India . Its intoxicating, multi-sensory blend of culture, color and cuisine, with a complex history and vibrant contemporary scene make it a perennial favorite destination for many in the Indagare community. The massive country is home to some of the world’s largest and distinctive cities, like Delhi , Agra , Jaipur , Udaipur and Mumbai , and a dream trip here takes its time to explore each one—plus stops in gorgeous parks for spectacular wildlife, including the elusive tiger. And between visits to sites like the Taj Mahal and Hawa Mahal, a day or two should be set aside simply for relaxing on-property at the country’s indulgent palace hotels . We hope to revisit as soon as it is safe to do so. Contact us to discuss future options with an Indagare Trip Designer.

More Inspiration

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For your next spring soirée, get The Parker Palm Springs hotel’s secret lemonade recipe here.

The Insider’s Guide to Mykonos: Kalesma’s Aby Saltiel

Hotelier, restaurateur and former fashion executive Aby Saltiel is the co-owner and visionary behind Kalesma, a design-focused, soulful sanctuary set atop a hill overlooking Ornos Bay in Mykonos. Here, he shares his guide to the “real” side of the island, including the places to eat and explore off the beaten path.

What's New in New York City: Hotels, Restaurants & Culture in Manhattan – Spring 2024

The Empire City is looking forward to a season filled with exciting new hotel and restaurant openings and thrilling exhibitions and cultural events—proof that New York never stops. Elizabeth Harvey reports.

First Look: Singita Milele

Indagare’s editorial director Annie Fitzsimmons shares a first look at the new Singita Milele in the Grumeti Reserve.

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12 Trips of a Lifetime to Inspire Your Next Vacation

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We match you with top tour companies that specialize in the trip you want,  whether it's a customized private tour or a group tour.

Heli hiking Earnslaw Burn in New Zealand. Photo courtesy of Destination Queenstown

Dive deep into what makes Zicasso's experiences exceptional with our 12 trips of a lifetime.

As you anticipate your travel plans, explore how you can make strides in discovering the right trip for you, whether embracing the epic beauty of Patagonia and Antarctica, exploring the vast treasures of the Mediterranean, or uncovering the ineffable beauty of nature in Australia and New Zealand.

Your gateway to a dream vacation starts with exploring the vast array of options to find the trip that fits your interests and goals, that will help bring your dream trip to life.

2. Australia

4. patagonia and antarctica, 5. italy, france, and greece, 6. east africa safari, 7. australia and new zealand, 8. galapagos and peru, 10. thailand, vietnam, and cambodia, 11. southern africa safari, 12. around the world, make your next trip of a lifetime happen.

Ravello, Italy

Italy captures the best of Europe, offering a glimpse into a world where the past and present converge. One of our Italy travel specialists designed the Elegant Italy: Art, History, Food, and Wine tour as an immersive discovery of life’s essential pleasures as you travel from Venice to the Amalfi Coast.

When visiting Italy, you can also explore Rome in a vintage Fiat 500, learn the art of pizza-making from a Neapolitan chef, witness the traditions of the Venetian islands, and enjoy the art history of Florence on a tour that intertwines luxury and wonder. Our trip ideas for the Art Enthusiast can place you in front of some of the world’s most widely regarded masterpieces, but Italy stands out as a treasure trove of artistic development through the ages.

Expert Tips for Discerning Travelers

Barossa Valley Estate Vineyards. Photo courtesy of South Australia Tourism / Simon Griffiths

Australia is always full of surprises and Immersion into Australia: Outback to Wine Country , designed by a Zicasso Australia travel expert, demonstrates the endless possibilities for luxurious experiences and stunning natural beauty.

From indulging in the foodie culture to embracing the vines in the country’s oldest wine-growing region, enjoying a sumptuous spa, or finding wild kangaroos, this trip gives you an entirely different perspective of the Land Down Under.

Enjoy your introduction to the beauty of the winelands, from New South Wales to southern Australia, Victoria to Tasmania, as you balance the scenery’s beauty and raw power with the welcoming indulgences of an adventurous getaway.

Malaga, Spain

With passion and sophistication, Spain can capture your imagination with a simple aroma or a spirited dance, a heartfelt song or a golden beach.

The epic landscape has shaped the heritage and the preserved culture remains part of daily life that you can experience on the 20-Day Traditions of Spain tour, designed by a Zicasso travel specialist specifically as a Trip of a Lifetime to Spain. The past and present collide in charming villages and along the streets, with each new destination revealing how the diversity of cultural history has informed the country’s charisma.

Spain is home to some of the world’s most celebrated restaurants and gastronomic history, inspiring new ways to explore trip ideas for the Culinary Traveler . When in the country, you can indulge in the majestic ambiance of the Mediterranean, sample the essential spices of paella, and stroll along preserved medieval walls, each day giving you new insight into local and national essence.

Torres del Paine, Patagonia, Chile

Mesmerizing Patagonia and Antarctica is the perfect adventure for nature lovers and those looking for a unique experience far from crowded city streets. Patagonia's combination of forests, mountains, lakes, rivers, and glaciers leads to visions of guanaco, choique, and condor resulting in the ultimate experience in South America.

Zodiac boats around towering glaciers in Antarctica reveal squawking penguins, breaching whales, or sweeping panoramas of the endless tundra. By working with boutique luxury lodges and small boats, you can have a very personalized experience, whether you prefer private excursions or traveling in small groups.

Positano on the Amalfi Coast in Italy

Europe fascinates travelers with promises of distinctive, yet connected cultures with millennia of history. Many visit countries like France or Italy to experience the different paces of life and the Ultimate European Explorer Tour: Italy, France, Greece was designed to celebrate simple pleasures.

From the taste of morning coffee to the sunlight glinting against the river, this carefully designed 28-day customizable itinerary leaves space to travel with intention.

The cultural heritage of France, Italy, and Greece is unique. With the contrast in culture, food, art, architecture, and the diverse stunning landscapes, this trip is rich in unforgettable experiences, with each day focused on a new perspective. You can also find new ways to enjoy these Mediterranean countries and more with our trip ideas for the Wine Lover .

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

An East African safari provides the soul-shifting experience of getting up close and personal with wildlife. Lifetime memories are made of specific moments; to be within arm’s reach of a mountain gorilla or hear a lion roar a mere few feet away.

Designed by Zicasso safari experts, the Unparalleled East Africa Safari Experience brings you the best of safari.

From walking through the wilderness with a specialist guide in search of resting lions to horseback riding alongside sprinting zebras, a private, outdoor bath overlooking the riverbanks to trekking for gorillas in dense jungle terrain, or even following rangers to learn more about conservation efforts to protect the likes of elephants and rhinos, the opportunities are endless.

Look for more ways to embrace nature and the natural world with our trip ideas for the Wildlife Enthusiast .

Photo courtesy of Tourism Port Douglas and Daintree

Oceania Trip of Lifetime: Best Australia and New Zealand Tour is the way to truly experience the mixture of culture, history, and immersive scenery. Australia encompasses the rich jungle terrain of Daintree National Park and offers a peaceful respite amongst the radiant sunshine of Uluru at the Red Centre, with the diversity of biospheres giving way to intimate connections to ancient local cultures.

90 percent of visitors to Australia never meet an Aboriginal person, but the focus of this trip of a lifetime allows travelers to connect with the landscape and local communities to discover a remarkable history of interconnectivity.

Beyond heritage, Oceania flows with incredible wine and food, as well as inspiring wildlife experiences, among them koalas nibbling on eucalyptus, kangaroos hopping across open plains, and sightings of New Zealand’s famous flightless kiwis or the masterful flying albatrosses, with their eight-foot wingspans.

Machu Picchu, Peru

Nature and the Incan Empire's unique history represent distinct perspectives that nearly equal their mythological intensity and drama.

Many visit countries like Ecuador and Peru for fascinating endemic wildlife and Incan culture woven into the fabric of the Andes. Designed by a Zicasso travel expert, the Exceptional Galapagos and Peru Tour of a Lifetime displays the complexities of the ecosystems and massive stone ruins.

Over the course of 18 days, the Galapagos Islands will capture your imagination as you snorkel in clear waters, while the majestic ambiance of Machu Picchu leads to floating islands and the high-altitude lakeshores of Lake Titicaca in Peru.

You can find more ways to enjoy an immersive experience among islands, mountains, and more with our trip ideas for the Nature Lover .

Kyoto, Chureito Pagoda with Mt Fuji in Fujiyoshida, Japan

The Premier Enchantments of Japan Tour focuses on the nation’s incredible diversity, whether Tokyo’s ultra-modern ambiance or the customary inns hidden in the mountains. Late October and early November are filled with bright red, yellow, golden, and brown colors adding to the natural beauty Japan displays around every corner.

Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples dating back to before the construction of Europe’s intricate cathedrals unveil elaborate designs and a connection to surrounding nature. Tradition is preserved and celebrated in ceramics and textiles, while cedar groves and cherry trees lead to bubbling hot springs.

Culinary delights embody customs and push new boundaries, constantly changing with the seasons. Through the eyes of the traveler, Japan feels part myth, part treasure, where enchanting gardens highlight antique collaboration and modern boutiques reflect a global and historic perspective.

Food market in Vietnam

Ancient wonder, modern majesty, cultural complexity, and culinary mastery capture the essence of what you can discover on the Culinary Journey of a Lifetime to Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia tour. Whether a foodie at heart or eager to travel beyond the familiar, Southeast Asia offers experiences in authentic local cuisine and beyond.

Travelers can expect rare visits to places where some of the raw ingredients are grown, see Asian organic farming techniques, and learn from experts, chefs, or farmers about the different uses of fresh, local produce, herbs, spices, tea, and infusions. Spectacular soaring karsts, winding mountains, historic kingdoms, and raw jungle only accentuate the fusion of dramatic flavors.

Okavango Delta, Botwana

A thrilling puzzle of enticing landscapes, mesmerizing wildlife, and the classic thrill of searching the remote wilderness while indulging in contemporary luxuries embodies the welcome drama of The Best Southern Africa Vacation: Evocative Safari Experiences .

Botswana and Zimbabwe combine some of the best overall wildlife in the most pristine environments in Africa. By visiting three unique ecosystems, each offering a wide range of activities, from day and night game drives, boating, canoeing, tiger fishing, walking, and cultural interactions, you can enjoy a much richer safari experience.

A specialist guide will offer you a wealth of knowledge as they showcase their skills during a game drive, guided walk, or canoe safari. You may learn the art of tracking while getting up close to animals like elephants, buffalo, wild dogs, and more.

Kirkjufellsfoss and Kirkjufell on the Snæfellsnes peninsula, Iceland

The Around the World Trip of a Lifetime fulfills dreams. A Zicasso global travel specialist designed a trip inspired by childhood, storybooks, and the promise of adventure.

From a young age, we are transported to other lands in our favorite books and movies. We long to see the most incredible mountains, witness majestic animals, traverse untouched deserts, and lounge on private beaches. This trip captures the spirit of childhood dreams with a journey around the globe taking you from Iceland to Petra, Mongolia to Nepal, the Maldives to Southern Africa, and Patagonia to Belize.

As we travel the world to find the clear waters in Belize and the pampas of Patagonia, the open plains of South Africa, and the mists of Victoria Falls, you can take comfort in the mixture of seclusion and luxury when guided by a world travel expert. No matter your preferences, you will be treated like royalty every step of the way.

Whether looking for wildlife in its natural habitat or finding new ideas in the trips of others, you can explore Zicasso's Staff Collection for inspiration about where in the world our travel team is interested in visiting.

Sand dunes in the Gobi desert, Mongolia

Every Zicasso trip is customized for you. Whether seven days or seven weeks, your itinerary is built to your preferences. Being in the hands of a destination expert is essential, as they provide knowledge and access to experiences you may never have known existed without their localized expertise.

From indulging in the luxuries of the ultimate African safari to embracing the mixture of tropical beauty and ancient history in Southeast Asia, looking to experience trip ideas for a Milestone Celebration or interested in trip ideas for the Romantic Traveler , Zicasso can make your trip of a lifetime a reality. Find more ideas, information, or inspiration with our Trips of a Lifetime travel guide .

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Incredible Bucket List Destinations for Once in a Lifetime Trips

Are you looking for special bucket list destinations? As inspiration for a once in a lifetime trip? Then check out the list of places below!

“If you could only pick one destination, what would be your absolute favorite must-visit place anywhere in the world?”

That is what I asked a number of seasoned travelers to create a list of unique, once in a lifetime trip destinations.

