more travel experience

Somos un grupo de viajeros apasionados con más de 15 años de experiencia recorriendo el mundo y 5 años de experiencia diseñando viajes a la medida para nuestros queridos clientes.

Nuestro nombre refleja nuestra filosofía; nos gusta buscar más, descubrir más, disfrutar más y aprovechar cada viaje más allá de un recorrido por puntos de interés.

Cada viaje que diseñamos nos reta a cumplir con nuestra razón de ser:

“Llenar de asombro los viajes de nuestros clientes”

Nuestra Filosofía

more travel experience

Todos los consultores de MORE compartimos el placer por viajar, conocer y disfrutar. Cada vez que planeamos un viaje - sea para un cliente o para nosotros mismos - dedicamos tiempo y cariño a diseñar la ruta, elegir el hospedaje ideal para la ocasión, hacer reserva en los restaurantes que permiten conocer con el paladar y descubrir las experiencias únicas que cada destino tiene para ofrecer.

En MORE ofrecemos un servicio integral y personalizado que nos permite garantizar una extraordinaria experiencia de viaje.

Es por esto que procuramos comprender a fondo la ocasión de cada viaje y el perfil de los viajeros para poder agregar valor al diseño y planeación de cada experiencia.

more travel experience

Nuestra oferta de servicio incluye lo siguiente:

  • Diseño de ruta a la medida.
  • Cotización y reservación de vuelos, traslados y alojamientos.
  • Recomendación y reservación de experiencias, restaurantes y tours.
  • Guía personalizada de viaje con las reservaciones y recomendaciones correspondientes, información de cada destino visitado y un itinerario sugerido día por día.
  • Acceso a plataforma digital con toda la información de su viaje.
  • Atención personalizada antes y durante el viaje.

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“The World Is a Book, and Those Who Do Not Travel Read Only One Page”

SAINT AUGUSTINE

En MORE creemos en lo que creamos, es por esto que nuestro equipo nunca deja de viajar en busca de nuevas experiencias que ofrecer a nuestros clientes.

Entre los consultores de MORE conocemos más de 90 países y seguiremos viajando para poder recomendarte más de cada destino, lugares que hemos visitado, restaurantes en los que hemos comido, tours que hemos disfrutado y experiencias únicas que nos han asombrado.

Andrea

Destino consentido Queenstown

Restaurante favorito Room service la primera noche del viaje

Experiencia memorable Nadar con ballenas jorobadas en la Polinesia Francesa

Mariana

Destino consentido Lisboa

Restaurante favorito Din Tai Fung, Kuala Lumpur

Experiencia memorable Trekking Annapurna Circuit en Nepal

Ale

Destino consentido Japón

Restaurante favorito Le Relais de L’Entrecôte

Experiencia memorable Trekking de gorilas en Uganda

Alexa

Destino consentido París

Restaurante favorito Sketch London

Experiencia memorable Picnic en los jardines de Versailles

Fabi

Destino consentido Singapur

Restaurante favorito Park's BBQ

Experiencia memorable Island Hopping en Tailandia

Fer

Destino consentido Cuba

Restaurante favorito Buena Vida en Cartagena

Experiencia memorable Fuegos artificiales en la Torre Eiffel

Maite

Destino consentido Tanzania

Restaurante favorito Meson Txistu

Experiencia memorable Nadar con el tiburon ballena

Nelly

Destino consentido Italia

Restaurante favorito Matsuhisa

Experiencia memorable Velero por Islas Baleares

Mónica

Destino consentido Canadá

Restaurante favorito Ellen's Stardust Diner

Experiencia memorable Ferry en las Cataratas de Niagara

Adriana

Destino consentido Botsuana

Restaurante favorito Baan Khanita Bangkok

Experiencia memorable Nadar con tiburón ballena en La Paz

Patricia

Destino consentido Madrid

Restaurante favorito Kong Paris

Regina

Destino consentido Nueva York

Restaurante favorito L’ Entrecote

Experiencia memorable Caminar y conocer la Gran Muralla China

Gabriela

Destino consentido Australia

Restaurante favorito Shabusen Vancouver

Experiencia memorable Walking Tour con pingüinos en la Patagonia

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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

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  • 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. 

Sunset out on the waters at Mequifi Beach.

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.

Author, friends and family white water rafting in intense waters.

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!

Group of hikers ascend the summit at Mount Kilimanjaro.

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!

Nepal flags blow in the wind with mountain scape in the background.

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.

Author, Sarah, gives speech at the Malabar River Festival.

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.

Green tent in the Bale Mountains of Ethiopia.

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. 

Passengers get ready to board boat for overnight stay.

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.

Iconic Sydney Harbor Bridge on a grey day with green trees and city line.

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. 

Sunsets while author sips cocktails, image taken over water and viewing cocktail bar.

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!).

Infinity pool with a view of Bumi Hills zimbabwe.

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.

Ancient architecture of the history of Lalibela Ethiopia.

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.

Image of Sarah Kingdom

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.

Jessie on a Journey | Solo Female Travel Blog

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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Make sure to also connect with me  on Instagram ,  on YouTube , and  on Facebook  to start traveling #BeyondTheGuidebook.

I regularly share about solo female travel, New York City, lesser-known destinations, unique experiences, active adventures, and how to turn your passion for exploring the world into a profitable business through travel blogging.

Click here to head back to the travel blog .

.

There is so much included!

Plus, I’m constantly adding new resources, guides, and personality quizzes to help you travel beyond the guidebook!

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

A travel experience story about Brunei

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

A slow travel experience across the Portuguese Camino de Santiago

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

A story about traveling the Banda Islands

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

The best trip ever in Costa Rica

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

inspiring travel stories in Finland

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

Travel experience stories in Cuba

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

inspiring travel stories in Patagonia

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

A unique travel experience in Colorado

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

life-changing travel experience stories in Colombia

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

short stories on travel and sustainability

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

travel for experience in Uganda

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

short travel stories about cycling

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

Best travel experience in Jamaica

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

Short stories about travel in Peru

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

inspiring traveling stories about overcoming obstacles

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

travel experience stories in China

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

short travel stories about life-changing trips

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?

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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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19 Unique Travel Experiences You Can Buy That Make You Richer

more travel experience

If “Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer”, these unique travel experiences are a jackpot!

Sensoji Temple in Tokyo, Japan

Earlier this year, I went on my first solo trip to Japan. For 10 days, I backpacked through Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo, roomed with strangers and did (almost) everything alone.

It wasn’t because I had no friends 🥺 — but having only been on school trips and family holidays, I wanted to see what the ‘solo travel’ hype was all about.

Read also: 9 Practical Benefits of Solo Travelling That Have Nothing To Do With “Finding Yourself”

Solo travelling in Osaka Dotonbori

An unexpected lesson from travelling alone: How to take boomer-esque selfies

And the hype wasn’t for nothing. If you’re looking for “richer” unique travel experiences yourself, check out these creative and challenging adventures. Some of these experiences may be a nudge out of your comfort zone, but the memories gained and lessons learnt are sure to last a lifetime.

1) Conquer new heights

360 Panorama View of Mt Everest - Unique Travel Experiences

Photo credit: Matthew Irving

Apart from being able to get a good healthy dose of the outdoors, getting to the top of a hike is possibly one of the most rewarding feelings.

Try conquering Mount Kinabalu — the tallest in Southeast Asia, or a 14-day trek up to Everest Base Camp . You don’t have to be a world-class athlete to attempt these, but you do need a good fitness level and possibly deal with altitude sickness.

Pick your torture mountain and see how far your mind and body takes you.

For a destination with no shortage of scenic mountain views, check out this guide on the best way to travel around Switzerland !

2) Explore the unbeaten path with TTI Experiences

Horse riding in Mongolia - Unique Travel Experiences

If you’re looking to satisfy your #wanderlust, TTI Experiences takes you on raw adventures through the wilderness of Mongolia .

Stargazing - Unique Travel Experiences

Relatively untouched by tourism, Mongolia has a surreal beauty you’d rarely find anywhere else. Most commercial tours visit the Gobi Desert, but we venture deep into the Mongolian Steppe to experience nomadic life. Yes, you get to live with eagle hunters and reindeer herders who continue their centuries-old traditions till this day.

Group-Photo - Unique Travel Experiences

If blazing campfires, endless starry nights, hearty Mongolian delicacies and toughing it out with nomads sound like a good time, then join us for our upcoming trips !

*Update: TTI Experiences has been put on hold for the time being. Leave us your email address here if you’d like to be notified of future adventures!

Read more: 7 Reasons Why Travelling to Mongolia Will Cure Your Quarantine Blues

3) Earn your scuba diving licence

Diving in the Great Barrier Reef - Unique Travel Experiences

Photo credit: Heron Island

Yes the grand Mongolian plains are fascinating but it’s a whole new world down under and nothing beats diving into the depths of the ocean. If you don’t already have an open water certification, then it’s time to get one! And what better place to do it than at the Great Barrier Reef .

Off the coast of Queensland, Australia, the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system. With over 2,900 reefs, it’s arguably the world’s most iconic place to dive at.

Australia Great Barrier Reef - Unique Travel Experiences

Photo credit: @greatbarrierreef.australia via Instagram

Both PADI and SSI courses typically take four to seven days. They include theory lessons and open water dives that’ll get you up close to the colourful corals. Once certified, you can dive up to 18m anywhere in the world, as long as you’re accompanied by another certified buddy or professional.

Learning to dive takes some grit so this ain’t your usual lazy holiday. But, you walk away with a new life skill and sick dives in the Great Barrier Reef!

Other fantastic diving destinations: – Discover World War II shipwrecks in Palawan, Philippines – Dive with sharks in Durban, South Africa – Mingle with playful seals at Montague Island, Australia

Read more: 9 Most Adventurous Things to Do in Palawan, Philippines

4) Hunt for the Milky Way on a stargazing trip to Death Valley

Milky Way Death Valley National Park - Unique Travel Experiences

Photo credit: Miguel Claro

MacBook wallpapers are glamorous, but nothing beats seeing the Milky Way in person. For this, one of the best ways is to camp out in Death Valley National Park . Located in California, it’s one of the world’s largest Dark Sky Parks and best places for stargazing.

As city dwellers, camping in the desert together with coyotes and other wild beasts sounds like a death wish, but the experience is worth it! Far from the pollution of city lights, there’s no better experience than sleeping undisturbed underneath billions of stars. Perhaps you’ll walk away with some new survival skills too 😉

Other great stargazing destinations: – Canary Islands, Spain – Lake Tekapo, New Zealand – NamibRand Nature Reserve, Namibia

5) Live out of a campervan in Iceland

Hellnar - Unique Travel Experiences

If silent retreats are a bit of a stretch for you, here’s another way to get away from it all.

Whether it’s escaping the mundane or taking on the world, we all love a good road trip — and Iceland is the perfect setting for one! The Land of Ice and Fire has plenty of hot springs, volcanos, glaciers and sprawling roads that promise an unforgettable adventure.

Iceland Road Trip - Unique Travel Experiences

Road trips in Iceland are a great way to disconnect and enjoy life’s simplest pleasures. Driving from mystical waterfall to glamorous glacier, you’ll learn to rough it out with your best buds while cooking meals on the road and sleeping under the northern lights.

Read also: 10-Day Budget Iceland Itinerary for S$2.8k — The Epic Camper Van Road Trip

Other wondrous destinations for road trips: – Route 66, USA – Great Ocean Road, Australia – Pacific Coast Highway, USA – South Island, New Zealand

6) Embark on a solo trip

Sitting on a rock on Fansipan

Fansipan, Vietnam

The benefits of solo travel are often waaay overstated, but there’s some truth in it too. Travelling alone is a fun way to test your independence and inject excitement into your trips. Since you can’t rely on anyone else, you’ll have to learn how to read maps or befriend strangers!

I absolutely loved the feeling of freedom on my first solo trip. I got to call the shots on which attractions to visit, if I should take a bus or do a long scenic hike, and even where to eat (restaurant or a 7-eleven?).

If you’re looking for unique experiences, solo travel is one of the easiest ways to get them. Even if you realise that it’s not for you, you’re bound to learn new things along the way.

Read also: 7 Life Lessons From a Solo Female Singaporean Traveller

7) Pick up a winter sport in Japan

Snowboarding in Niseko - Unique Travel Experiences

Photo credit: The Ride Side

If you live in Singapore, or anywhere tropical, you’ll get me when I say winter sports have a mysterious allure.

If it’s your first time with the sport, Japan’s one of the best places to start. The slopes are powdery and very forgiving. Mix in cultural experiences like onsens and izakayas , it’s no wonder why people keep returning.

The Ride Side - Unique Travel Experiences

If you’ve never been on a ski trip, check out The Ride Side , a local Singaporean company that organises snowboarding trips to Hokkaido and Nagano — even better if you’re a solo traveller looking to meet other like-minded individuals!

8) Shred some gnarly waves on a surf trip to Hawaii

Hawaii Beach - Unique Travel Experiences

If winter isn’t your thing, how about picking up skills on a board in Hawaii? There are tons of exciting adventures across the island, including the famous Waikiki Beach where first-timers can learn the ropes.

Surfing at Banzai Pipeline - Overcoming your fears

Photo credit: @brentbielmann via Instagram

The highlight for surfers, though, is the Banzai Pipeline in Oahu. It’s what some consider as the most challenging surfing spot in the world. Needless to say, it’s every surfer’s dream to conquer its picturesque barrelling waves!

Other rad surfing destinations – Byron Bay, Australia – Cape Town, South Africa – Siargao Island, Philippines

Read also: 13 Reasons why Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, should visit Honolulu Hawaii

9) Join a whale shark expedition in the Maldives

Diving with Whale Sharks in Maldives

Photo credit: Maldives Whale Shark Research

If you’re in between jobs or on a gap year, volunteering with the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme is a great way to visit an exotic destination and give back to nature!

The non-profit organisation runs two and four-week programmes for volunteers to help with marine conservation activities, like shark spotting and data collection. Outside of work, you can explore the exotic island and get a taste of Maldivian culture. It’s technically a working holiday, but it’s a good cause that’ll look great on your resume.

Do note you’ll need to make a financial contribution to join the programme. The fees will cover the rental of the research dhoni (boat), accommodation, food, and project-related expenses.

Read also: Swimming With Whale Sharks in Oslob — IG Worthy Photos at What Expense?

10) Escape on a Digital Detox

Bali Silent Retreat - Unique Travel Experiences

Photo credit: Bali Silent Retreat

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or overstimulated, a silent retreat may be the answer to slow down the pace of life.

Going days without speech may sound impossible, but Bali Silent Retreat creates the perfect environment to do so. Hidden deep in Bali’s lush rainforests, the resort offers a slew of wellness activities like spas, yoga and meditation sessions. Without the need to socialise, you get to escape from life’s obligations and focus on yourself.

The resort is also completely off-the-grid. WiFi or power outlets aren’t available — a solid excuse to ignore all of your boss’s emails!

11) Run a marathon in North Korea

Woman running Pyongyang Marathon - pushing your comfort zone

Photo credit: Pyongyang Marathon

You’re probably wondering, “Why the #@&* would I run a marathon on my holiday? And in North Korea !?”

If you’re looking for unique experiences, it’s hard to pass up the chance to travel to the most secretive country in the world! Plus, the annual Pyongyang Marathon is the only event that’s open to foreign participants in North Korea.

Great Wall Of China - pushing your comfort zone

Photo credit: Great Wall Marathon

In case North Korea’s not your cup of tea, there are many other iconic races around the world, like the Great Wall Marathon and Mt Fuji Marathon . You get to check out these wondrous landmarks and smash your #fitnessgoals, all at the same time!

12) Party at the world’s most epic music festivals

Tomorrowland - Unique Travel Experiences

Photo credit: @tomorrowland via Instagram

Sure, we have ZoukOut and Ultra in Singapore — which are pretty rad too with sick beats dished out by world-famous DJs.

But music festivals are also huge melting pots of art and fashion. And part of that experience is being thrown in with people from all around the world.

Organisers often go the extra mile when designing sets, sculptures and light shows to make the experience extra magical. Festival-goers also love to dress up, donning everything from immaculate body paint designs to colourful tutus .

Bucket list music festivals to check out: – Tomorrowland in Belgium – Coachella in California – Burning Man in Nevada – Fuji Rock in Japan

13) Fulfil your childhood safari dreams in Africa

Looking at Lions at Maasai Mara National Park - Unique Travel Experiences

As kids, I’m sure many of us were wonderstruck by the enchanting beasts of the savannah. Now that we’re older, it’s time to actually don the symbolic safari hat and slap on some insect repellant — trust me, they’re a must.

First-timers can check out safaris such as Masai Mara in Kenya and Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. Their plains are teeming with wildlife and have flatter roads that make them newcomer-friendly.

The best time to visit is between July to October when the Great Migration happens. The huge herds of moving wildebeests attract predators like lions and cheetahs. Maybe don’t go on a full stomach though. The safari plains are a no-holds-barred land and the circle of life is on full display. We even spotted an antelope giving birth and a leopard dragging her kill up a tree!

Read more: 12D Budget Kenya Safari Itinerary under $1.1k: Hidden gems in Nairobi, Safaris in Maasai Mara, chill Mombasa

14) Soak up the atmosphere at live sport events

Rio Olympics Opening Ceremony Crowd - Unique Travel Experiences

Photo credit: Olympic.org

Worldwide events like the Olympics never fail to excite the world with its festivities — so you can imagine what travelling to the heart of it is like!

On top of watching top-notch athletes battle it out on the world’s biggest stage, you also get to participate in the multitude of exhibitions and parades. It’s an iconic event that embodies the community spirit, celebrates mankind, and unifies cultures. Essentially, everything you’re looking for in a mindblowing trip.

FIFA World Cup Spectators - Unique Travel Experiences

Photo credit: FIFA

There are similar large-scale events for almost every sports fan in the world too. Even if you’re not big on sports, competitions like the FIFA World Cup and Grand Prix are exciting just for their extravagance and performances alone.

15) Trade luxurious hotels for couchsurfing

Couchsurfing in Japan - breaking comfort zones

Couchsurfing in Japan. Photo credit: @allthegoodplaces via Instagram

Staying at a stranger’s place may sound scary, but Couchsurfing offers unique experiences that are hard to come by when you travel like a typical tourist.

First, you get insider info that most tourists wouldn’t know — and you can bet it’s more reliable than that Tripadvisor review you found from 2015! Second, it’s more than just free lodging. You get a cool insight into authentic local life. Lastly, it’s a neat way to spice up any trip you go on.

Couchsurfing - Unique Travel Experiences

Photo credit: Couchsurfing

Hosting travellers at your own place also offers the opportunity to bring the “travel experience” to you. Surfers often have exciting travel stories to share, and may even cook dishes from their home country in return for your kindness.

Read also: “Couchsurfing Changed My Life” — Epic Stories and Life Lessons from 3 Singaporean Couchsurfers

16) Live and work overseas

World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms

Photo credit: @wwoof via Instagram

World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) is an organisation that connects travellers with organic farmers around the world. In exchange for accommodation, you basically get to stay in the countryside and help your host with gardening or farming.

Like couchsurfing , it’s a more intimate way of experiencing the local culture compared to regular sightseeing trips. WWOOF also has opportunities all over the world from Japan to South Africa, so you can even turn it into a world tour on a budget!

Read more: 5 Simple Ways To Practise Sustainable Tourism After COVID-19 Passes

17) Sail on a 50-day voyage with over 300 youths from ASEAN countries

Selfie with Solidarity Group - Unique Travel Experiences

Photo credit: @pgnarisara via Instagram

In a nutshell, the Ship For Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Programme (SSEAYP) is a massive cruise exchange programme that visits five countries in 50 days. If you’re aged 18–30, this is one of the most unique travel experiences you’ve got to try.

Together with new friends from ASEAN and Japan, participants engage in cultural exchanges and important discussions on social matters. But the “travel” part’s not just for show. At each stop, you’ll get to experience homestays with local families and even pay visits to local dignitaries.

Sign-ups usually open at the start of the year, so keep an eye out if you want to seize this opportunity!

Read more: This Unique Youth Exchange Programme Sends You on a Voyage to 5 Countries — SSEAYP

18) Chill out at the annual Harbin Ice Festival

Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival - Unique Travel Experiences

Photo credit: Mitalivshanbhag1810338 via Wikimedia

Harbin’s International Ice and Snow Festival is the largest one in the world. Held from January to February, it has loads of fun festivities to check out. There are snow-themed fashion events, snowfield football games, and (of course) the legendary ice sculpture competition.

Ice Train sculpture at Harbin Ice and Snow Festival - Unique Travel Experiences

Photo credit: Reuters

Expert ice carvers from all over the world come together to painstakingly build several breathtaking ice exhibits. These towering sculptures can reach 30m tall, and be dolled up with glamorous lights and ice slides that’ll make Elsa jealous.

Joining in the festivities is no easy feat though. Temperatures can drop as low as –38°C (there’s a reason the festival’s in Harbin), so travellers have to brave weird situations like having their hair and eyebrows freeze! Word of caution: come prepared or you might end up as an exhibit yourself.

Read more: 9 Epic Ice Palaces, Snow Hotels and Igloos For Your Winter Bucket List

19) Ride the Trans-Siberian Railway, the world’s longest railway

Trans Siberian Railway - Unique Travel Experiences

Photo credit: @ilyasenya via Instagram

Switch up the pace aboard the Trans-Siberian Railway — for a 7,621km journey from Beijing to Moscow, the is truly a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Besides travelling for a week on the world’s longest railway, you also get to ride through eight time zones.

Riding the Trans-Siberian Railway - Unique Travel Experiences

Photo credit: @beer_ha_umai via Instagram

Taking this railway is like going back in time — you’re stripped of creature comforts with no WiFi and limited showers on board. But, the bright side is that you’ll have lots of time to bounce between heart-to-hearts with your travel mates and watching grazing animals on sprawling fields pass by.

Open your mind with unique travel experiences

Solo travel visting Trolltunga in Norway

At the end of my first solo trip, I didn’t “find myself” or come to any life-changing revelations. But I realised that some trips do indeed make you “richer” than others.

Travel is incredibly exciting, but it can still go stale if we fall back to familiar routines. For your next trip, try something you’ve never tried before, pick up a new sport, strike up a conversation with strangers — be it lifelong friendships or new perspectives, you never know what you might gain. But one thing’s for sure: You’ll return much richer than before.

Facebook image credit: @ilyasenya via Instagram , The Ride Side , Heron Island

Have more unique travel experiences that didn’t make the list? Share them in the comments below!

For more travel inspiration, follow us on Facebook , Instagram , YouTube , and Telegram !

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Travel Intern (@thetravelintern) on Jan 16, 2020 at 5:11am PST

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The 25 Travel Experiences You Must Have

A pair of internationally minded writers, a chef, an architect and a landscape photographer made a list of the most extraordinary adventures a person should seek out. Here are the results.

By Alwa Cooper ,  Ashlea Halpern ,  Debra Kamin ,  Aileen Kwun ,  Miguel Morales ,  Dan Piepenbring and Michael Snyder

One July morning, a five-person jury — including the writers Pico Iyer and Aatish Taseer , the architect Toshiko Mori , the chef and food scientist David Zilber and the landscape photographer Victoria Sambunaris — gathered over Zoom to debate what, exactly, constitutes a “travel experience” and how some might rise above the rest. To get the conversation started, each panelist had nominated at least 10 selections in advance of the call; their job now was to slash that list from 55 to 25.

The participants were all polite, often deferring to whomever they deemed an expert on a particular subject: Zilber, who worked at Noma and co-authored the Copenhagen restaurant’s 2018 book about fermentation, on outstanding restaurants; Sambunaris, who traverses the country several months a year by car to capture her images, on the spectacular topography of the American West. They were also quick to sacrifice their own darlings, particularly if they felt they were too familiar (Petra, Machu Picchu), too obscure (Alvar Aalto’s Muuratsalo Experimental summer house in Säynätsalo, Finland — a Mori selection), too personal (driving the Karakoram Highway connecting Pakistan and China — something Taseer heard about from his father) or too commodified (a Nile River cruise, most hotel stays ). As Iyer put it, “Hotels offer luxury and comfort, but they rarely touch my soul.”

Some panelists rescinded nominations for experiences they hadn’t had themselves, despite having dreamed for years about what it might be like to, say, hike through Japan’s remote Yakushima Island National Park , the inspiration for Hayao Miyazaki ’s “Princess Mononoke” (1997) . (“I feel like I don’t know if going there would destroy or enhance my fantasy,” Mori said.) Others opted to keep in the mix selections to which they couldn’t personally attest — proving how powerful our collective imagination can be. If something seemed too easy, they worried it might not be special enough. At the same time, not every experience chosen is rare or difficult to access: Sometimes it’s just a matter of opening your eyes (or mind) to whatever magic a place has to offer.

The panel considered safety, too, with some participants concluding that what might make a destination “dangerous” is largely, though not entirely, shaped by personal history and worldview. Others wanted to be sure readers were asked to conduct their own research before deciding whether or not to set out for a certain place, as situations on the ground can change rapidly. At the time of publication, the U.S. State Department had issued its strongest possible warning — Level 4: Do Not Travel — for four of the destinations on the following list; several others have been categorized as Level 3: Reconsider Travel. But most of the panelists agreed, time and again, to include politically, ethically and ideologically fraught locations . “War-torn countries and places in conflict right now haven’t always been and might not always be,” said Zilber. “I don’t think [their current status] should negate their inclusion.” (In the months between when this panel met — on July 20, 2022 — and the list’s publication, the world continued to shift: the Russian war with Ukraine deepened; Iran erupted in protests following the arrest and subsequent death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman accused by the country’s morality police of violating their hijab law; and Ethiopia and the Tigray Defense Forces, a paramilitary rebel group, agreed to a cease-fire after two years of ruinous civil war.)

