21 Unforgettable Bucket List Vacation Ideas
When it comes to travel ideas, there are endless possibilities. You could go on a safari in Africa, explore ancient ruins in Greece, or ski the slopes of the Swiss Alps.
No matter what your interests are, there’s a perfect travel destination for you.
If you’re looking for some inspiration, here are a few travel ideas:
1. Travel to a new country every year
Traveling to a new country every year is a great way to see the world and experience new cultures. Some people think that it’s expensive or difficult to do, but that’s not always the case. There are plenty of affordable countries to visit, and with a little bit of planning, you can make it happen.
2. Go somewhere warm in winter
For those of you who can’t bear another day of snow and ice (or for locals getting tired of shoveling), there are plenty of warm spots with hot temperatures that will make you feel like it’s summer all year round. Try heading down south to Florida or Mexico where things are heating up!
3. Adventure travel
If you’re looking for something different, try adventure travel (also known as eco-tourism). These types of trips typically include exploration and discovery through outdoor activities such as biking, hiking, skiing, surfing, and kayaking. You can find out more about them by checking out the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA).
4. Indulge in luxury travel
Investing in high-quality hotels, resorts, spas, event tickets, etc., is considered to be a luxury you deserve for all your hard work. If you’re looking to treat yourself or simply want some time off to relax, this type of trip might just be perfect for you.
5. Road trip across America
Driving along the open road with the windows down and the wind in your hair is an iconic American experience everyone should have. Everyone has their own list of places they’d like to go on a road trip—places like New York City, San Francisco, or Los Angeles.
6. Cruise with your family
There is nothing more exciting than setting sail on a cruise ship with your loved ones and exploring the beauty of the high seas together. Cruise lines offer plenty of affordable options for families, with many venues that can keep everyone entertained such as pool decks, clubs/discos, casinos, and even kids clubs.
7. Round-the-world trip
If you’re an avid traveler who enjoys seeing new places every year, consider planning a trip around the world next time you book your vacation! You’ll see so many wonders in one single journey and be able to tick off another travel item from your bucket list.
8. Visit all seven of the world’s wonders
There are only seven wonders in the world, and you simply can’t say you’ve seen everything until you’ve gone to at least one of them. If seeing all these sites sounds like a dream come true, make it happen. It’s never too early or too late to plan your adventure.
Here are the seven wonders of the world waiting for your visit:
- The Great Pyramid of Giza
- The Hanging Gardens of Babylon
- The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
- The Statue of Zeus at Olympia
- The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
- Colossus of Rhodes
- Pharos of Alexandria
Whether you’re a history buff, nature lover, or just curious to see what these places look like, this will be without a doubt an adventure to remember.
9. Camping under the stars
Outdoor activities have always been popular among Americans, and camping is one of those activities that allow you to get closer to nature by breathing fresh air and exploring the wilderness first-hand. And nothing beats having fun in the great outdoors with your loved ones.
10. Take part in cultural celebrations abroad
When traveling with friends, family members, or significant others it is always more fun when you can share memorable experiences together; especially if it’s by celebrating some of their cultural traditions with them! Celebrating holidays like Christmas (in places like Malta or Singapore), St. Patrick’s Day (in Dublin, Chinese New Year (in Hong Kong ), Diwali (in India ), and Carnival (in Salvador de Bahia) are just some of the many ways to immerse yourself in other cultures. Whether you’re taking part in local festivities or observing them from a distance, adventures like these will truly make your trip memorable.
11. Explore the ancient civilizations of Greece and Rome
If you’re more into history and archaeology, visiting some of the ancient civilizations in Europe might be right for you—especially if you want to see cities like Athens (Greece) or Pompeii (Italy), which is known as one of the world’s most fascinating archaeological sites.
12. Trek through Nepal and Tibet
If you enjoy hiking and spending time outdoors, then consider trekking through Nepal or Tibet. You’ll be able to discover many historical landmarks that have been preserved by UNESCO for their cultural significance, such as Kathmandu Valley in Nepal, where it is believed that Buddhism was born around 2,500 years ago!
13. Visit a country with a different language
If you’re a fan of learning new languages, traveling to a country where they don’t speak your native tongue will be a wonderful experience. You’ll have to communicate with them in their language and use hand gestures—which is sure to be an interesting conversation with the locals.
14. Bike through the countryside
If you enjoy biking or cycling as a hobby, then there is nothing more exhilarating than riding with the wind through scenic routes that allow you to appreciate the beauty of nature from every angle like bike trails and bike paths. Aside from providing you with exercise and improving coordination and balance, biking excursions can also help de-stress and relax you whenever you need some time for yourself.
15. Swim with a dolphin in Australia
Did you know that having a graceful, friendly cetacean as your swimming partner can be considered an experience of a lifetime? In places like Sea World, Sydney, and Dolphin Island Marine Park, anyone can swim with dolphins! Don’t forget to take pictures because this will definitely make people think that you must have superpowers after they realize how close you’ve gotten to these creatures.
16. Trek through the rainforest in South America
While most people would prefer to enjoy the sun and sand of a beach vacation, many would actually choose an alternative like trekking through rainforests instead. This is one way to explore impressive landscapes and discover wild flora and fauna like monkeys, toucans, and parrots that were once seen only in documentaries.
17. Watch the Northern Lights in Europe
If you’re a fan of the stars and constellations, going somewhere with a clear view of the night sky will allow you to take in all the beautiful space scenery. One place that’s known for this is Lapland, Finland where you can witness nature’s own fireworks show called The Northern Lights—also known as The Aurora Borealis. This colorful natural light display only happens when solar winds from eruptions on the sun collide with molecules from Earth’s atmosphere which then creates dancing lights that emit different colors like green, blue, red, and orange.
18. Trek through Peru’s historic ruins
If you’re an adventurer who loves history and archaeology, then chances are good that exploring ancient civilizations in South America might be something for you. You’ll find many historical landmarks that have been preserved by UNESCO for their cultural significance, such as Machu Picchu in Peru. There are also temples, fortresses, aqueducts, terraces growing food crops, plazas where rituals took place, and more.
19. Climb the Eiffel Tower in Paris
If you’re into sightseeing and culture, then getting to the top of The Eiffel Tower might be on your bucket list. Once you get there, you’ll be able to see all of Paris from above—a city where romance is evident with its elegant architecture, cobblestone streets, gondola-like canals, green spaces like parks and gardens, and centuries-old churches that are even older than America itself! The City of Lights has something for everyone whether you’re looking for an adrenaline rush or just want to experience blissful moments.
20. Sail the Mediterranean Sea
This is the perfect opportunity to enjoy a cruise from one European country to another. There are many different routes you can choose from, and each will bring you to different places in Greece, Italy, France, Croatia and Malta where you’ll get to visit the cities and towns in these countries. Of course, there’s also plenty of time for swimming if that’s your thing during the long hours onboard the ship.
21. Trek through Borneo
Borneo is one of those Asian countries with an abundance of natural beauty such as lush forests and dramatic waterfalls which you’ll be able to explore quite well while trekking or hiking because it has so many natural attractions like The Kinabalu Park, Danum Valley Conservation Area, and Gunung Mulu National Park. You’ll also get to see native wildlife like the Borneo Pygmy elephant, Proboscis monkey, Malayan tapir, orangutans, and crocodiles.
Final Thoughts
These are just some ideas to get you started—the possibilities are endless and only limited by your imagination and budget.
The next time you feel like going on vacation, think about visiting some of these places instead of the usual ones so you’ll have a better experience and see more than just tourist traps.