And this is the result: 16 incredible places all over the world you should try to visit at least once in your life!

Read all about these bucket list destinations below or first check out this video of the top 10

16 Bucket List Destinations for Once in a Lifetime Trips

1. meteora, greece.

By: Romy from Brunetteatsunset.com

“Meteora is an incredible phenomenon. A landscape where the wonders of nature and man meet.

Rock formations make up this landscape and monasteries were built on top of them. Monks had to climb the rocks to reach them as there were no stairs then.

Even when you’re there it is hard to believe this place is real.

Meteora is a bucket list destination for several reasons. It has an incredibly rich history. Once there were a whopping 24 monasteries sitting on top of these impressive rock formations. Only 6 of them are left standing, and they are well worth visiting.

I would recommend spending two days here to see all the monasteries instead of rushing to see everything in one day.

The entrance fee for the monasteries is only 3 euro per person so there’s no reason not to go and see them all! What makes it even more appealing to go is that it is not overrun by tourists yet.

The fact that the area is really cheap and easy to visit on a budget is just the cherry on top!”

• 5 Hidden Gems You Should Visit in Greece
• Going Sailing in Greece
• How to Spend the Perfect 3 Days in Athens

2. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

By: Carly from Flightoftheeducator.com

“I think everyone will agree this is an absolute bucket list destination!

The Galapagos Islands have always held an air of mystery for me. They were the islands made famous by Charles Darwin, his finches, and the tortoises!

When I finally went to the Galapagos Islands, so much was a surprise.

The Galapagos are fascinating because nothing is native to it! The islands are made solely by volcanoes, and all the flora and fauna just ended up there by air or sea by accident!

Because of this interesting fact, the animals that ended up there are mostly birds and reptiles. I don’t think I saw a single mammal!

What’s even crazier is to be on an island that boasts both flamingos and penguins! The landscape was more barren than I had anticipated, but when you realize it’s made from cooled lava, it’s really amazing it has any plants at all!

If you love animals, nature, and exotic places, the Galapagos makes for one of the best once in a lifetime trips!”

3. Kyrgyzstan

By: Katherine from Thetravelators.com

“Kyrgyzstan is a nature-lover’s paradise, and it is one of our favorite destinations for a trip of a lifetime.

We trekked for two days to Song Kul Lake during our visit through beautiful grassy hills and nomadic yurt camps .

One of the highlights of our trip was staying for a few nights in a family’s yurt (traditional tent). Every night the family would light a cow dung fire in our small yurt stove to keep us warm during the chilly nights.

We loved getting to know our host family through hilarious sign language and some very limited Russian. We felt like family despite the communication barriers. They even let us loose on the steppe with their horses for a day!

A really memorable experience that we highly recommend and an absolute bucket list destination.”

4. Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

By: Nina from Safarijunkie.com

“Rwanda is my top pick among favorite destinations for once in a lifetime trips, for several reasons.

Small in size which makes it an easy country for first-time (solo) travelers in Africa, but it has it all: a rich culture, ever green nature, beautiful Lake Kivu…

But the main attraction is Volcanoes National Park near Musanze, former Rughengeri, known for gorilla trekking.

The park is known for sustainable and responsible tourism practices , with strict rules about how many people can visit per day, which comes with a price tag of 700 USD and probably makes it the most expensive hour in Africa.  

It’s an hour spent in the depths of a tropical forest surrounded by volcanoes, seeing gorilla families in their daily routine , which is mainly eating bamboo and silly but also very human-like interactions between the gorillas.

Along with the fact that there are only around 800 gorillas left in the world, it feels like a big privilege to encounter all this in person!”

Also read: The Best Time to See Gorillas in Africa

5. Sailing Around the San Blas Islands, Panama

If you’re looking for a once in a lifetime trip and love unspoilt tropical islands, then the San Blas Islands should be on your bucket list.

Sailing around these islands is probably one of the most unique things I’ve ever done.

Located on the Caribbean coast of Panama, the San Blas Islands still haven’t been discovered by mass tourism.

The islands offer a unique blend of breathtaking natural beauty, vibrant indigenous culture, and untouched paradise.

There are more than 300 islands to choose from, with pristine white-sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life. Snorkeling here is beautiful, and something I highly recommend.

Sailing through these secluded islands offers a rare chance to disconnect from modern life and immerse yourself in the tranquility of untouched nature.

The islands are home to the Kuna Yala indigenous community. On some of the inhabited islands you’ll find a single Kuna family living, on others you’ll find a small community. They are all very welcoming and happy to share their rich traditions, art, and cuisine.

The absence of large-scale tourism preserves the islands’ authenticity. And these days there aren’t many places left in the world that can say the same!

I struggle to put into words how unique the San Blas Islands are, and why this is one of those trips of a lifetime.

It’s the remote, deserted islands we’ve all seen in pictures but are very hard to find in real life. It’s sitting on an empty beach with a fresh coconut in your hand given to you by the local Kuna family. And it’s the beautiful sunsets admired from a sailboat.

It’s just, well, a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

To go to the San Blas Islands, you can rent a private boat with a captain , or book one of these San Blas Islands tours . Some tours take you on a sailboat around the islands, others arrange accommodation on a different island each day.

• Useful Facts About Panama
• Sailing in the Caribbean (Including Panama)
• The Best Caribbean Islands to Visit & Why (Including the San Blas Islands)

6. Phu Quoc, Vietnam

By: Melissa from Thriftyfamilytravels.com

“Phu Quoc is the ideal beach holiday. Located south of Cambodia but part of Vietnam, Phu Quoc is best accessed via a short flight from Ho Chi Minh City.

Most of the accommodation is found along Long Beach where you can stay in a wide range of places, from basic bungalows right by the beach to luxury resorts.

Wake up late, stroll down to breakfast on the beach, and then spend the rest of the day lazying in a beach chair or cooling off in the calm, shallow water.

For lunch head to one of the beach cafes, and then have a massage right on the beach.

Towards the end of the day find a trendy beach bar, grab a cocktail and sit back and watch one of the most gorgeous sunsets you have ever seen.

Check out other popular beaches such as Sao Bai and Ong Lang Beach . These beaches are accessible by taxi or better yet hire a motorbike for some real adventure!

Ride down dirt roads and explore amazing little villages, getting a glimpse into Vietnamese island life.

Book a boat trip to go snorkeling or take the longest sea cable car in the world for a gorgeous view of Phu Quoc from the air and a visit to a water park on a neighboring island.

There are more and more massive resorts being built on Phu Quoc, so it won’t be a sleepy little beach destination for long – Therefore, get there as soon as you can! ”

Also Read: What Not to Miss in Da Nang, Vietnam

7. Hawaii, USA

By: Justine from Wandereroftheworld.co.uk

“If you dream of turquoise waters, white, sandy beaches and dramatic landscapes then Hawaii should definitely be one of your bucket list destinations.

I had envisioned all of these things when planning my trip to these beautiful islands but I also found so much more!

Having traveled around two of the Hawaiian islands – O’ahu and The Big Island, I was able to spend relaxing moments on the beach and snorkeling in the warm water but adventure also found me.

We hiked through volcanic craters, watched active volcanoes erupt, gazed at the stars from 9,000 ft up Mauna Kea mountain, and explored tranquil Buddhist temples.

Hawaii offers something special for the beach babe, the adventurer and the romantic, so if you ever have the chance to explore this mesmerizing place then I urge you to do it!

I hope to find myself back on these islands so “a hui hou” (until we meet again) Hawaii…”

Also Read: Cheap & Free Things to Do in Maui, Hawaii

8. Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

By: Ella from Wide-eyedwanderer.com

“Africa is a continent that we probably don’t explore enough of.

Visiting Africa for the first time, I knew that going on a safari was a must for me. And since I was going to Kenya in particular, I knew that I had to do a safari in the Maasai Mara National Park.

This park is the epitome of a quintessential African wildlife reserve and is home to a variety of impressive wildlife.

The Maasai Mara National Park is perhaps most famous for The Great Migration , when hundreds of thousands of animals flock to and from there each year.

This safari is still one of my favorite travel memories and one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.

Being so close to the wild animals in their natural habitat was exhilarating, mesmerizing and humbling and has left me in awe ever since. My safari experience at the Maasai Mara National Park has me even more convinced that nature and animals are amazing and should be respected.

If you are looking for unique bucket list trips of a lifetime, going on a safari in the Maasai Mara National Park and having a go at spotting the Big Five, is an experience I highly recommend!”

Also Read: The 3 Best Things to Experience on a Safari in Africa

9. Hoi An, Vietnam

By: Heesun from Mewanttravel.com

“Visiting Vietnam in general was a once in a lifetime trip for me, but if I’d have to pick one place I’d pick Hoi An.

Hoi An is most famous for its ancient town , but it is also located on a beautiful coast with gorgeous beaches.

The warm waters of the beach entice you in for another dip, the perfect sand inviting you to take off your shoes and relax.

You stand in line to eat some banh mi, the third time you’ve been there in 2 days because it’s just THAT good and because Anthony Bourdain said so.

The kayak beckons you inside, as you paddle on the Thu Bon River, sweat glistening on your brow as you take in the nearby thatched roofs.

You chug a bottle of water, because it’s Vietnam and let’s be real, it’s humid.

You visit one of the countless tailors and dress stalls and decide to purchase one because you’re on vacation and it’s awesome in that it’s a souvenir that you can wear. Treat yourself.

As you go to bed, you smile, knowing that even though you’re a foreigner here in Hoi An, Vietnam, it’s starting to feel a little bit more like home.”

Editor’s Note: Hoi An’s ancient town is a World Heritage Site that’s especially beautiful just after sunset. That’s when you can go on a local boat, lit with lanterns, to see Hoi An’s beautiful streets from the water. A romantic thing to do and probably one of the reasons why it was voted the second-best honeymoon destination in the world by Tripadvisor in 2024.

Also Read: 2 Days in Da Nang, Vietnam – Things to Do & Where to Stay

10. Torres del Paine National Park, Chile

By: Julianna from Thediscoveriesof.com

“Torres del Paine should be on every adventure traveler and outdoor lover’s bucket list .

Nestled in Chilean Patagonia, it’s brimming with breathtaking sceneries for you to explore on two feet.

I traveled to Torres del Paine last year to hike the W Trek (so called because the route is in the shape of a W) and it was one of the most memorable hikes I’ve undertaken in my life.

The variety of scenery is impressive – icy blue lakes change to craggy mountains and then to scrub-filled savannahs in the course of a few miles. Each day’s trek is completely different from the day before, so every day you wake up with the excitement of what you’ll see next.

A trip to the Torres del Paine takes some organization – you can choose to camp (and carry your camping kit with you) or stay in the low-key refugios along the way. Whichever you choose, you’ll need to book in advance and ensure you know what you need to bring with you.

That said, it’s well worth the effort – as the Torres’ increasing popularity shows. Just don’t forget your camera!”

• Interview With an Expat About Life in Santiago, Chile
• What to Bring on a Hike

11. Queenstown and the Southern Lakes, New Zealand

By: Emily from Emdashed.com

“Queenstown has exactly the kind of breath-taking scenery one expects to find on New Zealand’s South Island . The town sits at the edge of a sparkling lake, flanked by rows of craggy mountains as far as the eye can see.

But a town needs more than just jaw-dropping scenery to stand out in New Zealand’s parade of non-stop beauty.

Luckily, Queenstown’s got plenty more to offer. There’s an activity there for pretty much anyone – whether you’re into heart-racing bungy jumps, hitting the ski slopes, or barbecuing on the beach.

You can dance the night away or relax with a glass of local wine; you can climb a mountain or ride the Skyline Gondola to the top. Either way, the views are spectacular.

Of course, you might find Queenstown too busy or touristy. That’s when you hop in a rental car and head to mellow Wanaka, quiet and rugged Glenorchy, or quaint little Arrowtown.

Beauty is literally around every corner in the Southern Lakes, and the drive itself is worth any journey.”

• 11 Things to Know Before Traveling to New Zealand
• The Perfect New Zealand South Island Road Trip – A Practical Guide
• Itinerary for 7-10 Days in New Zealand’s North Island

12. Stromboli, Italy

By: Nam from Laughtraveleat.com

“Watching the red hot magma erupt from a volcano crater at a distance in the dark is one of the most surreal experiences I have ever had.

While some volcano eruptions are dangerous, others are mild enough that you can see them for yourself in close(ish) proximity, and Stromboli Island, part of the Aeolian Islands in Sicily , Italy is one of those locations.