The final lineup, which is grouped geographically but not ranked, includes experiences of art and architecture, food, history and religion. There’s something for every whim and every kind of traveler — even those who may never leave their armchairs. — Ashlea Halpern

This conversation has been edited and condensed.

Ashlea Halpern: I’m curious to hear how each of you defined the word “experience” when you sat down to make your list.

Pico Iyer: I asked myself, “Which are the moments that most stay with me 30 years on in my life? Which are the most moving and also the most unexpected?” I wouldn’t include seeing the Taj Mahal by moonlight, because most Times readers would be aware of that. So something slightly different, but something that still reverberates inside me half a lifetime later.

Victoria Sambunaris: I defined “experience” as a journey, because that’s what I do in my life: I’m on the road for months at a time, immersing myself in the landscape. I’m interacting with people and learning about the [local] culture, history, ecology and geography. No reservations anywhere, being spontaneous, camping under the stars — there’s a great sense of adventure.

Aatish Taseer: I veer toward man-made things — cultural and civilizational complications. When a natural experience leaves me with a sense of wonder that I didn’t expect, it breaks the mold. Everyone travels with a sense of what they’re going to see; no one is completely blank. Then, occasionally, there’s a real element of surprise. That’s what I looked for.

David Zilber: “Experience” is really broad; everything is an experience. Binge-watching Netflix while sick is an experience, though I can’t remember what I binge-watch when I’m bedridden at home. But I do remember my 45-minute drive through the mountains of Crete to eat at this man’s biodynamic farm with his kids running around — and I probably will when I’m 75.

Toshiko Mori: I thought of natural wonders, because we forget how small we are, and of being able to observe animal life in a habitat without interfering with it. With Instagram, everybody posts awesome images; [the depicted locations] become huge attractions and it’s destructive to the environment. Also, I thought of certain civilizations and places that have had challenging pasts — like Kurdistan after ISIS retreated. It’s essential for us to engage in experiences like this, because we are incredibly privileged and protected. I didn’t want to forget places that really need attention.

A.H.: Let’s start with Europe. Spain received four nominations from four different panelists — more than any other country on your initial longlists.

1. Taste Wood-Smoked Sorcery at Asador Etxebarri in Spain’s Basque Country

The chef Victor Arguinzoniz was raised amid the rolling green hills of Atxondo, a small village in Spain’s Basque country where, when he was a child, his family kitchen had neither electricity nor gas. Perhaps that’s why the open hearth can produce such magic for him. He has no professional training but for 30 years has overseen a temple to smoke and flame at the Michelin-starred Asador Etxebarri, a rustic restaurant minutes from his childhood home. Arriving there, with its view of cattle grazing in the foothills below, is like stopping time. But in the kitchen, the clock has inched slightly forward: The six custom-made grills, designed by Arguinzoniz and adjustable via pulleys, are tools of culinary alchemy. The chef prepares his own wood coals in special ovens that are cranked up to 750 degrees Fahrenheit. For each protein, he pairs a fuel with the precision of a sommelier, selecting holm oak for delicate shellfish and turning to heartier vine wood for red meats. There’s only one service — at 1:30 p.m. — and one menu per day. The meal, served in 15 courses, is a symphony that builds, plate by smoke-kissed plate, to a crescendo: first the smoked goat butter with Périgord truffle; then the salted, home-cured anchovies on grilled bread; then the beef chop with its crisp black sear and lustrous purple center; and finally a coda of smoky-milk ice cream with an infusion of sweet beets. This is fine dining in its purest, most unpretentious form. — Debra Kamin

D.Z.: Meals are some of the stickiest memories around, and this is definitely in the top three of my lifetime. It goes without saying that the Basque Country of Spain revolutionized food in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and the repercussions of that have been felt around the world. I started cooking in 2004, and all the techniques that I’ve learned came from that region. We can talk about Ferran Adrià and his El Bulli and all the progeny who are still cooking today in Barcelona and Madrid, but Etxebarri best encapsulates what this region is about and its deep connection to the land and its people. There’s no one who comes out of that restaurant who doesn’t leave deeply touched.

2. Search for Muslim Spain in Al-Andalus

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From the eighth to the 11th centuries, the Iberian Peninsula, then under Muslim rule, was one of the world’s most important intellectual and artistic hubs. In the region of southern Spain known as Andalusia — the name a Hispanicization of Al-Andalus, as Islamic Spain was known — that heritage remains visible everywhere: in the crimped vocalizations of flamenco music; in the elaborate geometric friezes of Seville’s Alcázar Palace; in the infinite recess of the red-and-white archways of the Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba; and, above all, in Granada’s storied Alhambra, the last Moorish stronghold on the European continent, where it glitters in honeycomb muqarnas and moonlight-washed, waterway-threaded gardens. During the so-called Reconquista, as the centuries-long process through which Catholic kings gradually eroded territories accumulated by successive Muslim dynasties has been historically misnamed, the great cities of Andalusia became spectacular palimpsests of divergent faiths superimposed on top of each other. In Seville, the 15th-century cathedral — the largest Gothic-style building in Europe — stands on the footprint of an Almohad mosque whose graceful minaret was repurposed as a church tower, while in Córdoba, a Renaissance cathedral bursts from the austere, rhythmic heart of the mezquita , itself built atop the remains of a sixth-century Visigothic basilica. After experiencing these spaces, one finds that the influence of Islamic aesthetics throughout Spain — and, indeed, throughout the Americas, devastated and remade under Spanish colonial rule — reveals itself everywhere. Beyond its beauty, Andalusia is a tribute to the indelible marks that cultures and communities leave on one another across time and space. — Michael Snyder

A.T.: Nothing in the world prepares you for the strangeness of the Grand Mosque in Cordoba [Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba]. I’ve grown up in places where there are the mosques on the bones of temples on the bones of Buddhist viharas, but this business of church upon mosque upon church, where you walk in and see the remains of a Visigothic church but you’re in one of the most beautiful mosques in the world [and since the 13th century a church again], it’s like an act of reclamation — or historical revenge. Even the minaret is buried in the belfry of the church. It’s a theme that I love — layers upon layers of history — and just one of the reasons I thought it was absolutely marvelous.

P.I.: I was the one who suggested the Alhambra, so it comes down to whether we want a zoom lens or a wide angle. I chose the Alhambra for all the reasons that Aatish was mentioning: the overlapping of cultures, the historical significance and also the fact that the Alhambra is fairly well known. On nights when it’s open after dark, you’re getting a familiar place in a relatively unfamiliar context. So our question, really, is whether we want to introduce everyone to that entire region or just a microcosm of it.

A.T.: There’s a development I like in a broader trip, where you come to Seville, see the Giralda, which was originally built as the minaret of the old Almohad mosque, now part of this cathedral, and then you’ll journey a little farther and go to Córdoba and see this stunning mosque that has been turned into a church, and then finally it culminates in this last gasp of Islam in Spain, the Emirate of Granada, which then obviously results in the Catholic monarchs and the end of Muslim Spain. But Pico is absolutely right: The Alhambra is the epicenter — the Moors’ last sigh.

T.M.: I like this idea of a journey. This exposure to Muslim culture is so much more interesting than a single place.

3. Venture Into the Norwegian Night in Search of the Northern Lights

​​Spotting the aurora borealis, the elusive natural phenomenon colloquially known as the northern lights, involves careful coordination of time, place and, yes, luck. Like a digital rendering or laser beams projected above an after-hours rave, the unpredictable show illuminates the sky with dancing streaks of saturated yellow, pink, purple and green, a tangoing of solar gas and Earth’s magnetic field rendered in Technicolor. Locales roughly 66.5 degrees above the Equator, where the Arctic Circle begins, are considered prime viewing spots; cottage industries across Alaska, Canada and Scandinavia have sprung up to sell package tours and overnight accommodations to aurora hunters. Lofoten, an archipelago off Norway’s northwest coast, offers one of the most picturesque backdrops for witnessing this mercurial sight. There, a coastline framed by jagged peaks, sweeping fjords, sandy beaches and rorbu , old fishermen’s cabins painted cherry red and pine green, makes for a serene visit, day or night. Winters on the archipelago are long (November to April) and dark (for five weeks in December and January, the sun doesn’t even rise), so consider them a prime time to settle down on a north-facing beach (Unstad and Gimsøy are particularly beautiful) or sink into a hot tub at a heritage fishing lodge, neck craned skyward — and wait. The anticipation is half the fun. — Aileen Kwun

D.Z.: The northern lights are one of those earthly phenomena that don’t make sense — I don’t think that my brain could fully compute what it was like until I saw it in real life. And Lofoten is just extremely picturesque: It’s hard to get to but very rewarding once you’re there. But I don’t know. Maybe the northern lights are the Mona Lisa of the natural world?

A.H.: Anyone else seen the northern lights in Norway or elsewhere?

T.M.: Yeah, I have, because I’m in Maine and you can see it in northern Maine, but I don’t think it’s anything like what Dave is talking about. Lofoten is on my wish list.

A.T.: I saw them in Iceland but I’m 100 percent pinching David’s idea.

P.I.: I was really excited as soon as I saw this [on the list]. I’ve been up to Fairbanks, Alaska, to see the northern lights, and I know people go to Churchill in Manitoba. But the combination of the northern lights and this remote setting sounds irresistible.

4. Journey Across Two Continents and Eight Time Zones on the Trans-Siberian Railway

Traveling to Russia now, as its war with Ukraine continues, is virtually impossible: Nearly all international flights have been suspended, and the State Department has recommended that Americans steer clear of the country. How or whether Russia’s relationship with the rest of the world, not to mention its tourism industry — a frivolous concern compared to the immense suffering of the Ukrainian people — will recover remains to be seen. But in more peaceful times, riding the Trans-Siberian Railway and its shorter connecting lines is an unparalleled experience — a tour through the many and varied cultures that make up the largest country on Earth. The 5,772 miles of track from Moscow to Vladivostok, built at the turn of the 20th century at the behest of Emperor Alexander III, constitutes by itself the longest continuous railway in the world, and before the pandemic and then the war interrupted its international reach, sleeper cars could take you from most major Western European capitals to Moscow in two or three days. From there, you can make it to the other end nonstop in seven days, but arranging layovers along the way allows for a variety of side excursions: Hop off at Yekaterinburg to see the Soviet-era architecture of Russia’s fourth-largest city, for example, or Irkutsk to visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Lake Baikal, the world’s oldest and deepest freshwater lake. Better yet, switch at Ulan Ude to the Trans-Mongolian Railway, which extends through the capital of Ulaanbaatar and into the Gobi Desert, ideal for fossil hunting and camel riding, before arriving in Beijing. — Alwa Cooper

V.S.: OK, I know Russia is controversial right now. But this is the longest [direct] train journey in the world. You’re going through ancient cities, deep forests, breathtaking mountains and Siberian outposts. You’re seeing a lot.

A.H.: How does the panel feel about including Russia?

A.T.: I feel absolutely fine. Russia existed before Putin, and Russia is going to exist after Putin. I mean, how could I, with a straight face, eliminate traveling through Russia and then go scurrying down to my Dostoyevsky and Tolstoy? I have a firewall between this idea of Russia as a culturally rich nation and the political reality that one can speak critically of. Lots of nations that we love will come to be ruled by bad people.

P.I.: I agree with Aatish. Political complication, historical complexity and texture are really what make these places something more than sites.

5. Savor an Unforgettable Lunch at Ntounias in Western Crete

It takes a 45-minute drive from Chania, Crete, through the Greek island’s White Mountains to reach this mecca of homespun cooking in Drakona. Through scenic Therrisos Gorge, with occasional stops for sheep crossings, the journey is best made with the windows down, cooled by the hillside breeze and dazzled by the sun winking across limestone mountain caps. Expect a warm greeting upon arrival — the view from the terrace of the valley below will make up for any bumps in the rugged and twisty road — but don’t expect a menu. Along with his wife, Evmorfili, Stelios Trilyrakis, the chef, farmer, shepherd, butcher, owner and maître d’, takes care of all that. The daily bounty comes from an organic garden, part of the tavern Trilyrakis took over from his parents in 2004 after years of working as a chef in Chania. Guests are invited to tour the grounds and the nearby apiary as well as the wood stoves and ovens in the kitchen, though the meal rightfully remains the primary attraction. There might be a village salad (horiatiki), farm-baked bread and freshly churned butter, stuffed vegetables cooked in a traditional clay pot, potatoes fried in olive oil for close to an hour, goat sizzling in its own fat and house wine made on-site. In a country known for its cuisine, Ntounias stands apart. — Miguel Morales

D.Z.: This man used to be a chef in Chania and then seemed to think, as I did, that the world of restaurants is just not where it’s at. So he left and founded a little biodynamic farm. He has this plot of land that overlooks a verdant gorge, and he cooks everything on an open fire. You get snails, lamb stew, whatever is in season. It’s not complicated food; it’s never going to be in the Michelin Guide or on the “World’s 50 Best” list. But it’s the closest I’ve tasted to soul food.

T.M.: I love Crete. It’s a very beautiful place and it still has a certain authenticity about it. The roads sometimes dead-end, and when I was there, you needed at least three maps to figure out where you were. It’s a real physical landscape.

D.Z.: The island itself is one of the oldest continually inhabited civilizations in all of Europe. It has a crazy history, and just going there and eating this food, the way that he cooks it, it’s so honest.

6. Join the Faithful in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for a Different Kind of White Christmas

There is no Santa Claus in Ethiopia, no halls decked with holly. Christmas, which in so much of the Western world is a commercialized affair, is an intensely spiritual day here, observed not with gifts but with community, incantation and candlelight. The majority of Ethiopians are Christian and most worship freely, despite a history of extremist attacks on churches across the country. The nation follows a solar calendar, and Christmas, known as Genna, is observed on Jan. 7. The holiday begins with fasting on Jan. 6, when, at dusk, devotees head into the streets. In bustling Addis Ababa, a hush falls as thousands of men, women and children, all dressed in white and many wrapped in the traditional cotton robes called netelas , file to church like slow-moving snowdrifts. Many will worship all night, traveling by foot, lit candles in hand, from one church to the next until the small hours of morning. Ethiopia is home to some of the oldest and most beautiful churches in Africa, all of which are filled to capacity on Christmas Eve. (Visitors are welcome to observe.) In the capital, these include the Medhane Alem Cathedral, with its turquoise domes and columnar facade, and the Holy Trinity Cathedral, with its grand murals, jewel-toned stained glass windows and granite tombs in which Emperor Haile Selassie and his consort are interred. Some of the world’s oldest known human fossils have been unearthed from Ethiopian sands. On Christmas Eve, a nation that continues to endure famine and ethnic violence pauses for a prayer of peace. As worshipers pass one another and declare, “ Melkam Genna! ” — “Merry Christmas” in Amharic — the streets all but vibrate. — D.K.

P.I.: I seem to be haunted by places of spiritual intensity, from Lhasa to inner Australia. But I’ve seldom found anywhere to rival the power and magnetism of Ethiopia. It is, by some accounts, the oldest Christian country in the world, and when you drive through it, you feel like you’re going through the biblical books of Kings. But it comes to its culmination on Christmas Eve, when it seems like everyone in the capital is dressed in white, gathering around what look like mangers while these burning-eyed, bearded priests are rocking back and forth with little Bibles that fit in the palms of their hands. I’m not a Christian, but you look around and feel you could be in Bethlehem at the time of the birth of Jesus and that so little has changed in the past 2,000 years. Part of the poignancy is that life tends to be very difficult in Ethiopia, [teetering] between political uncertainty and impoverishment. So there’s this real sense that the religion and the moment mean even more than they might in Madrid or Paris. Although I was there 28 years ago, I’ll never forget walking through the night from church to church, seeing these people with tears in their eyes, gathered in the darkness, holding their candles and singing.

7. Traverse the Blossoming Oases and Ancient Desert Towns of Morocco’s Draa Valley

In precolonial Morocco, the imposing grandeur of the Atlas Mountains marked the boundary between the bilad el-makhzen — land under the rule of the Alaouite sultan — and the bilad el-siba , or “region of anarchy.” Today, to drive the circuitous route through the Atlases and into the Draa Valley is to exist on that line: It’s a liminal place where verdant gardens and soaring minarets open onto the vast barrens of the Sahara. Departing from Marrakesh, head southeast to Ouarzazate, or “the door of the desert,” and then onto M’Hamid, whose Dar Paru hotel exemplifies Berber architecture, with its rammed-earth walls and geometric parapets. From there, follow the N9 and N12 roads to hew close to the Draa, a river that runs along the Algerian border, nourishing a landscape of riotous color: The mountains’ ochers, umbers and emeralds cede to rippling oases of blue palms, olive groves, fields of golden barley and sun-baked adobe casbahs. Once home to a bustling trade route, the region bears the marks of Morocco’s imbricated faiths and folkways. Fragrant date palms, first grown by Arabs who arrived in the seventh century, freckle stretches of arable land hemmed in by sand dunes. Towns such as Tissint draw their influences from the Berbers, who have lived in North Africa for more than 4,000 years. (“Tissint” is the Berber word for salt, another early commodity.) Further southeast, in Akka, more than 300 miles from Marrakesh, are the remains of a community of Jewish merchants and silversmiths who plied their trade in the area as early as the second century. Their homes — made of mud brick and stucco, with walls now jagged or altogether missing — stand as monuments to the Draa’s rich, syncretic past and to the enthralling boundlessness of its present. — Dan Piepenbring

A.T.: I’d been to Marrakesh; I’d been to Tangier. Morocco, for me, was a known commodity. Then I did this journey south a couple of years ago. This is an Arabic place, and yet there’s this very profound other culture that’s always under the surface. The most startling moment came when I arrived in a town where there was an old Jewish quarter of silversmiths and we went into a house that felt like it had been abandoned yesterday. It was just one of those moments where suddenly all of the pieces fall into place and you get a window into another vein of culture or civilization and how it interacted with this Arabized Muslim state of Morocco. I also have to say, landscape-wise, it’s the only place other than Yemen where you’re driving through and you have these discrete, scarified mountains on either side, and every now and then there’ll be, like, a flowering tree against the desert. It’s stunning stuff.

8. Come Face to Face With a Rare Marine Mammal Off the Coast of Southern Mozambique

Sea pig, sea cow, sea camel — the dugong’s epithets aren’t particularly evocative, but its serene presence is the highlight of any dive trip. The 200 or so animals that scientists estimate live in the protected waters of Bazaruto Archipelago National Park constitute the largest remaining dugong population on the East African coast. To experience them, you must fly into the nearest international airport, in the town of Vilankulo, and then organize a helicopter or dhow ride to one of the archipelago’s many resorts and lodges. There are numerous diving and snorkeling spots along Bazaruto’s famed Two-Mile Reef, which offers unusually clear visibility and a thriving coral population. Found in the shallow coastal waters of as many as 40 countries, the large and placid dugong (imagine a manatee with a wider, shorter snout) is intensely shy, and its population is considered “vulnerable,” according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. Its hearing is sharp but its vision is poor; moving in slowly, silently and respectfully is key. Even so, only the luckiest Bazaruto divers will ever spot a dugong — often from a distance of several meters — drifting alone or in pairs. — A.C.

A.T.: When I’m obliged to write about the natural world, I get kind of nervous because I think, “Oh, am I going to feel something? Am I going to know how to translate that feeling in my writing?” By April [2022], I had become very scared of travel: the pandemic, the restrictions, the fear that you were going to be stuck somewhere and not allowed back. All of this was weighing on my mind, and I’d almost lost that sense of wonder, that willingness to leave home. And in this place, which is the basin of the Indian Ocean in that part of the world, the plane tilted and I saw the sand flats push through this ancient archipelago and I thought to myself, “Of course, this is why one leaves home!” I hadn’t scuba-dived in 15 years, and here I was with blacktip reef sharks and sea turtles swimming into the raking light with plankton. Dugongs are incredibly rare, but as we came up from this dive, we saw one. It was a kind of emotional state brought on by the pandemic — a fear of leaving home running smack into that total excitement to be out in the world again.

A.H.: Many other lists like this would probably include an African safari; it’s refreshing not to promote a more traditional safari experience.

T.M.: The African safari has a checkered history because it’s related to hunting animals. There’s a balance now between conservation and infringement, but how those animals are really protected or may not be … there’s a lot we don’t know. So I’m definitely sensitive about not recommending a safari as an experience.

THE MIDDLE EAST

9. discover paradise on earth in the secret courtyard gardens of yazd, iran.

The very concept of paradise was born in Iran around 550 B.C., when Cyrus the Great, in the days of the Achaemenid Empire, oversaw the construction of a spectacular walled oasis called Pasargadae — a place of symmetry, flowering trees and calming waters — setting an example of how man might bend nature in pursuit of ultimate beauty. So deep do the Iranian roots of nirvana run that even the English word “paradise” comes from paridaida , the Old Persian term for walled garden. For those wishing to commune with Eden today, there’s perhaps no better place than Yazd, a 1,600-year-old Iranian desert town that was once a critical stop on the Silk Road. Here, the garden hotels of the city, which today is home to 530,000 people, pay homage to the Iranian legacy of paradise with their hidden courtyards. From the lush Kohan and the majestic Moshir Al Mamalek to the family-run Dad Hotel, the accommodations range from humble to luxurious. For guests who step through the door and out into the enclosed garden, hushed earthly delights of fountains and flowers — soft calla lilies, tulips and desert roses — await. — D.K.

P.I.: In all my traveling life, Iran is definitely the richest, most sophisticated, most surprising place I’ve been. And it’s the one I’m always urging my friends in California to go to — partly because I worry, as with Cuba or with other Middle Eastern places, that we’re reducing them to one-dimensional stereotypes from afar. And I’m so keen for people to experience the human reality firsthand. Sometimes friends will ask me, “Is it safe to go?” Well, I’m sitting here near Los Angeles, which for most of the planet is a really scary place.

Before I went to Iran, I was told by people who had been there that you only have to worry about two things: Everywhere you go, you’re going to be swamped with more friendliness than you know what to do with, and everyone’s going to invite you to dinner. The only reason that didn’t always happen to me was that people took me for Iranian, so they weren’t as excited as if they’d seen a more visible foreigner.

A.T.: I loved Yazd. I have to say that I did run afoul of the authorities in Iran and was turfed out with 48 hours to leave and probably couldn’t go back, but I completely second what Pico said. Up until that point, I had been met with nothing but hospitality and friendship, and Yazd was one of the highlights of that trip.

10. Swim in a Desert Oasis in Oman

Many of Oman’s wadis, or desert valleys, dry up in the scorching summer months, but at Wadi Bani Khalid, wide pools of water glisten year-round. You drive through the desert and suddenly there it is: a cliché of a gleaming desert mirage. But this is no illusion. Above the pristine pools, date palms sway in the breeze, and the rocky white cliff sides of the Hajar Mountains reveal canyons and caves; if you hike into them, you can see shimmering waterfalls. Thousands of tiny garra fish flash beneath the surface of these pools, ready to nibble at the dead skin on your toes. Wadi Bani Khalid is a three-hour drive from Muscat, making it an ideal day trip, although there are lots of budget hotels and desert camps in the area. Many visitors stop first at the sandy outpost of Al Wasil for camel rides and an overnight stay in a Bedouin-style tent. From there, the mountain road winds through fishing villages until the vast expanse of Wadi Bani Khalid, with its nearly 12-mile stretch of water, appears on the horizon. Its natural beauty is as intact today as it was when Oman’s Bedouin tribes relied on it, and a visit here offers an instant connection to the region’s deep history. The Oman government has helped develop the site in recent years, too, bringing with it a paved parking lot, bridges and public restrooms. — D.K.

T.M.: I share Pico’s notions that people should travel to the Middle East. The geographical diversity is incredible, and Oman is a peaceful and stable place. It’s absolutely gorgeous, the air is clear, the food is great and the climate is wonderful. It’s so easy for people to go here, yet Dubai takes all the tourists.

P.I.: I’m so happy to see Oman on the list. I think of it as the Bhutan of the Middle East because it’s so tastefully developed and preserved.

11. Delve Into 6,000-Plus Years of History at Erbil Citadel in Iraq

The longest continuously inhabited settlement in the world, Erbil Citadel lies at the heart of the modern-day capital of Iraqi Kurdistan. To the north, the Zagros Mountains beckon. The Kurdistan Regional Government has been developing trails there to promote hiking across a range that rivals the Alps in size — an impressive backdrop for one of the cradles of civilization. The 6,000-year-old fort sits atop a tell, a 100-foot-high mound the size of 19 football fields made by generations of Muslim, Christian and Jewish communities that built on top of one another. Courtyard homes constructed with oven-fired brick, said to be inspired by the ring of tents nomads once formed around their cattle, nestle inside the citadel walls. Their plain facades conceal branching floor plans that gave privacy to the extended families who once lived there. Visit the citadel with a guide in the late afternoon, when its brick walls turn the color of amber, and then drop by the bustling Qaysari Bazaar, one of the oldest covered markets in the world. Dating to the Ottoman era, it houses stalls of jewelry, textiles, crafts and sweets. Erbil and its citadel have withstood waves of conquest by Sumerians, Akkadians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Achaemenids, Greeks, Parthians, Romans, Sassanids, Muslims, Timurids, Mongols and Ottomans. To repair and preserve the settlement, the High Commission for Erbil Citadel Revitalization was formed in 2007; the Kurdistan Regional Government has allocated more than $30 million to the undertaking. But just as the citadel was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014, the rehab stalled temporarily owing to the rise of ISIS. Work has since resumed; the ancient tell remains open; and, despite centuries of conquest and long spells of neglect, the citadel stands: a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. — M.M.

T.M.: Kurds will say, “We have no friends but mountains.” This is one of the world’s largest stateless populaces and it’s constantly in danger, sandwiched between Turkey and Iran. The citadel is still going through reconstruction. I wouldn’t say it’s beautiful, but it gives you a real sense of place and what it’s like to live in a region that has had to defend against ISIS attacks. It’s not a safe choice, but Kurdistan is a strong and resilient community that has survived ongoing and periodic attacks. There are prominent politically progressive women in the government and there are many untouched archaeological sites.

