last trip experience

19 Inspiring Travel Experience Stories About Life-Changing Trips

Love inspiring travel experience stories ?

Then you’re in the right place!

Grab a snack and your favorite beverage and get ready to settle in, as you’re about to read some truly inspiring travel stories about life-changing trips.

In this roundup, some of my favorite bloggers share their best travel stories.

You’ll hear about travelers embarking on sacred pilgrimages, growing after a first solo female travel trip, deeply connecting with locals on the road, and getting out of their comfort zones in ways that completely alter the course of their life.

And if you’re looking for a unique travel experience, you’ll likely find it in the short stories about travel below.

Table of Contents

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On that note, let’s dive into the inspiring travel stories .

1. Travel Experience Stories In South America

My travel story takes place in South America, back when I used to travel solo for months at a time.

I was in my mid-20s, and even though I’d backpacked Europe, Southeast Asia, and China and had studied abroad in Australia, the mix of intense excitement and nerves I had leading up to my South America backpacking trip was different.

And despite family and friends warning me that South America wasn’t a place for a solo female traveler , it ended up being my best trip ever.

There are so many interesting short travel stories and unforgettable travel experiences woven into this trip, like:

• Getting invited to have dinner with my Brazilian plane seatmate and her grandma
• Having a group of complete strangers on Couchsurfing take me out for dinner and dancing on my birthday in Mendoza
• Attending a small house party in Argentina and learning about the tradition of mate
• Getting stuck on a broken-down bus and having an impromptu language exchange with an elderly woman in Peru
• Having a love interest back home break up with me via text, and then experiencing the kindness of strangers as a woman in my hostel who I barely knew treated me to ice cream to cheer me up
• Having a romance with a hostel mate in Ecuador and then traveling through the country together
• Living in a giant treehouse with a group of strangers during a solo trip in Brazil and spending our days exploring hiking trails and swimming and our nights drinking and exchanging stories about traveling
• Taking a 4×4 from Chile to Bolivia across the Siloli Desert to see otherwordly sites like rainbow lagoons and train graveyards in the middle of nowhere
• Experiencing some of the world’s most incredible natural wonders, like Iguazu Falls, Torres del Paine, the Amazon River, Uyuni Salt Flats, and Perito Moreno Glacier

At times the trip was also challenging, from dealing with long bus rides and car sickness to flipping over my bicycle handlebars in Peru and getting my body (and ego) badly bruised.

But, I was okay.

In fact, I was more than okay, as the trip showed me how independent I could be and what I was truly capable of. It also showed me the beauty of immersing yourself in cultures different than your own and connecting with locals who want to share them with you.

Years later, when people ask what my best travel experience has been this is the trip that comes to mind.

-Jessie from Jessie on a Journey

2. Traveling With An Open Mind

Many people think of travel as an experience and rightly so. Sometimes, however, you cannot choose the places you travel to.

This happened to me in 2019.

My husband found himself posted in Brunei for work.

Three months pregnant meant that I had a choice:

Either stay with him in Brunei for three months before returning back to India or remain in India, alone.

I chose the former. Not because of my love for the country but because I wanted to be close to him.

Brunei had never held any appeal to me. Whatever research that I pulled off the Internet showed me nothing other than one beautiful mosque.

The flights in and out of the country were expensive so traveling frequently out was not an option either.

I was engulfed by a sense of being trapped in a remote place.

Needless to say, I reached Brunei in a pretty foul mood. I think one of the things that struck me the most even in the midst of that bad mood was the large swaths of greenery that surrounded us.

Mind you, we were not staying in the big city but as far away on the outskirts as you could imagine. I’m not a city girl by any stretch and the greenery eventually soothed my nerves.

It took a week, but I soon found myself interacting with people around me. Fellow expats and locals all went out of their way to make me feel comfortable.

The more comfortable I felt, the more we explored. We trekked (yes, while pregnant!), we joined the board game community, and we enjoyed the local cuisine.

Three months later when it was time to leave, I found myself reluctant to say goodbye to the warmth of the country I had called home for a short while.

I think that my time in Brunei taught me a valuable lesson:

Don’t judge a place by what others say or a lack of information.

Sure, you may not always like what you see, but there will always be something that you will like. You just need to look hard enough to find it!

-Penny from GlobeTrove

3. From Half-Day Hiker To Walking Holiday Enthusiast

I’ve always enjoyed walking but never in a million years did I imagine I’d end up walking over 200 kilometers (~124 miles) in 10 days, become a fan of walking holidays, and end up developing self-guided hiking routes in Portugal with a local tour operator as part of my business.

The shift from being someone who was content with an easy three-hour walk to an experienced multi-day hiker began with a brief taste of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago, an ancient pilgrim trail through Portugal to Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in Spain.

Back in 2013 I did a guided one-day hike along one of the most beautiful stretches of the Camino, north of Ponte de Lima. It’s also one of the most challenging sections so it was hard work, but the views from the top of Labruja Mountain made the climb worthwhile.

My guides were so enthusiastic about the thrill of arriving at Santiago de Compostela Cathedral after the challenges of day after day on the Camino that I began to think I might want to give it a go, despite not being religious.

Fast forward a few years and I set off from Barcelos with a friend of mine to follow the Portuguese Camino de Santiago.

Apart from suffering from chronic back pain, I thought I was quite fit but nothing had prepared me for how utterly exhausted I would feel at the end of each walking day.

This was truly a slow travel experience, as we were averaging about 20 kilometers (~12 miles) per day and by the time we reached our hotel, I would barely have enough energy to get cleaned up and find food before collapsing. I had envisioned plenty of sightseeing but that ended up being minimal.

Quickly, I realized the moral of this unique travel experience:

The Camino was all about making the most of the journey rather than the destination.

For me, that was quite a shift in thinking as I am usually all about getting to where I want to be as soon as possible so that I can start exploring. It was, perhaps, also my first step on the path towards mindfulness.

I will never forget the sense of achievement and progress at the end of each walking day, and the relief and pride I felt when we finally made it to Santiago de Compostela.

We met people who had walked the Camino several times and I can totally understand how it can become addictive. 

-Julie from Julie Dawn Fox in Portugal

4. A Story About Traveling & Its Ripple Effect

Tucked away in far eastern Indonesia is a tiny archipelago of islands called the Banda Islands.

Apart from world-class snorkeling and some crumbling colonial buildings, the Banda Islands are mostly forgotten and would be described as a backwater by all accounts.

However, the Banda Islands are possibly the main reason that I am who I am today. 

Well, the Bandas are the original Spice Islands.

Nutmeg used to grow on this tiny group of islands alone and nowhere else. The Dutch colonized Indonesia and promptly became the owners of islands where money grew on trees.

The only problem was that Indonesia was so far away that they needed a halfway stop to and from Indonesia.

That’s where my travel experience story comes in.

The same Dutch East India Company that traded in spice set up a halfway station at the foot of Table Mountain to break up their long journey. As a result, my Dutch ancestors arrived in the southernmost point in Africa , and generations later we are still there.

When I visited the Banda Islands, it dawned on me how something happening on the other side of the world can ripple out and affect people on the other side of the planet.

And I’m not the only one!

The spice trade was so important to the Dutch that they even traded a tiny island in the Banda archipelago for a much bigger island…Manhattan.

Yes. That Manhattan.

Before visiting the Banda Islands I never really knew about this part of my history.

Along with the spice that the ships carried back to Amsterdam, it also carried slaves. These slaves, more often than not, ended up in Cape Town.

Just like my European ancestors, they too became a part of Africa and added another shade to our beautiful Rainbow Nation.

It was in the Banda Islands that I realized how much of my culture, food, stories and even words in my mother tongue, Afrikaans, actually originated in Indonesia.

Because of these tiny islands, I am a true mix of Europe, Africa, and Asia. While I always thought I knew how all things in life are somehow connected, I didn’t really grasp it until my visit to Indonesia.

This could have been a resort travel experience story, as I went to Indonesia to swim and snorkel and relax on the world’s best beaches. And while I did get to do that, I also learned a lot about who I am as a person, my people, and my country…on another continent. 

My visit to the Bandas has sparked a fascination with Indonesia, which I have visited seven times since. I’m already planning another trip to this spectacular country!

-De Wet from Museum of Wander

5. Awakening My Spirit In A Costa Rican Cloud Forest

In February 2017, I was just coming out of a decade of mysterious chronic illness that had shrunk my world.

And one of the things that finally helped me to resurface during the previous year was an online Qi Gong course I stumbled upon: 

Flowing Zen .

To the casual observer, Qi Gong looks a lot like its better-known cousin, Tai Chi — the ancient art of moving meditation — but it’s actually energy medicine for healing.

In fact, it’s commonly used in Chinese hospitals.

My daily practice that year made such a difference for me that I dangled a reward for myself:

If I stuck with it all year, then I’d head to Sifu Anthony’s annual retreat in a cloud forest in Costa Rica the following February.

And I did! It was my first trip out of the country for more than a decade.

Just like that, I booked a solo trip — something I hadn’t done since I was an exchange student to Europe 30 years earlier — to San Jose where I met up with a dozen strangers and Sifu Anthony, our Qi Gong master.

We boarded a tiny bus and rode up, up, up around carsick-inducing curvy mountain roads into a magical cloud forest jungle where we finally arrived at The Blue Mountain (“La Montana Azul”) for a weeklong Qi Gong retreat. 

There were no Internet or distractions here — just delicious organic vegetarian meals made with love and shared with the community under a gorgeous open-air palapa.

There were also colorful tropical birds singing in the jungle, as well as the largest arachnid I’ve ever seen in my gorgeous (but also roofless) room for a little extra adventure.

I’d felt a little energy movement during my year of online practice, but during that week on The Blue Mountain, my body began to really buzz with Qi — life force energy — as I Lifted the Sky, stood in Wuji Stance, and practiced Shooting Arrows.

I felt electrified and joyful. 

And that was when everything changed for me.

At home, I had a successful career as a freelance writer, but I decided during my week in the cloud forest that I wanted more from life.

I wanted to explore the beauty, diversity, nature, and culture in every corner of the world.

And I wanted to share this intoxicating joyful feeling of life-giving freedom and adventure with anyone who wanted to come along for the ride.

Shortly after that, at age 53, I launched my travel blog.

Dreams really do come true. They are just waiting for you to claim them.

-Chris from Explore Now or Never

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6. From Rome With Love

This wasn’t the way I wanted to see Rome. 

Sure, I was happy to spend Christmas in Rome and stand in awe of the city’s many iconic attractions. But, life wasn’t meant to turn out like this.

I was supposed to go to Rome with my mom back in 2012; however, life had different plans, because a week before our trip, I got a double kidney infection. A condition that required a week of hospitalization.

Although I was annoyed I had missed my trip, it wasn’t the end of the world since I was fine and everything seemed okay…until my mom developed a cough.

A cough that later became a heartbreaking diagnosis of stage four ovarian cancer. 

My mom spent the final months of her life in chemo, desperately trying to fight a horrific disease so that she wouldn’t let her family down.

And she didn’t.

Instead, she showed us how to never give up on life, even if it was a losing battle. 

So, when she eventually passed away, I booked a trip to Rome. 

Sure, it wasn’t the trip I had hoped for. But, I knew that as her daughter, it was my job to live enough for the both of us. 

And that’s exactly what I did.

Was I an anxious, sad, angry mess of a person?

Absolutely. I was still getting used to a world that my mother wasn’t a part of. 

And honestly, you never get used to that world. You just deal with it because you don’t really have a choice.

But I also knew that I wanted my mom to live on through me and that I didn’t want to live a life where the haunting phrases “should of,” “could of,” and “would have” swirled through my head and ate away at my happiness.

So, I went. I packed a boatload of tissues, sobbed my heart out, and attended Christmas mass at the Vatican. 

I also threw a coin in the Trevi Fountain, walked through the Colosseum, chowed down on gelato, and spent two weeks doing all the things my mom and I had wanted to do. 

And that’s when it hit me. I had never gone to Rome alone because my mom had always been there with me. Maybe she wasn’t physically there, but I thought of her and felt her presence every minute of every day. 

Her presence also reminded me that life isn’t about the things we buy or the money that we have.

It’s about making memories with the people we love; people that never really leave us since they are constantly influencing our lives in countless ways.

And after my trip to Rome, I finally knew that my mom would always be there because she had forever changed my life in the best possible way. 

-Kelly from Girl with the Passport

7. Studying In Finland

One of my major life-turning points happened during my exchange studies in Finland.

Until then, I was studying at a university in Prague, had a part-time job at a renowned management-consulting firm, and thought I was on the right path in life.

At the University of Economics where I studied it was notoriously difficult to get on an Erasmus exchange trip abroad since the demand was huge. Everyone wanted to go!

Regardless, I decided to sign up early for my last semester, just to see what the process was like to be better prepared for applying again in a year.

I did make it through all the three rounds and surprisingly got a spot at a University in Turku, Finland! I was ecstatic. The success brought its own challenges, but once you set your eyes on the goal, nothing can stop you.

And I had the time of my life in Finland.

I met the most amazing people, traveled a ton, partied a lot, and bonded with friends from all over the world.

Given I was one of the few people there who really needed to pass all her courses and additionally write her thesis, I managed to run on an impossible sleep schedule of four hours per night. But I made it!

My studies in Finland opened up my horizons, too.

The summer after, I wrapped up my life in Prague and went on to study in Germany and China . The whole time I traveled as much as possible, often going on solo adventures. It was only a matter of time when I’d start my own travel blog.

My Finland adventure led me to a life of freedom made up of remote work, travel blogging , and plenty of traveling. I couldn’t have asked for a better outcome. And it gave me one of my favorite true adventure stories that I can now share with others.

-Veronika from Travel Geekery

8. How Cuba Changed My Life

One of my favorite inspiring stories about travel takes place in Cuba.

I visited Cuba in February 2013 and it changed my life — and I like to think it did so for the better.

Interestingly, I expected a completely different country and was compelled to write about it when I got back home.

But let me tell you more.

I read copious amounts of blogs and travel diaries to prepare myself for the trip to Cuba so I thought I’d go in with a fairly good idea of what to expect. Each and every post I read spoke of marvelous landscapes, pristine beaches, crumbling but charming cities, and welcoming locals.

All of it was true, in my experience — except for the locals.

I didn’t find them so welcoming. At least, not genuinely so. They only seemed to welcome me as far as they could get something in exchange: money, clothes, pens, soap, you name it. 

Each and every day in Cuba was a challenge to avoid the scams, to avoid being ripped off, to fight off each and every attempt of people trying to take advantage of me. I usually managed, but it was exhausting and it left a sour taste in my mouth.

Once I got back home I felt the urge to write about my experience — not for other sites or papers as I’d often do. This time I was afraid I’d be censored.

So I opened my own blog. With zero tech knowledge, zero understanding of online content creation and SEO, I started writing and telling people what they should really expect during a trip to Cuba.

I’d put up the occasional post, but continued with my usual job.

At the end of the year, my contract as a researcher in international human rights law at the local university ended, and I decided to stop pursuing that career for a while.

I packed my bags and left for a long-term trip to Central and South America . I started writing on the blog more consistently and learning, and eventually took my blog full-time , turning it into a career.

As of today, I have never looked back and have no regrets.

The one thing I’ll do, as soon as I can, is travel to Cuba to say thank you — because it changed my life in a way nothing else has ever done. 

-Claudia from Strictly Sardinia

9. A Short Travel Story About Finding Inner Peace In Patagonia

Life in London is hard.

Life in London as a gay single brown refugee is harder.

Juggling between work, my passion for traveling, and the prejudices that I dealt with on a daily basis eventually took their toll on me and I reached a breaking point.

The fact that I couldn’t return home to see my family and being away for them for almost nine years was enough to hammer in the final nail in the coffin.

I almost had a nervous breakdown and in that moment of desperation, which I knew would define the rest of my life, I took a month off and headed to Patagonia.

It was probably the best decision I’ve ever made in my life. The 36 hours it took me to get to El Chalten from London were tiring but Patagonia blew me away.

On my first day there I did a 28-kilometer (17-mile) hike which included a steep mountain climb. It was incredible how moving through the forest helped me clear my mind. And as I stood in front of Laguna de Los Tres, the rain and clouds gave way to sunshine and a rainbow.

I felt at peace.

The countless hikes, great food, and the warmth of locals in Chile and Argentina helped me get back in my skin and find the peace I was missing in my heart.

Nature is indeed the best medicine when it comes to stress relief and I won’t be coy about hugging trees to speed up the process (it did).

Patagonia was life-changing for me.

The beauty of nature struck me at each point and every time I thought it wasn’t possible to beat the view, the next one did just that.

I came back a changed, resilient, and most importantly, a happy person.

-Ucman from BrownBoyTravels

10. Looking Inwards & Making Connections With Strangers

It was decades before I traveled solo for the first time in my life.

This trip — a six-day escape to Colorado — was the first trip that was not for business or family reasons but just to travel and discover.

As I prepared for it, I had a strange feeling of excitement and nerves at the same time. I had all sorts of thoughts and doubts:

Would it be fun?

Would I be bored?

Would I stay in bed all day or would I bounce with excitement to do the next thing?

I wasn’t sure. Little did I know that it was going to be a memorable journey of self-discovery. 

As a good wife and mom, for me travel is always about the family; always thinking of who would enjoy what. It’s about family time and bonding. It’s about creating memories and travel stories together. It’s all so wonderful.

But on a solo trip who would I connect with? What would I say?

Well, I found that I got to do anything I wanted!

Usually when I travel with my family, if I feel like going on a drive that’s not on the itinerary or getting a snack no one else is interested in, we simply don’t do that.

So it was weird to just go do it. Really, that’s a thing?

As for making connections, it was so easy to meet locals while traveling and also to connect with other travelers. Honestly, I had conversations everywhere — on planes, while hiking, in restaurants, in the hotel lobby.

It was quite an eye-opening experience to meet a mom of 18 kids and hundreds of foster kids, a cookie baker, a professional photographer, a family of Fourteener hikers, and an internationally ranked marathon runner.

The inspiring stories I discovered were amazing and nothing like my wonderful safe life at home. 

In terms of travel safety , I got to go rock climbing, solo hiking, driving up a Fourteener, eating alone.

And it was all fine. Actually, it felt surprisingly normal.

It was was just me, my SUV, and my backpack for a week. Most of all, it was a breath of fresh air that I didn’t know existed. 

It’s wonderful to be back home and know that possibilities are endless and there is so much more out there to explore and be wowed by!