We hiked up the sandy, steep mountainside in the cool evening air, reaching one of the craters just as the sun was setting, revealing a glorious view. We all settled in a comfortable spot, our eyes fixated on the crater, waiting for an eruption.

That night we witnessed no less than five eruptions before descending in the dark with only our head torches.

I had originally been skeptical about the experience, but the scene of the eruptions have now been forever etched in my mind and it is therefore my top recommendation for a once in a lifetime adventure!”

Also Read: The Most Beautiful Places in Sicily to Visit

13. Thailand

By: Hannah & Adam from Gettingstamped.com

“If I could pick one place in the world I think you have to visit it would hands down be Thailand.

Not only is the Thai food amazing, it tastes even better when you are on an island with your toes in the sand looking out at the turquoise waters.

Everyone should go on a Thailand island hopping adventure once in their lifetime .

My first visit was on my Thailand honeymoon in 2012 and I have since gotten 26 Thailand stamps in my passport!

Thailand is super budget-friendly and it’s easy to spend less than US$50 a day and still have an epic trip.

I always suggest starting a trip to Thailand with 3 days in Bangkok , then heading down to the islands before making your way up north to Chiang Mai for some nature & culture.

But, no matter where you go in Thailand you’ll have a trip of a lifetime!”

Also Read: Things to Know About Traveling to Thailand as a Woman

14. Brooklyn, USA

By: Katie from Realworldrunaway.com

“Just across the river from the bright lights of Manhattan lies my favorite place in the world, Brooklyn.

Set away from the tourist trap of the big city , Brooklyn is the perfect place to take in the ‘real New York’.

Packed full of independent cafes, restaurants, and bars offering some of the best food you’ll ever find, you’re never far from a hidden gem. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly and you’ll be sure to encounter more locals than tourists.

The up-and-coming neighborhood of Williamsburg, with its outdoor food extravaganza Smorgasburg, is not to be missed, as well as a trip to the funfair at Coney Island.

New York is one of the most magical cities on Earth and Brooklyn really makes it feel like a home (and the view isn’t half bad either).”

• An Insider’s Guide to Things to do in NYC on a Budget
• The Most Beautiful Cities to Visit in the United States

15. Seeing the Northern Lights in Lapland

For most of us, seeing the northern lights is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

And not many places in the world are more magical and more perfect to watch the northern lights than Finnish Lapland.

Picture yourself bundled up in your coziest gear, surrounded by the serene beauty of snowy landscapes. You’re on the lookout for nature’s greatest light show. And when those elusive lights decide to make an appearance, it’s pure magic.

The sky becomes a canvas painted with surreal hues of green, pink, and purple, swirling and dancing above you. Sure, it might take a bit of patience and some luck, but when those shimmering ribbons of light reveal themselves, it’s a jaw-dropping moment that makes every chilly minute worth it.

There’s something awe-inspiring about being a tiny speck under the grandeur of the aurora borealis—it’s a bucket list experience for sure!

If you ever want to go to Lapland to see the northern lights, read this article about the best place and time to see the northern lights in Lapland .

16. Antibes, France

By: Darcy from Sparkleinhersuitcase.com

“My absolute favorite place in the world is Antibes, France.

The French Riviera has so much to offer, from food to art to celebrity sightings, and Antibes is my favorite town in this sun-soaked region.

While a French friend once told me that only old ladies like Antibes, I couldn’t be happier there. (Perhaps this makes me an old lady.)

At once small enough to feel cozy and large enough to walk around for hours. With the history of the old town mixed with the more modern section of town, Antibes feels balanced.

It’s easy to see why Picasso was inspired here , and why he had his studio here, which you can now visit as a museum.

This is not a place where you gobble up all the sightseeing you can, but where you linger at the table before you meander to the beach. See for yourself sometime – I’ll be the old lady in the chair next to you.”

Also Read: What to See & Do in Montpellier, France

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31 thoughts on “Incredible Bucket List Destinations for Once in a Lifetime Trips”

This is quite a list of countries and cities some of which I will add to my list of future destinations. There are just so many beautiful places in the world that one will never lack a place to explore. Thanks for sharing.

Wow, amazing list of wonderful places. This is a beautiful and truly inspiring article! Thanks so much for writing all of these destinations! I’m going to save it for our future plans 🙂

Such beautiful recommendations. I wish I could go visit all of them someday!

Amazing destinations, love your recommendations.

Great bucket list. Galapagos is my next one. I would add Triglav national park in Slovenia. The 7 lakes valley, it’s awesome.

This is is a crazy list! I’ve been wanting to go to Kyrgyzstan for so long it looks so incredible. Mind you everything on this list looks amazing!!

So many gorgeous looking destinations on this list. I have been to only two, Brooklyn and Masaai Mara. I have been eyeing the Gorilla Trek for a while but it is too expensive for me right now. Kyrgyzstan looks ideal too

Not only once in a lifetime but I’d love to do them many times over a lifetime. If I have to pick one from these I will pick the Gorilla Trek. Really, what can be better than that!

The lust for Stromboli has exceeded beyond limits! Thailand and Hawaii makes me yearn for the feeling of waves washing my feet. The pictures of Vietnam is simply spectacular and hence, the ultimate bucket list has extended my travel bucket list.

This was an awesome collection of places that I would like to visit. I have pinned the article as I want to refer to it again and again. Some pics are just marvelous.

Nice list you have here for your travel bucket list! I have recently written one for myself and we have one item in common – Kyrgyztan! I am so looking forward to trek the mountains and waterfalls of that lovely country. By the way, Asian countries like Vietnam and Thailand are rightfully included in your list, but you might as well go to Philippines, too!

I didn’t know that Kyrgyzstan was so famous for its nature. Will definitely add this one to the travel bucket list. And yes, Hawaii is so amazing 🙂 🙂 Love Maui!

Hoi An should definitely be on everyone’s lists, it’s so beautiful! I also like how you included Brooklyn on there, it’s not a place many would think of ,but it’s so worth seeing! Great list 🙂

with a slight amendment it will be my bucket list 🙂 i am heading to Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan this year. What have you covered from this list so far?

This list looks really awesome. I need to visit Kyrgyzstan and the Galapagos islands. Would you be having any idea about the food at these places?

Really amazing list. I think I would like to visit all of them. I am actually visiting Hoi An later this year though which is exciting! 🙂

Aside from hawaii we haven’t been to any of these places. Hawaii was amazing indeed and you will love it. We are going to steal the rest of these for our bucket list.

I don’t know what it would be, but this list has some places that I’d love to see. I now have some new places on my list!

Interesting selection 🙂 Queenstown and Brooklyn are on my travel list already!

What an incredible list. You have highlighted so many places I wish I had visited and hope to someday soon. That picture of Vietnam is unbelievable. WOW!

It is a wonderful list. I am confused which one should be on my list first. The most fascinating are Meteroa and Stromboli. You have visited Thailand 26 times in 4 years. That’s so cool. Loved all your pictures.

Some absolutely stunning places on this list! These posts are always dangerous for me because it stretches my bucket list even farther lol

Nice list. Your pictures really make me wish to add more destinations to my ever-growing bucket list. Beautiful!

Some wonderful list there. I like the idea of going to Galapagos the most. It is my dream to go to these virgin islands ever since I saw a documentary on the same.The island is so remote and perhaps that is why it is so well preserved.

To be honest, I haven’t been to any of these yet. I will go back and revisit my travel plans now that you have shown me these wonderful destinations. I knew about some of these but not about others like Kazakhastan. Seems to be really interesting place

Kyrgyzstan looks super nice! I think I never even heard of this place and now it’s on my bucket list. Thanks for sharing!

Beautiful places. I have already seen a couple places from this list but I think my list just got a bit longer because of yours. haha.

A very well balanced list with some most popular destinations to some unknown but amazing places.

An awesome variety of destinations here! I’d love to visit so many of these places 🙂

Kyrgyzstan and Rwanda are UP THERE for me! What awesome destinations! Now I’m all excited to get traveling – too bad I should be working 😉

Looks like my bucket list just got longer!

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Bucket List Travels – 52 Places to Visit in Your Lifetime

Written By: The Planet D

Travel Bucket Lists

Updated On: February 14, 2024

We have put together the ultimate travel bucket list to spark your imagination. Dave and I made a dream list of our travel bucket list travels way back in 2006. And we fulfilled every travel adventure we ever dreamed of. Now we want to help your dreams come true and share the best bucket list travels that we’ve ever done.

These are 52 destinations that you need to do at least once in your lifetime. We’ve got one idea for every week of the year! You may also like The Best Adventure Destinations For The Ultimate Vacations

Table of Contents

Travel Bucket List Ideas

So, let’s look at the most mind-blowing beautiful places in the world. Oh, by the way, these are bucket list travels that we’ve done ourselves. It’s not a Google search like so many things on the internet these days.

1. Iguazu Falls

There was something magical about staying right in the heart of Iguazú National Park at the Belmont Hotel Das Cataratas. Having this natural wonder all to ourselves in the early morning was like a fairytale. We walked from our hotel to the long platform leading to the center of the massive cascade surrounded by thundering waters.

For a bucket list experience, this was spectacular. Be sure to take a helicopter tour over the falls and hop on a jet boat to get soaked. They seriously put the boat right underneath the waterfall. If there is one item on your travel bucket list. This should be it!

• Getting Soaked – The Ultimate Iguazu Falls Tour
• 11 Fun and Unexpected Things to do in Iguassu Falls

2. Amalfi Coast

We thought we had seen the beauty of Italy when visiting the Cinque Terre, but the Amalfi Coast is the Cinque Terre on steroids. The beautiful coastal towns along the Gulf of Salerno took our breath away at every turn. Rent a car and drive this famous highway that clings to the side of sea cliffs. There is nothing more romantic than driving the towns of Positano , Ravello, Amalfi, and Sorrento. Make sure to splurge on a room overlooking the terraced buildings of Positano and its beach.

• The Best Things to Do in Amalfi Coast, Italy
• 10 Most Romantic Italian Coastal Towns for Couples
• Watch our Amalfi Coast Video
• Hiking Cinque Terre – The Beautiful Five Villages in Italy

3. Maldives

Staying in an over-the-water bungalow in Bora Bora or Tahiti is on everyone’s travel bucket list. But we did this in The Maldives and I cannot think of a place that is more beautiful in the world. The turquoise waters surrounded our bungalow complete with a glass floor so we could watch the fish swim by was superb. I don’t think I have seen such white sand beaches anywhere on earth.

• 15 of The Best Things to do in the Maldives
• Scuba Diving in Maldives – A Beginner’s Journey
• Best of the Maldives Video – On YouTube
• Snorkeling in the Maldives

4. Petra Jordan

By the time we made it to Petra Jordan, we had seen a lot of famous ancient cities with our own eyes. We expected to like it, but we didn’t expect to be wowed by it. Boy were we wrong! Petra is in a league unto itself. The hidden city of Petra is located within a 1.2 km rock passage reaching 80 meters into the air. Once you arrive at The Petra Treasury you are treated to an awe-inspiring scene. A massive building complete with columns is carved into the stone.

• Watch our visit to Petra on YouTube

5. African Safari

There is nothing more magical than an African Safari. We’ve been lucky to go on Safari in Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa , and Botswana. And trust me, it never gets old. Seeing the majestic lion stalk its prey and watching a herd of elephants walking through the African savanna is a scene that is forever etched into our brains. There is something special about visiting Africa. As the saying goes “I left my heart in Africa” and every time we leave the continent we feel the same way.

• African Safari Animals: 34 Photos to make you want to visit Tanzania
• What to Wear on Safari – Africa Travel Inside and Out
• Kenya Safari – The Masai Mara Experience

6. Churchill Polar Bears

Speaking of safaris, have you ever thought of a safari in Canada? I don’t think there was anything more awe-inspiring than seeing polar bears in the wild. It is even more of a bucket list ticket to be able to walk with polar bears. Going up to the arctic tundra in summer is not only unique, but it is also a chance to see polar bears in a different environment than in snow. We visited the Polar Bears twice with Churchill Wild . Once in the winter and once in the summer.

• Walking with Polar Bears – The Greatest Arctic Safari
• Kayaking with Beluga Whales – A Paddlers Dream
• The Ultimate Arctic Safari on YouTube

7. Santorini Greece

We had seen Santorini in the yogurt ads for years and dreamed of one day visiting. Once we arrived, we understood why it has been featured in so many commercials. When we looked over the cliffs of the caldera, the views didn’t seem real. Whitewashed buildings with blue domes lined the high cliffs of the caldera. Staying in a cave hotel overlooking the Aegean Sea was the ultimate dream.

