Travel bucket lists are an easy and enjoyable way to achieve life goals through travel and experience. A bucket list can include travel experiences that enhance cultural immersion, world exploration and thrilling excursions.
Bucket lists may come under scrutiny because they encourage travelers to travel to well-known spots, but their inclusion shouldn’t diminish the experience.
1. Cape Town
Cape Town, South Africa’s vibrant capital, lies between mountains and sea, boasting Table Mountain as the main attraction and offering numerous botanical gardens for exploration as well as outdoor activities ranging from hiking and biking tours to whale-watching or cage diving with great white sharks.
Boulders Beach offers one of the top things to do in Cape Town: witness African penguins frolicking amid rocks and tidal pools, or spend the day at Two Oceans Aquarium. For something different, Gansbaai offers cage diving experiences with Great White Sharks; Kirstenbosch Castle of Good Hope should also not be missed, nor Bo-Kaap and its Cape Malay culture; V&A Waterfront provides another interesting stopover.
2. Aurora Borealis
Aurora Borealis is one of nature’s most stunning natural phenomena, created when charged particles from the Sun interact with gases in Earth’s atmosphere. For optimal viewing conditions it should be seen around Arctic and Antarctic latitudes when there are long nights and minimal light pollution.
See the Northern Lights in Finnish Lapland, where they are an enormous draw. At Oulanka National Park, the lights dance over iceberg-filled lakes and fairytale forests while snowshoeing or cross country skiing during the daytime. Stay overnight in one of Sami-run wilderness cabins or experience quinzeeing (Finnish for “igloo”) during your polar adventure!
The Blue Lagoon suffers from light pollution and its success at showing the lights is dependent on atmospheric conditions. But Seltjarnarnes peninsula offers less light pollution and hot spring bathing for an alternative way of waiting for Aurora.
3. Iceland
Iceland is an incredible natural wonderland that provides something for everyone, from nature enthusiasts to thrill-seekers. A road trip can reveal stunning moss-covered lava fields, spectacular waterfalls, volcanic craters, and glaciers for roadtrippers to experience.
Kirkjufell, one of the country’s most iconic mountains, can be spotted as the Hooded Mountain from Game of Thrones. Seljalandsafoss Falls are another must-see, or take an adventurous hike up Dettifoss for even more breathtaking sights!
Glacial adventurers will delight in visiting Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, where icebergs from Vatnajokull float to the ocean in spectacular fashion. Diamond Beach also deserves your consideration, featuring large chunks of ice that sparkle like diamonds on black-sand beaches reminiscent of diamond mines. Explore Vatnajokull’s vast network of caverns to discover Ice Caves that lead to deeper caverns; additionally Iceland is known for its spa and hot spring experiences that you can explore on guided tours!
4. Yukon
Yukon Territory lies between Alaska to its west and crossing the Arctic Circle; offering endless adventure. Summer brings 24 hours of sunlight while winter welcomes magical Northern Lights displays.
Emerald Lake boasts postcard-worthy turquoise waters, while Yukon Wildlife Preserve provides an amazing opportunity to come face to face with local animals like woodland caribou, wood bison, thinhorn sheep and red fox in their natural environments while supporting wildlife conservation efforts.
Experience the Yukon’s rich historic culture on your trip! Stroll along the boardwalks of Dawson City or visit Haa Shagoon Hidi Learning Centre to gain a glimpse into First Nation traditions, tools and art. Plus there’s an incredible variety of artisan shops, restaurants and bars across its territory!
5. New Zealand
New Zealand offers something for every traveller – from whale and dolphin-spotting in the Bay of Islands, to sipping world-class wines on Waiheke Island vineyards, there’s always plenty to do here! Nature enthusiasts will delight at being immersed in such an extraordinary landscape and all its abundant geothermal activity is sure to leave an impactful mark.
Rotorua offers breathtaking geysers, bubbling mud pools, and colorful mineral pools – and even offers hot pool dips that are built right into the ground! Take your pick!