-Jyoti from Story At Every Corner

11. A Solo Hike To Find Connection

I have traveled solo many times, but I admit I was a bit uneasy booking my trip to Colombia . In part, due to the country’s dark past. But also because I desperately wanted to do the Cocora Valley hike, and if I’m honest, I was terrified.

This hike is located in the Coffee Triangle, an area recognized for its beauty as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It features both rainforest and a stunning green valley speckled with cartoonishly-tall wax palms rising 200 feet or more.

It’s incredibly beautiful.

It’s also a long hike and quite challenging — it generally takes between six and eight hours and there is a steep area with over 3,000 feet of elevation within a quarter of a mile.

I wasn’t in hiking shape, so I was a little concerned. But, worst of all for me were the seven dodgy-looking suspension bridges. 

I’m terrified of heights.

And, I’d be going alone.

I decided to go anyway and I met an incredible woman on the bus to Salento, the town near Cocora. She was also traveling solo and we agreed to hike together.

The town is a backpacker enclave and we met up with a small group of people all traveling solo. As the days passed, our group got larger and it was such a magical experience.

As much as I love city travel, this small town won my heart.

My new friend and I set off on the hike and met two other women who were nervous to do the hike. We all went together.

When we got to the first suspension bridge, I paused. I was embarrassed to admit my fear, but the bridge swayed widely and there was nowhere to hold onto.

When they realized how out of my comfort zone I was and how scared I felt, everything changed. Instead of me dealing with it alone, they were all there to encourage me.

One crossed the bridge to encourage me from the other side and they stayed off of it to limit the sway. Crazy enough, I not only crossed the seven suspension bridges, but I also crossed one an extra time when we went the wrong way on the trail.

I did it! 

I was prepared to be blown away by Cocora Valley’s beauty, but what I wasn’t expecting was what a life-changing travel experience my time there would be.

 -Sam from My Flying Leap

12. How A Pet Sitting Travel Experience Led To A Passionate Career

We wanted to go to the Caribbean but didn’t know much about the islands or how we were going to afford it.

By chance, a friend of ours in Australia mentioned “pet sitting” and that it is something you can do all over the world.

We quickly created an account on a pet sitting website and began searching for options. There were only a couple of sits available in that part of the world, but we tried our luck, sent a request, and to our surprise landed a three-month gig in a beautiful house in the US Virgin Islands — with an infinity pool overlooking the British Virgin Islands.

A month into our sit, we had explored the destination pretty well and so had a lot of time on our hands. We managed to secure another sit in Grenada, so our year was going to be taken up with Caribbean pet sits.

Inspired by a Canadian couple that had previously stayed at our Grenada housesit, we decided to start our own travel blog. We began by writing about The Virgin Islands, highlighting the beautiful beaches and funky bars.

But for every photo of a beautiful beach there were 10 photos of trash.     

It was hard to ignore the plastic pollution issue, especially on such pristine and remote beaches.  So, we began to share photos of the trash we saw and how much we could pick up on our daily dog walks.

The more we looked into plastic pollution, the more we realized the severity of the global plastic pandemic. From that point, we used our platform to create awareness and highlight ways to say no to plastic and travel plastic-free .

We changed our daily routines, our way of living, and even our diets to accommodate more organic foods and little to no plastic packaging.

It’s been over three years now and we continue to do what we can. This journey has led us to some amazing places, working with great conscious brands and even organizing a country-wide beach clean-up campaign in Grenada.

Our aim now is to keep on going.

We love connecting with like-minded people and love the shift over the last few years that brands have made towards creating more sustainable products and services.

It’s been an amazing few years that was sparked by a conversation about pet sitting. Who would have guessed?

-Aaron & Vivien from The Dharma Trails

13. Learning To Slow Down The Hard Way

On Christmas of 2017, I was born again.

We like to spend our Christmas holidays somewhere warm abroad, and that year we chose Uganda.

Nature, wildlife, and sunny days were a blessing when it was so cold and dark in Europe. Life was beautiful, and we had a rental car and a busy schedule ahead to explore the country.

This is where this short travel story turns into one of my more scary travel experiences :

At Murchinson Falls National Park, we had a car accident.

I lost control of the car, and it rolled over, destroying windows, chassis, and engine.

But we were alive! My right arm was severely injured, but we managed to walk to our lodge, not far inside the park.

In the lodge, I was happy to learn that there was a pretty decent American hospital in Masindi that was just a one-hour drive from the lodge. Moreover, one of the lodge’s guests was a nurse who cleaned the wound while we were waiting for the taxi from/to Masindi.

The hospital took care of us, and after a couple of injections and stitches, I was ready to head to our new hotel in Masindi; however, my wound required daily dressing and more injections, so we were asked to stay in town for a few days.   

Masindi is the kind of place where you may want to stop to buy some food or water, but that’s it.

The town’s highlights were the market and our daily visit to the hospital, so we ended up looking for the small things, chatting with the medical staff, the hotel staff, the people in the market, and learning more about their customs.

We learned to slow down the hard way.

When we were allowed to leave, we took a road trip south through the country to see something else. We did not care about our travel bucket list anymore — we were alive, and we wanted to enjoy Uganda’s unique nature and its people. 

In the end, our Uganda trip was not about the places that we saw, but the people that we met. It was travel for experience vs sightseeing.

I hope to revisit Uganda one day, with a stop at Masindi for some food, water, and maybe something else.

-Elisa from World in Paris

14. A Cycling Trip To Remember

During the summer of 2019, I cycled solo from London to Istanbul. This huge bicycle tour took me 89 days and through 11 countries.

As you might expect, it was a challenging yet incredible journey, which saw me pedal along some of Europe’s greatest rivers, pass through some of its best cities, and witness some of its most beautiful scenery.

It’s becoming more and more important for us to think about the impact that travel can have on our environment. This was the inspiration for my bicycle tour; I wanted to find more responsible ways to explore the world and avoid flights where possible.

I discovered that bicycle touring is one of the most eco-friendly ways to travel, as using nothing but a bicycle and your own pedal power you can carry everything you need while covering surprising distances each day.

The simplicity of life and the sheer amount of time I spent cycling alone gave me a lot of time to just think . This really helped me to come to terms with some personal problems rooted in my past and, as a result, I arrived solo in Istanbul with newly found confidence, independence, and liberation. 

Cycling across the entire European continent may seem like an impossibly daunting task, but I assure you, it will make you feel like a new person, just like it did for me.

-Lauren from The Planet Edit

15. How The Caribbean Shaped Me Into A Fully Sustainable Traveler

One of my first international trips as an adult was traveling around the Caribbean .

I checked into my hotel in Jamaica and asked for a recommendation for a local place to eat. The receptionist told me that under no circumstances should I should go into the town because it was really dangerous, but that — to my luck — the hotel’s restaurant offered wonderful Caribbean food.

I pondered my options:

Did I really want to spend all my time on the beach without getting to know a single local?

I was a very inexperienced traveler and very young, but there was only one answer to my question:

Absolutely not. I was not going to be visiting a new place and staying hostage in a hotel chain. So out I went.

The poverty hit me in the face. After only seeing fancy resorts, the reality was hard to swallow.

A few locals approached me and were super curious as to what I was doing there alone, since most tourists didn’t go there.

I told them I was interested in meeting them and experiencing their culture. And just like that, I was embraced.

We met more people, had some food, and then we danced the night away. They had so little, yet they wanted to share it with me. They wanted to make me feel welcome.

And they undeniably did.

The next morning all I could think about was how all the money most tourists spend goes to big corporations. The locals have to be thankful if they get a job that pays minimum wage, while foreign businesses earn millions.

I have always been environmentally conscious, but this trip made it clear that sustainability goes well beyond nature and wildlife.

It’s also about communities.

From then on I always look for locally owned accommodation, eateries, guides, and souvenirs.

Sustainability, with everything it entails, became a motto for me and changed the very essence of the way I travel.

-Coni from  Experiencing the Globe

16. Lessons From My Students In Peru

One of the most life-changing trips I’ve ever been on was a volunteering experience in the stunning city of Cuzco in Peru.

I spent a month there teaching English and Italian to a group of local adults. And even though my time there was short, the travel experience was so humbling that it changed my outlook on life.

My lessons took the form of active conversations, which essentially turned into a massive multilingual cultural exchange between me and my students. Hearing my students talk about their lives — and realizing just how different they were from mine — made me look at my own life with a fresh new perspective.

One person spoke about the three years he spent living in a jungle with his dad, where they fed off of animals they hunted in order to survive.

Another student told me about her ultimate dream of mastering English so that she could become a tour guide and have a more stable future.

For me, these stories were a reminder of just how small I am in this world and how much we can get consumed by the small bubbles we live in. 

Most of all, my students showed a passion and appreciation for life that I’d never witnessed before.

This is true for the locals I met in Cuzco in general. The quality of life in Cuzco is very modest; hot water is scarce and you learn to live with little.

But the locals there do way more than just that — they spontaneously parade the streets with trumpets and drums just because they’re feeling happy, and their energy for the simple things in life is incredibly contagious.

It was impossible to not feel inspired in Cuzco because my students always had the biggest smiles on their faces, and the locals showed me again and again that simply being alive is a blessing.

I went to Peru to teach, but ended up learning more from my students and the locals there than they did from me.

Ever since I got back from that trip, I made it a goal to slow down and not take the simple things in life for granted.

Every time I get upset about something, I think about the Peruvians in Cuzco parading their streets in song and pure joy, and I tell myself to stop complaining.

-Jiayi from  The Diary of a Nomad

17. Braving Travel With Chronic Pain

Santiago de Compostela is a beautiful city with a prominent cathedral positioned centrally within the city.

While the historical cathedral attracts numerous visitors, even more well-known is the route to Santiago de Compostela, Camino de Santiago –- the world-famous pilgrimage route that has a plethora of trailheads and ends in Santiago. 

Home to locals, students, English teachers, and those on a spiritual pilgrimage, personal conquest, or a great outdoor hiking excursion, Santiago is a magical city.

My introduction to Santiago de Compostela doesn’t begin on the pilgrimage route, yet ends with a spiritual awakening analogous with those other unique pilgrimage stories.

It was my first solo trip abroad teaching English in Spain, a country that’s always been on my travel bucket list. A small town outside of Santiago was selected as the school I’d be teaching at for the year.

Unknowingly, this teach abroad program chose the perfect city for me to live in. 

A year prior, I suffered a traumatic brain injury that left me unable to function normally and complete average tasks. Migraines, headaches, and dizziness became my body’s normal temperament, a hidden disability invisible to the naked eye. 

Braving travel with chronic pain was the first lesson I learned during the trip.

The vast green outdoors and fresh dew from the morning rain enlivened me daily and reminded me about the importance of slowing down so I could enjoy traveling with my hidden disability. 

I also learned to stop often for daily tea breaks and to embrace the long lunch hour,  siestas , with good food, company, and a nap to rest.

Meeting locals , indulging in local food, and learning Spanish allowed me to connect deeply with the beautiful culture of Santiago. After all, my dream was to travel to Spain, and I more than accomplished that dream.

Difficult or not, I learned to own my dream and I was more than surprised with the results.

Who knew that a year after my injury I’d be traveling the world with chronic pain, and for that, I’m eternally grateful.

-Ciara from Wellness Travel Diaries

18. A Blessing In Disguise

2020 has been a wild year for all of us and foreign students in China are no exception. As soon as the malevolent virus began to make its rounds in China, our university sent us home for “two weeks.”

However, within a short time, countries began to shut their borders and these “two weeks” turned into months, a full year even.

Crushed by the burden of online lectures and virtual labs, my boyfriend and I packed our bags and caught one of the first flights to his home country of Pakistan.

I had always been an over-ambitious traveler. I believed numbers were everything — the number of countries I visited, the number of hours I spent on a plane, the number of international trips I took in a year. These numbers were what defined me.

My feet were constantly itching and I never liked to spend more than a few days in a place before heading to the next country. Revisiting a place felt superfluous to me.

That’s why I was hoping to spend a month or two in Pakistan and then continue to check new countries off the list — after all, my online classes finally granted me the freedom to “work on my numbers.”

But as is usually the case in 2020, things turned out quite different from what I had expected. Borders remained closed and worldwide infections stayed rampant. At this point, I have already spent nearly half a year in Pakistan.

During this peculiar time, however, an amazing thing happened:

My mindset about travel started to change and I began to look at my long stay in Pakistan as perhaps my most valuable travel experience ever.

I may not have visited dozens of countries like in previous years but my experiences were deeper than ever before.

From trekking to one of the world’s tallest mountains to sharing tea with heavily armed officers at nearly 5,000 meters altitude to exploring hidden beaches in the most secluded regions to spontaneously being invited to village homes, my adventures in Pakistan couldn’t have been more incredible. They opened my eyes to the sheer diversity of many countries and completely transformed my idea about traveling. 

It took me nearly a full year of heavy restrictions on international travel and a few months in one of the world’s most fascinating countries to give up on my superficial ideals and become a more mature traveler.

This time will always have a special place in my heart.

-Arabela from The Spicy Travel Girl

19. What The River Taught Me

My travel story takes place in the summer of 2017 — the final summer before I graduated university — as it continues to play a significant role in the person I’ve become.

When I say that, people ask me if it was the portion of the summer I spent solo backpacking in Europe . And to their surprise, it wasn’t. It was actually the latter portion of the summer where I stayed closer to home.

For July and August I worked as a canoe guide leading whitewater canoe trips on remote rivers in Canada. It was here that I got to canoe the powerful and iconic Missinaibi River, a river that continues to influence me all these years later.

The Missinaibi River flows from the powerful Lake Superior to the even more powerful salty waters of James Bay. Here, I led a group of eight teenagers through dozens of whitewater rapids over 500 kilometers (~311 miles).

With no cell service for 25 days, we were forced to disconnect from anything other than the river.

During this trip I learned two important lessons:

First, I learned to be confident in my own abilities as a leader and problem solver.

There were a few rapids where my campers’ boats flipped and I had to rescue the campers and the canoes. One rescue saw two boats flip on a mile-long rapid. It took six hours to make it down the rapid, and during this time I managed stuck canoes and crying campers.

And while this was one of the most difficult rescues I’ve done, I was amazed at how calm I was throughout it. I gave clear directions, prioritized effectively, and kept my campers safe throughout the entire experience. Following the rescue, I had a newfound sense of confidence in my abilities.

The second lesson I learned on the Missinaibi was the power of disconnecting from society and connecting with the people around you.

A wild river commands all of your attention. Each day, you and your group must take down camp, load canoes, paddle up to eight hours while navigating both rapids and portages, get to a new campsite, set up camp, cook dinner, and go to bed.

And without the distraction of technology, your attention has nowhere else to be. You focus on the river and your teammates.

As someone who had wrestled with anxiety and depression prior to this summer, I felt at total ease on the trip. Now I seek societal disconnection and human connection as much as I can. 

Sometimes the most profound, life-altering trips are the least expected trips closer to home.

-Mikaela of  Voyageur Tripper

More Short Travel Experience Stories

25 Crazy Travel Stories You Need To Read To Believe

23 Inspiring Travel Stories Sharing The Kindness Of Strangers

17 True Short Adventure Travel Stories To Inspire Your Next Trip

38 Inspiring Travel Love Stories From The Road

16 Short Funny Travel Stories That Will Make You Laugh

20 Embarrassing Travel Stories That Will Make You Laugh & Blush

21 Travel Horror Stories About Scary Travel Experiences

Do you have any inspiring travel experience stories about life-changing trips to share?

Enjoyed these inspiring stories about travel? Pin them for later!

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These stories are so much fun to read! Thanks so much for putting a post like this together. It’s great to be able to check out other people’s blogs and read about other people’s experiences!

Always great to read about travel experiences of others. Some great stories to read over coffee. I’ve Pinned your post for future reference and to share with others. Will check out each story author’s blog as well. Great Job! 🙂

Amazing story for new traveler like me thanks for your contribution

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EnglishPost.org

How to Talk about Your Last Vacation in English

Talking about your last vacation is a good topic to prove how much you have learned about the simple past.

In this lesson, you are going to learn how to talk about your last vacation in English.

A basic question and answer about this topic are:

• Where? who with? How long?
• I went to Hawaii with my family for a couple of weeks
• I went to Spain with my friends for a couple of weeks
• I went to Italy with my girlfriend for a month

As you can see, both of those sentences use verbs in the past.

Table of Contents

Questions about your Last Vacation

My last vacation examples, my last vacation example #1 , my last vacation example #2, my last vacation example #3, my last vacation example #4, my last vacation example #5, questions about my last vacation in english, key vocabulary, your last vacation exercise.

Not let’s take a look at some other questions, these questions will help you think about your last vacation.

The first set is basic questions that usually require some basic details to be answered:

• Where did you go?
• When did you go?
• Who did you go with?
• How did you get there?
• What did you do during the day?
• What did you do at night?
• What did you eat?
• Did you enjoy your last vacation?
• Where did you stay?
• How much money did you spend on your last vacation?

These are some questions that require a few more details to be answered

• Did you have any bad experiences on your last vacation?
• Did you make new friends on your last vacation?
• What places did you visit during your stay?
• How long were you there?
• Did you buy any souvenirs?
• Where would you like to go next?
• Would you recommend that place that you visited? why or why not?

All of those questions are really helpful when you have an oral test.

These are five examples of people describing their last vacations.

Pay Careful attention to verbs in the past form since you will see lots of them. You will also see verbs in the present in some instances.

The verbs in the past forms will be in bold so it is easier for you to remember them.

Don’t think that those examples are hard to create, you just need to create simple sentences and in some instances provide more details.

Last year, I had the chance the amusement park, Zarcero, and  Ciudad Quesada in a day. I wen t with my daughter, my wife, and some friends.

We woke up early that day and our friends drove us to the amusement park, my daughter enjoyed the many rides available, we ate pizza and we left  around three.

Then we  headed to San Carlos, on the way to San Carlos we stopped by the catholic church and took some pictures of ourselves in the gardens. 

We got to San Carlos around 5:00 PM, we had dinner there, picked some people up, and headed home.

Last year I  spent  my vacation at the beach. I  traveled  with some friends of mine. We arrived at the beach at 8:00 AM, we immediately went swimming then we made some sandwiches for lunch.

After lunch, we went running and we left the beach before 6:00 PM.

We drove back to the hotel and we  had dinner there. Around 9, we called our friends and we met outside a dance club because we wanted to dance.