• 25 of The Very Best Things to do in Santorini
• Where to Stay in Santorini
• Places to Visit in Santorini, Greece
• A Photography Guide to Santorini – Getting that Postcard Shot
• Iconic Santorini: A Cave Hotel Experience

8. Kayak and Camp in Antarctica

If you haven’t noticed on our blog, a lot of our bucket list adventures have been in cold regions. And Antarctica truly tops the list. We were lucky enough to visit Antarctica with Quark Expeditions where we fulfilled every travel dream. From camping on Antarctica to kayaking around icebergs, Antarctica was an adventure lover’s travel dream.

• 11 of the Best Things to do in Antarctica
• Sea Kayak Antarctica – The Adventure of a Lifetime
• Camping on Antarctica
• See our complete Antarctica Expedition on YouTube

9. Trek to Mount Everest Base Camp

Staying in the cold weather for a moment, the ultimate bucket list adventure is to trek to Everest Base Camp. When we can all travel again, this is something anyone can do regardless of climbing skills Follow the footsteps of Sir Edmond Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa to see the Khumbu Ice Fall, Everest Base Camp, The Tengboche Monastery, and Mighty Mount Everest herself. Secure the ultimate bragging rights among your friends and trek to Everest. Our friend Dipendra at SimRik Real Nepal Treks is waiting for you.

• Everest Base Camp Trek – All You Need to Know from Start to Finish
• Remarkable Everest Base Camp Trek in Photos
• Flight to Lukla – A Scary Thrill Ride to Everest
• See our Full Everest Playlist on YouTube

10. Cappadocia, Turkey

Nearly everyone is familiar with the famous scene of balloons soaring through the air above fairy chimneys. Turkey’s Cappadocia really does feel like a fairytale. This had been our bucket list since seeing dozens of balloons in the air on Instagram nearly a decade ago. A morning hot air balloon ride fulfills the ultimate travel dream list.

• Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon: How to Choose the Right Company
• A Tour of a Cave Hotel on YouTube
• The Incredible Landscape of Cappadocia on YouTube

11. Himalayas of Bhutan

Bhutan is the happiest country in the world and you can’t help but fall in love with the people and landscape when you visit this bucket list destination. Trekking through the Himalayas is an incredible journey but hiking to Tiger’s Nest Monastery in the Paro Valley is what draws people to the country. This iconic scene doesn’t disappoint.

• 18 Things to do in Bhutan – A Comprehensive Guide of What Not to Miss
• Bhutan Trek to Laya – A Himalayan Adventure to the Remarkable and Remote
• Watch our trek to Tiger’s Nest Monastery on YouTube
• And see what happened when we met the King of Bhutan

12. Great Wall of China

We have visited the Great Wall of China twice. And it lives up to everything we ever expected. Looking at this marvel of engineering truly did inspire wonder and awe. No wonder it is listed as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. We loved visiting both the Mutianyu and Badaling Great Wall, they were equally beautiful yet very different experiences.

• The Great Wall of China – Mutianyu vs. Badaling

13. Machu Picchu

Speaking of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu is another beautiful destination to add to your bucket lists. Hiking the Inca Trail is on many people’s adventure bucket list, but even seeing this extraordinary Inca City will take your breath away. Literally. Located in the Andes Mountains at 2,430 meters/7,972 feet in elevations, it is a wonder to see.

• Machu Picchu Hike: All You Need To Know To Be Perfectly Prepared
• How to Plan a Trip to Machu Picchu

14. Great Barrier Reef

The UNESCO World Heritage Site off the coast of Australia is the largest coral reef in the world. It tops many a traveler’s bucket list. Even if scuba diving or snorkeling isn’t your thing, it is a must-visit. There are many ways to see the Great Barrier Reef. You can take a helicopter ride over the reef or even take a boat out to a platform in the middle of the sea to let you swim, snorkel, and sunbathe in the middle of this beautiful piece of ocean.

• Diving the Great Barrier Reef – Australia’s Ultimate Adventure

15. Pyramids of Giza

We had always wanted to see the Great Pyramids of Giza with our own eyes. We didn’t know what to expect, but when we first spotted them they seemed surreal. They cut through the haze of Cairo standing the desert looking like a mirage. We have had the privilege of visiting them twice and can say that for a fun way to explore them, hire a camel to take you through the pyramid complex to feel like a true Bedouin.

• The Red Pyramid of Egypt – Experience it Inside and Out
• 10 Amazing Temples of Egypt – That We’ve Seen

16. Gobi Desert of Mongolia

We are always fascinated by deserts, but there was something truly unique and spectacular about Mongolia’s Gobi Desert. It is filled with life. From the herds of Bactrian camels (two-humped camels) to the nomadic people of Mongolia moving their Ghers from camp to camp that was always something to see. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

• Read more at Mongolia Pictures from the Russian Border to the Gobi Desert

17. Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands are a group of islands off the coast of Ecuador that have their very own ecosystem. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the most biodiverse of destinations on earth. AND 97% of the Galapagos is a national park. The top draw to the Galapagos is to see its endemic species that are unique to the islands. From the Galapagos giant tortoise, marine iguanas, and the Galapagos penguin, the wildlife experiences.

• 27 photos that will transport you to the Galápagos Islands
• Playing With Sea Lions on San Isabella in the Galapagos

18. Mount Kilimanjaro

If there is one mountain to climb in your lifetime it is Mount Kilimanjaro, The Roof of Africa. Kilimanjaro National park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site housing the highest point in Africa. The six to seven-day climb is part of the seven summits and is a spectacular bucket list vacation. So don’t wait to start planning your climb up the highest freestanding mountain on earth.

• Read more: Complete Guide to Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

19. Bagan, Myanmar

A visit to Myanmar is a trip we’ll never forget. Bagan was the highlight of our travels through the country. Taking an early morning ferry along the Irrawaddy River from Mandalay, we emerged at the most extraordinary complex of temples we had ever seen. Built in 1057 and covering 16 square miles Bagan houses 2200 pagodas. It looks like a massive forest of temples that you must see with your own eyes.

• Read More – The Incredible Temples of Bagan, Myanmar

20. See the Northern Lights

Have you ever wanted to witness the dazzling display of the Aurora Borealis? Once you see the Northern Lights dancing in the night sky, it doesn’t seem real at first. Are your eyes playing tricks on you? Iceland is one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights. We didn’t have good luck there but have witnessed them several times in Canada and in Greenland.

• Incredible Greenland – The Final Frontier for Adventure Travel

21. Mexico Cenotes

For scuba divers’ the Cenotes of Mexico are a top bucket list diving adventure. But you can tour many cenotes without diving. The Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico has several adventures where you can rappel, snorkel, and paddle through Cenotes. But it was the Rio Secreto Cenote that was truly extraordinary.

• Rio Secreto Cenote – Mexico’s Magical Underground Caves
• Cenotes in Photos – Discover Mexico’s Extraordinary Underground Caves

22. Rome’s Colosseum

The city of Rome is like no other. It is packed with ancient ruins and none as famous as the Colosseum. We had the good fortune of staying directly across the street from the Colosseum with a view of the amphitheater from our room. You think that you know everything about the Colosseum, but nothing can prepare you for seeing it for the first time.

• 22 of the Best Things to do in Rome
• 20 of the Best Free Things to do in Rome
• 3 Days in Rome – The Ultimate Rome Itinerary

23. Christ the Redeemer – Brazil

Rio de Janeiro is one of the most beautiful cities on earth and Christ the Redeemer stands proudly over the city keeping watch. Seeing “Christo Redentor” standing with arms outstretched at the top of Corcovado Mountain is on many bucket list travelers list. You can see it by hiking up the mountain, taking the train, or a scenic bus ride but nothing compares to flying around it by helicopter.

• The Top 18 Most Excellent Things to do in Rio de Janeiro

24. Ha Long Bay – Vietnam

Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that needs to be seen to truly be appreciated. 1600 towering limestone islands reach up from the emerald waters of Halong Bay. What makes the bay even more picturesque are the junk boats that take tourists to explore the many islands and caves.

• Halong Bay or Bai Tu Long Bay – How to Choose Your Cruise?
• The Very Best Things to do in Vietnam from North to South

25. Have Champagne at the Eiffel Tower – France

Paris is the city of love and we never tire of seeing the Eiffel Tower . Seeing the Eiffel Tower sparkle in the city of lights is such a romantic scene, but you must go up the Eiffel Tower. And did you know you can have a glass of champagne? Celebrate a milestone, get engaged or just enjoy a toast as you take in the Parisian skyline.

• Where To Stay In Paris – The Best Neighborhoods in Paris
• 3 Days in Paris: The Best Paris Itinerary for Your First Visit

26. Helicopter Tour of Victoria Falls – Zambia

We happen to live one hour away from Niagara Falls in Canada and we do love that city and the iconic Canadian cascade. So when we had the chance to visit Victoria Falls in Zambia we were very excited. The Falls That Thunder is located in the center of Mosi Oa Tunya National Park and is the largest waterfall in the world. The setting is completely different than Niagara Falls as it is surrounded by jungle. At a Whopping 1.7 km wide (1 mile) it is massive, and the way to take in the scope of Victoria Falls is to get up in the air.

• Incredible Things to Do in Victoria Falls, Zambia

27. Soak in the Blue Lagoon – Iceland

Sure, the Blue Lagoon of Iceland is overcrowded these days, but no trip to “The Land of Fire and Ice” would be complete without stopping to soak in its healing waters. It tops many a traveler’s bucket list, especially after National Geographic named it one of the top 25 Natural Wonders of the World.

• How to Visit The Blue Lagoon in Iceland
• Best Places To Visit In Iceland

28. Explore the Canals of Venice – Italy

We truly fell in love with Venice. Staying in the city for four days allowed us to get off the beaten path to explore more of the quiet corners of the floating city. Not bucket-list travels would be complete without adding Venice to your list. While a gondola tops many bucket lists, it was the private taxi tour that we found to be far more romantic. Riding through the Grand Canal in style viewing scenery made us feel like movie stars.

• 3 Days in Venice – The Complete Venice Itinerary
• Where to Stay in Venice – The Best Neighborhoods and Hotels for Every Budget

29. Spy the Sun Stream at Antelope Canyon – USA

It is one of the most recognizable caves in the world. But where is it? Antelope Canyon in Page, Arizona is located in the United States. Once a day a gorgeous waterfall of light seeps through tiny openings lighting up the layers of sandstone in this famous slot canyon. Read: The 17 Best Hikes in Arizona

• Antelope Canyon Photo Tours – How to Make the most of it

30. Hike Through Meteora – Greece

Santorini may be the luxury escape of Greece, but the Monasteries of Meteora are the wonders of Greece. Sitting at the top of massive rock monoliths reaching up to 500 meters (1500 feet) from the valley floor, ancient monasteries dot the landscape. Dating back to the 9th century, the Meteora Monasteries can be visited today by hiking to the top, walking across bridges, or simply taking in the view from one of the many lookouts.

• Meteora Monasteries of Greece – Magic Monoliths in Photos
• The Best Places to Visit in Greece

31. Giant’s Causeway – Northern Ireland

A visit to the Giant’s Causeway in Ireland will make you believe in giants. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is Northern Ireland’s most famous attraction and tops many a travel bucket list. To see the perfectly arranged basalt pillars leading out to sea makes you believe that a giant built a causeway to Scotland rather than a volcanic eruption some 60 million years ago.

• The Legend of the Giant’s Causeway – Do You Believe?

32. Leaning Tower of Pisa – Italy

We didn’t know if we’d be in awe of the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, but seeing it in person did indeed live up to the hype. Pisa alone is worth visiting. This picturesque city located on the Arno River is filled with history dating back to the 14th century.

• The Leaning Tower of Pisa – Is It Worth The Visit?

33. Stand in the Center of Times Square – New York

Standing in the center of Times Square in New York fills you with energy and excitement. New York is certainly one of the most exciting cities in the world, and while Times Square is filled with tourists, its with good reason. You feel as if you are in the center of the universe as massive LED screens surround the entire square.

• Best Things to Do in New York City
• Where to Stay in New York City – Top Places and Hotels For All Budgets
• Fun Facts About New York

34. Go to the Top of the Burj Khalifa – Dubai

It’s the tallest building in the world sitting amongst several other massive skyscrapers. Dubai is out of this world. With each impressive structure built, there are four more in the works. Going to the top of the Burj Khalifa to see the most impressive skyline on earth is the definitive bucket list item.

