travel experience or travelling experience

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

TravelAwaits

Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

My 15 Favorite Travel Experiences Everyone Should Try Once

• Bucket List Trips
• Types of Travel

Travel opens you up to so many incredible experiences, and while there’s a whole lot more of the world I’d still like to see, and this is certainly not the definitive list of best travel experiences, I’d like to share with you some of my most amazing experiences and those I think deserve a spot on every traveler’s bucket list. 

1. Watch The Sunrise In A Really Special Place

One of my most memorable sunrises was on Mequfi Beach at the end of a trip through the Quirimbas Archipelago in the Indian Ocean off the north-eastern coast of Mozambique. My husband and I had traveled the 68 miles of the archipelago by plane, sailboat, traditional dhow (wooden boat), and helicopter. We’d spent 2 weeks on the journey and Diamonds Mequfi Beach Resort was the final stop on our itinerary. Keen to savor our last few hours of beach time before flying home, we were up early and down on the beach just as the sun’s first rays of light started to peek over the horizon.

2. Do Something That Terrifies You

After it takes a 360-foot tumble over Victoria Falls , the Zambezi River squeezes through a narrow gorge where it boils up into the biggest, and arguably best, white water rapids in the world. This is not for the faint-hearted, and an average level of fitness is required, but if you are feeling brave this really can be an adventure of a lifetime. I have done this trip numerous times and it’s definitely something I would recommend.

Pro Tip: The best time to raft the Zambezi is when the water levels are lower and more rapids are accessible, from August to mid-October. Go with a good operator like Bundu Adventures .

3. Laugh When You Get Caught In A Well-Known Tourist Scam!

Rome is an expensive city. Even a double room in a moderately priced hotel can be pricy. Traveling to Rome as a family with small children, we found the best value accommodation was one of the many convents that take in paying guests. Traveling on a budget and trying to economize wherever we could, we caught the train from the airport into the city. With our luggage and two small children in tow (one in a pushchair), we made the classic rookie mistake – we asked a local taxi driver how much he would charge to drive us to the convent. He named an exorbitant price. Some haggling ensued. Beating him down to a price that wasn’t quite so eye-watering, we climbed into the taxi. He drove for minutes, and around the corner pulled up outside our destination! An expensive lesson learned. All we could do was laugh!

4. Climb A Mountain

Climbing mountains is something I have been doing for years. I’ve climbed them, guided them, and taken my husband and my children up them. I’ve also taken clients on trips they tell me have been life-changing experiences.

If you are looking for an achievable, yet challenging, mountain to climb, let me steer you towards Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro , where I have been guiding regularly for years. Whether you’ll rate a climb up Africa’s highest mountain a great “travel experience” depends entirely on when you’re asked! Ask a climber making the final push to the summit and they’ll probably say no! At that moment it’s a tough, cold, nauseating, exhausting hell. But ask them 6 hours later, when they’re grinning from ear to ear, standing on the roof of Africa, and their answer will definitely be different.

5. Fly First Class

I’d love to say I have flown in first class, but that wouldn’t quite be true! Years ago, traveling from South Africa to Australia , I got as close to flying first class as I am probably ever going to get. Our travel agent made a mistake with our booking. When the plane touched down in Perth en route to Sydney , my husband and I got off with all the other passengers for a short layover before reboarding. We were surprised to see our boarding passes had us in new seats. In first class! We said nothing, grabbed a glass of champagne from the hostess, and sat down. The hostess, surprised to see us, asked to see our boarding passes. And that’s when the mistake was noticed. We were on the wrong plane; our travel agent had accidentally booked us on a later flight to Sydney! We were allowed to finish our champagne , and then quickly ushered to a pair of empty seats back in economy. Our time in first class was lovely while it lasted!

6. Take An Epic Road Trip, On A Road Less Traveled

The 800-mile, 8-day drive from Kathmandu in Nepal to Lhasa in Tibet , along the China-Nepal Friendship Highway is a seriously memorable road trip. It takes you past the highest peaks of the Himalayas, pristine alpine lakes, incredible Buddhist monasteries, and surreal landscapes.

Pro Tip: The China-Nepal Friendship Highway closed after the 2015 Nepal earthquake, and is now only open for goods transport. The route currently being used is along the Pasang Lhamu Highway, a rough route only advised for very intrepid travelers.

7. Spend Time With The Locals

I traveled with Indian friends to Kodenchery in southern India , where they were taking part in a white water kayaking competition. Not knowing the front end of a kayak from the back, I wasn’t actually taking part in the competition but was somehow persuaded to take on the role of commentator. Kodenchery is not on even the most adventurous traveler’s paths, and I was quite a novelty standing on the river bank, microphone in hand, doing my best to describe the action taking place in the river below. I learned a handful of useful phrases from friendly locals and when I was at a total loss for words, one of the local teachers stepped in as my translator. I somehow made it into the local newspaper and onto the local TV news! I’ve never forgotten my weekend of celebrity in the backwaters of south India.

8. Sleep In A Tent

I’ve slept in many tents in my time, and have many fond memories. My husband, on the other hand, is not a keen camper, only sleeping in a tent when absolutely necessary. Of all the tent experiences I have subjected him to, he tells me the most memorable is waking up one morning in a tiny, ice-covered tent in Ethiopia ’s remote Bale Mountains on a trek through to find the endangered Ethiopian wolf. 

9. Sleep On A Boat 

My husband and I were traveling to Tanzania ’s Mahale Mountains National Park, on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, to trek with chimpanzees. Most tourists coming to Mahale fly in by charter flight. We decided to travel by boat up the lake from Zambia , spending 3 nights on the MV Liemba , a WWI German gunboat that was converted into a passenger and cargo ferry. We’d managed to secure a “first-class cabin,” which consisted of a rickety bunk bed, a plastic garden chair, and a broken fan — I wouldn’t recommend the trip to any other than the most stoic of travelers. Most of the passengers didn’t have cabins, instead sleeping on the deck. The shared bathroom facilities left a lot to be desired – my husband caught typhoid on the journey home! 

You might not want to choose this boat, but find a boat that suits you, and spend a few nights aboard.

10. Eat Street Food

Street food comes in all shapes, sizes, colors, and flavors. My “sweetest” street food memory is piping hot, fresh jalebis in India. It was a chilly early morning and I was walking, with a friend, through the narrow back streets of a tiny town in the Indian Himalayas, when we came across a guy deep frying these delicious sweets at a makeshift stall on the side of the road. Jalebis are a distant cousin to the donut, with a flour batter, deep fried in circular shapes, and soaked in sugar syrup or honey – they are delicious.

11. Visit An Iconic Site And Appreciate Seeing It In Person

The Eiffel Tower , the leaning tower of Pisa , the Grand Canyon – there are so many iconic sites around the world that deserve a place on your travel list. For me, it’s the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Growing up in Sydney, I never appreciated “the bridge” and must have crossed it a thousand times in my youth, never giving it a second thought. What makes you appreciate it though is climbing to the top! Dressed in a camouflage climbing suit, you, and your trembling knees, climb 1,332 steps to reach the top (burning 504 calories on the way!). At the top, you are rewarded with astounding views over the city. The view is particularly magical at dawn, watching the bustling metropolis come to life far below.

Pro Tip: book your climb with Bridge Climb Sydney the climb will cost you around $128. 

12. Sip Cocktails In A Rooftop Bar With A View

There are a million places around the world to sip a cocktail from a rooftop bar with a view. My special place is the chic rooftop bar at Upendo House , in Stone Town, Zanzibar. It overlooks the azure ocean and the historic House of Wonders (built by the second Sultan of Zanzibar in 1883 with a door so wide he could enter the house riding on the back of an elephant!).

13. Swim In Infinity Pool With A View

Everyone loves an infinity pool . My most memorable is the pool at Africa Bush Camps, Bumi Hills , Zimbabwe, which hovers on the edge of a cliff, looking out over the vast and shimmering waters of Lake Kariba, the world’s largest man-made lake, below.

14. Visit Somewhere With A History So Deep You Will Never Truly Understand It

Lalibela in northern Ethiopia is a place where I’ve stood in awe at the history around me. Known for its distinctive subterranean churches, many of which are joined by tunnels carved out of rock during the 12th and 13th centuries, Lalibela is still a pilgrimage site for Coptic Christians today.

15. Take Local Transport 

My first encounter with public transport in India was taking a sleeper train from Delhi to Dehradun (the gateway to India’s famous hill stations). I was alone and had never been on an overnight train before, let alone one in a different country. I boarded the train just before midnight. Within minutes, my fellow passengers had taken me under their collective wings, finding my berth, teaching me how to fold down my bunk bed, and introducing me to their families. As the train pulled out of the station, in unison they opened their picnic containers full of home-cooked food and offered me all kinds of delicious treats. I’ve never felt so instantly and completely accepted by a bunch of total strangers.

Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, before moving to Africa at the age of 21, Sarah Kingdom is a mountain climber and guide, traveler, yoga teacher, trail runner, and mother of two. When she is not climbing or traveling she lives on a cattle ranch in central Zambia. She guides and runs trips regularly in India, Nepal, Tibet, Russia, and Ethiopia, taking climbers up Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro numerous times a year.

Life-changing travel experience stories

There’s nothing like other travelers’ tales to get inspiration . When you are home longing to be on the road, or when you are on a journey wondering why you left the comfort of your house, submerge into these life-changing travel experience stories, beautiful tales of how a trip can alter the trajectory of your life .

I’m sure my regular readers are used to me talking about travel experiences . But for those who are discovering this little window to my soul called Experiencing the Globe , you can see that it all started with a bucket list of all the –surprise, surprise– travel experiences I want to have around the world.

The list is my goal in life, so I’m spending as much time as I can on the road. But when I’m home in between trips I seek inspiration in other travelers’ tales. I’ve read as many books about exciting journeys as I could put my hands on. And recently I got a hold of Lonely Planet’s Travel Goals: Inspiring Experiences to Transform Your Life .

It got me thinking of my own life-changing travel experiences . Like my transformation into a sustainable traveler after fully grasping what that meant for the planet and all the life in it. I have a trip to the Caribbean to thank for that. The first trip I took alone, when I was starting to test my boundaries, empowered me as a solo female traveler, and opened my eyes to a new world of possibilities! I’m so thankful I chose Italy , an amazing destination to explore on your own! I reaffirmed my faith in human kindness after spending a month in Iran , meeting the loveliest people I’ve ever encountered.  And the most literal life-changing travel experience, moving to Croatia after meeting the love of my life in this beautiful country that now I call home.

The book also encouraged me to ask other travelers if they had a story in their own travels that changed their lives in one way or another. I was overwhelmed with the beautiful tales… some of the best life-changing stories that’ll inspire you to travel!

Life-changing travel experience stories that’ll inspire you to travel

Collecting memories, not counting countries.

I want to start this series of tales with my own. As I told you, many aspects of my life have changed over the years due to a travel experience, but the one I want to elaborate on is the one that defined what my life would be. Traveling hasn’t changed me, it has made me. It’s who I am. Several trips to the south of Chile showed me where I was going. This is the story of how I became the person I am today:

My parents took me camping to the Chilean Lake District every summer while growing up. This was in the dark age, before the internet. Back then we had to rely on maps and guidebooks. So through the endless hours of our road trips, I kept myself entertained glancing at a map, reading about the small towns we passed, and convincing my folks to take a detour to visit some place that caught my attention.

During one trip I told them that I have decided I wanted to go everywhere in the world. After a few laughs, my dad told me about the Travelers’ Century Club (TCC), a group for people who have visited 100 or more of the world’s countries and territories. My eyes sparkled with the thought of being a member, and I made it my goal.

Obviously, I started asking to go to another country instead of the same National Park we always visited. They laughed again –conscious of the monster they have created– and offered a compromise: they’d take me to our neighbor Argentina, my first trip abroad, but I had to see more of my own country before I embarked on my adventure of visiting another hundred. I happily accepted.

See, what I immediately realized is that –as much as I wanted to be part of the TCC– the main reasons to travel should revolve around what I’ll get out of a trip –whether that’s meeting locals, tasting the typical cuisine, exploring nature, or adventuring into an activity– it shouldn’t be just to count countries . I know the “why you should travel” is super personal, but ticking countries off a list only because you put your feet there feels meaningless to me.

Why do people travel? Well, there are as many reasons as people traveling, but even if it is to get a tan while you’re permanently sipping from a cocktail, that trip will always be part of your story, so you should make the most of it.

After visiting every region in Chile, I started to go abroad. Nowadays, getting closer to 100 countries and territories of the TCC list properly visited, what I knew instinctively, transformed into lessons I learnt during my travels … What inspires me the most to hit the road is experiences, because they feed my adventurous soul –the TCC list (and my own bucket list) became the means to guide my journey, not an end themselves.

Spreading the word about the truth of traveling

Claudia’s life story is remarkably similar to my own. Being avid travelers changed the way we perceive a destination, and the story that should be told about it. We both left behind an academic career and repurposed our research abilities towards travel writing. Now we both blog from a distinct point of view. This is the story of how in a visit to Cuba she found her true calling:

“Cuba changed my life because it was nothing like I had expected it to be –quite the opposite, in fact. You see, being the avid traveler that I am, before my trip to Cuba I spent months reading just about anything I could put my hands on. If it talked about Cuba, I had to read it. Everything made it sound like traveling to Cuba would be easy, and locals would be generous and welcoming.

My time in Cuba was less than fabulous. Don’t get me wrong, it is a gorgeous country and now, a few years later, with much more traveling experience and understanding, I am ready to go again. But back then, it was awful. My 23 days there were a constant challenge to avoid scams –a challenge that a few times saw me succeed but that other times saw me fail miserably. It was frustrating. I felt I could not trust anybody. Where were the lovely Cubans everyone talked about in their blogs?

Cuba taught me that people lie, even (or especially) online. Because nobody really wants to say they have had a bad experience, and nobody is really interested in reading about others’ bad experiences –but is that really the case?

I decided there and then to be different. I decided that I had to warn others, tell them the truth, let them know what they should expect and what they should do to avoid scams. That’s why I opened my blog. It was just a pastime at the beginning.

Fast-forward 2 years and I realized that I did want to make an effort to make it work out. After all, what did I have to lose? My contract as a research fellow at the university had expired and I had no real prospect if not a series of menial short-term teaching jobs I was less than interested in. So, I gave blogging my heart and soul. And it worked. I’m a much happier person now. I love what I am doing. I wake up in the morning to face a long list of to-do things and I read it with a smile on my face, which is priceless.

Cuba changed my life. And despite all the frustration I felt back when I was there, it changed it for the best.”

RELATED POSTS:

• Marrakesh: the good, the bad and the ugly
• Azerbaijan: what I loved and what I hated

Encountering wildlife to find yourself

Camilla was looking for something, but she wasn’t sure what it was. Her heart lead her to India , and after that trip her life would never be the same. Animals can have different impacts in our life, but for this former vegan chef, one particular big cat meant more than anything. This is her story:

“January 2017. That’s the date I first arrived in India. By that time, I used to work as a freelance vegan chef in the hustling city of Paris. Having attended a 4-weeks course on yoga and Ayurveda, I had planned to spend the following month exploring this amazing country.

Little did I know that a special encounter would change my life forever.

Always an animal lover, over the years I had developed a passion for the most majestic of big cats: the tiger. The striped animal had somehow summoned me. To what reason and to convey what message I do not know, but to such a call one can hardly resist.

India is home to more than 60% of the world’s remaining wild tigers. The critically endangered species is highly protected, and the country has given to many of its national parks the status of Tiger Reserve.

It was time for me to see my first one in the wild.

With zero safari experience and many hours of research, I booked 4 drives in Ranthambhore, one of India’s most famous Tiger Reserves .

I will always remember the excitement before that first drive in the jungle, and I will never forget the distress of realizing that finding the elusive cat is no easy task. 

But all of a sudden, there it was. Glorious in its fierce black striped orange coat, a killer look and an attitude to die for. My first wild tiger.

That fleeting moment was enough to make me want more. Today, I have moved to Central India, prime tiger landscape of the world, and I have seen 103 different individuals. But every time I see those eyes, I feel the same excitement that I felt as a total beginner that day in Ranthambhore.”

Finding love in an unexpected place

Traveling is full of surprises. A spontaneous detour can change your life forever. Don’t I know it! A quick, unplanned stop in Split after exploring Dubrovnik ended up seeing me move continents for love. A simple recommendation of a town in The Philippines had the same in store for Alya. This is the tale of the trip that lead her to her husband:

“Meeting my future husband was definitely one of the most life-changing travel experiences I’ve ever had. We met 6 years ago in the Philippines. I was traveling alone around Southeast Asia for a couple of months. After completing my dive course in Gili Air Island in Indonesia and didn’t know where to go next. I was looking for a good place to learn to surf. My dive instructor told me about a small town on Luzon Island in the Philippines. It sounded like the perfect place for me. I bought a plane ticket immediately and two days later arrived in San Fernando.

The hostel I stayed at had a big dormitory with many beds. I met many travelers including Campbell. In fact, we had neighboring beds in the dormitory. He traveled alone as well and we liked each other, so we started going together to the beach, surfing and going out at night. By chance we had very similar travel plans and decided to continue our trip together.

We both like doing the same things, like surfing, diving and hiking. We left San Fernando and traveled around the Philippines together for 2 months. From there we went to Singapore. Unfortunately, I had to go back home, my 4-month holiday was over. We arranged to meet up again two months later in Nepal since we both had trekking to Everest Base Camp on our bucket list. So we did, it was our first multi-day trek together.

We met up a couple of times on the road again in different countries. After 6 months of on and off I decided to quit my job and join Campbell on his around the world adventure. Three years later we got married and decided to start a travel blog . In the last 6 years we’ve done hundreds of hikes, spent a year hitchhiking through Latin America, drove thousands of kilometers across Africa and walked seven Camino de Santiago routes.

Now I can’t imagine how my life would look like if I hadn’t gone to that place in the Philippines and had never met my husband.”

Giving is better than having

A trip to South East Asia gave Corritta’s life a whole new meaning. Possessions are overrated, true happiness comes from giving. She and her family left a comfortable life in the United States behind to fill their souls while making the world a better place. This is the tale of their journey:

“My life changing experience prompted me to sell our house, car and possessions to take off on a journey to see the world. That may seem a little extreme but let me explain. My first international trip was to Bangkok in 2018. I thought this trip would be a great way to get away from the stress in my life. It turned out to be a life altering experience that made me realize I was existing, not living. 

While in Bangkok we took a day trip to Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand and it changed my life. We learned how cruel animal tourism is and how we, as tourists, are unwitting accomplices. We support illegal pouching and animal cruelty by taking part in animal tourism. This includes taking pictures with large cats or monkeys and riding elephants. When we do these things, we are not only hurting the animals, we are ensuring things will never get better. I must admit I was never an animal lover but being up close and personal with elephants changed something within me. It made me want to give back.  

So, two years later, with my partner and our one-year old baby boy, decided to take off for a  family gap year .  We sold everything and left San Diego to live a life of service. We will use this time to give back to those less fortunate. 

When I left Thailand my definition of happiness changed. It was no longer associated with material possessions, but by the quality of life I wanted to live. I realized what truly matters is the love of your family. The Thai people with their families were happier than most Americans. So I decided to take back one of the most invaluable things in the world, time. Never forget, all the money in the world can’t buy you more time.” 

Small changes can make the world a better place

A trip to Australia developed plastic-issue awareness in Simona. Seeing how the tides brought tons of plastic to the shores made her change her approach to traveling. From carrying her own grocery bags and water bottle, little adjustments made her a much more responsible traveler. This is how her journey towards sustainability started:

“The first time ever I realized that plastic was a serious matter for our planet was during a road trip in Western Australia, almost 12 years ago.

We stopped at a supermarket along the Coral Bay coast to buy some groceries and the lady at the counter told us they didn’t sell any shopping bags to prevent plastic in the ocean and to help preserving the endangered turtles living in that area. After a first reaction of surprise, we gathered all our shopping in our arms and left, reflecting on what we had been told.

This was just one of the many experiences I’ve lived that made me more conscious about my impact and pushed me to adopt various habits to live and travel more sustainably. For example, after that trip, I am always carrying a cotton bag when I go shopping.

Our eco-honeymoon to Borneo was another life-changing experience that has strengthened my resolution to turn to a zero-waste lifestyle. I selected three ecotourism projects to visit. In Asia finding safe drinkable water is always a challenge, but we traveled with our water bottle, and we chose the right service providers engaged in sustainable travel so, with a little effort, we managed to avoid almost entirely the use of plastic during our trip.

However, we were seriously struck by our stay on Libaran Island, where a sustainable and turtle conservation project was launched 10 years ago. Despite the big efforts carried out by the project and the community in cleaning up the beaches and creatively re-use plastic, the shore is washed daily with tons of plastic coming from the tides. Walking on a carpet of plastic that almost prevented us from seeing the beach underneath was quite shocking.

Facing this global issue in person, raised in me a contrasting feeling of sadness and anger that soon turned into determination: to do as much as possible to reduce plastic in our life. Sometimes we may feel helpless in front of big problems, but we should be aware that small changes can actually make a difference!”

• The Ultimate Guide to Sustainable Travel
• Sustainable Travel Photography
• Eco-friendly hiking: sustainable tips and packing guide
• Plant-based diet & Sustainability

Discovering happiness in simplicity

When her career and personal relations were failing, Soujanya decided to retreat to the mountains. The Himalayas were the perfect setting to get away from everything and regain perspective. In a small village she discovered that technology is overrated, and that what counts are real connections. This is how a trip to India changed her take on life:

“Back in mid-2019 I wasn’t in a good place in life. I was getting out of a serious relationship, I was burn out at my job, I had problems within my family, and the ever-increasing sense of loneliness had thrown me into a pit of depression. During that time, I turned to the only positive thing I had going on for myself, which was travel and blogging.

After some contemplation, I decided to quit my job to travel. I had saved up enough money that would last me 8-10 months so I didn’t give it much thought because I knew it was the only thing that would keep me from tipping over the edge.

The first thing I did after leaving my job was to head to the Himalayas in India. I spent a month in the Kinnaur and Spiti valleys in the state of Himachal Pradesh. The Kinnaur district was a breath of fresh air. The snow-clad mountain range in the distance, the lush green vegetation all around, the sparse population and the friendly people spoke to my soul.

There was one village called Chitkul , which lies on the Indo-Tibet border and has no cell connectivity, that helped heal me the most. A remote village with a population of less than a thousand people and only a handful of tourists, with nothing around it for many miles.

I spent my days sitting by the river, hiking to the nearby hills and walking through meadows. Just being there surrounded by the Himalayas, without any social media due to lack of connectivity, and making real connections with other travelers and the villagers had some sort of magical effect on me. Not only I have the best travel experience of my life, but the place also healed my mind. I came back happier than ever, with a renewed spirit, ready to enjoy everything that life had to offer.”

Uncovering a braver version of yourself

We all have that one thing we’d love to do but we’re too scared to try. A trip to Thailand taught Allison that life is what we made of it. Pushing her boundaries not only allowed her to have a ton of fun, but also gave her a new path, one in which she gets to do what she loves. This is her story, an encouragement for you to get out of you comfort zone too:

“Shortly after I graduated from college, I moved to a new state to start a full-time job. One day at work, I found myself wanting to go traveling. As I didn’t have any friends there, I decided it was the perfect opportunity to go on my first ever solo trip. So I quickly started doing research on where I’d like to go.

I had never traveled alone before, especially overseas, so I decided to sign up for a guided group that was going rock climbing in Thailand . This gave me a sense of security, being new to solo traveling. It felt like a great way to dip my toes into being alone and meeting strangers, but also doing something that sounded really fun and engaging for 2 weeks.

The entire Thailand trip forced me out of so many comfort zones that ended up being one of the big turning points of my life. The time I spent in Thailand navigating airports and taxis alone, meeting a group of complete strangers, and spending 2 weeks climbing with them in often remote parts of the country, ended up being one of the greatest experiences of my life. Up until this point I had always considered myself a ‘shy’ and ‘cautious’ kind of person, but this travel experience lit me up to become different. It showed me a brave, strong, and self-sufficient side of myself that went on to influence my life in dramatic ways when I returned home.

When I got back, I pretty much dedicated my life to spending as much time as possible outdoors whether that be climbing, hiking, or backpacking… essentially doing things that I once thought I wasn’t ‘capable of’ or was ‘too scared of’. Today, roughly 6 years later, I’m an outdoor empowerment coach and backpacking educator.

My trip to Thailand was the spark that I needed to make that change. It showed me what was possible. I don’t know if it was the people I met, the experiences I had, or the beauty of traveling in Thailand – likely a bit of all of it– but whatever it was, it changed the trajectory of my life, and I’ll forever hold Thailand (and all the people I met) in a special place in my heart.”

A leap of faith towards a new life

Getting to visit a new place after a business trip is nothing out of the ordinary. For most people. For Derek and Mike it was literally life-changing. After a quick trip to Copenhagen , they packed up and started a new chapter of their lives as expats in a different continent. This is the tale of their journey:

“In November 2016 we had a life-changing travel experience in Copenhagen, Denmark. My partner Mike was asked to make an unexpected business trip to the city to help with a project. His company had recently acquired another company in Denmark, and he was asked to help with the integration. He flew there from our hometown, Philadelphia, with only a few days’ notice, and on his first day in the office they asked if he would stay a few weeks longer. He agreed but asked for time off during the American Thanksgiving so that I could fly to Denmark and take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy a cheap trip to Europe with no-cost lodging and some meals expensed.

We loved getting to check out a city that we didn’t have on our travel bucket list before this opportunity came about. We did a few tours, visited the Christmas markets and dined out. At one restaurant we got to try the Christmas traditional Danish meal . I enjoyed Copenhagen for 5 days and Mike remained there for work until the end of November.

On his last night in Denmark, he had dinner at his boss’ home. They shared a meal with a lot of wine and then Mike called me when he got back to his hotel. I could hear the excitement in his voice. He asked if I liked Copenhagen, which seemed odd because he knew I enjoyed myself when I was there. Then he asked if I liked it enough to move there, because on that final night, his boss asked if we would take an expat assignment in Denmark.

We didn’t hesitate to accept and our life abroad began almost right away. That trip to Copenhagen was certainly life-changing!”