We spent like three hours in the club and we got back to the hotel.

Last year, I went to Cartagena with my family and my best friend Luis. We visited my cousins Mayra and Alejandra. I hadn’t met them before, so I was really excited to meet them.

My first impression of them it was very good, they are friendly and fun. We went to visit many places but my favorite place was Barú island.

That island is amazing, it looks like a paradise, I took many pictures of every single we did.

The food was excellent. We ate shrimp rice and a shrimp cocktail. I had a great time with my family. We spent three amazing days in Cartagena.

Hello. I’d like to share with everybody the great time that I had on my last vacation. I went to Conchal Beach with my friends. We stayed at a small hotel right in front of the beach.

The first day we were there we took surfing lessons, my friends and I had so much fun hanging out at the beach.

There was another beach nearby, probably a five-minute walk and you are in Brasilito beach. We watched the sunset and we set a fire at night.

We spent most of the three days on the beach and we usually went to a club at night located in a place called Tamarindo. There is a beach in Tamarindo too.  It was one of the most special times I’ve had in my life.

My last holiday was a five-day trip to Guatemala I know Guatemala well because I lived there when I was a missionary more than ten years ago.

Instead of staying in a hotel, I stayed with one of my old friends. It wa s so much fun.

I wanted to visit all the places I lived, so I visited Baja Verapaz. It has changed a lot. I also went to the supermarket near my old house. 

We did some touristy things too. We went to Tikal. Nature is amazing up there. We walked across the historic monuments.

These are some questions and answers about my last vacation in English

• I went to Coco Beach
• I went to Samara Last week
• I went to a resort with my parents
• We rented a car
• I went surfing with my friends
• We visited the clubs and the casinos
• We ate different types of meat

These are some important words that you can use when talking about vacations in English

Long Weekend: Saturday and Sunday with at least one extra day added, either Friday or Monday.

Hang out: to spend a lot of time in a place or with someone

Sightseeing: The activity of visiting interesting places, especially by people on holiday

Test how much you know the past form of most common verbs to describe your past vacations

I am Jose Manuel, English professor and creator of EnglishPost.org, a blog whose mission is to share lessons for those who want to learn and improve their English

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How to talk up your travel experiences in a job interview.

There was a time when international experiences could be a game changer in a job application; there was a huge advantage in having worked, studied, volunteered or traveled abroad. And many of the organizations behind opportunities like volunteering or working abroad still tout this as one of the biggest advantages to their programs.

“Differentiate yourself, make your resume stand out.” But unfortunately, this just isn’t the case anymore . The job market is too competitive. Too many applicants have international experience for that alone to be a point of differentiation.

And the thing is the vast majority of employers don’t actually care about your international experience. And why would they?  How does it help the company that you spent six months volunteering in Southeast Asia?

This post will help you answer straight forward questions like: “Tell me about your last travel experience” and “Talk about your travel experiences.”

However, it will also help you bring your travel experience into more general questions like “tell me about a time you were a leader” or “what are your greatest strengths.”

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support is much appreciated! You can learn more by reading my full disclosure .

Employers were never interested in the experience itself. Employers were interested in the skills the experience represents.

So if you want to use your international experience to land a job, you need to look at the experience from the lens of the employer. That means the real question you ask yourself is this:

“How do I use my travel experiences to demonstrate that I have the skills the employer is looking for?”

And that is what I am here to help you with. When I was in business school I was a member (and eventually a president) of a club that helped university students prepare for jobs in competitive industries.

I’d landed a business job myself using fairly unconventional experiences (i.e. camp counselling and wilderness guiding ) so helping others speak about their own experiences became a bit of a passion for me.

You can read more about me at the bottom of the post if you’re interested, but otherwise, let’s get going with the interview prep!

Disclaimer: All opinions expressed are my own and do not reflect the opinions or hiring process of my employer, my university or anyone else.

Employers are looking for skills in their employees – and international experiences can teach you those exact skills.

Maybe you went solo backpacking for the first time . At the start you fumbled around in train stations and didn’t leave the hostel on your own, but by the end of the trip you’re ordering food in another language, feeling comfortable on public transit and making friends with locals and travelers alike.

Or maybe you’ve just returned from studying abroad or volunteering internationally . You’ve learned about another culture and a thing or two about yourself. With traveling comes challenges and with challenges comes the opportunity to develop skills. And some of those skills are exactly what the employer wants.

• Can make decisions under pressure
• Able to work autonomously and independently
• Can manage people in stressful situations
• Good at problem solving under pressure
• Brings passion and enthusiasm to the work
• Can communicate professionally and to a variety of audiences
• Effective team player, one that supports fellow team members and the leader

Decision making under pressure . Even tried navigating though a busy train station when you didn’t know the language? Even gotten yourself in a tricky situation and had to act quickly to get yourself out of it?

Independent worker. Have you backpacked solo? Have you lived alone abroad? Just about everything you did was independent. You know how to manage your time and efforts and this is what an employer wants to see in their employees.

Just about every skill an employer could want can be developed and demonstrated with an international experience.

How to speak about your international experiences in a way that will resonate with your employer.

As I said, your employer likely cares less about the experience itself and more about the skills you have that make you the best person for the job.

This isn’t just true for international experiences. Say you’re applying for a job as a marketing manager at a start up and previously you worked as a social media manager at a large company, the interviewer doesn’t actually care what your previous job was.

They are interested in the skills you must have demonstrated in that job (i.e. managing deadlines, interacting with people, thinking creatively, pitching ideas, skills like that). Before we get into all that however, let’s start at the beginning.

Think about the types of questions you might be asked in an interview.

In my experience, all the questions you get asked in an interview can loosely be grouped into four buckets. Job/Company Specific : “Why do you think you are a good fit for this role?” “Why do you want to work at this company?” “What do you like most about this company?”

This is a great place to differentiate.

I’ve written a little blurb at the bottom of the post about job/company specific questions.

Scenario : This is where the interviewer gives you a hypothetical situation and asks how you would handle it. This is very job specific, so I’m not going to get into these types of questions here.

Experience-based : “Tell me about yourself” “I can see on your resume that you did X. Tell me more about this experience.”  “Tell me about a time you got in a conflict with someone.”

Skill-based : “What are your greatest weaknesses?” “What are your strengths as a leaders?” “Tell be about a time you demonstrated X skill.”

Here is where a lot of people make mistakes. They only talk about their skills when they get skill-based questions. When asked about an experience, they talk about the experience itself, not about the skills they developed or gained from the experience.

Every time you are asked about an experience and you don’t talk about your skills, you are missing an opportunity to show your interviewer just how great you are. 

Write down the skills the job position requires , not the skills you have..

Usually you’ll find a handful of them in the job application itself. Write those down. Also, get creative. Imagine yourself in the job and identify a few skills that would be helpful or necessary to possess.

Write those down too. This will show the employer that you understand the job position and demonstrate how you’ve prepared for the interview.

Check that the skills are specific.

Simply saying “teamwork” or “leadership” isn’t effective because they are too vague, overused and come off like buzzwords.

You want to get specific.

Instead say you’re an “effective team player, someone who can work collaboratively with other team members and also support the leader.” You’re not just good at “leadership,” instead you “excel at leading people through challenging or ambiguous problems”.

Brainstorm experiences that relate to those skills.

Here is an example. When I was interviewing for my current job, I felt the position would require someone that was a “fast learner and adaptable” and could “communicate professionally, even under pressure.” 

I immediately thought of my summer living in Nunavut, working at a remote arctic base camp north of the Arctic Circle (technically not international for me, but incredibly different than other cultures/experiences I’d had before).

I was expected to understand how to troubleshoot a wonky propane tank and navigate around icebergs in a kayak. I had to communicate with other guides and tourists who weren’t all native-English speakers, and I had to communicate professionally and calmly even when I was stressed or frustrated.

Although working at an arctic base camp is not at all related to business, both jobs require fast learning and adaptability, and professional communication.

By speaking about skills, you can connect an unrelated experience to the job you’re applying to, demonstrating to the interviewer exactly how that experience makes you a good fit for the job.

Tie each of the skills you’ve written down to a different experience. This is where you have to go beyond your international experience(s) and consider every other experience you’ve ever had.

Your potential employer wants to see you’ve had a breadth of experience, so you can’t tie everything to your year-long backpacking trip or semester volunteering.

When I am doing interview prep with students, I see this mistake a lot. Candidates over-rely on one experience. Say there are six skills you want to demonstrate: you could tie one to an experience at school, two to a previous job you had, and three to your international experiences.

Pro tip: Do not underestimate seemingly unimpressive experiences. One of my friends had previously worked as a server at a high end golf club.

The job she was applying to required her to work under pressure, and want to know what has a lot of pressure? 

Waiting tables and pleasing patrons at a high end golf club!

Often the employers don’t actually care about what your experiences are, they care about the skills you’ve learned from them and how you can apply them to the job you’re applying for. That’s why knowing how to speak about experiences in a way that will resonate with an employer is so powerful.

Next, embody the Job-Skill-Experience-Skill-Job Sandwich.

When you talk about your experiences, always keep it in the context of the job. I like to think of it like a sandwich. I open and close my answer with something about the job I’m applying to and the skill that job requires, and I only talk about the experience at the very middle of my answer. Here is an example.

Example 1: Why do you think you’re qualified for the position of marketing manager?

“Effective communication will be an important skill for the marketing manager to have” [I dentify the skill needed for the job ] “and this is something that I practiced and developed during my time in Australia. I was living somewhere that spoke English, but there were still subtle differences in word choice and body language that could convey different meanings. I remember….(insert quick example here).”

[Begin to talk about experience and how it relates to the skill. You can also throw in a sentence that gives a more specific example. ] “I learned that an effective communicator is intentional in word choice and body language, and adapts according to the culture and background of the other person.”

I believe my approach to effective communication will make me an effective marketing manager for your company.” [ And now bring the skill back to the job and why you’d be great!]

Example 2: Tell me about your time volunteering abroad. How do you think this has prepared you for a role in our business development team?

“I remember these two days where we all had to work outside together; there had been some turnover on the team and it was absolutely pouring rain – everyone was keeping to themselves and absolutely miserable.

I had this idea that if I could just get people laughing or loosening up, we might be able to come together and get the work done faster. I went around teaching everyone this silly icebreaker game I remembered from camp and soon enough we were all playing it together.

“I believe this example speaks to how I approach working in teams: with collaboration and optimism. I’m sure the business development team will encounter challenges too, but I think volunteering abroad has given me an approach to teams that will make me an effective member of the business development team.” [ Bring it all together again. ]

See how the sandwich works?

Now, I’m not saying these are the perfect answers. But I hope these examples demonstrate the structure of an interview answer that is skills based, rather than a description of an experience.

You should spend a decent about of time brainstorming your sandwich for each skill you’ve listed. This will ensure the skill ties the job and the experience together and give you confidence going into the interview.

Pro tip: You can also apply this method to cover letters. I personally love a cover letter that clearly outlines the skills needed for the position and how the candidate has those skills. You’re essentially making the resume reviewer’s job easier!

Get really good talking about the sandwich.

Until I was in my third year of university (my first year of business school), I never really practiced my answers to interview questions. In fact, I didn’t do any preparation at all.

Now I understand just how important preparation is. You, of course, don’t want to memorize answers to questions you may or may not get asked. That will make you seem rehearsed and robotic.

Instead, put down the paper and just speak freely about the sandwich. The first time, there will probably be moments when you fumble over your words or ramble on for a while.

So practice tying it all together. Don’t script it, because that comes off as disingenuous. But practice speaking it out loud, in front of the mirror, to your friends, to your parents, whoever.

Honestly, I know this is terrible and everyone dreads it, but PRACTICE ANSWERING INTERVIEW QUESTIONS IN FRONT OF SOMEONE . They will tell you if you use too many hand gestures or you ramble too much.

Nail the interview, get job, be happy!

Now all that’s left to do is the interview itself!

Company specific questions.

I said I’d leave off with a few strategies to help you distinguish yourself from other applicants with the company-specific questions. So here you go.

Company-specific questions offer an opportunity to do some research. When someone asks you what you like about the company, you want to have a really creative answer that demonstrates you’ve done some research on the company.

Here are two examples for “What about company X makes you want to work here?” (Note: company names are fictitious.)

Example 1: Look for the company in the news.

You’re interviewing at Green Clothing Co, a company that makes ethically and sustainable sourced clothing. You read a news article that a major department store asked to carry their clothing, but Green Clothing Co turned the opportunity down. Use that in your answer.

“Green Clothing Co has always been a company I respected for its commitment to ethical and sustainable sourcing, as this is something I personally value in the brands I support.

I remember reading that Green Clothing turned down a profitable opportunity with a major department store in order stay true to its values. I want the company I work for the reflect my values and I believe Green Company Co does this.”

Example 2: Speak to someone already working at the company.

You’re interviewing at a tech start up. You contacted Kate from the company on LinkedIn to ask her some questions about her experience working with the company. The employee said it’s a fast-paced environment for high achievers and that any employee learns a lot there.

“Beyond my interest in tech and start-ups, I am interested in working for a company that enables me to thrive in a fast-paced environment, a place where I am constantly improving my skills and personal growth isn’t stagnant.

I spoke with Kate and this is the exact work environment she described. She explained how employees were constantly being challenged and personal growth is encouraged. After hearing that, I knew this company was a place that I could excel at. ‘

Other ideas for speaking about the company.

These are not the only two ways you can demonstrate your commitment and interest in the company. Get creative. Get personal. Maybe it was your first experience with their product.

Maybe a friend recommend the company or you saw them sponsoring a fundraiser and wanted to learn more about them. The main objective is to give the employer an answer they aren’t accustomed to hearing and makes you stand out.

International experience & job interviews – what are your thoughts?

Before I sign off, I’m really interested in your thoughts on this. Not like the “comment on my post” interested, but genuinely very interested in whether or not you find this method helpful.

This is a very business-y approach, I know, and you guys come here for outdoor adventure travel. So let me know if this is the kind of topic you find useful or if there are other business-y/life related things you’d like me to write about more.

Anyways, you’ve reached the bottom of the post. So who am I to be talking about this?

If you’ve come across this article without knowing anything about me, you might be thinking “ Mikaela, you’re a travel blogger – who are you to be giving us interview advice?”

Well, that is where you’d be incorrect. Despite having this little travel blog, I am not a travel blogger in the slightest. At least as of today, this blog is 100% a hobby and I make literally no money off of it (it actually bleeds money but that’s another story).

Prior to my third year of university, the only job I’d ever had was leading canoe trips at summer camp and guiding tourists in the Canadian Arctic. Super cool and my true passion in life, however not really applicable to my engineering or business degrees.

In my third year, however, I applied for summer internships with very traditional business companies (specifically in management consulting) because they seemed pretty interesting and everyone else was doing it.

Despite a lot of my classmates having much more relevant job experiences (like working at boutique consulting firms, law firms and banks), I got a lot of interviews and I eventually got hired at one of them.

After that, I was a member (and then president) of a club that helped students do interview prep. In my experience, I’ve found that it’s not the applicants with the most impressive resumes that get hired – it’s the people who can speak about their experiences in a way that resonates with their interviewer. So yeah, that’s me!

Mikaela | Voyageur Tripper

Mikaela has been canoeing, hiking and camping for over ten years. She previously worked as a canoeing guide in Canada, and spent a season guiding hiking and kayaking tours in the high Arctic. Mikaela is a Wilderness First Responder and Whitewater Rescue Technician.

MY FAVOURITE GEAR

Fleece Sweater

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33 thoughts on “ How to Talk Up Your Travel Experiences in a Job Interview ”

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Loved reading this! When I first quit my job to travel, people kept asking how I would ever be able to get a job again! I’m glad I didn’t listen to them. An article like this would have made me feel more confident though. I think workplaces are starting to understand the value of these types of experiences, and it is becoming more and more common for people to take breaks. This will be a great resource for many!

Thank you! I hope it will be useful to others. I’m even seeing more companies in the business world offer extended time off to let people rest and recharge and explore theirs passions before going back to work.

Brilliant post! Never thought how travelling could translate into workplace skills but this has helped me rethink how experiences can provide skill development

Yay! That’s great to hear! I hope this is helpful if you’re looking for a new job ever

OMG I needed to see this! What a helpful post. I will be interviewing for a new job sometime soon and would like to play up my travel experience 🙂

BEST OF LUCK ALEXANDRA! I hope the job interview goes well. And yes, play up that travel experience! I’m sure you’ll rock it 🙂

What a timely article! I would love to hire people who have traveled the world because understanding different cultures and mindsets helps us design our products for the broader customer base.

That’s Jyoti – I agree, no better time to communicate about the benefits of travel when the whole industry has been flipped upside down. I hope any previous travelers out of work will have their experience appreciated!

This is such a good post! I’ve tried to think of ways to incorporate travel experiences into useful commodities for job prospects, but not really known what types of skills would be good, realistic selling points. This has given me a ton of ideas and your examples are great. Thanks for putting this together!

You’re very welcome! I’m glad the examples are helpful. I did worry that they were a little too specific, but thought it wouldn’t be helpful to describe the process vaguely without offering a concrete example. I’m really happy this resonated with you 🙂 thanks for your kind comment

THANK YOU FOR THIS!!! Being well traveled, independent, and culturally open is SO UNDERRATED in the “perceived” job market, AND I DONT KNOW WHY. Literally, every job I have ever interviewed for (for reference, I am in the STEM field) have been most interested in my travels, study abroad, and international experiences! Jobs want someone who is able to adapt to different environments and cultures, because we live in a global market! But anyways, now I’m rambling. Loved this post!

Hey Kay! Yay I’m happy this resonated with you. I am also in STEM and have found the same thing. I feel like we just need to speak the employer’s language. Take the expeirences we know are awesome, distill them into easily digestible “skills” and communicate effectively. Loves again for your kind comment <3

I’ve never stopped to think about it, but travel really does teach you a lot of useful skills. Especially now to be flexible, plans do not always work the way we wanted them to. Great ideas, thanks for sharing!

You’re very welcome, Ashley. Glad you found it helpful!

thanks a lot for golden tips! I think you’ve already saved my job hunting to a great extent.

Oh, I’m so glad it was helpful! Best of luck in the job search and let me know if you have any questions!

OMG this is so useful. Thank you thank you! Just sent it to my friend as well who has an interview in a couple of days <3

I’m glad you found it helpful! And I hope your friend nails their interview! Sending lots of luck!!!