• 17 Fabulous and Fun Things to do in Dubai

35. Go Sandboarding in Huacachina – Peru

I never expected sand dunes in Peru to be so massive. When we booked a bus ticket to Huacachina in Peru, we thought we’d be sitting in a tiny oasis, but instead, we were surrounded by the largest sand dunes we’ve ever seen. The way to explore them is to take a dune buggy tour or to hop on a sandboard and glide down them. You’ll be covered in sand, but what a hoot and it is something you must try at least once in your life.

• 24 Best Things to do in Peru

36. Cross the Shibuya Scramble in Tokyo

Until you’ve seen Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo with your own eyes, it’s difficult to comprehend the number of people that take this crossing every few minutes each day. A quarter-million people cross this intersection each day. The best way to see this bucket list item is to go to the top of Magnet’s Mag 7 from the glassed-in viewing area.

• Awesome Things to do in Tokyo, Japan
• Best Day Trips from Tokyo

37. Golden Temple – India

The Taj Mahal may top everyone’s bucket list, but we found the Golden Temple of Amritsar to be a more authentic experience. Don’t get me wrong, the Taj Mahal is a wonder to see, but the Golden Temple is a beautiful display that is still a working temple. Join one hundred thousand pilgrims each day as they pay their respects to Sikkhism’s most holy site.

• Golden Temple of Amritsar – India’s Shining Star

38. Road trip to the Grand Canyon

I must admit I wasn’t expecting much from the Grand Canyon, but during our road trip through California and Arizona we popped into the Grand Canyon and I was taken aback by its beauty and sheer size. The Grand Canyon is on everyone’s American travel bucket list and it is spectacular. The Colorado River cuts through the 466 km long (277 mile) Colorado Plateau canyon of the Colorado Plateau and let me tell you, a pop in won’t do it justice. you must get out and explore the beauty of America’s natural wonder.

• 15 Fun Facts That You Need to Know About the Grand Canyon
• The Absolute Best Things to do in The Grand Canyon
• United States National Parks in Photos

39. Amazon River – Peru

The mighty Amazon River is the largest river by water volume in the world and it is the land of legends. It still feels as if much of the Amazon River Basin has yet to be explored. When you set out on a river cruise through the Amazon, you can almost feel what it was like to be an early exploring cutting their way through the largest jungle on earth.

• What to Expect on an Amazon River Cruise – Life on the River

40. Marvel at the Glaciers of Greenland

Glaciers are melting fast on this planet and nowhere on earth is it more prevalent than in Greenland. Visit the world’s most active calving glacier in Ilulissat and sail through a sea of floating skyscrapers of ice. Icebergs dwarfed our ship as we explored the west coast of Greenland on this truly magnificent bucket list adventure.

• Kayaking in Greenland – The Greatest Arctic Adventure in Photos

41.Swim with Whale Sharks

There is something truly magical about swimming with whale sharks. While it might be a frenzy of tourists beaming with excitement below is calm and quiet. To see these gentle giants glide effortlessly through the sea is the ultimate bucket list travel experience. There are many places to swim with whale sharks around the world, most notably off the coast of Cancun Mexico, and in the Philippines.

• Swimming with Whale Sharks Cancun – A Massive Adventure

42. Hornblower at Niagara Falls

Okay, we cannot forget to include going into the center of Horseshoe Falls in Niagara, Ontario. We have always taken this bucket list adventure for granted because we live so close to Niagara Falls, but when you go on the Hornblower, it truly is a spectacular scene. Feel the power of one of the world’s largest waterfalls as you sit at the bottom of the plunging waters. It is so powerful that everyone gets a rain poncho to wear on the boat. If you make your way to Canada, don’t miss seeing Niagara Falls.

There are so many things to do in Niagara Falls, the Hornblower is just the tip of the iceberg. Check out our full round-up of Our Favourite Things to do in Niagara Falls – Plus Where to Eat & Where to Stay

And these are our most amazing bucket list travels on earth. We’ve been lucky to be able to see and do all of these bucket list adventures in our lifetime. As I went through this list, I cannot believe that we have experienced each and every one of these. It all started by creating a dream list a decade ago, and now we have achieved travels beyond our wildest imagination. We can’t wait to add more when we can travel again.

• 50 Most Beautiful Places in the World to Visit – That We’ve Been
• Beautiful Isolated Places on Earth – In Photos
• 31 Most Beautiful Cities in Europe
• 16 of the Best Cities in Spain – Beautiful Places to Visit Right Now
• How to Travel Around the World – The Ultimate Travel Resource

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

• Allianz - Occasional Travelers.
• Medjet - Global air medical transport and travel security.

Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

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About The Planet D

Dave Bouskill and Debra Corbeil are the owners and founders of The Planet D. After traveling to 115 countries, on all 7 continents over the past 13 years they have become one of the foremost experts in travel. Being recognized as top travel bloggers and influencers by the likes of Forbes Magazine , the Society of American Travel Writers and USA Today has allowed them to become leaders in their field.

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5 thoughts on “Bucket List Travels – 52 Places to Visit in Your Lifetime”

wow such a wonderful list for everyone. I am from India and I was surprised when I saw the golden temple on your list because everyone includes the Taj mahal in their top list when anyone visits India. waiting for your next blog. ok, take care of each other Dave and Deb.

Chopta Chandrashila Deoria Tal Trek is a prestigious package for visitors to Chopta, which has mesmerizing panoramic Views of beautiful Himalayan peaks.It’s 5km and takes about 3 hours. We can organize a trip for you to this amazing destination. The hike up to Deoria Tal, amidst dense forests and filled with Rhododendrons (in summer) is part of the Chopta-Chandrashila trek. There is a famous Hindu story about it. When the 5 Pandavas were on their way to heaven, they stopped at the place and tasted the water.

I love these bucket list places to travel to!! Some of my favorites from the list were going to see the Churchill polar bears, kayaking in Antarctica, the Great Wall of China, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Northern Lights. This blog post reminds me of all the beautiful places I have yet to see and cannot wait to go to!

What an amazing compilation of great places. Cant wait to travel after this pandemic.

The Harmiandir Sahib (Golden Temple) of Amritsar has a unique distinction of offering free food at Langar Seva — The world’s largest community kitchen. People visiting the Golden temple must not miss the Langar food.

Thanks for curating a great list.

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21 Mind-Blowing Trips of a Lifetime

From Arizona to Zambia, our list of the world’s most amazing places includes awe-inspiring natural wonders and not-to-be missed travel experiences. Pack your bags for these mind-blowing escapes .

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Cinque terre, italy, four seasons tented camp, thailand, vieques island, puerto rico.

Head to Vieques Island for a quiet vacation to get away from the crowds, tall buildings, traffic and commercialized oceanfront property. The beaches here are pristine, the green flora is lush, and it's located only 6 miles from San Juan. Whisk someone special off for a romantic getaway, and don’t miss out on an illuminating experience on Bioluminescent Bay.

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Bernese oberland, switzerland, secret beach, kauai, sequoia national park, california, milford sound, new zealand, wakaya club & spa, fiji, ski dubai, united arab emirates, volcanoes national park, hawaii, marrakech, morocco, monument valley, utah.

Monument Valley in Utah has been the setting for more Western movies than any other site in the U.S. Its iconic sandstone formations and the Four Corners Monument are unforgettable and absolutely breathtaking in person.

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Singita ebony lodge, south africa.

At the Singita Ebony Lodge , located on the Sand River, travelers experience the perfect combination of luxury accommodation and safari adventure. The resort’s 12 suites all include a private plunge pool. Their external walls of the suites have been removed and replaced by canvas and glass to create safari tent-style suites with great views. Don’t miss out on exploring the African wildlife accompanied by an experienced guide and tracker during your stay in the heart of the Singita Sabi Sand.

Jellyfish Lake, Palau

Santorini, greece, grand canyon, arizona, zambezi river rafting, zambia, angkor wat, cambodia, we recommend.

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10 Trips of a Lifetime Everyone Should Take

Even if you start with the premise that all   travel is good travel, as we tend to around here, there are still those rare trips that well and truly rock your world. Not just while you’re on them, using the mind blown emoji for every photo you share—but long after you’re home. And quite possibly, for all time.  

There’s no fixed list of essential ingredients, granted, but it probably includes a location that’s not right around the corner ( really getting away is key), plus dreamy scenery, cultural riches, immersive experiences—and obviously, life-altering food.

When the elements align, there’s an indefinable bonus quality—a certain otherness —that adds the perfect pixie dust. We’re talking about travel that makes you stop and think about how big—and small—and insanely gorgeous the world is. And while half the fun is figuring out the exact right mix for yourself, we’re at least giving you a head start: Check out these 10 stellar options.

From Rome to Monte Carlo

Seeking them out (along with their less endangered compatriots) will become your main objective as soon as you land. And though local safari vehicles are perfectly accustomed to waterlogged game drives, one of the most sublime wildlife experiences you can have—here or anywhere—is to boat out among the ellies, hippos and zebra, or go on a heli-safari.  Back at your camp, the wildlife show typically continues, with creatures ambling by as you laze in a hammock or plunge pool. The luxe-leaning area lodges —i.e., the ones befitting of a trip of a lifetime—also offer everything from massage on your balcony to private barbecue dinners under the stars.

Island-hopping through French Polynesia

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26 of the best trips of a lifetime

From spotting the northern lights to seeing holland’s tulips in full bloom, these are the very best trips to take….

E veryone’s got that one trip they’ve always been planning, the one forever on their bucket list, begging to be ticked off. What? You haven’t? Well, in that case, we’ve got some suggestions for the best trips of a lifetime on our beautiful blue planet.

Main photo: The river Douro in Porto, Portugal (Getty Images)

1. Take a small ship cruise in Croatia

Croatia specialises in sumptuous small ships: ones petite enough to nip into secluded bays, yet big enough to host kayaks, libraries and en suite staterooms. Most embark on a sun-kissed cruise around islands seldom seen by larger ships — of which there are over 1,200 to choose from. A case in point is the Kvarner Gulf. Centred around the sand-trimmed island of Losinj, expect an azure array of islets, channels and snorkel spots.

2. Get to know Angkor Wat

The ruins of Angkor Wat in Cambodia are often called the Eighth Wonder Of The World and you’ll never forget your first glimpse. Just a stone’s throw from Siem Reap, the ruins send a shiver down your spine. They’re best seen at dawn as the light touches the lotus-shaped towers, the carved reliefs of ancient apsara (heavenly dancing nymphs) strangely animated.

3. Spot the northern lights

Only a handful of destinations offer the chance to see the jaw dropping aurora borealis, where fluorescent shades colour the skies like sweepings from heaven. Visitors to Iceland can partake in this ethereal light show for a full eight months per year. Luck is also a factor, with some guests gaining their best view of the northern lights from the airport bus to Keflavik, which passes through an eerie midnight moonscape. Iceland also offers myriad other attractions by day, from geysers to glaciers and grand waterfalls. Finnish Lapland is a another great option to see the world’s greatest light show.

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4. Ride the Orient Express to Venice

Gone are the days when Balkan royalty, Bulgarian assassins and even Agatha Christie rode the luxury train from Paris to Istanbul. However the current incarnation of the Orient Express still encourages gentlemen to dress for dinner, à la Hercule Poirot. This two-trains-in-one service rides the Belmond British Pullman from London, before 1920s carriages salvaged from the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits pick up passengers at Calais for a luxurious night ride through Europe .

5. Sip port in Porto

Sandeman, Taylor’s, Graham’s. For centuries, port’s most famous marques have shipped barrels into the Atlantic Ocean from the Porto dockside, itself part of a Unesco world heritage site. Now each warehouse offers bespoke tastings of 10, 20 and 30-year-old vintages. Art shows, cheese tastings and even traditional fada music concerts are sometimes performed alongside. True port aficionados can ride the train or cruise boat up the Douro River past endless vineyards. Both rail and river were used to haul barrels of port back to Porto until the 1960s.

6. Take an Italian cooking course

It’s a pastoral dream to roll one’s own pasta or stir an unctuous passata di pomodoro on a sun-kissed morning in Italy . Fortunately, local bilingual chefs are on hand to teach hungry students how to make panna cotta or torta della nonna in every Italian province from Tuscany to Puglia. The best thing? Italian cooking courses are normally hosted in the most charming of inns and villas, with organic orchards and lashings of local wine thrown in.