12. Marvel at the Threatened Mud-Brick Skyscrapers of Yemen

In an ancient Semitic world as yet undivided by modern faiths, long before the rise of Christianity or Islam, the cities of what we now call Yemen emerged from the desert as their inhabitants made their fortunes on frankincense and myrrh. As trade between southern Arabia and the Mediterranean flourished, beginning around the third century B.C., these new urban centers sprouted along the so-called Incense Route , their occupants developing, over time, ingenious systems of irrigation and urban planning that are as remarkable today as they were a thousand years ago. In the 2,500-year-old historic center of Sana’a, the capital of modern Yemen, residents adorned the ocher walls of their multistory homes with garlands of gypsum plaster, while in the town of Shibam, which emerged in its current form in the 16th century, rammed-earth towers rose as high as seven stories from a cliff’s edge overlooking the Wadi Hadhramaut, a vertiginous landscape that blurs the boundary between the natural and the man-made. For decades now, these ancient settlements and the people who reside within them have suffered crisis upon crisis — floods and famines and a years-long civil war that, since its beginning in 2014, has precipitated mass starvation, even as historic neighborhoods are shredded by U.S.-backed Saudi bombings. Among the most extraordinary human settlements on earth, the tower cities of Yemen — and, more important, the communities that have for millenniums called them home — are in grave danger of disappearing for good. — M.S.

A.T.: Singularly, without a doubt, this was the most incredible trip I’ve done in my life. This is a rare, stuck-in-the-past kind of country: Like pre-Islamic Arabia, it felt Semitic in the deepest sense. Yemen, for me, was that one place where there was no creeping globalization; it was unbelievably pure. There were some dangers then, too, but not like there are now. I hesitate to recommend it because of the safety situation.

P.I.: I was thrilled to see it on the list. And if we have to single out one element in Yemen, those skyscrapers would be the place to start: Anyone who’s seen them is never going to forget them. I think we shouldn’t worry about safety. It is one of the great countries on Earth and, as Aatish was saying, not like anywhere else.

V.S.: Yes, I agree. We should keep it. Just Aatish’s description — I’m ready to go.

13. Follow the Silk Road Through the Caravan Cities of Uzbekistan

Step back in time with a visit to three of the most important stops on the Silk Road, each city a distinctive meld of Greek, Turkish, Mongol, Muslim and Russian cultures. In the tiled expanse of the Registan, ancient Samarkand’s public square framed by three madrasas (Islamic schools), stand transfixed beneath the grand portals, patterned minarets and ornate cupolas. A little down the road to the west lies Gur-e-Amir, the resting place of the Turco-Mongol conqueror Tamerlane. Resplendent with intricate tile work and crowned by a heavenly blue dome, the mausoleum inspired the Mughal master craftspeople of the Taj Mahal. A leisurely walk northeast, past new developments and century-old buildings, calls for a stopover at Siyob Bazaar, where you can wander the food stalls selling pomegranates, dates, halvah, naan and more. A few hundred paces away is Bibi-Khanym: One of the largest mosques built in the 15th century, the structure was restored to much of its former glory in the latter half of the 20th, its grand azure dome and four minarets suspended against the backdrop of the iwan. There are no direct flights from Samarkand to Bukhara, so take the scenic route by train, past rippling red sands, the oases that punctuate the bleached-out plains of the Kyzylkum Desert and Poi-Kalyan, the sprawling mosque complex, where the baked brick of minaret, madrasa and mosque glow pink at sunset. And though all three cities have centuries-old caravansaries — the famed inns where Silk Road merchants stayed — Ichan-Kala, a remnant of the ancient Khiva oasis, checkered with medieval Islamic buildings, appears completely untouched by time. Countless others have walked these walls before, and now you have joined your steps to theirs, grounded together in the richness of the past. — M.M.

A.T.: I mean, unparalleled, the most wonderful Silk Road trip you can do. Stunning monuments, red desert, old Persianate culture mixing with the culture of the steppe and then, obviously, the Soviet empire. I would recommend it very highly.

14. Tour the Lofty Potala Palace in Lhasa, a Sacred Repository of Tibetan Artifacts

Rising out of a cliff face more than 12,000 feet above sea level, Tibet’s Potala Palace feels like a lavish retreat, a religious sanctuary and an impregnable fortress all in one. The climb to the top of the 13-story building is breathtaking in every sense of the word; make sure you’ve acclimated to the altitude before you attempt it. And the palace’s sloped red-and-white facade — repainted annually with a mixture of honey, milk, brown sugar and saffron — is as inviting as it is magisterial. (Frank Lloyd Wright found it so inspiring that he kept a photo of it in his drafting room.) Completed in 1649, the palace’s two divisions, one red and one white, together comprise at least one thousand rooms that encapsulate the vibrant multiplicity of Tibetan history. Guided tours, lit by traditional butter lamps, take you through rooms crowded with hundreds of murals, works of porcelain and jade, intricate carpets and Buddhist scriptures; the world’s longest scroll of Tibetan calligraphy, measuring 676 feet in length, has been housed here since 2014. Also on display are astonishing gilded stupas — wooden towers of concentric rings inlaid with jewels, each crowned with a sun and moon — containing the remains of eight Dalai Lamas. The Potala is a tribute to Buddhism and an embattled people; located on a mountaintop in the Tibetan capital, Lhasa, or “place of gods,” it has survived numerous attempts at looting and destruction since Tibet was annexed by China in 1950. Its resilience is reason enough to go. — D.P.

P.I.: Tibet is a really important place for people to visit culturally and politically because it’s so imperiled. Ladakh is more beautiful and Bhutan is more protected. But Tibet, the center of this rich culture and religion, is being destroyed very quickly, and anyone who goes there suddenly feels deeply invested in its protection.

15. Explore the Architectural Syncretism in South India’s Deccan Plateau

The vast highlands stretching between the eastern and western coastal ranges of the peninsular subcontinent have seen the rise and fall of countless kingdoms, each of which has left behind architectural remains as proof of its former glory. Nowhere is that immense cultural wealth more evident than in the temple towns and former imperial capitals of northern Karnataka, near the Deccan Plateau’s semi-arid heart. Beginning in the sixth century, the Eastern Chalukya dynasty, a vast and culturally diverse empire, turned its successive capitals in the now-sleepy villages of Aihole and Badami and the ceremonial center of Pattadakal into hubs for experimentation in religious architecture, assembling free-standing temples from elaborately carved stone that drew influence from both North and South India and excavating and erecting sites of Hindu, Jain and Buddhist devotion. In the 14th century, the Muslim Bahmani kings introduced Persianate domes and crenellated walls at the fortress capital of Bidar, while in Bijapur, roughly six hours southwest, the skyline bristles with minarets and domes left behind by the Adil Shahi sultans, who ruled there in the 16th and 17th centuries. Farther south, the subcontinent’s last great Hindu empire blossomed in the city of Vijayanagar, built over the course of 200 years, then abandoned in 1565 after its defeat by the sultanates of the northern Deccan. Now known as Hampi, that great city marks the pinnacle of Dravidian architecture, with its soaring temple towers and colonnades. Taken together, these cities and towns, clustered in the northern districts of Karnataka state, represent a practically endless trove of architectural treasures at least as rich as the Mughal mosques and Rajput temples of North India’s well-trodden tourist circuit. More important, they speak to the long tradition of syncretism that has always defined India, a tradition that contemporary politics increasingly — and tragically — aims to erase. — M.S.

A.T.: I went to school in South India, and the Deccan is very far from the world of the Taj Mahal and North Indian Islamic architecture. It was this unbelievable trail with beautiful temples in Aihole and Badami. Then you come to Hampi, which was once the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, and it’s a site like Angkor Wat: absolutely stunning. Then you carry on to Bidar and Bijapur [Vijayapura] and you see mosques — it’s one of the most interesting, beautiful meeting points of Islam and Hinduism, but in the south of India as opposed to the north.

P.I.: I’ve been to India quite a few times and I’ve never heard about those wonders. It’s a fresh, eye-opening suggestion.

16. Hike Japan’s Lore-Steeped Kumano Kodo Trail

South of the ancient cities of Kyoto and Nara, Japan’s Kii Peninsula offers dramatic ocean vistas and dense old-growth cedar forests. Its flickering shadows, creeping mosses and shrouds of ethereal mist have enraptured pilgrims and seekers since antiquity, and the region’s awe-inspiring tranquillity has come to embody the long commingling of Shinto and Buddhist traditions. Every year, as many as 15 million people hike the Kumano Kodo, a network of trails more than a thousand years old and totaling more than 600 miles, whose cobblestone stairs and long wooden footbridges lead to three grand shrines: the Kumano Hongu Taisha, the Kumano Nachi Taisha and the Kumano Hayatama Taisha, all prized for their ability to heal and purify. (That last one is said to date to A.D. 128, when it was built for gods who’d descended to Earth.) Comprising seven routes around the peninsula or through the heart of the Kii Mountains, the Kumano Kodo is so sprawling that no two journeys will ever be alike, though all are formidable; its Kohechi trail, a four-day, 43-mile hike over three mountain passes, includes vertiginous ascents of more than 3,200 feet and is renowned for its difficulty. Those who make the strenuous climb will find weathered milestones, natural hot springs and a hand-operated cable car suspended over a riverbank. Visitors can seek shelter for the night at designated campsites or at minshuku, guesthouses scattered along the route. Further on, at the Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine, a stately three-tiered pagoda overlooks the 436-foot Nachi no Taki, Japan’s tallest single-drop waterfall, long considered a sacred entity, which has enveloped generations of travelers in its awesome roar. — D.P.

T.M.: I like the idea of Shinto mountain worship: It’s a challenging but incredibly cleansing experience — like the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia.

D.Z.: I know two people who’ve done it, both after their fathers died. They said it was transformative.

T.M.: It’s arduous, and that makes it a strange spiritual experience unlike anything else.

17. Spend the Day in the Womblike Emptiness of the Teshima Art Museum in Japan

Before the pandemic, hundreds of thousands of travelers visited the art islands of Japan, a collection of some 20 former fishing and industry isles turned art havens scattered across the Seto Inland Sea, just over an hourlong flight from Tokyo. They made the trek via a combination of train, ferry, car, bus and bicycle, some with visions of Yayoi Kusama’s “Pumpkin” (1994), a polka-dot yellow fiberglass pumpkin positioned at the end of a pier, in their heads. That sculpture was responsible for much of the foot traffic at the Benesse Art Site on Naoshima, a small island with several museums designed by Tadao Ando, until it was swept out to sea during a typhoon in 2021. (The work was eventually recovered, restored and, last month, put back on display.) As Japan slowly reopens, the Art Islands continue to attract pilgrims. Inujima, Shodoshima and Megijima host installations and art fairs in once-abandoned buildings, but it’s Teshima Island, home of the Teshima Art Museum, that travelers most need to experience. Designed by the Tokyo-based architect Ryue Nishizawa, the museum’s low-lying concrete shell is a feat of engineering and a work of art in itself. Inspired by the bulbous curve of a water droplet resting on a sheet of glass, it appears to emerge organically from a forested hillside overlooking the sea. Inside, two open-air oculi frame shifting scenes of water, sky and sunlight alongside the museum’s single permanent installation, 2010’s “Bokei” (Matrix), by the Hiroshima-based artist Rei Naito. The contemplative work features beads of water that emerge from, pool atop and are reabsorbed into pinholes perforating the floor. To enjoy a few hours in its engulfing silence, watching the light change with each passing hour, is to surrender to time itself. — A.K.

P.I.: I’ve been really impressed by the art project around Naoshima in the Seto Inland Sea and how it has developed over the past 30 years. Though I would recommend the entire Naoshima project, the most piercing place is Teshima. You take a bus across a quiet island, end up on a hill and step into this vast empty space, which is the museum. There’s nothing there except two openings in the roof and drops of water being made to emerge from the ground. And somehow it’s transfixing — like a James Turrell Skyspace doubled and taken in an almost feminine direction. So many people, from billionaires to meditation teachers, have told me this is the single most moving place they have ever been.

THE AMERICAS

18. take the ultimate road trip: drive the pan-american highway from argentina to alaska.

Roughly tracing the path that early man followed after crossing the land bridge over the Bering Strait, the Pan-American Highway runs at least 19,000 miles from Prudhoe Bay in Alaska to Ushuaia at the edge of Tierra del Fuego, a subantarctic territory split between Chile and Argentina. Crossing 14 countries and interrupted only by the ecologically fragile forests of the Darién Gap between Panama and Colombia, the highway — really a collection of interconnected freeways splintered across various routes — traverses the tundra of western Canada and the peaks of the Rockies, the deserts of northern Mexico and the pampas of Patagonia. Options for detours along the way are almost endless. You might weave through the national parks of the American West. In Mexico, depending on which route you take, you might feast on roasted goat in Monterrey or raw seafood in coastal Mazatlán. You could wander colonial cities like Antigua, Guatemala, or Granada, Nicaragua, and bird-watch in the rainforests of Costa Rica. In the valleys between Colombia’s triplicate Cordilleras, you could sip coffee among green hills in the department of Quindío and salsa dance in the lowland city of Cali. Following the Andes south, you’ll gaze upon the gilded extravagance of Ecuador’s whitewashed capital, Quito, or hike in the highland planes below the snow-dusted dome of Cotopaxi, that country’s highest active volcano. You could deviate from the main road to lose yourself in the endless white expanse of Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni, then follow the spine of South America through regions of Argentina and Chile punctuated by vineyards and lakes. To drive the Pan-American Highway is to glimpse the immensity of the Americas and the unthinkable marvels of a world both ancient and irrepressibly new. — M.S.

V.S.: You’re driving through at least 14 countries including the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina. There’s surfing, jungles, swimming, birding, colonial towns, the history, the culture, glaciers, caves, blue lakes, beaches, hot springs in Mexico — it gives you everything.

19. Behold the Natural Wonders of Chile’s Atacama Desert

Ranging from the Pacific Coast to the Andean Altiplano and locked in the rain shadow of the world’s longest mountain range, the Atacama Desert, located mostly within northern Chile, is among the most alien landscapes on the planet. Pink flamingos gather at the edges of salt lakes the color of lapis or topaz or garnet. Perfectly conical volcanoes loom over salt flats and desolate plains where guanacos, elegantly proportioned cousins of llamas, and viscachas, which resemble long-tailed rabbits, drift through prickly wisps of ground-hugging vegetation. Jets of steam slip through the arid turf in some of the highest geyser fields, and rocky hills drop into the frigid blue waters of the Pacific. Uncontaminated by light or clouds or moisture, the night sky explodes with stars, recorded and studied by some of the most advanced telescopes on Earth. Covering a swath of 70,000 square miles and contiguous with similar biomes in neighboring corners of Argentina, Peru and Bolivia, the Atacama is so extreme in its atmospheric conditions that NASA used it as a test site for its Mars rovers in 2017. Until civilian space travel becomes a reality, the Atacama, with its spectral beauty, will remain perhaps the closest one can get to an extraplanetary experience. — M.S.

V.S.: The Atacama is the driest nonpolar desert on Earth. And I love extremes, obviously. I felt that this would offer a remote and diverse experience with lunar landscapes, salt pools comparable to the Dead Sea, sand dunes, rock formations, hiking and incredible stargazing.

T.M.: You can have an amazing time looking at stars, and it’s incredibly dry, so the atmosphere is very different. A truly visceral experience.

20. Feast on the Cuisines of Oaxaca City, Mexico

The state of Oaxaca has long been a focal point of Mexican culinary identity. But in the past few years, the namesake capital’s limestone buildings and dazzling evening light have attracted unprecedented numbers of visitors, upending the equilibrium between its Indigenous identity and the constant demands of tourists for elegant restaurants and luxury hotels. Yet growing awareness of Oaxaca’s cultural wealth and diversity has also made it possible for chefs with local roots to open revelatory new businesses in spaces as simple as they are unforgettable. At Levadura de Olla, for instance, the chef Thalía Barrios García prepares food straight out of the remote hill country south of the city where she grew up. Bowls of black beans fragrant with wood smoke or, in season, tacos made with the brilliant crimson flowers of the pipe tree are the closest thing to country cooking you’re likely to find in any major city. Outside the center, the chef Jorge León has turned the tranquil garden of his family home into a restaurant called Alfonsina, where he serves an ambitious, adventurous tasting menu that draws on his experience as a cook at Pujol, the high-concept gastronomic temple in Mexico City, while his mother and aunts turn out a parallel menu of traditional dishes like a meticulously prepared hoja santa-scented mole amarillo. Every corner of this wondrous city and its surrounding countryside contains its own culinary jewels — from market stalls selling steamed tamales swaddled in banana leaves and crisp corn tlayudas folded like envelopes around sheets of chile-rubbed beef, to relaxed mezcalerías and market halls redolent of barbacoa cooked overnight in underground pits. The newer restaurants aim neither to replicate nor supplant these spaces but, rather, to honor them and, in their down-to-earth manner, expand their reach. — M.S.

A.T.: A lot of food scenes can be quite fussy. What was moving to me here were restaurants like Levadura de Olla, with a woman who’s come from the hills of Oaxaca to bring the cuisine of her home to this restaurant. Besides the food being wonderful, it seemed like a real break from the sort of fine dining you find elsewhere.

21. Dance Until You Drop at Carnival in Cuba

Cuba’s massive Carnival celebrations have been held in some form or another since the 17th century. As a series of winter events tied to the Catholic Church’s calendar, Carnival was largely reserved for Cubans of mostly Spanish ancestry, while its summer counterpart, the Mamarrachos, allowed laborers and the lower classes (mostly enslaved Africans and their descendants) a period of riotous release after the sugar cane harvest. Many other Carnivals across the Caribbean are still observed in February, before Lent, but Cuba’s Carnival has evolved into an exuberant summer event that is celebrated across the country. The most famous parties, held in Havana in August and in Santiago de Cuba at the end of July, have preserved the vibrant spirit and Afro-Caribbean influences of the original Mamarrachos. Spangled and feathered groups of dancers called comparsas perform in the streets between giant effigies of religious figures and celebrities, decorated floats and conga performers. The mainstreaming of festivals that originated from marginalized communities hasn’t been entirely seamless, with periodic attempts by conservative Cubans to sanitize them, but the omnipresent rhythm of the Carnival drums is a permanent reminder of their roots in resilience, triumph and pure joy. — A.C.

P.I.: Cuba is one of the most powerful places I’ve been and Carnival is a wild concentration of its energy, music and spirit.

A.T.: That’s a great way to do Cuba — because it’s atmospheric. Going there is one of those experiences that, 20 years on, I can’t stop thinking about.

22. Take In the Magnificent Scale and Immutable Geology of the Colorado Plateau

The high desert of the Colorado Plateau covers 150,000 square miles, stretching across the Four Corners region in an arid, empyrean expanse including not only its namesake state but parts of Utah, Arizona and New Mexico, as well as the whole of the Navajo Nation. From its massive sedimentary rocks rise gnarled, sweeping geological marvels that seem to defy gravity and dwarf the human concept of space: Here are the mesas, petrified forests, monoliths, pinnacles and hoodoos that define the rugged archetype of the American West. The Ancestral Pueblo people, who lived on the plateau until around A.D. 1300, left ruins in the form of kivas — circular subterranean chambers often used for ceremonies — adobe pueblos and intricate dwellings built into the sides of cliffs. These are enshrined among the plateau’s eight national parks and 18 national monuments, which together constitute some of the greatest, most diverse terrain in the United States. In addition to the Grand Canyon, there’s Bears Ears, a pair of burnt-sienna buttes revered by Indigenous groups; and Grand Staircase-Escalante, an imbricated series of ascending rock layers punctuated with canyons and cliffs. The plateau, in its vastness, offers many opportunities for hiking, cycling, rafting and birding, but the best way to experience it is to camp there, watching as its endless horizons become a vault of stars. — D.P.

V.S.: This area of the country is physically magnificent and encompasses so much of what I find engaging in the West: the Kodachrome red rock formations; the sweeping views; the canyons, mountains, valleys, deserts; the 600-million-year-old geologic history of the plateau and the culturally significant sites of Ancestral Puebloans, reminding us of what was here before. It’s an awe-inspiring trip that will remind you of our fleeting time here while you experience the grandeur where past and present converge.

23. Witness a Solar Eclipse in a Sleepy Fishing Village in Newfoundland, Canada

The next total solar eclipse in North America will occur on April 8, 2024. Among the many scenic vantage points on its path of totality is Bonavista, a town of some 3,000 people on a bucolic peninsula in Newfoundland. There are plenty of remote places here from which to take in the atavistic spectacle: a sublime, disquieting experience, full of renewal and destruction, that shatters one’s sense of magnitude. When you’re not watching the moon engulf the sun in a rite of astronomical passage, you can enjoy more earthly pleasures at the Bonavista lighthouse, which looks out onto a seascape of unsurpassed beauty, featuring calving icebergs, breaching humpback whales and ambling colonies of puffins. Nearby are the Dungeon, a collapsed sea cave warped by erosion into a natural archway, and the Ryan Premises, a set of white clapboard buildings from the 19th century, striking in their simplicity, and once the locus of the town’s thriving cod-fishing industry. (Their slogan: “Where cod is culture.”) Bonavista takes its name from the Italian explorer Giovanni Caboto, often Anglicized as John Cabot, who is said to have exclaimed, “O buona vista!” upon glimpsing its shores in 1497. A full-scale replica of Cabot’s ship, the Matthew , floats in a harbor near the village center, where visitors can rent kayaks for whale-watching excursions. — D.P.

D.Z.: The one experience where I’m like, “I will die on this hill for this,” is to observe the next [full] solar eclipse in North America from the path of totality. I’ve never had the chance to [do this] myself, but I will be traveling to Toronto with my son — he’ll be two then — and I want to “ Lion King”-style raise him into the eye of the moon when this happens. It’s something our ancestors have built entire mythologies around: a way of keeping track of celestial bodies and realizing there were powerful forces far beyond our own imagination. With the association eclipses have historically carried with the end of the world, it’d be fitting to witness it from what’s colloquially known as the end of the world: Newfoundland. The province [Newfoundland and Labrador] doesn’t get a lot of credit, but it has some of the most beautiful coastal wild nature in North America. April is also iceberg season, which will only compound the viewing experience.

24. Labor on an Organic Farm in New Zealand

Travel can be alienating, expensive and bad for the environment. WWOOF , or World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, was started in England in 1971 by Susan Coppard as “a way of getting back into the countryside.” The first weekend she spent on a biodynamic farm spawned a global movement with a simple premise: Volunteers lend a hand on organic farms in exchange for food, lodging and an introduction to agriculture. WWOOFing in New Zealand, particularly in Northland, the milder, less-urbanized agrarian hub that spans much of the North Auckland Peninsula and is renowned for its white-sand beaches and giant Kauri forests, pairs this enterprise with a fairy-tale atmosphere. More than 100 farms here accept volunteer workers throughout the year, letting you experience nature and tend to it at the same time, living alongside New Zealanders, learning firsthand about their way of life and finding a way to give back to the picturesque landscape. Farm life often requires rising with the sun, but chores, whether pulling redroot weeds or tending sheep, usually conclude by lunch. Afterward, grander adventures can be had as well: backpacking Northland’s Great Walks, where you can rove through remote subtropical forests, or canoeing down the Whanganui River. But the most rewarding and memorable aspect of the trip comes from forging a bond with the earth and the resilient people who work it. — M.M.

D.Z.: Working on a farm is something everyone alive should do so that they understand where food comes from. WWOOFing is a great way to do that.

A.H.: It’s interesting in that it touches upon a recent trend toward voluntourism but in a less expected way.

T.M.: I have a miniature farm, but it takes all seasons and years to really understand a cycle. It depends on when you go, but you might see the planting, you might see harvesting; you might only get to do weeding.

D.Z.: It’s not a hotel; you can’t come and go as you please. But I don’t think the fact that you don’t get to completely embed yourself in agriculture over the course of multiple years or seasons negates the importance of learning what it’s like to farm.

A.H.: Why New Zealand specifically, David?

DZ: New Zealand, which is absolutely otherworldly for its natural landscape, is also an island nation that is super self-reliant thanks to the work of its farmers. If you chose to, say, help locals regenerate their surroundings by planting food forests, harvesting fruits in an organic orchard or rewilding land to create more habitat for native and endangered species, you would also get to reap the benefits of spending your off hours exploring Middle-earth, finding yourself a short drive from amazing landscapes like Spirits Bay [Piwhane] at the very tip of the North Island or the Te Paki sand dunes. Plus, I mean, who wouldn’t want to see a Kiwi bird in real life, crossing your path as you work in the field?

25. Float in a Zodiac to the Edge of Human Experience

The only continent with no permanent residents, Antarctica is synonymous with isolation. A two-day cruise through the notoriously rough Drake Passage (or a two-hour flight over it) from the tip of either Argentina or Chile brings you to the planet’s southernmost landmass. Once you’re there, the sights are simultaneously imposing and palpably ephemeral; the grandeur of miles-high glaciers in an exquisite spectrum of blues and greens is only heightened by the fragility of the climate that supports them. Antarctic sea ice is melting less quickly than that of the North Pole, but the vulnerability of the frozen sheet that contains more than half of the Earth’s freshwater supply has never been more difficult to ignore. Earlier this year, Antarctic ice was measured as at a record low (though it fluctuates from year to year, in contrast to Arctic ice, which has been consistently shrinking for decades). If the world’s governments fail to limit warming in the coming years to 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels, as seems increasingly likely, ice sheet collapses in the Antarctic could cause a catastrophic rise in sea levels over the next several centuries. Still, Antarctica’s sublime beauty persists. In addition to its penguin colonies, best encountered from November till January, the whale watching is revelatory. Go in February or March, when receding ice allows the dozen or so passengers in the inflatable Zodiac rafts of expedition cruises to get up-close views of blue whales, orcas, humpback whales and other cetaceans. Travel to Antarctica remains heavily regulated: Unguided landings are forbidden, and the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, signed in 1991, instituted “leave no trace” guidelines designed to limit the human impact of tourism and scientific exploration alike. Before you go, do some research to identify the most sustainable way to explore . — A.C.