Sorry about that! The website went through a big update last night which may have caused it. Glad you liked the post!

I loved your blog post.Really looking forward to read more. Great.

Thank you! Glad you liked it 🙂

Looking forward to reading more. Great blog article.Much thanks again. Really Great.

Hey, thanks for the blog article. Cool.

I truly appreciate this blog. Keep writing.

Thank you ever so for you article post.Thanks Again. Keep writing.

Thanks for sharing, this is a fantastic article post. Want more.

Really appreciate you sharing this blog post.Really looking forward to read more.

wow, awesome blog article.Thanks Again. Fantastic.

Looking forward to reading more. Great post.Much thanks again. Really Cool.

This is one awesome article post. Cool.

Muchos Gracias for your article post.Really looking forward to read more. Awesome.

I really enjoy the blog.Much thanks again. Cool.

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How to Write a Narrative Essay on Your Last Journey

A narrative essay on a journey is an exciting chance to express yourself and reflect on your last trip’s adventures. This writing can be approached from various angles and may be experiential, anecdotal, or personal. If you haven’t written such papers, we encourage you to explore the following steps to create an appealing and captivating narrative essay easily.

Brainstorm About Your Journey

First, you need to consider what information you will include in your writing and recall your last journey, especially if it was long ago.

● Think of the event by simply closing your eyes. You can use a voice recorder on your phone to catch your thoughts or write down your memories after the reflection session. Think about your feelings, key events, lessons learned, etc.

● Try to refresh memories from your last journey by reviewing photos you’ve made or videos you have taken to remember details, events, locations, and other meaningful details that will improve your narrative quality.

● Read more information for inspiration. Look at what other travelers say about the location you have visited, gain more general information (like the history of the place), and read articles related to the place you have seen.

Experiment with Writing Tools

To bring your writing to the next level and speed up the writing process, you can use ChatGPT or another free AI generator to develop some fresh ideas for your essay, but don’t forget to write the draft yourself to avoid plagiarism. Also, you can try an essay writing service like essayshark.com and get a totally unique narrative essay from professional writers according to your instructions.

Decide on the Narrative Type

In fact, you can develop the story about your last journey in various ways. You can describe your journey in a classical way and describe events chronologically. Or maybe you wish to focus on the journey’s particular moment or theme? Consider which approach will clearly express everything you want to discuss in your essay.

● Chronological type. It lets the reader experience your journey from start to end and gives a sense of an unfolding story.

● Reflective type. Choose this type if you wish to share your emotions and personal transformation experience through your journey.

● Descriptive type. Let the reader clearly imagine the picture of sightseeing and locations you have visited. Use vibrant and sensory descriptions to achieve the goal.

● Thematic type. A great option if you wish to talk about personal growth, relationships, environmental awareness, cultural diversity, and other themes of self-discovery through your journey.

● Flashback narrative. Suppose you wish to talk about the most captivating and exciting events. In that case, you can use this type of narrative to focus on various moments without sticking to the chronology of the events.

● Literary narrative. For this type, you will need to use literary devices such as allegory, metaphor imagery, personification, etc. For example, you can compare the journey to the mountains to the visit to ancient giants that have seen a lot during their existence.

Depending on the writing goals you wish to achieve and the tastes of your audience, you can mix the narrative types to give the reader more depth about your journey experience.

Create an Outline

Write all the points about your journey you wish to write about in your essay. Consider that the narrative should have an introduction, a body paragraph with a climax or turning point, and a conclusion. This approach will allow you to express your thoughts and consider all ideas effectively. Use a mind-map service to fill in the boxes of your points and logically tie them down to the core idea of the essay. Remember to stick to the narrative type you have chosen. More information you can get in recommendations for narrative essays from Nova Southeastern University .

Think About an Interesting Introduction

As you are writing a narrative essay, which refers more to personal writing, you have many options to choose from. You can start with a captivating description of the place you have visited, focus on the emotions, tell an anecdote that has happened during your journey, dialogue, fact, or a topic-related question.

For example:

“In the ancient ruins and breathtaking sense of history, a voice of fresh wind invited me to explore the new path. I sensed the whisper of old stones and something unknown to explore with every step. I already knew that this journey would reveal the old city’s mysteries and reveal secrets of my own soul.”

Write the First Draft and Proofread It

Write the text freely as your thoughts flow. Consider the outline, add sensory details , share your emotions, and focus on your experience. Forget about perfection and add as many details as you can to allow the reader to immerse into your journey. When you put the last word in your essay, leave it for some time to refresh your mind. Use a grammar checker and reread the text to fix the main mistakes. Cut unnecessary detail, rewrite some sections, and improve the narrative’s logical flow if needed.

Writing a narrative essay on your last journey allows you to immerse in memories and reflect on your past experiences. By creating a vivid picture for the reader, you start thinking about your trip from various angles and how it has influenced you personally. Combine narrative types, and intervene with your personal reflections and facts to write a compelling and engaging narrative essay.

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Greg is a modern-day explorer with an insatiable love for travel. His passion for adventure has led him to far-flung corners of the world, where he immerses himself in diverse cultures and experiences. Greg's zest for life is epitomized by a continuous pursuit of new horizons and captivating journeys.

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5 Things I Learned From My Last Trip

There are no limitations to learning, and that is one of the benefits of traveling . I will explain some of the essential things I learned from my last trip . The only way I learned during my trip was by opening my mind to the freedom and lessons of life.

Patience is one of the valuable lessons I learned during my last trip . Life will not always go the way you planned and expected. I had to learn to be calm and relaxed when responding to these unplanned situations. I learned that exploding and fuming in anger and rage will not solve any problem. But in patience , there is a solution. I also had to learn to be patient due to the communication barrier. Not everyone speaks English, and I had to be patient when communicating with the locals. This lesson has changed my approach to life generally.

Appreciate other Culture and accept the differences

There is a big difference in learning about other cultures and experiencing the culture . I had to appreciate the differences between my culture and other cultures . The diversity of culture is what makes the world a fun place to live. I learned not to discriminate against other peoples. The uniqueness of every culture allows for everyone to have unique experiences. I learned that there is no superiority in cultures; accepting and appreciating different cultures opens the eyes to the culture’s beauty and importance.

Creative Thinking

I had to learn to be creative in thinking . Everywhere is not like home, where I know what to expect, and I know how to deal with issues. On my last trip , I had to learn to think smart and creative when faced with challenges. Creative thinking is a must when in a new environment. All my previous approaches and solutions were not relevant in some places. I needed to think smart and creatively to find answers to unforeseen circumstances.

Humility and Gratitude

On my last trip , I saw that not everyone has the opportunities I have, and I have to be grateful every day of my life. I saw people struggling to make ends meet, and I realized how much I had taken things for granted. These sights made me know that I had to be humble and respect everyone I meet. Looking down on people will bring me nothing, but giving everyone adequate respect brings fulfillment and joy. Gratitude is fundamental, and that made me stop wasting resources and taking things for granted.

Happiness and Joy doesn’t come from possessions

One of the greatest things I learned from my last trip is that I don’t need to have the most expensive clothes, gadgets, or vehicles to be happy. One of the best causes of happiness is having new experiences , making new friends , trying out new things . It has changed my view of life; I do not judge people’s happiness based on their possessions . It has also changed what I put effort and energy into. Acquiring lots of properties doesn’t bring joy.

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9 Ways to Relive Your Last Trip When You're Grounded

When you're not able to travel or have no vacations booked, you can still keep the travel spirit alive by reliving your favorite past trips. Use these nine ideas to re-experience your last memorable vacation and spark inspiration for upcoming voyages.

Get Something Personalized Made From Your Trip Photos

Immortalize the flight that took you to your dream destination with a boarding pass pillow listing your originating and destination airport codes, flight number, gate, seat, date, and name. Create a photo collage in the shape of the U.S. states you’ve visited with a Places We’ve Been Travel Map . Or commemorate your travels with a gunmetal necklace from the Traveller Collective, adding flat silver discs for each country you’ve checked off your bucket list. These customized items can mean a lot more than any tchotchke you hastily picked up at the airport gift shop.

Post an Instagram Highlight of Your Trip

Better than the app’s Story feature where photos disappear after twenty-four hours, Highlights remain on your Instagram account, represented by a circle with the name of the highlight. Activating one launches a slideshow of up to a hundred photos with captions, emojis, and filters—a fun way to quickly reminisce about your entire trip. To create a Highlight, share a photo on your phone to IG Stories. Click on your Story then the More button (with three dots), then select Add to Highlight. The first time you do this, you will have to create the Highlight and give it a name; when adding subsequent photos, you’ll be able to select from the existing Highlight.

Pull Out Those Gourmet Souvenirs

Marinate chicken thighs in the jerk seasoning from Negril, drizzle the fragrant olive oil you purchased in Tuscany on a crusty baguette, and indulge in some tasty chocolate from Geneva. And if you’ve been saving the magnum of vintage Champagne from France or the grippy cabernet sauvignon from your vacation in California wine country, there is no better time to uncork it and enjoy it.

Create and Order a Photo Book

Sites like Mixbook and Shutterfly make it incredibly effortless to upload your photos from your phone or hard drive and create gorgeous, full-color books that you’ll cherish. You’ll even find themes and styles geared for particular themes like beach or camping as well as specific destinations from Europe to Mexico to Disney. It can seem daunting to finish a creation in one sitting, so plan on setting aside a half hour or so a day to tackle the project, especially for more extended vacations. Poll family members and include some fun lists in the captions like the best things you ate, drank, did, and saw, as well as what was most surprising and meaningful about the trip for each of you.

Go Old-School and Make a Scrapbook

If you tend to reach for an actual book rather than your Amazon Kindle, you may find the tactile sensation of creating a scrapbook to be a relaxing diversion right now. Even if you don’t have the cutting tools, fancy cardstock, decorative embellishments, or even the craftiness or creativity to make one, you can order a predesigned and decorated album from Creative Memories . Get low-cost mail-order prints from Snapfish or Target , or use the Free Prints Now app to get up to 85 4x6 prints mailed to you each month for free with just a minimal charge for shipping.

Make a Playlist of Songs by Artists from Your Last Trip's Destination

Spotify continues to be the best option to curate personalized playlists, whether you are looking for soca tunes to bring you back to the beaches of Trinidad or Celtic rock to remind you of good times drinking Guinness in the pubs of Dublin. 

Set Aside Time Each Day to Browse (and Delete) Photos From Your Phone

The ease at which we can take high-quality photos and the amount of storage space we have on our phones has spoiled us, meaning we take way too many pictures of the same thing—annoying when we want to show friends some pics of a trip or create an album. In-between checking out the news or social media take fifteen minutes a day to purge some photos and clear out some space or get help with an app like ALPACA or Flic . Do you really need 10 pics of the cocktail you sipped at sunset in Maui?

Write Reviews for Places You Encountered Great Service

Admit it: it’s always one of those things you swear you’ll do after you return home, but life and laundry always seem to get in the way. Many of us have nothing but time now, and the hospitality industry is struggling. Take a few minutes to post a thoughtful review about the affable owners of the bed and breakfast or the stellar dinner you can’t stop talking about on Yelp or TripAdvisor. While you are at it, reach out to the establishment directly via email, Twitter, or their website and tell them how much you enjoyed your stay, meal, or cocktail and that you will be sure to recommend it to others.

Compile a Photo Slideshow and Play It on Your TV

We’re all spending a lot of time indoors right now—a lot. Seeing memories of your island-hopping cruise, three-week expedition around Thailand, or camping trip to the base of the Grand Canyon can virtually transport you, even for a few minutes while you are making dinner with the ingredients you’ve stockpiled or are playing a board game for the umpteenth time. We will get through this and go on to create many more travel memories.

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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

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…

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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.”

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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
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• 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? You can show your appreciation 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? ❤️

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"You See Photos And Think You Can Comprehend It, But When You Arrive You're Dumbstruck": People Are Sharing Their Most Memorable Travel Experiences

"Nothing can prepare you for seeing it with your own two eyes."

BuzzFeed Staff

Maybe you're thinking about your next vacation or maybe you're just daydreaming about seeing the world. In any case, it's never a bad time to plan your next adventure. So I gathered some inspiration from the subreddit r/Travel and from the BuzzFeed Community. Here are some of the most memorable, life-changing experiences according to travelers.

1. "I traveled to the mountains of Togakushi in Nagano, Japan. I followed a path lined with 400-year-old trees, temples, and shrines up the mountain. It was the most serene place I've ever been, and it felt like a scene from a storybook."

— u/Patient_Meat4569

2. "Many couples choose to honeymoon in a tropical destination, but we chose Iceland. We rented a car in Reykjavik and drove around the entire country on the Ring Road. It was the most incredible experience of my life. This country is truly the land of the gods."

— u/deleted

3. "Visiting the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Nothing prepares you for just how immense and enormous the Grand Canyon really is. You see it on TV and think you can comprehend it, but then you arrive, and you're totally dumbstruck."

— u/Finniemc

4. "Hiking Mount Batur to catch the sunrise in Bali. When I told my husband we were going to be waking up at 2 a.m. on our honeymoon to hike up Mount Batur to catch the sunrise, he was less than thrilled. At the base of the volcano, we saw dozens of other tourists taking the same hike (which, by the way, was pitch black and much more intense than we had prepared for). We reached the top of Mount Batur right before the sun started to rise. It was one of those moments that made me stop and feel awe-inspired by just how incredibly beautiful this great big world is."

— Hannah Loewentheil

5. "The sight of Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland shook me to the core. This Alpine village is said to have inspired J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, and it's easy to see why."

— u/mbgraphx

6. "Stepping foot in the Sagrada Familia cathedral in Barcelona. It's such a disorientating experience. Logically you know you’re in a church, but it feels like you’re on a forest floor staring up at huge trees while simultaneously under the sea looking up at the water’s surface. It’s mind-blowing."

7. "It was forecast to be a sweltering hot day Prague, so I decided to get all of my sightseeing out of the way between 5:30 and 7:30 a.m. to beat the heat. It was the best decision. Seeing this beautiful city in the peaceful early morning while everyone else was sleeping was incredible."

— u/bpg5075

8. "Hot spring hopping through the rain forest in Dominica. Dominica — not to be confused with the Dominican Republic — is one of the wildest places I've ever visited. I was there in 2011, and it was unlike most Caribbean islands I'd ever seen. Compared to more polished and touristed islands, Dominica still felt wild and rugged. I loved it. I visited several hot springs during the weeks I was there, but the most memorable were the springs I found on the way to Trafalgar Falls ."

"These little pools of hot water formed right in the middle of the rain forest. It was a far cry from the monetized and commercialized hot springs found in most places. And the fact that the "twin" waterfalls of Trafalgar Falls made up the backdrop didn't hurt either."

— Evie Carrick

9. "I spent four days camping out in the remote Algerian Sahara. It was just me and a local guide. At night it was freezing, but it was free of all light pollution, the sky was breathtakingly beautiful.

10. "Swimming with sea lion pups in the Galápagos Islands. Imagine being in a room of happy, wiggly puppies all vying for your attention. Then swap out puppies for sea lion pups flipping and diving around you in the ocean. Now you can probably understand why this travel experience was so incredible."

"I had the great privilege of boating around the Galápagos Islands for 10 days with a travel agency called  Inca , and it was nothing short of amazing. Even after seeing giant tortoises, sharks , and tons of rare birds (including the iconic blue-footed booby), the little sea lion pups are what stand out. It was one of those experiences that left my cheeks feeling sore from smiling and my heart bursting with happiness."

11. "Traveling to Rome and seeing the Colosseum in person was amazing. Pictures don’t come close to the feeling of standing right next to it and seeing it with your two eyes. I loved Italy in general, but this was a real highlight."

— Iris James

12. "After 4 days of trekking over the Salkantay pass to get to Machu Picchu, I woke up around 3:30 a.m. attempting to get to the ancient Incan citadel before the rest of the tourists arrived. It was 100% worth the early wake up just to see the sunrise here alone."

— u/feastandexist

13. "Eating my way through Tsukiji Market in Tokyo. It was a food-lover's dream. Tsukiji was once home to Tokyo's largest wholesale fish market and famous tuna auctions. Today, the market has moved, but Tsukiji Market is still a food lover's paradise. The chaotic streets are lined with vendors selling everything from steaming hot onigiri and freshly caught sushi to wagyu beef skewers and piping bowls of ramen. Walking and eating my way through Tsukiji Market while taking in all the sights, smells, and flavors was absolutely amazing."

14. "Seeing the world’s largest waterfall, Victoria Falls, on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia was a larger than life experience."

— splootingtil

15. "My brother and I bought a car in Georgia and spent 100 days driving across all of Central Asia — through Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and more. It was the most epic trip I've ever taken, and I would recommend it to anyone in search of an amazing adventure. We ended up selling the car to a couple in Kazakhstan who were taking our same trip but in reverse."

16. "I took a hot air balloon ride in Göreme, Turkey, the famous town in Cappadocia known for its fairy chimney structures. Suffice to say it was utterly breathtaking."

— u/unanatkumot

17. "Seeing the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. I had to stand in line for quite a while to get inside, but it was so worth it. I visited early in the morning, and with the bright morning rays shining through the windows it was absolutely breathtaking. It's easily of the most beautiful works of architecture I've ever seen."

— steamed ham

18. "I watched the sunset in Xingping, China from the top of Laozhai Hill and it absolutely blew my mind. I would recommend staying a night in this town just to see this view with your own eyes. The city is only 20 minutes via bullet train from Guilin."

— u/coolcatjames

19. "After years of thinking I should travel alone, I finally went on my first solo trip to Iceland. The Westfjords region was the best part of my trip. Between the scenic drives, the fjords and the lack of tourists, it was so special."

— u/BlueSparkEU

20. "I walked nearly 600 miles across Spain on the Camino de Santiago. It was the journey of a lifetime. The hike is not exactly the most difficult in the world, but the Camino experience is something that can't be replicated anywhere else."

— u/BlakeUsesInternet

21. "Northeast India is a trip that should be on every nature-lover's travel bucket list. Sikkim, an Indian state bordered by Bhutan, Tibet and Nepal, is home to some of the most gorgeous natural landscapes on earth."

22. "Traveling down the Dalmatian Coast on a summer day was one of the most breathtaking views I have ever seen. Dubrovnik is simply incredible: The water is clear, and the Old City makes you feel as if you've traveled back in time to the Middle Ages."

