Life-changing Trips Everyone Should Experience at Least Once
Lost cities, lions learning to roar, ancient civilizations, mysterious caves, magical waterfalls, glaciers, volcanos and more.
This world never ceases to amaze me.
Do you have a bucket list?
If not, go ahead and download my free list HERE to get inspired!
Many of us have dreams that fill up our Pinterest boards, or a 10 year dream list, and I always say how important it is to write those dreams down. Why? Because someday is not on the calendar.
The good news is I’m here to help put dreams to paper. So here’s some ideas that I hope inspire you.
A quick side note - I understand that travel is expensive, and that some bucket list trip ideas are a pipe dream for many. My goal is to encourage you to prioritize moments that enrich your lives, to save up to create a life rich with stories, experiences & adventure. That said, I truly hope that if any of these destinations light a spark, that you make a commitment to prioritizing it.
All right, jet setter - Grab your passports, boarding pass, and an open mind - let’s dive in!
My #1 recommended bucket list trip: South Africa
John Hemingway said it best, “If I have ever seen magic, it has been in Africa”
Africa rocked me to my core.
The people, way of life, scenery, and wildlife in their natural habitat made me speechless. (Which does NOT happen often)
Many safari lodges offer infinity plunge pools overlooking the elephants, for siesta in the afternoon after your game drive. During your stay, you can adventure in an open 4x4 vehicle for a game drive to enjoy South Africa’s nature and even catch sightings of the Big Five.
In a time where travel is more expensive than ever, what better way to invest your vacation money? The dollar goes FAR in Africa.
I’m talking – steak dinner, wine & an appetizer for $10! And don’t forget – everything is included when on safari, so you can enjoy sundowners until your heart’s content. And BONUS – when investing in safari, your dollar goes toward conservation effort, and supporting local African villages.
If you’re looking for your first taste of safari, I highly recommend South Africa to pair safari with Cape Town and Stellenbosch.
Cape Town is located on the coast so you can get beach time, adventure, and such a great taste of the African culture through the cities art & food scene. Consider indulging in the cultural cuisines of southern Africa with a food tour along the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront with a view of the dazzling ocean, then making your way inland for a wine and dine at the Vineyards around Franschhoek. If you adore wine, then it’s a must to explore beautiful Stellenbosch, less than an hour outside of Cape Town. This mountainous region has over 150 wineries! It’s the Napa Valley of South Africa, and its beauty (and wine!) will leave you speechless.
It’s my first safari. What should I expect?
You should expect nothing less than a soul awakening experience. This is the trip that you’ll tell your grandchildren about.
When you were enjoying your morning coffee with lions roaring in the near distance.
When you witnessed a leopard chow down on her prey 30 feet high up in a tree.
When you see mom & dad elephants back up to protect baby when your safari jeep drives by.
When you drove through an African village, and little children sprinted giddily towards your jeep to scream the happiest hello you’ve ever heard.
When you felt like you were the only humans alive in the whole world, gazing at a baby leopard in the African plains at dusk.
When you witness a baby lion learning to roar and you’re left speechless.
When you canoe in the lower Zambezi with hippos, getting mock charged by a sassy mama. (this DID happen to us, and I live to tell the tale 😉)
I wish everyone this experience, at least once in their life.
Disclaimer: The remaining bucket list experiences will be more-so in a list format. Don’t worry, this won’t be a 40 minute read ;) South Africa is currently my favorite place on the planet, so I had to share a little more love.
Let’s get your next passport stamp!
Peru - Machu Picchu
Have you ever wanted to feed a baby llama, become enamored by a new culture, encounter a donkey on an Incan trail, ATV through the Incan trails, get kissed by an alpaca, and dance on the Hiram Bingham?
Seeing the historic ruins of the Incan Empire set among the breathtaking Andes at Machu Picchu is an undeniably life-changing experience. The stunning citadel ruins of Machu Picchu are worth the journey, and Peru is sure to stir your soul as a truly immersive and cultural experience.
Morocco
Have you ever wanted to spend a night in a desert camp under the stars?! Experience the sunrise during a hot air balloon ride over vast & gorgeous dunes? Take a sunset camel ride into camp? Have a campfire and stargaze while accompanied by local tribe music?
Morocco has a beautiful blend of history, diverse landscapes, vibrant culture, an advanced culinary scene, coastal beauty, picturesque valleys & panaramic views at the Atlas Mountains. This African experience is an opportunity of a lifetime.
Fairytale Castles Route
Located in Germany, the Fairytale Castles route takes you through picturesque landscapes, and even offers a magical journey through Bavaria. Castles like Neuschwanstein (famously inspiring Disney’s Cinderella Castle), Hohenzollern, Liechtenstein, Schwerin, Drachenburg (Dragon Castle), and Eltz look like something from a storybook. The chateaus of the Loire Valley, France, have always reminded me of fairy tales and not to mention, visiting Vlad Dracula’s Castle in Romania is a must on any bucket list traveler’s list! On this route, you’ll experience the type of places where knights in shining armor saved damsels in distress.