P.I.: I’m not very sensitive to nature, but this was beyond anything I’ve imagined or experienced, even in nearby Patagonia. It awakens you to the environmental concerns of the world, which are probably paramount in most travelers’ minds these days; being exposed to such majesty and beauty and also to the underlying frailty, you go home with important questions for your conscience as well as radiant memories.

At top: Footage of the World/Getty Images, Nick Ballon, Andrew Rowat, Iwan Baan, M’Hammed Kilito, Fernando Maquieira, Michael Turek (3), Nick Bondarev, Salvatore Di Gregorio, @SteMajourneys (2), Sjo/Getty Images, Luca Donninelli, Felix Odell, Stefan Ruiz (2), Grant Harder (2), Minasse Wondimu Hailu/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images, James Thompson, Kelly Cheng/Getty Images

Research Editors: Mario Mercado and Alexis Sottile

Copy Editors: Diego Hadis, James Camp and Polly Watson

Photo Editor: Katie Dunn

Ashlea Halpern is a Contributing Editor for T Magazine.

An earlier version of this article rendered incorrectly the name of a city in Cuba; it is Santiago de Cuba, not Santiago del Cuba.

An earlier version of this article misspelled the name of a city in the Achaemenid Empire; it was Pasargadae, not Parsargadae.

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7 Easy Steps to a More Authentic Travel Experience

01/23/2017 by Kristin Addis 6 Comments

Easy ways to have a more authentic travel experience without a big budget or rigorous planning required!

For most people, especially young professionals, the point of traveling is to feel like you really experienced a new place to the fullest, without a manufactured experience that you paid too much for or that just didn’t feel real.

Evidence shows that the trend for desiring authentic and experiential travel is growing. We want to feel like we got to experience the real thing .

How can you make sure that, even if you have limited time and resources, you get to have a truly special, authentic travel experience?

There’s no secret or personality type that lends itself better to authentic experiences and meaningful connections. Anyone can have them with the right approach. It’s not about being the life of the party, the person who knows everybody at the hostel because he’s been there for months, or being the most gregarious person in the room. It’s not person in the room who who did the most research before starting his/her trip who will get to have those magical, authentic experiences.

7 easy steps to earning a more authentic travel experience! Learn how you can have a genuine and wholesome adventure everytime you hit the road | Be My Travel Muse | Backpacking tips | Travel Tips | Off the beaten path

The secret sauce is being authentic yourself in your approach and your interest level. That endears you to people, and opens up a lot of doors.

How can you do that? These seven easy steps are my recipe for authentic travel experiences, and they can work for anyone:

1. Take genuine interest in other people

how to have an authentic travel experience

Whether it’s a fellow traveler, the guide for your day tour climbing on glaciers , or the person sitting at reception at your guesthouse, taking a genuine interest in people opens so many doors, not just to friendship but for adventures too.

Even if you’re the shy type, you’ll find that if you stay in social places, conversations will happen, even if you’re not the one to initiate them. Just sit in the common room of a social hostel and you’ll see what I mean.

There are so many times when chatting with someone, giving them not just my full attention but also my genuine interest, led to them sharing a travel secret with me, going the extra mile to make my stay better, or even offering up an amazing opportunity to join them at a local event .

2. Take genuine interest in their culture

how to have an authentic travel experience

Most people really love sharing their culture and the things that they’re proud of about where they’re from. If they can tell you are genuinely interested in learning more about the way that they prepare and eat food, celebrate holidays and milestones, and even how they drink tea, you’ll be welcomed in and will get those unique cultural experiences that money can’t buy.

Once in El Chalten in Argentinian Patagonia , I asked a local girl who was also cooking in the hostel kitchen if she would show me how to properly drink mate , a tea that is popular with locals and also a communal activity. She spent the next hour excitedly explaining the details to me while we drank the mate and chatted with her family, cooking together, sharing a bottle of Malbec wine, and having a lovely evening.

When people can tell that you genuinely care about them and their customs, they tend to be amazing hosts.

3. Remember things that people tell you, especially their names

how to have an authentic travel experience

Do you plan on being in one place for a while, or even just a few days? Make it a point to learn the names of the people who work at the guesthouse or hotel you’re staying at, who you see the most often in the common areas, or who helped you plan something.

Names are one of the hardest things to remember when you travel because you meet so many people, but if you can say it in your mind a few times or even write it down if you need to, it’s much easier to make, and keep, friends on the road.

As Dale Carnegie said in his incredibly insightful book, How to Win Friends and Influence People (affiliate link), “Using a person’s name is crucial, especially when meeting those we don’t see very often. Respect and acceptance stem from simple acts such as remembering a person’s name and using it whenever appropriate.

Remember that a person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language.”

4. Eat where locals eat

how to have an authentic travel experience

If you want an immersive experience and particularly if you’re on a budget, you’ll love that eating well can be both cheap and authentic – just eat the street food! To someone who has never seen or eaten it before, that can sound like it would be dirty, but it’s often some of the best eats around, particularly in places like Vietnam , Thailand , the Philippines , and even Germany, just to name a few.

In Jodi Ettenberg’s book, The Food Traveler’s Handbook , she emphasizes how affordable, fresh, and delicious street food can be. Along with a bunch of other helpful tips, one of the things she suggests is to eat where local people eat and bring their kids. If it doesn’t get them sick, you’ll be fine too.

Eating local is what led me to a coconut brawl in Nepal , something that I didn’t see any other foreigners at and haven’t really heard of anyone attending since, just outside of Kathmandu. When a local saw a friend and I eating traditional Nepalese food at a tiny stall instead of at the fancy tourist cafes nearby, he felt compelled to tell us about the festival, which was one of the coolest things I did in Nepal.

5. Be kind with people even when they’re not kind with you

how to have an authentic travel experience

Not everyone is going to be receptive to your friendly approach. Sometimes, people are having a bad day or they just seem disinterested at first. In these cases, it’s even more important to be friendly.

When I approach people, I think about the way my mom’s dog, Ollie, does it. Everyone has the potential to be his friend, it doesn’t matter how they look. You’d have to just not like dogs in order to not like Ollie, he’s so friendly, excited, and genuine with his approach.

When I approach people in that way, with friendliness and a smile, it makes it a lot harder for them to dislike me. Even if I don’t get a warm response, I don’t take it personally, and I don’t lose my friendliness.

I’m not always successful at being a ball of joy, radiating happiness, but when I am, things go my way more often than not.

6. Read up on customs and learn how to say hello and thank you right away

how to have an authentic travel experience

In Thailand, it’s rude to face your feet at someone, a temple, or the front of a boat. In India, pointing, especially with your left hand, is considered particularly rude. It’s helpful to know this cultural etiquette and to practice it when you’re on the road, as well as learning how to say the basics like ‘hello’ and ‘thank you.’

It goes back to point number 2 – if people feel you’ve not only taken an interest, but genuinely respect their culture, they’ll be a lot warmer towards you. For etiquette around the world, check out this listing on eDiplomat .

7. Remember you’re not so different than the people in the country you’re visiting

how to have an authentic travel experience

How often have you heard fellow travelers talk about the people in the country they’re visiting like another species?

“Can you believe that’s what they eat?”

“Have you seen the way they do XYZ? It’s absurd!”

It seems obvious when written out in plain black and white that this would naturally be a negative behavior when traveling, but it happens all the time in hostels, and I’ve even caught myself doing it, to be honest.

We’re all human beings, though, and we have so much more in common than we often realize. We all love, laugh, cry, sleep, hope, dream, and yearn for meaningful connections. When we acknowledge that about each other, it’s a lot easier to find some common ground.

Basically, authentic travel experiences come down not just to being an egalitarian traveler, but an overall kind and genuine person. When you’re the open-minded type of person who takes an interest in things that other people can feel and see is real, your world literally opens up.

Give a few of these tips a try and let me know if they work for you! If you have any to add, please do so in the comments.

About Kristin Addis

Kristin Addis is the founder and CEO of Be My Travel Muse, a resource for female travelers all around the world since 2012. She's traveled solo to over 65 countries and has brought over 150 women on her all-female adventure tours from Botswana to the Alaskan tundra.

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Ijana Loss says

01/23/2017 at 9:07 am

These are awesome! Connecting with other cultures basically is exactly like connecting with people in your home culture. At home you wouldn’t go to the expensive tourist restaurant, sleep at an impersonal hotel, only go anywhere in group tours, and never talk to anyone, so of course doing that while on the road wouldn’t be conducive to connecting with the people there.

01/23/2017 at 9:31 am

Love this post! It’s easy to follow the tourist way sometimes but it sounds like you’ve got authentic experiences down!

Amelie says

01/23/2017 at 5:25 pm

While I appreciate the items listed here, I don’t understand why there needs to always be this big divide between travel experiences. What makes an experience more authentic than another? You can hang out with locals on your travels all you want, but at the end of the day, you can’t experience the “real thing.” You don’t live there. There are locals who are going to dump everyone into the tourist category no matter what because you don’t live there. You’re a tourist. Who cares if you decide to do the more touristy stuff or if you don’t? However people want to travel is fine, and labeling things as “authentic” or not authentic only divides people. The only thing that should matter is whether or not YOU thought you had a good experience and that you were respectful to the people there.

This wasn’t meant to be a mean post or anything and I think that we’re somewhat on the same page ex. you said “authentic travel experiences come down not just to being an egalitarian traveler, but an overall kind and genuine person.” But separating things into categories with the whole authentic thing or not kind of detracts from the that point.

Kristin says

01/24/2017 at 10:38 am

I get what you mean, and I don’t like labeling either, but I’d say being able to attend a local event and eating the local food is way more authentic than visiting a resort and never leaving. This is a guide to have more interaction with people when you travel, and promotes being genuine in your approach. Just because you’re not from there doesn’t mean you always end up in the same category as all the other people who are visiting. There are so many times when I’ve been invited to a local event because I showed a genuine interest and the other tourists didn’t because they didn’t show interest. This isn’t a post debating what makes someone a ‘traveler or tourist’ but rather suggestions on how to have genuine encounters when you travel.

Danielle says

01/30/2017 at 6:40 am

Such great tips!!

USA Tour Packages says

07/26/2019 at 11:46 am

All picture was amazing and information also very innovative

Unique travel experiences

Book your individual trip , stress-free with local travel experts

  • roughguides.com
  • the-bucket-list-30-essential-travel-experiences

written by Rough Guides Editors

updated 14.03.2023

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The information in this article is inspired by the The Rough Guides guidebooks — your essential guides for visiting the world.

1. Witnessing elephant bath time - one of the most exciting travel experiences in Nepal

2. go volcano-boarding in león, 3. conquer an icelandic glacier, 4. steam in a temazcal, mexico, 5. sail around the galápagos, 6. eat steak in buenos aires, 7. tickle whales in mexico, 8. take the trans-mongolian express, 9. watch ballet in cuba, 10. hike china’s great wall, 11. spend a night in wadi rum, 12. climb cadair idris, wales, 13. take a slow boat up the nam ou, 14. drive from viñales to cayo jutías by scooter, 15. witness tibet’s true spirit, 16. hike in brazil’s chapada diamantina, 17. sleep wild in central sweden, 18. sleep beneath the stars in the sahara desert, 19. swim with pink river dolphins, 20. visit tikal in guatemala, 21. get lost in fez el bali, 22. see the northern lights in norway, 23. take a hot air balloon ride in cappadocia, 24. visit yosemite national park in the usa, 25. watch the sunset from table mountain in cape town, 26. snork in the great barrier reef in australia, 27. swim in the dead sea in jordan, 28. get amazed by the angel falls in venezuela, 29. drive along the amalfi coast, 30. visit costa rica national parks.

Every morning a procession of dusty elephants is led to the Rapti River, on the edge of Chitwan National Park, for a good scrub down – and travellers are welcome to help out.

The pachyderms delight in shooting jets of water from their trunks, wallowing on their sides while layers of mud are scraped off. Occasionally, they even dump unsuspecting riders into the river. It’s a magical experience that the elephants seem to enjoy almost as much as the travellers.

Experience Nepal's hill villages and jungle lowlands as you embark on this tailor-made Himalayan Family Adventure of a lifetime . Expect mini mountain treks, overnight camps, river rafting and wildlife safaris. Come here for action, stunning mountain scenery and a look around bustling Kathmandu too.

Elephant bathing © adrenalinrnb/Shutterstock

Elephant bathing © adrenalinrnb/Shutterstock

Nicaragua’s former capital, León, is the birthplace of the Sandinista revolution. This vibrant city offers lovely colonial architecture and superlative fried chicken.

You can also take an unusual tour to the steep ash of nearby Cerro Negro, where gas belches from cracks and views stretch over Nicaragua’s Pacific plains. The walk up is a slog, while the descent sees you surf down the dune-like surface as dust rises around you.

Where to stay in León:

  • Best for hospitality : Casa de Los Berrios .
  • Best for comfort : Hotel Flor De Sarta

Find more accommodation options to stay in León

Tourists are volcano boarding from Cerro Negro volcano, Nicaragua © Milosz Maslanka/Shutterstock

Boarding from Cerro Negro volcano is one of the best travel experiences you can have in Nicaragua © Milosz Maslanka/Shutterstock

While Reykjavik is an essential base - and the Blue Lagoon is a justifiably popular attraction - for the best travel experiences in Iceland you need to find a glacier.

A short minibus ride from the capital will take you far from the tourist trail of lava fields and waterfalls and into endless icy oblivion. Here, armed with crampons and pickaxes, you can explore the endless crevices and precarious ridges of the country’s vast but receding glaciers.

Try our tailor-made trip along Iceland's scenic Ring Road , which stretches around the outside of the country. Soak in a thermal tub or pool beside gushing geysers or waterfalls, and relish the prospect of whale-watching, bird-watching, and glacier hiking in magical surroundings.

Skaftafell, Vatnajokull National Park, Iceland © Jens Ottoson/Shutterstock

Skaftafell, Vatnajokull National Park, Iceland © Jens Ottoson/Shutterstock

The door slid shut, plunging the small domed room into darkness. The drumming started, softly, and the room filled with herb-scented steam. Go into the Maya sweat lodge - known in Mexico as a temazcal - just for the dewy skin. After two hours of sweating in the dark, it is hard not to feel some kind of oneness with the universe. The Caribbean Sea will never feel so refreshing as afterwards.

Yucatán is calling you, and this tailor-made trip to Mayan Heritage is the way to do it; go into the jungle and know it like no one else has ever known it; enjoy incredible food, beautiful sunsets, and the warmth of its communities that will do everything possible to offer you a dream experience. Are you ready?

Getting ready for temazcal ceremony ©  photographer chicago/Shutterstock

Getting ready for temazcal ceremony © photographer chicago/Shutterstock

Related articles from the blog

Playa Flamingo, Guanacaste, Costa Rica © Shutterstock

The Galápagos islands are among the most remote and magical destinations on earth, so the sight of vast modern cruise ships chugging between them can come as a shock. To visit the islands in style pick a smaller vessel, preferably one with sails as well as an engine.

With the sound of canvas flapping in the wind and the creak of wooden decks beneath your feet, you can almost imagine how a certain young Mr Darwin felt when he arrived here in 1835.

The Galapagos islands in Ecuador are a truly special place. On this tailor-made trip to Galapagos Special , you will get to stay on 3 different islands and explore several more on boat tours. Start and end point of your journey is the UNESCO World Heritage Site and capital of Ecuador - Quito.

Bartolome Island, Galapagos, Ecuador. Bartolome Island is a volcanic islet in the Galapagos Islands with an amazing viewpoint at the top © Seumas Christie-Johnston/Shutterstock

Bartolome Island, Galapagos, Ecuador. Bartolome Island is a volcanic islet in the Galapagos Islands with an amazing viewpoint at the top © Seumas Christie-Johnston/Shutterstock

Sampling a slice of bife de chorizo in Argentina is a must. The slice served at the La Cabrera restaurant in Buenos Aires’ Palermo barrio looks pretty standard. Then when you cut it the steak it seems to part before the knife. This is meat and man in perfect harmony.

Argentina is known for its dances and gastronomy scene, both to be discovered on this tailor-made trip to Tango & Wines in Argentina . Explore Buenos Aires on your own and with a guide, including its famous nightlife before heading to the vineyards of Mendoza, one of the most developed wine regions in the country.

Where to stay in Buenos aires:

  • For a stay with modern decor: Fierro Hotel Buenos Aires
  • For a boutique stay with an old-world feel: Magnolia Hotel Boutique

Or find your dream accommodation in Buenos Aires .

Argentinian beef steak © Foodio/Shutterstock

Argentinian beef steak © Foodio/Shutterstock

One of the best travel experiences in Mexico is San Ignacio Lagoon in Baja California, on the Pacific coast. This a breeding ground for grey whales, which love to be scratched and tickled by visiting humans. This is arguably the most extraordinary, awe-inspiring and emotional wildlife encounter on the planet.

Baja California is an off-the-beaten-track unspoiled paradise. The area is home to mountains, deserts and thousands of kilometres of gorgeous Pacific coastline. On this tailor-made trip to Pacific Coast Paradise you will explore, snorkel, dive and do a spot of whale watching (in season). Otherwise, sit back and relax on its soft sandy shores.

whale-san-ignacio-baja-mexico-shutterstock_1008473128

Whale in San Ignacio Baja, Mexico © Roadwardbound/Shutterstock

The Trans-Siberian Railway is the granddaddy of all train travel experiences. And easily the most interesting train is the weekly Trans-Mongolian Express from Moscow to Beijing.

This traverses Siberia and rounds Lake Baikal, strikes south across the Gobi desert past camels and nomads' yurts into the mountains of northern China. You can even steal glimpses of The Great Wall in the distance.

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Trans-Mongolian train © Jose L Vilchez/Shutterstock

An evening of ballet at the brilliantly baroque Gran Teatro de la Habana invites you into a genre of Cuban music often overlooked by visitors in search of rumba and rum. Sets and costumes are resourceful and inventive, performances are breathtaking and an exuberant home crowd all celebrate Cuba’s position as a hub of world-class ballet.

Havana is like nowhere else on earth: the jewel in Cuba's crown effortlessly blends dishevelled beauty with risqué and vibrant charm. On our tailor-made trip to Havana you will spend a few days exploring the old town, Ernest Hemingway's favourite cigar-smoke-filled jazz club, and a tour of the city in a classic car!

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Great Theater, Havana, Cuba © Anna ART/Shutterstock

You’ll never forget stumbling wobbly-legged out of a rickety cable car to see this ancient monolith snaking away across the hills. To make sure you see the original fortifications, bypass the super-touristy reconstruction at Badaling and head on to more remote Jinshanling.

Just don’t attempt the steep-sided scramble in flip-flops as I did. This stunning stretch is mostly un-restored and the hike is as challenging as it as it is scenic in places.

From well-preserved tombs to The Great Wall, this tailor-made tour to The Best of China packs in all the essentials. From the bright city lights of Beijing and Shanghai to breathtaking rolling landscapes, meandering rivers and ancient treasures, there’s much to delight all visitors to China.

 Great wall of China during sunset  © Zhu Difeng / Shutterstock

Great wall of China during sunset © Zhu Difeng / Shutterstock

Wadi Rum is about as close as you’re going to get to the landscape of Mars here on Earth. The soil is a deep and rusty red, the mountains austere, and the silence almost disconcerting. Canyons and rock formations are scattered across the desert and make for good scrambling.

Join an overnight excursion - by jeep or camel - for the experience of sitting around a crackling fire underneath pearly stars. While here, take time to talk with the Bedouin about their life in this desolate space.

On this tailor-made trip to Jordan Culture in depth you will indulge in the mouthwatering street and local homemade food, meet the owner of the smallest hotel in the world, learn more about the Bedouins and the desert in Wadi Rum and finish off by floating over the Dead Sea mineral water.

The sunny desert with rocks . Jordan. Wadi Rum © Yury_1_2_3/Shutterstock

The sunny desert with rocks . Jordan. Wadi Rum © Yury_1_2_3/Shutterstock

Standing 2930ft tall, Snowdon’s rugged, shorter sibling – Cadair Idris – makes up in looks for anything it lacks in height. Legend has it that if you spend a night at the top you will die, become a poet or go mad, but the views from here are stunning – a patchwork of greens interrupted by molten-metal slivers of river estuary and sea.

Hardy visitors can have a dip in Cwm Cau too, which changes colour from lagoon blue to inky black as clouds race overheard.

Cadair Idris, Wales © ieuan/Shutterstock

Cadair Idris, Wales © ieuan/Shutterstock

The Mekong may be more famous, but more unique travel experience in Laos is on the Nam Ou. This river which winds its way through the north’s mountains and limestone karsts. Sure, the boats are rickety and old and these days it is hard to predict if they’ll actually be running.

However, this three day journey, from sublime Luang Prabang to the tiny, isolated settlement of Hat Sa, gives you that rare feeling of experiencing a part of the country that few foreigners see.

One of Southeast Asia’s lesser-known countries, Laos is definitely off the beaten track, but it has retained its culture, charm and traditional village life, wild jungle and stunning countryside. Try our tailor-made trip to Historical Laos for tradition and mystery and a unique adventure.

Mekong river, Luang Prabang port in Laos © i viewfinder/Shutterstock

Mekong Luang Prabang © Shutterstock

Viñales, a sleepy little town to the west of Havana, is in many ways typical of rural Cuba. What sets it apart are the mogotes (boulder-like hillocks) that jut out of the landscape and provide a magnificent backdrop.

It’s lovely just lolling around in the sunshine taking in the strange and beautiful vistas. However, to ramp the experience up a notch, rent a scooter and wind your way around these spectacular formations by taking the local road to the beach at Cayo Justía.

Try our moderately challenging tailor-made cycling holiday through Cuban countryside visiting the tobacco fields of Viñales Valley and a pristine Caribbean beach in Cayo Jutias.

Morning view to Vinales valley, Cuba © Zaruba Ondrej/Shutterstock

Morning view to Vinales valley, Cuba © Zaruba Ondrej/Shutterstock

Tibet is sad in many places now, hideously over-developed and not at all the place you imagine. But it remains the one place that exerts a curious kind of spell and takes you to a different part of your being.

And in some ways its spirit has been strengthened and intensified even as - or sometimes because - its surfaces have been destroyed. Ladakh is more beautiful, Bhutan is better protected, Nepal is more funky. But Tibet is one place from which it's hard to come home unaltered.

On this tailor-made trip to Nepal you will trek in the Everest region of Nepal's Himalayas, absorbing spectacular views at every step, including Everest rising above the Nuptse Ridge, Lhotse, the iconic peak of Ama Dablam and other Himalayan giants too. Top this off with a shot of warm Nepalese culture for an experience of a lifetime.

Leh Palace the monastery in center of Leh city in Jammu India © sittitap/Shutterstock

Leh Palace the monastery in center of Leh city in Jammu India © sittitap/Shutterstock

The Diamond Highlands are Brazil’s top trekking destination. They lie in the interior of Bahia where three of Brazil’s biomes meet: the Atlantic rainforest, the cerrado – similar to the African savannah – and the caatinga (shrubland), which feels like the American chaparral. You can explore dry caves, swim in underground lakes, dive under waterfalls and climb near-vertical mesas all in the same day.

Discover the world's largest continental flood area - the Pantanal, one of the richest places in biodiversity. Continue this wildlife tailor-made trip to the Amazon River. Your lodges throughout the trip are located right in nature, with easy access to lodge trails around.

Iconic Morrao ridge in the Capao Valley of Chapada Diamantina national park, Bahia, Brazil © Double Bind Photography/Shutterstock

Iconic Morrao ridge in the Capao Valley of Chapada Diamantina national park, Bahia, Brazil © Double Bind Photography/Shutterstock

Glassy lakes, pure air and an outside chance of bears: camping in the forests of central Sweden is both wild and free. There’s even a constitutional law protecting everyone’s right to enjoy the great outdoors. So go swimming, drink from a stream, or fill your belly with red berries. Then sip whisky around the campfire and crash out on a reindeer skin, gazing up at the starry sky.

Sunrise and Tent in Autumn in Lapland © Jens Ottoson/Shutterstock

Sunrise and Tent in Autumn in Lapland © Jens Ottoson/Shutterstock

As the sun shifts, the Sahara Desert takes on different colours. Silvery white at dawn, ochre in the heat of the day, and deep gold at sunset. Stay at a Berber camp and fell asleep on your back, counting shooting stars that burned through the darkness like rogue coals from the campfire.

In the morning you can climb a sand dune overlooking Algeria and watch the sun emerge from the horizon, a blazing ball of desert red that turned the sand rose gold. Desolate, but beautiful.

On this tailor-made trip to Moroccan Cities and Ultimate Sahara you will follow the footsteps of Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca. Discover the blue and whitewashed buildings of Chefchaouen before heading on to Fez and consequently the desert. Stay overnight in a luxurious desert camp before continuing to Marrakech.

tent-desert-sahara-morocco-shutterstock_1181231815

Sahara, Morocco© Shutterstock

In the vast, swampy grasslands of Pampas del Yacuma, the pink freshwater dolphin is one of the more pleasant surprises hidden in the murky waters of the Bolivian Amazon. With the annual floods, they dreamily glide amidst tree trunks and chase fish between drowned, twisted branches.

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of diving into these muddy, unknown depths to swim alongside these surreal creatures; it’s a far cry from frolicking with dolphins in SeaWorld.