— u/Terpsichorean_Wombat

23. "Awhile back I got to spend three months on a small banana plantation in the Amazonian rainforest. I remember showering under waterfalls, buying frozen, sweet coconut milk from a woman’s porch, eating tiny bananas that tasted more like raspberries, getting caught in wild rainstorms every day, and taking in so much natural beauty it was overwhelming. It's an experience I’ll never forget that I hope others will have."

24. "I rode my motorcycle from the US to Colombia. I had no plan and no guide. I wanted to make it all the way south to Patagonia, but I ended up spending about eight months in Central America. I just couldn't leave. The whole experience was organic, challenging, and such a blast...everything I could ever want from a travel experience."

— u/anyholsagol

25. "Hiking Queen's Bath Trail in Kauai, Hawaii . It's a short hike up, but my god, the view is so breathtaking. It's usually not packed with tourists, so you can really enjoy your surroundings. Once you get to the top you can wade around into the many small crevasses filled with delightfully warm sea water and spot sea turtles in the ocean down below. It was so gorgeous and memorable."

— witchyribbon84

26. "Driving through the Scottish Highlands will always stand out as one of the most memorable trips of my life. The A82 is one of the prettiest drives I've ever taken. All of the lochs, Glen Coe, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park are incredibly gorgeous. I'm used to the densely forested mountains in the US, and I found the rocky crags of the Highlands to be totally breathtaking."

— u/ich_habe_keine_kase

27. "Exploring the wadis and sleeping in the desert in Jordan. Chances are you've heard of Petra. And while Petra is nothing short of amazing, it was Jordan's wadis (or valleys) that stood out even more to me. Wadi Rum is a wide-open desert wilderness that's punctuated by jutting sandstone cliffs where I rode a camel through the desert and stopped to see prehistoric inscriptions and impressive sandstone arches before sleeping at a Bedouin camp for the night. It was nothing short of amazing. And in Wadi Mujib, I walked up a river between sandstone cliffs carved by cool water on a hot June day. It was one of the best experiences I can remember."

28. "Visiting Lake Louise in Alberta, Canada. There's no words to explain how you feel when you walk in the clearing and see that jade blue lake and the snow-capped mountains behind it. You feel like you're somehow stepped into a magical world of a scene from a postcard."

— u/malazanGates

What travel destination or experience was so special, thrilling, or one-of-a-kind that you'd recommend everyone experience it? Tell us in the comments below.

Share this article.

How to Make Travel Memories Last Forever

There’s nothing like visiting a new and interesting location to get your adrenaline pumping. The sights, smells, and sounds are all so different from what you’re used to, and it can be an amazing experience.

But it’s not just the newness of the place that makes travel so exciting; it’s also the memories you make along the way. Experiences like riding an elephant through the jungle or watching the sunset over the ocean can stay with you for a lifetime, and they’re well worth capturing on camera. However, one of the main problems with travel is how fast it goes. Your great holiday will be done in no time. There are a few things you can do, though, to ensure that your vacation memories last a lifetime.

Travel tips for making your memories last forever.

1. choose the right destination.

Some places just lend themselves to more memorable experiences than others. If you want to create memories that will last a lifetime, try choosing a place that is both exciting and exotic. Check out our worldwide destinations for our recommended travel destinations.

2. Make a plan

One of the essential ways to ensure that your trip is enjoyable is to have a plan in place. Trying to figure everything out as you go can often lead to stress and confusion. By having a plan, you can focus on enjoying your time away.

3. Get packing

Arriving at the airport with a luggage full of clothes you don’t need is one of the least desirable things you can do. Make sure to pack light and only bring the essentials. Traveling will be less stressful and more fun as a result of this.

4. Enjoy the local culture

When visiting a new location, make an effort to immerse yourself in the local culture. Learn about the local cuisine, sights, and culture. This is a unique method to make memories that will last a lifetime.

5. Take lots of pictures

Taking a lot of pictures is one of the ideal ways to capture your experiences on your vacation. This will not only help you remember your vacation, but it will also allow you to share it with your friends and family. You can then put it in an album or post it on your wall to show off your incredible experiences to everyone.

6. Create a video

Consider creating a YouTube video of your trip if you want to make a truly unforgettable travel experience. It is an excellent way to document all the incredible things you did and saw while on vacation, including how you felt about them. This will not only be a fun way to look back on your trip in the future, but it can also be an interesting way to show your story.

7. Keep a travel journal

Keeping a journal is another excellent way to record your memories during your vacation. Not only will you be able to capture all of your adventures, but you’ll also be able to keep track of your thoughts and feelings during the journey. This is a fantastic way to relive the experience long after it has passed, and it can be a lot of fun to reflect on in the future.

8. Share it on your socials

Take photos and videos of your trip and share them on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter if you enjoy social media. You’ll not only have wonderful memories to reminisce about, but you’ll also be able to show your virtual pals how much fun you had. They might even get some inspiration for their own vacations.

9. Make time to relax

One of the most rewarding aspects of taking a vacation is that it allows you to unwind and forget about the everyday stresses of life. Take some time to relax and enjoy yourself while you’re away.

10. Have fun!

Vacations are supposed to be enjoyable. If you’re stressed out or feel like work is getting in the way of your life, it’s not good for your health and may even make matters worse in the long run. So, forget about all those responsibilities that come with taking a vacation. Try not to be too stressed and just have fun. After all, that’s why we take vacations!

Time to get started

If there’s one thing that the pandemic has taught us all, it’s that life is precious and should be lived to the fullest. What better way to accomplish this than by exploring the world? Seeing new places and learning different cultures can be a life-changing experience and one that you’ll never forget. So, if you get the chance to travel, opt for it! You won’t regret it. Who knows, maybe you’ll fall in love with travel and decide to make it a lifelong passion. Either way, enjoy every minute of it – because you never know when life might throw you a curveball.

So now you know how to make memories. For tips about travelling to ensure all those memories are good click here .

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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.

Describe a Travel Experience You Have Had: IELTS Speaking (2 Cue Cards With Example Answers)

Your examiner might ask you to describe a travel experience you have had in part two of your IELTS Speaking test.

Let’s take a look at the best way to answer this question. Below, you can also read a good example answer ( go straight to the answer here ).

What You Can Talk About

This is one of the easier part-two questions because you just need to remember an experience and tell the story.  

Make sure you choose a travel experience that’s easy to talk about. This might be:

• A vacation you had recently or a long time ago
• An amazing vacation you had as a child
• A work trip you took to another city or country  
• A longer-term journey you went on (for weeks, months, or years)
• Some backpacking (cheap budget traveling) you did
• A school trip you went on when you were younger
• Any other traveling experience you can remember

You can then describe your trip. Here are some things you could focus on describing:

• Interesting places you visited
• Something interesting or exciting you did
• A festival or traditional holiday you enjoyed
• Interesting local food you ate
• The hotel or apartment you stayed in
• How you traveled there (car, train, plane…)
• Who you traveled with
• Who you met on your trip
• Why you went there
• How you felt on your trip
• Something interesting you learned on your trip
• Something that surprised you on your trip
• A problem you had on your trip
• Anything else that comes to mind

Use a Good Word Group

In part two, it’s important to use interesting vocabulary. One easy way to do this is to remember a few word groups .  

A word group is a collection of words and phrases that describe a certain feature of a place you visited, an experience you had, or an activity you did.  

For example, for this travel-related question, maybe you saw a festival in another country, and so you could use a ‘traditional event’ word group to describe that festival.

This ‘traditional event’ word group would include interesting words like: ‘customs, ancient, ancestral traditions, cultural heritage, passed down through the generations…’ and more.  

You could then use these ‘traditional event’ words in many different part-two questions, such as:

• Describe a festival you like
• Describe a vacation you went on
• Describe your favorite country
• Describe a place you’d like to visit
• Describe a city you visited
• Describe a historical event in your country
• And many more part-two questions

Below, you’ll see an example answer using an ‘exciting activity’ word group. Or you can l earn more about how to use word groups here . 

Use Apps to Memorize Faster

There are some really great apps that can help you prepare for IELTS Speaking.  

One perfect app for memorizing word groups is Anki App . This app uses spaced repetition to make sure you really remember the words and phrases well.

Some other good apps for IELTS Speaking are the Complete IELTS Full Skills app , Elsa app , and Cake app .  

Prepare Your Story Well

You should prepare a good short story for this question.  

It’s great to have a few travel stories prepared for Part 2 of your IELTS Speaking. This is because you can use these stories in your answers to many different kinds of questions.

Also, the more you practice preparing and telling stories, the better you become at using past tenses (primarily past simple, past continuous, and past perfect).

To see a word group and story in use, take a look at this example cue card and answer.

Travel Experience Cue Card

Describe a travel experience you have had.

You should say:

• Where you had this experience  
• What the experience was  
• Who you did it with  

And say how you felt while you were doing it.

I’m going to talk about a really exciting, exhilarating experience I had when I was traveling in Thailand six years ago. I had just graduated from university, and I wanted to travel cheaply for six months. So I spent about three months backpacking around Thailand, which is a really wonderful country. And while I was there, I did a few  extreme sports like zip-lining and bungee jumping . I did these things in Chiang Mai. 

Chiang Mai is a peaceful city in the north of Thailand. It’s filled with beautiful temples and surrounded by mountains and dense jungle. I traveled there with a good friend of mine, and also two other girls we had met in Thailand. One day, we all went to an adventure park in the jungle and I went zip-lining for the first time. I loved the sensation of flying between two huge trees above the jungle. It was a really heart-thumping experience. Totally out of this world .  Adrenaline was pumping through me. I can still remember it really well.  

But the most hair-raising experience for me was bungee jumping. To be honest with you, I was quite terrified. My heart was beating out of my chest when I saw how high I was. But even though I was scared, I still jumped and I’m glad I did because it was a mind-blowing experience . And then I couldn’t wait to try it again .  

That whole day was an action-packed adventure. We also went white-water rafting in the afternoon, which was another rip-roaring adventure . I’ve never been much of a thrill-seeker before, so it was all a new experience for me. By the end of the day,  I was buzzing with excitement . And I’d love to return to Chiang Mai one day and do it all again.  

(Word Group Used: ‘Exciting Activity’)

Thrilling, Exhilarating, Adventure, Mind-blowing, Heart-thumping, Action-packed, Thrill-seeker, A rip-roaring adventure, Hair-raisin, Breathtaking, Out of this world, I couldn’t wait to begin, I didn’t want it to end, I was on the edge of my seat, Gave me a real buzz, I was buzzing with excitement, Adrenaline was pumping through me, I was thrilled to bits, My heart was beating out of my chest, I was bored out of my mind, A big yawn-fest, It was about as exciting as watching paint dry, As dull as dishwater.

See more amazing word groups here.  

Now It’s Your Turn

Prepare to answer this question yourself.

First, think of a travel experience that’s easy to talk about.  

Then, think of a word group you could use to describe it. You can either create your own word group or use one already prepared for you here .  

Next, set a timer for one minute and ask yourself aloud to describe a travel experience you have had.  

Prepare your answer quickly, then start talking. Try to keep speaking for two full minutes (and remember to be careful with your past tenses).  

It’s best to record yourself. This way you can listen to your answer, notice any mistakes, and repeat the process a few times.  

Each time you do this, you’ll become better prepared for part two of your IELTS Speaking test.

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My last vacation essay 13 models

Last updated Saturday , 16-03-2024 on 10:36 am

Short essay on summer vacation , contains a lot of information about how to spend the vacation and also the places I went on last vacation, and all that information you will find here in My last vacation essay .

My last vacation essay

Vacation is something wonderful and enjoyable and you can use it to spend enjoyable and useful times that make you feel relaxed  and all that gives you a push forward so that you can complete your work or study, all of this you will find here in My last vacation essay .

  My last vacation

When the exams are over, the parents start looking for places to spend their vacation with family. They need to take a break from work and the continuous pressure of life in order to try to recharge the body so that they can continue to work actively.

I am a person who loves to travel to different countries and to know different cultures and traditions. I have traveled in the past vacation to many different countries and I enjoyed very much to know about these countries. I will tell you about these countries  and the advantages of each country of them.

Jordan has a Mediterranean climate; in the winter, temperatures often reach 1 ° C, rain falls and sometimes snow falls;  So it is advisable to visit Aqaba and enjoy its warm atmosphere and beautiful beach, and visit the famous Wadi Rum and pink Petra carved in rock.

 While in the summer temperatures reach an average of 30 degrees Celsius, so it is recommended to visit the mountain highlands in the Ajloun and Jerash, where the temperature is moderate.

The Egyptian Arabic Republic

 It contains many famous and ancient tourist sites,  You can go on a trip to Cairo to enjoy the ancient monuments of the region, such as churches and ancient mosques.

 Visiting the pyramids located in Giza is one of the greatest built by the Pharaohs. But avoid sunny and hot days to enjoy exploring the pyramids, walking the desert sands, riding horses and camels, and taking a tour of the Khufu ship or the sun boat.

I really enjoyed visiting all of these areas ,and took advantage of a lot of information that I did not know before, and I hope that everyone goes to these picturesque areas.

My last trip essay

My last trip was to the Maldives. I woke up one day to a loud voice from my mother who was happy and asked us to come.

So I told her what’s going on, Mom, she simply said (Write your name).We are going on vacation to the Maldives. Gosh, there’s this crazy, jumping, happy, dancing moment.

We all talked to my father before that we wanted to go to the Maldives, but because of his permanent work, we could not go. So it was surprising to go on vacation outside the town, especially to the Maldives.

I am very happy with this trip. I enjoyed a lot of swimming in the wonderful turquoise water, which you can see the smallest details through.

We stayed on the island of Mali, which is one of the most beautiful places in the Maldives. Where there are some exciting  areas .

I also enjoyed very much visiting Isidhu and spending all night there. The place was very cool, candles near the water and sitting on the floor everything was great. I liked this place very much and the drinks also.

At the end of the trip, we went to the National Museum, where I enjoyed learning a lot about some wonderful information about the former civilization of the Maldives and its origins.

It was great to have a trip like this and I hope to do it again.

Write a paragraph on my last vacation

My last vacation was so amazing. My name is(..). I study in class (..). I loved the last trip that I and my family took. We went to visit and entertain cancer patients. We agreed to go on vacation for my father and mother, and bring some presents for young children so that they are happy with it. We already knew about such visits from a family member.

My father told us that there is a social responsibility in our visits to cancer patients. And that there is respect for time and we should not prolong our visit. We must go with a smile and carefully choose the type of dress and speech so as not to affect the psyche of others.

My father also warned us not to show any kind of pity, because that affects the patient’s psychology very much. So it was very important that we pay attention to all these things.

We went there and all our concern was to add a smile to them and to help them through support and love. We spent the day with them but my happiest moment was when I managed to make the first person I met smile. That upset me so much.

This day is one of the most beautiful days for me, and it was a very useful holiday because it makes us feel the suffering of others. I would very much like to repeat this visit and support them a lot and make friendships with them.

Short paragraph on my last vacation

My last vacation was very interesting as I was able to participate in one of the activities that I dreamed of participating in for a long time.

I love to play tennis a lot. I joined one of the small clubs in my area to learn this game and train until I can become professional.

The coach told us that there is an upcoming tournament and we can participate in it to determine our level. So I loved joining so much and told him I wanted to join.

Indeed, I was able to participate and train well before the tournament to raise my level of concentration and improve my general level.

At the time of the championship, I was fully prepared, and I went and played with confidence and happiness, despite feeling a little scared, but I quickly recovered myself and managed to win and get the third place. I am looking forward to improving my level in the upcoming tournaments and achieving first place.

Paragraph about last vacation

Last vacation I was able to enjoy a lot visiting my grandfather’s town and gathering to attend a relative’s wedding. I enjoyed a lot getting to know my family members, talking and getting close to my ancestors.

They miss us so much because of the distance between us. We live in the city of (type the city name here). My grandfather lives in the city of (type the name of the city). So we travel there by train,

I really loved riding the bullet train and seeing the countries between us. I really liked the simple life in their city. There are many green spaces and wide spaces, and there is no big traffic congestion like my city.

I was able to learn to use the kite, and I found that all of my relatives enjoy playing it more than electronic games, and they race to raise it high in the air, and the person who can lift it the most is the victor.

So I liked it so much I laughed and had fun and ran a lot more than ever. I would very much like to try again.

Describe Your Last Vacation

My last vacation did not have many outings and activities, or traveling abroad due to the Corona pandemic. But I can describe it as wonderful because the family members were able to gather and enjoy some simple games and talk.

It was a special holiday filled with popcorn and sweets and watching modern movies. I enjoyed a lot of playing cards with my father and my grandfather who was a big fraud and I didn’t know about that. He made me laugh a lot and I learned some tricks from him.

I loved sitting at home this holiday too because I was able to help my mum make more food and learned some great new recipes.

I find that it is a wonderful vacation despite the absence of my friends around me or being in luxury places or tourism in other cities . We enjoyed the simple things and the holiday went by without any problems.

Essay about my last vacation

There is no doubt that I liked my last vacation very much, as I was able to get to know my family members from my father’s side during this vacation.

He had many relatives living in the same town but we don’t know each other or even know what we look like, So my father decided to take me and my younger sister and go to stay in the family house and invite the family to gather and get acquainted, so that the younger generations can get to know their relatives and their children, and make friendship.

So we stayed at my grandfather’s house near the lake and enjoyed a lot of barbecue and some fun activities. I would very much like to repeat this experience. It is good to feel that you are with your family and get to know them.

What i did during last vacation essay

Every year I learn a lot of experiences, both good and bad, from which I gain some experience. The last vacation was the best for me, because I was able to benefit a lot from it and learn some new skills that may benefit me in the future, such as learning how to prepare  sweets.

Last holiday I was able to participate in a training course to teach the preparation of sweets professionally. I was able to take back a lot from it as I learned to prepare all kinds of dough, learned how to prepare the cream and coordinate the cake to look completely professional.

I was very happy to learn this craft and I feel that in the future I can benefit from it in one way or another. I am thinking of creating a website or a YouTube channel and posting recipes and preparation methods to teach others Through it.

I work to improve my speaking and public speaking skills and gain some fame in this specialty. Maybe it will be my field of work in the future.

My last vacation with my family

It is great to take advantage of the time we spend in a gathering with the family, especially if it is long. I can say that the last holiday was a long time gathering with my family members due to the spread of the Corona virus.

Therefore, staying in homes was semi-compulsory by the state, and going out only for necessities, and preventive measures must be taken before leaving and returning.