Learning to fully appreciate what’s in front you

No matter how much you have traveled, there are places that will bring up the best of you. No matter how much there is still to see, some places will take your breath away and will forever stay in your heart. A trip to Antarctica transformed Wendy into a student. She acquired as much information as she could to fully absorb the beauty that she was about to witness. And now she is longing to go back. This is her story:

“Before my cruise from Ushuaia to Antarctica , I was already quite well-traveled. I had visited about 75 countries and seen plenty of natural beauty before. But all of that paled in comparison to the White Continent. The Perito Moreno glacier in Argentina had mesmerized me just days earlier, but now I was seeing dozens, even hundreds, of sparkling white glaciers practically everywhere I looked. These landscapes were so different from anything I’d ever seen that it felt like I’d traveled to another planet.

On the times when the weather was bad, and on the long days of crossing the Drake Passage between Tierra del Fuego and Antarctica, I soaked up every bit of knowledge that I could about this snow-and-ice-covered land. Our ship, the MV Ushuaia, was manned by a full staff of scientists and lecturers who were experts in a number of relevant topics, from geology to ornithology. When we were out on the high seas with nothing to do, these experts held lectures on the flora, fauna, history and geology of Antarctica, and I attended every single one.

When we stopped at the British base at Port Lockroy on Goudier Island, I grilled the staff there with questions about how I too could go live and work on the island. And while that dream never materialized, my memories of Antarctica are still sharp in my mind 11 years later, and I still dream of returning one day.

Such an expensive voyage would normally be the trip of a lifetime, not a return destination. But if you’re willing to try your luck, sharply discounted last-minute deals can be found at the port in Ushuaia a day or two before departure. In recent years, these huge discounts have become few and far between, as most ships fill up months in advance. But still I’m thinking of a return trip to Antarctica for some more adventure!”

No matter where you go, every single place in the world has the potential to change your life! Tell me in the comments if you’ve had any life-changing travel experiences!

Liked it? Want to read it later? Pin it!

Did you like what you read? A lovely way to show your appreciation is by buying me a coffee 🙂 Your support will ensure I keep bringing you stories and insights from around the world! Thanks so much!

16 thoughts on “Life-changing travel experience stories”

Wow this is really amazing,I pray that I will be opportuned to travel around the world one day

Sometimes we think it’s a far away dream because it’s dangerous, or expensive, or because we can’t take time from work. I’m aware that for some people it’s actually quite impossible due to their passport or the political situation in their country. For others, their responsibilities are far too great to leave behind. But for most of us, it’s just a matter of priorities. Don’t wait until you have all the money you think you need, or all the time you’d like to spend on the road. Just go! Even if it’s a weekend trip to your neighboring city, or to the countryside close to your place. You got to start somewhere, and every trip has the potential to be life-changing! Let me know how it goes! 🙂

I was looking for inspiration, and inspiration I found. I can’t travel at the moment, but I’m already thinking of how to be more sustainable on my next trip. Thank you all for sharing!

That’s amazing to hear, Dani! Welcome to the sustainable traveler’s team! 🌱

I googled inspiring travel stories to see if my day could be picked up, and I’m so glad this popped up! Lovely stories, super inspiring! I can’t wait for the pandemic to be over to create some travel stories of my own ❤️

Awww! I’m so happy to read your comment, Monty! Hopefully the pandemic will be under control soon and you’ll get to have some travel stories too. Make sure you tell me about them!

Beautiful tales! I can’t wait to start traveling again. Travel already has changed my life, but I’d be happy living through any of the wonderful experiences described here!

When you get to travel again, keep an open mind and an open heart… amazing experiences will happen! ❤️

Very inspiring stories! Thank you for sharing them!

It was a blast to write this, and collect other wonderful tales!

Love all these stories! Love how travel has shaped everyone!

In one way or another, every trip makes us a bit different. It was great to get these wonderful travelers to share their stories -now I’m sure it’s not only me who is deeply changed by travel!

These are all such inspiring stories! Really goes to show you how much travel can impact your life. Thanks for sharing!

It’s crazy how much travel can change us, and how much we can learn from it, no matter where we go!

I loved reading this! All of the stories are such an inspiration! I can’t wait to get back on the road 😍

In times of armchair travel, nothing like beautiful stories to keep the wanderlust up, right? ❤️

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Let's go round the world in 201 experiences! Get tons of tips and inspiration in your own inbox.

Check our Privacy policy

Best in Travel 2024

50 destinations for 50 years of travel.

This year, do more than just dream about the Best in Travel. Get inspired and discover new destintions from 50 years of travel expertise.

Let an expert plan your trip

Press Play. Then Plan.

The Best in Travel for your bookshelf

The top 10 countries, cities, regions, value destinations and sustainable spots around the world right now.

Let a local expert craft your dream trip

Elsewhere's local experts can handle the planning to create your perfect itinerary.

All of Best in Travel 2024

Travel Stories and Personal Experiences

Table of Contents

Introduction

Traveling is not just about visiting new places and ticking off destinations from a bucket list. It is a journey filled with adventure, cultural encounters, serendipitous moments, and personal growth. Through travel, we gain unique experiences and create memories that last a lifetime. In this article, we will explore the captivating world of travel stories and personal experiences, delving into adventure tales, cultural encounters, solo travel stories, and much more.

Adventure Tales

Thrilling experiences in exotic locations

When we think of travel stories, adrenaline-pumping adventures often come to mind. From bungee jumping in New Zealand to trekking in the Himalayas and diving in the Great Barrier Reef, there are countless tales of daring escapades in breathtaking destinations.

Imagine taking the leap off a towering bridge, feeling the rush of freefall, and the exhilaration of bouncing back up, defying gravity. Such adventure tales not only challenge our limits but also leave us with unforgettable memories and a sense of accomplishment.

 Cultural Encounters

Immersion in diverse cultures.

One of the most enriching aspects of travel is the opportunity to immerse ourselves in different cultures. From living with a local tribe in Africa to participating in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony and celebrating the vibrant Holi festival in India, cultural encounters broaden our horizons and foster a deeper understanding of the world around us.

During these encounters, we learn about unique traditions, taste exotic cuisines, and forge connections with people who live vastly different lives from our own. These interactions often leave a lasting impact, changing our perspective on life and igniting a curiosity to explore even more.

Serendipitous Moments

Unexpected and magical encounters.

Sometimes, the most remarkable travel stories are born out of serendipity. It’s those moments when we deviate from the planned itinerary, wander off the beaten path, and stumble upon something extraordinary.

Imagine getting lost in a charming European city, only to discover hidden alleyways adorned with colorful street art and stumble upon a cozy café where locals gather. Or imagine hiking through a dense forest, following the sound of rushing water, and finding a hidden waterfall that takes your breath away. Such serendipitous moments add an element of magic to our travel experiences.

Solo Travel Stories

Empowering experiences as a solo traveler.

Embarking on a solo journey is a transformative experience that allows us to step out of our comfort zones, embrace independence, and discover our true selves. Whether it’s exploring the streets of Paris alone, backpacking solo in South America, or venturing into the unknown, solo travel stories are often filled with empowering moments of self-discovery.

As a solo traveler, we learn to rely on our instincts, make decisions that shape our journey, and embrace the freedom to create our own narrative. It is during these solitary adventures that we often find the most unexpected connections and rediscover our inner strength.

 Backpacking Adventures

Unforgettable journeys on a budget.

Backpacking adventures are synonymous with budget travel, spontaneity, and a thirst for exploration. From backpacking through Southeast Asia to camping and hiking in the wilderness or undertaking long-distance hikes like the Appalachian Trail, these journeys offer a unique perspective on the world.

Backpacking allows us to travel light, live in the moment, and immerse ourselves in the beauty of nature. It’s a chance to witness stunning landscapes, interact with fellow travelers from all walks of life, and experience the joy of living with minimal possessions.

 Local Hospitality

Heartwarming encounters with locals.

One of the most beautiful aspects of travel is the genuine hospitality extended by locals in every corner of the world. From staying with a welcoming host family to sharing meals and stories with local communities, these encounters create bonds that transcend cultural boundaries.

The kindness and generosity shown by strangers during our travels leave a profound impact on us. They not only offer a glimpse into the local way of life but also restore our faith in humanity and remind us of the beauty of human connection.

Unexpected Discoveries

Surprises and hidden gems.

Traveling often leads us to unexpected discoveries that surpass our expectations. Sometimes, it’s stumbling upon a hidden beach paradise while wandering aimlessly along the coastline. Other times, it’s finding an ancient ruin off the beaten path, standing in awe of the historical significance.

These unexpected discoveries add an element of excitement to our journeys. They encourage us to embrace spontaneity, let go of rigid itineraries, and allow the destination to reveal its hidden gems at its own pace.

Travel Mishaps

Hilarious and challenging travel experiences.

Travel is not always smooth sailing. In fact, some of the most memorable stories come from the mishaps and misadventures we encounter along the way. From missed flights and unexpected delays to language barriers and funny misunderstandings, these challenges become part of the travel narrative.

While they may seem frustrating at the moment, travel mishaps often become cherished memories in retrospect. They teach us resilience, patience, and the ability to adapt to unforeseen circumstances. After all, it’s these experiences that make our travel tales truly unique and worth sharing.

Memorable Encounters

Touching stories and unforgettable connections.

During our travels, we often come across individuals who leave a lasting impact on our lives. These encounters can range from meeting inspirational locals during a volunteering trip to sharing life stories with fellow travelers and interacting with people from different backgrounds.

Through these connections, we learn about the resilience of the human spirit, gain new perspectives, and forge friendships that transcend borders. These encounters remind us of our shared humanity and the beauty of embracing diversity.

Inspiring Journeys

Transformative experiences.

Travel has the power to transform us in profound ways. It allows us to step outside our comfort zones, confront our fears, and discover hidden passions and interests. Through inspiring journeys, we break free from the monotony of everyday life and embark on a path of self-discovery.

Whether it’s overcoming personal challenges, finding inspiration in nature, or gaining a fresh perspective on life, these journeys become catalysts for personal growth and empowerment. They remind us that the world is full of possibilities waiting to be explored.

 Cross-Cultural Friendships

Building lasting relationships across borders.

One of the greatest gifts of travel is the opportunity to form cross-cultural friendships that span continents and cultures. Whether it’s bonding with fellow travelers from different countries or forming deep connections with locals, these friendships become a bridge that transcends language barriers and cultural differences.

Cross-cultural friendships enrich our lives by exposing us to new perspectives, traditions, and ways of thinking. They remind us that despite our differences, we share common hopes, dreams, and aspirations.

 Road Trip Stories

Adventures on the open road.

There’s something inherently liberating about embarking on a road trip. It’s the sense of freedom that comes with cruising down scenic routes, singing along to road trip playlists, and discovering hidden gems along the way.

Road trip stories are filled with spontaneity, laughter, and a sense of adventure. From witnessing breathtaking landscapes to stumbling upon charming towns and roadside attractions, these journeys offer a unique blend of excitement and serendipity.

 Off-the-Beaten-Path Adventures

Exploring lesser-known destinations.

While popular tourist destinations often steal the spotlight, there is a world of hidden treasures waiting to be discovered off the beaten path. From trekking through remote rainforests to visiting undiscovered historical sites or navigating uncharted territories, these adventures offer a chance to explore destinations that remain untouched by mass tourism.

Off-the-beaten-path adventures not only allow us to connect with nature and experience solitude but also offer a sense of exclusivity and a deeper understanding of local cultures.

 Traveling with Purpose

Meaningful and impactful journeys.

Beyond mere sightseeing, travel can be a powerful means to make a positive impact in the world. Whether it’s volunteering in underprivileged communities, participating in eco-tourism initiatives, or supporting local businesses and sustainable travel, traveling with purpose allows us to contribute to the places we visit.

These meaningful journeys enable us to create a tangible difference in the lives of others while simultaneously gaining a sense of fulfillment and purpose. They remind us of our collective responsibility to preserve the planet and uplift communities.

Life-Changing Trips

Transforming perspectives and lives.

Some trips have the power to change us at a fundamental level. They challenge our preconceived notions, push us outside our comfort zones, and spark a personal transformation. These life-changing trips go beyond the surface-level experiences and delve deep into our souls, leaving an indelible mark on our lives.

Whether it’s finding inspiration in nature, overcoming fears and pushing boundaries, or gaining a sense of purpose and direction, these journeys offer profound moments of self-reflection and growth.

 Food and Culinary Adventures

Exploring the world through flavors.

Food is an integral part of any travel experience, offering a glimpse into the culture, traditions, and history of a destination. Food and culinary adventures take us on a tantalizing journey through local cuisines, traditional dishes, and vibrant markets.

From indulging in street food delights in bustling Asian markets to attending food festivals celebrating regional specialties, these adventures awaken our taste buds and expand our culinary horizons.

 Spiritual Pilgrimages

Nurturing the soul through travel.

For many travelers, the quest for spiritual enlightenment is a driving force behind their journeys. Spiritual pilgrimages take us to sacred sites, ancient temples, and places of worship, allowing us to connect with something larger than ourselves.

Whether it’s embarking on a pilgrimage to the Camino de Santiago in Spain or participating in a silent meditation retreat in Southeast Asia, these journeys provide an opportunity for introspection, self-discovery, and finding inner peace.

 Chasing Sunsets

Moments of awe and tranquility.

There is something undeniably magical about witnessing a breathtaking sunset. Chasing sunsets takes us to picturesque viewpoints, secluded beaches, and mountaintops, offering moments of awe and tranquility.

As the golden hour casts its warm glow over the landscape, we are reminded of the beauty and impermanence of life. These peaceful moments become a canvas for self-reflection, gratitude, and a reminder to cherish the simple pleasures.

Wildlife Encounters

Getting up close with nature’s wonders.

Encountering wildlife in its natural habitat is a truly awe-inspiring experience. Whether it’s going on a safari and spotting majestic animals in Africa, swimming with dolphins and sea turtles in the Caribbean, or birdwatching in tropical rainforests, these encounters connect us with the natural world.

These moments allow us to appreciate the intricate beauty of nature and remind us of our responsibility to protect and conserve these fragile ecosystems.

 Remote and Untouched Destinations

Exploring pristine and secluded places.

In a world that feels increasingly interconnected, there is still a sense of wonder and discovery in exploring remote and untouched destinations. These hidden corners of the globe offer an escape from the crowds and a chance to reconnect with nature.

Venturing into untouched wilderness, discovering hidden islands and secret beaches, and finding tranquility in remote mountain ranges bring a sense of solitude and serenity that is hard to find elsewhere.

 Connecting with Nature

Finding solace and connection in the natural world.

In the midst of our busy lives, travel provides an opportunity to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with the natural world. Connecting with nature allows us to find solace, peace, and a sense of belonging.

Hiking through national parks and landscapes, camping under starlit skies, and swimming in crystal-clear lakes and waterfalls immerse us in the beauty and wonder of the natural environment.

 Unforgettable Landscapes

Marveling at nature’s grandeur.

The Earth is adorned with breathtaking natural wonders that never fail to inspire awe. From

towering mountains and cascading waterfalls to expansive deserts and pristine beaches, unforgettable landscapes captivate our senses and leave us speechless.

These landscapes become the backdrop of our travel stories, capturing our imagination and instilling a sense of wonder for the world we inhabit.

Overcoming Travel Challenges

Lessons in resilience and adaptability.

Travel is not always smooth sailing. It presents us with various challenges, from navigating unfamiliar transportation systems to language barriers, unpredictable weather, and unforeseen obstacles.

However, it is in overcoming these challenges that we learn valuable lessons in resilience, adaptability, and problem-solving. These experiences teach us to embrace uncertainty, trust our instincts, and find creative solutions, both on the road and in life.

 Reflections on Travel

Looking back on the journey.

As our travels come to an end, it’s natural to reflect on the experiences, memories, and lessons gained along the way. Reflecting on travel allows us to revisit the places we’ve been, the people we’ve met, and the person we’ve become.

It’s a time for introspection, gratitude, and a renewed sense of wanderlust. Travel becomes more than just a collection of destinations; it becomes a part of our identity and a catalyst for personal growth.

In the realm of travel, stories and personal experiences have the power to inspire, educate, and connect us. Adventure tales, cultural encounters, serendipitous moments, and solo travel stories are just a few of the narratives that make up the rich tapestry of travel.

Through travel, we embark on transformative journeys, encounter unforgettable landscapes, and form connections that transcend borders. Whether it’s a road trip, a spiritual pilgrimage, or an off-the-beaten-path adventure, each travel experience leaves an indelible mark on our lives.

So, pack your bags, embrace the unknown, and let travel weave its magic. Discover the world, create your own stories, and let each journey be an invitation to explore, learn, and grow.

 FAQs:

Yes, the travel stories mentioned in this article are based on real experiences of travelers who have embarked on various adventures around the world.

Absolutely! Adventure travel can be tailored to different skill levels and interests. There are plenty of beginner-friendly adventures, such as hiking, wildlife safaris, and cultural immersions, that offer thrilling experiences without requiring advanced skills.

To make the most of your solo travel journey, embrace independence, be open to new experiences, and step out of your comfort zone. Connect with fellow travelers, engage with locals, and trust your instincts. Solo travel offers a unique opportunity for self-discovery and personal growth.

Traveling with purpose can involve various initiatives, such as volunteering, supporting local communities, and practicing sustainable travel habits. Research and choose organizations or projects aligned with your values, and be mindful of the impact your actions may have on the destinations you visit.

Travel challenges are inevitable, but they can be overcome with resilience and adaptability. Stay prepared, be flexible, and maintain a positive mindset. Embrace unexpected situations as opportunities for growth and learning, and remember that the journey is often more important than the destination.

Must Read: Sustainable Travel: Embracing Responsible and Eco-Friendly Exploration

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• EN - English
• PT - Portuguese
• ES - Spanish
• How it works
• Become a Host
• Download the app

Top Destinations

• United States
• United Kingdom

What type of experience are you looking for?

• Non-Profit School
• Permaculture project
• Eco Village
• Holistic Center
• Guest House
• How Worldpackers works

Learn from the most experienced travelers of the community

Traveling with worldpackers, planning and budgeting for travel, make a living while traveling as a lifestyle, travel with worldpackers.

• Using Worldpackers
• Work exchange
• Social impact
• Plan your trip
• Women traveling
• Budget travel
• Solo travel
• Language learning
• Travel tips
• Get inspired
• Digital nomads
• Travel jobs
• Personal development
• Responsible travel
• Connect with nature

Top destinations

• South America
• Central America
• North America
• More destinations
• WP Life WP Life
• Exclusive discounts Discounts

Unforgettable travel experiences: exploring global wonders

Explore the world with our guide to unforgettable travel experiences, from natural wonders to thrilling adventures. Ignite your wanderlust today!

Worldpackers Worldpackers

Sep 10, 2023

Ever found yourself staring at a picture of an awe-inspiring landmark or natural wonder, wishing you were there? If so, then this post about travel experiences is for you.

We've all felt the itch to break free from our routine and embark on an adventure. But where should we go? What should we see?

Fear not! This blog promises to take you on a whirlwind tour around the globe - from plunging into Australia's vibrant Great Barrier Reef to scaling new heights at Dubai's Burj Khalifa.

The world awaits us, ready with its hidden gems . So let's pack our bags and get ready for some unforgettable journeys!

35 unforgettable travel experiences

Traveling is not just about reaching a destination; it's about the extraordinary moments and memories that unfold along the way. 

In this list, we present 35 remarkable travel experiences to inspire your next adventure. Next, we will delve deeper into them.

• Exploring the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu, Peru.
• Witnessing the beauty of the Northern Lights in Iceland.
• Safari adventure in the African Serengeti.
• Visiting the historic city of Rome, Italy.
• Trekking to Everest Base Camp in Nepal.
• Relaxing on the pristine beaches of the Maldives.
• Cruising through the stunning fjords of Norway.
• Experiencing the vibrant culture of Tokyo, Japan.
• Scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef, Australia.
• Taking a hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia, Turkey.
• Hiking through the Grand Canyon, USA.
• Exploring the temples of Angkor Wat, Cambodia.
• Road tripping along the Amalfi Coast, Italy.
• Walking the Great Wall of China.
• Visiting the historic Pyramids of Giza, Egypt.
• Going on a wildlife safari in South Africa.
• Exploring the Inca Trail in Peru.
• Cruising the Amazon River in Brazil.
• Immersing in the culture of Marrakech, Morocco.
• Witnessing the Taj Mahal in India.
• Camping under the stars in the Sahara Desert.
• Experiencing the beauty of the Greek Islands.
• Tasting authentic street food in Bangkok, Thailand.
• Road tripping on the Pacific Coast Highway, USA.
• Visiting the medieval city of Prague, Czech Republic.
• Exploring the ancient city of Petra, Jordan.
• Going on a wine tour in the vineyards of Tuscany, Italy.
• Taking a gondola ride in Venice, Italy.
• Discovering the wonders of the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador.
• Exploring the historic streets of Kyoto, Japan.
• Hiking through the lush landscapes of New Zealand.
• Witnessing the sunrise at Angkor Wat, Cambodia.
• Exploring the vibrant street art of Berlin, Germany.
• Visiting the temples of Bagan, Myanmar.
• Sailing through the Greek Cyclades Islands.

Adventure travel

Adventure travel experiences encompasses a diverse range of activities that take travelers off the beaten path and into the heart of nature and culture. 

From trekking through remote landscapes to observing wildlife on safaris, adventure travel offers unique and often physically demanding experiences. 

Whether you seek the thrill of water sports, the challenge of mountain summits, or the serenity of wilderness camping , it's a way to break from routine and create lasting memories . 

These adventures connect people with the world in a raw and immersive way, forging deep connections with both nature and fellow travelers.

Historical journeys

If you're a history buff, then embarking on historical journeys will be an unforgettable experience. 

These trips offer more than just sightseeing; they provide a window into our shared past, offering travelers the opportunity to explore world heritage sites, museums, memorials, and ancient ruins . 

Museums are perfect gateways into understanding a place’s past. Whether it's exploring art at The Louvre Museum in Paris, or diving deep into human evolution at New York City’s American Museum of Natural History, museums around the globe provide enriching insights into our shared heritage.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Great Wall of China or the historic city of Venice transport visitors to bygone eras, showcasing the architectural and cultural treasures of humanity . These sites speak volumes about the civilizations that once thrived there, leaving an indelible mark on our collective history.

Cultural immersion

Diving into the heart of local cultures can be an enlightening journey, offering firsthand experiences that textbooks just don't capture. 

The joy of these journeys lies in partaking in age-old traditions, absorbing their significance, and appreciating the rich tapestry they form within a culture.

This can be achieved by actively participating in traditional festivals, where the energy and customs of a culture come to life. Engaging in cooking classes offers a sensory journey into a region's culinary traditions, allowing travelers to not only savor local flavors but also understand the history and stories behind each dish. 

Volunteering within local communities provides an opportunity to make a positive impact while building deep connections with the people and their way of life.

Platforms like Worldpackers facilitate these immersive experiences by offering volunteer and work exchange opportunities worldwide, making it possible to live, learn, and grow within different cultures.

Travelers can choose from a wide range of projects, such as helping with organic farming in Portugal or assisting at a hostel in Argentina . In exchange for their skills and time, participants receive accommodation and other benefits .  Check out all the opportunities worldwide ! 

These travel experiences enable travelers to go beyond the surface of a destination , forging connections that transcend borders and leaving them with a profound appreciation for the world's diversity.

Connecting with nature

Connecting with nature through eco-friendly travel offers unique opportunities to immerse oneself in the natural world while minimizing environmental impact . 

It involves exploring pristine landscapes, encountering wildlife in their habitats, and participating in sustainable practices that promote the well-being of our planet. 

Whether it's embarking on a wildlife safari, hiking through untouched wilderness, or diving into crystal-clear waters to explore vibrant coral reefs, these travel experiences deepen our connection to the environment . 

They also inspire a genuine appreciation for the Earth's beauty and the importance of responsible travel, further enhanced by engaging in eco-conscious activities like tree planting and sustainable farming.

Worldpackers eco programs provide an excellent avenue for travelers to engage in eco-conscious and sustainable travel experiences around the world. 

These experiences foster a deeper connection to the environment, promote sustainable practices, and create memories that go beyond typical tourist experiences. 

Plus, they allow travelers to contribute positively to the destinations they visit, leaving a lasting impact on the places they call home for a while. Some popular positions include:

• Be part of an eco-village and learn sustainable practices in Shawnigan Lake, Canada.
• Discover India from a different perspective: join a organic farm in Chikkarayappanahalli. 
• Help make the oasis green again and combat desertification by participating in a farmstay in Morocco .
• Permaculture, Agroforestry, Bioconstruction & Community! Join an eco project in Paraiso , Colombia.

Check out all the opportunities in eco programs worldwide through Worldpackers!

Spiritual travel

Embarking on a spiritual journey can be an enlightening way to explore the world. It offers you a unique opportunity to discover new cultures, learn about ancient traditions, and deepen your understanding of yourself .

Spiritual travel encompasses meditation and yoga escapes, allowing seekers to find inner peace and mindfulness. Yoga retreats, often set in serene locations like Bali or Costa Rica, promote physical and spiritual harmony. 

Sacred pilgrimages to revered destinations like Mecca and Varanasi offer opportunities for spiritual transformation and unity with ancient traditions , making spiritual travel a profound path to personal growth and inner peace.

Whether you want to deepen your yoga practice, explore holistic healing modalities, or simply immerse yourself in a peaceful and nurturing environment, Worldpackers offers a range of programs at holistic centers , yoga retreats , and similar wellness-oriented destinations.

Off the beaten path

Travel is not just about ticking off the typical tourist spots. Traveling is all about going beyond the conventional tourist spots , testing your boundaries, and making memories that will last a lifetime. 

Off the beaten path travel reveals hidden gems and underrated destinations , offering unique cultural experiences and unspoiled landscapes. 

Exploring places like Slovenia's Julian Alps, India's mystical Hampi, or Chile's lesser-known Patagonian trails provides an intimate connection with local culture and pristine beauty. 

These destinations, often preserving traditions and untold stories , invite travelers to discover the charm of remote Laotian villages, the vibrancy of Medellin's street art, or the surreal landscapes of Namibia's deserts. 

Off the beaten path travel fosters curiosity and wonder , making each journey unforgettable and enriching.

Tips for enhancing your travel experiences

Traveling is not just about visiting new places; it's about the experiences you gather and the memories you create. Here are some tips to make your travel journey more enriching .

Creating a travel bucket list

A travel bucket list can be an exciting start to your adventure . It allows you to outline all the destinations, activities, and experiences that you dream of accomplishing during your travels. 