One of only two landlocked countries in South America, Bolivia is full of wonders. On this tailor-made trip through the natural and cultural wonders of Bolivia you will visit Lake Titicaca, the de facto capital La Paz, the actual capital Sucre as well as the fascinating Salar de Uyuni.

pink-dolphin-shutterstock_164233874

Pink dolphin © Shutterstock

A visit to the historical site of Tikal in Guatemala should be on everyone’s bucket list. These ancient Mayan ruins are a testament to a civilization that long passed. If you stay overnight, you can be there without the crowds giving the place an empty, eerie feeling that really makes you feel like you are Indiana Jones. It’s not often you get major historical sites to yourself but I found that it was just me, Tikal, and the jungle.

On our tailor-made trip to the Best Of Guatemala you will visit the most popular destinations including the Western Highlands, Tikal and Antigua Guatemala. Enjoy the different types of activities like exploring the Mayan pyramids in the middle of the virgin jungle or having one of the best cups of coffee surrounded by a unique landscape.

Tikal National Park, Guatemala © WitR/Shutterstock

Tikal National Park, Guatemala © WitR/Shutterstock

Fez el Bali is an impenetrable maze of lanes and blind alleys that make up the beating heart of Morocco’s cultural capital. Drop down into the bowels of the Medina, past camel heads advertising the local butchers and vendors bartering in the spice souk.

Let your senses steer you: to the sound of metalworkers hammering away on Place Seffarine; to the brightly coloured yarns drying in the heat on Souk Sabbaghine; or to the thick stench of the tanneries.

For those short on time, this tailor-made trip to Highlights of Morocco allows you to visit Morocco in a little over a week. See the cultural capital Fez, the beautiful city of Chefchaouen, sleeping in a deluxe tent in the desert, as well as discover Marrakech. It's time to explore Morocco!

Where to stay in Fez:

  • Best for the spa: Palais Medina & Spa
  • Best for interior design: Dar victoria

Find more accommodation options to stay in Fez

Fez tanneries, Morocco © Shutterstock

Fez, Morocco © Shutterstock

At once eerily disconcerting and bewitchingly beautiful, the aurora borealis flicker across northern Norway’s winter firmament at irregular and unpredictable intervals.

Experiencing the Northern Lights, or aurora borealis is one of the unique experiences in Norway. The country is located in the northern part of the polar region where the lights are most commonly visible.

This tailor-made tour to Aurora Feast in Finland, Norway and Sweden is perfect for people who want to explore the Arctic. Begin your journey from the southern part of Finland via Sweden up to the northern part of Norway. Most importantly, you will be hunting for the Northern Lights in the best locations!

northern-lights-skagsanden-beach-lofoten-norway-shutterstock_1120772963

Northern lights, Skagsanden beach, Lofoten, Norway © Shutterstock

A lighter-than-air float gives an unrivalled perspective on the “fairy chimneys” and other features of the landscape and is one of the unique travel experiences in Turkey.

You can get airborne on a paraglider above Ölüdeniz and kaş, or more passively (and expensively) in a hot-air balloon over Cappadocia – champagne breakfast usually included.

3 different modes of transportation to explore Cappadocia - by hot air balloon, on the back of a camel as well as on an ATV quad. Why choose if you can have it all? This tailor-made trip to the sensational landscapes of Cappadocia is filled with fun and adventure in the volcanic valleys around Cappadocia making for an unforgettable trip.

 Uchhisar fortress and colorful hot air balloons flying over Pigeon valley in Cappadocia, Turkey © Shutterstock

Uchhisar fortress in Cappadocia, Turkey © Shutterstock

Yosemite National Park is a wild wonderland of snow-capped peaks, towering cliffs and giant granite domes that seem to be conjured from a fantasy world. Yosemite Valley is an undisputable contender for showcasing some of the world’s most stunning scenery.

Created by glaciers scoring through the canyon of the Merced River, the valley is walled by 3000ft near-sheer cliffs, marbled by waterfalls and topped by domes and jagged pinnacles. On the ground, deer, coyotes and black bears abound in the grassy meadows and forests.

Explore the diversity of nature reserves in the USA with our guide to the best national parks in the USA .

Yosemite national park, Yosemite Valley, California © christian_b/Shutterstock

Yosemite national park, Yosemite Valley, California © christian_b/Shutterstock

The most spectacular way to ascend Cape Town’s famous landmark and one of the most unique travel experiences in South Africa is the revolving cable car. Table Mountain, which forms the backdrop to Cape Town, is the park’s focal point. The views are wholly dependent on the weather, so it is always advisable to visit Table Mountain early in your stay in Cape Town.

Discover the natural beauty on our tailor-made trip to Complete Cape Town . Located on the southwestern tip of South Africa, the area is home to rugged coastlines, undulating vineyards, and expanses of grassland. It is also home to some of the largest, wildest and most majestic creatures on earth.

Table mountain cable way, Cape Town, South Africa @ Shutterstock

Table mountain cableway, Cape Town, South Africa @ Shutterstock

The Great Barrier Reef is to Australia is what rolling savannahs are to Africa. Calling it “another world”, as the commonest cliché has it, doesn’t begin to describe the feeling of donning a mask and fins and coming face to face with its extraordinary animals, shapes and colours.

There’s so little relationship to life above the surface that the distinctions one usually takes for granted. For example, the boundary between animal, vegetable and mineral seem blurred. While the respective roles of observer and observed are constantly inverted as shoals of curious fish follow the human interlopers about.

Interested? Read our guide to visiting Australia's Great Barrier Reef for more information.

Great Barrier Reef, Australia ©  I Shafiq/Shutterstock

Great Barrier Reef, Australia © I Shafiq/Shutterstock

A few kilometres west of Amman’s city limits, the rugged highlands of central and northern Jordan drop away dramatically into the Dead Sea Rift. The Dead Sea is famed as the lowest point on Earth. Taking a dip here and relaxing on the beaches is one of the most unique travel experiences in Jordan, not least because of the world-class luxury resort hotels dotted along the shore.

Explore the country with this compact tailor-made trip to Highlights of Jordan . Activities include stargazing in Wadi Rum, exploring Petra and spending a day at leisure at the Dead Sea. Your knowledgeable guide will share stories about history and culture and introduce the Bedouin lifestyle to you.

dead-sea-jordan-shutterstock_14131975

Dead Sea, Jordan © Shutterstock

Angel Falls is a magnificent natural wonder in the Venezuelan rainforest, standing at an impressive height of 3,212 feet. The uninterrupted waterfall creates a dreamy atmosphere, with mist rising from the base and lush green rainforest surrounding it. It is a breathtaking sight to behold. A visit to Angel Falls is a humbling and unique travel experience that will leave a lasting impression.

angel-falls-canaima-venezuela-shutterstock_141881491

Angel Falls, Venezuela © Shutterstock

Go southwest in Italy to Campania and see the Amalfi Coast . It is spectacularly beautiful, despite the heavy tourist numbers in summer - spring and autumn are quieter. The Amalfi Coast (Costiera Amalfitana) lays claim to being Europe’s most beautiful stretch of coast. Its corniche road winds around the towering cliffs that slip almost sheer into the sea.

This tailor-made gastronomic journey in Tuscany and Amalfi Coast will have your sense tingling. Taste the most wonderful and freshly made Italian food in Naples one day and enjoy the most beautiful views of the Amalfi Coast the next. Experience the smells, tastes, feels and sights of Italy when travelling from Florence to the Amalfi Coast.

Positano, italy. Amalfi Coast © iacomino FRiMAGES/Shutterstock

Positano, italy. Amalfi Coast © iacomino FRiMAGES/Shutterstock

Over a quarter of Costa Rica ’s landmass is National Park, which means you’re more than likely to come across at least one on your visit. Costa Rica is covered by rainforests, volcanoes, cloud forest and more. For many people, exploring the biodiversity of this small but beautifully formed country is a major reason to visit Costa Rica in the first place.

See our tailor-made Costa Rica Eco Adventure and discover its compact jungle, tropical beaches, forests, wildlife and national parks. The country may be small but it’s a land of stunning natural diversity and the perfect backdrop to a veritable eco-adventure.

Sloth in Costa Rica © Harry Collins Photography/Shutterstock

Sloth in Costa Rica © Harry Collins Photography/Shutterstock

If you are looking for some travel experiences for the whole family, explore our guide to the 30 best places to go with kids .

For more inspirational travel tips for your future trips check our Rough Guide books .

If you prefer to plan and book your trips without any effort and hassle, use the expertise of our local travel experts to make sure your trip will be just like you dream it to be.

We may earn commission when you click on links in this article, but this doesn’t influence our editorial standards. We only recommend services that we genuinely believe will enhance your travel experiences.

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Is experiential travel the next big trend?

The nature of travel is changing, with a stronger focus on immersive experiences. What does this mean for travellers?

 Broadly speaking, the concept of experiential travel refers to immersive experiences — the kind that aims to forge a deeper connection with a destination than can usually be had from traditional leisure holidays. These often involve an element of adventure, whether physical, cultural or spiritual. According to trend-spotting agency Mabrian, these kinds of trips are now almost as high on the average traveller’s wish list as more conventional holidays — defined as involving activities such as sunbathing, family gatherings or shopping.

Where are people going?

Experiential travel usually delves deeper into a given destination, ensuring visitors can experience it as authentically as possible. As such, tours tend to focus on less-touristy spots. Since the pandemic, for example, upmarket ski specialist Powder Byrne has found that destinations like Japan better represent a blow-out family ski trip than somewhere such as Switzerland. Add-on experiences such as temple tours and samurai sword-fighting displays add extra dimension.

What kind of trips are being taken? 

Active adventures are growing in popularity, with more extreme options on offer than ever before. An example includes the Shackleton Challenges. Launched to complement Shackleton’s polar-proof outdoor clothing, they’re — for the most part — Arctic and Antarctic mini-expeditions. Even the entry-level Polar Skills Challenge in Norway involves hauling a pulk (an equipment-laden sled) as you ski tour across the snow. 

What about closer to home? 

The growth of experiential travel isn’t restricted to long-haul pursuits. Take, for example, the popularity of wild camping in the UK. Of course, lovers of Britain’s national parks have been doing it for generations. But when a YouTuber such as Claire Wildbeare attracts an audience of 220,000 subscribers and posts 113 wild-camping and bivouacking videos — closely followed by fellow YouTube star Paul Messner — it’s clear something extraordinary is going on. Every weekend, it seems, a small army of thrill-seekers is dispersing across Britain’s moors, fells and munros. Their mission: to experience Britain in its rawest, most unvarnished state. As a result, mountain sports outfitter Ellis Brigham has seen its robust, weatherproof tents fly off the shelves. “It seems that enthusiasm for the adventurous side of camping is stronger than ever,” observes Luke Scrine, the brand’s chief tent buyer.

What if it’s not for me? 

Of course, not everyone wants this kind of experience. People still fly and flop in their millions. And while some well-heeled travellers are hoping to come back with tales of life-changing encounters in faraway places, others are flocking to the next must-stay luxury hotel. HBO’s TV series White Lotus was cynical about such behaviour in 2021 and 2022, but that didn’t stop demand for the property featured in its second series — the Four Seasons Hotel in Taormina, Sicily — skyrocketing in the show’s wake. 

What are the benefits? 

The deeper we get into a destination, the more widely our money spreads. Original Travel’s Tom Barber is well aware of the benefits. “We’re big promoters of community-based tourism,” he says. “We identify locally owned accommodation, restaurants and activities so our clients can make informed decisions as to where their money goes. It’s important not to be preachy, but more and more clients are opting for experiences and accommodation where they know their money can be used to make a genuine difference.”

The benefits remain for the traveller, too. Spending time chatting to locals and getting to know about their day-to-day lives — including tour guides, hosts and others who work in tourism — could provide meaningful insight into the lived reality of a given destination. These kind of colloquial exchanges also contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of a place, which could prove just as memorable as a guide’s treasure trove of facts and history.

What do I need to know? 

Travellers should check the exclusions on their travel insurance policy closely before they go, particularly if there are likely to be physical activities. There will also likely be a level of fitness required for some activities too  — check you’re fully prepared before booking. 

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Sunshine Seeker

Dream ◇ Create ◇ Travel

Popular categories, 29 of the world’s most unforgettable travel experiences.

By: Charlotte · Last updated 30. January 2024 · In: Travel

more travel experience

Are you looking for the best and most unforgettable travel experiences in the world? Then you’re in the right place. This list of travel experiences is curated by professional travelers with 10+ years of travel experience.

As a travel blogger of almost a decade, people always ask me; what’s your number one travel experience to date? And while that is, of course, incredibly hard to answer, I do have a few memories that stick out.

Sometimes it’s the simplest of joys that makes the most impact, you don’t always have to travel far or break the bank to have incredible experiences.

And what makes an experience unforgettable will always differ from person to person. We all see the world differently through the lens of our programming. That’s why I also asked 19 fellow female travel bloggers to write about their most unforgettable travel experiences .

From sleeping in a cave in Matera to kayaking among icebergs in Nunavut, these bucket list experiences are sure to leave you with memories that will last a lifetime.

🌟 Pro tip >> Be sure to check out Tripaneer , my favorite and the world’s leading marketplace to explore and book unforgettable travel experiences.

Article overview

1. Experience the Geisha in Japan

2. join a wellness retreat in ubud, 3. sunrise over haleakala volcano in maui, 4. hiking the stairway to heaven (legally), 5. kayaking among icebergs in nunavut, 6. hiking mount sinai in egypt, 7. hiking the congo nile trail in rwanda, 8. everest base camp trek, 9. fly over victoria, bc in a seaplane, 10. hiking half dome in yosemite national park, 11. explore altyn emel national park, 12. swim in the wadis of oman, 13. drive across salar de uyuni, 14. carnival in the caribbean, 15. spelunking in waitomo glowworm caves, 16. exploring antarctica, 17. climbing mount kilimanjaro, 18. hot air ballooning in cappadocia, 19. climbing the great wall of china, 20. lunch in a traditional balinese family compound, 21. snorkeling the great barrier reef, 22. witnessing the northern lights, 23. paddleboarding with wild dolphins, 24. see the taj mahal at sunrise, 25. sleep in a cave in matera, 26. see the sunrise over pinggan village, 27. visiting a cultural village in south africa, 28. go castle hunting in poland, 29. experience floracion de cieza, what makes a travel experience unforgettable, how can i make sure i have an unforgettable travel experience, where do you book tours and excursions, what are the most unforgettable travel experiences in the world for 2024, what are considered unique experiences, what is the most unique experience you’ve had, do unforgettable travel experiences have to be expensive, what are some ideas for new experiences, remember to pin this for later 😉.

By Honest Travel Stories

Travel bloggers reveal their most unforgettable travel experience ever - An incredible geisha experience in Japan

If you close your eyes and think of Japan, what do you see? Come on, try this experiment! Before I went there, I used to see Mount Fuji, cherry tree blossoms, and Sailor Moon (this was my childhood hero, don’t laugh!). But now, a few months after the trip, I can only see a geisha or maiko performing and dancing. It’s definitely one of the world’s most unforgettable travel experiences .

This is so traditionally Japanese that you won’t believe it’s still happening today, in the digital era. The Geisha still wear hand-painted kimono, they still have the specific updo hairstyle that makes them easy to recognize, and they still perform the same arts as they used to centuries ago.

If you ever get to experience the geisha culture in Japan you’ll feel like you have traveled through time. It is definitely unique, you cannot find anything similar anywhere else in the world. And it is memorable, even if you don’t speak the language. In the end, art goes beyond words, beyond nations and ethnicity, beyond basic understanding. Art must be felt, and you will feel it once you’re there.

The geisha experience that we chose was to go to a geisha theater in Kyoto in November for an annual representation, but there are many other options you can choose. But something is clear: you have to choose one. If you didn’t enjoy a geisha experience while in Japan, were you even there?

Two Balinese women bathing in the holy spring water at Tirta Gangga, join a healing tour one of the more unusual things to do in Ubud Bali

Many of my favorite travel experiences have happened in Indonesia, a country I fell in love with 14 years ago. Before Bali skyrocketed in popularity among Instagrammers and digital nomads . One of these experiences was a personalized wellness retreat in Ubud.

Ubud, Bali is known as one of the spiritual centers of the world, and for good reason. Nestled between lush rice fields and ancient temples, Ubud is a haven for those seeking peace, relaxation, and spiritual growth.

Booking this retreat is single-handedly the best decision and the best money I’ve ever spent on myself. I was a little unsure whether or not to spend money on a retreat in Ubud since I’ve been there so many times and I usually like to plan my own itineraries. But I’m so glad I did!

I spent my days doing yoga, exploring hidden gems, eating the most delicious food (even if you’re not vegan, I’m not), learning new skills and joining in on sacred Balinese rituals. Oksana tailors your retreat to your preferences and will give you experiences you didn’t even realize you were looking for.

It was exactly the reset I needed after a few hard years in life. I’m almost crying writing this, just because of how much I needed this healing experience. If you ever feel stuck or like you need to reset, head to Ubud.

🌟 Check price and availability here >> 4-Day Personalized Wellness Retreat in Ubud

By Bright Lights of America

Travel bloggers reveal their most unforgettable travel experiences - Sunrise over Haleakala Volcano on Maui in Hawaii

Haleakala volcano may be dormant, but that doesn’t make the 10,032-foot colossus any less imposing. Standing up amongst the clouds to watch the sun peak over the crest of a blanket of fluffy clouds takes pride of place on my ultimate travel bucket list.

We were awake in the car at 3:30 am for our drive to the summit to see the sunrise at Haleakala. You’ll want to bring a couple of warm jackets, and maybe even nab a blanket from your hotel, because the temperatures before sunrise are chilly to say the very least. But once the first slivers of sun begin to appear at the horizon, the gathered crowd hushes and everyone takes in the beauty of the experience.

The arid landscape of the volcano is juxtaposed with beautiful, downy white clouds, as fingers of red, orange, and yellow spread across the horizon. We were lucky enough to have two Maui natives sing the Mele Oli chant – the traditional greeting of the sun. It’s a travel experience that I’d repeat again in a heartbeat, despite spending a good 40 minutes hopping from one foot, to the other, to stay warm.

Remember that watching the sunrise over Haleakala requires reservations in advance for those who want to watch the sunrise.

By My Backpacker Life

Travel bloggers reveal their most unforgettable travel experiences - Hiking the Stairway to Heaven on Oahu, Hawaii (the legal way)

There are a lot of incredible places to visit around the world, but there’s one unforgettable travel experience I just can’t stop thinking about. It’s one you should put on your bucket list – hiking the Stairway to Heaven in Oahu, Hawaii !

The Stairway to Heaven hike, also known as Haiku Stairs, is  not   an easy hike – it could even be quite dangerous, so be sure you’re prepared and used to hiking. In addition to that, it’s illegal to hike up the actual stairs, you’ll risk getting a fine if you do so. Instead, take the magical legal way via the Moanalua Valley Trail.

In the beginning, the hike is mainly flat. However, it will soon get steeper – if it’s not a completely clear day, you’ll feel like you’re on your way up among the clouds! I’d recommend bringing crampons for the steeper part of the hike. Remember to bring plenty of water and sunscreen as well. It’s Hawaii, it gets hot!

The view you’ll get from the summit is incredible. You honestly don’t need another reason to put this hike on your bucket list, but if you’re into hiking and adventure you’ll enjoy the challenge of the hike itself as well. As you come up the back way, you’ll also get several views of the valley and the beautiful ridge!

By Voyageur Tripper

29 of the most unforgettable travel experiences in the world - Kayaking among icebergs in Nunavut, Canada

The Arctic Archipelago is Canada’s best-kept secret. Far off the tourist radar, few travelers make their way north of the Arctic Circle into the vast and sprawling territory of Nunavut. Canada’s largest and least populated region, traveling to Nunavut is worthy of any bucket list. And for those who find themselves under the midnight sun, one of the most incredible experiences you could have is kayaking among icebergs.

I remember gliding through the salty seawater in an inflatable kayak. I was covered head to toe – dry suit, waterproof gloves, and hat – just in case I found myself capsized and in an unintended polar bear dip. Until I was paddling so close to icebergs, I’d never appreciated just how much of the ice was below water. Looking down, I could see the curves of ice run so deep they disappeared from view.

Nor had I appreciated their colossal size; being so close to Greenland, the icebergs had recently calved off ancient glaciers. They would eventually decrease in size as they meandered south to Newfoundland, but at this moment I had to crane my neck upright to see the top. Some were so enormous they had their own waterfalls. Melting ice near the top would run down and spill over the edge, falling into the ocean.

Later a guide chipped off some pieces of an iceberg and we drank our cocktails with glacial ice. As my group sipped our deliciously cold beverages, we all agreed. Kayaking in the Canadian Arctic was a truly memorable experience.

By Curls en Route

29 travel bloggers reveal their most unforgettable travel experiences - On top of Mount Sinai in Egypt

One of the very first travel experiences I checked off my bucket list, and one that really deserves to be on yours as well, is the Mount Sinai hike in Egypt. Also known as “Jebel Moussa” in Arabic, the mountain, located in Saint Catherine in South Sinai, is the second-highest in the country after Mount Catherine.

Apart from the friendly Jebeliya tribe that lives there, the mesmerizing nature of the mountain, and its challenging elevation of 2,285 m, it also has high religious value. You see, this is the mountain where it’s believed that Moses spoke to God and received the 10 commandments. And Saint Catherine’s Monastery, built at the foot of the mountain, is supposedly where Moses had seen the burning bush.

Hiking Mount Sinai is one of the most spiritual and empowering adventures you can ever embark on. Once you reach the summit and marvel at the mountainous, vast desert as you watch the sunrise from within the clouds, you’ll reach an indescribable state of euphoria that you’ll remember forever. And if you decide to do this in winter, you might be lucky enough to witness snow. Yes, Saint Catherine is the only place in Egypt where it snows!

By Exploring Wild 

Discover 20 of the world's most unforgettable travel experiences - Hiking the Congo Nile Trail in Rwanda

On the far western edge of Rwanda, snaking along the green shore of gorgeous blue Lake Kivu, lies a unique adventure for outdoorsy travelers: the Congo Nile Trail . Stretching roughly 120km from Gisenyi to Kibuye, this patchwork route of local trails and dirt roads can be walked in 4-5 days, with nights spent camping or sleeping in small guesthouses.

Along the way you’ll pass through villages and farmland, never far from a curious group of kids or an enthusiastic “helloooo” shouted from a grove of banana trees. The trail is safe and well enough developed for hiking independently (I hiked it solo) but still adventurous enough to be interesting.

You’ll piece together directions from the hand gestures of helpful locals and likely pass some miles with Rwandans excited to practice their English or French. At the end of a long hot day, you’ll probably manage to find a place where you can kick back with a cold(ish) Turbo King beer and a view of Lake Kivu.

The Congo Nile Trail isn’t easy; it can be hot and hilly, and the frequent attention from locals can sometimes feel draining. It’s important to travel mindfully and try to minimize impact – both environmental and cultural – on this fragile area. But for travelers with some experience in Africa who are looking for an adventure rich in both scenic beauty and cultural learning opportunities, I highly recommend it.

By Emma Adventures

Travel bloggers reveal their most unforgettable travel experiences - Trekking to Everest Base Camp

The Everest Base Camp trek in Nepal should be on everyone’s bucket list. It is certainly one of the most unforgettable travel experiences I have had. Situated in the Himalayas in Nepal, Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world, and trekking to its base camp is one of the most beautiful journeys in the world.

Stay in teahouses in the mountains for 10-14 days and as you journey through beautiful scenery and experience local life in Nepal. Although a tough trek, it’s certainly doable with the right training and well worth the effort.

It’s a great feeling waking up in a lovely teahouse surrounded by mountains every day, to a home-cooked meal and only having to worry about how far you have to hike that day.  

Along with reaching Everest Base Camp, which is the ultimate goal, you’ll get to take an amazing scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, the starting point of the trek, as well as explore the crazy, bustling capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu.

The people in Nepal are extremely welcoming and friendly, which makes the experience even better. I’d truly recommend adding Everest Base Camp to your bucket list, I guarantee it’s an experience you will treasure forever! 

By Christin has Fernweh

20 of the most unforgettable travel experiences in the world - A seaplane in Victoria, BC

Did you know that Victoria, British Columbia has the only official sea-airport in the world? I found out from the guide on a whale watching tour off Vancouver Island, Canada.

There are two “runways” on the water, smack in the middle of the harbor. You can buy tickets to domestic or US destinations, like Seattle just down the Pacific coast. And: you can book sightseeing trips.

I went on the Victoria Classic Panorama Tour and it was a unique experience for me. It was the first time I took off in a plane from the water and landed on the water. Admittedly, the landing is somewhat bumpier than on a runway. But the views of BC’s capital and the ocean were so worth it!

I only went for the 20-minute tour, but personally, I thought it was plenty of time to get a first impression of water aviation. And I took a ton of pictures and videos from the air. If it is just about the experience, that tour is perfect. The seaplane flies at a lower altitude than a normal plane, so you can see much more of what is happening on the ground.

Even though I went during high season, in June, there were only 5 people on the plane with me. And I was able to book a cheap ticket on the day, as I was flexible with timing.

🐋 My top pick >> Popular combined Seaplane Flight and Whale-Watching Cruise

By She Dreams of Alpine

Travel bloggers reveal their most unforgettable travel experiences - Hiking to the Top of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park

Standing at the top of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park at sunset is a truly epic place to be, and the moments I have spent up there make for one of my favorite travel memories. The awe-inspiring views of the grandeur and granite of Yosemite reach another level when bathed in the fiery glow of the setting sun.

Hiking Half Dome is no easy feat either, and the first time I did it, I felt empowered in the outdoors in a way that truly changed my life. Half Dome proved to me that I am strong, brave, and capable of so much more than I ever thought was possible.