Hike on the Tongariro Crossing for one of the world’s greatest day hikes or experience something truly thrilling by black water rafting in Waitomo Caves; drift along rapids beneath glowworms while sliding through tight gaps for an exhilarating adventure!
6. Antarctica
Antarctica offers many people an opportunity to cross off one of their travel bucket list items: Antarctica. From turbulent Drake Passage and exotic marine wildlife encounters to black sandy beaches and an unforgettable travel experience – Antarctica provides it all.
Antarctica may not be for everyone, but those who take on its challenge find life-changing experiences and gain new perspectives of our world. Following Shackleton’s steps at Elephant Island and Grytviken might lead to unforgettable memories; exploring South Georgia could reveal even more surprises!
An expedition to Antarctica offers travelers an incredible opportunity to observe up to eight species of penguin, such as Adelie, Gentoo, Rockhopper, Chinstrap and Macaroni penguins. Additionally, expect whale sightings like placid humpback and thrilling orca whales breaching, arcing and spraying water spectacularly as they move through Antarctica’s iceberg-filled bays.
7. Australia
Australia is an idyllic nature lover’s dream destination with lush forests, glittering coral reefs and red-earth deserts that offer something for every nature enthusiast. But this epic land boasts some of the oddest wildlife around as well as captivating culture that can be experienced first-hand in bustling cities across its territory.
Beach enthusiasts will adore Victoria’s Great Ocean Road with its breathtaking coastal views and astonishing limestone stacks like the Twelve Apostles, while wine enthusiasts can take an adventure tour through Victoria’s Yarra Valley or King Valley wine regions.
Australia boasts some incredible natural attractions, from its underground town at Coober Pedy to exploring sunken gardens and cenotes in South Australia, not forgetting Rottnest Island’s adorable quokkas (Image credit: Paula from Truly Expat).
8. France
France offers plenty of attractions for travelers looking to add it to their bucket lists, from fairytale castles and idyllic villages to fashion-forward cities and snow-topped mountains – this country has something for everyone!
Explore Paris, one of the world’s most captivating capitals, to immerse yourself in French culture first-hand. Enjoy art masterpieces at the Louvre and admire Versailles; as well as traditional French cuisine that has been included on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
Travel bucket lists can help to motivate and inspire your next journey. Keep a copy handy of your list, and mark off items as you experience them – paper or digital, keeping track of travel goals is easy with either.
9. Iceland
Iceland is famed for its stunning natural attractions: glaciers, black-sand beaches, mossy lava fields, and volcanoes are all within easy reach.
Join a local guide on an epic Golden Circle expedition for an in-depth experience of Icelandic history at Thingvellir, Geysir’s bubbling geothermal activity, and Gullfoss waterfall’s thunderous rush – or better still take part in whale-watching tours to spot Humpback and Minke whales in their natural environment!
Chances of seeing the Northern Lights can increase significantly if you travel between September and April; that is when Aurora borealis can be most spectacular. You will also get to witness Latrabjarg cliffs where puffins nest during summertime as well as Westman Islands as other points of interest.
10. Thailand
Thailand is an unparalleled Southeast Asian gem, home to some of the most breathtaking natural sites and unforgettable travel experiences imaginable. From shimmering white beaches and towering limestone cliffs, lush jungles, vibrant cities and vibrant cuisine – Thailand truly has everything on offer.
Bangkok, the Thai capital, boasts lavish palaces and temples as well as towering skyscrapers that sparkle like diamonds. The Grand Palace stands out among these impressive structures, boasting golden Buddha statues that inspire reverence from visitors while Wat Plai Laem offers tranquility amid lakefront surroundings with an 18-armed sculpture of Guanyin gazing over.
Thai cuisine is widely recognized, boasting complex yet flavorful flavors that successfully balance spice and fragrance without becoming overwhelming. November to April are ideal times to visit Thailand when temperatures remain pleasant but not unbearably hot – during this period travelers can explore Khao Sok National Park’s ancient rainforest and limestone karst formations.