This could range from seeing iconic landmarks, trying local cuisines, or even learning a new language!

Travel itinerary planning tips

An organized itinerary will help maximize your time while traveling. Research on must-visit spots in each destination beforehand but also leave room for spontaneity – unexpected adventures often lead to unforgettable moments! 

Safety and health while traveling

Your health and safety should always be a priority when traveling . Always have travel insurance, stay updated with vaccinations required for different countries, keep emergency contact numbers handy at all times.

Mindful travel

Mindful travel involves being present in every moment of your trip — observing surroundings keenly, immersing yourself fully into cultures & traditions of places visited without causing harm or discomfort to anyone around.

Connecting with locals

Interacting with locals can give you an authentic insight into their culture, traditions, and way of life. They can also recommend lesser-known spots that aren't typically included in tourist guides.

Cultural sensitivity and respect

While traveling to new places, it's essential to respect the local customs and cultures . Learn about the social norms and etiquettes before visiting a place to avoid unintentional disrespect or harm.

Also, take a look at: 

• Trip preparation: 6 steps to plan your dream trip
• Your essential carry-on packing list to do it like a pro
• How to travel on a budget: travelers' tips and hacks

What a journey we've embarked on, exploring unforgettable travel experiences around the globe. From natural wonders to cultural immersions, there's something for everyone.

With its vast array of landmarks and offbeat locations, the world offers countless opportunities for exploration and experience. Start your journey here and explore the world's boundless opportunities!

Want to learn more about planning your trip? By subscribing to the WP pack plan you have unlimited access to +120 courses at Worldpackers Academy, the travel school made by travelers!

Join the community!

Create a free Worldpackers account to discover volunteer experiences perfect for you and get access to exclusive travel discounts!

Worldpackers Editorial

Worldpackers.

The safest community to travel, volunteer and make a positive impact in +140 countries.

Be part of the Worldpackers Community

Already have an account, are you a host, leave your comment here.

Write here your questions and greetings to the author

More about this topic

Top 10 best experiences around the world

Simple ways to make your travel photos more epic and awe-inspiring, unique birthday trip ideas for an unforgettable celebration, how do worldpackers trips work.

As a member, you can contact as many hosts and travel safely as many times as you want.

Choose your plan to travel with Worldpackers as many times as you like.

Complete your profile, watch the video lessons in the Academy, and earn certificates to stand out to hosts.

Apply to as many positions as you like, and get in contact with our verified hosts.

If a host thinks you’re a good fit for their position, they’ll pre-approve you.

Get your documents and tickets ready for your volunteer trip.

Confirm your trip to enjoy all of the safety of Worldpackers.

Have a transformative experience and make a positive impact on the world.

If anything doesn’t go as planned with a host, count on the WP Safeguard and our highly responsive support team!

After volunteering, you and your host exchange reviews.

With positive reviews, you’ll stand out to hosts and get even more benefits.

Unique travel experiences

Book your individual trip , stress-free with local travel experts

Select Month

• roughguides.com
• the-bucket-list-30-essential-travel-experiences

Plan your tailor-made trip with a local expert

Book securely with money-back guarantee

Travel stress-free with local assistance and 24/7 support

written by Rough Guides Editors

updated 15.05.2024

The information in this article is inspired by the The Rough Guides guidebooks — your essential guides for visiting the world.

1. Witnessing elephant bath time - one of the most exciting travel experiences in Nepal

2. go volcano-boarding in león, 3. conquer an icelandic glacier, 4. steam in a temazcal, mexico, 5. sail around the galápagos, 6. eat steak in buenos aires, 7. tickle whales in mexico, 8. take the trans-mongolian express, 9. watch ballet in cuba, 10. hike china’s great wall, 11. spend a night in wadi rum, 12. climb cadair idris, wales, 13. take a slow boat up the nam ou, 14. drive from viñales to cayo jutías by scooter, 15. witness tibet’s true spirit, 16. hike in brazil’s chapada diamantina, 17. sleep wild in central sweden, 18. sleep beneath the stars in the sahara desert, 19. swim with pink river dolphins, 20. visit tikal in guatemala, 21. get lost in fez el bali, 22. see the northern lights in norway, 23. take a hot air balloon ride in cappadocia, 24. visit yosemite national park in the usa, 25. watch the sunset from table mountain in cape town, 26. snork in the great barrier reef in australia, 27. swim in the dead sea in jordan, 28. get amazed by the angel falls in venezuela, 29. drive along the amalfi coast, 30. visit costa rica national parks, travel ideas for nepal, created by local experts.

11 days  / from 3248 USD

Exclusive Everest

Trek in the Everest region of Nepal's Himalayas, absorbing spectacular views at every step, including Everest rising above the Nuptse Ridge, Lhotse, the iconic peak of Ama Dablam and other Himalayan giants too. Top this off with a shot of warm Nepalese culture for an experience of a lifetime.

13 days  / from 1950 USD

Himalayan Family Adventure

Experience Nepal's hill villages and jungle lowlands as you embark on a family-friendly adventure of a lifetime. Expect mini mountain treks, overnight camps, river rafting and wildlife safaris. Come here for action, stunning mountain scenery and a look around bustling Kathmandu too.

13 days  / from 2200 USD

The UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Nepal

Set in the heart of the Himalayas, the landlocked South-Asian country of Nepal is home to a wealth of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. From wild jungles to ancient civilisations, Nepal offers a combination of history, culture and nature; perfect for the most well-seasoned of travellers.

Every morning a procession of dusty elephants is led to the Rapti River, on the edge of Chitwan National Park, for a good scrub down – and travellers are welcome to help out.

The pachyderms delight in shooting jets of water from their trunks, wallowing on their sides while layers of mud are scraped off. Occasionally, they even dump unsuspecting riders into the river. It’s a magical experience that the elephants seem to enjoy almost as much as the travellers.

Experience Nepal's hill villages and jungle lowlands as you embark on this tailor-made Himalayan Family Adventure of a lifetime . Expect mini mountain treks, overnight camps, river rafting and wildlife safaris. Come here for action, stunning mountain scenery and a look around bustling Kathmandu too.

Elephant bathing © adrenalinrnb/Shutterstock

Nicaragua’s former capital, León, is the birthplace of the Sandinista revolution. This vibrant city offers lovely colonial architecture and superlative fried chicken.

You can also take an unusual tour to the steep ash of nearby Cerro Negro, where gas belches from cracks and views stretch over Nicaragua’s Pacific plains. The walk up is a slog, while the descent sees you surf down the dune-like surface as dust rises around you.

Where to stay in León:

• Best for hospitality : Casa de Los Berrios .
• Best for comfort : Hotel Flor De Sarta

Find more accommodation options to stay in León

Boarding from Cerro Negro volcano is one of the best travel experiences you can have in Nicaragua © Milosz Maslanka/Shutterstock

While Reykjavik is an essential base - and the Blue Lagoon is a justifiably popular attraction - for the best travel experiences in Iceland you need to find a glacier.

A short minibus ride from the capital will take you far from the tourist trail of lava fields and waterfalls and into endless icy oblivion. Here, armed with crampons and pickaxes, you can explore the endless crevices and precarious ridges of the country’s vast but receding glaciers.

Try our tailor-made trip along Iceland's scenic Ring Road , which stretches around the outside of the country. Soak in a thermal tub or pool beside gushing geysers or waterfalls, and relish the prospect of whale-watching, bird-watching, and glacier hiking in magical surroundings.

Skaftafell, Vatnajokull National Park, Iceland © Jens Ottoson/Shutterstock

The door slid shut, plunging the small domed room into darkness. The drumming started, softly, and the room filled with herb-scented steam. Go into the Maya sweat lodge - known in Mexico as a temazcal - just for the dewy skin. After two hours of sweating in the dark, it is hard not to feel some kind of oneness with the universe. The Caribbean Sea will never feel so refreshing as afterwards.

Yucatán is calling you, and this tailor-made trip to Mayan Heritage is the way to do it; go into the jungle and know it like no one else has ever known it; enjoy incredible food, beautiful sunsets, and the warmth of its communities that will do everything possible to offer you a dream experience. Are you ready?

Getting ready for temazcal ceremony © photographer chicago/Shutterstock

Related articles from the blog

The Galápagos islands are among the most remote and magical destinations on earth, so the sight of vast modern cruise ships chugging between them can come as a shock. To visit the islands in style pick a smaller vessel, preferably one with sails as well as an engine.

With the sound of canvas flapping in the wind and the creak of wooden decks beneath your feet, you can almost imagine how a certain young Mr Darwin felt when he arrived here in 1835.

The Galapagos islands in Ecuador are a truly special place. On this tailor-made trip to Galapagos Special , you will get to stay on 3 different islands and explore several more on boat tours. Start and end point of your journey is the UNESCO World Heritage Site and capital of Ecuador - Quito. You can also find more ideas for your future trip in our Galapagos itineraries .

For the best travel experience, check out our guide to the best time to visit Ecuador and our Ecuador travel tips .

Bartolome Island, Galapagos, Ecuador. Bartolome Island is a volcanic islet in the Galapagos Islands with an amazing viewpoint at the top © Seumas Christie-Johnston/Shutterstock

Sampling a slice of bife de chorizo in Argentina is a must. The slice served at the La Cabrera restaurant in Buenos Aires’ Palermo barrio looks pretty standard. Then when you cut it the steak it seems to part before the knife. This is meat and man in perfect harmony.

Argentina is known for its dances and gastronomy scene, both to be discovered on this tailor-made trip to Tango & Wines in Argentina . Explore Buenos Aires on your own and with a guide, including its famous nightlife before heading to the vineyards of Mendoza, one of the most developed wine regions in the country.

Where to stay in Buenos aires:

• For a stay with modern decor: Fierro Hotel Buenos Aires
• For a boutique stay with an old-world feel: Magnolia Hotel Boutique

Or find your dream accommodation in Buenos Aires .

Argentinian beef steak © Foodio/Shutterstock

One of the best travel experiences in Mexico is San Ignacio Lagoon in Baja California, on the Pacific coast. This a breeding ground for grey whales, which love to be scratched and tickled by visiting humans. This is arguably the most extraordinary, awe-inspiring and emotional wildlife encounter on the planet.

Baja California is an off-the-beaten-track unspoiled paradise. The area is home to mountains, deserts and thousands of kilometres of gorgeous Pacific coastline. On this tailor-made trip to Pacific Coast Paradise you will explore, snorkel, dive and do a spot of whale watching (in season). Otherwise, sit back and relax on its soft sandy shores.

Whale in San Ignacio Baja, Mexico © Roadwardbound/Shutterstock

The Trans-Siberian Railway is the granddaddy of all train travel experiences. And easily the most interesting train is the weekly Trans-Mongolian Express from Moscow to Beijing.

This traverses Siberia and rounds Lake Baikal, strikes south across the Gobi desert past camels and nomads' yurts into the mountains of northern China. You can even steal glimpses of The Great Wall in the distance.

Trans-Mongolian train © Jose L Vilchez/Shutterstock

An evening of ballet at the brilliantly baroque Gran Teatro de la Habana invites you into a genre of Cuban music often overlooked by visitors in search of rumba and rum. Sets and costumes are resourceful and inventive, performances are breathtaking and an exuberant home crowd all celebrate Cuba’s position as a hub of world-class ballet.

Havana is like nowhere else on earth: the jewel in Cuba's crown effortlessly blends dishevelled beauty with risqué and vibrant charm. On our tailor-made trip to Havana you will spend a few days exploring the old town, Ernest Hemingway's favourite cigar-smoke-filled jazz club, and a tour of the city in a classic car!

Great Theater, Havana, Cuba © Anna ART/Shutterstock

You’ll never forget stumbling wobbly-legged out of a rickety cable car to see this ancient monolith snaking away across the hills. To make sure you see the original fortifications, bypass the super-touristy reconstruction at Badaling and head on to more remote Jinshanling.

Just don’t attempt the steep-sided scramble in flip-flops as I did. This stunning stretch is mostly un-restored and the hike is as challenging as it as it is scenic in places.

From well-preserved tombs to The Great Wall, this tailor-made tour to The Best of China packs in all the essentials. From the bright city lights of Beijing and Shanghai to breathtaking rolling landscapes, meandering rivers and ancient treasures, there’s much to delight all visitors to China.

Great wall of China during sunset © Zhu Difeng / Shutterstock

Wadi Rum is about as close as you’re going to get to the landscape of Mars here on Earth. The soil is a deep and rusty red, the mountains austere, and the silence almost disconcerting. Canyons and rock formations are scattered across the desert and make for good scrambling.

Join an overnight excursion - by jeep or camel - for the experience of sitting around a crackling fire underneath pearly stars. While here, take time to talk with the Bedouin about their life in this desolate space.

On this tailor-made trip to Jordan Culture in depth you will indulge in the mouthwatering street and local homemade food, meet the owner of the smallest hotel in the world, learn more about the Bedouins and the desert in Wadi Rum and finish off by floating over the Dead Sea mineral water.

The sunny desert with rocks . Jordan. Wadi Rum © Yury_1_2_3/Shutterstock

Standing 2930ft tall, Snowdon’s rugged, shorter sibling – Cadair Idris – makes up in looks for anything it lacks in height. Legend has it that if you spend a night at the top you will die, become a poet or go mad, but the views from here are stunning – a patchwork of greens interrupted by molten-metal slivers of river estuary and sea.

Hardy visitors can have a dip in Cwm Cau too, which changes colour from lagoon blue to inky black as clouds race overheard.

Cadair Idris, Wales © ieuan/Shutterstock

The Mekong may be more famous, but more unique travel experience in Laos is on the Nam Ou. This river which winds its way through the north’s mountains and limestone karsts. Sure, the boats are rickety and old and these days it is hard to predict if they’ll actually be running.

However, this three day journey, from sublime Luang Prabang to the tiny, isolated settlement of Hat Sa, gives you that rare feeling of experiencing a part of the country that few foreigners see.

One of Southeast Asia’s lesser-known countries, Laos is definitely off the beaten track, but it has retained its culture, charm and traditional village life, wild jungle and stunning countryside. Try our tailor-made trip to Historical Laos for tradition and mystery and a unique adventure.

Mekong Luang Prabang © Shutterstock

Viñales, a sleepy little town to the west of Havana, is in many ways typical of rural Cuba. What sets it apart are the mogotes (boulder-like hillocks) that jut out of the landscape and provide a magnificent backdrop.

It’s lovely just lolling around in the sunshine taking in the strange and beautiful vistas. However, to ramp the experience up a notch, rent a scooter and wind your way around these spectacular formations by taking the local road to the beach at Cayo Justía.

Try our moderately challenging tailor-made cycling holiday through Cuban countryside visiting the tobacco fields of Viñales Valley and a pristine Caribbean beach in Cayo Jutias.

Morning view to Vinales valley, Cuba © Zaruba Ondrej/Shutterstock

Tibet is sad in many places now, hideously over-developed and not at all the place you imagine. But it remains the one place that exerts a curious kind of spell and takes you to a different part of your being.

And in some ways its spirit has been strengthened and intensified even as - or sometimes because - its surfaces have been destroyed. Ladakh is more beautiful, Bhutan is better protected, Nepal is more funky. But Tibet is one place from which it's hard to come home unaltered.

On this tailor-made trip to Nepal you will trek in the Everest region of Nepal's Himalayas, absorbing spectacular views at every step, including Everest rising above the Nuptse Ridge, Lhotse, the iconic peak of Ama Dablam and other Himalayan giants too. Top this off with a shot of warm Nepalese culture for an experience of a lifetime.

Leh Palace the monastery in center of Leh city in Jammu India © sittitap/Shutterstock

The Diamond Highlands are Brazil’s top trekking destination. They lie in the interior of Bahia where three of Brazil’s biomes meet: the Atlantic rainforest, the cerrado – similar to the African savannah – and the caatinga (shrubland), which feels like the American chaparral. You can explore dry caves, swim in underground lakes, dive under waterfalls and climb near-vertical mesas all in the same day.

Discover the world's largest continental flood area - the Pantanal, one of the richest places in biodiversity. Continue this wildlife tailor-made trip to the Amazon River. Your lodges throughout the trip are located right in nature, with easy access to lodge trails around.

Iconic Morrao ridge in the Capao Valley of Chapada Diamantina national park, Bahia, Brazil © Double Bind Photography/Shutterstock

Glassy lakes, pure air and an outside chance of bears: camping in the forests of central Sweden is both wild and free. There’s even a constitutional law protecting everyone’s right to enjoy the great outdoors. So go swimming, drink from a stream, or fill your belly with red berries. Then sip whisky around the campfire and crash out on a reindeer skin, gazing up at the starry sky.

Sunrise and Tent in Autumn in Lapland © Jens Ottoson/Shutterstock

As the sun shifts, the Sahara Desert takes on different colours. Silvery white at dawn, ochre in the heat of the day, and deep gold at sunset. Stay at a Berber camp and fell asleep on your back, counting shooting stars that burned through the darkness like rogue coals from the campfire.

In the morning you can climb a sand dune overlooking Algeria and watch the sun emerge from the horizon, a blazing ball of desert red that turned the sand rose gold. Desolate, but beautiful.

On this tailor-made trip to Moroccan Cities and Ultimate Sahara you will follow the footsteps of Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca. Discover the blue and whitewashed buildings of Chefchaouen before heading on to Fez and consequently the desert. Stay overnight in a luxurious desert camp before continuing to Marrakech.

Sahara, Morocco© Shutterstock

In the vast, swampy grasslands of Pampas del Yacuma, the pink freshwater dolphin is one of the more pleasant surprises hidden in the murky waters of the Bolivian Amazon. With the annual floods, they dreamily glide amidst tree trunks and chase fish between drowned, twisted branches.

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of diving into these muddy, unknown depths to swim alongside these surreal creatures; it’s a far cry from frolicking with dolphins in SeaWorld.

One of only two landlocked countries in South America, Bolivia is full of wonders. On this tailor-made trip through the natural and cultural wonders of Bolivia you will visit Lake Titicaca, the de facto capital La Paz, the actual capital Sucre as well as the fascinating Salar de Uyuni.

Pink dolphin © Shutterstock

A visit to the historical site of Tikal in Guatemala should be on everyone’s bucket list. These ancient Mayan ruins are a testament to a civilization that long passed. If you stay overnight, you can be there without the crowds giving the place an empty, eerie feeling that really makes you feel like you are Indiana Jones. It’s not often you get major historical sites to yourself but I found that it was just me, Tikal, and the jungle.

On our tailor-made trip to the Best Of Guatemala you will visit the most popular destinations including the Western Highlands, Tikal and Antigua Guatemala. Enjoy the different types of activities like exploring the Mayan pyramids in the middle of the virgin jungle or having one of the best cups of coffee surrounded by a unique landscape.

Tikal National Park, Guatemala © WitR/Shutterstock

Fez el Bali is an impenetrable maze of lanes and blind alleys that make up the beating heart of Morocco’s cultural capital. Drop down into the bowels of the Medina, past camel heads advertising the local butchers and vendors bartering in the spice souk.

Let your senses steer you: to the sound of metalworkers hammering away on Place Seffarine; to the brightly coloured yarns drying in the heat on Souk Sabbaghine; or to the thick stench of the tanneries.

For those short on time, this tailor-made trip to Highlights of Morocco allows you to visit Morocco in a little over a week. See the cultural capital Fez, the beautiful city of Chefchaouen, sleeping in a deluxe tent in the desert, as well as discover Marrakech. It's time to explore Morocco!

Where to stay in Fez:

• Best for the spa: Palais Medina & Spa
• Best for interior design: Dar victoria

Find more accommodation options to stay in Fez

Fez, Morocco © Shutterstock

At once eerily disconcerting and bewitchingly beautiful, the aurora borealis flicker across northern Norway’s winter firmament at irregular and unpredictable intervals.

Experiencing the Northern Lights, or aurora borealis is one of the unique experiences in Norway. The country is located in the northern part of the polar region where the lights are most commonly visible.

This tailor-made tour to Aurora Feast in Finland, Norway and Sweden is perfect for people who want to explore the Arctic. Begin your journey from the southern part of Finland via Sweden up to the northern part of Norway. Most importantly, you will be hunting for the Northern Lights in the best locations!

Northern lights, Skagsanden beach, Lofoten, Norway © Shutterstock

A lighter-than-air float gives an unrivalled perspective on the “fairy chimneys” and other features of the landscape and is one of the unique travel experiences in Turkey.

You can get airborne on a paraglider above Ölüdeniz and kaş, or more passively (and expensively) in a hot-air balloon over Cappadocia – champagne breakfast usually included.

3 different modes of transportation to explore Cappadocia - by hot air balloon, on the back of a camel as well as on an ATV quad. Why choose if you can have it all? This tailor-made trip to the sensational landscapes of Cappadocia is filled with fun and adventure in the volcanic valleys around Cappadocia making for an unforgettable trip.

Uchhisar fortress in Cappadocia, Turkey © Shutterstock

Yosemite National Park is a wild wonderland of snow-capped peaks, towering cliffs and giant granite domes that seem to be conjured from a fantasy world. Yosemite Valley is an undisputable contender for showcasing some of the world’s most stunning scenery.

Created by glaciers scoring through the canyon of the Merced River, the valley is walled by 3000ft near-sheer cliffs, marbled by waterfalls and topped by domes and jagged pinnacles. On the ground, deer, coyotes and black bears abound in the grassy meadows and forests.

Explore the diversity of nature reserves in the USA with our guide to the best national parks in the USA .

Yosemite national park, Yosemite Valley, California © christian_b/Shutterstock

The most spectacular way to ascend Cape Town’s famous landmark and one of the most unique travel experiences in South Africa is the revolving cable car. Table Mountain, which forms the backdrop to Cape Town, is the park’s focal point. The views are wholly dependent on the weather, so it is always advisable to visit Table Mountain early in your stay in Cape Town.

Discover the natural beauty on our tailor-made trip to Complete Cape Town . Located on the southwestern tip of South Africa, the area is home to rugged coastlines, undulating vineyards, and expanses of grassland. It is also home to some of the largest, wildest and most majestic creatures on earth.

Table mountain cableway, Cape Town, South Africa @ Shutterstock

The Great Barrier Reef is to Australia is what rolling savannahs are to Africa. Calling it “another world”, as the commonest cliché has it, doesn’t begin to describe the feeling of donning a mask and fins and coming face to face with its extraordinary animals, shapes and colours.

There’s so little relationship to life above the surface that the distinctions one usually takes for granted. For example, the boundary between animal, vegetable and mineral seem blurred. While the respective roles of observer and observed are constantly inverted as shoals of curious fish follow the human interlopers about.

Interested? Read our guide to visiting Australia's Great Barrier Reef for more information.

Great Barrier Reef, Australia © I Shafiq/Shutterstock

A few kilometres west of Amman’s city limits, the rugged highlands of central and northern Jordan drop away dramatically into the Dead Sea Rift. The Dead Sea is famed as the lowest point on Earth. Taking a dip here and relaxing on the beaches is one of the most unique travel experiences in Jordan, not least because of the world-class luxury resort hotels dotted along the shore.

Explore the country with this compact tailor-made trip to Highlights of Jordan . Activities include stargazing in Wadi Rum, exploring Petra and spending a day at leisure at the Dead Sea. Your knowledgeable guide will share stories about history and culture and introduce the Bedouin lifestyle to you.

Dead Sea, Jordan © Shutterstock

Angel Falls is a magnificent natural wonder in the Venezuelan rainforest, standing at an impressive height of 3,212 feet. The uninterrupted waterfall creates a dreamy atmosphere, with mist rising from the base and lush green rainforest surrounding it. It is a breathtaking sight to behold. A visit to Angel Falls is a humbling and unique travel experience that will leave a lasting impression.

Angel Falls, Venezuela © Shutterstock

Go southwest in Italy to Campania and see the Amalfi Coast . It is spectacularly beautiful, despite the heavy tourist numbers in summer - spring and autumn are quieter. The Amalfi Coast (Costiera Amalfitana) lays claim to being Europe’s most beautiful stretch of coast. Its corniche road winds around the towering cliffs that slip almost sheer into the sea.

This tailor-made gastronomic journey in Tuscany and Amalfi Coast will have your sense tingling. Taste the most wonderful and freshly made Italian food in Naples one day and enjoy the most beautiful views of the Amalfi Coast the next. Experience the smells, tastes, feels and sights of Italy when travelling from Florence to the Amalfi Coast.

Positano, italy. Amalfi Coast © iacomino FRiMAGES/Shutterstock

Over a quarter of Costa Rica ’s landmass is National Park, which means you’re more than likely to come across at least one on your visit. Costa Rica is covered by rainforests, volcanoes, cloud forest and more. For many people, exploring the biodiversity of this small but beautifully formed country is a major reason to visit Costa Rica in the first place.

See our tailor-made Costa Rica Eco Adventure and discover its compact jungle, tropical beaches, forests, wildlife and national parks. The country may be small but it’s a land of stunning natural diversity and the perfect backdrop to a veritable eco-adventure.

Sloth in Costa Rica © Harry Collins Photography/Shutterstock

If you are looking for some travel experiences for the whole family, explore our guide to the 30 best places to go with kids .

For more inspirational travel tips for your future trips check our Rough Guide books .

If you prefer to plan and book your trips without any effort and hassle, use the expertise of our local travel experts to make sure your trip will be just like you dream it to be.

We may earn commission when you click on links in this article, but this doesn’t influence our editorial standards. We only recommend services that we genuinely believe will enhance your travel experiences.

• Nature & Wildlife
• Authentic Experiences
• History Culture Heritage
• South Africa
• Inspiration
• See & Do
• Where to stay

Planning your own trip? Prepare for your trip

Use Rough Guides' trusted partners for great rates

Find even more inspiration here

Ready to travel and discover nepal, get support from our local experts for stress-free planning & worry-free travels.

• Food & Drink
• What to pack
• City Guides
• Travel Hacks
• New Zealand
• North America
• Latin America

Copied to clipboard!