The Half Dome hike requires a long, uphill trek just to get to the base of the dome, a total of about 14 miles round trip with 5,000 feet of elevation gain. Then you have to ascend the steep granite face while clinging tightly to the steel cables – which is definitely not for the faint of heart or scared of heights!

Making it to the summit of Half Dome is such a proud accomplishment that adds to the exceptional experience of standing on top. I have explored the outdoors and hiked all over the world, yet Yosemite’s iconic Half Dome continues to hold a special place in my heart.

By Backpack Adventures

Travel bloggers reveal their most unforgettable travel experiences - Altyn Emel National Park

Few people have Kazakhstan on their bucket list, yet in my mind, it is one of the most underrated places in the world . It is where I had my most unforgettable travel experience to date.

Most think Kazakhstan is nothing more than steppes, but this is far from the truth. A visit to Altyn Emel National Park  is proof of Kazakhstan’s spectacular nature which is incredibly diverse.

Altyn Emel National Park has singing sand dunes, volcanic rocks, rainbow mountain ranges and vast steppes. The views are really out of this world with Martian and lunar-like landscapes everywhere you go. I kept taking pictures of all the different colors in the hills ranging from red to yellow to brown to grey and white.

Altyn Emel is also Kazakhstan’s prime Safari destination. It is one of the last places in this world to see wild horses and wild donkeys and even though it might be from far away you have a good chance of spotting them as well as the Persian gazelle or Bukhara deer.

Nature and wildlife are more than enough reasons to visit Altyn Emel, but there is history too. Traces of Scythian tribes that lived in the area around the first millennium BC are everywhere. From mysterious stone steles to ancient petroglyphs and burial mounds that fit perfectly in the remote sceneries of Altyn Emel.

By The Diary of a Nomad

Travel bloggers reveal their most unforgettable travel experiences - Swimming in the wadis of Oman

One of the most unforgettable travel experiences I’ve had was swimming in the beautiful wadis of Oman . Oman is filled with natural wonders; if you spend 10 days on this peninsula, you’ll see plenty of gorgeous waterfalls, mountains, valleys, deserts and my favorite of them all ⁠⁠— wadis.

The most famous wadi in the country is Wadi Shab, and it totally lives up to its hype. This attraction consists of 3 natural pools you can swim in, and one of them also leads you to a mystical cave with a waterfall inside it. I’ve always enjoyed swimming, but swimming inside a wadi with a breathtaking view of canyons all around you and fishes cozying up to your feet was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It also felt incredibly fun; like being inside a natural waterpark all day!

Wadi Shab is suitable for all travelers. The first of the three pools is very shallow and perfect for non-swimmers, beginners and children. You can simply relax in this pool if you don’t feel comfortable in deeper water. The second and third pools are quite deep, so I’d only recommend them for excellent swimmers. If you enjoy adventures and are great at swimming, you’d also love swimming inside the cave at the end of the third pool!

For this experience, I highly recommend bringing a waterproof dry bag and waterproof phone case so that you can keep your belongings with you as you swim. The dry bag can also act as a floatie if you ever feel tired from swimming! You can find more tips for visiting Wadi Shab in my Oman itinerary here .

By Travel by Carla Vianna

Travel bloggers reveal their most unforgettable travel experiences - Salar de Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia

Traveling to the vast Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia  has got to be one of the most epic adventures I’ve crossed off my bucket list. The Salar de Uyuni, or the Uyuni Salt Flat, is the largest salt desert in the world, composed of 11,000 square kilometers of glistening white salt. It’s an otherworldly landscape that allows for surreal, perspective-shifting photos—but the journey there is just as exciting.

The most popular way to visit the Salar de Uyuni is by group tour. I chose to go on a tour starting in San Pedro de Atacama in Chile. The tour involved a three-day road trip through Bolivia’s wildest landscapes in a 4×4 truck shared by seven strangers. On this tour, I visited volcanoes towering 5,000 meters above sea level. I ate lunch at local villages so small and quiet it was difficult to imagine that anyone lived there.

I took a dip in a thermal bath overlooking a vast desert scene, followed by a walk through a rocky landscape that mimics the one on Mars. I encountered every kind of weather possible, from sunshine to rain to snow flurries while crossing the mountains at dusk. For three days, we were completely off the grid—traveling to remote corners of the country where llamas and alpacas largely outnumbered humans.

This adventurous journey ended at the Salar de Uyuni, where I witnessed the sunrise over the endless sea of salt. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and a travel memory I’ll never forget!

By Juleen Meets World

20 of the world's most unforgettable travel experiences - Carnival in Trinidad & Tobago

Attending a Caribbean carnival in Trinidad and Tobago , was something I had been dreaming about for years. In Trinidad, the carnival takes place annually on the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, intended as a sort of last hoorah before “giving up the ways of the flesh” for Lent.

However, the festivities begin weeks and months before. Like deciding which costume I wanted to wear in the parade on Carnival Tuesday and which fetes and events to attend.

Starting just after Christmas, the Trinidad event calendar is filled with fetes, with the number increasing the closer you get to the carnival. Events also include culturally significant demonstrations such as the Re-enactment of the Canboulay Riots. There are also various competitions including the Junior and Senior Carnival King and Queen competitions and Panorama, the steelpan competition.

I went to Trinidad for about 10 days and spent most of my time hopping from fete to fete. When Carnival Monday and Tuesday finally rolled around, I was but still so pumped to participate in the parades through the streets of Port of Spain to the beautiful sounds of soca music.

Months of anticipation and planning ended in a week that just flew by, lodged in my memory the most unforgettable travel experience to date.

By Periodic Adventures

Discover 20 of the most unforgettable travel experiences in the world - Spelunking and rafting in Waitomo Glowworm Caves in New Zealand

In Waitomo, New Zealand, you’ll find a glowworm species that is exclusively found in New Zealand! These glowworms live deep in an underground cave system that is only accessible through a guided tour on the North Island. My most memorable travel experience was spelunking in these caves first on foot, then in a small inflatable raft!

When you first see the glowworms, they don’t look like more than the average worm, but as you descend into the caves away from sunlight, your eyes start to adjust and you begin to see a faint turquoise glow all around you. Soon enough your eyes are perfectly adjusted to the dark and you can see millions of speckles of turquoise-like stars around you.

The most amazing part of this tour was that the cave we entered had water flowing through it so after a short trek, we boarded an inflatable raft that was on the underground river. My boyfriend and I sat in the front row. The raft was guided by a rope attached to the cave ceiling so no paddling was needed. We floated along.

No cameras. No phones. No external lights at all. Just the sound of water flowing and the sparkle of turquoise all around us. It was beautiful and breathtaking. I highly recommend touring the Waitomo Glowworm Caves if you find yourself on the North Island of New Zealand!

By Directionally Challenged Traveler

Travel bloggers reveal their most unforgettable travel experiences - Exploring and camping in Antarctica

Due to its remoteness, visiting Antarctica is often thought of as a near-impossible dream by many travelers. However, it is worth the long flights, the adventure of crossing the Drake Passage, and even every hard-earned penny. Upon arrival at the ice continent, Antarctica welcomes you with open arms and a vastness of beauty rarely seen on Earth.

Only 40,000 people visit Antarctica every year (compared to the 5 million people who visit Rome), making it one of the most special and unforgettable travel experiences in the world.

Walking on land surrounded by penguins and elephant seals was a surreal experience. Since Antarctica isn’t a country or claimed by any specific country, there are strict restrictions to protect nature. That doesn’t mean you can’t fully experience it though.

We were able to get up close to humpback whales while they were feeding in a zodiac boat. Kayaking with a leopard seal, doing two polar plunges with penguins, and even camping on land overnight were awesome experiences to really appreciate our Earth.

Spending two weeks on an expedition ship was more than just looking at nature. Onboard, the staff had daily programming that covered the various species we’d see (hopefully), photography tips, and the history of the first explorers of Antarctica. Their knowledge, friendliness, and experience helped to round out the trip to make it the best trip of my life.

I’ve visited seven continents and over 35 countries, and none of them have impacted me like Antarctica.

By Sue Where? Why? What?

Discover 20 of the world's most unforgettable travel experiences - Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

Reaching the highest peak in Africa had been on my Life List for a while & turning 50 was my motivation for tackling it sooner rather than later. The morning after celebrating my birthday, I set off on my big adventure.

The summit of Mount Kilimanjaro lies at 5895m above sea level & is the tallest free-standing mountain in the world. Where Kilimanjaro is unique among the other highest continental peaks (Seven Summits), is that it’s possible to climb without any specialist equipment or expertise.

I had chosen to take the 8-day Lemosho route. For me, the priority was to give myself the best chance of reaching the summit. The altitude is the biggest unknown factor. You can train as much as you like but, in the end, you don’t know until you are there how it will affect you.

Throughout the climb, I struggled with the altitude & was full of trepidation about how I would cope when it finally came to Summit Night. As we began our final journey at midnight, I was wearing so many layers to protect myself from the cold that I could barely bend my legs!

After 6 hours of walking very slowly uphill, battling the cold & my mental demons, I finally reached the peak. Standing on the roof of Africa as I witnessed the sunrise is a moment I will never forget. It was worth every step, every doubt and every struggle along the way.

Mount Kilimanjaro will test you both mentally & physically, but you will come out with a new understanding of what you are capable of. I can honestly say that it is one of my best travel experiences to date.

By Tayara Muse

Travel bloggers reveal their most unforgettable travel experiences - Hot air ballooning in Cappadocia, Turkey

Only a handful of things can give you an adrenaline rush so strong, that you remember it forever. In some ways my most memorable travel experience was cliché; in other ways, it was a sacred, liberating moment. I gifted myself a hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia , Turkey for my birthday a couple of years ago – yes, a very social media-influenced adventure.

There’s so much power to doing something unique, completely solo and in a foreign place. The day started off rather early, the tour pick-up was at 4:30 am (yikes) and the ascent into the morning sky was right at 6:00 am. I joined a group of strangers below the balloon and watched it light up. As the warm air filled it, we started boarding.

What a feeling it was to float in the air, overlooking a historical region, and be surrounded by hundreds of colorful balloons – 3000 feet above the ground. The view took the breath right out of me! So, yes, it’s cliché, yes it’s been overdone, but listen up, nothing has compared to soaring in the sky and feeling invincible for a straight hour!

By A World in Reach

Travel bloggers reveal their most unforgettable travel experiences - The Great Wall of China

One of the most unforgettable travel experiences I’ve ticked off my bucket list was climbing the Great Wall of China. I spent 10 days exploring Shanghai, Xi’an, and Beijing before visiting the Great Wall on the last day.

I visited the Mutianyu section of the wall. This area is one of the most scenic and best-preserved, yet there are fewer tourists here than at the Badaling section. You can either hike from the base to the Wall for approximately an hour or take a cable car. I highly recommend the cable car – the journey up is scenic and you’ll need all your energy for hiking the actual Wall!

The Mutianyu section of the Great Wall is about 1.5 hours from Beijing. You can get to the wall from Beijing by taking public transportation, but I recommend taking one of the many tours offered from Beijing. Several Beijing hotels and hostels offer very affordable tours, you can also book online in advance.

Make sure to wear sturdy shoes, cool and comfortable clothing, and bring water for your hike. It can get really hot and the steps on the wall are very steep and uneven. At the end of your hike, treat yourself to an ice cream from the vendor at the cable car stop and then take the toboggan down for more fun!

Seeing the Great Wall in person was one of the best experiences during my travels and is worth a spot on everyone’s bucket list.

Travel bloggers reveal their favorite experiences in the world - Bike tour and lunch in a traditional Balinese family compound

There’s no secret that I’m obsessed with Indonesia, and I have been for over a decade. So while this might not be the most spectacular experience ever, it is certainly one of my most unforgettable travel experiences .

A few years ago, I decided to book a bike tour in Ubud to hopefully see a side of Bali we wouldn’t be able to on our own. After a lot of research, we ended up with Jegeg Bali Cycling. A family-run business that focuses on small groups and truly puts their guests’ experience above everything.

After an incredible day on the backroads of Ubud , we were brought to Putu’s family compound for lunch. His mother and aunts had put together the most amazing feast with all my favorite Indonesian dishes. It was one of the best meals I’ve ever had, and being able to come inside their family home, where four generations live, felt so incredibly special.

We sat around the table for a while, just enjoying the food and listening to Putu talk about everyday life in Bali. And as if that wasn’t enough, we also got a shirt made in the neighboring village as a parting gift. Because they earned money from us, they wanted to give back to their community and also back to us. How awesome is that!?

Aerial shot of the Great Barrier Reef and the turquoise ocean around Fitzroy Island.

Snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef is another one of my most unforgettable travel experiences. The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world, stretching over 2,300 kilometers along the coast of Australia. Fitzroy Island is the getaway to the reef.

It’s home to an incredible array of marine life, including colorful fish, sea turtles, sharks, and dolphins. Snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters of the reef is a truly magical experience that will leave you in awe of the beauty and diversity of the underwater world.

As you snorkel through the coral gardens of the Great Barrier Reef, you’ll be surrounded by a kaleidoscope of colors and shapes. You might spot a school of vibrant fish darting through the coral, a graceful sea turtle gliding past, or even a majestic manta ray soaring through the water.

The peaceful silence of the underwater world is broken only by the sound of your own breathing, adding to the sense of tranquility and wonder. Snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef is an experience that will stay with you for a lifetime, and is a must-do for any nature lover or adventure seeker.

Best places to see and things to do in Norway - Northern lights (Aurora Borealis) over Svalbard

Witnessing the Northern Lights in Norway is an incredible travel experience that is often described as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Even though I am Norwegian, I have only seen the Northern Lights once as I live in the south.

The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are a natural phenomenon that occurs when charged particles from the sun collide with atoms in the Earth’s atmosphere, creating a stunning display of colorful lights in the night sky.

Norway is one of the best places in the world to witness this awe-inspiring spectacle, as the country is located in the “Aurora Zone” and experiences frequent Northern Lights activity.

As you stand under the starry night sky in Norway, watching the Northern Lights dance and swirl above you, you’ll feel a sense of wonder and awe that is hard to describe. The colors of the lights can range from green to pink to purple, and the movement of the lights can be slow and graceful or fast and frenzied.

The experience is truly mesmerizing and will leave you feeling humbled by the beauty and power of nature. It is definitely one of the top things to do in Norway .

Girl paddle boarding on clear turquoise water with a glass bottom boat in the background on a day trip to Nusa Lembongan.

Seeing wild dolphins while paddleboarding on Nusa Lembongan is one of those pinch-me travel experiences. Actually, it was one of the last items on my original bucket list.

Nusa Lembongan is a small island off the coast of Bali, Indonesia, and is known for its crystal-clear waters and abundant marine life.

While paddleboarding just off Jungut Batu Beach, I suddenly spotted a pod of wild dolphins swimming and playing in the waves right in front of me. The sight of these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat was truly awe-inspiring and left you feeling humbled by the beauty and power of nature.

I remember sitting down on the board and just thinking how lucky I was to be right there right then. I wish I had a photo to look back on, but I’m also glad that I just focused on being in the moment.

Taj Mahal photography tips - How to beat the crowds

Visiting the Taj Mahal at sunrise is a travel experience that is sure to take your breath away. The Taj Mahal is a stunning white marble mausoleum located in Agra, India, and is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful buildings in the world.

Seeing this iconic monument bathed in the soft light of the rising sun is a truly unforgettable experience. As someone who loves history and architecture, finally getting to visit the Taj Mahal was a dream come true.

As you approach the Taj Mahal at sunrise, you’ll be struck by the sheer beauty and grandeur of the building. The white marble shimmers in the early morning light and the intricate details of the carvings and inlays become even more pronounced.

Be sure to get there while it’s still dark out, to be able to get some photos without people in them. A pro tip is to also visit Mehtab Bagh , a garden complex on the opposite bank, which in my mind is the best place to view the Taj Mahal.

The stone town of Sassi Di Matera set against a purple sky at sunset - The best hotel view in Matera

Staying in a cave in Matera is a unique and unforgettable travel experience that will transport you back in time. Matera is a city in southern Italy that is famous for its ancient cave dwellings. These caves were carved into the rock by hand and were once used as homes, churches, and even prisons.

Today, many of these caves have been converted into stylish and comfortable accommodations, offering visitors a chance to experience the history and culture of Matera in a truly unique way.

I ran away to Matera last year after two horrible years with a death, break up and the sale of my dream home. I spent several nights in a cave with only one window framing the church towering above the city.

One night I stood there thinking about my next step in life when the church bells started ringing right before sunset. The whole valley became silent except for this music, and all the lights turned on one by one. I started crying and felt like I was supposed to be right there at that moment.

That night I planned out my entire next year as I felt a new energy flow through my body. It is one of the most profound experiences in my life so far and I can not recommend Matera enough.

Pinggan Village - Discover one of Bali's best sunrise viewpoints

Seeing the sunrise over Pinggan Village had been on my Bali Bucket List for years. And I’m so grateful that I got to experience it with my mother.

Located in the central highlands of Bali, Pinggan Village is known for its stunning views of the surrounding rice paddies and valleys. As the sun rises over the horizon, the landscape is bathed in a soft, golden light and white mist that creates a truly magical atmosphere.

To witness the sunrise over Pinggan Village, you’ll need to wake up early and make your way to one of the many viewpoints in the area. As you wait for the sun to rise, you’ll be surrounded by the sounds of nature and the peacefulness of the early morning.

As the first rays of sunlight begin to peek over the horizon, the colors of the landscape begin to change, creating a stunning display of light and shadow.

Travel bloggers reveal their most unforgettable travel experiences - Visiting a Zulu village in South Africa

Traveling has been a way of life as I love wandering in new destinations and meeting new cultures and people! If you are looking for your next travel destination consider Africa!

What can you do on a vacation in Africa? One of the most memorable travel experiences I had while on the road was to visit a cultural village in South Africa. A day well spent in an African ancient tribe village in Gauteng located one hour’s drive north of Johanessburg.

Have you heard of the Zulu tribe? On my first trip to Africa, I visited a village of five traditional dwellings inhabited by Zulu, Xhosa, Pedi, Basotho and Ndebele tribes. The Zulu is the largest ethnic group in South Africa inhabiting KwaZulu Natal and Gauteng. The whole experience is fun and informative!

You will be welcomed by the head of the village and watch a short documentary film presenting the history of the village and the tribes. Then you head out on a guided tour of the beautiful community coming across the village’s warriors. Mingle with the welcoming people, learn their traditional dance and sit down for a delicious feast. Definitely an unforgettable experience!

12 of the most beautiful castle in Poland you should add to your bucket list - Książ Castle

You might not think of Poland as one of the main castle destinations in the world. But let me tell you, it should be! Going castle hunting in Poland is an unforgettable travel experience that will transport you back in time to a world of knights, kings, and queens.

Poland is home to over 500 castles, each with its own unique history and architectural style. Exploring these castles is like stepping into a fairy tale, and is a must-do for any traveler interested in history, culture, and architecture.

As you travel through Poland , you’ll have the chance to visit some of the most impressive castles in Europe. From the towering Wawel Castle in Krakow to the romantic Malbork Castle on the banks of the Vistula River, each castle offers a glimpse into a different era of Polish history.

I went castle hunting in Poland several times during my time living in Krakow, and my absolute favorite experience was visiting the beautiful pink Książ Castle on the first sunny and warm day of spring. I stood on the viewpoint by myself and pictured what it would be like to be alive when the castle was rebuilt in the 16th century.

View of a field of stunning peach tree blossoms in Cieza, Murcia, Spain during Floracion de Cieza

You might have heard about Sakura in Japan and the cherry blossoming in London or DC, but did you know that Spain has its very own floral happening?

Experiencing Floracion de Cieza , the blossoming of almond and fruit trees, is an unforgettable travel experience . It was something I had been looking forward to for years.

The phenomenon occurs every year in Cieza in the region of Murcia , usually in late February or early March. During this time, the hillsides and valleys of the region are covered in a blanket of pink and white blossoms, creating a stunning display of color and fragrance.

My parents and I went for a drive through the countryside, stopping at various viewpoints to admire the stunning views of the almond trees in bloom. You can also participate in guided tours, which will take you through the orchards and explain the history and cultural significance of the almond blossoms in the region.

FAQs: World’s best travel experiences

An unforgettable travel experience is one that leaves a lasting impression on you and creates memories that you will cherish for a lifetime. It could be a beautiful natural scenery, a unique cultural experience, an adventure that pushes you out of your comfort zone, or simply a moment of pure joy and happiness.

It will of course be different for everyone, but in my eyes, an unforgettable travel experience is the top two or three experiences that come to mind when asked.

Here’s my step-by-step guide to making any travel experience as good as possible:

  • Plan ahead: Research your destination and create a travel itinerary that includes activities and experiences that align with your interests. This will help you make the most of your time and ensure that you don’t miss out on any must-see attractions.
  • Be open to new experiences: Travel is an opportunity to step out of your comfort zone and try new things. Be open to new experiences, whether it’s trying new food, participating in a local festival, or exploring a hidden gem.
  • Embrace the local culture: Immerse yourself in the local culture by learning about the customs, traditions, and history of the destination. This will help you gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the place you’re visiting.
  • Engage with locals: Interact with locals to get a sense of their daily lives and perspectives. This can be as simple as striking up a conversation with a shopkeeper or taking a guided tour with a local guide.
  • Stay flexible: Travel plans can change unexpectedly, so it’s important to stay flexible and adapt to new situations. This will help you avoid stress and frustration and make the most of your travel experience.
  • Take care of yourself: Travel can be exhausting, so it’s important to take care of yourself by staying hydrated, getting enough rest, and taking breaks when needed. This will help you stay energized and enjoy your travel experience to the fullest.
  • Be present: Finally, be present in the moment and take time to appreciate the beauty and wonder of your surroundings. Put away your phone and camera, and take in the sights, sounds, and smells of the place you’re visiting. This will help you create lasting memories and make your travel experience truly unforgettable.

I book all my tours through Viator and GetYourGuide , depending on who offers the best value for that destination. But most often I end up booking through Viator.

I’m getting more and more into guided tours, especially for the first few days of a trip. That way you can ask a local guide all your questions and get tips on hidden gems and local favorites you might otherwise have missed.

For multi-day trips and retreats, I always check Tripaneer , the world’s leading marketplace to explore and book unforgettable travel experiences. They offer any type of holiday you can imagine including mindful yoga retreats, adventurous safaris, epic surf camps, and more.

Tripaneer also has separate sites for booking surf camps , yoga retreats , and many more.

Bukit Merese - The best place to watch the sunset in southern Lombok, Indonesia

There are countless unforgettable travel experiences in this beautiful world, it all depends on the person who experiences them.

But here’s a list of what I consider to be the most incredible travel experiences in the world:

  • Visiting the remote Svalbard archipelago in Norway to see polar bears and Northern Lights
  • Exploring the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru
  • Going on a safari in the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania
  • Walking on the Great Wall of China
  • Swimming with whale sharks in the Philippines
  • Taking a hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia in Turkey
  • Seeing gorillas in the Virunga Mountains on the border of Rwanda, Uganda and Congo
  • Cruising through the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador
  • Scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia
  • Exploring the ancient ruins of Petra in Jordan

Travel bloggers reveal their favorite unforgettable travel experiences in the world - The Great Wall of China

Unique experiences are travel activities or experiences that are not commonly found in typical tourist itineraries. They are often off-the-beaten-path and provide travelers with a chance to engage with the local culture and environment in a more authentic way.

Some examples of unique experiences include:

  • Staying in a treehouse or igloo
  • Participating in a traditional ceremony or festival
  • Volunteering with a local community or conservation project
  • Taking a cooking class with a local chef
  • Exploring a hidden gem or lesser-known attraction
  • Going on a wildlife safari or nature hike
  • Visiting a remote village or island
  • Learning a new skill or craft from a local artisan
  • Trying a unique mode of transportation, such as a hot air balloon or camel ride
  • Going on a cultural tour or immersive experience, such as a homestay or language exchange program.

I’m asked this question a lot, and while I would love to have this crazy story about when I rode across the steppes of Mongolia on horseback, it is yet another experience from Bali. I took this silversmith class in Ubud and absolutely loved it.

It might not be the most unique experience in the world, but it’s the one that constantly pops into my head. My mom and I made silver rings that we still use today. You can read more about the experience in my guide to the most unusual things to do in Bali .

Unique & unusual things to do in Bali - Silversmith class in Ubud

No, unforgettable travel experiences do not have to be expensive. While some experiences may require a larger budget, there are many affordable travel experiences that can be just as unforgettable.

For example, hiking to a beautiful viewpoint, exploring a local market, or trying a new cuisine can all create unforgettable memories without breaking the bank.

Here are my top ideas for new experiences yo can have without traveling far or spending much money:

  • Take a cooking class: -you don’t have to travel far to attend a cooking class. Many local cooking schools and community centers offer affordable cooking classes where you can learn how to make new dishes and cuisines.
  • Visit a local museum or art gallery: Most museums and art galleries offer free admission or discounted rates on certain days of the week. This is a great way to learn about local history and culture, so be sure to take advantage of it. I lived in Krakow for 5 years and never went to the museums, something I regret today.
  • Go on a nature hike: Most of us live near at least some kind of green space, whether it’s a city park, mountain, coastal hike or national park. Try to find a new natural area you have yet to explore, pack some snacks and head out. It’s a great way to get some exercise and enjoy the natural beauty of your area.
  • Attend a free concert or festival: Many cities and towns host free concerts and festivals throughout the year. Check your local events calendar to see what’s happening in your area.
  • Take a bike ride: Rent a bike or use a bike-sharing service to explore your city or town. This is a fun and affordable way to get some exercise and see new sights.
  • Volunteer with a local organization: Many nonprofits and community organizations rely on volunteers to help with their work. This is a great way to give back to your community and meet new people.
  • Visit a farmer’s market: Some communities have weekly farmer’s markets where you can buy fresh produce, baked goods, and other local products. I just went to one the other day and got lots of different vegetables and pastries. Definitely one of my favorite ways to support local businesses and discover new foods.
  • Take a dance class: Many dance studios offer affordable classes in a variety of styles, from salsa to ballroom to hip-hop. This is a fun way to learn new moves and meet new people.
  • Go on a scavenger hunt: Create your own scavenger hunt or participate in one organized by a local group or business. This is a fun way to explore your city or town and discover new sights and hidden gems.
  • Attend a local sporting event: Most places have minor league or amateur sports teams that offer affordable tickets. This is a fun way to support local athletes and enjoy a day out with friends or family.