7. Explore the Pompeii ruins

In AD79 a pyroclastic cloud from Mount Vesuvius inundated Pompeii, preserving the Roman city in volcanic ash. Fortunately for historians, Pompeii was a wealthy settlement. The in situ snapshot of ritzy Roman life includes forums, baths and centrally heated villas, plus erotic frescoes and witty graffiti. Cobbled streets around the Temple of Apollo and Stabian Baths have been peeled back to their original state, rendering any visit a ghostly stroll back to classical times.

8. Take a rail trip in the Scottish Highlands

When travelling through the United Kingdom’s most majestic wilderness, one might pass white sand beaches, redundant railway tracks, lochs, peaks and more Gothic castles than Bavaria. The particular appeal of the Highlands is the lonesome proximity to wildlife and the vivid canvas of vegetation, which colours from pastel moorland to deep forest. The best, and most memorable, way to see them is on locomotion, where you can start things off at the base of Ben Nevis and snake around freshwater lochs.

9. Cruise the Danube

No river navigates more countries, or passes through a greater historical timeline, than the mighty Danube. Some claim river cruises come into their own at the four Danubian capitals of Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest and Belgrade, where passengers can jump ship for art, wine, baths and culture. Others prefer the natural highlights of Austria’s forests, Croatia’s vineyards or the Iron Gates gorge in Romania. What’s clear is that a tranquil riparian sojourn, with wine on tap and bikes at the ready, will float anyone’s boat.

10. Walk the Great Wall of China

China is home to iconic Unesco world heritage sites such as the Forbidden City, giant pandas, the awe-inspiring Terracotta Army and — perhaps best of all — the majestic Great Wall. While it would take over six months to walk in full, taking a section to trek is definitely worthwhile — as well as being more family-friendly.

11. Take a bath in Budapest

The Hungarian capital is blessed by 125 thermal sources. Since Ottoman times these have been channelled into gloriously rococo bathing establishments. Rudas Baths dates from Turkish occupation and still offers the hammam, body scrub and underwater massage services from times past — plus strictly segregated bathing on weekdays. Gellert Baths opened in 1918, making them a spring chicken in thermal terms. Here art nouveau touches meet with Thai massages, plus mixed-sex bathing daily from 6am.

12. Munch Michelin stars in Copenhagen

13. vineyard tasting tour in champagne.

Vineyard tours in the rolling hills of Champagne can be undertaken by eBike, luxury car, private coach or even vintage 2CVs. Each excursion couples a visit to one of 2,400 local producers, which may specialise in sparkling rosé, pairings with local fish or cheese or – increasingly frequently – fully organic production.

You must visit one of the grand Maisons de Champagne in Épernay or Reims. At both Pommery and Moët & Chandon, subterranean cellars stretch for tens of kilometres, with bubbly tastings after every tour.

14. Swim with dolphins in the Azores

The jade-tinted waters of the Azores are brimming with pods of dolphins — and it’s one of the only places where you can swim alongside them guilt-free, if you fancy adding this amazing experience to your bucket list. The best way to do this is to take a class with a local marine biologist. They’ll explain how you can encounter dolphins respectfully, before giving you the chance to clip on a snorkel and swim side by side with a pod.

15. Go on a grown-up interrailing trip

Things have changed since the Interrail pass launched in 1972 for under-21s. Interrailing for grown-up gappers is in a class of its own, with both adult and discounted senior passes, as well as unlimited train travel through 30 European nations. Many first-timers go for broke with itineraries panning from Istanbul to northern Norway via Portugal ’s Atlantic shores. A more sedate way to travel is via a single country pass for, say, Italy or Spain , offering anything from three to 30 days of track-side culture.

16. Have a punt on the Palio

Siena’s Palio was a suitable backdrop for James Bond in A Quantum of Solace . The extraordinary horse race is a riot of colour and chivalry contested by 17 of the city’s historic districts (contrada). There is no better way to see than with a trackside view, watching the Palio from an apartment balcony right on the Piazzo. The race is fast, furious and subject to somewhat elastic rules: don’t be afraid to ask a local what it is going on.

17. Meet Malaysia’s orphaned orangutans

Coming face to face with Malaysia ’s extraordinary wildlife is just one part of this visit to Borneo. The Semenggoh Nature Reserve and Sepilok Orangutan Centre work to rehabilitate orphaned primates and trip here include meeting the keepers and some of their young charges. But that’s not all Borneo has on offer. Meet orangutans and pygmy elephants, enjoy the beaches of Kota Kinabalu, pause for thought at the monuments to Allied prisoners of the Second World War.

18. Go beyond the Golden Triangle

One cannot miss Jaipur, the Taj Mahal and Delhi: these are the corners of the Golden Triangle and the key to any classic tour of India. But there is much more to see in India. The sacred river Ganges is the lifeblood of Varanasi, just as the tigers of Ranthambore National Park are the symbol of the subcontinent.

19. Walk on the wild side in Costa Rica

From white sandy beaches to the towering Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica lives up to its Spanish name: the “Rich Coast”. For visitors, wildlife has long been the main attraction, with cougars, crocodiles, toucans and tree sloths among its 300 indigenous species. Nature lovers will be in their element in San Jose and the Tortuguero National Park and adrenaline junkies are also catered for, with the zip lines and high rope bridges of the Arenal Volcano National Park. Visits to farm and a cocoa plantation provide an opportunity to meet the locals, a cooking class will bring the flavour of Costa Rica back home and soaking in the country’s hot springs will soothe any aches and pains. The Pacific ocean and the proximity to the United States lap one side of the country, with the Caribbean in reach on the other.

20. Drink in Cuba’s charms

Daiquiris and mojitos are as much a part of Cuba as Cohiba cigars and vintage cars. Visitors will experience both the queen of cocktails and the king of cigars in grand style. There is time to explore in Havana before embarking on a tour of the island, from laid-back Viñales to the cobbled streets of Trinidad and the Bay of Pigs.

There is more to Cuba than revolution and resistance: dance the rumba, learn to mix cocktails, visit a cigar factory, tour in a vintage open top car and swim in the clear waters of the Bay of Pigs.

21. Tour two continents in a single day

Istanbul played host to three empires: the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman. For two millennia the city has been divided across two continents, allowing visitors to sip tea in Europe, lunch in the markets of Asia , then return to European shores for a seafood feast at sunset. The ferries that cross the Bosphorus Straits offer 15 minutes of sightseeing heaven, with the Topkapi Palace and Blue Mosque visible from the prow. A new sub sea Metro service also connects Europe and Asia via a deep Bosphorus tunnel.

22. Cruise Norway’s fjords in summer

Nowhere on Earth couples such towering topography, where Tolkien-esque cliffs dwarf even the grandest of cruise ships. Dramatic waterways like Geirangerfjord inspire awe with their otherworldly grandeur — as well as offering opportunities to kayak, visit local farms, make a mountain bike descent, or a RIB “safari”. Furthermore, Norway’s mile-high mountains — and mile-deep seas — maintain an edge-of-the-world ecosystem replete with white-tailed eagles and Atlantic dolphins.

23. Go back in time in Jordan

The ancient city of Petra awaits, with its blush-coloured rock formations and ancient tombs lit by candles come nightfall. Head to Wadi Rum if you want to stargaze from martian pods, or swap floating in the Dead Sea for splashing about in the hot springs waterfall at Ma’in. Don’t just pass through the capital, Amman, without a visit. You’ll find a huge a Roman amphitheatre constructed during the reign of Emperor Antonius and a magical hilltop citadel perfect for soaking up the echoes of prayer calls as you peer out across the city and its multiple mosques.

24. Dive in the Great Barrier Reef

Probably one of the world’s most incredible underwater scenes — bar perhaps the Galapagos Islands — it’s no wonder the Great Barrier Reef is Australia’s pride and joy. While it’s impressive from above — it’s actually the only living structure that can be seen from outer space — sink below the surface and you’ll find everything from luminescent coral gardens, white-tipped reef sharks and marine turtles to butterflyfish and sea snakes.

25. See Holland’s tulips in bloom

Spring in Holland is more a of natural wonder than a trip of a lifetime as such, but not one to overlook. Visit to find over 800 varieties of tulips bursting into bloom, spreading a riot of colour across the landscape. The best place to see them is Keukenhof Gardens between the end of March and mid-May.

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Long-Term Travel Memories from a Trip of a Lifetime

August 1, 2023 by Janice Waugh

I have had the good fortune of enjoying many extraordinary trips. However, it is difficult to match my European trip of a lifetime. The travel memories are still clear as if it were last year.

This trip was not solo. It was before my husband passed and before the kids left home.

It was a family affair that involved one son in a Canadian school in Neuchâtel, Switzerland for 5 months; another (the youngest) I home-schooled; and my two older stepsons who came to visit on shorter stints. The trip was ten months in total, spending the first five in Neuchâtel and exploring the center of Europe and another five months going to destinations around the perimeter.

Ten months is definitely long term travel, which has many special benefits. It's a different kind of travel. Below are some of my favorite travel memories and what I learned about travel from my trip of a lifetime.

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Table of Contents

What It's Like to Take that Trip of a Lifetime

The trip you've always dreamed of is never exactly as expected.

It's important to know that, like at home, not every moment is perfect. There are good days and some not so good.

But, I have to say, with all the stimulation, with the freedom to change plans on a whim, to slow down when needed, and the excitement of never knowing what a day will bring, it's pretty great.

Here are a few things I loved about our long trip of a lifetime.

1. A new meaning of time.

I found a new meaning of time as we traveled. Time was ours to define. What we would do with it was up to us. We could stay as long as we wanted in a location or leave it quickly. Time was our ally, whereas at home, it can be an enemy.

2. So much room for spontaneity.

With ten months of travel available, there was no pressure to stick to a schedule. We were able to change plans on a moment's notice. On one occasion in Sicily, we decided that we needed to leave. We were near Mount Etna. Could we make it to Palermo in time for the ferry? Maybe. We raced across the island and were the last vehicle to board the ship. Spontaneity leads to fun travel memories.

3. The choice of traveling slowly.

A long-term trip is about taking one’s time and feeling a new location and culture rather than just viewing it. There is no need to rush to many destinations to see lots of different things. When you go slowly, you see more deeply. You see lots of different things in one location. For me, going slow also means having time to read and meander.

4. The pleasure of getting lost.

My son likes to remind me of my inclination to get intentionally lost. If I tired of one road, I’d spin off in a new direction on the next roundabout – a little disconcerting for a young navigator. But why not? As long as we were heading in the general direction of our destination, it didn't matter. It provided adventure.

5. The option to take a break from the road.

The pacing of a long-term trip is different from other travels and it may require more than slowing down. It may require stopping for a bit. Towards the end of our trip, we decided to take a break from the road and rent an apartment for six weeks in Amsterdam. We rented bikes and lived the city like locals. I’m a cycling enthusiast anyway, but in Amsterdam it was fabulous.

Some of My Favorite Travel Memories

Below are some of my favorite travel memories from this trip taken 20 years ago.

It has been a long time since the photos and video of the trip have been watched. Yet, still, images of certain moments from this trip of a lifetime remain solidly cast in my brain.

1. The wonder of seeing the world through children's eyes.

Some days, we stopped planning and let the kids do it all. There is no better way to learn than to teach others. By taking the reigns for a day, they got to learn in a different way and do what they wanted to do. For us, we could relax and just follow them around. Better yet, we had the opportunity to see the world through their eyes. This was one of the sources of inspiration for our Wits and Wonder Travel Course .

2. My 12 year old’s independence.

The first five months we were in the small apartment in Neuchâtel where our second youngest went to school for a semester. We traveled out but also stayed in that small, very safe city of 30,000. Here our youngest son was able to stretch and develop independence and street smarts that wouldn’t have been possible in Toronto.

3. European parades.

In North America we control our parades with police on the sidelines keeping people off the street. In Europe, they don’t. Everyone can get involved and they’re a little wild. In Neuchâtel we went to the annual Fête des Vendanges celebration of the grape harvest. A lot of wine was involved and they shot confetti out of canons! In Vilanova i la Geltrú in Spain, they celebrate Carnival by tossing candies into the streets. Not just a few. The streets of the entire town are so thick with candies that if you stop moving it’s a struggle to get your foot off the ground again.

4. Toledo and Don Quixote.

Hilltop towns hold a fascination for me; you don’t see them in North America. My favorite was Toledo, Spain, just south of Madrid. We camped outside the walled city and walked in every day. This is Don Quixote country and one of my favorite travel memories is my son singing “The Impossible Dream” in the central square.