Fiji
Fiji is a tropical paradise known for its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant coral reefs. It offers the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure, including snorkeling diving, detoxing in a mud bath, a flight around Heart Island, enjoying a Kava ceremony and the Fijian culture through local villages, fire walking shows, sailing to other islands, submarine adventures and more.
Fiji is home to 333 magnicifent islands - some inhabited, most not. If tranquil villages, gorgeous beaches & stunning views suit your fancy, add Fiji to your list!
Tahiti
When stepping off the plane in Tahiti, you will most likely be warmly welcomed by the natives of the island placing a lei around your neck and mesmerizing you with their Tahitian dances. Tahiti, full of lush mountains, rainbow coral reefs, blue lagoons, palm-fringed beaches, and romantic overwater bungalows. It’s what dream vacations are made of!
I hear so often the bucket list experience of staying in one of the famous overwater bungalows - that just might just be the epitome of tropical luxury for the ultimate romantic vacation.
Tahiti has all kinds of activities to do that can make it an unforgettable trip. You can book a private Jet Ski tour across the crystal-clear waters, go on a shark and ray safari via a private boat, and even rent a Porsche to cruise you to yacht club restaurants and clubs around the island. If you're ready to put your hiking boots on, then consider making time for a hike up an extinct volcano and bathe in magnificent waterfalls along the way.
Wulingyuan Scenic Area in Zhangjiajie
I always love finding places that make me feel like another world. The Rainbow Mountains of Zhangye Danxia are a great example in China, showing weathering and erosion at its most beautiful.
River Cruise through Europe
“Oceans take you to countries, rivers take you through them.”
Oooh, how I love river cruises. My favorite river cruise is hands down, Ama Waterways - and they are flying into Bismarck for Travel & Wine Night!!!!
All fine dining on board, a complimentary Sip & Sail cocktail hour, unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner, coffee and tea is available 24 hours a day, water, a variety of small-group guided shore excursions, live local entertainment, engaging wellness activities are all included in the price - no more getting nickel and dimed for things like beverage plans, Wi-Fi, etc that cheaper cruises do!!! ❌💰
A few more reasons to river cruise:
* The calm waters of the river mean no risk of motion sickness.
* River cruising offers privileged access to historic destinations and growing cities from a unique and breathtaking perspective. While sailing the world’s rivers, the scenery is ever-changing.
* You’ll unpack once and step off the ship into the heart of the destination ready to explore, with no crowds or long queues to embark or disembark.
* There is no lost time in transit, as you relax, dine and learn about the destination while you sail to their next port.
And get THIS: Ama Waterways guests get exclusive year-round access to Oktoberfest🍻
So where to sail FIRST?
* DANUBE RIVER: The quintessential experience for first-time river cruisers, the Danube River has inspired countless artists and musicians for centuries
Visit Famous Lord of the Rings Film Locations and Otherworldly Places in New Zealand
Australia
Of course with enough time, you could consider to pair New Zealand with the stunning Australia for gorgeous coastline, vibrant cities, lush rainforests, vast deserts, a rich indigenous culture, the iconic Sydney Opera House, and of course, fuzzy creatures like kangaroos and koalas.
Christmas in Europe
Catching a glimpse of the elusive northern lights is possible in several destinations close to the Arctic Circle, including Iceland, Greenland, Finland, Sweden, Norway and more. All of these places have incredible viewpoints (and there are even hotels where you can see the phenomenon from your bed!),
Imagine staying in a cozy mountain lodge with activities like:
Dogsledding through the winter wonderland
Frozen Lakes Adventure on snow mobiles - Snow mobiling, ice-fishing and snow shoeing
Cross country skiing, Sea Safari or Whale Watching into the Fjords
Santa’s secret hideaway
Reindoor huts
Christmas magic
Glass igloos
Feeding polar bears
Christmas in Europe is to be added to your list, no doubt.
Visit the Ancient City of Petra, Jordan
Renowned for the buildings carved directly into the sides of cliffs, the ancient city of Petra’s claim to fame is being home to the Holy Grail, a pretty epic legend for sure. Jordan can offer a truly immersive and awe-inspiring experience.
Feel Like Alice in Wonderland at Keukenhof Park, Holland The Netherlands
Go to a land that seems like you can only get to it through a rabbit hole! Known as the Garden of Europe, Keukenhof is one of the world’s largest flower gardens, and springtime here is a dream for many.
What option excited you MOST?
“A ship in a harbour is safe, but that is not what ships are built for”
John A. Shedd - Amos.
Inspired by the Fairytale Traveler.com, Travel Weekly, and Travel Insured.
Looking for more travel inspiration? Follow me on Instagram, @onyx.and.evergreen.travel.
I post travel tips and inspiration daily!