Looking for more travel inspiration?

  • 16 incredible islands you probably haven’t heard of but need to visit!
  • 12 Cities That Aren’t on Your Bucket List (But Should Be)
  • The ultimate Spain bucket list : 101+ awesome things to do & places to see
  • The ultimate Norway bucket list : top 200 awesome things to do!
  • The ultimate Denmark bucket list : 101+ awesome things to do

Female travel bloggers reveal their all time favorite travel experiences. Looking for unforgettable experiences for your bucket list? From kayaking in Nunavut and swimming in the wadis of Oman to healing at a spiritual retreat in Ubud, you don't want to miss these!

About Charlotte

Charlotte is the passionate traveler and online business coach behind Sunshine Seeker. She started working as a content creator on Instagram in 2014, before social media was even a thing, and as a travel blogger in 2015. Over the past 14 years she has explored 45+ countries and lived in Oslo, Kraków, Bali and Lombok. Every month she helps more than 50,000 people plan their adventures and learn how to create more freedom by working online.

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25. May 2020 at 18:07

This is an awesome list! Thanks for including me!

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25. May 2020 at 22:12

Right!? I can’t wait to get back out on the road now 😀 Thanks for contributing!

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30. May 2020 at 09:55

Some great ideas in here. So many wonderful things I’ve never even heard of but would love to do now!

30. May 2020 at 19:18

Same here! Thanks for stopping by 😀

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The force of change in the travel experience

T he last couple of years have rewired what travelers care about and how they act. In fact, half of consumers say that the pandemic caused them to rethink their personal purpose and re-evaluate what’s important to them. 1

This reveals a massive white space for travel brands—an opportunity to differentiate themselves and follow new paths to accelerate and grow their business.

The place to start? Understanding the new traveler today.

Travelers’ demands

The pandemic forced travelers—en masse—to shift their expectations completely and more rapidly than we’ve seen at any other time in history and caused them to rethink their purpose.

Travelers are now  channel-less, contact-less, time-less and audience-less.

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We explore the shift in travelers’ demands and the critical accelerators that will help travel companies drive growth through the travel experience.

What does this mean for travel brands?

To help companies respond to these new travel preferences, we have identified critical accelerators to drive market differentiation and improve the travel experience :

1. Creativity to inspire.

Driving differentiation with scalable communications and innovative experiences will allow travel brands to meet rising motivations and ignite growth. Learn more .

2. 0-Channel distribution.

Travel brands need to adapt to new liquid demand in the distribution landscape to achieve better return on investment.

3. Tech-empowered.

The right technology foundation for recovery and growth requires incremental transformation with agility, innovation and resilience at the heart. Learn more .

4. Data as guidance.

The combination of cloud and data expertise makes it possible to experiment with new loyalty initiatives, booking flows, customer care and experience. Learn more .

5. Sustainability, the north star.

Travelers are attracted to companies with a track record of green operations, so travel brands need to build sustainability into their DNA. Learn more .

The takeaways

Travel companies have important choices ahead. It’s one thing to be aware of how the acceleration of new travelers’ demands is pressuring the industry. It’s another to see the opportunities in of all this change—and seize them. We can help you. Let’s begin with these takeaways:

  • Redesign your inspiration strategy
  • Adopt a liquid demand centric distribution strategy
  • Use data as a guidance layer to orchestrate the whole customer experience value chain
  • Design, build and communicate your sustainable platform

1 Life Reimagined: Mapping the motivations that matter for today’s consumers

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Managing Director – Products Lead, Iberia

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MANAGING DIRECTOR – SONG

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CONSULTANT – SONG

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ANALYST – SONG

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Travel industry recovery: Business or leisure?

Related capabilities, travel consulting.

Accenture helps travel companies outmaneuver uncertainty in a new era of travel.

Traveler experience

Traveler needs have changed, and experiences must change with them to bring back customers and regain trust.

The responsible travel company

We help travel companies act effectively on ESG goals to achieve a sustainable recovery.

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Life-changing travel experience stories

Get inspiration from travelers’ tales. Submerge into these life-changing travel experience stories, beautiful tales of how a trip can alter the trajectory of your life – Experiencing the Globe #LifeChanching #TravelExperiences #Wanderlust #WhyTravel #IndependentTravel #SoloFemaleTravel #BucketList #Adventures #SustainableTravel #SustainableTourism

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.

Roatán, Honduras

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, with about 60 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.

Lake Calafquen Villarrica Volcano Chile

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.”

Havana, Cuba

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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.”

Ranthambhore - Tigers in the Wild

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 San Fernando, 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.”

Luzon, Philippines

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.” 

Nam Fon, Thai Elephant Refuge

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!”

Western Australia - Travel Off

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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.”

Chitkul Village - The Spicy Journey

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.”

Thailand - She Dreams of Alpine

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 traditional Danish Christmas 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!”

Copenhagen - Robe Trotting

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!”

Adelie Penguins in Antarctica - The Nomadic Vegan

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!

Get inspiration from travelers’ tales. Submerge into these life-changing travel experience stories, beautiful tales of how a trip can alter the trajectory of your life – Experiencing the Globe #LifeChanching #TravelExperiences #Wanderlust #WhyTravel #IndependentTravel #SoloFemaleTravel #BucketList #Adventures #SustainableTravel #SustainableTourism

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!

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16 thoughts on “Life-changing travel experience stories”

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Wow this is really amazing,I pray that I will be opportuned to travel around the world one day

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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! 🙂

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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! 🌱

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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!

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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! ❤️

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Very inspiring stories! Thank you for sharing them!

It was a blast to write this, and collect other wonderful tales!

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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!

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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!

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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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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.

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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

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.

Days to Come

Travelling Without a Passport

people walking on a bridge with a view of st. paul's cathedral in the background

Tips for How to Travel Like a Local (Updated 2022)

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Growing up, I got to travel like a local . Part of my first-generation immigrant upbringing meant that come summer, when my friends went off to Disneyland or Europe, my two younger siblings and I boarded a long-haul flight to Pakistan .

For a few weeks every year, we would visit Karachi — Pakistan’s roaring metropolis — and live like the locals. Waiting for monsoon rains, eating peanuts and french fries out of bags made from newspaper, playing cricket in the streets, and adopting the social and cultural norms.

While it would have been nice to visit Greece or France , our holidays were a lot of fun, and as culturally immersive as things get. You know that famous saying — when in Rome ? Well, we didn’t visit Italy , but intentionally or unintentionally, my parents taught me the tenets of that phrase and culturally immersive travel. Self-importance had no place on our vacations, and we didn’t get special treatment because we were visitors and we certainly weren’t allowed to call ourselves that or behave as such.

man and woman taking selfie in front of taj mahal

If you want authentic travel experiences — this is my top tip for travelling like a local — it’s a state of mind. Behave like a tourist, and you’ll get treated like one.

Something as simple as making an effort to speak the local language can go a long way. Put on airs, and you’ll create a distance between yourself and the people you are visiting instead of forging a connection. A lot of people take themselves too seriously while travelling or feel entitled. For an authentic travel experience, it’s always better to be gracious and not to expect special treatment. Here are my tips for how you can travel like a local, throw yourself into the mix and still be respectful of the culture.

See Also: Local Living Tours & Trips

Choosing a destination

Don’t worry so much about the budget while choosing your destination. If you’re crafty, it’s possible to live cheaply in most cities and countries. Of course, some places are more budget-friendly ! When I want an authentic travel experience, I opt for smaller towns or destinations as they often fall off the radar of avid tourists.

These smaller destinations aren’t always easy to get to, but that’s part of the adventure. If that makes you uncomfortable, why not try a group or private tour in these smaller hidden gems? They may not have the attractions and sites of big cities, but wouldn’t you much rather go on a walk with a local guide than stand in a queue with tourists?

man and woman walk down a road

I know a lot of people love to see and do as much as possible on vacation (or kick back and do nothing at all), but if you really want to experience and live in a place — even if only for a few days — you need a different approach. Sometimes it helps to have a base for the duration of your trip, for example, a homestay, and enjoy activities nearby you.

I find it helps to pick a focus for your trip. I’ve done a few dancing vacations in Italy and New York , and having a routine helped to root me.

I had my favourite cafe and places I would grab food from, the local business owners got to know me and would often eat with me or have a drink. They would ask me questions about myself and share the most incredible insider tips. You get to know somewhere through the eyes of the people that live there, and it happens in an organic way that isn’t contrived.

See Also: Best Small Towns in Europe for Authentic Local Experiences

Avoid places popular with tourists

Some of the top destinations in the world are popular for a reason, but they come with crowds. So if you want to be surrounded by locals, then you need to avoid those destinations.

If you are planning on visiting a famous city or country because it’s been a life-long dream, you can still have local travel experience. If it’s possible, before you plan your trip, try to find out from locals how they like to vacation in their own cities or countries. There may be some beach they know of or a restaurant or nature trail that hasn’t found its way onto Instagram.

crowd of people trying to get pictures in a museum

Do some research

Not the kind of research that involves flipping through the pages of a guidebook or looking up a list of things to do. A couple of weeks before your departure, start reading the local news for the place you are visiting. Learn more about the history and geography of the region you’re visiting.

Imagine being able to talk to the locals you meet about their home on a meaningful level? It’s a great ice-breaker and gives your interactions more depth.

Wanting to travel like a local may give you a way to accentuate your adventures, but have you ever asked yourself why you want to explore the world in this way? If it comes from a place of wanting to build genuine connections, then you can’t just think along the lines of how locals can make your experience better.

Having a handle on the geography and current affairs of a destination will give you some invaluable insight. It also shows the locals you’re interested in their country and will encourage them to open up to you. Likewise, don’t have any preconceived prejudices or opinions about the locals based on what you’ve heard or read online.

See Also: How to Experience Marrakesh Like a Travel Writer

Use local transport

Be it buses, rickshaws, cycles, trains, trams, or on foot, there’s no better way to fully immerse yourself in a destination than by travelling as the locals do. Make a conscious decision to use public transportation as much as possible.

monk in traditional robes walking on railway station platform near trai

This one goes without saying. Ask the locals where to eat. Tell them you want to eat where they go, not where they tell the tourists to eat.

Attempt the language

You can’t be fully proficient in every language, but learning a few essential phrases and the basics are important. These days there are lots of apps you can download to help you as well. Not only will it make life a little easier for you, it shows that you respect the locals and that you are trying which is what matters the most.

See Also: Tips From my Tour Guide for Travelling Southeast Asia

Ask the locals right questions for recommendations

Now that you’ve mastered your language skills, this has to be the best tip I can offer. Instead of asking locals for general tips and recommendations, get to know them instead. Ask them specific questions about their life, not personal questions mind you! Ask them about their routine. A local buddy will help you uncover your destination better than any guidebook.

Here are some examples:

  • Do you do anything before work?
  • What sport does everyone love watching here?
  • What do you like to do after work?
  • What’s your favourite take out place?
  • What’s your favourite thing to do on the weekend?
  • What does your perfect Sunday afternoon look like?
  • When friends and family visit, where do you go?
  • What’s the one local restaurant you can’t live without?
  • Where do you go on a Friday night?
  • Tell me something that not many people know about your home town?

So, the next time you take a trip, try out one of our tips for more authentic travel experiences. Do you have any suggestions for travelling more locally? Share them in the comments with us. 

Travel on: Discover local experiences with TourRadar

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Based in Toronto, Sahar is a full-time content editor for Days to Come and part-time travel junkie.

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Polar bear with a cubs in the tundra. Canada. An excellent travel experience.

40 best travel experiences around the world

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Incredible travel experiences make us catch our breath, they make us forget about anything other than being in that moment and afterwards, they make us want to be a better person. From close encounters with elusive wildlife to venturing to places no cruise ship has been before, you’ll want to add these unique travel experiences to your bucket list.

Lock eyes with gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda

There are only 1,000 gorillas left in the wild, and by seeing them you are helping to ensure their protection and survival. Find them in central Africa in the forests of the ‘Virunga Massif’, a vast swathe of national park spread across three countries – Virunga (DRC), Volcanoes (Rwanda) and Mgahinga (Uganda). The experienced can head to Uganda where terrain is steep, while Rwanda is more forgiving. Explore from the Uganda side with The Classic Safari Company .

Gorilla in wilderness national park Democratic Republic of Congo green forest

Northern Lights Snowmobile Safari

Head to Sweden’s landmark Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi for a thrilling four-hour Northern Lights Snowmobile Safari in the wilderness where the enchanting Northern Lights paint the sky. Combine the thrill of snowmobiling with the chance of catching sight of the celestial spectacle. Along the way, stop at a cosy wilderness cabin where your guide will serve a warming two-course dinner before your return through the snowy landscape.

Explore remote parts of Honduras

You can now go where no cruise ship has gone before with Ponant . An eight-day itinerary aboard Le Dumontd’Urville will take you to Cayos Cochinos, La Ceiba and Cuero y Salado in Honduras. You’ll visit one of the most beautiful coral reefs in the Caribbean, and see rainforests and mangroves rich in wildlife. Meet the Caracoles people in Bonacca (The Cay), and the Garifuna people from Chachahuate island in the Cayos Cochinos archipelago. With five departures from November 2023, it will be an enriching experience.

Three Capes Track hiking tour in Tasmania

Hike a wild coastline to the Dolerite Cliffs, then dine on a gourmet three-course meal of fresh Tasmanian produce and a glass of local wine before you bed down in an eco-camp. Sound like the perfect long weekend? We think so. The Tasman Long Weekend hike with Tasmanian Walking Company takes you along the Tasman Peninsula to mighty Cape Raoul and Cape Hauy, along the Three Capes Track. You’ll cover 28 kilometres across three days with close wildlife encounters. Wake to views of Tasman Island and finish your weekend with a wine tasting and lunch at a vineyard because, after this rugged travel experience, you deserve a little indulgence.

A bucket list expedition cruise

Swan Hellenic has been pioneering expedition cruising for the last 70 years. While luxurious, expeditions remain at the cruise line’s core, 12-person hardhulled Zodiacs ensure you get close to nature and wildlife, safely. Visit smaller ports in bucket-list destinations travelling with scientists who involve you in the onboard Expedition Laboratory; while the expedition team – made up of experts in geology, glaciology, ornithology, marine biology, and history – give presentations. Swan Hellenic is passionate about preserving the pristine waters, magnificent wildlife and habitats that it is privileged to explore.

Connect with Indigenous guides at Wilpena Pound Resort

Visit South Australia’s Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park and expect to be changed forever. Wilpena Pound Resort is the only accommodation within the park. Guests can stay in glamping tents or resort-style rooms and explore Ikara-Flinders Ranges on hiking and biking trails or by a scenic flight to fully appreciate the grandeur of the 95,000-hectare national park.

Read : Discover Ikara-Flinders Ranges at Wilpena Pound Resort

Glamping at Wilpena Pound Resort

Hike Bhutan’s ancient trails

The Trans Bhutan Trail is a 403-kilometre pilgrimage running the length of Bhutan. The tiny Buddhist country on the edge of the Himalayas is known for its breathtaking views and the kindness of its people. Used by pilgrims, messengers and traders for hundreds of years, it’s often tackled by adventurers. You can hike sections from 1 to 14 nights, or do the whole trail on a 35-night adventure. Choose cultural experiences along the way from cooking classes, Buddhist ceremonies and visits to temples and monasteries to homestays. All profits from G Adventure’s Trans Bhutan Trail bookings support local communities.

Punakha Dzong Monastery, one of the largest monestary in Asia, Punakha, Bhutan

Art escape in Shoalhaven, NSW

Bundanon is a haven and cultural precinct for art and nature lovers. Situated on the banks of the Shoalhaven River it was the home of celebrated artists Arthur and Yvonne Boyd. They gifted Bundanon to the Australian public as a living arts centre. Visitors can explore ground-breaking contemporary exhibitions at the award-winning Art Museum. The precinct showcases Boyd’s artwork and studio at the historic Homestead. It also has a 1,000-hectare wildlife sanctuary that visitors can discover with scenic walking tracks. You can book a cultural experience weekend and spend the night on The Bridge, an eco-friendly, sustainable accommodation, soaking up the tranquillity that Arthur Boyd loved so much.

Read : weekend retreats to unleash your creativity at Bundanon

Take part in creative workshops with artist Bonnie Porter Greene

Whale sharks in West Papua

Swimming with the whale sharks of Cenderawasih Marine Park in West Papua is one of the world’s most incredible travel experiences. The extensive coral reefs of this remote marine and coastal habitat rank amongst the finest in the world, but it is the unique opportunity to interact with whale sharks in their natural habitat that offers most visitors their biggest thrill. The whale sharks linger close to the surface, having developed a symbiotic relationship with generations of local fishermen. Enjoy a seven-day West Papua cruise with True North for an up-close experience, snorkelling or diving alongside the ethereal giants in Cenderawasih Bay, while allowing them the space and respect they deserve.

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Sleep with lions, tigers or bears at Jamala Wildlife Lodge

Canberra, ACT

Soak in a hot tub while you gaze into the eyes of a bear or hand-feed a giraffe from your balcony at Jamala Wildlife Lodge. There are 18 African-lodge-inspired rooms across three accommodation ‘precincts’ – uShaka Lodge (formerly the owner’s home), Giraffe Treehouses and Jungle Bungalows. Set inside the National Zoo and Aquarium, a stay here includes wildlife encounters in addition to those you’ll have from your room, including meeting a white rhino, a sun bear, a lion or a cheetah. All money raised from the animal encounters and cash donations goes directly into breeding, educational, animal conservation and welfare programs.

Read : What makes Jamala Wildlife Lodge a ‘wild’ sleepover?

lady sitting in a bubble bath in a Jungle Bungalow at Jamala Wildlife Lodge with two tigers on the other side of the glass

Slow travel in the South Island

Escape the ordinary on a four-day TranzAlpine escape. Visiting three West Coast destinations with the icing on the cake being the return journey on the relaxing TranzAlpine train . Highlights of the West Coast Explorer package include the limestone formations and blow holes at Punakaiki Pancake Rocks that have been created over millennia, soaking in a wood-fired hot tub in beautiful surrounds in Moana and learning about the golden age of West Coast mining at Shantytown Heritage Park.

Yellowstone National Park

From bubbling geysers, glassy lakes, and soaring peaks to fairytale-green meadows, Yellowstone National Park is magical. Yellowstone Safari Company specialises in tours of Yellowstone’s spectacular landscapes and abundant wildlife. Led by naturalist guides, choose a day tour of the Lamar Valley to search for bears, bison, wolves, elk and more, and marvel at Old Faithful and other geological wonders.

Play among two-thousand-year-old Mayan temples

Nestled deep within the Guatemalan jungle is the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Tikal National Park . Hidden in the jungle, tendrils of vegetation envelop its many buildings. One of the most important archaeological complexes left by the Mayans, Tikal was occupied from the 6th century BC to the 10th century AD. You’ll find 3,000 buildings within the ceremonial centre, including temples, pyramids, palaces, and public squares. Wildlife in the park includes jaguars and pumas, monkeys and anteaters and more than 300 species of birds including tucans. Tikal was the location for the Rebel base, Yavin 4 in Star Wars: Episode IV, A New Hope.

Tikal ruins in Guatemala with thick tropical jungle

Safari on the Serengeti plains in Tanzania

Picture thousands of zebra grazing on the verdant plains of the Serengeti. Then watch as a sea of wildebeest stampedes to the Mara River while hoping to avoid the gaping jaws of awaiting crocodiles. Maasai Wanderings can organise bespoke travel experiences of the Serengeti, with accommodation in glorious glamping tents.

Connect to country in Kakadu

Kakadu’s landscapes include sandstone escarpments, awe-inspiring waterfalls, floodplains of unique wildlife and sacred rock art sites from the oldest living culture in the world. Connect to Country with bucket-list experiences all year round. Tour the waterways with Yellow Water Cruises, visit Warradjan Cultural Centre, Nourlangie rock art site, Maguk waterfall and natural swimming pool and Jim Jim Falls. They are all within easy driving distance or take the guided approach on a tour with Spirit of Kakadu 4WD Adventures.

Sunrise on Yellow Water Billabong Kakadu

Bike around Hoi An, Vietnam

Hoi An is a postcard-pretty city that has preserved its original wooden houses and charming storefronts. One of Vietnam’s best travel experiences is to hire a bike and meander along cobbled streets alongside women in elegant Áo dài , under brightly coloured lanterns. Immerse in the local culture through authentic Vietnamese cooking classes and art workshops in traditional handicrafts such as lantern making and ceramics.

Indigenous traditions in New Caledonia

Immerse yourself in the ancient traditions of the indigenous Kanak people of New Caledonia as you glide across the calm, gin-clear waters of picturesque Upi Bay, on the Isle of Pines, by outrigger canoe. The traditional Melanesian dugout canoes dance delicately as they pass enormous rocks that appear to float on the water, and glide over blocks of corals teeming with marine life. Discover peaceful bays, playful dolphins, mantas and curious turtles.

Vivid turquoise waters in Upi Bay, New Caledonia. swimming here is a mesmerising travel experience

See polar bears in Canada

For years the remote town of Churchill , on the shores of Canada’s Hudson Bay, has lured wildlife enthusiasts. They come seeking the once-in-a-lifetime travel experience to observe polar bears in their natural habitat. In October and November, polar bears gather on the icy tundra, eagerly awaiting the freeze-up and the start of their hunting season. Venture out on a guided expedition aboard sturdy tundra buggies. They provide a safe way to view and photograph the polar bears. It’s an unforgettable adventure and showcases the urgent need for conservation efforts.

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Soak in a hot tub on a Swiss lake

Glide across the glistening Lake Brienz in a one-of-a-kind floating hot tub . Soak in the warm, bubbling water as the crisp winter air invigorates your lungs and snowflakes dance delicately above. Winter bathing like you’ve never experienced before, the Hot Tug is no ordinary tub; it’s a half-boat, halfbathtub with enough room for six that will send you on a leisurely 90-minute journey that merges the tranquillity of a spa and a leisurely lake cruise with a backdrop of snow-capped forests and the towering slopes of the Bernese Alps.

Wintjiri Wiru drone show

Wintjiri Wiṟu  is an unmissable show combining ancient Anangu storytelling with drone, laser and light projection technology. As custodians of the land, the local Anangu community hold the Mala story, a history woven into the landscape from Kaltukatjara (Docker River) to Uluru. The show is created by projections from state-of-the-art lasers, lights and more than 1,200 glowing drones. It is narrated in Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara languages with a soundtrack of traditional inma recorded with members of the Anangu community. Choose from two shows a night – a three-hour Sunset Dinner and 1.5-hour After Dark experience – with complimentary transfers from Ayers Rock Resort.

Read : The ultimate Uluru travel guide

Cherry blossoms in South Korea

There is something magical about walking under trees covered in cherry blossoms. Crooked Compass runs a six-day hiking tour in South Korea that will take you through wondrous cherry blossoms and beautiful forest scenery. Highlights include the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Tunnel in Gyeonghwa and the magnificent blooms along Yeojwacheon Stream and the Dream Road.

Gyeonghwa station during sakura blossom festival in Jinhae.

Romanic train tour from Paris

This European travel experience takes you from Paris to Istanbul on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express . The elegant train meanders through picturesque landscapes, stopping at historic cities such as Vienna and Budapest, before uncovering the allure of Istanbul. With luxurious accommodations on board, this once-a-year journey will be the trip of a lifetime.

Bolivia’s salt flats

Salar de Uyuni is a vast natural salt flat in Bolivia that astounds explorers with its otherworldly beauty. During the dry season, salt crystallisation on its surface creates hexagonal formations. Then during rainy season, Salar de Uyuni transforms into the world’s largest natural mirror. Within this surreal landscape, visitors can explore cacti-covered islands, witness flocks of flamingos in vibrant lagoons, and marvel at the captivating sunsets that paint the horizon with an array of colours.

Blue part of the Laguna Colorada (Red Lagoon) with Chilean, Andean and James flamingo (Phoenicoparrus), Uyuni Salt Flat Desert, Bolivia.

Hot air ballooning in Turkey

Every morning in Turkey’s central region of Cappadocia you can join more than 150 hot air balloons rising above a landscape sculpted by erosion over thousands of years. Balloons drift over fairy chimneys, pigeon houses, orchards and vineyards. When you’re back on the ground, visit Derinkuyu, an ancient multi-level underground city where 20,000 people once lived.

See the Horizontal Falls in The Kimberley

The Horizontal Falls are pure theatre. Extreme tides of up to 12 metres force huge volumes of water through two narrow gorges in the McLarty Range, creating the illusion of waterfalls turned on their side. Middle Gap is more than 20 metres wide, the Narrow Gap about six metres wide but currently not traversed for cultural and safety reasons. The awe-inspiring spectacle is an unforgettable travel experience. From the air, they are like boiling water. From a power boat, you can see and feel the tug-o-war beneath the surface. See the falls on a multi-day cruise with Ponant, True North and Silversea or a day tour with Horizontal Falls Adventures .