5. Haus der Musik in Vienna.

The Haus der Musik was my favorite museum in Europe, yet few people have heard of it. My son found it and put it on our itinerary for that city. It’s located in central Vienna near St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the Vienna State Opera House. It’s interactive and playful and teaches the science as well as history of music.

6. Fields of olive trees.

One of the most beautiful parts of the trip was driving in central Spain. We drove for hours through rolling hills with olive trees in bloom.

7. Roman ruins.

My fascination with Roman ruins does not seem to end. Fortunately, you can see them everywhere in Europe, from Italy to Germany and beyond. My favorites are the aqueducts, like the one found outside of Tarragona, Spain. The ones that surprised me most were on the south side of Lac Neuchâtel where there was an incredibly intact Amphitheater at the Roman Museum in Avenches. There were absolutely no tourists when we were there.

8. The Alps.

The beauty of the Alps is truly breathtaking. I remember the first time I had a view of them in winter. The mountains were covered in snow with rocks jutting out against a brilliant blue sky. I was in awe. It is a sight one never tires of.

The Joy of Camping in Europe

Permeating all my travel memories is our time camping.

1. Our VW Pop-up Camper.

We spent 10 months traveling Europe in the VW Pop-up Camper we rented. That camper was transportation and accommodation in one. It was our kitchen, bedrooms, music room, and more. It was reliable, affordable, and, even though it had a diesel engine, could cruise at 140 km/h without a problem. I get sentimental every time I see one. Pro tip: book on the off-season. The reason we traveled 10 months and not 12 was because the cost of the van for the additional two months would have been about the same as the total cost for the first ten.

2. Creative cooking in a van.

Risotto is the perfect meal for camping. The ingredients do not require refrigeration and it is cooked in one pot. Serve it with a salad and a glass of wine and you have an elegant, tasty dinner suitable for entertaining.

3. Luxury camping in France.

In France I’ve camped in a luxury resort, on the grounds of a Chateau, and on a beautiful terraced hillside. Camping in France is a wonderful experience, especially when they deliver fresh croissants to you in the morning. Esterel , on the Cote d'Azure, was the most luxurious we experienced.

4. Priceless camping sites for a pittance.

There are so many interesting locations for campgrounds. Our site outside of Florence was on top of a very high hill. We drove up for a while and then the road became steeper. And then steeper still. So much so that we had to rev up the van to get it up the last leg and into the campground. But, from that vantage point, from our campsite on the edge of a cliff near where Leonardo da Vinci tested his flying machine, we had a view of the Duomo in Florence. Priceless for a pittance.

I certainly hope that you, too will be able to realize your trip of a lifetime and savor your travel memories.

You might also enjoy Creating Travel Memories to Savor for a Lifetime .

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Editor Tracey: tracey @ solotravelerworld.com

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From Manitowoc to Morocco: My journey, part two

I learned so much on my 14-day trip to morocco. here's the second half of my experience..

Editor's note: Reporter Patti Zarling spent 14 days in Morocco Feb. 8-22. Following is part two of her experience.

Slipping into my soft bed in a posh room at the Kasbah Xaluca Hotel in Erfoud , I tossed and turned a bit the night of Feb. 14.

It had already been a wonderful day … mostly on the bus driving from Fes to the edge of the Sahara desert . The highlight of that journey was a stop within the Atlas Mountains to feed and take photos of monkeys. They seemed comfortable around people, and we got quite close.

The Barbary macaque monkeys are native to Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria, according to the Encyclopedia of Life. They are endangered.

Our tour guide, Nory, knew where these little monkeys could be found in the treed area. We got off the bus to take photos. Some men with Berber horses (a type of breed, which seem slightly smaller than horses I am used to) approached us to take photos and attempt to sell us rides.

Then, we climbed back on the bus, stopping in a village to eat tagine in a truly local café with the local people. This place also had squat toilets, which is always interesting for us Americans.

We arrived at the Xaluca in late afternoon, and enjoyed a buffet meal (there was pizza!) and called it an early night.

Read part one: From Manitowoc to Morocco: My journey to this exotic and wonderful country, part one

Traversing the rolling dunes of the Sahara was like being on a movie set.

In the morning, we left our bus behind and divided into groups of four. We each had a driver and a 4x4 vehicle that would take us to our camp in the Sahara desert.

Jude and I were fortunate enough to ride with both Nory and our hometown tour organizer, Suzanne. We could have all our questions answered!

Jude and I always wondered how the drivers knew where they were going. Once you got off the main highway, the desert had what we would call trails — sort of unmarked graveling dirt/sand tire tracks they would drive through the open desert on. They knew where to turn to find our destinations, but we never noticed any signs or other landmarks.

Nory told us large parts of the western Sahara are owned by the Moroccan government. Our camp area is owned by the Moroccan army and leased to the private company that runs the camps.

It’s impossible to describe the drive through the rolling dunes of the desert — with blue, cloudless skies and miles of no signs of civilization — that would do the experience justice. Sort of like being on a movie set.

The sand just looks soft, and you can see the ripples in the ever-moving sand. Definitely one of those moments in life when you can’t really believe you are where you are. Which is one of the main points of traveling, right?

We made a brief stop at a market in a small desert town. Nory wore traditional Berber clothing and explained how various wares are used in everyday life.

This market was more rural than the one we experienced in Fes or would visit in Marrakesh . I felt like I did when I visited my aunt and uncle in Kumba, Cameroon, two decades ago. They were there as missionaries. Seeing a taste of the African part of Morocco was interesting to me.

We stopped at a small shop (or farm?) — some sort of place that had baby camels and a gift shop. We saw a guy milk a two-week-old camel and some of us tasted the milk. To me, it tasted like slightly less-fatty cow’s milk.

Our group also visited a traditional Nomadic family. They did not speak English, so Nory translated for us. There was a grandfather and a younger couple and their young children. They live in a simple home made of sticks and stones. They have water and food storage. They teach the children at home, and they move when the weather gets too warm or too cold. They live on so little, some in our tour I think felt bad for them and wanted to give them money, but Nory said these nomadic families are content and prefer a simple way of life. They are born into it, I guess.

They also served us mint tea and cookies. No matter where we went, Moroccan people always wanted to share tea — and a smile — with us.

Camping in the Sahara is nothing like camping in Wisconsin.

When we signed up for the trip, I thought our two nights of camping in the Sahara would be similar to the camping I do at home — pitch a tent, pull out your chairs and build a fire. Get your food out of coolers and roll out the sleeping bag.

Well, this camp was a giant step up from that. Each camp had around 12 “tents” that were made of strong canvas with cement walkways leading to the door and a little patio out front.

Jude and I slept on full-sized beds within our large “tent,” which had a door, window, electricity and a bathroom and shower.

Staff cooked a meal in the camp kitchen, and we ate in a full dining room, with a fabulous view of the desert dunes.

Everything ran on solar energy, and our staff lived in the camp, too. They also multi-tasked as we recognized our food server later playing with the drummers around the fire.

Friday morning (Feb. 16) was the main event. As we finished our breakfast, we could see camels at the far side of the camp. We were all so excited to climb aboard and have our ride in the desert!

The camels were roped together in groups of five or six, and we all got on our camels as they knelt in the sand. They had saddles made of carpets and we hung on to a metal bar. Our feet hung loose. Once the camel at the front got up, the other camels did, too. You leaned far forward and far back as they got up onto their long legs. The handlers led them over the dunes.

The ride was so cool! They went very slowly up and down the hills. Can’t say the ride was super comfortable, and half hour was about enough. Nory said the ride is less bumpy when camels are running, rather than loping along.

But our day was just getting started. We then climbed into our trucks and visited a deserted mine and a desert graveyard. We participated in a fun drumming lesson at a desert school where talented kids apprentice. We also stopped at a date farm (in an oasis in the desert) to learn about agriculture methods.

The next morning, we packed our ruck sacks and headed through the High Atlas Mountains.

The next two days would be mostly driving along the rugged “Road of a Thousand Kasbahs” to Marrakesh. It was interesting to see all these small towns and ancient villages, wondering what life is like for the people living in these remote areas.

Visiting the busy and crowded city of Marrakesh.

We spent the next three or so days in Marrakesh, which is about as crowded and crazy as you might imagine.

I am not really a big-city type person, and three days is probably enough for me!

The highlight of this experience for me was a cooking class we took at a women’s training center. We sliced vegetables, added seasoning, and slow-cooked our dishes on outdoor clay fire pots. We learned how the Amal training school prepares women for culinary or chef careers, and also run a successful restaurant and catering service.

We had tea and ate the meals we cooked. When we returned to our top-notch hotel, Bob, who was part of our tour but did not do the class, told me he had found a yarn and fiber shop in the crazy Marrakesh marketplace! I was so excited!

I am a knitter and try to buy yarn whenever I visit a new place. I wasn’t sure if I would have luck in Morocco, but had located the Fiber Shop on Instagram. Bob had kindly bought some red yarn for me!

Since the group was going back to the marketplace, for people who wanted to shop, I was determined to find the Fiber Shop.

Our local tour guide knew where the shop was within the maze of the marketplace and led me there. Luckily, he also translated for me as I had about two seconds to choose the colors I wanted and bargain a price. Not like the yarn shops at home I am used to browsing through! I will never get accustomed to the in-your-face bartering system used in so many other cultures. I am truly a deer in the headlights.

Now, I need to choose a project! Fiber was sold by the half pound, so yardage-wise, I am not exactly sure the amount I purchased.

We also had dinner in a local restaurant that served alcohol. I ordered the draft beer. They offer one kind … a bit different than the 20 beers you might find on tap in Wisconsin! We also had a blast singing “Sweet Caroline” with another American group when the DJ played the song.

Later, we toured the marketplace at night and took a charming horse carriage ride.

A trip to Germany: I went to Germany for two weeks to see Christmas markets and more. Here’s what I learned.

A final day in Casablanca, and parting thoughts.

Our final day was spent in Casablanca . We toured the Hassan II Mosque , which is breathtakingly beautiful. It is the largest mosque in Africa and the third largest in the world.

We ate our final meal at the famous Rick’s Café . It was fun, but as it was built in 2004, I don’t think Sam ever actually played there. The food was so good, and we were all chatty and sad it was time to go home.

We got up at 4 a.m. to head to the airport, and I got home to Green Bay at about 9 p.m. that evening. A long day, when you consider the seven-hour time difference.

Jude and I agree it will be hard to top this vacation. I learned so much, it’s hard to answer when someone asks me what my favorite thing was.

I appreciated that I went with a group of people from northeastern Wisconsin, as we had things in common to talk about and can stay in touch.

I appreciated traveling through Collette, which puts an emphasis on educational pieces to a travel experience.

I appreciated taking a tour with Nory as our guide. He was very open in sharing his life story with us, and his knowledge of the culture and people added a lot of depth to the experience.

I liked talking to the people. I enjoyed talking to a young guy running a stand in the Marrakesh market about his life, what brought him from the hills to the city, and how he drives a scooter in the crazy traffic and narrow streets of the medina!

I hope to get back to Morocco at some point, to see the northern portion I missed this time around and revisit some other spots.

When talking to folks from other countries, especially ones less developed than the U.S. I always feel this: we have it so much better than we realize. We take our belongings, our incomes, our homes, our wide-open spaces, our education, our large middle class, our freedoms, for granted.

I also feel this: We don’t have it as good as people in other places think we do. There is a lot of corruption here, too, and poverty, and the freedom to move around or own a home or get a great education is not distributed evenly in the U.S., either.

But a person never gets that chance unless they leave their own back yards. Yes, technology has made our world smaller. But a digital experience will never replace a real-life experience.

Please, if you get the chance to go — GO. I said “yes” to a trip to Morocco. And I will never regret that.

Contact reporter Patti Zarling at [email protected] or call 920-606-2575. Follow her on X @PGPattiZarling or on Instagram @PGPatti.

Hargan Experiences Once-in-a-Lifetime Educational Trip to Galapagos Islands

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O.J. Simpson just died. Is it too soon to talk about his troubled past?

Social media feeds  fill to the brim with capital "RIP" letters and heart emojis after a prolific celebrity dies. Well, not always .

O.J. Simpson – the football star and actor acquitted of the killings of his ex-wife and another man with her that night – has died of cancer at 76. The jury in a civil trial found Simpson liable for the double murder, and he later served nine years in prison for his role in a botched armed robbery.