Real Life Stories

15 Travellers tell us their most memorable travel experiences – and how it changed them

By Jaye Hannah

Published on Nov 30, 2017 | 6 min

There’s no doubt that travelling brings you a range of emotions: joy and excitement, but also the feeling that you’re in unknown territory. One thing’s for sure though: travelling is probably the best thing you can ever do. Don’t believe us? Just ask these 15 Travellers, who shared the trips and moments that changed them forever…

RELATED: WHEN YOU TRAVEL FOR THE FIRST TIME, SOMETHING CHANGES IN YOU  

“The most memorable trip I have ever had was when I was 17 traveling to Vietnam alone. I was living and working in Vietnam for 4 months as a bartender (and ended up meeting my amazing girlfriend there too!). The most emotional part of the trip was when I was leaving back to Australia to visit my Grandmother who had been very sick. I felt like I lost everything (and even being able to see the person who I had come to love). I worked hard for 6 months and was able to find my way back here.  3 years later I live in this beautiful country and able to speak the native language while living with my girlfriend.”   – Lachlan Gordon

“A friend and I booked a spur of the moment trip to India after a few drinks. That trip was one of the highlights of my life, teaching me so much about culture, enriching me and teaching me more than any classroom ever could. The smells and sites and sounds will forever stay with me. That trip gave me the travel bug and showed me the true meaning of wanderlust.”  – Bala Walsh 

“My most memorable travel experience was when I was 12 years old I was lucky enough to be sent on a camp to Switzerland with children from all over the world who had also received organ transplants. Growing up being sick and having my liver transplant in 1998 at the age of 7 travel had never been an option for me, so this was such an incredible experience to be gifted. It was my first time on a plane and overseas. It was so special, I remembered being shocked at the sheer beauty of it all.” – Kate Elizabeth

RELATED: I TRAVELLED ON CONTIKI WITH A BRAIN TUMOUR. THIS IS MY STORY  

“Our first night on Contiki, we could see the Eiffel Tower from our accommodation…and we decided to walk to it! 3 hours later it was 2am and we were getting closer and closer – it looks like it was just around the corner every corner! We finally reached it and and we were in utter awe! I don’t think I’ve ever been as happy as finding the Eiffel Tower at 3am covered in sparkles which lit up the night sky. That is what happiness feels like. In that moment, anything in the world felt possible. ” – Emma Walker

“I have only started traveling this year. As a child I wasn’t fortunate enough to travel as my parents worked to keep a roofs over our heads. It was a DREAM of mine since I was very young to go to Japan. I worked, worked and worked my butt off to fulfill my dream all by myself! I finally got to go in April to see the cherry blossom trees, I literally cried as we touched down in Tokyo. To see a whole new world was mind blowing! Travelling is made me so humble since then.” –  Maddi Lomas

“As a coeliac I found it difficult to locate gluten free foods in a lot of places, but I didn’t let that stop me from enjoying my contiki trip through Europe. We wanted some gelato in Italy and opted to walk around the streets to find some gluten free gelato. Finally, we found some – I then asked if there were gluten free cones as well, and when the shop keeper pulled out a gluten free cone, I confessed my love for him and his shop. It was so important for me to find traditional local foods so I could experience my European adventure to the fullest!” – Leslie Wickens

“After my summer study abroad trip to Italy fell through, my best friend and I decided to book a last minute trip to Europe. While searching for trips, we stumbled upon Contiki and decided to book. As Americans, we had never heard of Contiki before and really didn’t know what to expect. From this trip, I got to experience 6 different countries, watch the Euro Cup in Europe, and most importantly I met life long friends. I am dying to go back and as a teacher, although I have to work multiple jobs to even be able to dream of it. I work in an intercity where most students don’t get the opportunity to leave the state for a majority of their lives, due to financial reasons. My goal is to show my students that they should never let money limit their travels. With a lot of hard work, they too can see the world!” – Julia Gulia 

“I have always wanted to explore New Zealand and when the opportunity came up I just couldn’t say no. This group of people made the trip for me and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. They helped me to face my fears and try things I never imagined I’d be able to do. The euphoric rush you get when you compete your first bungy jump is one I will never forget!” – Kira Chow 

“My most Memorable travel memory was from a Christmas I spent in China. I was able to travel to a leper colony in one of the very rural areas outside of Guangzhou. There was one lady in particular who has rocked my world even to this day. After learning that they only have to eat what they can grow and the large bags of rice my friends and I brought them, she offered me and every person I was with this bowl of oranges. She had nothing by our standards – but was still willing to give all that she had. It’s moments like this that keep me hungry for travel.” – Arden Shanklin

“The moment that changed my life was in July 2016. I went on the grand southern contiki tour and I opened up the further into the tour I went (I’m usually quite shy) and have never been the same since. Because of this tour I wanted to be more open, so between this tour and my next tour in April 2017 I took the biggest step in my life and came out to my parents. Not only has travel physically changed me, but it’s helped me come to terms with myself” – Tim Savage

RELATED: WHY SPAIN IS ONE OF THE BEST COUNTRIES TO TRAVEL TO IF YOU ARE LGBT+

“My sister and I went on a Contiki to Scotland and Ireland. There was one night in Loch Ness when it was raining cats and dogs, so we were forced to stay at our hotel. Everyone was bummed at first, but then we didn’t really care, because we were cooped up in a hotel with some pretty awesome people. We sat and played card games and drinking games all night. It was probably one of the most fun nights in the whole trip!” – Kandyce Lauren

Do you have a travel experience that changed you forever? Let us know in the comments…

Stop dreaming and make sh*t happen!

Road to Croatia

European Discovery

Our website uses cookies to ensure you have the best experience, showing content and offers that are most relevant to you. To learn more about this, see our Cookie Policy.

Experiential Travel: Creating Memories, Not Checklists

Trends in the tourism industry are constantly evolving, and experiential travel is one of the latest trends that has only increased in popularity over the years. The key point of experiential travel is to create memories that will last you a lifetime, and if that sounds like exactly your type of travel, this guide will be helpful.

What exactly is experiential travel, why should you engage in it more often, and the top tour operators for experiential trips are just some of the key things covered in this detailed guide. Keep reading to learn more about experiential travel and see why so many people have become engrossed with it!

What Is Experiential Travel?

Experiential travel is a travel method that has been talked about for decades but has become increasingly popular over the last few years. It’s essentially a way of traveling that allows you to really dig deep into the local culture and fully experience every new place you visit.

Experiential tourism is mostly focused on experiences as opposed to destinations. It also entails spending more time with locals and exploring off-the-beaten paths, instead of just visiting tourist attractions with the highest ratings on Trip Advisor and Google Maps.

This type of tourism is also known as immersion travel because it entails travelers being fully immersed in a local culture. I like to think that immersion travel is just one aspect of experiential travel, and that adventure travel is just as an important part of it.

You can immerse yourself in a local culture all you want but if you don’t actually have authentic local experiences, I don’t think you can still call it experiential travel.

The complete opposite of experiential travel would be something like traveling to a foreign destination and staying at a resort the entire time you’re there. Sure, it’s nice to relax for a few days and spend your time sipping cocktails on the beach, but can you really say you’ve visited Mexico if you’ve never left the hotel? Experiential travelers would disagree.

Benefits of Experiential Travel

The main advantage of experiential travel is that you will end your trips feeling enriched by local cultures, and you will create memories that will last forever. You will actually get to learn and understand the history and traditions of a place, and if you do it right, you can make friends everywhere in the world.

Another benefit of experiential travel is that it should be more affordable. You wouldn’t stay in a fancy hotel, but rather in an apartment rented out by a local. You can even look into house-sitting and pet-sitting options, or just stick to couchsurfing for the most authentic experiences.

Choosing local accommodation instead of mass hotel chains allows you to get in touch with the hosts, which can provide valuable tips about the local communities and the destination’s culture.

Examples of Experiential Travel

When I plan a trip to a new country, I usually start off by creating a map on Google Maps with all the most famous landmarks, tourist attractions, and museums. I prefer to do things by myself and I avoid hiring guides and travel agents, so I do aim to achieve some level of immersion into local culture.

I also make it a point to eat at as many local restaurants as possible and try all the most famous foods in that city. The opposite would be sticking to Burger King or McDonald’s because they’re “safe” options.

While all of that is part of immersion travel, a true experiential traveler wouldn’t aim to visit just the most famous attractions in a new city. Instead, they would look for knowledgeable locals who would help them find all the best-hidden gems and places that locals enjoy the most. It could include visiting a quaint restaurant with the best local cuisine or partaking in an activity that is specific to that city.

It means joining a pasta-making class when you’re in Italy, partaking in a Flamenco dance class while you’re exploring Spain, or attending a local football game when you’re staying in England.

Planning an Experiential Travel Trip

When you’re planning an experiential travel trip, try to focus on encountering authentic local experiences. I would suggest starting off with a quick walking tour of the city. But try to look for local guides that do these tours in smaller groups – it will be a much more immersive experience and you’ll get to actually learn something, especially if you’re spending time with like-minded travelers.

Then, I suggest you do some research about the cuisine of the place you are visiting and learn about the different local dishes. Try to find restaurants that are frequented by locals – if you’re not having too much success, ask your host or a local guide for recommendations.

I’ve found that asking people on Reddit can also yield some great results because there are often locals who are willing to help tourists get to know their cultures.

Next, consider what the country or city you’re visiting is most famous for and try to find attractions or experiences that incorporate that to really get a sense of how the locals are living. An example of this would be going on at least one hike if you’re traveling in the more rural areas of Switzerland, or swimming in the Rhine River if you’re staying in Basel because it’s what the locals actually do.

Top Experiential Travel Companies

Velocity black.

Velocity Black is one of the best examples of a modern concierge service that goes above and beyond for its clients. Services offered by the company include organizing trips and holidays that are tailored to your wants and needs. Velocity Black can offer its members deals on flights with the world’s best airlines, free upgrades, and access to some of the best hotels in the world.

The company is also able to organize special experiences for its clients, which range from hanging out with celebrities to swimming with orcas. The annual membership fee is £2,000 and there’s currently a waiting list to join.

Vivid Travel

Vivid Travel is an experiential travel company that focuses on creating personalized travel itineraries for their customers. The agents will ask you questions about preferences for accommodation, ideas for experiences, and attractions, but also about your budget and preferred vacation length.

Then, they can create you a unique itinerary that explores all the things that interest you the most, while staying within your budget. They’ll do all the booking for you, and it’s a great company to use if you don’t like doing the research and bookings yourself.

Niquesa Travel

Niquesa Travel is another tour operator that specializes in custom travel itineraries. It’s more of a luxury travel company, so not the best operator to use if you’re trying to travel on a tighter budget. The company can plan and organize every aspect of your trip, from flights to immersive experiences.

You can contact Niquesa Travel to arrange any type of trip you want, and they also have a few pre-made itineraries that sound amazing. Travel to Morocco on a limited budget and follow a series of clues as you explore the local culture, or go on a road trip through England in a supercar.

Black Tomato

Black Tomato is a favored luxury travel company for experiential travel. This company has pre-made itineraries for virtually every corner of the world, but its agents can also create entirely new customized itineraries for customers.

Trekking in Nepal, safaris in Uganda, and sailing in the Galapagos Islands are just some examples of trips this company can arrange for you. Allowing Black Tomato to plan your trip means you’ll need to tell them everything about your preferences and budget, and they’ll do absolutely everything for you from booking the plane tickets to reserving you a spot in the pasta-making class in Tuscany.

Abercrombie & Kent

Abercrombie & Kent is one of the oldest luxury travel companies with a history of more than six decades. The company is known for incredibly detailed personalized itineraries, as well as excellent service.

Booking a trip with Abercrombie & Kent means that you could attend a private tour of a museum, get customized meals, and stay at places that are off-limits for regular people. This is one of the priciest tour agencies for experiential travel, but also one that can offer you a unique and personalized experience in every corner of the world.

Current Trends in Experiential Travel

Trends in the travel industry are constantly changing, but the core of experiential travel will always be immersive experiences. Adventure tourism is becoming an increasingly important part of experiential travel, and more and more travelers are spending their time hiking, backpacking, rafting, skydiving, and engaging in all sorts of other adventures that are typical for the places they are visiting.

Meaningful engagement with the local communities is also a growing trend in experiential travel. Forming an emotional connection with people in a foreign place is essential for creating lifelong memories, and an increasing number of people will spend their time visiting schools, museums, theaters, and similar places that the locals frequent in their daily lives.

But the way I see it, you should focus on experiences you’re genuinely interested in, and skip any experiences you might not enjoy, regardless of how local they are. An example of this would be if you were in London – maybe it would be a truly authentic local experience to spend an afternoon at a pub and go to a football match, but if that’s not something you would genuinely enjoy, you absolutely shouldn’t do it.

Instead, do something that’s fun for you – see a play at the Globe Theater, or spend an afternoon in the Natural History Museum, if that’s more up your alley.

The Future of Experiential Travel

Even with the rise of experiential travel among young adults, there is still absolutely a market for those who prefer to spend their vacation days lounging and relaxing. However, experiential travel has become extremely popular over the past few years, and it was in part a result of the global pandemic of 2020.

Most of the world was stuck for nearly a year, unable to leave their house properly, let alone travel to a new destination. When the countless restrictions were finely dropped and we were allowed to start traveling again, people wanted to get out of the house and do something.

The future of experiential travel lies in more personalized experiences and sustainability. More and more tour operators are shifting to offering immersive travel experiences to satisfy the growing demand for experiential trips. Also, the importance of AI is growing at the same time as the demand for experiential tours, and it’s hard to imagine a world in which the two don’t become integrated.

It’s expected that travel companies will turn to AI to help create unique and personalized itineraries and that VR will become a bit component of experiential travel. It’s only a matter of time until VR allows us to become fully immersed in destinations that we cannot physically visit, whether it’s a trip to Macchu Picchu from the comfort of your couch or a tour of ancient Rome.

About the Author Anna Timbrook

Anna is the co-owner of expert world travel and can't wait to share her travel experience with the world. With over 54 countries under her belt she has a lot to write about! Including those insane encounters with black bears in Canada.

Leave a Comment:

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Overview Guide
• 1 Week Itinerary
• Train Journeys
• Epic Drives
• Stunning Lakes
• Historic Castles
• Lauterbrunnen
• Grindelwald
• Chocolate Tours
• Swiss National Park
• Majestic Mountains
• Spectacular Waterfalls
• Famous Things
• Tasty Fondue
• 10 Day Itinerary
• Cherry Blossoms
• Tokyo Shrines
• Dos and Don’ts
• Osaka Guide
• Osaka Itinerary
• Osaka or Kyoto
• Kyoto Day Trips
• Matsumoto Castle
• Tokyo Luxury Hotels
• Island Hopping
• Best Campsites
• Driving Tips
• Beaune, France
• Barcelona Itinerary
• Spain Itinerary
• Greece Itinerary
• Italy Road Trips
• Berlin Day Trips
• Norway Northern Lights
• Netherlands National Parks
• Mostar, Bosnia
• Best Airlines
• Midwest Ski Resorts
• Florida RV Parks
• Washington RV Parks
• Oregon RV Parks
• Utah Camping
• Texas Camping
• Chicago National Parks
• East Coast National Parks
• Colorado National Parks
• Joshua Tree
• Yellowstone
• Alberta Hikes
• Flashlights
• Water Filters
• Sleeping Pads
• Solar Lanterns
• Tent Brands
• 4-Person Tents
• 4 Seasons Tents
• Backpacking Tents
• Beach Tents
• Cabin Tents
• Multi-room Tents
• Pop-up Tents
• Truck Bed Tents
• Underwear (Men)
• Backpacks Under $100
• Microspikes
• Boonie Hats
• In The World
• New Zealand
• Hardisde Luggage
• Lightweight Luggage
• Luggage Sets
• Spinner Luggage
• Durable Suitcases
• Duffel Bags
• Kids Luggage
• Teen Luggage
• Space Saving Luggage
• Business Carry-Ons
• Garment Carry-Ons
• Suitcases Under $50
• Travel Briefcase
• Zipperless Suitcases
• Rolling Briefcase
• Luggage Straps
• Luxury Brands
• American Tourister
• AmazonBasics
• Delsey Chatelet
• Anti-Theft Backpacks
• Backpacks Under $50
• Baby Carrier Backpacks
• Cooler Backpacks
• Backpacking Backpacks
• Climbing Backpacks
• Backpacks for Back Pain
• Beach Backpacks
• Hiking Backpacks
• Business Travel Backpacks
• Laptop Backpacks
• Backpacks for Tablets
• Commuter Backpacks
• Travel Backpacks (Men)
• Travel Backpacks (Women)
• Waterproof Backpacks
• Wheeled Backpacks
• Down Jackets
• Down Parkas
• Fleece Jackets
• Hardshell Jackets
• Rain Jackets
• Softshell Jackets
• Eco Friendly Jackets
• Gore Tex Alternatives
• Heated Jackets
• Lightweight Jackets
• 3-in-1 Waterproof Jackets
• Parajumper Jackets
• Rain Poncho
• Ski Jackets
• Travel Hoodies
• Travel Jackets
• Winter Coats
• Helly Hansen
• Mammut Jackets
• Patagonia Nanopuff
• Survival Jackets
• Flower Captions
• Waterfall Captions
• Tree Captions
• Sunset Captions
• Sunflower Captions
• Rainbow Captions
• Paddle Boarding Captions
• Hot Air Balloon Captions
• Kayaking Captions
• Airplane Captions For Instagram
• Forest Captions

50 greatest travel experiences on the planet right now

--> BY Megan Arkinstall & Carla Grossetti

Last updated . 21 March 2024

For International Traveller ’s 50 th  issue, we bring you the 50 greatest travel experiences to have on the planet right now, from new hotel openings to adventurous tours with community at heart to destinations that eternally hover at the top of our bucket lists.

Great travel experiences can be the sum of a whole trip or can boil down to a smaller moment, so when we considered what to include on this list, we focused on the micro – such as thought-provoking museums , unique hotels that offer sleep-focused programs or the world’s best bar – as well as the macro – epic railway journeys across Europe , a private jet expedition and an adventurous tour through Mongolia and Kazakhstan . We looked at shiny, new experiences: the first cruise down Colombia’s Magdalena River and the return of Hong Kong ’s most luxurious hotel. And experiences that will leave our world a better place: a community-owned wildlife conservancy in Kenya and Paris ’s hurtle towards being the greenest city in the world . Enjoy and happy travelling!

1. Stay at Kenya’s first community-owned wildlife conservancy

At the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro and in the heart of Kimana Sanctuary, intimate new lodge Angama Amboseli is Kenya’s first community-owned conservancy. The safari lodge is a haven for herds of East Africa’s Super Tuskers, the elephants that saunter through the sanctuary some 45 minutes from Amboseli National Park. There are just 10 suites at the lodge, which all have uninterrupted views of Kili from every corner.

Angama Amboseli is Kenya’s first community-owned wildlife conservancy. (Image: Brian Siambi)

2. Ride the rails through Malaysia onboard the relaunched Eastern & Oriental Express

One of the world’s most luxurious trains, The Eastern & Oriental Express , A Belmond Train, Southeast Asia, has been relaunched to include even more elevated onboard experiences. In addition to the appointment of Taiwanese-born chef André Chiang as culinary curator, the Belmond brand has announced a new Wild Malaysia route for 2024, which captures the country’s history, opulence and natural beauty from rice plantations to sparkling beaches. Its bespoke Veuve Clicquot Journey will include a series of tastings, events and special inclusions.

The Eastern & Oriental Express is one of the world’s most luxurious trains.

3. Join an expert-led art tour for cultural immersion

Scratch below the surface of a destination with Renaissance Tours , whose 2024 expert-led program is curated by special interests and packed with immersive experiences. The French Impressionism Art Cruise is a highlight for arts lovers, exploring the cities and landscapes that inspired greats such as Monet and Van Gogh with a former university art history lecturer and gallery curator. Design buffs can tour Japan with a lens on contemporary arts, architecture and design on the More Than Meets the Eye tour. While budding historians can join an Egyptologist on the Eternal Egypt tour, which includes special access to dig sites and artefacts normally hidden to the public.

Discover the life and works of French Impressionists like Claude Monet with Renaissance Tours.

4. See Italy in a new light on an agriturismo walking tour of the Amalfi Coast

The best way to explore Italy ’s Amalfi Coast is on foot. Cover plenty of ground on Explore Worldwide’s Amalfi Coast Walking – Agriturismo itinerary. Keep your carbon footprint low on the Walk of the Gods, experience generous Italian hospitality at a rustic agriturismo and walk ancient stone stairways that link seaside villages such as cliffside Ravello and picture-postcard Positano.

Explore the beautiful Amalfi Coast on foot. (Image: Getty/Tommasolizzul)

5. Discover Rwanda from a new luxury expedition vessel on one of Africa’s great lakes

See Africa from one of its great lakes onboard l uxury houseboat Mantis Kivu Queen uBuranga , which is now cruising on spectacular Lake Kivu, which forms Rwanda’s western boundary. The new eco-friendly vessel has 10 berths, a deck with a plunge pool and separate lounge and bar. Mantis stands for Man and Nature Together is Sustainable and guests onboard will experience this mantra first-hand by seeing diverse wildlife such as the country’s gorillas, chimpanzees and exotic monkeys and engaging with local fishing communities.

Embark on an unforgettable adventure onboard luxury houseboat Mantis Kivu Queen uBuranga .

6. Cruise the African continent

Culture, nature and wildlife collide on a Norwegian Cruise Line voyage that loops around the diverse shores of Mauritius, Réunion, Madagascar and South Africa. A 12-day cruise from Port Louis, Mauritius, on Norwegian Dawn includes a game-drive safari in Richards Bay, a visit to a traditional Zulu village and a wine-tasting tour outside Cape Town.

You’ll visit countries such as Mauritius on an Africa cruise with NCL.

7. Live out your pop-star dreams on a luxury private jet expedition

Make like a pop star and circle the globe by private jet as part of the new 2024 partnership between Aman and luxury tour operator Remote Lands. Aman Jet Expeditions offers small private jet trips that include multi-night stays in a selection of spiffy Aman properties scattered around the globe. The itineraries on offer include the Aman Japan Culinary Journey (14–23 May) and A Mindful and Cultural Journey from Nepal to Sri Lanka via Bhutan and India (14–28 October).

Visit luxurious Aman properties via private jet. Talk about travelling in style.

8. Take a wildlife and wine safari in South Africa

Combine community tourism, adventure and comfort on a Geluxe Collection tour, the new roster of small-group itineraries from G Adventures . Offering travellers a more premium experience, these 45 tours have comfort at their core, with OMG Stays (aka unforgettable accommodation) and OMG Days (unforgettable experiences) while providing meaningful interactions with local communities. The South Africa: Kruger Wildlife Tracking & Vineyards itinerary, for example, is a perfectly paced adventure that includes e-biking through vineyards in Franschhoek and tracking wildlife on foot.

G Adventures’ Geluxe Collection combines wine and wilderness on their South Africa itinerary.

9. Be the first to cruise along Colombia’s Magdalena River

Be one of the first to sail Colombia’s Magdalena River when AMA Waterways ’ new ship, AmaMagdalena , launches on the river in November. Sister ship AmaMelodia will also explore the inland waterway between Cartagena and Barranquilla when it sets sail for its inaugural voyage in June 2025. Both ships, which will accommodate just 60 and 64 passengers respectively, boast a sun deck pool, al fresco dining and Colombian-inspired decor. Itineraries include walking tours and jazz performances.

Be one of the first cruise passengers to travel Colombia’s Magdalena River with AMA Waterways. (Image: Getty/Benedek)

10. See the northern lights at their most dazzling in Norway

The remote Arctic Circle Region is a picturesque melange of fjords, glaciers, mountains and islands, and one of the top places on Earth to see the northern lights – which will reach their solar maximum this year, making it your best chance in a decade to see them. The occurrence of aurora borealis depends on solar activity, geomagnetic conditions and atmosphere; so leave the solar seeking up to the experts at Up Norway , which has curated journeys to deliver unforgettable polar light experiences designed to have a net-positive impact on society. Aside from this cosmic phenomenon, the year-round itineraries showcase the diverse destination of Norway, from an epic rail journey through the Arctic Circle to skiing in the Sunnmøre Alps and a sustainable foodie journey in and around Trondheim, a European City of Gastronomy.

Many people flock to Norway to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights. (Image: Getty/SJO)

11. Hike, bike and kayak through southern Greece on an adventure tour

Kayak along Kefalonia’s coastline, meander along the Menalon Trail and cycle to a historic castle while on the Southern Greece: Hike, Bike & Kayak tour with Intrepid Travel . The seven-day active adventure is one of 100 new itineraries the B-Corp small group tour operator launched for 2024. It takes in a diverse landscape that includes everything from gnarled olive trees to rugged coastlines and ancient archaeological sites. This trip supports World Bicycle Relief, which supplies school kids, health workers and farmers in far-out areas with bicycles that provide access to education, healthcare and income.

Chase the sun in Southern Greece. (Image: David C Tomlinson)

12. Explore Antarctica with a boutique operator passionate about protecting it

The best time to see Antarctica is now. And the way to see it is with a company such as HX or Aurora Expeditions , which are passionate about caring for its delicate ecosystems. Likewise, luxury operator Ponant  remains dedicated to protecting our poles and oceans. The Ponant Foundation has pledged an annual grant to the Macquarie Island Conservation Foundation aimed at raising awareness about climate change and the sub-Antarctic ecosystem. Macca, as it is affectionately known, is one of the ‘wonder spots of the world’ and is home to 3.5 million seabirds.

Antarctica is a once-in-a-lifetime destination. (Studio Ponant/Morgane Monneret)

13. Have a fairy-tale European Christmas

Experiencing a white Christmas is a festive dream for many; make it a reality with Albatross Tours in 2024. The Australian-owned Europe specialist has carefully curated a premium itinerary that revolves around wintry wonderlands in Austria, Slovenia and Croatia. Be it wandering around the snow-covered streets of a Christmas market, finding frozen waterfalls in a magical forest or visiting historical castles, the fully escorted tours are designed to enchant.

Nowhere does Christmas quite like the wintry wonderlands of the northern hemisphere.

14. Take a sleep-focused holiday

Come away from your holiday feeling rested with a Maldives resort stay that is focused on catching up on much-needed sleep. JOALI BEING has jumped onboard the global sleep tourism trend by offering personalised programs that include everything from guided meditation and yoga to sound healing remedies. JOALI BEING’s Tranquil Sleep program is tailor-made for guests with sleep concerns who want to feel rejuvenated after a dreamy getaway to this tropical paradise. Hitting snooze on a sun lounger is also an option.

JOALI BEING is a centre for rest and rejuvenation.