Therefore, there were dangers to my father or mother whenever they went out to fetch food or any other living requirements. So I am very grateful to them.

It was great to be with my family for a long time. In the beginning, it was very difficult and there was some negative energy because we used to go out and do many outdoor activities.

But after a while, sitting became more comfortable, and we became involved in some home activities and hobbies, which helped in soothing the atmosphere, and getting out of boredom and depression.

I really enjoyed doing some activities with my mum like doing yoga, preparing famous meals and playing cards. I found her very cool at that and I didn’t know it, she always beats us and knows a lot of good tricks and moves.

Write about your last vacation

My last vacation was not very interesting, despite the slow return to life after the spread of the deadly Corona virus, however, many families still avoid going out, mixing, and exposing their children or themselves to danger.

Therefore, I could not do many of the normal activities that I used to do before, we only watch TV, play some video games and talk on the Internet.

Certainly there are some happy moments that happen inside the house when all the family members gather and prepare some entertaining meals. We can then perform some games or scenes to add a nice family atmosphere. But I can’t wait to get back to normal life and get out and discover life and gain some new skills and experiences.

My last vacation essay for class 5

My last vacation was special and wonderful. We are now in the summer. There are many places to go and enjoy, such as amusement parks, the beach, picnics in the streets, clubs and cinemas. It was a great vacation, I enjoyed a walk with my family, whether on the beach or in the city.

I learned some new games from my brothers, and my father and we raced a lot. He made me win in some races to make me happy with that.

I also enjoyed going with my mother to shop and buy vegetables, she taught me how to choose some good fruits and vegetables.

I am very happy when I feel that I have learned something new, so I feel that the time I spend is valuable and that I have a role in society. I hope to continue learning and developing.

How did you spend your last vacation essay

I spent the last holiday of this year wandering with some of my close friends, going swimming or playing some electronic games, or playing soccer. Some days we went cycling in town, talking to some friends.

It was a nice vacation and I enjoyed it a lot after what we went through from the Corona crises, not mixing, no wandering and sitting at home.

So it was great to go out and walk with friends and feel the return to normalcy again. And there are some group activities we can do.

How I enjoyed my last vacation essay

The last vacation was a lot of fun and had a lot of funny activities that I enjoyed. I also made some fun new friends, and got to hang out with them a few times, where we could go to the beach and enjoy the sunshine and  swim.

We enjoyed camping and sitting by the fires, eating some snacks while talking and having fun. It was definitely a great vacation more than  the past two years, breathing, meeting new people, gaining some new skills, developing myself, and feeling more confident and fun than I was before.

We have already provided you with My last vacation essay, and you can read more about the vacation through the following link:

• My summer vacation essay

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28 Adventures to Travel For, From Glacier Chasing in Greenland to Sand Surfing in the Sahara

By Caitlin Morton

As much as we love lounging on a faraway beach or revisiting our favorite city for the tenth time, sometimes our passports need some adventure travel—we’re talking about those once-in-a-lifetime trips that push us way outside our comfort zones. Adventure travel is a great way to see more of the world, while also testing your physical limits, and coming home with a lifetime's worth of stories to tell at parties.

Below, we’ve rounded up some of the most incredible outdoor adventures for intrepid travelers, ranging from climbing Machu Picchu to skydiving in Dubai . Even if you don’t consider yourself a daredevil, you’ll still find activities that feel exciting (hello, camping under the northern lights) without too much physical—or emotional—exertion required. So fasten your seatbelts, grab your best pair of hiking boots , and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime.

All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

Boat under the Iguazú Falls

South America’s Iguazú Falls, located on the border of Brazil and Argentina, make all other waterfalls look like mere trickles in comparison. The system of more than 200 cascades (reaching heights of around 270 feet) can be viewed from surrounding walkways and catwalks, but we’re fans of the more adventurous vantage-point—hopping on an Iguazú Jungle inflatable raft and sailing directly under the exhilarating, high-pressure falls.

Climb to Machu Picchu

No adventurer’s must-visit list is complete without Machu Picchu , the famous Incan citadel located in the Andes. While the site can be accessed via train and bus, more active travelers can take the five-day trek along the entire 26-mile-long Inca Trail. Or, thanks to local tour operator Sam Travel Peru , you can get dropped at kilometer marker 104 and do the whole experience in 24 hours .

Sand surf in the Sahara

The dunes of the Sahara are colossal, untouched, and tailor-made for extreme sports. The desert’s rows of barchans (meaning “crescent-shaped dunes” in Turkic) have ideal shapes for sand surfing (descending the slopes on a surfboard) and sandboarding (descending the slopes on a snowboard)—and those views don’t hurt, either. Stay at Erg Chigaga Luxury Camp in Morocco, which offers sandboarding in addition to other desert activities like camel rides and quad biking.

Heli-hike in British Columbia

With CMH Heli + Skiing , you can helicopter to the steepest and deepest powder in Canada for backcountry skiing. However, come summer , the company’s guides take guests on multi-day hiking trips to terrain otherwise inaccessible, along ridgelines, through alpine meadows, and to stunning viewpoints. While these high-altitude adventures are not for the faint at heart, the accommodations are quite comfortable, with log-hewn lodges complete with full-service restaurants, spa treatments, and a rooftop hot tub to relax in before another day on the trail.

Laura Kiniry

Stacey Lastoe

Jemima Sissons

Hot air balloon over Cappadocia

A hot air balloon ride over central Turkey’s Cappadocia region provides 360-degree views of the famous limestone spires and “fairy chimneys”—something you can't get at the ground level. We recommend booking with Kapadokya Balloons , the first company that introduced hot air balloon tourism in Cappadocia. Services include transfers to and from your hotel, snacks, full insurance, and a champagne party after the flight.

Hunt for glaciers in Greenland

Greenland is relatively expensive and tricky to get to, but well worth the effort—especially since it’s one of the most untouched landscapes on the planet. Exhibit A: the hundreds-year-old icebergs and glaciers floating off the mainland, which you can get up close and personal with during a cruise excursion. ( Hurtigruten and Cruise Norway offer these sailings.)

Hop across Botswana on a mobile safari

While most safari camps stay in one place like a traditional hotel, the private canvas safaris by  Barclay Stenner Safaris are totally mobile, meaning you can pick up and move locations based on weather conditions and wildlife movements. The outfitter’s Botswana itinerary moves across the country to fauna-rich areas like the Okavango Delta and Makgadikgadi Salt Pans—get ready to follow groups of lions, hippos, elephants, and more.

Paraglide over Turkey’s Blue Lagoon

Oludeniz has one of the most beautiful beaches in Turkey, with pebble shores and a “blue lagoon” of aquamarine hues. The beach also happens to be one of the world's best places to paraglide, thanks to stable weather and gorgeous panoramic views. The launch site for most companies is from Babadağ mountain, with jumping-off points reaching 6,000 feet above sea level.

Explore the Great Barrier Reef

Divers and snorkelers everywhere need to experience the Great Barrier Reef at least once in their lifetime. Not only does the site have more than 400 different types of coral and 1,500 species of fish, but the natural wonder has been rapidly eroding due to coral bleaching and global warming . That means it’s more urgent than ever to see this sight in all its glory—and to understand what we are losing.

Swim through Mexico’s cenotes

Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula features a wealth of unique natural beauty, particularly when it comes to its cavernous cenotes. Floating in one of these natural sinkholes is an incredible experience, as is diving through the underground cave systems . When in Tulum , visit Dos Ojos (“Two Eyes”) to view one of the planet’s most beautiful underwater sites or Gran Cenote for rock formations that resemble Gothic architecture.

Free-fall over Dubai at 120 miles per hour

Dubai is one of the most over-the-top cities in the world, so are you really surprised that skydiving is one of its most popular activities?  Skydive Dubai is a company located near Jumeirah Beach, offering tandem skydiving for beginners and solo jumps for licensed divers. If you thought Dubai’s skyline was impressive already, just wait until you see it while falling from 13,000 feet in the air.

Scale Half Dome at Yosemite National Park

The Half Dome trail through Yosemite may be one of the most intense hikes you’ll ever take, stretching for 16 miles and ascending more than 5,500 feet. The final 400 feet are the trickiest—hikers must climb up the steep slope with two steel cables as their only support—but the breathtaking views from the top make the effort (and terror) worth it. Afterwards, stay at The Ahwahnee, one of the most beautiful national park hotels in the country.

Swim with great white sharks in South Africa

The fishing town of Gansbaai is often considered to be the birthplace of great white shark cage diving, an activity that would make most adrenaline junkies drool. Cage diving is totally safe (despite what some low-budget shark movies might lead you to believe), but we dare you to keep your heart rate in check as you come face-to-face with an apex predator.  Marine Dynamics is one of the most popular cage diving operators in town, with a marine biologist and videographer joining every tour.

Bungee jump in New Zealand

New Zealand practically invented adventure sports when the Kawarau Bridge Bungy opened in 1988. Here you join around 38,000 annual visitors to take the 140-foot jump from the South Island's historic, steel-framed Kawarau Bridge—an activity in which the views are almost as thrilling as the fall itself.

Climb Mount Fuji

Solitary Mount Fuji is probably Japan’s most iconic natural wonder , rising 12,388 feet above villages and reflecting on lakes’ surfaces. You can get views of the landmark from many places, like Lake Kawaguchi in Fujikawaguchiko and even the Park Hyatt Tokyo , but it’s the views from the mountain that will give you the most bragging rights. Visit from early July to mid-September to take advantage of the official climbing season, when the designated trails and paved roads are free of snow.

Go volcano boarding on Cerro Negro in Nicaragua

If you’re looking for action sports and adventure, we recommend booking a flight to Nicaragua right now. There you can kayak, surf, zipline through the jungle, and even sled down the side of an active volcano. Intrepid travelers love to climb up the 2,388-foot Cerro Negro and then “volcano board” back down (an activity where you sit or stand on a piece of plywood and slide your way down the slopes). You'll want to go with a guided group tour with this one. Bigfoot Hostels is one of many operators for excursions—for $25, you get transportation to the volcano, boards, safety equipment, snacks, and your speed clocked by a radar gun.

Take a white-knuckle drive in Norway

Who says your adrenaline can’t pump from the comfort of your car? Trollstigen is one of the world’s most popular (and  terrifying ) highways, known for its steep gradient and hairpin turns. The one-lane road passes such impressive wonders as the 1,050-foot Stigfossen waterfall, but be sure to pull over before you gawk and snap photos. There are several viewing platforms along the road that will let you take in the sites without risking a crash.

Dive Belize’s Great Blue Hole

Known for its circular shape and strikingly deep blue color , the Great Blue Hole is a 1,000-foot-wide sinkhole in the middle of Belize’s Lighthouse Reef. While an aerial shot is enough to convince anyone of its beauty, scuba divers are the ones who get to experience the wonders that lie beneath: massive, 40-foot limestone stalactites and stalagmites that formed during the last glacial period.

Go canyoning in the Azores

Portugal’s Azores Islands are equal parts adventurous and beautiful, inviting travelers to get up close and personal with nature while hiking, biking, and swimming. If you want to really push the envelope, try canyoning—an activity that has you rappel down a waterfall while navigating slippery rocks and fast-flowing water. Azores Getaways offers a comprehensive and easy-to-book experience. Training, equipment, on-site instructors, and snacks are all included in the excursion, which will no doubt become one of the most memorable of your life.

Kayak through Torres del Paine National Park

Chile’s Patagonia region is one of the most beautiful spots on the planet, and there are plenty of ways to explore the area. But while most people experience the sights while hiking, you can get a slightly different view from the water via a kayaking trip.  Kayak en Patagonia offers several tour options ranging in duration and difficulty levels, but all let you paddle past towering mountains, rugged glaciers, and other incredible vistas.

Sleep under the northern lights

Ah, the elusive northern lights . So many factors are at play when it comes to seeing the technicolor phenomenon—location, time of year, weather conditions—but it’s hard to lose with an excursion to Finnish Lapland. The Arctic area is one of the planet’s best for aurora viewing, especially if you get to sleep in an igloo hotel at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort or mobile Aurora Bubble Sled . Up your viewing chances by planning a trip between December and March.

Go heli-skiing in Alaska

If you’re a seasoned traveler who’s conquered every black diamond slope in North America, there’s still one snowy adventure left to vanquish: heli-skiing. There’s nothing quite like hopping in a helicopter and being dropped onto untouched snow at the top of a mountain—especially in a setting as formidable as Alaska’s Chugach Mountains. The experienced guides at  Valdez Heli Ski Guides (VHSG) will help make this dream a reality, taking you to some of the best runs of your life and then letting you unwind (hot tub and massages included) at the cozy  Tsaina Lodge .

Snorkel between continents in Iceland

Iceland is one of the best countries in the world for adventure travel , with opportunities for everything from glacier hiking to snorkeling and diving. For the latter, head straight to Thingvellir National Park along the country’s Golden Circle route , where two tectonic plates slowly pull apart at the rate of about two centimeters (0.8 inches) per year. The phenomenon results in the Silfra fissure, a stunning rift valley where travelers can snorkel or dive in impossibly clear (and cold) waters. Tour company DIVE.IS offers tours for divers and every level of snorkeler—including those with no prior experience—and will snap an underwater photo of you touching two continents at the same time.

Float along the Amazon

Some remote destinations are best seen from the deck of a boat, and that includes the upper Amazon River. Aqua Expeditions ’ luxury cruises through the Peruvian stretch of the river tour the area’s wildlife and culture at a delightful, leisurely pace. You'll even have chef-prepared gourmet meals and five-star suites with floor-to-ceiling windows. Looking for something a little less luxe? Amazon Adventures offers kayaking trips along some Amazon tributaries, where you can fish for piranhas and camp out in the rainforest.

Surf ‘The Pipeline’ in Oahu

Oahu’s Banzai Pipeline (commonly referred to as The Pipeline) is easily one of the most sought-after surfing spots in the world. Located off the coast of the island’s north shore in Ehukai Beach Park, the surf reef break averages waves measuring nine feet high. This activity is definitely not for beginners, but even non-surfers will get a thrill out of watching the many surf competitions that take place at The Pipeline—all from the safety of a sunny beach.

Spot elusive wildlife in the Great Bear Rainforest

Canada’s Great Bear Rainforest is the largest intact temperate rainforest in the world—and one of the most magical, with elusive species like sea wolves and Kermode bears roaming its 21 million acres. Outer Shores Expeditions will take you on a nine-day excursion aboard a schooner, departing from British Columbia’s First Nations community of Bella Bella and stopping for sea kayaking along the way.

Soak in the planet’s most extreme infinity pool

Located on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia, Victoria Falls attracts thousands of tourists each year. One of the biggest draws here is the Devil’s Pool , a naturally formed eddy sitting at the very edge of the falls, where daring swimmers can splash around between August and January (depending on water levels, that is). Given that a slippery rock barrier is the only thing separating you from going over the edge, this site is easily the planet’s most extreme infinity pool .

Camp in Antarctica

Antarctica is truly the final frontier when it comes to adventure travel, providing untouched landscapes, unique wildlife, and more activities than you’ll know what to do with (like cruising, caving, and thermal spring soaking , to name a few). If you can get yourself to Punta Arenas, Chile, Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions will fly you to Antarctica for three days of skiing and hiking before setting you up for a South Pole sleepover.

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21 Life-changing Trips Everyone Should Experience at Least Once

From African safaris to must-visit cities, these once-in-a-lifetime trips will make you want to plan your next great adventure.

Elizabeth Rhodes is a special projects editor at Travel + Leisure , covering everything from luxury hotels to theme parks to must-pack travel products. Originally from South Carolina, Elizabeth moved to New York City from London, where she started her career as a travel blogger and writer.

What's next on your travel list? With so many places worth traveling to, it can be hard to narrow down your top spots to visit.

Sometimes, it's the famous attractions, delicious food, and stunning hotels that draw us to a certain destination, and other times, it's the bragging rights that come with checking off every continent, country, or state. Whatever your motivation, we've rounded up 21 incredible trips, complete with once-in-a-lifetime experiences and iconic sights you won't find anywhere else in the world.

So, what makes a trip truly life-changing? That answer varies from traveler to traveler, but one thing is for sure: From African safaris to classic road trips, this list will make you want to plan your next great adventure.

Deciding between the historic cities of Rome, Venice, Naples, and Florence for the top destination to visit feels impossible, so the entire country of Italy deserves a spot on your list. Start in the Eternal City and head north through the rolling hills of Tuscany to visit Florence, followed by Milan or Venice, or go south to the beaches of the beautiful Amalfi Coast and Sicily.

New York, New York

Visiting the Statue of Liberty , standing at the top of the Empire State Building, walking across the Brooklyn Bridge: These are just a few of the things you can only do in New York City. Whether you dream of visiting all the places you've seen on screen, catching a Broadway show, or eating your way through the city's diverse neighborhoods, there's no doubt that NYC deserves a spot on your list.

Tokyo, Japan

Old and new come together in Japan's bustling capital city. Historic temples and shrines, busy shopping districts, delicious food, and some of the world's best theme parks and attractions — whatever your interests, there's something for you in Tokyo.

Paris, France

From watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle and viewing famous works of art at world-renowned museums to eating delicious French pastries, there are innumerable reasons that Paris deserves a spot on your list. Of course, other dreamy French destinations like Mont-Saint-Michel, Chamonix, and the Riviera are well worth a visit, too.

Busy medinas, intricate architecture, and a unique combination of cultural influences make Morocco unlike anywhere else on the planet. Whether you're traveling to bustling Marrakesh, pretty coastal cities, or remote desert towns (or hopefully, all three), a trip to Morocco is bound to be one to remember.

Monica Farber/Travel + Leisure

From the whitewashed homes of Santorini to the Ios party scene to the relaxing atmosphere of Milos, there's a perfect Greek Island for every type of traveler. Island hopping gives you the chance to experience more of what the country has to offer, but plan to spend a couple of days in Athens at the beginning and/or end of your trip.

T+L Backpack Quiz

Rory Fuller/Travel + Leisure

Machu Picchu

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 for some travelers, that trip, often taken by train or on foot as a multi-day trek , is a big part of the experience. Editor’s note: Machu Picchu is currently closed due to civil unrest in Peru. Visit the  official website  for the latest news and reopening details.

African Safari

Seeing majestic animals like lions, elephants, and rhinos in the wild is a dream best accomplished with an African safari . South Africa, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Kenya are among the most popular safari destinations — and in each of those countries, you'll find incredible lodges and tour operators who can help you spot these creatures in their natural habitat.

