Travel bucket lists are lists that outline experiences and destinations you hope to achieve during your lifetime, from visiting iconic city attractions to gazing upon natural marvels or discovering world heritage sites.
Making a bucket list will keep you focused and motivated to achieve your dreams, while creating lasting memories, building anticipation, and encouraging personal development and resilience.
1. Dubai Burj Khalifa
Travel bucket lists can be an integral component of life, instilling a sense of adventure, building anticipation, and encouraging personal development. They can even serve as motivation during difficult periods such as cancer diagnoses.
According to our survey, many travelers’ bucket lists include witnessing the Northern Lights, taking an American road trip, snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef and exploring Norway’s fjords. White sandy beaches, safari trips in Africa and iconic cities also often make appearances.
The Burj Khalifa in Dubai boasts some of the most breathtaking views in existence, making a reservation at Atmosphere on the 122nd floor for dinner to enjoy its panoramic vistas – don’t miss it! Additionally, Pyramids of Giza should be at the top of any traveller’s bucket list as these three pyramid complexes were constructed as tombs for Pharaohs during Egypt’s 4th Dynasty as tombs for their burial grounds.
2. Petra in Jordan
Petra, discovered again only in 1812 by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt and discovered again by Jordanian archaeologist James Archaeology Park, is one of the world’s greatest archaeological sites. Home to tombs, temples and palaces alike – Al Khazneh (The Treasury), its most celebrated landmark was cut directly out of rock during 3rd Century BC carving operations.
Experience something truly remarkable by joining a Petra by Night tour, which illuminates both Siq and Treasury with thousands of candles for an enchanting experience. Or visit Petra as part of an extended Jordan visit, immersing yourself in its culture while meeting local Bedouin communities.
Explore Petra and Jordan through Married to a Bedouin, which details one author’s experiences living in the desert. Or embark on an off-road adventure in Wadi Rum or snorkel the Red Sea; both activities are popular activities within Jordan.
3. Glacier Bay National Park
Travel bucket lists enable individuals to plan experiences that will bring the greatest satisfaction and gratification, such as an unforgettable vacation or train journey. Such journeys foster open-mindedness and increase comprehension of our world.
Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska is a must-see destination, boasting rugged mountains, dynamic glaciers and wild coastlines that will leave visitors breathless. Cruise ships are the most common means of reaching this wilderness sanctuary but visitors may also arrive via tour boats and seaplanes.
4. Marina Bay Sands Hotel in Singapore
Marina Bay Sands Hotel in Singapore is one of the world’s most iconic hotels. Comprising three 57-story towers connected by an incredible skypark featuring gardens, restaurants and an opulent infinity pool – its towers boast one of the world’s highest ceilings at over 353 feet tall!
Cost can add up quickly here; club access and city views make a stay here even more costly! However, its location makes this perfect for honeymoons or special celebrations.
Japan between March and mid-April offers visitors an incredible display of cherry blossom. These spectacular blooms will transform cities and their surroundings into a sea of pinks and creams – an experience worth adding to your bucket list and one you won’t forget! You won’t forget it either!
5. Mardi Gras in New Orleans
An unforgettable visit to New Orleans (NOLA for short) offers visitors a truly unforgettable experience. This magical city combines history and contemporary culture in its cuisine, architecture and unique dialect.
Mardi Gras, held annually before Ash Wednesday, is celebrated with parades and parties across the city. Costumes and masks have long been part of festivals and rituals around the world; here, however, they take on an extra significance: by helping participants transcend everyday reality while celebrating wildly.
Make the most of this exciting time by booking hotels early, such as August. In addition, taking an airboat swamp tour so that you can observe alligators in their natural habitat may also prove rewarding. Also check out the National WWII Museum which is consistently listed among the city’s top attractions.
6. Table Mountain in Cape Town
Cape Town’s signature landmark, Table Mountain stands tall above its skyline as an iconic symbol of South Africa and offers stunning panoramic views and an abundance of flora and fauna.
Visit Mount Baker by cable car, or for the more adventurous, hike its slopes – guided hiking routes vary between 2.5-6 hours with differing landscapes and difficulty levels to explore.
Be sure to visit Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens along your journey, known for its expansive collection of local fynbos as well as its winding walkways and sculptures. Additionally, take time out for Robben Island– a UNESCO World Heritage Site used as prison by apartheid regime and home to Nelson Mandela– a must see destination!
7. Northern Lights in Canada
A UK lottery company recently conducted a poll among two thousand travelers to identify which travel experiences top their bucket lists; northern lights came out victorious. This ancient phenomenon of green, yellow and pink lights sparkling across the night sky has long captivated travelers and will remain an experience that everyone must see at least once in their lifetimes.
Canada’s remote Arctic settings offer ideal conditions to catch this spectacular celestial display: Northwest Territories, Yukon and Churchill are situated beneath the auroral oval and offer dark skies without light pollution, along with high geomagnetic activity that sparks off northern lights displays.
An Arctic North tour will lead you on an extraordinary adventure in search of mesmerising colours, from wilderness camps and traditional teepee villages, you can experience everything from dog sledding and snowmobile expeditions, relaxing spa services and dining in an igloo (luxury ones are also available!). Winter is the ideal season for seeing the northern lights!
8. Pyramids of Giza
The Pyramids of Giza have long held an immense mystery; but thanks to an online collection of plans, drawings, paintings, manuscripts, object records and expedition diaries it’s now possible for anyone, anywhere to experience these ancient marvels of construction.
The Great Pyramid of Giza was constructed as the tomb for Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu during the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom and stands on a rocky plateau just outside of Cairo as one of seven wonders still standing from Ancient Times. Together with Khafre and Menkaure pyramids as well as the enormous Sphinx it forms part of Giza Necropolis (UNESCO World Heritage Site), symbolically representing strength and power.
9. Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon has long captivated visitors, drawing them in with its breathtaking vistas that have mesmerised them since centuries past. Spanning millions of years, its mile-deep chasm displays millions of years’ worth of geological history and is considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
Exciting helicopter flights and self-driving routes offer guests several ways to discover this spectacular site, while they can also discover it via mule trip, train tour, hiking trail tours or by kayaking along some breathtaking waters.
However, do not pack too many sites into your Grand Canyon vacation itinerary – this destination deserves genuine quality time, so leave Zion and Bryce alone and give the Grand Canyon 3-4 nights or 1-2 at most.
10. Bali
Bali has everything from incredible beaches, thrilling surf breaks, trendy gyms and soothing spa services – it has something for everyone!
Spirituality and world culture also flourish here, with ornate temples to discover and an expansive heritage to discover.
Ubud, with its verdant rice paddies and lush rainforest, provides an idyllic retreat away from Seminyak and Canggu’s bustle. Bedugul also has stunning lakes that lie beneath towering volcanic peaks – there you’ll find some of the country’s best waterfalls – particularly Tirta Gangga with its amazing fountains, stepping stones, fountains, koi fish framed by lush green forests – truly inspiring nature lovers must make time to visit this awe-inspiring destination!
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