15. Join a new women, whales and wellness tour in Tonga

Majestic Whale Encounters has launched a new female-focused tour in Tonga for 2024. The Women, Whales & Wellness Tours are tailored towards solo female travellers who want to experience a chilled-out week of yoga, kayaking, snorkelling and an enchanting underwater encounter with humpbacks. The eco and wellness tours are scheduled for July, August and September.

Whales and wellness go hand in hand at Majestic Whale Encounters.

16. Go island-hopping in Fiji

Fiji is recognised the world over for its unparalleled golden beaches. But those of us who visit time and again know its true drawcard: the people who call it home. Find the kind of meaningful connection we are all craving in the world right now by island-hopping your way across the country, from Marriott’s Sheraton Resort & Spa on Tokoriki Island to Likuliku Lagoon Resort on Malolo Island. And from Turtle Island , where each day in paradise is crowned by communal cocktails at golden hour and the chance to get to know its passionate team, to a culturally-enriching expedition cruise through the Yasawa Islands with Captain Cook Cruises Fiji .

Fijian hospitality is world-renowned.

17. Discover New Zealand’s hottest new dining destination

Sandwiched between Arrowtown and Queenstown on New Zealand ’s South Island, Ayrburn is a must-visit swanky new food and wine hub. The 160-year-old, 60-hectare estate is the brainchild of developer Chris Meehan (formerly of Australia’s Belle Property) who has thrown a cool $184 million at the precinct since he bought it in 2018. Spend the morning drinking coffee and eating bakery treats. While away an afternoon on the sun-drenched terrace eating pizza. Or hole up in The Manure Room drinking wines from the exclusive Ayrburn range.

Ayrburn is New Zealand’s swanky new wine hub.

18. Cruise the Nile

Exploring Egypt’s most wondrous sites and sights via the Nile remains an eternal fixture on bucket lists. And you can sail in luxury onboard Uniworld ’s S. Sphinx and River Tosca ships on a Splendors of Egypt & The Nile cruise. This captivating adventure-filled itinerary starts and ends in Cairo and includes a visit to the famous Egyptian Museum. Follow in the footsteps of pharaohs at the Temple of Karnak, venture into the Valley of the Kings and journey to Giza to gaze upon the ancient Pyramids on the 12-day cruise.

Encounter wonders of ancient history as you cruise down the Nile. (Image: Uniworld).

19. Have the ultimate family holiday onboard Icon of the Seas

Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas is considered one of the most family-friendly cruise ships for a reason. This record-breaking 20-deck vessel sleeps 5610 guests, has eight neighbourhoods, six waterslides, seven pools, nine whirlpools and the largest pool at sea. The cruise company is renowned for its family-focused facilities, including a huge range of staterooms that can fit up to eight guests – making it the ultimate holiday for families with young kids to multi-gen groups.

Icon of the Seas is the biggest cruise ship ever built.

20. Put the endlessly alluring country of Türkiye on your radar

Türkiye is being billed as a key destination to set your sights on this year (not that it ever went away) and the best way to immerse yourself in this exotic destination is with Abercrombie & Kent , known for curating thoughtful itineraries with expert guides and behind-the-scenes experiences. Its Treasures of Turkey journey takes guests on a magic carpet ride around the country, which lays claim to being one of the oldest continually inhabited regions in the world. Highlights include a visit to the hidden world of Istanbul’s Basilica Cistern, a behind-the-scenes tour of Topkapi Palace and an excursion to Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world.

Immerse yourself in Türkiye, one of oldest continually inhabited regions in the world.

21. Find space on a new Camino in northern Spain

The ever-popular Camino de Santiago is a link that tethers us to our wayfaring, wandering past. But with the trail reaching cult status and beckoning nearly half-a-million pilgrims each year, hikers seeking serenity should set their sights elsewhere. Galicia’s Camiño dos Faros (Lighthouse Way) is a new trail, relatively speaking, that overlaps sections of the iconic Camino but sticks to pristine, secluded beaches and pretty fishing towns. Self-guided walking company On Foot provides luggage transfers, itinerary planning and a local contact to provide intel – such as the best seafood restaurants for a post-hike feed.

There are plenty of pretty vistas along the Lighthouse Way. (Image: Jeremy Zafiropoulos).

22. Explore Mongolia and Kazakhstan with a trailblazing Aussie tour company

Traverse nomadic frontiers of vast empty plains, snow-capped peaks, shimmering lakes and ancient cities with trailblazing Aussie company Crooked Compass . The one-off Inaugural Founder’s Tour: Mongolia’s Golden Eagle Festival & Kazakhstan (departs 11 September 2025) celebrates the company’s 10-year anniversary and will be hosted by founder Lisa Pagotto. It includes culturally immersive experiences such as golden eagle demonstrations and Kazakh games at Mongolia’s famous Eagle Festival, Charyn Canyon and its ancient Valley of Castles, and dining with local families in their homes.

The yurt is an iconic dwelling found primarily in Mongolia.

23. Dive into the heart of Old Delhi at a new boutique stay

Even getting to the front door of The Golden Haveli in Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi is a magical Exotic Marigold kind of experience. The 20th-century haveli, hidden amid a maze of narrow streets and colourful alleys (and just a few doors down from sister stay Haveli Dharampura), has been lovingly restored to provide a peek into the neighbourhood’s past and future. The 12 rooms at the boutique hotel are filled with Mughal motifs and built around a central courtyard. Stay in the Gandhi Suite named in honour of the revered Indian leader, who was a regular guest at the many influential family havelis of Old Delhi.

Explore Old Dehli from the comfort of The Golden Haveli. (Image: Bharat Aggarwal)

24. Stay at a reimagined grand dame ahead of Amsterdam’s 750th anniversary

The very essence of Amsterdam will be distilled when grand dame Hotel De L’Europe unveils ‘t Huys ahead of the city’s 750th-anniversary celebrations in October 2024. ‘t Huys translates to ‘house’ as well as ‘at home’, a nod to the fact this dynamic new Dutch hub will be a place where art, style, luxury and craftsmanship come together. The hotel’s glitzy new wing will feature 16 unique ‘t Huys suites filled with priceless art from the private collection of the Heineken family, who have owned the Hotel De L’Europe Amsterdam since the 1950s.

The Hotel De L’Europe is set to get a glitzy new wing for Amsterdam’s 750th anniversary celebrations. (Image: Andy Tan)

25. Check into the first vertical urban resort in Dubai

One Za’abeel is the perfect example of how Dubai is taking the concept of an urban resort and elevating it to another level. The one-of-a-kind One&Only vertical resort features the UAE’s longest sky infinity pool, 11 unique wining and dining concepts and a three-storey health and wellness centre. The new landmark building also reaches for the sky with its sustainable practices by using passive architecture principles and aiming to use natural resources more efficiently.

Experience this one-of-a-kind One&Only vertical resort in Dubai.

26. Stay in sustainable style in Siem Reap

A stay at the luxe and eco-conscious Jaya House River Park in Siem Reap – Cambodia ’s first single-use plastic-free hotel – is all about giving back to the local community. The stylish boutique hotel donates a portion of its turnover to local NGOs and is known for initiatives such as tree-planting, a Refill Not Landfill program and for launching Jaya Organics, the natural skincare range offered as an in-room amenity.

Jaya House River Park in Siem Reap delivers a luxe, eco-conscious stay. (Image: John W McDermott)

27. Discover the latest in Mexico’s wave of design-led, community-minded hotels

Mexico is well known for attracting a certain type of tanned traveller who likes to stay poolside while clad in a billowing kaftan. And while the latest wave of Design Hotels in Mexico might check a lot of the boxes for rest, relaxation and adventure, the portfolio brings together a new kind of conscious hospitality. Both Hotelito at MUSA and Boca de Agua offer opportunities to connect and support local artists through workshops, retreats and artist-in-residence programs.

Boca de Agua is one of Mexico’s sparkling design-led hotels. (Image: Bookings via designhotels.com)

28. Head to a new culinary hub in the Swiss Alps this season

The iconic Hotel Kulm St. Moritz has reimagined its culinary program to include a roster of gourmet experiences. Diners will find comfort at the new Peruvian eatery Amaru (formerly K) led by Claudia Canessa , with interiors by artist Luke Edward Hall, and enjoy a tribute menu by Michelin-starred chef Tom Booton at Sunny Bar . The reimagined Kulm Country Club is elevated by Mauro Colagreco’s three Michelin star experience, complemented by a soundtrack curated by famous music director, Arman Naféei .

Inside the reimagined Kulm Country Club at the iconic Hotel Kulm St. Moritz. (Image: Gia Giovanoli)

29. Eat your way around Vancouver, Canada’s new foodie capital

There’s a bold new food scene flourishing in British Columbia where Vancouver is vying for attention as Canada ’s new foodie capital. All up, the 2023 Michelin Guide to Vancouver includes 77 restaurants; 17 were awarded Bib Gourmands and nine have Michelin stars. Okeya Kyujiro , led by chef Takuya Matsuda, is the latest eatery to receive the honour in Canada’s third-largest city. Book a table and order the theatrical omakase experience. Chef Andrea Carlson has also put Michelin-starred eatery Burdock & Co on the map for epicureans.

Vancouver is fast becoming a foodie haven thanks to offerings like Michelin-starred eatery Burdock & Co. (Image: Hakan Burcuoglu)

30. Sip a drink at the world’s best bar in Barcelona

There is perhaps no better place to say ‘bottoms up’ than at Sips in Barcelona , which topped the list of The World’s 50 Best Bars in 2023. Surrender yourself to the whim of the bartender in the drinkery house where sipping cocktails is immersive and interactive and akin to performance art. Plump for the Primordial (a blend of 12-year-old Scotch, Ruby Port and pera nashi) so you can enjoy the eccentric concoction served in a metal cast of two hands, rather than a glass.

Order up a drink at the World’s Best Bar for 2023 at Sips in Barcelona.

31. Eat at the best restaurants in the world in Peru

Peru is considered one of the great gastronomic capitals of the world thanks in part to the inclusion of its eateries Central (#1), Maido (#6), Kjolle (#28) and Mayta (#47) on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023. Peruvian chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino (ex-Malabar, ámaZ) is also credited with fusing Amazonian ingredients with traditional techniques. The award-winning chef will showcase the Peruvian cuisine he is so proud of as part of  Aqua Expeditions’ series of Chef Hosted Departures onboard Aqua Nera from 14–18 May and 17–21 September.

Peru’s Central landed in at number one of the World’s Best 50 Restaurants for 2023.

32. Experience a meal like no other in Copenhagen (and no, it’s not Noma)

Expect all kinds of wizardry at the aptly named Alchemist in Copenhagen where diners are whisked away to a whimsical world of culinary craftsmanship. Cutting-edge chef and chief alchemist Rasmus Munk has reclaimed the kitchen as a place for art; every element of his 50-course feast demands the full attention of diners. The restaurant sits at #18 on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list for 2023.

Expect to be blown away by culinary craftsmanship at Copenhagen’s Alchemist. (Image: Kim Holtermand)

33. Dine at Josh Niland’s new restaurant in Singapore

Merimbula rock oysters. Grilled Abrolhos Islands scallops. Shark Bay scampi. Charcoal-grilled Aquna Murray cod. Dry-aged Mooloolaba swordfish. The menu at FYSH at EDITION in Singapore features an impressive array of sustainably sourced Australian seafood. It’s restaurateur and chef Josh Niland’s first foray overseas and, like everything the visionary seafood butcher does, the menu is anchored in sustainability and much greater than the sum of its parts.

Josh Niland makes sustainably sourced Australian seafood the star of the show at FYSH at EDITION. (Image: Josh Niland)

34. Drink Champagne at the source

A bottle can only be labelled Champagne if it is produced in the appellation of Champagne in France .  It’s made in the traditional method, méthode Champenoise , which is a time- and labour-intensive process – hence the price tag. Famous Champagne houses in the region such as Veuve Clicquot and Bollinger offer consistency of style and quality for the price. But you can find nuance, excitement and value by looking for lesser-known ‘grower’ Champagnes, where the grape grower also produces the wine.

Sip your way around France’s famous Champagne houses. (Image: Getty)

35. Get the insider’s view on Shanghai

Shanghai ’s past and present is divided by the Huangpu River: Old Shanghai on one side, where the historical Bund district is filled with a melange of architectural styles from Art Deco to Baroque, and New Shanghai on the other with its shimmering, futuristic skyline. On a half-day tour with Wendy Wu Tours , you can bounce between the parts that shout and the pockets that whisper led by an expert local guide, including 400-year-old temples, neon-lit East Nanjing Road, shikumen (stone gate) houses and bustling markets where you can queue for dumplings.

Let a local tour guide show you the hidden parts of Shanghai.

36. Tap into the cultural heart of London

In iconic Leicester Square, in the thick of the West End, The Londoner   is emphatically London . This five-star hotel was billed as the world’s first ‘super boutique hotel’ for its level of intimacy at a mighty scale. Here you’ll find a style that nods to London’s eclectic character, works by Britain ’s greatest artists, and pinch-yourself panoramas of the city’s icons from Big Ben to Westminster from the comfort of your Corner Suite. The hotel is also a two-minute walk from the newly reopened National Portrait Gallery , which has been completely reframed for the 21st century and tells the history of Britain through portraiture.

The Londoner truly epitomises what the city is all about. (Image: Andrew Beasley Photography)

37. Spend 48 hours in the up-and-coming cultural capital of Manchester

Manchester was at the heart of Britain’s industrial revolution and is home to its most successful football team. And while history buffs and sports fanatics will have the northern city on their radar, Manchester is going through a cultural renaissance that will appeal to all manner of travellers. From award-winning gin distilleries and Michelin-starred restaurants to a multi-million-dollar Aviva Studios art space that hosts immersive theatre and a tour that visits filming locations for Peaky Blinders, Coronation Street and Captain America .

Meander along historic buildings in Castlefield, Manchester. (Image: Chris Curry)

38. Go green in Paris ahead of the Summer Olympics

The French capital has made incredible progress towards reaching its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. Mayor Anne Hidalgo has made it her mission to transform the City of Light into a cleaner and healthier place since she came into office in 2014. Almost a decade on, Paris was named The Greenest City in Europe – with 530 parks, gardens and squares, 30 urban farms, some 1500 beehives, and more than 300 new green spaces planned alongside the planting of 170,000 trees. Add to that the already laid 100 kilometres of cycling trails, a multi-billion-dollar clean-up of the Seine, 1200 fountains and water-filling stations, a car-free day every month and more, and the 2024 Olympic city proves that being green is possible.

Paris lives up to its title as the greenest city in Europe. (Image: EoNaYa via Getty Images)

39. Explore Seattle through its grunge and coffee scenes

Seattle has never followed the mainstream. It’s the birthplace of grunge and the coffee revolution, both of which represent a generation seeking authenticity and raw expression and were born in an era that valued the underground and alternative. Nowadays these cultural enclaves reside well beyond the fringe, with baristas upping the ante with their pedigreed beans all around town, while local institution, non-profit KEXP radio station  – where Nirvana and Pearl Jam got their start on the airwaves, continues to accept demo tapes and hosts live sessions where bands play mini concerts for free.

Non-profit KEXP radio station in Seattle has paved the way for the greats of grunge to take centre stage. (Image: Nataworry Photography)

40. Recharge and reset at a luxury wellness resort in Ubud

Hidden in the lush, emerald jungle outside of Ubud, COMO Shambhala is a stay that allows guests to choose their own path. Simply escape the hubbub of Bali’s beloved beaches in luxe and tranquil surroundings or partake in one of the resort’s famed wellness programs tailored to individual needs. With breathwork, yoga, spa treatments and wholesome nutrition doused in Southeast Asian flavours on the agenda, guests come away from this stay with a health reboot that lasts longer than a tan.

Craft your own wellness journey at COMO Shambhala in Ubud.

41. Check into one of Marrakech’s new wave of riads

Be it traditional, ultra-luxe or one of the many new design-led digs around the city, a stay at a riad is a quintessential Marrakech experience. These traditional Moroccan homes are often hidden in a maze or souks and alleyways in the medina, and offer respite to the bustle outside, with garden courtyards, water features, rooftop terraces and fine craftsmanship. Take El Fenn , for example, a vibrantly hued riad where Madonna celebrated her 60th birthday; L’Hotel , a discreetly designed riad featuring six romantic suites; and La Sultana , a restored former palace with decorative flourishes. Or Rosemary and IZZA , the city’s newest (and coolest) boutique stays.

El Fenn riad embodies style and sophistication. (Image: Igor Demba)

42. Travel Europe by rail

Traversing Europe by rail is a rite of passage for all travellers: criss-crossing between ever-changing landscapes and cultures from the comfort of a railcar. Travel from Paris to Portofino on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express , a Belmond Train, which recalls the romance of a golden age of travel. Step aboard ‘the slowest train in the world’ – The Glacier Express – to soak up the beauty of the Swiss Alps. Or journey through the French Riviera , an enduring muse that owes much of its prowess to the iconic Blue Train that carried wealthy socialites and artists here in the 20th century.

Spacious suites onboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express evoke the golden age of rail travel.

43. Contribute to the community with a Northern Thailand farm stay

Family-operated Ahsa Farm Stay , in the foothills of Doi Mae Salong in Northern Thailand , is set amid 14 hectares of organic working farmland and offers guest cottages to travellers. Its aim is to introduce visitors to hands-on experiences such as rice harvesting, gathering fruit and rubber-tree tapping, as well as cooking Lanna (North Thai) cuisine and trekking to nearby hill tribes. The farm stay creates employment for young people and a sharing of authentic cultural knowledge; a win-win for visitors and locals.

Rice planting at Ahsa Farm Stay, an important farming tradition in Thailand. (Image: Ahsa Farm Stay)

44. See an iconic hotel reborn in Hong Kong

The reimagining of l egendary five-star hotel Regent Hong Kong – which opened last year after a two-year, multi-million-dollar refresh – is a balance between legacy and modernity, unlocking new levels of luxury in Asia. Its enviable position on Victoria Harbour is complemented by a formula of quietude, decadence and function. Not simply a return home of the hotel brand’s Asian flagship, the reopening of Regent Hong Kong is a return of the city itself, after years of lockdowns, political ambiguity, mother country pressures and economic upheaval.

The Presidential Suite at Regent Hong Kong is regarded as one of the best rooftop penthouses in the world. (Image: Courtesy Regent Hong Kong)

45. Help Maui’s recovery with the ultimate Hawaiʻi holiday

The Hawaiian island of Maui is rich in natural beauty and a strong community spirit , which came into sharp focus following last year’s wildfires. Locals are inviting mindful travellers to put Maui back on their itineraries and bring their aloha. Engage with local businesses such as Trilogy Excursions , known as Maui’s best snorkel tours; dine at family-owned restaurants such as Mama’s Fish House ; shop in small boutiques like in Pa‘ia, which exudes a yogic surfer vibe; and tip generously to make a huge difference to this community that is still in recovery mode.

Snorkelling Maui’s reef, where monk seals and turtles can be found. (Image: Hawai’i Tourism Authority/Tor Johnson)

46. Find an alternative side of Austria in the 2024 European capital of culture

Covering the Austrian states of Salzburg, Styria and Upper Austria, the region of Salzkammergut blends the ageless beauty of limestone mountains, cobalt lakes and timber A-frame houses with agrarian tradition and – surprisingly – cutting-edge art. The Great Space Walk, which is part of the program for Bad Ischl Salzkammergut’s designation as one of the European Capitals of Culture 2024, guides travellers up the isolated karst landscape of the Totes Gebirge while listening to recordings along the way that touch on everything from arts to agriculture and Buddhism. Traditional dress is also making a resurgence as well as craftsmanship, with watchmakers, bookbinders, coffee roasters and mustard makers as relevant today as they once were.

The Trisselwand is a mountain in the region of Saltzkammergut which has long inspired Austria’s most famous writers. (Image: Karl Steinegger)

47. Walk Japan’s remote and under-the-radar Kunisaki Peninsula

Of the some 25 million international tourists that visited Japan last year, only a fraction of them made it beyond the major urban areas. And even fewer regional areas, such as Kunisaki, a bucolic peninsula that’s the setting for the 73-kilometre Self-Guided Kunisaki Wayfarer walk by Walk Japan . This trail follows the historic footsteps of monks and ascetics in search of solitude as it traces Kyushu’s rural peninsula along raised paths between rice fields, overgrown trails linking long-neglected shrines and country lanes that pass by family homes, with each day ending with multi-course dinners and steam-filled onsens .

 48. Explore an up-and-coming Italian neighbourhood with young local guides

In the 20th century, the Naples precinct of Rione Sanità gained notoriety as a Camorra stronghold labelling the pretty neighbourhood a no-go zone. But change is afoot, and artists, historians and travellers alike are being lured in by classically Neapolitan streets adorned in flags and laundry and bustling with pasticcerias and pizzerias, its famous catacombs and grandiose basilica.

Find out why Rione Sanità is about to be the place to visit in Naples. (Image: Alamy/Laura Di Biase)

49. Watch the solar eclipse

Astronomy fans in North America will huddle around their telescopes on 8 April to catch the solar eclipse when it passes over the United States , Canada and Mexico. Travel publication Atlas Obscura is throwing a festival that extends the three-minute 36-second solar event into four days of music, science, art and cosmic wonder, with a line-up that includes astrophysics pros and indie psych-rock.

Make your way to North America in April to be treated to a solar eclipse. (Image: James Sprankle)

50. Visit Washington DC’s National Museum of Women in the Arts

In 1987 it was the first museum of its kind, and now, after a US$66 million renovation completed by female architects, the National Museum of Women in the Arts is an even grander stage for female creatives to shine. Located in the heart of Washington D.C. the museum is housed in a former Masonic Temple, which was notoriously exclusive of women, and boasts a powerful display of works by women spanning six centuries, from Frida Kahlo to Australian Aboriginal artist Audrey Morton Kngwarreye.

Find artworks by Frida Kahlo inside the National Museum of Women in the Arts. (Image: Self-Portrait Dedicated to Leon Trotsky , 1937)

LEAVE YOUR COMMENT

Cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

You might also like

Mega Holiday Giveaway: Over $170,000 in prizes to be won

What’s better than booking your dream holiday? Winning it of course! To celebrate the launch of the 50th issue of International Traveller, we have ...

Win a luxurious 7-night Venice river cruise for 2 worth $10,398

Uncover the enchanted beauty and breathtaking history of Venice and Northern Italy. This Uniworld river cruise for two worth $10,398 is one of the ma...

Win a Geluxe Vietnam tour for 2 worth $10,718

Falling in love with Vietnam is almost too easy. With its warm people, delicious food, and rich history, it really is the total package. This G Adven...

Win a 10-day China trip for 2 worth up to $11,360

Explore China with Wendy Wu Tours. This Wendy Wu Tours trip for two worth $11,360 is one of the major prizes of the International Traveller Mega Holi...

Win an 11-night Scandinavian cruise worth $11,620

Set sail from the historic UK port of Southampton and embark on an 11-day adventure through the spectacular landscapes of Iceland and the Norwegian Fj...

Win 7 nights of pure indulgence in Bali worth $12,660

Bali is one of the most Instagrammable islands in the world, with stunning beaches, emerald jungles and luxury villas such as Bali’s version of a lu...

• GENERAL TRAVEL

15 Life Lessons Learned From Traveling

Liz is a collector of grand adventures. She first discovered her passion for meaningful travel wh...

• button]:border-none [&>button]:bg-white [&>button]:hover:cursor-pointer [&>button]:hover:text-cyan-400"> button]:hover:text-cyan-400 [&>button]:bg-white hover:cursor-pointer" height="1em" width="1em" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">

They say that travel changes you. When you choose to indulge in your wanderlust and see the world, you will rarely ever return as the same person. More likely, you’ll come home as a more confident, independent, self-aware human. A better human. So what is it about travel that’s so life-changing?

After traveling meaningfully, you’ll never be the same.

There is something incredible about opening your eyes to how other parts of the world live, speak, eat, and work. It shifts your perspective in a whole new way when you visit new countries and learn about new cultures. And yet, some of the biggest life lessons learned from traveling are gained not only through the places you go, but how you handle your travel experiences—the travel mishaps and cultural blunders.

Every aspect of travel is a learning experience, and lessons learned from traveling can’t be learned anywhere else.

What does traveling teach you?

There is truly nothing more memorable in life than travel. It’s one of the few things we can do over and over in life while constantly discovering something new. Every travel experience is different—we’re exposed to different people, different ways of life, different food, languages, and cultural experiences.

Once we get a taste, we want more and more because there is nothing like the personal growth, expansion, and adventure that come with wandering through foreign lands.

Travel has the power to both delight us and challenge us. And it’s through both that we learn. What travel teaches you is that it doesn’t matter where you go—it only matters that you give yourself the opportunity to leave the places you know and let wanderlust take you by the hands and start to dance.

When you do, the life lessons learned from traveling can completely alter your path.

15 life lessons learned from traveling

Traveling is one of life’s greatest teachers.

So what does traveling teach you? These are some of the most important lessons learned from traveling the world.

1. Be humble.

No matter who you are, how many years you’ve been on this Earth, or what you’ve done with your life thus far, you will never know everything there is to know. There is always more to discover, more to learn.

What travel teaches you is that you’re not so big in the grand scheme of the world— you are no more important than any other person and there is always room for growth. Travel truly humbles you.

2. You are never alone.

You’ll be amazed how easy it is to bond with other travelers.

Loneliness is a universal feeling; all humans have a desire to fit in, to belong, to have a tribe. One of the most important life lessons learned from traveling is that you are never alone in your feelings of loneliness, and at the same time, you are never truly alone.

Travel brings people together. Even when you’re traveling solo , all you have to do is smile at a stranger and ask a question to spark conversation. Before you know it, you’ll have friends to join you for dinner or tag along with you to the next city.

3. The friends you make abroad are friends for life.

There’s no stronger connection made than between two people who are out of their comfort zones, having the experience of a lifetime, in the same moment in time. While it’s easy to make friends while traveling , the friendships made are also solid ones.

Travel allows you to get to know people in their most vulnerable states, creating bonds that are difficult to break. The friends you make while traveling are often friends you will keep for life and will open doors to further travel opportunities.

4. Do the things that scare you.

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “Do one thing every day that scares you.” When we leap outside of our comfort zones, we have the ability to continuously learn, expand, and shift our perspectives.

Travel allows you the opportunity to constantly do things that scare you, whether that’s eating fried crickets or jumping out of a plane at 14,000 feet in the sky . Every one of these experiences teaches you something about yourself that you never knew before and allows you to push your boundaries.