Whether you dream of cruising down the famed Nile River, seeing the Pyramids of Giza, or visiting the ancient Valley of the Kings, Egypt's historic wonders make the destination completely unique (and worthy of a spot on your travel list).

Unlike many of the action-packed trips on this list, the Maldives is synonymous with relaxation, luxury, and romance. A stay in an overwater bungalow set atop turquoise blue waters is the ultimate getaway that's worth the long-haul flight and oftentimes pricey accommodations.

Antarctica Cruise

Hoping to visit all seven continents? Cross Antarctica off your list with a cruise. Several major cruise lines have journeys to Antarctica, offering incredible views of the ice and wildlife from the comfort and safety of a ship. Travelers typically fly in and out of Buenos Aires en route to Ushuaia (where most cruises depart from); we recommend spending a few days in the fascinating Argentine city before your expedition.

Irjaliina Paavonpera/Travel + Leisure

Dubbed one of the natural wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef is a can't-miss for many wildlife lovers. Of course, Australia's gorgeous coastline, the iconic Sydney Opera House, and fuzzy creatures like kangaroos and koalas are also reasons to head to the destination. Fly into Sydney and spend a few days there before heading out to explore more of this expansive country teeming with natural beauty.

Galapagos Islands

Incredible and diverse plant and animal species make the Galapagos Islands another must-visit for nature-loving travelers. This stunning archipelago off the coast of Ecuador is best explored by cruise, so you can take in as many breathtaking landscapes and animals as possible during your trip.

Like the other countries on this list, India has countless destinations worth exploring, but one of the most famous attractions that travelers dream of seeing for themselves is the Taj Mahal. This 17th-century white marble mausoleum has drawn visitors to Agra for years. Luxury travelers might consider a train trip aboard the Maharajas' Express (with a stop at the Taj Mahal) as the ultimate experience. Travelers planning to visit the Taj Mahal or take the luxurious train ride will want to fly into Delhi, India's capital territory.

Petra, Jordan

The stunning ancient city of Petra is made up of several impressive structures carved into sandstone rock faces, including the famous Al-Khazneh. The city dates back thousands of years, making this UNESCO World Heritage site a must-visit for history buffs.

Passing through India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Bhutan, and Nepal, the Himalayas are home to some of the world's highest peaks — and that means breathtaking mountain views, too. For adventurous and active travelers, climbing Mount Everest (or at least trekking to Everest Base Camp) is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

American National Park Road Trip

The classic American road trip is a mainstay on many travelers' lists — and for good reason. The country's incredible national parks , including Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Yosemite, are best explored on road trips with stops at charming small towns and kitschy roadside attractions.

Great Wall of China

Stretching across China for thousands of miles, with sections dating back nearly 2,000 years, the Great Wall is regarded as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Visitors can hike along parts of the wall — some areas are located within driving distance of Beijing, so it's a perfect day trip from the city.

Easter Island

The hundreds of monolithic moai statues have drawn curious visitors to Easter Island for years. This remote Polynesian island is worth the lengthy trip for travelers hoping to see these impressive human figures, while also soaking in some incredible coastal views.

Northern Lights Trip

Catching a glimpse of the elusive northern lights is possible in several destinations close to the Arctic Circle, including Alaska, Iceland, Canada, Greenland, Finland, Sweden, and Norway. All of these places have incredible viewpoints (and even hotels where you can see the phenomenon from your bed ), in addition to great, wintry scenery. (The lights are best viewed from late fall through early spring.)

Thailand and Vietnam

A trip through Southeast Asia is a must for any traveler, especially foodies who love street eats. While you could spend weeks in each of these countries, Thailand and Vietnam can easily be paired for an exciting trip packed with lush scenery, cultural experiences, and delicious food. Have a little extra time to spare? Add Cambodia to the mix and include a visit to expansive Angkor Wat.

Essay on Last Trip

Students are often asked to write an essay on Last Trip in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Last Trip

Excitement of the journey.

Last summer, my family embarked on a trip to the mountains. The anticipation was high as we packed our bags, imagining the cool air and green landscapes.

Memorable Experiences

We explored trails, discovered hidden waterfalls, and even spotted wild animals. Each day was filled with new adventures that created lasting memories.

Learning and Bonding

The trip was not just about fun. It was a learning experience about nature and a chance to strengthen our family bonds. We shared stories, played games, and supported each other.

Our last trip was an unforgettable experience. It reminded us of the beauty of nature and the importance of family.

250 Words Essay on Last Trip

The prelude to adventure.

The last trip I embarked on was an exhilarating journey to the heart of the Amazon rainforest. It was not just a vacation, but a quest for self-discovery and a test of resilience against the raw, untamed wilderness.

Immersing in the Wilderness

The rainforest was a symphony of life, reverberating with the calls of exotic birds and the rustling of unseen creatures. The dense canopy formed an emerald ceiling, filtering the sunlight into a soft, ethereal glow. As we navigated the labyrinthine waterways, the forest unveiled its secrets, from the smallest insect to the most majestic trees.

The Encounter with the Indigenous

A significant highlight was the encounter with an indigenous tribe. Their wisdom, passed down through generations, was a testament to their harmonious coexistence with the environment. Their simple, yet fulfilling lifestyle was a poignant reminder of the often overlooked essentials of life.

The Epiphany

The trip was an awakening, revealing the stark contrast between our technologically-driven existence and nature’s primal simplicity. It underscored the importance of preserving our planet’s biodiversity, emphasizing that we are just a small part of a larger, intricate web of life.

The Farewell

As we bid farewell to the Amazon, we carried back not just memories, but a renewed sense of purpose. The trip was a catalyst for change, prompting us to rethink our relationship with nature and our responsibility towards it.

In conclusion, the last trip was more than just a journey; it was an experience that transformed our perspectives, inspiring us to advocate for a more sustainable and inclusive world.

500 Words Essay on Last Trip

The prelude: emotional anticipation.

The last trip I embarked on was not just a journey through physical landscapes, but an exploration of emotional terrains. The anticipation was a potent mix of excitement and anxiety as I packed my bags, each item a reminder of the unknown experiences that awaited me.

The Destination: A Symphony of the Senses

The destination was a quaint little town nestled in the mountains, a place where the air carried the scent of pine trees and the streets echoed with the soft murmur of the river flowing nearby. The town was a symphony for the senses, each element contributing to a harmonious experience that was both novel and nostalgic.

The Journey: Lessons in Adaptability

The journey was a testament to the human spirit’s adaptability. As I navigated through unfamiliar terrains, I was reminded of the inherent resilience within us. Every missed bus or delayed flight was an opportunity to adapt and learn, a lesson in patience and perseverance. The journey was as much about reaching the destination as it was about the experiences and lessons learned along the way.

The Interactions: Bonds Beyond Borders

One of the most enriching aspects of the trip was the interactions with locals and fellow travelers. The shared experiences and stories transcended geographical boundaries, creating bonds that were rooted in empathy and understanding. These interactions were a reminder that despite our diverse backgrounds, our shared human experiences unite us.

The Reflection: An Inner Journey

The trip was not just an external journey, but an inner one as well. As I explored new places, I also explored parts of myself previously unknown. The solitude offered by the mountains provided a space for introspection, allowing me to reflect on my life, my choices, and my dreams. The trip was a mirror, reflecting back to me the person I was and the person I aspired to be.

The Conclusion: The End is a New Beginning

As the trip concluded, I realized that the end was not truly an end, but a new beginning. The experiences, lessons, and memories from the trip had transformed me, opening my mind to new perspectives and possibilities. The last trip was not just a journey through landscapes, but a journey of self-discovery and growth.

In conclusion, the last trip was a transformative experience that went beyond the physical journey. It was a journey of the senses, of adaptability, of shared human experiences, of self-discovery, and of personal growth. It was a reminder that travel is not just about seeing new places, but about experiencing life in all its diversity and complexity. The last trip was not just a journey, it was a life-changing experience.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Field Trip
• Essay on Trip to Kashmir
• Essay on Planning a Trip

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

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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!

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Your last-minute guide to Monday's total solar eclipse

A total solar eclipse will cross North America on Monday , offering millions a rare opportunity to see afternoon skies temporarily darken as the moon blocks the face of the sun.

Tune into NBC News NOW as Lester Holt hosts a two-hour special at 2 p.m. ET Monday from Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The eclipse's path fortuitously cuts across Mexico, 15 U.S. states and a small part of eastern Canada. In all other states in the continental U.S., viewers will be treated to a partial solar eclipse, with the moon appearing to take a bite out of the sun and obscuring part of its light.

Here’s everything you need to know about the rare celestial event.

What is a solar eclipse?

Solar eclipses occur when the sun, moon and Earth align. The moon passes between Earth and sun, temporarily blocking the sun’s light and casting a shadow on Earth.

A total solar eclipse is when the moon fully obscures the sun, whereas a partial solar eclipse means it blocks just a portion of the sun’s face.

Solar eclipses occur only with the new moon. Because the moon’s orbit around Earth is tilted, the three bodies don’t always line up in a way that creates an eclipse.

“Imagine if the moon’s orbit were in the plane of Earth’s orbit around the sun — if that were the case, then every new moon, you’d have a total solar eclipse and every full moon, you’d have a lunar eclipse,” Neil DeGrasse Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History, told NBC News. “So, because things don’t always align, it lends to the rarity of the event and the specialness of the event.”

Where and when will the eclipse be visible?

This year’s eclipse will follow a slightly wider path over more populated areas of the continental U.S. than other total solar eclipses have in the recent past.

NASA estimates that 31.6 million people live within what’s known as the path of totality, where the total solar eclipse will be visible. An additional 150 million people live within 200 miles of the path, according to the agency.

The path travels through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Tiny parts of Michigan and Tennessee will also be able to witness totality if conditions are clear.

After the eclipse crosses into Canada, it will pass over southern Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton, at the eastern end of Nova Scotia.

Those outside the path of totality can still take part in the astronomical event by viewing a partial solar eclipse — visible throughout all 48 states of the contiguous U.S. — or a NASA livestream.

The timing, including how long totality lasts, depends on the location, but some spots will see the moon fully cover the sun for up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds.

Below is a list of timings for some cities along the path of totality, as  provided by NASA . A number of other resources, including NationalEclipse.com  and  TimeandDate.com , can also help people plan.

• Dallas: Partial eclipse begins at 12:23 p.m. CT and totality at 1:40 p.m.
• Little Rock, Arkansas: Partial eclipse begins at 12:33 p.m. CT and totality at 1:51 p.m.
• Cleveland: Partial eclipse begins at 1:59 p.m. ET and totality at 3:13 p.m.
• Buffalo, New York: Partial eclipse begins at 2:04 p.m. ET and totality at 3:18 p.m.
• Lancaster, New Hampshire: Partial eclipse begins at 2:16 p.m. ET and totality at 3:27 p.m.

How to safely view a solar eclipse

It is never safe to gaze directly at the sun, even when it is partly or mostly covered by the moon. Special eclipse glasses or  pinhole projectors  are required to safely view solar eclipses and prevent eye damage. Failing to take the proper precautions can result in severe eye injury,  according to NASA .

Eclipse glasses are thousands of times darker than normal sunglasses and specially made to enable wearers to look at the sun during these kinds of celestial events.

Sky-watchers should also never view any part of the sun through binoculars, telescopes or camera lenses unless they have specific solar filters attached. Eclipse glasses should not be used with these devices, as they will not provide adequate protection.

However, during the few minutes of totality, when the moon is fully blocking the sun, it is safe to look with the naked eye.

Beware of fake eclipse glasses. On legitimate pairs, the lenses should have a silver appearance on the front and be black on the inside. The manufacturer’s name and address should be clearly labeled, and they should not be torn or punctured. Check, as well, for the ISO logo and the code “IS 12312-2” printed on the inside.

If you don’t have eclipse glasses, you can make a homemade pinhole projector, which lets sunlight in through a small hole, focuses it and projects it onto a piece of paper, wall or other surface to create an image of the sun that is safe to look at. 

All you need is two pieces of white cardboard or plain white paper, aluminum foil and a pin or thumbtack. Cut a 1- to 2-inch square or rectangle out of the center of a piece of white paper or cardboard. Tape aluminum foil over that cut-out shape, then use a pin or thumbtack to poke a tiny hole in the foil.

During the eclipse, place a second piece of white paper or cardboard on the ground as a screen and hold the projector with the foil facing up and your back to the sun. Adjusting how far you hold the projector from the second piece of paper will alter the size of the image on the makeshift screen.

What to look for while viewing the total solar eclipse

For people along the path of totality, there are some fun milestones to keep track of as the total solar eclipse unfolds.

As the eclipse progresses and the sun gets thinner in the sky, it will start to get eerily dark, according to Tyson.

When the last beams of sunlight are about to become obscured, look out for the “diamond ring effect”: The sun’s atmosphere will appear as an illuminated halo, and the last light still visible will look like the diamond of a giant ring.

As the sunlight decreases even further, an effect known as Baily’s beads will be created by the moon’s rugged terrain. Tiny “beads” of light will be visible for only a few seconds around the dark moon, as the last bits of sunlight peer through the moon’s mountains and valleys.

When the moon is fully blocking the sun, it is safe to remove eclipse glasses and look at the total solar eclipse with the naked eye.

Some lucky sky-watchers may even catch a glimpse of a comet .

Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks — nicknamed the “ devil comet ” because an eruption last year left it with two distinct trails of gas and ice in the shape of devil horns — is currently visible from the Northern Hemisphere as it swings through the inner solar system.

The comet can be seen in the early evenings by gazing toward the west-northwest horizon. During the eclipse, when skies darken during totality, it may be possible to see the comet near Jupiter, but its visibility will depend on whether it’s in the middle of an outburst and thus brighter than normal.

Most likely, all eyes will be on the alignment of the moon and sun.

“Most people won’t even notice,” Tyson said. “But if you know to look, it’s there.”

When is the next solar eclipse?

The next total solar eclipse will be in 2026, but it will mostly pass over the Arctic Ocean, with some visibility in Greenland, Iceland, Portugal and northern Spain. In 2027, a total solar eclipse will be visible in Spain and a swath of northern Africa.

The next total solar eclipse visible from North America will be in 2033, but only over Alaska. Then in 2044, a total solar eclipse will cross Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, parts of Canada and Greenland.

The next total solar eclipse to cross the continental U.S. coast-to-coast in will occur in 2045. The path of totality for that eclipse will cut through California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia and Florida.

Denise Chow is a reporter for NBC News Science focused on general science and climate change.

Lucas Thompson is a content producer for the NBC News Climate Unit.

Watch CBS News

What time the 2024 solar eclipse started, reached peak totality and ended

By Sarah Maddox

Updated on: April 9, 2024 / 5:04 AM EDT / CBS News

The 2024 solar eclipse will be visible across North America today. As the moon's position between the Earth and sun casts a shadow on North America, that shadow, or umbra, will travel along the surface from west to east at more than 1,500 miles per hour along the path of totality . 

That means the eclipse will start, peak and end at different times — as will the moments of total darkness along the path of totality — and the best time to view the eclipse depends on where you are located. Some places along the path will have more totality time than others.

In Texas, the south-central region had clouds in the forecast , but it was better to the northeast, according to the National Weather Service. The best eclipse viewing weather was expected in New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine, as well as in Canada's New Brunswick and Newfoundland.

What time does the 2024 total solar eclipse start?

The total solar eclipse will emerge over the South Pacific Ocean before the shadow falls across North America, beginning in parts of Mexico. The path of totality , where onlookers can witness the moon fully blocking the sun (through eclipse viewing glasses for safety ), is expected to first make landfall near the city of Mazatlán around 9:51 a.m. MT. 

The total solar eclipse will cross over the U.S.-Mexico border into Texas, where it will emerge over Eagle Pass at 12:10 p.m. CT and then peak at about 1:27 p.m. CT.

In Dallas, NASA data shows the partial eclipse will first become visible at 12:23 p.m. CT and peak at 1:40 p.m. CT. The next states in the path of totality are Oklahoma and Arkansas, where the eclipse begins in Little Rock at 12:33 p.m. CT. 

Cleveland will see the beginning of the eclipse at 1:59 p.m. ET. Darkness will start spreading over the sky in Buffalo, New York, at 2:04 p.m. ET. Then, the eclipse will reach northwestern Vermont, including Burlington, at 2:14 p.m. ET. Parts of New Hampshire and Maine will also follow in the path of totality before the eclipse first reaches the Canadian mainland  at 3:13 p.m. ET.

Although the experience won't be exactly the same, viewers in all the contiguous U.S. states outside the path of totality will still be able to see a partial eclipse. Some places will see most of the sun blocked by the moon, including Washington, D.C., where the partial eclipse will start at 2:04 p.m. ET and peak at about 3:20 p.m. ET.

In Chicago, viewers can start viewing the partial eclipse at 12:51 p.m. CT, with the peak arriving at 2:07 p.m. CT.  In Detroit, viewers will be able to enjoy a near-total eclipse beginning at 1:58 p.m. ET and peaking at 3:14 p.m. ET.

New York City will also see a substantial partial eclipse, beginning at 2:10 p.m. ET and peaking around 3:25 p.m. ET.

In Boston it will begin at 2:16 p.m. ET and peak at about 3:29 p.m. ET.

The below table by NASA shows when the eclipse will start, peak and end in 13 cities along the eclipse's path.

What time will the solar eclipse reach peak totality?

Millions more people will have the chance to witness the total solar eclipse this year than during the last total solar eclipse , which was visible from the U.S. in 2017. 

The eclipse's peak will mean something different for cities within the path of totality and for those outside. Within the path of totality, darkness will fall for a few minutes. The longest will last more than 4 minutes, but most places will see between 3.5 and 4 minutes of totality. In cities experiencing a partial eclipse, a percentage of the sun will be obscured for more than two hours.

Mazatlán is set to experience totality at 11:07 am PT. Dallas will be able to see the moon fully cover the sun at 1:40 p.m. CT. Little Rock will start to see the full eclipse at 1:51 p.m. CT, Cleveland at 3:13 p.m. ET and Buffalo at 3:18 p.m. ET. Totality will reach Burlington at 3:26 p.m. ET before moving into the remaining states and reaching Canada around 4:25 p.m.

Outside the path of totality, 87.4% of the sun will be eclipsed in Washington, D.C. at 3:20 p.m. ET, and Chicago will have maximum coverage of 93.9% at 2:07 p.m. CT. New York City is much closer to the path of totality this year than it was in 2017; it will see 89.6% coverage at 3:25 p.m. EDT. 