It completed a stunning fall from grace for the once-celebrated running back who won the Heisman Trophy in 1968. He capitalized on his athletic success in Hollywood, developing a career as a successful actor and TV pitchman. But it all came crashing down after the murder charges that riveted America.

"During this time of transition, his family asks that you please respect their wishes for privacy and grace," Simpson's family wrote in a post on X . Of course, the memes and snark poured in anyway.

But think about other deaths of controversial figures from the last few years: Paul Reubens, also known as children's entertainer Pee-wee Herman , who died recently after a private battle with cancer at age 70. And  Jerry Lee Lewis , who died in 2022 at 87. His career tanked after it came out that at age 22 he  married his 13-year-old cousin . 

Often mentions of these moments erupt in controversy, which is not surprising. After someone dies , fans often turn on those who try to disparage them. 

Experts say no timeline exists for when it's OK to talk negatively about someone after they die. Rather, they say, a celebrity's alleged misdeeds as well as how they died may impact the appropriateness of various responses.

More on O.J. Simpson: O.J. Simpson dies of cancer at 76, his family announces

'Sacred space' gone after someone dies

Take comedy icon  Jerry Lewis  or  Hugh Hefner . Both died in 2017 at age 91, but their names have popped up well after their deaths. Several of Lewis' female former co-stars accused him of sexual harassment and punitive behavior in an article last year in Vanity Fair. And Hefner's former girlfriends, Playmates and employees alleged a culture of abuse in A&E's documentary series "Secrets of Playboy."

More than enough time has passed to allow for a closer examination of these stars,  Robert Thompson , founding director of the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture at the Newhouse School of Public Communications Syracuse University, previously told USA TODAY.

OJ Simpson's Bronco chase riveted America. The memory is haunting, even after his death.

In fact, these conversations may have happened a lot sooner if these stars died today.

"There did used to be a sense that there was this almost sacred space after someone had died," Thompson says. "You didn't say anything bad at their funeral and you waited a certain time before you said something bad thereafter. That included your uncle, and it included celebrities."

Lines blurred of 'appropriate' and 'inappropriate' grief

The internet and social media altered the way people communicate. Newspaper editors and heads of television stations previously called the shots on what was appropriate to talk about. Now? Individuals speak freely, online, whenever they want. 

"The lines of 'appropriate' and 'inappropriate' grief expressions, public conversations about their lives on social media – both positive and negative – and time limits, are immediately blurred and often unacknowledged,"  Melvin L. Williams , associate professor of communication studies at Pace University, also previously told USA TODAY.

Different cases call for different responses after someone dies, of course, including how someone died.

To think about: It’s time to cancel ‘cancel culture.’ Call it ‘accountability culture’ instead.

'We were a little too polite and decent'

Our  collective raised consciousness  – which has grown in the last decade in tandem with the rise of social media – only accelerated further due to the #MeToo movement. Many stories never discussed before, particularly about prominent men and their abuses of power, suddenly saw the light of day.

"I don't think there will be any time period after, let's say, Harvey Weinstein or Bill Cosby die," Thompson says. "They will be open season for that kind of thing. We already saw it with Jeffrey Epstein. Nobody was waiting to be polite to Jeffrey Epstein until X number of time had passed."

Reaction to Epstein's 2019 death was exactly how it should have been, Williams says. 

"There should be conversational differences when speaking of a convicted celebrity versus an alleged criminal celebrity figure," Williams says. "However, in the court of public opinion, there exist gray areas where some alleged celebrity figures never supersede their accusations, even when proven innocent." 

Caitlyn Jenner, more react to O.J. Simpson death: 'Good riddance'

These days, even the nicest person in the world could die and some people would still stomp on their (virtual) grave.

"Social media has really lowered the barriers of what's considered polite and decent," Thompson adds. "But I don't want to say that's necessarily a bad thing because we were a little too polite and decent about a lot of things that we didn't talk about that we should have been talking about."

Contributing: Josh Peter

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Kentucky veteran saves friend's life after he collapsed outside walmart.

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A Kentucky veteran's trip to the store ended up with him saving a friend's life.

Paul Morgan stopped by the Walmart in Rockcastle County when he ran into his longtime friend Larry in the parking lot.

Morgan says the two were just talking when Larry suddenly collapsed.

He performed CPR, which he learned during his time in the military until first responders arrived to help.

"I thought he was dead I'll be honest with you. He just started turning blue and I thought Lord, don't let him die. So sad," Morgan said. "When they was loading him he looked at me and he said I'll see ya Paul! and I knew then he was gonna be all right."

Larry was taken to the hospital and we're told he is doing better.

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Jamie Reid - A Lifetime of Radical Gestures | Enter Gallery

Mark your calendars for the exclusive Private View of "Jamie Reid - A Lifetime of Radical Gestures" at Enter Gallery, located at 13 Bond Street, Brighton, BN1 1RD. This extraordinary exhibition showcases rare Reid artworks from the 90s, alongside a captivating display of photographs spanning his remarkable 50-year career in the forefront of cultural movements. Renowned as the creative force behind the iconic visuals of the Sex Pistols, Jamie Reid's extensive collection of art pieces challenges injustice and exposes the contradictions of authority figures. Delve into the world of this punk legend on 25th April 2024, between 6-8pm, as John Marchant, Reid's gallerist and Director of the Jamie Reid Foundation, sheds light on Reid's intriguing journey and artistic impact. Admission is free, offering you a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the life and works of this rebellious visionary.

Provided by Hannelore_Wiggles | Published Apr 17, 2024

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Budgeting for your BFF’s big bash

Tips for tackling the money talk of bachelors & bachelorettes..

April 16, 2024 | 4 min read

Wedding bells are chiming, a date is being set, events are being planned—your friend is getting married. A bachelor or bachelorette bash is on the horizon and you’re ready—but is your wallet? Whether it’s a day or a weekend, it’s important to stay realistic with your budget. 

Use these 5 tips to help you navigate your bach-bash budget.

Try loud budgeting

Have you heard of loud budgeting ? It’s a strategy that involves being open with friends and family about your financial goals and aspirations. This aligns well with social events such as a bachelor or bachelorette party since it involves being vocal about how you want to spend your money and how you don’t—even if you have the funds. Loud budgeting is effective because it helps you be clear with everyone, including yourself, about your financial goals. Being transparent about your budget can help negate the fear of missing out on certain events. When your friends and family are aware of your goals, they can plan accordingly to ensure you can join or be more understanding if you can’t make an event.

Discuss expectations

You are likely not alone in any cost-related hesitations that come with attending a bachelor or bachelorette bash. One way to address them is by having an open conversation with the organizer and other attendees. If you can have this discussion prior to making a commitment to the trip, you can go into it knowing if the event will fit into your budget. Stating any financial concerns can also help the event’s organizer have a better idea of what options would best suit the group. 

It’s also important to discuss how costs will be divided . Will all the costs be split evenly? Will you be asked to pay for certain things on your own? Asking questions can help you feel more comfortable going into the weekend. 

Bring an open mind

When you have a budget in mind, it can be nerve-wracking to get invited to an event that might interfere with your goals. Keeping an open mind can help you navigate the planning process. Sometimes bachelor and bachelorette trips involve many group activities, but maybe only some fall into your safe zone. As long as the bride or groom doesn’t mind, you could plan on sitting an activity or two out to stay comfortable while still being present. You don’t have to have an all-or-nothing approach to the invitation. Small things such as driving instead of flying if the event is not local could help you make it there with a little more cash in your pockets. 

Maintain money boundaries

Setting money boundaries now can help you deal with expensive situations later. These boundaries could be different for everyone. Maybe yours are setting and sticking to a budget or simply putting your financial needs first. While nobody wants to be the sole bridesmaid or groomsman to speak up if the trip falls outside their budget, it’s necessary to set that boundary. The fear of missing out is not worth going into debt to attend. If you make the decision to not attend the bachelorette or bachelor trip, but still want to make a gesture, you could send a treat to a dinner, offer to chip in for an activity or gift for the bride or groom, or one of these other ideas .

It's OK to say no

It can be easy to get caught up in the excitement of wedding events, especially when it’s one of your closest friends getting married. You might go as far as to think that there’s no limit on how much you’d spend to celebrate them; however, it’s important to be realistic with your wallet. Declining an invitation to a bachelor or bachelorette bash can be a difficult decision to make, but your friend will understand if you are open and honest with them. If you can afford it, but it does not align with your financial goals, remember it’s still OK to say no.

Basically, tie the knot with your budget

In a nutshell, bachelor and bachelorette trips are an opportunity to celebrate your friend as they enter their next chapter—an experience you likely won’t want to miss. If you’re not sure it will fit in your budget, remember the best approach is being open and honest with the group before finalizing anything—this way, there is potential to adjust. And by speaking up, you may discover other attendees have the same concern. 

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We got a sneak peek inside KFC's test kitchen in Louisville. Here are 3 things we learned

After growing up in Kentucky and then leaving the state, I often found myself running into the same conversation when people found out where I was from.

It usually started like this: “So, you must like KFC?” 

Hats off to the man who donned that white suit, black tie, and glasses for getting the word spread far from home. Everyone knows about the fried chicken giant associated with Kentucky and, as a Kentuckian, I sort of thought I knew everything there was to know about KFC. I mean, I can remember many days made better with a side of those drive-thru mashed potatoes and family gatherings made complete with those red-and-white buckets. 

Now that I’m back home and reporting for the Courier Journal, I ran into something new: An invite for an inside look at the fast-food chain's hallowed halls at the KFC headquarters.

Just like all those times when I talked to strangers about KFC, the answer was yes. 

As part of this recent and exclusive media immersion experience, I arrived one morning at a nondescript office building about 15 minutes from downtown Louisville. A few hours later, I left with a belly full of tasty new menu items and my mind proved wrong: There was a lot more to learn about KFC, even for a Kentucky native.

Here are three things I learned at the KFC headquarters in Louisville:

'The purpose of KFC'

This occasion began with a sit-down chat with Nick Chavez, CMO KFC U.S., who took over his position in 2021 after 11 years with Nintendo.

We were together to talk about the chain’s new saucy nuggets, rolled out in late March. As Chavez said, those saucy nuggets play a piece in KFC’s future. 

“We talk a lot about why we exist,” Chavez said to a small room of journalists. “We like to say our purpose at KFC is to serve everyone joy with the world’s best-tasting fried chicken. We’re really working hard both to delight and satisfy our existing core customers of KFC in the US, as well as attract new customers.” 

Chavez and his team have studies to see that “chicken is the most popular and fastest-growing protein in the world,” he said. 

Chavez talked about innovating and staying on top of trends and how it’s important to be “fearlessly modern in the fried chicken we offer.” He also talked about the importance of upholding the standards of Colonel Sanders while “introducing new generations to new flavors.” 

Perhaps we can look forward to fried chicken staying cool. 

There's a (very cool) Colonel Sanders Museum 

Remember that nondescript building? My view changed when I saw how it looked from Colonel Sanders Drive. It looks, as intended, like the White House.

From the entrance, you’re greeted with a lifelike and animatronic Colonel Sanders. There are lots of fun facts and artifacts, including photos of Sanders with famous people of his time and all about how KFC came to be. As I walked around the space that was once Sanders’ office and saw a safe symbolizing the sacredness of the all-so-secret recipe, I thought about how I should mention this place the next time I’m giving recommendations for what to do in Louisville.

On that note, The Colonel Sanders Museum is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. You can call 502-874-2174 for more information about visiting.

How the chicken nuggets are made at KFC 

The bulk of our visit was spent in the test kitchen with KFC’s food innovation team. Of the many ideas this team throws around, those aforementioned saucy nuggets passed the test. And we got to try our hands at making them. The process involved shaking the nuggets in sauce seven times for an evenly juicy coating.

This behind-the-scenes hang didn’t reveal any secret ingredients, but it's clear that the KFC operation is a well-fried machine.

And when the company announces things like new saucy nuggets or, more recently, the April 8 unveiling of “Taste of KFC Deals” value menu, national media outlets write about it and people continue to drive through KFC locations around the world.

Not to be cheesy when talking about fried chicken, but I noticed something when I looked back at the photos of me in the test kitchen while wearing plastic gloves and breading raw meat the KFC way. 

Maybe that big smile is a muscle memory from those times in my grandmother’s kitchen when she would make fried chicken whenever she felt like it. I still don’t know what made her creation so special or what is in those secret 11 herbs and spices, but I do know what I’ll say the next time someone asks me, “So, you must like KFC?”

Reach food reporter Amanda Hancock at [email protected].