5. Getting “lost” is relative.

Letting yourself wander can lead to some of the best moments.

One of the best parts of traveling is getting lost in a new place—wandering aimlessly down cobbled streets with no map, taking the train to the end of the line and exploring somewhere new, following your gut instead of your iPhone to show you hidden treasures.

What travel teaches you is that getting “lost” is relative. And in fact, when you find yourself somewhere unexpected, this is where the real adventure happens.

6. Go with the flow.

No matter how much you plan while traveling, it’s inevitable that at some point you’ll throw your plans out the window. Things won’t always go your way when traveling; sometimes that will look like a canceled flight, and other times it will look like falling in love with a new city and canceling that flight yourself.

To quote another great, John Lennon reflects that “life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” So forget the plans and let go of the schedule because travel teaches you to be impulsive and go with the flow.

7. Experiences far outweigh things.

When you’re living out of a backpack, sleeping under the stars, or spending hours on slow moving trains, you’ll find that you actually need very little to keep you happy. One of the most valuable life lessons learned from traveling is to place value on experiences over material things.

You don’t need fancy cars, a flashy wardrobe, or king-sized beds to bring you joy. In fact, the new experiences, exotic street foods, and late night conversations with new friends are what you’ll remember most while traveling.

8. Patience is the greatest virtue.

Be prepared to be unprepared.

Mishaps are inevitable while traveling. Whether that comes to you through a missed connecting flight, a train strike leaving you stranded in a foreign city, or a miscommunication while struggling with a new language, travel teaches you not to sweat the small stuff.

In the spirit of going with the flow, travel will teach you to deal with anything that’s thrown your way with patience.

9. There’s nothing more beautiful than Mama Earth.

Natural beauty around the world will take your breath away and leave you in awe, from snow-capped mountains to deep blue oceans to lush green rainforests and exotic wildlife, and everything in between.

You’ll also undoubtedly witness the heart break in earth’s ecosystem, the fragility of melting glaciers and dying coral reefs, the beaches and hiking trails covered in plastic waste . Both will give you a greater appreciation for the magic of Mama Earth and how precious her resources are.

10. Appreciate life’s simple pleasures.

Some of the best moments in travel could be sitting around a campfire telling stories with your travel mates, sharing a home cooked meal with locals, or having a hot shower after a day of wandering until your feet are caked in dirt.

These things don’t require elaborate plans or spending a lot of money. It’s one of the simplest life lessons learned from traveling—to be present with the people around you and indulge in your senses.

11. Just smile.

As a traveler, how could you ever run out of reasons to smile?

With over 7,000 languages spoken throughout the world, it’s incredible that there is one universal language: a smile. No matter who you are, where you’re from, or what language you speak, travel teaches you that smiling is the same everywhere.

It displays friendliness, gratitude, and helps you connect with those around you. When in doubt, offer a smile…and don’t be afraid to smile more often!

12. Think outside the box.

Travel opens your mind in more ways than one. When dealing with the inevitable mishaps that come with every travel experience (whether that is losing your luggage, getting sick with food poisoning, or struggling with the language), travel teaches you to deal with all kinds of situations by thinking outside the box.

You’ll become more innovative, adaptable, and gain problem-solving skills that will help you deal with anything life throws your way.

13. We are all the same.

Through travel, you have the ability to experience different cultures and see how other parts of the world live and operate. Yet what travel teaches you is that we’re not all that different. Humans all over the world appreciate connection and family above all else. And there is comfort knowing that no matter how or where we live our lives, we all have core values in common.

14. You can do ANYTHING.

Travel changes you. It makes you more confident and independent. It offers a freedom you can’t find anywhere else. It teaches you how to problem solve, make friends even in the loneliest times, navigate language barriers, and get through hard things. All in all, it teaches you that you are powerful and gives you the courage to do anything you set your mind to.

15. There’s no place like home.

The flight home is almost always a bittersweet moment.

Travel offers a completely new perspective on home. It may help you appreciate what you left behind and help you dig stronger roots to where you’re from. For others, it may reveal that you belong elsewhere and help you plant roots where you truly belong. No matter the outcome, travel teaches you there’s no place like home.

3 ways to start traveling

Are you ready to change your life? Here are some of the top programs to get you out of your comfort zone.

• Why it’s great: GVI is one of the top volunteer programs in the world, with opportunities to travel, learn, and volunteer with sustainable development projects across many countries. This program partners with international organizations all over the world, so you’ll have the ability to work alongside locals to make a difference, whether you want to volunteer at an elephant sanctuary in Thailand , in marine conservation in Seychelles , or conduct wildlife research in Costa Rica .
• Read GVI reviews

2. Intern Abroad HQ

• Why it’s great: If you’ve ever dreamed of gaining valuable work experience abroad, Intern Abroad HQ could be your answer. This program helps students, graduates, and young professionals jumpstart their dream careers through coordinating global custom internships. It’s one of the world’s largest international internship organizations and can open doors to work experience in every corner of the world and in every career path, from psychology to finance to advertising to teaching.
• Read Intern Abroad HQ reviews

3. International TEFL Academy

• Why it’s great: International TEFL Academy could be the first step in your career as a global citizen. This program offers TEFL certifications both online and in-country to help you gain the knowledge and experience to start teaching English abroad. Whether you want to make a little money to fund your travels or open the door to working across multiple continents, International TEFL Academy is committed to getting you abroad and immersed in local culture, all while funding your travel and making an impact.
• Read International TEFL Academy reviews

Get connected with 5 meaningful travel programs for FREE

Your life will feel full after traveling.

Traveling allows so much to gain and nothing to lose.

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or have yet to leave your hometown, there’s no doubt that traveling is the experience you need to make your life fuller. If you’re ready to learn, grow, and transform into a new and better version of yourself, let yourself catch the travel bug. It will teach you endless lessons about who you are as a person and what life is all about.

Find Deals on Meaningful Travel with a FREE MyGoAbroad Account

Explore Programs on GoAbroad.com

Related Articles

By Julia Zaremba | 7 hours ago

By Chris Kane | 7 hours ago

By GoAbroad Writing Team | 8 hours ago

Popular Searches

Study abroad programs in italy, study abroad programs in spain, marine biology study abroad programs, study psychology abroad, fall study abroad 2024, spring study abroad programs, recommended programs.

1685 reviews

International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]

1932 reviews

MAXIMO NIVEL

564 reviews

Intern Abroad HQ

2731 reviews

African Impact

For Travelers

Travel resources, for partners.

© Copyright 1998 - 2024 GoAbroad.com ®

• Study Abroad
• Volunteer Abroad
• Intern Abroad
• Teach Abroad
• TEFL Courses
• Degrees Abroad
• High School Abroad
• Language Schools
• Adventure Travel
• Jobs Abroad
• Online Study Abroad
• Online Volunteer Programs
• Online Internships
• Online Language Courses
• Online Teaching Jobs
• Online Jobs
• Online TEFL Courses
• Online Degree Programs

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

Links in this article may earn us a little money if you book/ order stuff. More here .

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!

• Compare flights on Skyscanner
• Check for Hotel Deals or Book A Hostel
• Get A Rental Car (depending on the destination)
• Research plug types and possibly get a travel adapter
• Go over our packing list

Pin it for later!

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Destinations

Privacy policy

Disclaimer & Affiliate Disclosure

Terms of use

© 2024 Creativlier Media Inc.

National Geographic content straight to your inbox—sign up for our popular newsletters here

• THE BIG IDEA

Why travel should be considered an essential human activity

Travel is not rational, but it’s in our genes. Here’s why you should start planning a trip now.

In 1961, legendary National Geographic photographer Volkmar Wentzel captured two women gazing at the surf off Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia. This and all the other images in this story come from the National Geographic image collection.

I’ve been putting my passport to good use lately. I use it as a coaster and to level wobbly table legs. It makes an excellent cat toy.

Welcome to the pandemic of disappointments. Canceled trips, or ones never planned lest they be canceled. Family reunions, study-abroad years, lazy beach vacations. Poof. Gone. Obliterated by a tiny virus, and the long list of countries where United States passports are not welcome.

Only a third of Americans say they have traveled overnight for leisure since March, and only slightly more, 38 percent, say they are likely to do so by the end of the year, according to one report. Only a quarter of us plan on leaving home for Thanksgiving, typically the busiest travel time. The numbers paint a grim picture of our stilled lives.

It is not natural for us to be this sedentary. Travel is in our genes. For most of the time our species has existed, “we’ve lived as nomadic hunter-gatherers moving about in small bands of 150 or fewer people,” writes Christopher Ryan in Civilized to Death . This nomadic life was no accident. It was useful. “Moving to a neighboring band is always an option to avoid brewing conflict or just for a change in social scenery,” says Ryan. Robert Louis Stevenson put it more succinctly: “The great affair is to move.”

What if we can’t move, though? What if we’re unable to hunt or gather? What’s a traveler to do? There are many ways to answer that question. “Despair,” though, is not one of them.

In this aerial view from 1967, wall-to-wall seaside sunbathers relax under umbrellas or on beach towels in Ocean City, Maryland .

A 1967 fall festival in Guadalajara, Mexico , starred traditionally costumed musicians and dancers.

We are an adaptive species. We can tolerate brief periods of forced sedentariness. A dash of self-delusion helps. We’re not grounded, we tell ourselves. We’re merely between trips, like the unemployed salesman in between opportunities. We pass the days thumbing though old travel journals and Instagram feeds. We gaze at souvenirs. All this helps. For a while.

We put on brave faces. “Staycation Nation,” the cover of the current issue of Canadian Traveller magazine declares cheerfully, as if it were a choice, not a consolation.

Today, the U.S. Travel Association, the industry trade organization, is launching a national recovery campaign called “ Let’s Go There .” Backed by a coalition of businesses related to tourism—hotels, convention and visitor bureaus, airlines—the initiative’s goal is to encourage Americans to turn idle wanderlust into actual itineraries.

The travel industry is hurting. So are travelers. “I dwelled so much on my disappointment that it almost physically hurt,” Paris -based journalist Joelle Diderich told me recently, after canceling five trips last spring.

(Related: How hard has the coronavirus hit the travel industry? These charts tell us.)

My friend James Hopkins is a Buddhist living in Kathmandu . You’d think he’d thrive during the lockdown, a sort-of mandatory meditation retreat. For a while he did.

But during a recent Skype call, James looked haggard and dejected. He was growing restless, he confessed, and longed “for the old 10-countries-a-year schedule.” Nothing seemed to help, he told me. “No matter how many candles I lit, or how much incense I burned, and in spite of living in one of the most sacred places in South Asia, I just couldn’t change my habits.”

When we ended our call, I felt relieved, my grumpiness validated. It’s not me; it’s the pandemic. But I also worried. If a Buddhist in Kathmandu is going nuts, what hope do the rest of us stilled souls have?

I think hope lies in the very nature of travel. Travel entails wishful thinking. It demands a leap of faith, and of imagination, to board a plane for some faraway land, hoping, wishing, for a taste of the ineffable. Travel is one of the few activities we engage in not knowing the outcome and reveling in that uncertainty. Nothing is more forgettable than the trip that goes exactly as planned.

Related: Vintage photos of the glamour of travel

Travel is not a rational activity. It makes no sense to squeeze yourself into an alleged seat only to be hurled at frightening speed to a distant place where you don’t speak the language or know the customs. All at great expense. If we stopped to do the cost-benefit analysis, we’d never go anywhere. Yet we do.

That’s one reason why I’m bullish on travel’s future. In fact, I’d argue travel is an essential industry, an essential activity. It’s not essential the way hospitals and grocery stores are essential. Travel is essential the way books and hugs are essential. Food for the soul. Right now, we’re between courses, savoring where we’ve been, anticipating where we’ll go. Maybe it’s Zanzibar and maybe it’s the campground down the road that you’ve always wanted to visit.

(Related: Going camping this fall? Here’s how to get started.)

James Oglethorpe, a seasoned traveler, is happy to sit still for a while, and gaze at “the slow change of light and clouds on the Blue Ridge Mountains” in Virginia, where he lives. “My mind can take me the rest of the way around this world and beyond it.”

It’s not the place that is special but what we bring to it and, crucially, how we interact with it. Travel is not about the destination, or the journey. It is about stumbling across “a new way of looking at things,” as writer Henry Miller observed. We need not travel far to gain a fresh perspective.

No one knew this better than Henry David Thoreau , who lived nearly all of his too-short life in Concord, Massachusetts. There he observed Walden Pond from every conceivable vantage point: from a hilltop, on its shores, underwater. Sometimes he’d even bend over and peer through his legs, marveling at the inverted world. “From the right point of view, every storm and every drop in it is a rainbow,” he wrote.

Thoreau never tired of gazing at his beloved pond, nor have we outgrown the quiet beauty of our frumpy, analog world. If anything, the pandemic has rekindled our affection for it. We’ve seen what an atomized, digital existence looks like, and we (most of us anyway) don’t care for it. The bleachers at Chicago ’s Wrigley Field; the orchestra section at New York City ’s Lincoln Center; the alleyways of Tokyo . We miss these places. We are creatures of place, and always will be.

After the attacks of September 11, many predicted the end of air travel, or at least a dramatic reduction. Yet the airlines rebounded steadily and by 2017 flew a record four billion passengers. Briefly deprived of the miracle of flight, we appreciated it more and today tolerate the inconvenience of body scans and pat-downs for the privilege of transporting our flesh-and-bone selves to far-flung locations, where we break bread with other incarnate beings.

Landscape architects work in their Rio de Janeiro, Brazil , studio in 1955.

A tourist photographs a towering century plant in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, in 1956.

In our rush to return to the world, we should be mindful of the impact of mass tourism on the planet. Now is the time to embrace the fundamental values of sustainable tourism and let them guide your future journeys. Go off the beaten path. Linger longer in destinations. Travel in the off-season. Connect with communities and spend your money in ways that support locals. Consider purchasing carbon offsets. And remember that the whole point of getting out there is to embrace the differences that make the world so colorful.

“One of the great benefits of travel is meeting new people and coming into contact with different points of view,” says Pauline Frommer, travel expert and radio host.

So go ahead and plan that trip. It’s good for you, scientists say . Plotting a trip is nearly as enjoyable as actually taking one. Merely thinking about a pleasurable experience is itself pleasurable. Anticipation is its own reward.

I’ve witnessed first-hand the frisson of anticipatory travel. My wife, not usually a fan of travel photography, now spends hours on Instagram, gazing longingly at photos of Alpine lodges and Balinese rice fields. “What’s going on?” I asked one day. “They’re just absolutely captivating,” she replied. “They make me remember that there is a big, beautiful world out there.”

Many of us, myself included, have taken travel for granted. We grew lazy and entitled, and that is never good. Tom Swick, a friend and travel writer, tells me he used to view travel as a given. Now, he says, “I look forward to experiencing it as a gift.”

Related Topics

• TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY
• VINTAGE PHOTOGRAPHY

You May Also Like

Don’t rely on social media: Here’s why you should keep a travel journal

How to take perfect portrait photos

For hungry minds.

What's new in London's museums ahead of King Charles III's Coronation

Explore 6 of history’s most infamous scams and hoaxes

We swapped baths for showers—but which one is better for you?

An antique process helps this photographer capture coastlines bound by Celtic soul

Humans really can have superpowers—scientists are studying them

• Environment
• Perpetual Planet

History & Culture

• History & Culture
• History Magazine
• Mind, Body, Wonder
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Your US State Privacy Rights
• Children's Online Privacy Policy
• Interest-Based Ads
• About Nielsen Measurement
• Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
• Nat Geo Home
• Attend a Live Event
• Book a Trip
• Inspire Your Kids
• Shop Nat Geo
• Visit the D.C. Museum
• Learn About Our Impact
• Support Our Mission
• Advertise With Us
• Customer Service
• Renew Subscription
• Manage Your Subscription
• Work at Nat Geo
• Sign Up for Our Newsletters
• Contribute to Protect the Planet

Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society Copyright © 2015-2024 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved

29 ways: Make your travel experience the best time of your life

1. go somewhere unexpected.

Pictured: Blagaj Tekke, Bosnia and Herzegovina. I visited one of the least popular tourist countries in Europe and it remains to this day to be one of my favourite places in the world.

2. Get in touch with nature

Pictured: Connemara, Ireland. I arrived in Dublin feeling rundown and in need of a new source of inspiration. So I hired a car and drove for 8 hours until I reached somewhere that just felt right.

3. Dance like no one’s watching

Pictured: Lisbon, Portugal. Sometimes I’ll find myself walking through a street or alleyway feeling such bliss that I can’t help but to bust out a move. Whatever you feel, go for it. Who do you know here anyway!?

4. Eat like the word diet was never invented

Pictured: Vienna, Austria. When I first started travelling the world full time I would think about maintaining a healthy diet and limit my treats. It wasn’t long before I gave into the universe and went with the ‘no-diet diet’ philosophy.

5. Get out and about at night

Pictured: Budapest, Hungary. One of my early mistakes when I started travelling was to do so much during the day time that I was always exhausted by around dinner time. After dinner I would crash into the couch and retire early…. but my how this has changed! Sometimes the best experiences start in the evenings – and it is often when the city you are visiting really comes to life.

6. Put down the map and get gloriously lost

Pictured: Lake Bled, Slovenia. Another early mistake I was guilty of was to plan each day like I was on a strict military schedule. I soon learned that the best way to experience each place was to just go with the flow and embrace the feeling of being lost.

7. Look for the colour in each day

Pictured: Prague, Czech Republic. Sometimes the best way to feel inspired by a place you are visiting is to scan the horizon or panorama for the colours. When you start seeing the colours, you let yourself embrace the lighter side of life.

8. Stop and think of the past as well as the present

Pictured: Fisherman’s Bastion, Budapest. While it is easy to visit a historic site or attraction and view it in the present day, it’s another thing to learn the history and story behind a place you are visiting and envisage it the way it was decades or hundreds of years ago.

9. Notice everything in between

Pictured: Big Ben from Trafalgar Square, London. When you look into the distance to ‘see’ something, consider looking at everything in a more three dimensional manner. Look at what’s immediately infront of you (traffic), beyond you in the distance (Big Ben), and everything in between (architecture).

10. Explore like a child

Pictured: Isle of Skye, Scotland. When you let yourself become a kid again, you enjoy the experience in a more child-like manner and see things in a different way. Climbing rocks to get a better view instead of looking at the scenery from the far away road led me to really enjoy the picturesque view and be a part of it, instead of being just another onlooker.

11. Indulge in the finer things, even if you wouldn’t normally

Pictured: A chateau for wine-tasting in Beaune, France. While I’m not typically a big alcohol enthusiast, I took it upon myself to indulge in a full day of wine tasting in the French countryside. The results were: crashing my bicycle for lack of co-ordination, learning more about the wine-making process, and visiting impressive chateaus.

12. Do whatever it takes to get a good photo

Pictured: Amsterdam, the Netherlands. When I took this photo in Amsterdam I was being watched by countless passers-by who were laughing at me set up a tripod, put my camera onto self-timer, and run into frame (12 times) before I had a photo I liked. Who’s the one laughing at the end of the day when you have an amazing memory to look back on that would have otherwise been confined to my eyes and never shared with the world.

13. Swap big cities for small towns

Pictured: Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic. After visiting the likes of Paris, Rome and Kiev on my first visit to Europe, I vouched to never again confine my visit to big cities – which after some time begin to blend into the same sort of experiences. Be brave and venture beyond the beaten path so you can discover hidden gems.

14. Stop to just take it all in

Pictured: Florence, Italy. Sometimes we see something we think looks pretty, take a photo, and continue along on our day. Why not just stop for a moment to appreciate the view, think about where you are, and live in the moment.

15. Don’t listen to the critics, go see for yourself

Pictured: Ghent, Belgium. When I asked a few friends who had travelled a lot around Europe whether I should visit Belgium and they all told me it was a boring country, I decided not to go. The next visit to Europe I decided that I still wanted to see the country so I went  and saw for myself — the results should speak for themselves.

16. Explore different neighbourhoods

Pictured: London, England. When I first visited London, I didn’t fall in love with the city. After telling people that I wasn’t fond of the city and seeing their stunned reactions, I decided to give it another chance. On my 2nd and 3rd visit to the city I stayed in different areas and found that it wasn’t London, it was the place I was staying initially. I’m now head over heels for the place!

17. Go to the same place at different times of the day

Pictured: Amsterdam, the Netherlands. If you visit a place you like to take photos, try re-visiting said place at a different time of day to see how this changes your photo. Here I re-visited the same bridge at sunset and achieved a much better photo later in the day.

18. Don’t let money be a factor

Pictured: Nyhaven, Copenhagen. I had always wanted to visit Denmark but had never put it on my agenda because I knew it was the most expensive city to visit in Europe. But when I finally decided to go anyway, I couldn’t have been more happy to be there. And yes, it was incredibly expensive!

19. Explore before the city wakes up

Pictured: Venice, Italy. Wonder how I manage to capture many of my images without people in them? The early bird gets the worm!

20. Dress up every once in a while

Pictured: Zagreb, Croatia. Particularly when you are a long term traveller, it is easy to get into the habit of dressing down. While this is undeniably the best way to travel (the less time you spend getting ready the more time you have to explore), sometimes it is nice to dress up and feel like a local!

21. No matter how remote it is, go anyway

Pictured: Peles Castle, Romania. For a long time Romania was a country I wanted to visit but after researching transportation to and from the country when in Europe, it always felt like it would be too much hassle to include into my itineraries. When I finally did decide to make room for it in my itinerary, I was blown away.

22. If a destination is becoming popular, there’s a reason why!

Pictured: Lisbon, Portugal. When I heard that Lisbon was fast becoming a new European favourite, I knew I had to go in an effort to beat the rush. After visiting, I’m convinced this will soon become one of the most visited cities in Europe – it’s a must see!

23. Travel solo at least once in your lifetime

Pictured: Countryside in Ireland. While solo travel isn’t for everyone, it is certainly something you should aim to experience once in your life. Solo travel has helped me to grow as a person, learn to stand on my own two feet, and learn to love myself and my life.

24. Take the opportunity to meet new people

Pictured: Bern, Switzerland. When I visited Switzerland earlier this year I had an invite from two readers for them to show me around the capital, Bern. Although I hadn’t originally planned on visiting, as I was only a couple hours away by train I chose to do so. They turned out to be two of the most lovely girls I had met on my travels – and they even shouted me an ice cream!

25. Step outside your comfort zone

Pictured: Bosnia & Herzegovina. When I told people I was travelling to Bosnia & Herzegovina, their reactions were one of confusion and sometimes concern. After visiting myself, I can honestly say there’s no country I have remembered more this year…. and I’m in a hurry to go back!

26. Try Everything!

Pictured: Juices in Barcelona, Spain. Everything from food to experiences should be tried if it is unique to a particular country or different to anything you have tried before. The weirder the better – you will remember it that way!

27. Become a history geek

Pictured: Berlin, Germany. Learning the history behind a country or city you are visiting will undoubtedly enrich your experience there. My personal favourite cities to visit to engage my history geek (I can assure you I’m an huuuuuge history buff) have been Berlin, Krakow, Kiev, and St Petersburg.

28. Buy Souvenirs you will keep

Pictured: Venice, Italy. I gave up purchasing souvenirs a long time ago… it was a natural evolution given the collection of snowballs on my desk was overflowing. Now, if I like a city enough, I buy something I know I will keep. This photo shows my venetian hat purchased on a hot and sunny spring day in the city of canals!

29. Live each day like its your last

Pictured: Venice, Italy. Travel opens our minds and hearts to some of the most incredible moments of our lives… make the most of it so you can go home with memories to last a lifetime.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Brooke is a 22 year old Australian who is travelling the world full time. Follow the journey on Instagram and Twitter .

Brooke Saward founded World of Wanderlust as a place to share inspiration from her travels and to inspire others to see our world. She now divides her time between adventures abroad and adventures in the kitchen, with a particular weakness for French pastries.

Find me on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

Los Angeles

Plan a trip

First trip solo

Packing guide

20 Best Places for Solo Female Travel

Travel after a break up

20 Places in your 20’s

WAYS TO TRAVEL

Solo travel

Adventure travel

Luxury travel

Learn a language

Become a blogger

You will be redirected to your dashboard shortly. We will also call you back in 24 hrs .

• 50 Amazing Travel Experiences Around The World

23 Mar 2023

Travel makes us wealthier. We see new places, meet new people, indulge in new activities. The experiences make us a different person. Travelling isn’t merely about stepping foot on a landmark, but also inhaling the essence of the very place. The culture and the beauty should grow in you.

So, if you are wondering how to go ahead with that, treat this list of most amazing travel experiences as your bible, and you wouldn’t have to maintain a travel bucket list!

Just sit back and scroll through!

1. Hike the Andes to reach Incan ruins of Machu Picchu, Peru

The Inca archaeological ruin of Machu Picchu is one of the Seven Wonders of the world. The trail is 4-day long taking you through some of country’s most beautiful landscapes.

Looking To Book An International Holiday?

Book memorable holidays on TravelTriangle with 650+ verified travel agents for 65+ domestic and international destinations.

Trip to Sri Lanka at Rs 13,500/-

Plan Your Vacation Today!

Trip to Singapore at Rs 20,499/-

Get Quotes From Local Experts

Mauritius Holiday Starting at Rs 65,000/-

Talk to Our Experts Today

Maldives Honeymoon Trip at Rs 39,800/-

Pay with easy EMI Option

Europe Trip at Rs 89,999/-

All Inclusive Deals

Vacation in Dubai at Rs 27,499/-

Hong Kong Holiday at Rs 24,999/-

Money Safe Guarantee

Thailand Holiday at Rs 7,999/-

Flights Excluded

See more at TRAVELTRIANGLE.COM

2. Ride hot-air balloon in Cappadocia, Turkey

The hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia is among major tourist attractions of Turkey. The ride takes you above a volcanic landscape and pleases you with golden sunset.

3. Release the lanterns in Yi Peng Festival, Thailand

Yi Peng Festival or the Lantern Festival is an important time of the year. Locals return to their home to celebrate this day with their families. They decorate houses and streets, and release sky lanterns, which is symbolic of letting go all the misfortunes.

4. Enjoy a hot spring bath in Blue Lagoon, Iceland

The geothermal spa, Blue Lagoon, is located in a lava field. With steam released from its blue waters, it looks nothing less than a dream paradise.