Detroit is another city that will encounter a near-total eclipse, with 99.2% maximum coverage at 3:14 p.m. ET. Boston will see 92.4% coverage at 3:29 p.m. ET.

What time will the solar eclipse end?

The eclipse will leave continental North America from Newfoundland, Canada, at 5:16 p.m. NT, according to NASA.

At the beginning of the path of totality in Mazatlán, the eclipse will be over by 12:32 p.m. PT, and it will leave Dallas at 3:02 p.m. CT. The eclipse will end in Little Rock at 3:11 p.m. CT, Cleveland at 4:29 p.m. CDT and Buffalo at 4:32 p.m. ET. Burlington won't be far behind, with the eclipse concluding at 4:37 p.m. ET.

Meanwhile, the viewing will end in Chicago at 3:21 p.m. CT, Washington, D.C. at 4:32 p.m. ET, and New York City at 4:36 p.m. ET. 

In Detroit, the partial eclipse will disappear at 4:27 p.m. ET, and in Boston, it will be over at 4:39 p.m. ET.

How long will the eclipse last in total?

The total solar eclipse will begin in Mexico at 11:07 a.m. PT and leave continental North America at 5:16 p.m. NT. From the time the partial eclipse first appears on Earth to its final glimpses before disappearing thousands of miles away, the celestial show will dazzle viewers for about 5 hours, according to timeanddate.com . 

The length of the total solar eclipse at points along the path depends on the viewing location. The longest will be 4 minutes and 28 seconds, northwest of Torreón, Mexico. Near the center of the path, totality takes place for the longest periods of time, according to NASA.

Spectators will observe totality for much longer today than during the 2017 eclipse , when the longest stretch of totality was 2 minutes and 32 seconds.

The moon's shadow seen on Earth today, called the umbra, travels at more than 1,500 miles per hour, according to NASA. It would move even more quickly if the Earth rotated in the opposite direction.

What is the longest a solar eclipse has ever lasted?

The longest known totality was 7 minutes and 28 seconds in 743 B.C. However, NASA says this record will be broken in 2186 with a 7 minute, 29 second total solar eclipse. The next total solar eclipse visible from parts of the U.S. won't happen until Aug. 23, 2044.

Sarah Maddox has been with CBS News since 2019. She works as an associate producer for CBS News Live.

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2024 solar eclipse map: Where to see the eclipse on April 8

These 2024 solar eclipse maps will help you make the best decision about where and how to watch the total solar eclipse on Monday (April 8).

It's finally here: Today, (April 8) a total solar eclipse will pass across the skies North America, giving more than 33 million people living in 15 U.S. states a rare view of the totally-obstructed sun, and — weather permitting — a taste of some seriously strange eclipse phenomena .

If you’re wondering where the total and partial phases of the eclipse will be visible, the good news is that almost everyone in the contiguous U.S. will be able to see the celestial spectacle to some extent. But for a more detailed view of the eclipse’s path, take a look at these handy eclipse maps, courtesy of GreatAmericanEclipse.com. 

Solar eclipse 2024 path of totality map

Totality is the moment that every eclipse-chaser lives for: The moment when the moon completely covers the sun’s face, resulting in a brief but eerie darkness in the daytime. The path of totality , shown in the map above, is the path of the moon’s shadow across Earth’s surface. 

On Monday (April 8), totality will begin in Sinaloa, Mexico, then move northeast up to Texas, ultimately crossing 15 states before moving on to Canada. The states where totality will be visible are: Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine — although Tennessee and Michigan will only be glanced by the moon's shadow.

Related: April 8 solar eclipse: What time does totality start in every state?

Viewers MUST be within the path of totality to witness the total phase of the eclipse; if you are off the path by even a mile, you will only see a partial eclipse, and miss out on the spooky daytime darkness. Furthermore, the closer you are to the center of the path of totality, the longer totality will last for you — up to a maximum duration of 4 minutes, 27 seconds in Torreón, Mexico.

Note: Totality is the ONLY TIME when it is safe to view the sun without protective eyewear like certified solar eclipse glasses . You must protect your eyes during the entire partial phase of the eclipse, no matter where you are.

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Solar eclipse 2024 partial eclipse map

If you live in the U.S. and can’t make it to the path of totality, a partial eclipse still awaits you on April 8. The entire contiguous U.S. will have some view of the partial eclipse, ranging from 99% coverage of the sun just off the path of totality to about 15% coverage far to the northwest of the path.

The map above shows how much of the sun’s disk will be blocked from your location. Watching the partial phases of the eclipse — which last about an hour and 20 minutes before and after totality — means wearing protective eyewear at all times. Failure to do so could result in permanent eye damage, according to NASA .

If you want to experience the celestial spectacle but don’t have a pair of eclipse glasses handy, there are many other ways to safely enjoy the partial eclipse . These include making a homemade pinhole projector , using a pasta strainer to project the shadow of the moon onto the ground or watching one of the various eclipse live streams available.

2024 eclipse travel maps

If you want to see totality but don’t live within the path, driving or taking public transit to a city within the path may be possible. The map above shows how far the drive is to the path of totality, based on where you’re coming from. Meanwhile, the map below shows the most populated cities within the path of totality — many of which are expected to be flooded with millions of eclipse tourists on April 8.

The biggest cities within the path of totality include: San Antonio, Dallas, Austin and Fort Worth in Texas; Indianapolis, Indiana; Hamilton and Montreal in Canada; and Torreón and Mazatlan in Mexico.

Wherever you are on April 8, we wish you clear skies and protected eyes during this rare, wondrous eclipse over North America.

Brandon is the space/physics editor at Live Science. His writing has appeared in The Washington Post, Reader's Digest, CBS.com, the Richard Dawkins Foundation website and other outlets. He holds a bachelor's degree in creative writing from the University of Arizona, with minors in journalism and media arts. He enjoys writing most about space, geoscience and the mysteries of the universe.

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By Emily Cooke April 09, 2024

By Harry Baker April 09, 2024

• 2 Watch live! The total solar eclipse has begun over North America.
• 3 Eclipse from space: See the moon's shadow race across North America at 1,500 mph in epic satellite footage
• 4 Superfast drone fitted with new 'rotating detonation rocket engine' approaches the speed of sound
• 5 Neolithic women in Europe were tied up and buried alive in ritual sacrifices, study suggests
• 2 Superfast drone fitted with new 'rotating detonation rocket engine' approaches the speed of sound
• 3 Neolithic women in Europe were tied up and buried alive in ritual sacrifices, study suggests
• 4 Pet fox with 'deep relationship with the hunter-gatherer society' buried 1,500 years ago in Argentina
• 5 No, you didn't see a solar flare during the total eclipse — but you may have seen something just as special

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Solar eclipse 2024: Follow the path of totality

Solar eclipse, what you need to know to watch monday's total solar eclipse.

The NPR Network

A stunning celestial event is visible across the country Monday, when the moon crosses directly in front of the sun: a total solar eclipse. For those in the path of totality, there will be a few brief moments when the moon completely covers the sun and the world becomes dark.

Traveling for totality? Skip ahead.

This will be the last chance to catch a total solar eclipse in the continental U.S. for about 20 years, so here's what you need to know to safely enjoy!

When is the eclipse?

April 8, 2024 there will be a total solar eclipse that crosses from the Pacific coast of Mexico through the United States.

What is totality and why it matters

According to NASA , totality will start around 11:07 a.m. PDT/1:07 EDT in Mexico and leave Maine at around 1:30 pm PDT/3:30 pm EDT.

Here's what time the eclipse will be visible in your region

Check out this table for when the partial eclipse and totality are visible in each region or check by zip code here.

A partial solar eclipse will be visible across the contiguous United States, so even if you're not directly in the path, you should be able to see something special, weather permitting.

Unable to get to totality? We'll be sharing highlights here from across the NPR Network throughout the day Monday if you can't see it in real time.

Where to see totality?

More than 30 million people live in the path of totality for Monday's eclipse, and many more in nearby areas.

Here's what we know about Monday's weather forecast.

Why totality matters

As NPR's Neil Greenfieldboyce explains , "During a total eclipse, the sky darkens suddenly and dramatically . The temperature drops. Stars come out. Beautiful colors appear around the horizon. And the once-familiar sun becomes a black void in the sky surrounded by the glowing corona — that's the ghostly white ring that is the sun's atmosphere."

Eclipse Science

For april's eclipse, going from 'meh' to 'omg' might mean just driving across town.

A partial eclipse, while still a fun experience, is hardly as dramatic. Those with a view of the partial eclipse will see crescent-shaped shadows like those seen here in 2017.

How to watch safely

If you plan to look directly at the eclipse (partial or totality), you're going to need eclipse glasses handy because looking directly at the sun without proper protection ( traditional sunglasses don't count! ) can be harmful to your eyes.

The perfect celestial soundtrack to the total solar eclipse

As NPR's Joe Hernandez explains, "Proper eye protection must be worn throughout a total solar eclipse — except for the roughly 3 1/2 to 4 minutes when the moon fully obscures the sun, a brief period known as 'totality.' (You will need to take your glasses off during totality to actually see it.)"

If you don't have access to eclipse glasses, you can get crafty with things you have around the house ( like some of us did back in 2017!) More on that here.

Traveling for totality?

The celestial event is driving a ton of domestic travel to the path of totality. If you're headed out of town to view the eclipse, here are some NPR Network resources for areas in the path of totality:

Texas The path of totality crosses through the Lone Star State, with some areas expecting a possible influx of visitors in the hundreds of thousands to catch prime viewing. Our member stations across the state have gathered local resources to help you navigate the region and the eclipse!

• San Antonio: Check out the latest from Texas Public Radio
• Dallas: Explore KERA's coverage for the latest
• Austin: Head to KUT for the best local resources

Arkansas The eclipse will be cutting through the state, putting Little Rock in the path of totality. Check out Little Rock Public Radio for local resources.

The southwestern edge of the state will be well-positioned to witness the total solar eclipse this year. Kentucky Public Radio is covering the eclipse throughout the region, from Kentuckiana eclipse mania to the University of Louisville's free class about the celestial event. Keep an eye on WKMS for the latest local updates.

Missouri The southeastern corner of the state will be in the path of totality, crossing across towns like Whitewater and Ste. Genevieve. Head to St. Louis Public Radio for local coverage and resources. Illinois Carbondale seems to have won the eclipse lottery, being in the path of totality both in 2017 and for this year's eclipse . For resources from across the state, check out Illinois Public Media .

Indiana A huge portion of the state will be within the path of totality, giving cities across Indiana, including Bloomington and Indianapolis, prime viewing of the eclipse.

• Bloomington: Check out Indiana Public Media
• Indianapolis: Head to WFYI for the latest
• Fort Wayne: Just north of the path of totality, WBOI has resources for the Allen County area

Ohio The Buckeye State is getting bisected by this year's path of totality, plunging a number of the state's most populous areas into darkness for a few minutes on Monday.

• Cleveland: Head to Ideastream Public Media for the latest.
• Columbus: With the capital city just south of totality, head to WOSU for regional resources.
• Cincinnati: Totality will just miss the border town. Here are some tips from WVXU on how to navigate the eclipse in the region.

Pennsylvania Only the northwestern-most corner of the state will catch totality, with views from the lakeside in Erie being particularly well-positioned for a stunning viewing experience. WESA has more from across the region.

Plan to watch the eclipse from a wild mountain summit? Be ready for harsh conditions

New York Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Plattsburgh will fall under the path of totality on Monday. If you're planning to travel to the region for the best views, here are some local resources to stay safe and informed:

• Buffalo: Head to WBFO for the latest
• Syracuse: WAER has more on plans in the Salt City
• North Country: NCPR has the latest from across the region, as well as information on local viewing events to check out

Vermont The Green Mountain State will see totality across its most populous region, including Burlington and Montpelier, as well as the Northeast Kingdom on the Canadian border. Vermont Public has everything you need to know to navigate your time in the region to enjoy the eclipse safely. New Hampshire The northernmost region of the Granite State will be in the path of totality, providing prime viewing to those in Coos County. NHPR has info on local events, travel updates as well as special coverage with New Hampshire Public Television. Maine The last state in the path of totality in the U.S., much of Northern Maine will be positioned for prime viewing. The rural region is preparing for an influx of visitors, and safety officials are encouraging visitors and locals alike to be prepared. Maine Public will be covering the eclipse and has everything you need to know to navigate the region safely.

How to document the eclipse safely

With the ease of cell photography , it can be tempting to reach for your phone to document the eclipse and the moments of totality, but make sure to do so safely.

As NPR's Scott Neuman explains , "For starters, you'll need to wear eclipse glasses or similar protective eye gear while aiming your camera or even just observing the eclipse."

Feeling ambitious? Here are a few more tips.

Or if you're not inclined to capture the moment visually, you lean into some other forms of creative expression. Indiana, for example, has named Linda Neal Reising the official poet in the state for this year's eclipse.

As former NPR reporter and eclipse superfan David Baron shared with Life Kit , viewing totality "[is] like you've left the solar system and are looking back from some other world."

So consider focusing on being present in the moment to enjoy the celestial spectacle.

More resources to enjoy the eclipse

• Sharing the eclipse with tiny humans? Check out these kid-friendly total solar eclipse learning guides from Vermont Public's But Why, and this great explainer from KERA Kids on the difference between a solar and a lunar eclipse.
• Want to see how a solar eclipse alters colors? Wear red and green on Monday
• Plan to wander into the wild for the best view? Here are some tips from outdoor experts.
• Tips from Bill Nye on the best ways to enjoy the eclipse.

NPR will be sharing highlights here from across the NPR Network throughout the day Monday if you're unable to get out and see it in real time. NPR's Emily Alfin Johnson compiled these resources.

• 2024 eclipse

6 Last-Minute Travel Tips for the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse

I n less than a month, people will look to the sky as the moon passes between the sun and the Earth in a celestial event known as a total solar eclipse . The phenomenon is set for April 8, 2024, and the next one that can be seen from contiguous United States will be August 2044 , so it's unsurprising that eclipse fever has gripped the nation. Between 1 and 4 million people are predicted to travel to the path of totality, joining the 31 million people already living within it.

Among the tours, cruises, hotels, and even scenic flights offering their own spin on the total solar eclipse experience, here are six tips that last-minute planners should keep in mind for the special day.

1. Figure out where you want to go

There are 13 U.S. states on the path of this year's eclipse: Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine (small parts of Tennessee and Michigan are also in the path). Among all of these states, totality will occur in two national parks-Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas and Cuyahoga National Park in Ohio-and they're expected to get crowded. Instead, consider one of the more than 100 state parks along the path, some of which are more off the radar. If you're more of a city dweller, you can also experience totality in big cities, including San Antonio, Austin, Cleveland, and Rochester.

Consider the weather, too. According to NOAA 's past weather records, April weather seems to bring more chances of rain-meaning more potential for cloud coverage-in the Northeast than in the South.

2. Consider the length of totality

Aiming for a destination in the path of totality is a no-brainer, although the amount of totality you'll get depends on where you go. The closer to the center of the path of totality an area is, the longer the total eclipse lasts. Take Austin and Dallas: While both are on the path of totality, Austin will get 1 minute and 46 seconds of totality, while Dallas will get 3 minutes and 52 seconds of totality. The longest duration you can get for totality is about 4 minutes and 30 seconds. Particularly traveler-friendly spots to maximize your time in the dark are Texas Hill Country towns like Kerrville (which will receive around 4 minutes and 24 seconds of totality and is partnering with NASA) and Fredericksburg (which is set to get 4 minutes 23 seconds of totality). Texas Hill Country is also one of AFAR's best places to go in 2024 .

3. Consider camping

If you want a solar eclipse experience surrounded by nature rather than people, camping may suit you better. But booking developed campgrounds at state parks and well-known nature spots will likely be difficult at this point. As an alternative, check for privately owned land through platforms like Hipcamp or look for dispersed camping sites in a national forest, like Ozark National Forest or Green Mountain National Forest . While backcountry spots may not have amenities, they can be perfect for those seeking solitude.

In addition, be sure to check the capacity of a park when it comes to handling the influx of visitors for April 8. As an example, Erie's tourism board is discouraging visits to Presque Isle State Park to prevent bottleneck traffic from its one entry and exit point.

4. Look into a town, festival, or last-minute tour

Plenty of places within the path of totality are putting their own spin on the solar eclipse with dedicated festivities. Get an educational experience at Rochester Museum & Science Center's ROC the Eclipse Festival , a three-day event that includes talks titled "Frontiers of Plasma Physics" and "The Search for Earth-Like Planets" from science experts. Or lean into grandeur at the four-day Texas Eclipse Festival in Burnet, Texas; its lineup includes music performances, yoga sessions, and immersive art experiences. (If you're heading to Texas for the eclipse event in general, check out this interactive map of special activities happening across the state.)

If the mere thought of navigating trip logistics brings a headache, check for the availability of some solar eclipse tours. Some tours still have availability, like Holland America Line's whopping 22-day Solar Eclipse cruise tour through North America. Others, like Travel Quest's Mexico's Copper Canyon Total Solar Eclipse tour , only have wait-list spots. But don't give up hope: As last-minute cancellations roll in, a quick call could secure you a place.

5. Try to get a last-minute spot at hotels in the path of totality

Hotels are leaning into the solar eclipse experience too, and properties are throwing celebrations and dedicated solar eclipse events just for the event. Miraval Austin Resort and Spa is hosting a viewing session with its astrologer, while Hôtel Swexan in Dallas is offering solar eclipse wellness activities on the evening of April 8 that includes meditation, a sound bath, and a Reiki healing session.

Keep in mind that a last-minute booking may cost a premium. Properties all across the band of totality are recording sky-high prices -even budget hotels . Similar to booking tours, do your due diligence and call to check for a cancellation.

6. Come prepared

Of course, you should wear solar eclipse glasses to prevent permanent damage to your eyes. If you're going to an event, check to see if they will be provided or if you'll need to bring your own. If you don't want to buy them, you can use household materials like cardboard to make your own pinhole projector , a contraption that allows you to see the sun change shape as the moon crosses in front of it.

In addition to bringing materials for the day of the event, anticipate what happens next. The length of totality is less than five minutes, but the traffic afterwards may disrupt your plans for hours. If you're coming from a crowded park or city, be on the safe side and come prepared with extra snacks and water.