Spain’s famous 200-kilometre coastal hike

Spanning 200 kilometres from Malpica to Finisterre, Camino dos Faros is an exceptional coastal hiking trail along Spain’s Costa da Morte. The route traverses majestic cliffs littered with lighthouses, secluded beaches, hidden coves, forests and dunes. Divided into eight stages, the trail follows old fishermen’s paths along the dramatic Galician Atlantic coast. It’s an immersive experience that combines adventure with natural beauty. It takes approximately 12 days to walk Camino dos Faros.

Blue Mountains Canyoning

Blue Mountains Adventure Company offers thrilling expeditions at 15 different canyons in NSW’s Blue Mountains. Empress Falls Canyon, suitable for beginners, takes you between canyon walls blooming with ferns and moss, scrambling over boulders, ‘spiderman’ walking across rocks to jump into deep rock pools and swimming through the canyon. The grand finale is an adrenaline-pumping 30-metre abseil down Empress Falls.

Woman abseilingdown Empress Falls in the blue Mountains, NSW

Milford Sound overnight cruise

Deep in New Zealand’s South Island, this area is a tranquil haven with swirling mist, soaring mountains and mirror-smooth water. Fiordland Discovery has overnight accommodation in Milford Sound/Piopiotahi on board Fiordland Jewel . The beautiful, boutique vessel has nine cabins, a rooftop hot tub and a helipad. You can also fly to the ship by helicopter from Glenorchy, adding an incredible flightseeing adventure and glacier landing to the experience.

Visit the Philippines’ most underrated destination

Submerge yourself in Sipalay, a coastal city in the Philippines that is blessed with incandescent waters and pristine beaches. With excellent visibility and warm temperatures year-round, Sipalay’s marine reserve offers unforgettable diving experiences that provide some of the most diverse diving in the Philippines. Divers can explore shipwrecks, dive through fields of soft coral trees and encounter extraordinary marine life.

Sipalay is a coastal city located in the Negros Occidental province of the Philippines. It is known for its white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, and vibrant coral reefs.

Ski safari in Italy’s Dolomites

The Dolomiti Superski Area has 12 ski areas covering 1,200 kilometres of pistes. Travelplan Ski’s unforgettable travel experience takes you on a seven-night ski safari with a private professional guide. You’ll spend three nights sleeping in rifugios (traditional alpine inns located high in the mountains) and two nights in Cortina D’Ampezzo. Bellissimo!

Canal boating on the Rideau

Hire one of Le Boat’s modern houseboats and cruise on the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rideau Canal. Opened in 1832, the 202-kilometre canal links Lake Ontario with the Ottawa River, going through 45 locks at 23 lock stations. With bases in Ottawa and Smiths Falls, cruise between the two, stopping at places like Merrickville and Manotick, or opt for more days and mosey down to Kingston – no licence required.

Explore Singapore in a beautifully restored vintage Vespa

In a world-first, Singapore Sidecars lets you pop into a sidecar on any number of tours. Try the Civic District Art Tour, Kampong Glam and the Civic District, and the Joo Chiat and Katong Tour. There are also heritage rides, and for film buffs, a tour of the Crazy Rich Asians locations, including one that finishes with a cocktail-making workshop.

Read : The best things to do in Singapore with kids

Explore the Nile in style

After a mind-blowing tour through Cairo’s captivating history, slow down the pace a little on board a luxury cruise on the Nile from Luxor to Aswan on Sanctuary Sun Boat IV . Abercrombie & Kent’s unforgettable ‘Nile in Style’ cruise has spacious sundecks and soak up the sights of temples and ancient tombs, then bed down in your opulent room or suite

Read : What to expect on Egypt’s most luxurious Nile cruise

Outdoor travel experiences in The Faroe Islands

Embark on a dual adventure that combines a captivating wildlife experience with an exhilarating hike on Mykines Island. Located in The Faroe Islands , halfway between Iceland and Norway, the distinctive orange beaks of puffins are waiting to welcome you to a world of avian enchantment. Trek rugged cliffs to nesting sites, serenaded by the sound of crashing waves and seabird calls, to see puffins dance and play in their lush green habitat, before embarking on the challenging hike to Kallur Lighthouse, with breathtaking views of the archipelago your reward.

Burning Man

Nevada, USA

A melting pot of art, self-expression, and communal living in otherworldly landscape of Nevada’s Black Rock Desert. Burning Man is a wild, week-long event. As you explore the vibrant playa during the annual festival, you’ll encounter art installations, eclectic performances, and fire displays. Disconnect from the outside world to embrace the radical self-reliance and creative freedom amidst the dust and flames of this truly inclusive and utterly unique festival.

Burning Man is a life changing travel experience in Nevada, United States

Hidden gems in Morocco

Morocco is intoxicating. It is a land where medinas whisper tales of the past and sandy dunes embrace the Saharan horizon. Intrepid’s Morocco Uncovered tour is a two-week travel experience where guests can traverse the majestic red dunes of the Sahara on a camel, surrender to the blue allure of Chefchaouen, uncover the ruins of Volubilis, and delve into the labyrinthine streets of Fes and lively Marrakech.

Australia by train

This Australian train journey takes you 2,880 kilometres across three states; NSW, Victoria and South Australia. The Great Southern is a four-day train journey that utilises The Ghan’s carriages, which used to sit idle in the summer months as the Red Centre is too hot.

14-day horse riding trek in NZ

Clamber aboard a Clydesdale for an epic 14-day travel experience with Alpine Horse Safaris. You’ll be exploring the mountains, lakes and landscapes of New Zealand’s South Island. It’s not for the inexperienced as you will be sitting in the saddle for up to 10 hours a day and dismounting and leading your horse downhill when the terrain is extra steep. Accommodation is in woolsheds and muster huts. Pack horses will carry all equipment and food, which you’ll devour around campfires as the sun goes down. The Tekapo Main Divide Expedition is New Zealand’s longest ride but other rides of just a few days are also available.

Holi Festival in India

Immerse in a kaleidoscopic celebration of new beginnings and cultural revelry during the Hindu spring festival of Holi. The country-wide celebration is held on the final full moon of the Hindu lunar month of Phalguna. Typically occurring in late February or early March. This vibrant event is an unforgettable spectacle. Festivities commence with a symbolic bonfire representing the triumph of good over evil, followed by a jubilant burst of powdered pigment and coloured water to celebrate the coming of spring. Pack a change of clothes for this psychedelic free-for-all, where inhibitions are set aside as joyous revellers sing and dance in a cloud of blue, green, pink and red.

Watch baseball on the oldest field in the Major League

No trip to the USA is complete without a baseball game – hot dog and all – and what better place to see the action than the oldest baseball field in the Major League? Built in 1912, Boston’s Fenway Park is home to the famous Red Sox. There are also one-hour tours daily. Look out for the one red seat at the ground, signifying the longest home run ever hit at Fenway.

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10 of the Best Virtual Reality Travel Experiences

  With the time and expense required to travel being prohibitive to many, there are alternative ways of indulging your wanderlust – including via the burgeoning world of Virtual Reality.

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(Photo: Cubicle Ninjas)

There are a huge number of VR companies all vying to create ever more unique experiences for consumers – and one of the biggest growth categories has been travel. And what better time to get a taste of exploration and adventure from the comfort of your living room, equipped only with a VR headset, than now, when travel is a luxury that many just can’t stretch to? We’ve picked out 10 of the best virtual reality travel experiences currently on the market.

So which VR headset should you go for? Our favourite is the Meta Quest 3, which launched onto the market in mid-2023 and is the successor to the Meta Quest 2. For immersive games and travel experiences, we believe the Meta Quest 3 is destined to become the leading VR headset over the coming years. It’s pretty affordable, too, and unlike other headsets, doesn’t require cords or a computer. You can purchase the Meta Quest 3 at Amazon.com.

Guided Meditation VR

Developed by Cubicle Ninjas, Guided Meditation VR is designed to bring peace, joy, and calm back into your daily life by teaching you ancient meditation practices in a cutting-edge way. It features over 40 lush environments to escape the everyday, 30-plus hours of guided meditations on anxiety, depression, maternity, resilience, sleep and zen, and hundreds of hours of calming musical audio tracks to help enhance your meditation experience. Users can also customise their sessions to their own specific preferences and needs, including the option to switch into Motion mode and gently float through beautiful vistas like you would on a lazy river, leaving the worries of your life behind before returning calmer and stronger.

PRICE £10.99 HEADSETS Meta Quest 3

Be anywhere in the world with anyone, instantly, in this captivating game developed by Wooorld Inc. Visit hundreds of cities, architectural landmarks, natural wonders, and vacation spots in incredible 3D detail, and get tips about the best places to visit, the hidden gems, where to get the best food and all the tourist traps to avoid. You can also create your own 3D avatars with face and body tracking and test your worldly knowledge by guessing where you are after being teleported to 5 random locations, with only the landscape, flora, architecture, and road signs for clues. The game can played as collaboratively as you wish, with options to explore the world with friends and meet new people, or hop into a Solo World without any distractions.

PRICE Free HEADSETS Meta Quest 3

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(Photo: Wooorld Inc.)

Blueplanet VR Explore

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(Photo: Blueplanet VR Explore)

Highlighting sacred and fragile locations of natural beauty and cultural heritage, Blueplanet VR Explore  is a collection of remarkable places across the world. With freedom to move around and explore, the virtual reality experiences are captured in volumetric 3D with great detail and accuracy. The scenes look and feel like these places do in real life, and enable you to freely move around to enjoy and explore these remarkable, fragile, and priceless environments. Concern for the environment often comes from direct experience, and being as close as we can get to experiencing a sense of actually being there, Blueplanet can help encourage people to appreciate and protect these treasures.

PRICE £18.99 HEADSETS Meta Quest 3

BRINK Traveler

Travel to some of the world’s most amazing natural wonders in fully immersive 3D and feel like you’re really there in this awe-inspiring game by Brink XR. Step into a scene akin to a postcard as you visit a total of 28 (with more on their way) of the most breathtaking places on Earth. In-game highlights include room-scale walkable areas in each destination, a virtual guide and assistant to learn about where you’re visiting, and the chance to shoot photos to share with friends. You can either play the game solo or with friends and family in multiplayer mode.

PRICE £11.99 HEADSETS Meta Quest 3

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(Photo: BRINK XR)

National Geographic Explore VR

Created in partnership with National Geographic, a world-leading society in the fields of geography, cartography and exploration, this magical VR experience invites you to discover two of the most iconic locations on Planet Earth. Don your explorer hat and head to Antarctica for an exhilarating expedition. Navigate around icebergs in a kayak, climb a vast ice shelf and survive a snowstorm as you hunt for a lost emperor penguin colony. Visit the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in Peru and get immersed in amazing digital reconstructions of the legendary site. Witness mummy worships, raise a cup of sacred chicha and encounter cute and furry alpacas as you match Hiram Bingham’s photographs from when he rediscovered the citadel. Be sure to take a camera as your best snaps may even make it into the prestigious National Geographic magazine.

PRICE £7.99 HEADSETS Meta Quest 3

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(Photo: Force Field Entertainment B.V)

The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners

Fans of the hugely popular TV blockbuster The Walking Dead can now join the world of zombies in this new VR adventure. Travel through the ruins of New Orleans as you fight, scavenge, and survive, each day unravelling another mystery lurking within the city’s historic quarters. Encounter desperate factions and lone survivors who could be friend or foe. Whether you help others or take what you want by force, every choice you make has consequences. What kind of survivor will you be for the people of NOLA? Scavenge for anything that you can; weapons, food, tools, and clues. Be wary of the living and the dead, with spatial audio drawing attention to any loud noise. Craft makeshift gear out of scrapped material; blades, guns, medicine, and more. Test your morals and make difficult choices for yourself and others. It’s all here, bringing the small screen to life in a big way.

PRICE £29.99 HEADSETS Meta Quest 3

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(Photo: Skydance Interactive)

Narrated by award-winning actress Anna Friel, this trail-blazing VR series opens the door to some of the planet’s wildest environments while redefining the limits of 3D-180 cameras. Meet the humans protecting our most precious wildlife, explore the great savannahs of Kenya, discover the ancient jungles of Borneo and dive into the rich coral reefs of Raja Ampat. Encounter elephants, orangutans, manta rays and some incredible humans, all in stunning cinematic footage filmed from the air and deep into the ocean. The series was produced in partnership with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF),

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(Photo: PHORIA)

The world is your oyster with this interactive, immersive VR experience that’s designed to be played by the whole family. There’s global travel and adventure in which your friends and family can join city tours, hot air balloon rides, back-country road trips, and plenty more. Or you can simply kick back and relax, practice meditation and get back to nature – all in the company of a guide or going solo, if you prefer. Other features include photo sharing, soundtracks, a range of fun games and media customisation.

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(Photo: AARP Innovation Labs)

Rome Reborn: The Pantheon

Created by Flyover Zone, an American company specialising in virtual travel applications that present the world’s most important cultural heritage sites and monuments, Rome Reborn is one of five applications that present different areas of ancient Rome. This particular one transports users over the entire ancient city, focussing on the Pantheon, perhaps the best-preserved building from antiquity. In the company of two virtual guides, you’ll get to explore the exterior forecourt and interior sanctuary of the reconstructed complex as you listen and learn about the Pantheon’s design and decoration, as well as the nature of the religious cult once housed within it.

PRICE £3.99 HEADSETS Currently only available on Oculus Rift

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(Photo: Flyover Zone Productions)

Monte Fitzroy is Argentina’s most famous mountain landmark and is even used as the logo for outdoor retailer, Patagonia. It is a place that immediately evokes a sense of adventure. At the foot of the mountain is a beautiful and remote glacial lake known as Laguna Sucia. Most people who visit Monte Fitzroy view it from a location that is much easier to access. Laguna Sucia requires a much tougher hard-to-access trail that culminates in one of the most beautiful and remote glacial lakes in existence. You are rewarded with a sense of almost meditative stillness as you approach this untouched natural amphitheatre. This VR experience utilises Pterovision, a 3D technology that integrates computational photography, 360 Video, and gaming and allows you to take off like a bird, fly around the lake, visit the waterfalls along the edge, and fly over glacial formations beneath the mountain peaks. Numerous narrations will tell you about the challenges we faced when filming in this location, as well as educate you about the geology, culture, and history.

PRICE $2.99 HEADSETS Currently only available on Oculus Rift 

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(Photo: Specterras Productions)

Gala360 – Travel & Relax

Taking you on awe-inspiring virtual adventures across the globe, Gala360 is the result of the magic touch of an array of exceptionally talented photographers who have captured their globe-trotting trips in all their glory before being rendered into VR form. In professional 6K resolution, more than 300 tours around the world are featured, with some also including narration which allows you to listen to the stories behind the trips. Most of the tours are free, but you can pay a small fee to unlock more.

PRICE Free HEADSETS Currently only available on Oculus Go (soon available on Quest 2)

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(Photo: Gala 360)

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Metro

The world's 'best travel experience' happens just twice each year

The world’s best travel experiences have been crowned – and you might not have heard of the one that tops the list.

Calling all fans of the Big Apple : a natural phenomenon called ‘Manhattanhenge’ in New York City has ranked as the must-see experience, receiving a total of 1,305,760 annual global searches.

Also known as the Manhattan Solstice, this event happens twice a year as the setting sun or the rising sun aligns with the east-west streets of the city’s street grid system.

The term references Stonehenge in Wiltshire , UK, which was constructed to allow the rising sun to align with the outer ‘heel stone’ during summer solstice, the two moments of the year when the path of the sun is the farthest north in the Northern Hemisphere.

If you want to book your flights to align with this natural event, you have two options, as it typically occurs around 28 May and 13 July.

May is likely to be cheaper for accommodation since this is just before high tourist season, and with 4 July (AKA Independence Day in the US), footfall is likely to be higher for the second ‘Manhattanhenge’ event.

In May, New York is moving towards summer but remains one of the wettest months. However, fairly warm weather is still abundant with average temperatures of 20C, though July sees air conditioning-necessitating averages of 29C.

Best things to do in New York City

If you’re firmly sold on the idea of ‘Manhattanhenge,’ why not get your to-do list in check now? Here are some of the best things to do in New York City:

  • Stroll around Central Park (and channel your inner When Harry Met Sally or Sex and the City )
  • Experience a game at Yankee Stadium
  • Watch the river go by at Brooklyn Heights Promenade
  • Grab a coffee and explore the High Line
  • Marvel at the famous Grand Central Terminal
  • Discover some art at The Metropolitan Museum of Art or The Museum of Modern Art.

Elsewhere, Venice Carnival in Italy came second on the list, compiled by Kuoni . The event, characterised by its world-famous costumes and masks, has its origins in the Middle Ages.

Though it was abolished in 1797, it was later revived in 1979, attracting approximately 3 million visitors each year.

The dates vary, but the 2025 festival is scheduled to take place from 22 February to 4 March.

Keeping with the carnival spirit, Rio Carnival in Brazil, which also takes place in February, came in third place. The biggest carnival in the world, this event sees 2 million people flock to the streets of one of Brazil’s largest cities each day.

And if you’re looking to visit Japan, kill two birds with one stone as the country has two experiences making the top ten: Golden Week in sixth place and Obon Festival in tenth.

Taking place between 29 April and 5 May, Golden Week marks an array of Japanese holidays, including Shōwa Day, Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day and Children’s Day.

Elsewhere, the Obon Festival – also known as just Bon – fuses the ancient Japanese belief in ancestral spirits with the Buddhist custom of honouring one’s ancestors. Seeing families honour their ancestors by flocking to ancestral places and visting graves, the festival lasts for three days and has been marked for over 500 years.

The world’s best travel experiences, according to research by Kuoni

  • Manhattanhenge, New York, US
  • Venice Carnival, Italy
  • Rio Carnival, Brazil
  • Day of the Dead, Mexico
  • Chelsea Flower Show, UK
  • Golden Week, Japan
  • Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, US
  • Northern Lights in Lapland, Finland
  • Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany
  • Obon Festival, Japan.

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This NYC natural phenomenon is the top travel experience (Image: Getty Images)

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EarlyBird

"Behind the Scenes” is a five-part series focusing on the inner workings of the travel industry and how those impact the consumer’s final product. If you'd like to contribute to our future reporting and share your experience as a source, you can click here to fill out this quick form .

The delight in a child’s voice ringing across Kilimanjaro Safaris ’ savanna captured the mood earlier this month as Corra, a two-month-old African elephant, made her public debut at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

The spritely calf looked tiny next to her mom, Nadirah, despite weighing 312 pounds.

“They're dense, so they're all muscle and joy,” said Dr. Scott Terrell, Director of Animal & Science Operations for Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment, which cares for all the animals across Walt Disney World. “She's like a little kid. She wants to run and play and climb.”

Corra bounded ahead of her mom as onlookers cooed from afar.

The baby elephant is precious, but not just because she’s cute. Her species is endangered, and she embodies everything Disney's Animal Kingdom is working toward, as USA TODAY learned behind the scenes. 

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How does Disney's Animal Kingdom care for elephants?

“This is years in the making,” said Liz Warncke, Animal Care Manager for Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment.

Corra is the first third-generation African elephant at Disney's Animal Kingdom and the eighth calf of her kind to be born there. Her mom, Nadirah, and aunts, Luna and Stella, were also born at the Florida park, which is a leading zoological institution accredited by the gold-standard Association of Zoos and Aquariums .

“I've been at Disney for 10 years now, on the elephant team, and to see these girls grow up and now become first-time moms, it's been very rewarding,” said Warncke. “They're all supportive of Corra.” She said the matriarchal family group would likely spend their whole lives together like they would in the wild.

There are five other elephants at Animal Kingdom: a group of two females and then three males, including Corra's dad, Mac. The care they receive is a snapshot of the care all animals get at Disney World, but there are some differences with elephants.

“We're the only animal care team that only cares for one individual species, and that's just because it's such a hard job. It takes a lot,” Warncke said. 

There are 15 keepers that focus solely on elephants. Other keepers care for multiple species. Terrell said keepers know the animals like family. “Their hearts and minds are exactly where all of us would want.” 

He added, “As a matter of principle, we don't force our animals to do anything.” 

Instead, animals are given positive reinforcement and rewards like high-value snacks. Many also have audio cues to draw their attention. Depending on the animal, it could be a voice cue like calling a name or banging pots and pans.

“Corra actually knows her name now, which is great,” Warncke said. “So we just call them back one at a time. They're very smart, and they're super food motivated.”

Participation in activities like welfare checks is voluntary.

“If they don't want their blood drawn, they don't have to. They can walk away, which is with a lot of our animals here,” said Sam Shablin, an endocrinology research associate for Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment who helps track animal physiology through hormone levels. “It’s the same with our training of the animals, too. If they don't want to train that day, they don't need to. They can go do whatever they want.” 

Many animals have additional space backstage at the park. The elephants have a big barn with outdoor yards.

“On our rare cold days in Florida, the barn is a heat source if we need it,” Terrell said, noting they try to avoid having elephants inside or on concrete as much as possible.

How did Disney's Animal Kingdom prepare for the elephant's birth?

After nearly 22 months of gestation, Corra was born in one of those yards on Dec. 13, without a hitch or human intervention.

“We actually got Corra's birth down to the exact day that she was due, which was very exciting for us,” said Shablin. “We were just like, look at what our data did!”

Narrowing down the timeframe was critical because Corra could have been born any time between 615 to 699 days of gestation, according to Dr. Geoff Pye, Animal Health Director for Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment.

When the big day came, the care team watched the delivery live by camera. 

“We were certainly prepared to intervene if needed, but you know if we do everything right, they don't need it,” Terrell said. 

Nadirah had plenty of fresh hay to lay on, and Warncke said the first-time mom took a nap before going into a quick 10-to-15-minute active labor, with support from sister Luna, who is now expecting and whom keepers handpicked to be near her side like she’d be in the wild.

“Everybody thinks we do everything, and it's all science. There's an art to what we do, too, and that only comes with essentially living with these animals every day,” Terrell said. “Liz and Scott and the keepers that work here, they figured out that Luna was going to be the best buddy, and it turns out they were 100% right.”

When Corra was born, Pye said she was a little too small to reach her mom to nurse, which was especially critical in her first 48 hours.

“The early milk from mom contains colostrum. It’s full of antibodies that are really important for the health of the calf,” he said. As a workaround, Pye said platforms were built around the elephant barn, parts of the yard terrain were elevated, and Nadirah was trained to stand over those areas to help Corra reach. “Kudos to our elephant, having Nadirah train for that.”

“We want to take the best possible care of the animals here. We want them to thrive here. We want them to have beautiful little babies just like you see there and live wonderful lives,” Terrell said. “And we want to care for their counterparts (in the wild). And if we're not doing both of those things, then we're not doing our job.”

What does Disney's Animal Kingdom do behind the scenes?

Over the years, the Disney Conservation Fund has given $125 million to nearly 600 organizations working to protect all kinds of species worldwide. Disney’s Animal Kingdom has partnered with many of them, including more than 30 organizations supporting elephants, according to Terrell. 

“We discovered with a group called Save the Elephants this really incredible story that elephants aren't afraid of mice, like in ‘Dumbo.’ They're actually afraid of bees,” he said. 

They learned that installing fences with beehives can keep elephants away from gardens that subsistence farmers rely on in Africa.

“One elephant can come in the night and eat their entire year's supply of fruits and vegetables, easily, much less a herd of elephants. Well, you're a parent, you have to feed your kids. You need to protect your food source. What do you do? You grab a gun and grab a box of poison,” said Terrell. He noted that, like the ivory trade and habitat loss, human conflict threatens elephants in the wild.

Working with elephants at Animal Kingdom, they learned that just playing bee sounds on speakers also deters elephants naturally. 

“But if you do have the bees, then you can also harvest the honey. You can feed your family, maybe make a little money on the side,” he said, calling it a win win win.

Other conservation efforts have included protecting the rainforest habitats of cotton-top tamarins in Colombia through Proyecto Titi , repatriating white rhinos to Uganda, and reintroducing Puerto Rican crested toads back to the wild.

“We're involved with a project in the Democratic Republic of Congo that's getting ready to do the first-ever rewilding of gorillas from a rescue situation,” Terrell said. Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a founding member of the Gorilla Rehabilitation And Conservation Education Center , GRACE, and a gorilla named Grace at the park helps guests connect with her counterparts in the wild.

Disney sends its experts and resources out to help in-country efforts, but also actively shares research and information on animal care.

“We recognize the privilege of having these animals and the responsibility that comes with having them, and in order to just pay off on that privilege, we need to make sure that we're making a difference,” Terrell said, noting that everything they learned from Corra's birth will be shared across the zoological community.

Where can I see the baby elephant at Disney's Animal Kingdom?

Disney's Animal Kingdom guests can see Corra for themselves on the popular Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction, but she may not always be out. 

“We're rotating elephants all the time,” Warncke said. “We want to make sure that they're not always in the same yard, their day-to-day changes.” 

Guests who want more time with the elephants can take the Caring for Giants tour, an hour-long experience that starts at $39, on top of park admission. All proceeds from the tour go directly toward elephant conservation efforts.

African elephants are just one of 300 species represented at Disney World. The Animals, Science and Environment team also cares for animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge , The Seas with Nemo & Friends at EPCOT, and Tri-Circle D Ranch at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground.

“I would just encourage people to find an animal that they love while they're here and then ask the cast members to share their stories because that's where I think the real magic of this place is," Terrell said.

Dr. Cat Wheaton, an endocrinologist for Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment welcomes questions at the Science Center at Conservation Station , where guests can see scientists like her at work.

“We can open up the window and just share what we're working on,” she said. “I ask, ‘What's your favorite animal here in the park? What did you see today that was really cool?’ We've probably worked on it.”

While guests may not see everything that happens behind the scenes at Disney's Animal Kingdom, the hope is they leave inspired to keep learning about animals like Corra and want to protect them, too.

“She will inspire millions of people in 2024 and beyond to care about elephants,” Terrell said.

The reporter on this story received access to this event from Disney. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content.  

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