5. Behold the Northern Lights from Glass Igloo in Finland

Northern Lights obviously is found in many people’s bucket list, but watching Aurora Borealis right from the comfort of your bed, in a luxurious glass igloo is an experience to cherish!

Suggested Read: Glass Igloo In Finland: A Dream Stay That Must Be In Your Bucketlist

6. Spend nights with the penguins in Antarctica’s Emperor Camp

Image Source

Who doesn’t want to visit Antarctica?! The cherry of the top is added when you’re spending nights in the camps amidst several friendly emperor penguins.

7. Go glamping and wildlife viewing in Masai Mara, Kenya

Kenya is considered the pilgrim for wildlife lovers. Right from game viewing to luxurious glamping experiences, you have everything sorted if you are a wild child!

8. Clink scintillating wine glasses amidst the vineyards of Tuscany, Italy

When we say wine, Tuscanian fields flashes right in front of our eyes. Italian wine already has made the world go gaga, but sipping the native wines amidst the vineyards, during a beautiful sunset will spell out Nirvana for you.

9. Scale the highest peak in the world – Mount Everest, Nepal

You must have hiked all your life, but have you thought of reaching the peak of world’s tallest peak? Well if you haven’t, consider it the milestone! But make sure you have sufficient experience and are guided by an expert on your expedition.

Suggested Read: Everest Base Camp Trek: A Guide To A Journey Of A Lifetime

10. Celebrate La Tomatina in Spain

After ZNMD, our travel goals have found a true meaning. People smash tomatoes around like crazy and then head to the bars for an after party. This festival takes place on the last wednesday of August in Valencian town of Buñol.

11. Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge in Australia

We have seen the Opera House from different angles, but this one is what you will earn. Climbing at the Sydney Harbour bridge is a sport, something that gives you a 360 degree view of the city.

12. Explore the marine wonderland in The Great Barrier Reef, Australia

If you ask where the most beautiful seabed is, the answer has to be the Great Barrier Reef. Spread across an area of 2,300 km, this marine wonderland consists of over a thousand reefs and hundred islands.

13. Walk the Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China is in fact one of world’s most talked-about tourist attraction. And to walk through the Wall isn’t suggested because of its hype. There are different regions, most of which aren’t even known to tourists, which you can explore and where you can indulge in various amazing adventure.

Suggested Read: Crazy Adventures You Need To Try At The Great Wall of China

14. Behold the Taj Mahal on a full-moon night in India

The Taj Mahal needs no introduction, as we have often seen people posting photographs with the Taj in cliche poses. But to go off the beaten track, you have to behold this masterpiece during a full moon, when the Taj Mahal seems to slightly change its hues complementing the moonlight.

15. Cliff dive off the tallest waterfall in the world, Angel Falls in Venezuela

Don’t say you’re a daredevil if you cannot do this one. Free falling off the tallest waterfall in the world requires more than just inspiration.

16. Dare to dive with the sharks in South Africa

Shark Cage Diving is among the craziest adventure activities. You wear the scuba suit, get inside a cage, and come face to face with the ferocious and furious sharks. These sharks may as well attack you, but you’re in the cage, but it still needs sheer courage to be an inch close to the sharp teeth of this creature.

17. Feel at the top of the world from the top floor of Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the tallest building in the world

Burj Khalifa in Dubai isn’t merely for show sake. The Observation Deck of this building will give you a breathtaking view from a height of 555 meters. This may also be a nightmare for the people with a fear of heights.

Suggested Read: Burj Khalifa: The Tallest Building In The World

18. Surf in the Surfing Capital of Canada, Tofino

Tofino is one of the best places in the world for surfing regardless of how experienced you are. This destination welcomes surfers all year round.

19. Tour the glowing caves of Waitomo, New Zealand

The Waitomo Caves in New Zealand looks like a fairyland with thousands of glow-worms illuminating the dark corners. A boat ride through Waitomo will captivate you.

Suggested Read: Walk Into The Dreamy World Of Waitomo Glowworm Caves, It’s Magical!

20. Try your luck in Las Vegas, USA

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but if you have your luck by your side what you win in Vegas will go home with you too!

Suggested Read: Honeymoon In Vegas: Must Experiences For Unforgettable Memories!

21. Ride the camels and mules in Petra, Jordan

The rugged lands of Petra is explored in many ways, but riding the mules and camels will have you travel back in time as well.

Suggested Read: Petra Caves In Jordan: A Rose-Red City Half As Old As Time

22. Chug finest beers in the world in Oktoberfest, Germany

This is unmissable for all the beer-lovers! The Oktoberfest is world’s largest Volksfest that’s not just about beer, but also parades, music and sumptuous food.

23. Smoke freshly-rolled cigars in Havana, Cuba

There is no vibe as the Cuban vibe. Let alone half, all of your heart will be in Havana oh nana! The Cuban cigars is of the utmost quality in the world. The hand-rolled cigars of Cuba go through as much as 222 different processes in order to be ready to be smoked.

24. Take a bike trip from Delhi to Leh, India

The surreal land of Ladakh can be pleasing and beautiful, but there’s also a rugged side to it that challenges even the toughest bikers. A bike ride from Delhi to Leh, Ladakh is picturesque, challenging and allows you to live life and travel in your own terms.

Suggested Read: Leh Ladakh Bike Trip: Everything You Need To Know From The Scratch

25. Walk on the salt flats of Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

Often mistaken to be an optical illusion, the salt flats of Salar de Uyuni is world’s largest salt flat that’s spread across an area of 10,582 square kilometers.

26. Glance at the Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

The Egyptian pyramids have the power to move you with its secrets and history. There is so much to learn about the history, each of the aspect is intriguing in every sense.

27. Take a long drive through the Garden Route, South Africa

What’s a long drive, if you aren’t meandering through shoreline, drifting past or stopping by national parks en route, or landmarks, and gardens?!

Planning your holiday but confused about where to go? These travel stories help you find your best trip ever!

Real travel stories. Real stays. Handy tips to help you make the right choice.

Ramya Narrates The Story Of 6 Girls On An Extraordinary Trip To Thailand

Bangkok. Phi Phi. Krabi. Why should guys have all the fun?

Sandeep Illustrates On The Best Activities For A Family Trip To Mauritius

Water sports. Cocktail parties. And unlimited fun at Casela.

Nisarg Can't Stop Praising His Honeymoon Trip To Maldives

There was snorkeling, sightseeing, luxury, comfort, & much more!

Sabyacsachi's Romantic Trip Proves Europe To Be The Mother Of All Vacations

For Art, Culture, Luxury, & more...

Srishti Talks Of Her Amazing Trip To Singapore With Her Mother & Niece

A fun-filled destination for ages indeed!

67-Year Old Sridhar Tells How He Beat The Odds & Took A Solo Trip To Dubai

Desert safari. Burj Khalifa. Welcoming locals. Tell me more!

Not Adventure Lovers? Saurabh's Family Trip Proves Hong Kong To Still Be Full Of Fun

Your kids will love Disney Land & Ocean Park!

Ravi's Tale Of A Sri Lanka Family Tour Is All You Need To Know About Ramayana Tour

For the love of Ramayana & Travel!

28. Rejuvenate and pamper yourself with authentic Ayurveda spa treatments in Kerala, India

The age old legacy, Ayurveda finds its route in India, and Kerala is considered to be among the best places to an Ayurvedic treatment or therapy.

29. Enjoy the Full Moon Parties in Thailand

Your definition of nightlife will change drastically when you will attend the hypnotic full and half moon parties of Thailand. Hosted by the beach, these parties are nothing less than extravaganza filled with music, booze and dance.

Suggested Read: Full Moon Party In Thailand Is Going To Be Beach Madness At Its Loudest

30. Bathe, feed and spend good time with the adorable elephants in Chiang Mai, Thailand

The adorable creatures called elephants are friendly undoubtedly. But if you have been thinking of spending more time with these creatures in a safe environment, then Chiang Mai is the best place. You get to feed, bathe, play around with elephants in the orphanage.

31. Escape to Maldives with the one you love

One of the top honeymoon destinations in the world, Maldives will bewitch you with its turquoise and calm ocean waters. The luxury follows you as you spend the best of time in your majestic overwater villas.

Suggested Read: 28 Best Islands In Maldives For Honeymoon For An Instant Cupid-Strike

32. Dine in the Parisian landmark, Eiffel Tower in France

Paris, mainly the Eiffel Tower, is the synonym of love. Having a romantic feast in a lovely restaurant looking over this beautifully lit landmark is your very own fairytale moment.

Suggested Read: 10 Most Romantic Restaurants In Paris You Must Visit At Least Once

33. Strike a pose in front of the Petronas Tower in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Standing tall and strong, the Petronas is the tallest twin towers in the world. And when in Malaysia you have to click a picture with this landmark. And if you seek something more, head over to its Observation Deck for a soulful view of the Kuala Lumpur City.

34. Dare to walk at a height of 260 meters above ground, on the Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge in China

Walk 260 meters above the ground crossing a glass bridge in the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon of China. Don’t look down or you’ll be crept with fear all over your body.

35. Feast on breakfast with the view in the white paradise of Santorini, Greece

Santorini’s stunning white village is an instagram-worthy landscape. But a nice Greek breakfast savored amidst this very vista is sheer travel goals.

36. Cruise the canal city of Venice onboard a gondola in Italy

One thing that Italy is most famous for is the Gondola of Venice. Sailing you past legendary landmarks and quite canals, the rower will sing folk songs to you to add that Italian touch.

37. Spend a night on-board a houseboat anchored on Dal Lake in Kashmir, India

Dal Lake is something that India is proud of. Sky soaring Himalayan peak coupled with tranquility make it a lovely escape. You may want to live for a longer period, so why not spend the night away in the traditionally built luxurious houseboats?!

Suggested Read: Magical Colors Of Srinagar’s Dal Lake That Change Every Season: In Pics

38. Enjoy the views of London from London Eye in England

The London Eye on the embankments of Thames consists of luxurious glass capsules that let you behold 360 degree view of the great English city.

39. Challenge yourself by base jumping off the Sky Tower of Auckland, New Zealand

Ever wanted to be a bird flying above a concrete jungle? Well, base jump off the iconic Sky Tower in New Zealand will make your dreams come true!

40. Swim in the iconic infinity pool of Singapore with jaw-dropping views of the city

The illusional infinity pool of Singapore will give you the shots that spark envy!

41. Amble through the Vatican Museums in Italy

Renaissance art aficionados! This is it! The Vatican City is bejeweled with museums which not only house masterpieces, but are masterpieces themselves.

42. Live up the night for more than 24 hours, with the startling phenomenon called Polar Night in Alaska, USA

‘Wishing this night never fades’ – Well, experience your dream coming true in Alaska. Here, in a particular time of the year, the Sun doesn’t come above the horizon, resulting in 24 hours of night light.

43. Go dune bashing in the deserts of Dubai, UAE

Dubai’s dune bashing doesn’t merely mean off roading. You have a cultural extravaganza awaiting you. A night desert safari will get you acquainted with local culture through its food, belly dance performaces and more.

44. Watch the dreamy pink lake, Lake Hillier in Australia

You must have seen lakes around the world, but if you haven’t seen the pink lake what are you even doing with your life?!

45. Live the reel life while taking the Game of Thrones Tour in Dubrovnik, Croatia

This is for all the GOT fans who always wanted to live the reel life. Most of the scenes are shot in Dubrovnik and you can actually go for a Game of Thrones tour here.

46. Get on cloud nine while skydiving in Wollongong, Australia

Skydiving is great! But skydiving in Wollongong is the best!

47. Celebrate the festival of colors, Holi in Vrindavan, India

The Festival of Colors, Holi is celebrated in all of India, and even around the world. But Vrindavan’s holi is considered the most colorful, craziest and picture-perfect.

48. Let the child in you come alive yet again in Disney World, Hong Kong

Meet your favorite Disney characters, shop for Disney goodies, and ride the movie-themed rides. If that’s not enough, live the night away in Disney resort in Disney World.

Suggested Read: Disneyland In Hong Kong: A Tailor-Made Guide To Endless Fun For Everyone!

49. Forget about the night sky in Iqaluit, Canada

Remember we talked about Polar Nights, well this one is the exact opposite. The sun here just won’t set!

50. Live life at the edge by staying for a night in the Skylodge, hanging 1200 feet above ground on a cliff in Peru

Ditch the traditional stays, and spend a beautiful night in Skylodge in Peru, a capsule hung on a 1,200 feet tall cliff.

Further Read: Skylodging In Peru: Camping While Hanging Off A 1,200 Feet Cliff

Which of these amazing travel experiences struck the chord for you?! plan a Trip with TravelTriangle without wasting a moment and make the best memories of your life.

Looking To Book A Holiday Package?

Spellbinding Cochin Family Tour 2D/1N Package @ Rs 2,750

Plan your trip today!

Himachal Family Tour Package 4D/3N @ Rs 8,750

Get quotes from multiple travel experts.

Exciting Andaman Family Trip 5D/4N @ Rs 10,250

Compare & customize quotes before booking.

Gangtok & Darjeeling Tour Package 5D/4N @ Rs 13,000

Have Questions? Talk to our travel experts today.

Wonderful Goa Family Package 3D/2N @ Rs 6,500

Best prices guaranteed.

Riveting Rajasthan Vacation 3D/2N Package @ Rs 6,499

EMI option available.

Enchanting Uttarakhand Tour 4D/3N Package @ Rs 7,199

Explore best destinations with our experts.

Delightful South Weekend Tour 3D/2N Package @ Rs 4,999

Thrilling weekend full of fun.

Marvelous Gujarat Tour 3D/2N Package @ Rs 4,999

Talk to our experts today.

People Also Read

Youngest Globetrotter To Travel Travelling With Your Mom Travel Etiquettes

Recent Posts

17 Meilleures destinations de lune de miel en Italie en 2024 pour les couples fous amoureux

10 Fabuleux endroits à visiter en Europe en juillet 2023 pour des vacances que vous n’oublierez jamais.

7 Nouvelles merveilles du monde: édition 2024!

2024 में अपनी घूमने की लालसा को संतुष्ट करने के लिए 37 दुनिया में मार्च में घूमने की जगहें

2024 में 40 सबसे रोमांटिक आपके बजट में अंतर्राष्ट्रीय हनीमून स्थल

2023 में आपकी छुट्टियों के लिए 32 बजट अंतर्राष्ट्रीय यात्राएँ जिनकी कीमत आपको एक आई – फ़ोन से भी कम होगी

Trending Blogs

20 Mysterious Places In India To Visit In 2023 More Bizarre Than The Bermuda Triangle

10 Scariest Roads In India That Are A Driver’s Nightmare

101 Places To Visit In India Before You Turn 30 in 2024

35 Exotic Places To Visit In December In India 2024 To Enjoy A Surreal Vacation

60 Best Honeymoon Destinations In India In 2024

95 Best Honeymoon Destinations In The World In 2023 For A Romantic Escape!

Best Places To Visit In India By Month

Best places to visit outside india by month.

• TravelTriangle
• International »
• Tour Packages
• Honeymoon Packages
• Family Packages
• Budget Tour Packages
• Luxury Tour Packages
• Adventure Tour Packages
• Group Tour Packages
• Kerala Tour Packages
• Goa Tour Packages
• Andaman Tour Packages
• Sikkim Tour Packages
• Himachal Tour Packages
• Uttarakhand Tour Packages
• Rajasthan Tour Packages
• Tour Packages From Delhi
• Tour Packages From Mumbai
• Tour Packages From Bangalore
• Tour Packages From Chennai
• Tour Packages From Kolkata
• Tour Packages From Hyderabad
• Tour Packages From Ahmedabad
• Kerala Tourism
• Goa Tourism
• Sikkim Tourism
• Andaman Tourism
• Himachal Tourism
• Uttarakhand Tourism
• Rajasthan Tourism
• Hotels in Kerala
• Hotels in Goa
• Hotels in Sikkim
• Hotels in Andaman
• Hotels in Himachal
• Hotels in Uttarakhand
• Hotels in Rajasthan

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

Her Packing List

Trip Planning

Sharing your travel story to inspire & empower others.

The following is a guest post by Carrie Hokanson.

If you’d like to share your story by blogging, here is our guide: How to Start a Travel Blog

Riding camels in North Africa and petting elephants in Southeast Asia. Long nights and early mornings at Spanish Botellones and salsa bars. Tenting on a rooftop in Nepal, surrounded by 360 degrees of Himalayan Mountains. Holding baby crocodiles in Australia…

The Taj Mahal, Mount Everest , La Alhambra, the Eiffel Tower, the Coliseum, Buckingham Palace. Museums and castles and parks and rivers and oceans and coffee shops and hostels.

These are all actual experiences I have had over the years. As fun and wonderful as they all were, sometimes it is difficult to share about those experiences once I am “back to reality.”

What happens when you come home? What do you do when the dust settles, you’ve unpacked your suitcase , shown off your souvenirs, and— gasp —everyone moves on with life, regardless of the fact that you’ve been forever changed, completely transformed by the experiences you had overseas?

How do you put words to your experiences?

This re-entry season is hard for anyone who has traveled, no matter how short or long. Here are some ways to help you both during and after your travels to experience your trip fully and better share those experiences with others.

During Your Travels

Remember three things:

When you travel, it is easy to devote your attention to all the major landmarks like the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower. Don’t forget the accordion player by that crepe place you love. What’s his story?

And the locks along the bridge of the Seine. How many lovers have thrown their keys into the river below?

Engage every sense: the sound of leaves crunching beneath your feet as you mosey through the bright hues of the open-air market; the smell of fresh-baked bread; the taste of sparkling wine bubbling in your mouth.

Take it all in, which leads to the next step…

2. Experience

This seems like a given, but it is amazing how many people get caught up with following an itinerary or capturing everything on camera that they actually miss out on the experience itself!

Don’t overlook the little surprises, the subtle gifts, and the impromptu moments that can mean more than the schedule.

Take time to get away and process, however that looks for you: journaling , drawing, meditating. Try writing yourself a postcard from every city you visit, recording a memory, feeling, or experience you had there.

Remember people you met and off-the-beaten path excursions you took.

Years from now, you will want to be able to look back on more than a souvenir spoon or magnet.

As time passes, you’ll find there are memories that stick out more than others, but unfortunately, a million tiny ones that are lost forever. How will you capture those? I say write about it daily. It’s also good to process your experiences with someone traveling with you, like a classmate or friend.

After Your Trip

Your story matters and you have to tell it

As difficult as it can be at times, you have to share your story. Your story gives voice and life to actual people and places around the globe. Your story can change lives and empower others.

Here are some ways to share your story:

Travel has a way of teaching you about the world and yourself. Few experiences offer the chance for self-discovery the way traveling does. Take time before, during, and after your trip to process your thoughts and feelings toward the experience and yourself.

Before you leave, ask yourself some questions:

• What are my goals for this trip?
• What do I want to get out of it?
• Who do I want to become?

Examine the emotions you’re feeling. Write these things down or sketch them out. It is amazing to go back and read about the you before you left and who you became through the process.

During your trip, follow the observe, experience, reflect suggestions listed above. Continue processing your thoughts, emotions, and reactions throughout and after your trip.

Small Group

Meet one-on-one with friends over coffee or brunch to discuss your travels. Don’t wait for people to approach you about it, invite them first.

Often when someone returns from a trip, her friends assume she is so tired from traveling or busy seeing other people, they back off. Then the traveler feels like no one wants to hear about her trip and decides to not talk about it among friends. Take the initiative; you’ve traveled the world, sister, you can set up a happy hour date!

Throw a dinner party where everyone has a chance to share about their experiences and look through photos. You can even serve local cuisine from the places you traveled, or try a potluck where everyone brings food from a different location around the globe. The key is inviting people into your story and experiences.

Large Group

Nowadays it’s easier than ever to document your travels and keep people at home up to date on what’s happening where you are. Not only is internet more accessible in more places than before, but apps like Instagram and Twitter make on-the-go journalism simple.

Blogging during your trip makes it easier for friends and family at home to keep up with your journey and feel like they are experiencing it with you.

• Check out HPL’s guide on How to Start a Travel Blog

This also makes a difference when you come home. It can be too overwhelming for both you and your friend to try to sum up your entire trip in one sitting. A friend keeping up with your experience will be able to ask specific questions regarding your trip and you will be able to go into greater detail about things without having to give a long back story.

Keep Sharing

When you return from your trip, don’t stop blogging! Blogging is a great way to reach a wide audience, and connect with people you may not otherwise rub shoulders with. There are plenty of opportunities to guest post for other blogs and online publications.

There are always more stories, reflections, and memories to be shared. You may find yourself years after you’ve returned using a story from your travels as a metaphor for something going on in your life in the present. You never know what lessons you will continue learning from your time abroad long after you are home.

You will soon discover that your experiences and how they affect you will unfold slowly and all at once, for years and in a single moment.

• Read Brooke’s story of how travel changed her relationship with belongings .

Consider speaking for organizations, institutions, etc., that have to do with your experience.

• Go on a mission trip ? Talk to a church or youth group.
• Volunteer with a non-profit? Arrange a speaking engagement with that nonprofit and other nonprofits that support similar causes.
• If you studied abroad , check with your university or third-party provider about opportunities to become a peer-mentor for prospective study abroad students, or to speak at an informational session.

The most important part is to be present wherever you are. Whether it’s a wine bar in Spain or a coffee shop in Austin , be honest—with yourself and those around you— and live life fully.

Don’t stop sharing your story —you never know just who needs to hear it.

About the Author: Carrie Hokanson is a silver-lining realist, both dreamer and doer. A writer in Austin, Texas, she’s been around the world and back again, making jokes and telling stories along the way. She also believes in giving a voice to those who have been silenced. Carrie is the Business Development Manager for Millennium Tours, and uses her storytelling and marketing skills to get people off the couch and into a full life. See what’s tweetin: @carriehokie .

Pin these to your favorite boards

More posts you may like

Ultralight Packing List: I Traveled for 3 Weeks with a 12L Handbag

Staying Connected: How to Use Your Phone While Traveling Abroad

43 Essential Apps You Need When Traveling

Female Travel Safety Advice: Listen or Ignore?

Gear we use.

Speakeasy Hidden Pocket Scarves

Splice Reversible Jaisalmer Tunic

Eagle Creek Compression Packing Cubes

Tom Bihn 3D Organizer Cube

Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Daypack

Turkish Travel Towels

Travel resources, hpl learnables.

H PL Packing Method – Learn to pack your lightest bag ever in this revolutionary packing course by HPL founder, Brooke.

Book Your Trip

Viator – Enhance your trip experience by booking from thousands of tours across the globe.

Booking.com – Search for hotels, hostels, and apartments using this one resource. Use it for flights, car rentals, and airport taxis as well.

Trusted Housesitters – Save money on travel accommodation by becoming a housesitter. Housesitters often have extra duties, like caring for pets and gardens.

Reader Interactions

January 27, 2014 at 1:46 am

I think the reminder to EXPERIENCE the trip is a good one. Like you mentioned you can get too caught up in following an itinerary, or taking a picture to post to instagram or later for a blog post that sometimes you forget to take the time to be present and actually soak in and experience the trip. I’ve found myself guilty of this and have to remember to live in the moment for what it is and not just to document it.

February 12, 2014 at 3:33 pm

Absolutely, Tiffany! If all we wanted was a digital, social media experience, why would we ever get off the couch? The experience is the adventure! Here’s to being present wherever you are!

March 7, 2018 at 3:38 am

I have a food blog and will start to share also my travel experiences with the main objective to share good vegetarian food options in places I visit.

Leave A Reply Cancel reply

What I've Learned From Traveling With Chronic Pain

By Kinza Shenn

“Savannah is a pretty place to be in pain,” I decided—although my judgment on everything was colored by that last part. While visiting Georgia from London earlier this spring on my way to a media summit in Charleston , I spent my days in Savannah aboard riverboats, in caught-in-time parlors, and walking through leafy city squares. I saw the famous oak trees and how they glow with Spanish moss and light. The movement of the moss in the breeze is slow, melodic, and lulling like wind chimes—but not enough to distract from the burning sensation driving through my spine and shoulders. The pain never really goes away; in my life, every beautiful landscape seems colored by my body’s desire to return home and lie down.

My pain is well traveled. It has visited temples in Shanghai and laid under the stars in the Sahara. It has dressed up for Viennese balls, and writhed in mosh pits across the world. My body and I have different ideas of what constitutes a good time, and used to fight about it. We have grown up together: I inexplicably developed chronic pain at age 12; a hypermobility spectrum disorder seems to be the problem, I recently came to find out at age 30.

Little effort was made to investigate the problem in the years between. But as pain sealed itself into my moment-by-moment experience, I lost my perception that the two had ever been separable. My bed was my haven as a child, a fold where I could vanish from life’s stress. My love for that sanctuary grew stronger as I aged, and needing to lie down on account of my pain was a welcome excuse to dwell there. My body feels agony after hours of sitting or standing. Lying in bed has always helped immensely. We marvel at the notion that we spend a third of our lives asleep in bed; I have spent an inordinate amount of life in mine.

Erasure lost its shine, however, once I reflected on my twenties from their other side. It's painful and exhausting for me to travel, and so I do it less than other travel professionals—but the cost is outweighed by the privilege of meeting the world.

I have an affinity for highway gas stations : The vast, transitory state of the landscape, the road’s vehicular makeup shifting every moment, heatwaves streaming like a body of water all overwhelm me with the joy of pursuit, of velocity. I write a lot about America, and America means road —and being uncomfortable in a car. It took six hours to drive to Atlanta from Savannah in bad traffic. My back felt like a cinder, glowing red inside. But because I arrived an hour later than I had planned, I only had 15 minutes to settle in before I had to be somewhere. This drained to two minutes after steaming my clothes and getting dressed. I lay on my hotel bed for a brief moment; floating, mind and body drifting apart in a familiar bliss. Now I was five minutes late, and the car was waiting. Half of me needed to leave, the other needed to stay. The choice is always bittersweet.

I joined a group of other journalists downstairs for a guided tour of the city, its glass towers, and painted porches. After dinner, I separated from the others to check out a festival of Atlanta’s DIY music scene: bedroom musicians playing noise rock to a small, ballistic crowd. On the luminous grounds of Georgia Institute of Technology, I met people I had only spoken to before on Discord chat servers from my bed; I threw my body into strangers with a kind of faith that inspired fist bumps when the crowd dispersed. Like traveling, moshing confronts me with my physical and psychical helplessness; it also gives me a sense of freedom. I try to find mosh pits wherever I travel, as they are refreshingly shameless. The crowds’ erraticism reminds me that our bodies all carry invisible agony of some form. Who lives, who travels, unscathed?

I wandered off campus and down Georgia Tech’s fraternity row with a new friend, and then on to the nearest Waffle House, the late night institution filled with college kids and yellow light. Then, finally, back to my hotel at 2:30 a.m. The pain was there when I woke up, as it is all mornings, just hotter this time after such an active, long day. After years of searing aches, I no longer feel indignant when I surface in this state: As I matured into acceptance of my reality, another pain, maybe a more heartfelt one, finally abated. Now, there is more room in my body—and alongside pain, I hold Turkish coffee and mountain breezes, the azure Red Sea, a Paris gray with snow. There is my burning spine, and there is August in Seville .

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Traveller. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

You can escape the downtown Nashville crowds here: Local hidden gems

From overlooked roadside attractions to offbeat museums and obscure natural wonders, Local Hidden Gems will showcase some of the unique and unexpected treasures that make America extraordinary. We will emphasize charm, surprise and delight.

Local hidden gem:  Radnor Lake, Nashville

Downtown Nashville, among the city’s most popular tourist destinations, is known for its symphony of twangy guitars emanating from the windows of honky tonks . But visitors who are looking for some peace and quiet don’t have to go far.

Radnor Lake State Natural Area and State Park , about a 25-minute drive from Lower Broadway, offers a far more muted soundtrack courtesy of its wildlife. That includes owls, waterfowl, otters and more throughout its 1,389 acres (and counting).

Roughly 10 miles from Nashville’s urban center, Radnor feels a world away. You could spend much of the day there if you want, but it’s just as easy to duck in for a quick walk or find a place to perch and watch the water.

Learn more: Best travel insurance

Radnor is free to visit and open all year from 6 a.m. until 20 minutes after sunset. The park offers more than seven miles of hiking trails flanked by wildflowers, mosses and fungi. Visitors can also jog, ride bikes and stroll with pets where there is asphalt or gravel.

Local hidden gem: A perfect symbol of resistance in New York

The park’s Barbara J. Mapp Aviary Education Center – a short hike from nearby parking areas – hosts open houses on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Self-guided tours offer a chance to see birds of prey, snakes and turtles.

Pro tip: Parking can fill up quickly, so consider taking a rideshare.

Address: 1160 Otter Creek Road, Nashville, TN 37220

More information: https://tnstateparks.com/parks/radnor-lake

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Did You Make Your Connecting Flight? You May Have A.I. to Thank.

Airlines are using artificial intelligence to save fuel, keep customers informed and hold connecting flights for delayed passengers. Here’s what to expect.

By Julie Weed

Last month in Chicago, a United Airlines flight to London was ready to depart, but it was still waiting for 13 passengers connecting from Costa Rica. The airline projected they’d miss the flight by seven minutes. Under normal circumstances, they’d all be scrambling to rebook.

But thanks to a new artificial-intelligence-powered tool called ConnectionSaver, the jet was able to wait for them — their checked bags, too — and still arrive in London on time. The system also sent text messages to the late-arriving passengers and the people on the waiting jet to explain what was happening.

A.I. still might not be able to find space for your carry-on, but it could help put an end to the 40-gate dash — sprinting to catch your connecting flight before the door slams shut — as well as other common travel headaches.

It’s not just United. Alaska Airlines , American Airlines and others have been working to develop new A.I. capabilities that could make flying easier for passengers. The carriers are also using the technology to reduce costs and streamline operations, including saving fuel, said Helane Becker, an airline industry analyst for the investment bank TD Cowen . Although many of the airlines are developing their programs independently, a successful innovation by any carrier could possibly become an industry standard.

A.I. is poised to change almost every aspect of the customer flying experience, from baggage tracking to personalized in-flight entertainment, said Jitender Mohan, who works with travel and hospitality clients at the technology consulting company WNS .

Saving fuel and frustration

A.I. has been helping Alaska Airlines dispatchers plan more efficient routes since 2021. “It’s like Google maps, but in the air,” explained Vikram Baskaran, vice president for information technology services at the carrier.

Two hours before a flight, the system reviews weather conditions, any airspace that will be closed, and all commercial and private flight plans registered with the Federal Aviation Administration, to suggest the most efficient route. The A.I. takes in “an amount of information no human brain could process,” said Pasha Saleh, the corporate development director and a pilot for Alaska.

In 2023, about 25 percent of Alaska flights used this system to shave a few minutes off flight times. Those efficiencies added up to about 41,000 minutes of flying time and half a million gallons of fuel saved, Mr. Baskaran said.

On the ground, American Airlines and others are working on an A.I.-powered system American calls Smart Gating — sending arriving aircraft to the nearest available gate with the shortest taxiing time, and if the scheduled arrival gate is in use, quickly determining the best alternate gate. All this could mean fewer frustrating minutes spent waiting on the tarmac.

American introduced Smart Gating at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in 2021 and now employs it at six airports, including Chicago O’Hare and Miami International. The airline estimates it saves 17 hours a day in taxi time and 1.4 million gallons of jet fuel a year.

Mr. Mohan said that using A.I. as a virtual parking attendant could save up to 20 percent of taxiing time, with the highest benefits seen at the largest airports.

Faster and better customer service

Rapidly evolving generative A.I. — think ChatGPT — is helping airlines communicate with passengers better. At United, a companywide challenge last year yielded a plan to make texts sent to fliers more specific about what’s causing delays. Passengers can get frustrated when flights are delayed with no explanation, said Jason Birnbaum, United’s chief information officer.

But tracking the details required, composing an appropriate message and sending it to the right people for 5,000 flights a day would be too much for the staff to handle, Mr. Birnbaum said. Generative A.I. can process all that data and create messages tailored to conditions. For example, passengers booked on a January United flight from San Francisco to Tucson received this text message, along with a new departure time and an apology: “Your inbound aircraft is arriving late due to airport runway construction in San Francisco that limited the number of arrivals and departures for all airlines earlier.”

Having a more detailed explanation can calm travelers’ nerves. Jamie Larounis, a travel industry analyst who flies about 150,000 miles a year, recalled receiving text messages last summer explaining that a storm and a related crew-scheduling problem had delayed his flight from Chicago. “Getting a specific reason for the delay made me feel like the airline had things under control,” he said.

Generative A.I. is also good at summarizing text, making it a powerful tool for wading through emails. Last year, Alaska was among the carriers that began using A.I. to handle customer messages more efficiently. The airline’s system “reads” each email and summarizes the issues raised.

“We used to read first in first out, handling the requests as they came in,” said Mr. Baskaran, but now the system helps prioritize emails. For example, an urgent request involving an upcoming flight may take precedence over a complaint about a past one.

The system also helps a human agent decide how to respond, such as offering the customer a voucher, and it may draft an initial written response. “The person makes the decision, but it’s streamlined,” Mr. Baskaran said.

For all the benefits A.I. promises to airlines and passengers, the technology still has some shortcomings. For one, it doesn’t always deliver accurate information. In 2022, an Air Canada chatbot incorrectly promised a traveler that if he booked a full-fare flight to a relative’s funeral, he could receive a bereavement fare after the fact. When he filed a small-claims case, Air Canada tried to argue that the bot was its own separate entity, “responsible for its own actions,” but a tribunal found Air Canada responsible and ordered it to pay about $800 in damages and fees.

Still, as A.I. develops and airlines race to find more uses for it, passengers could see even more benefits. “As a customer and a business person, this is one of the biggest technology disruptions in the last five to eight years,” Mr. Mohan said.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

An earlier version of this article, in a quotation from Vikram Baskaran, vice president for information technology services at Alaska Airlines, misstated the number of gallons of fuel an artificial-intelligence-powered planning system saved the airline in 2023. It was half a million, not half a billion.

How we handle corrections

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .

Flowing Cents

10 Travelers Share Their Worst Traveling Experiences

Posted: May 15, 2024 | Last updated: May 15, 2024

Traveling is not always about witnessing eye-pleasing landscapes. Sometimes, people go through their life’s worst experiences when visiting a country for fun or professional purposes. Such incidents could range from witnessing supernatural entities to experiencing spooky atmospheres or safety concerns. A few individuals on an online platform shared such encounters on their trip to different countries, as listed below: 

1. Turkmenistan

Many users stated about the eerie atmosphere they witnessed while exploring Turkmenistan. One of them mentioned coming across a hotel with strange vibes. Upon trying to book the room, they were told that it was already full. However, the twist was that there was no one inside. The rooms weren’t furnished either. 

2. A Demilitarized Zone Between North and South Korea

A traveler went on to discover a zone between North and South Korea that gave creepy vibes for several reasons. For instance, they came across a deserted playground that can send shivers down one’s spine. Another worth-mentioning spooky event they witnessed was the presence of an empty train station. Although it shows a train to Pyongyang on screen, no one uses that at all. 

3. East Germany

Someone mentioned their experience of traveling past the big wall in Berlin by the time it came down. For them, it was easier to distinguish when the country’s east region started, all thanks to the old and broken buildings. While they did not encounter anything too scary, the bullet and bomb marks on the infrastructure of the region gave them quite strange vibes. 

4. Alabama – USA

In the US, a person’s experience while traveling through Alabama was quite scary. They shared about seeing lots of trees that looked spooky with a red soil backdrop. Other than this, they even came across some strange stick figures hanging on trees that further added to their fear. Someone replied that this scenario resembles a scene from Stephen King’s novel as a sarcastic remark. 

While a user praises the beauty of Russia’s St. Petersburg, they also share about the sad and heavy vibes it carries. According to them, the city was trying to be pretty, but its infrastructure was a major roadblock. The old, broken, and unfinished buildings and churches had them feel a spooky aura. 

6. Dominican Republic

A couple who loves island hopping mentioned feeling unsafe in the Dominican Republic because of a few instances. For example, when they were roaming around a tourist market, a man tried to grab the female. Similarly, despite staying at a 5-star resort, their personal belongings were scrutinized without permission. 

According to a user who visited Nepal, the country’s people had a unique relationship with ghosts, as almost everyone had a scary encounter to share. They further added that their friend’s sister even offered to stay in the same room so no ghosts would attack the visitors. Replying to this individual, someone stated that seeing people with missing noses and ears in the country was quite shocking to them. 

8. West Virginia – USA

A person who went on a road trip to Florida from West Virginia shared about a strange encounter that they had on the way. They saw many overweight individuals having missing teeth with guns in their hands. While this was a spooky experience itself, getting lost on their way made things more difficult. No one was ready to show them the right direction after asking for help.

Romania is a country with picturesque views, but according to someone, one thing imparts spooky vibes to the region. They are the small villages where gypsy people reside. The user called them ghost towns, referring to the quietness that surrounded them. According to them, there were not many people around, which felt scary to them. 

A person shares their chilling experience from a trip to Nasiriyah, Iraq. They described witnessing a black-winged creature jumping from one building to another. Similarly, they also mentioned tracers that moved unnaturally toward them, which terrified them while staying in the country.

• “She Supports Donald Trump?” 10 Surprising Stars Who Support The Former President

There are many stars who support the former president that will surprise you.

• These 10 Celebrity “Real” Names Are Very Different Than Their “Stage” Names

Many celebrities take on stage names to either protect their identity, or to reinvent themselves into someone else. Here are 10 celebrities’ stage names vs. their real names.

• “I Hate Them Together” These 10 Surprising Celebrity Couples Made Fans Furious

Everyone has their preferences as to who their favorite celebs should have a happily ever after with. And, understandably, fans can become upset when those happily ever after dreams are crushed. Here is a list of celebrity couples that fans absolutely did not approve of.

• 10 Canceled TV Shows People Want To Come Back

More for You

Alice Stewart, CNN political commentator and veteran political adviser, dies at 58

Michael Cohen Was 'Devastating' to Alvin Bragg's Case—Legal Analyst

Best Movies Now on Netflix

85-year-old Japanese mom's 5 rules for a long, happy life: 'Complaining only leads to more complaints'

Emma Stone Wore a Sequin Dress With a Daringly Low Neckline at the Cannes Film Festival

Sculpt your abs and lower body with this seated resistance band workout

A Teacher Did All He Could to Keep Kids Off Phones. He’s Quitting in Frustration.

Officer involved in incident that led to Scottie Scheffler's arrest 'did not have body cam footage turned on'

All Mythical Pokémon Ranked From Mew to Zarude

Colin Jost & Michael Che Completely Break In ‘SNL' Joke Swap Tradition: Kendrick Lamar, Scarlett Johansson, Comcast & Space Lasers Mentioned

6 Phrases Adult Children Want To Hear From Their Parents

Stunning Prehistoric Jewelry Reveals 9 Hidden Societies in Ice Age Europe

20 Common Hair Myths That Are Ruining Your Hair

Scientists Break Record for Most Energy Produced in a Fusion Reaction

Tyson Fury causes controversy with Ukraine war comments after Oleksandr Usyk defeat

Is It Better to Take Social Security at 62, 67, or 70? An All-Encompassing Study Offers a Clear Answer.

Aubrey Plaza’s Silk Eggshell Gown Has the Most Sophisticated Drop Waist

The Best Ground Pokémon of All Time Ranked

Nelly Korda has three exercises for you that will really improve your ball-striking

12 Reasons Humans Are The Weirdest Of All Animals

EXPERIENCES

Solo travelling: γιατί το να ταξιδεύουμε μόνοι αλλάζει την ματιά μας στον κόσμο.

Μερικές ιδέες για το πώς μπορούμε να σχεδιάσουμε και να οργανώσουμε το ταξίδι μας αποτελεσματικά

ΑΠΟ ΤΗΝ ΓΕΩΡΓΙΑ ΔΡΑΚΑΚΗ

Δημοσιευτηκε 18 μαϊου 2024, photo: pexels.

Να ταξιδεύεις μόνη, μόνος, είναι αλλιώς. Κουβαλά περιπέτεια, γαλήνη, συνάντηση με τον βαθύ εαυτό μας και καντάρια καινούργιας γνώσης. Συνώνυμο της ελευθερίας, το solo travelling είναι μια εμπειρία ζωής που καθένας αξίζει να ζήσει -για όσο λίγο ή πολύ. Εντός ή εκτός της χώρας του. Οι χαρές και οι προκλήσεις της όλης ιστορίας την κάνουν να αξίζει τον κόπο πραγματικά.

Χωρίς το ενδεχόμενο βάρος των συνεννοήσεων με κάποιο άλλο πρόσωπο ή με μια ολόκληρη παρέα, το πρόγραμμα καταστρώνεται από εσένα αποκλειστικά: η επιλογή του προορισμού, το ταξιδιωτικό μέσο, οι χρόνοι πρωινής έγερσης, το μενού. Άνθρωποι που έχουν ταξιδέψει μόνοι το πιστοποιούν: μέσα σε αυτό το απολύτως ελεύθερο -και ίσως και λίγο αναρχικό- χάσιμο, βρίσκει κανείς τον εαυτό του, τον συναντά σε ωραία βάθη, αφήνεται στην έκπληξη και την επαφή με τον εσωτερικό του κόσμο.

Κανόνες εδώ δεν υπάρχουν. Το solo travelling μπορεί να είναι οικονομικό ή το ακριβώς αντίθετο. Να έχει πολλή περιπέτεια ή, στον αντίποδα, ατελείωτη χαλάρωση. Να έχει πολύ περπάτημα και εξερεύνηση ή μπόλικη ενδοσκόπηση, διάβασμα στο δωμάτιο του ξενοδοχείου και τηλεφωνήματα με φίλους ως τις πρώτες πρωινές ώρες. Να είναι ένα Σαββατοκυριακάτικο road trip ή ένας μήνας στο σπίτι μιας φίλης σε ένα νησί που σου έδωσε τα κλειδιά. Και επίσης, ταξιδεύοντας, η μοναξιά ως έννοια και ως σημασία κάλλιστα ακυρώνεται : μπορείς σε κάθε περίπτωση να γνωρίσεις νέα άτομα, να επικοινωνήσεις με ντόπιους, να μπεις σε νέους, δικούς τους ρυθμούς, να δημιουργήσεις ίσως νέες φιλίες ή, ακόμα, και να βρεις τον έρωτα. Ναι, όλα είναι πιθανά όταν είμαστε ανοιχτοί στη ζωή.

Και ποια μεγαλύτερη ανοιχτωσιά υπάρχει, από αυτή του να ταξιδεύεις μόνη ή μόνος;

Η εκ των προτέρων οργάνωση μπορεί να αποτελέσει το κλειδί για ένα άκρως απολαυστικό solo ταξίδι ιδίως αν είναι κάτι που επιχειρούμε για πρώτη μας φορά. Πού θέλουμε να πάμε; Μήπως μπορούμε κάπου πολύ κοντά εκεί που θέλουμε, αλλά με πιο φθηνή διαμονή που θα μας επιτρέψει να μείνουμε μία ή μερικές μέρες περισσότερο; Τι έχει κοντά εκεί που θα μένουμε; Βολεύει ή επιθυμούμε να νοικιάσουμε όχημα; Κι αν δεν οδηγούμε, πώς θα κινούμαστε;

Θα χρειαστεί να έχουμε κατά νου τις αποστάσεις. Κι επίσης, να καταστρώσουμε ένα budget σε σχέση με το διάστημα χρόνου που θα περάσουμε στο τάδε μέρος και με τα πράγματα που θέλουμε να κάνουμε, να αγοράσουμε, να δούμε, να δοκιμάσουμε. Μια καλή ιδέα είναι ένας φάκελος με ένα επιπλέον ποσό στον πάτο του σάκου ή της βαλίτσας που θα «ξεχάσουμε». Θα μας φανεί εξόχως χρήσιμο στην περίπτωση κάποιας έκτακτης (ευχάριστης ή δυσάρεστης) ανάγκης.

Κάτι πολύ σημαντικό, κάτι που θα δώσει νόημα και χάρη στην όλη διαδικασία του solo travelling είναι οι σχετικά περιορισμένες αποσκευές. Ας ξεχάσουμε τις τιτάνιες, υπερφορτωμένες βαλίτσες. Τέσσερις αλλαξιές που μπορούν να δημιουργήσουν διαφορετικά looks, αρκετά εσώρουχα και δύο ζευγάρια παπούτσια (για να αλλάζουμε και να ξεκουράζουμε τα πόδια μας) αρκούν.

Όταν ταξιδεύω μόνη για διάστημα μεγαλύτερο της μίας εβδομάδας, είναι πιθανό να υπολογίσω μες στο budget την αγορά κάποιου ρούχου από το μέρος που επισκέπτομαι: είναι το καλύτερο και πιο χρήσιμο σουβενίρ. Ακόμα κι αν ξέρουμε ότι πάμε σε ένα μέρος με ζέστη, παίρνουμε πανωφόρι. Και τούμπαλιν: ακόμα κι αν έχουμε υπόψη έναν κρύο προορισμό, ένα T-shirt δεν έβλαψε ποτέ κανέναν.

Ας κάνουμε πράγματα που δεν θα μπορούσαμε να απολαύσουμε το ίδιο εύκολα αν στο ταξίδι μας συνόδευε ο καλύτερος φίλος ή η σύντροφός μας. Nα κοιμηθούμε λίγο περισσότερο, να ξυπνήσουμε κάπως νωρίτερα. Το solo travelling είναι ένα είδος δημιουργικής, ενδυναμωτικής ενδοσκόπησης.

Photo: Unsplash

Ακόμα και ο περί ου ο λόγος προγραμματισμός που χρειάζεται, όπως και να έχει, να κάνουμε είναι εντάξει να έχει κάποια όρια. Αλλιώς, πώς θα συναντηθούμε με το αναπάντεχο; Ό,τι ομορφαίνει το solo travelling είναι οι ιστορίες που προκύπτουν «εκτός προγράμματος».

Αν είμαστε πολύ αυστηροί ή σφιχτοί με ό,τι έχουμε βάλει στο νου μας θα χάσουμε πολλές ωραίες ιστορίες. Αν δηλαδή το μουσείο είναι τελικά κλειστό εκείνη τη μέρα που έχουμε πει να πάμε, δεν χάθηκε ο κόσμος. Μπορούμε πάντα να πάμε σε ένα άλλο μουσείο, σε κάποια περιοδική έκθεση, ή ακόμα, να κάνουμε ένα ακόμα περίπατο σε εκείνη την πιάτσα που αγαπήσαμε από την πρώτη στιγμή.

Ας θυμόμαστε και το εξής : ας μην φυλάμε όλα μας τα χρήματα σε ένα μέρος (π.χ. πορτοφόλι), ας έχουμε ένα εκτυπωμένο αντίγραφο των εγγράφων μας ή, ακόμα, σκαναρισμένα στο κινητό μας. Δια παν ενδεχόμενο. Αντιστοίχως, είναι καλό να έχουμε σημειώσει σε ένα μπλοκάκι ή σε ένα χαρτί που θα φυλάμε στην τσάντα μας την διεύθυνση της κατοικίας που νοικιάσαμε ή του ξενοδοχείου -τα κινητά πάντα ξεμένουν από μπαταρία την χειρότερη στιγμή.

Μπορεί η απόπειρά μας να ταξιδέψουμε μόνοι ή μόνες να μη βγει σε καλό, μπορεί να μην περάσουμε όσο ωραία σκοπεύαμε, μπορεί κάτι να πάει στραβά.

Ας μην επηρεαζόμαστε δραματικά από ταινίες Eat,Pray, Love -άλλωστε, το δικό μας ταξίδι μπορεί να είναι ακόμα πιο κινηματογραφικό από αυτό της Julia Roberts. Κι αν δεν είναι, δεν μας εμποδίζει κανείς να αποπειραθούμε ξανά να ταξιδέψουμε κατά μόνας στο μέλλον. Ίσως κάπου αλλού. Ίσως με καλύτερη οργάνωση. Ίσως έχοντας πάρει έμπνευση από Instagrammers που ταξιδεύουν. Ίσως μετά την ανάγνωση αυτού του κειμένου που γράφεται στην διάρκεια μιας solo travelling απόπειρας, η οποία, μέχρι στιγμής έχει πάει τόσο ευχάριστα, όσο και δυσάρεστα.

Το solo travelling είναι κομμάτι της ζωής μας, δεν είναι αποκομμένο από αυτήν. Εμείς το φέρνουμε στα μέτρα μας, αφήνοντας πάντα λίγο χώρο και στο τυχαίο να τρυπώσει. Η επιστροφή μας στη βάση θα μας βρει άλλους ανθρώπους, πλουσιότερους ψυχικά, ενδυναμωμένους, με περισσότερη αυτοπεποίθηση. Κοινώς, αξίζει με τα χίλια. Εσείς θα το δοκιμάζατε; Και με ποιον προορισμό θα κάνατε την αρχή;

Διαβάστε ακόμα:

Solo travelling στη Λισαβόνα

5 προορισμοί για solo travellers τα πρώτα Σαββατοκύριακα του καλοκαιριού

Solo travelling στη Μαδρίτη – Ένας προορισμός για τους λάτρεις των μουσείων και του καλού φαγητού

ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ

8 εμπειρίες για ένα συναρπαστικό ταξίδι την Αλβανία

10 κορυφαία ταξιδιωτικά βιβλία που υμνούν την ομορφιά της εξερεύνησης

H ΑΓΝΩΣΤΗ ΕΛΛΑΔΑ

Γιατί το λεωνίδιο έχει γίνει πόλος έλξης επισκεπτών από όλο τον κόσμο.

Ερμούπολη: Νέες αφίξεις, χώροι με άποψη, ενδιαφέροντες άνθρωποι στην καρδιά της Σύρου

Android Police

How to use google gemini to plan your vacation.

Use Gemini for a stress-free trip-planning experience

Planning a vacation can be as overwhelming as it is exciting, given everything you need to do, from booking flights and accommodations to finding activities that match your interests. To simplify this process, take advantage of Gemini's (formerly known as Google Bard) new set of capabilities. The best part is that you can access the platform through your laptop or Chromebook or use it while you're on the go using your flagship or budget Android phone or iPhone.

How does Gemini make traveling easier?

Gemini, an artificial intelligence platform similar to ChatGPT, is now integrated with various Google services, like Gmail, Google Maps, and Google Flights. Here's how to best use Gemini's capabilities to make trip planning easier.

Check the weather

Gemini's integration with Google Search allows the tool to provide you with real-time information. You can check the weather conditions at your destination and pack appropriately.

Ask for a suggested packing list based on the weather

Not sure what to wear this time of year or want to blend in with the locals? If you're traveling to a new destination and are unfamiliar with the dressing norms of the locals, ask Gemini to generate a list of outfit ideas and other accessories you should pack.

Look up real-time flights for your preferred dates

While you're at it, you can quickly look up flights to your destination and back. This simplifies the process of searching for flights and comparing the prices and durations.

Get a list of hotels for your stay

If you're unsure where to stay during your trip, ask Gemini to create a list of hotels in the area. Gemini's suggestions include names and photos of several hotels, along with each hotel's star rating, a brief description of what you can expect, and the price per night. Use this as a starting point to compare your options and make an informed decision.

Ask for suggested activities in the area

You can ask Gemini to suggest activities you might enjoy during your stay. Gemini tailors its recommendations to your preferences, if any, and suggests events that align with your travel dates.

Request a list of relevant YouTube videos about the destination

If you're traveling to an unfamiliar place and want to know more about things to do in the area, local customs, and not-so-popular attractions, ask Gemini to curate a list of relevant YouTube videos about the destination.

Look up currency conversion rates

If you're traveling abroad, budgeting before you leave is crucial. Gemini can make estimating your expenses and how much money to bring along with you easier by providing real-time currency conversion rates and listing potential expenses you might incur while traveling.

Check out local dining options

Want to enjoy the local fare while you're traveling? Gemini can help you discover the best dining options in the area. You can even specify the type of cuisine you'd like to try to get more relevant results.

Get directions to places

When you have a tentative idea of the places you'd like to visit, Gemini can help you plan your vacation better by giving directions to various places. This can help you map out the most efficient route for your outings and maximize your vacation days.

Here's how to prompt Gemini, according to Google

Be sure to double-check gemini's responses.

Gemini is a powerful AI tool that generates fairly accurate results due to its integration with other Google services. Still, it's best to verify the information it provides, particularly regarding things like local customs, potential expenses, and health advisories.

Make the switch to Gemini

While Gemini has limitations compared to Google Assistant, and you should wait to switch from the latter , using the AI platform with Assistant can make travel planning easier and more straightforward.